The New Indian Express Chennai - February 13, 2025

In this issue

February 13, 2025

Trouble for EPS as HC allows EC to probe into AIADMK leadership fight

THE Madras High Court on Wednesday allowed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to proceed with the hearing and decide on issues concerning the leadership dispute in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and freezing of the party's 'two leaves' symbol.

1 min

Tough bill to curb illegal immigration

A draft legislation with more teeth to curb illegal immigration is likely to be introduced in Parliament in the second leg of the ongoing Budget session.

1 min

India, France to jointly develop N-reactors, AI

INDIA and France on Wednesday decided to strengthen their strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with French President Emmanuel Macron to firm up plans to bolster cooperation in nuclear energy and artificial intelligence (AI).

1 min

Pre-poll freebies creating a class of parasites: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticised the practice of political parties giving freebies ahead of the elections, saying it has made people unwilling to work.

1 min

State Is Delaying Nod To Prosecute Velumani: NGO

CHENNAI-BASED NGO Arappor Iyakkam on Wednesday alleged that the state government has been delaying giving sanction to the DVAC to file charge sheets against former minister and AIADMK MLA S P Velumani for over a year.

1 min

TN seeks ₹74.4 cr to relocate villagers from buffer zone in MTR

Tamil Nadu Finance, Environment and Climate Change Minister Thangam Thennarasu submitted a ₹74.4 crore proposal to Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi, to facilitate the relocation of Thengumarahada villagers from the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris.

1 min

Turtle deaths: TN wildlife board to meet on Feb 14

IN the aftermath of the mass Olive Ridley turtle deaths at the beginning of this year's nesting season, the meeting of the standing committee of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) will be convened on February 14 to deliberate on reasons for deaths, actions taken so far, and future conservation strategy for the turtles.

1 min

No immediate plan to capture Kovai tusker, says forest dept

THREE weeks since the deployment of two kumkis, a wild elephant that allegedly killed an elderly person at Varappalayam near Thadagam has not returned to human habitation.

1 min

Lack of premium brands in Tasmac leaves customers dry and not high

Officials claim supply is delayed in a few outlets due to ongoing computerisation work

2 mins

2 Walking on Railway Track Hit by Train

A man and a woman, both aged 22 years, walking along a railway track near Perungalathur railway station, were run over by an EMU train heading to Chennai Beach from Chenglapattu on Tuesday.

1 min

LPF Drops Stir Plan as Nehru Assures Action to Hike Wages of Corpn Staff

The members of Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), workers' union affiliated with the DMK, withdrew their plan to protest against the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Wednesday after minister KN Nehru assured them of action on implementing the G.O. to increase wages for skilled labourers.

1 min

Cop-vetted IDs Must for Autos in Kilambakkam

In a bid to regulate auto rickshaws operating in the vicinity of Kilambakkam bus terminus, the Tambaram City Traffic Police have mandated that all autos operating in the area should register with the police.

1 min

Plan to dig pond on railway land sparks eviction fear in Tondiarpet

Though residents hold patta, many admit they have encroached upon the railway land

2 mins

Thiruparankundram: TN govt opposes protest plan, says stirs will affect peace

ALLEGING that miscreants are attempting to disrupt communal harmony and peace by raising unnecessary issues over the Kandhuri festival at the Dargah in Thiruparankundram hills, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday told the Madras High Court that it would not allow anyone to disrupt peace and will also ensure that religious sentiments and beliefs of none of the communities are hurt.

1 min

Don't test me, says AIADMK's Sengottaiyan amid rumours

AMID speculations of an internal rift in AIADMK, senior party leader and former minister K A Sengottaiyan, speaking at a party event, said, \"Do not test me.\"

1 min

Interfaith marriages must be registered under Special Marriage Act to be legal'

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently observed that interfaith marriages have to be registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, to be considered legal.

1 min

Interfaith marriages must be registered under Special Marriage Act to be legal,

ALLEGING that miscreants are attempting to disrupt communal harmony and peace by raising unnecessary issues over the Kandhuri festival at the Dargah in Thiruparankundram hills, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday told the Madras High Court that it would not allow anyone to disrupt peace and will also ensure that religious sentiments and beliefs of none of the communities are harmed.

2 mins

TN to soon release its own educational survey covering 10L students

SCHOOL Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Wednesday said the school education department will soon conduct an assessment covering 10 lakh students across the state and release its results to show the educational standards of Tamil Nadu.

2 mins

MP Moves Bill, Wants States to Be Part of Disaster Panel

DMK MP P Wilson has moved a private member's Bill in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to substitute the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) which comprises only the prime minister and members appointed by the PM, with a broader and more inclusive National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) with representatives from all states.

1 min

Bypoll win indicates pro-incumbency wave

STATING that even AIADMK votes have gone to the DMK in the recent Erode East by-election, Electricity Minister V Senthilbalaji said, in a post on X on Wednesday, there was only 'pro-incumbency' in TN for the state government.

1 min

State Invites France's GIFAS for Strategic Collaboration

The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) on Wednesday invited Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS), the French Aerospace Industries Association that has many industry leaders as its members, to visit Tamil Nadu for in-depth discussions on strategic collaboration, technology partnerships and investment opportunities.

1 min

HC verdict on 'two leaves' no setback, says AIADMK

'ECI has accepted that it will decide if it has powers before initiating probe'

2 mins

TNSCERT's deputy director under probe lens

The school education department has initiated a department inquiry against the deputy director (DD) of TNSCERT R Geetha who was previously the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) of Nilgiris over various charges.

1 min

RS seat: Min's meet with Kamal sparks rumour

The meeting of HR & CE minister PK Sekar Babu with Makkal Neethi Maiam (MNM) chief and actor Kamal Haasan on Wednesday sent the political analysts into a frenzy that the meet was to discuss the latter's Rajya Sabha candidature.

1 min

Experts' advice on AI: Use it mindfully

\"WE should strive to master artificial intelligence (AI) instead of becoming its slave,\" opined experts at the International Conference on Media and Social Responsibility 2.0, organised by DG Vaishnav College here.

1 min

1 More Killed in Kerala Jumbo Attack, UDF Gives Hartal Call

Forest dept draws up 10-point plan to mitigate human-wildlife conflict

1 min

BJP Chief's Poll Deal: Highest Honorarium for TN Women

BJP state president K Annamalai on Wednesday said his party would promise the highest monthly honorarium for women in the election manifesto for the 2026 Assembly election,

1 min

Temp to be 3°C above normal in parts of TN

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Wednesday predicted that the maximum temperature is likely to be 2-3°C above normal at isolated pockets across Tamil Nadu until Friday.

1 min

The Urgent Need for a National Skill Census

India's demographic transition will see it emerge as the most populous nation in the working age group by 2030.

3 mins

When the Prime Minister Goes to Washington

Trump is yet to fill some key posts that have a bearing on India-US relations. For now, the two sides are talking at higher levels to reset the course

4 mins

PM Recalls Savarkar's Escape Bid in Marseille

India-France relations touch new heights as Modi & Macron hold discussions on-board the presidential aircraft

2 mins

Waqf Bill: House panel report to be tabled in LS today

THE Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will table the final report in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

1 min

Buy air tickets from panchayats soon, says Shah

UNION Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah said on Wednesday that each panchayat in the country will have a primary agricultural cooperative society (PACS).

1 min

SC to hear pleas over CEC appointment on Feb 19

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed February 19 to hear a batch of pleas against the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners under the 2023 law, saying if anything happens in the interregnum, the consequences are bound to follow.

2 mins

54 in 1951 to 743 in 2024, Number of Political Parties Sees 15-Fold Jump

THERE has been a 15-fold increase in the number of political parties (from 54 in 1951-52 to 743 in 2024) contesting in general elections and a five-times increase in the number of contesting candidates from 1,874 in 1951-52 to 8,360 in 2024, revealed the data released by the Election Commission on Tuesday.

1 min

80K killed due to extreme weather events in 1993-2022 period: Study

INDIA registered at least 80,000 fatalities in the past three decades, causing losses of nearly $180 billion (inflation-adjusted) between 1993 and 2023 due to climate change-induced extreme weather events, a study says.

1 min

Engaged on Jan 28, he was to marry on April 18

NAIK Mukesh Singh Manhas, who was killed in an IED blast near Line of Control (LoC) in J&K's Akhnoor sector on Tuesday, had returned to army unit on January 28 after his home for engagement. He was to get married on April 18.

1 min

Capt Bakshi Was to Get Married With Service Doctor in Army on April 5...

Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi, who was killed in an IED blast near the LoC on Tuesday, was to get married on April 5.

1 min

Pranab's son returns to Cong after TMC stint

FORMER President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee rejoined the Congress on Wednesday after a four-year stint with the Trinamool Congress.

1 min

Rape survivor can terminate pregnancy, says HC

THE Allahabad High Court has ruled that a victim of sexual assault has the legal right to terminate her pregnancy medically, emphasising that forcing her into motherhood would violate her dignity and fundamental rights.

2 mins

Patra Meets Guv Again to Break Manipur Deadlock

THREE days on since N Biren Singh resigned as Manipur Chief Minister but BJP has not named his successor yet, intensifying speculation about the imposition of President's rule in the state.

1 min

Didi govt presents ₹3.9L cr poll Budget, DA hiked 4%

State GDP records 6.8% growth, more than national avg: Minister

1 min

Passport cannot be denied to person on brother's terrorism link, rules HC

THE Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has said that a passport cannot be denied to a person merely for the involvement of his brother in militancy activities.

1 min

Sissi may skip US if Gazan relocation talks on agenda

After Jordan, now Egypt prez pushes back on Trump's plan to drive away Palestinians

1 min

Musk Says Doge's Work Common Sense

PRESIDENT Donald Trump's most powerful adviser, Elon Musk, made a rare public appearance at the White House on Tuesday to defend the swift and extensive cuts he's pushing across the federal government while acknowledging there have been mistakes.

1 min

Two shot dead in Gaza by IDF for flying a drone

THE Israeli military said on Wednesday it struck two people in the southern Gaza Strip who were flying a drone, which was allegedly observed entering Gaza from Israel after past attempts to use drones to smuggle in weapons.

1 min

SIP inflows down by ₹59 crore to ₹26,400 crore in January

FOR the first time in many years, the incremental inflows into the systematic investments plans (SIPs) saw a marginal decline of ₹59 crore at ₹26,400 crore in January month-on-month basis after more than 25 lakh SIP folios were cancelled by stock exchanges.

1 min

Ashok Leyland Q3 net profit rises 34.63% to ₹819.67 crore

COMMERCIAL vehicle maker Ashok Leyland Ltd on Wednesday reported a 34.63% increase in consolidated net profit at ₹819.67 crore in the third quarter of the current financial year, riding on strong sales growth in overseas markets.

1 min

Natural gas demand to see 60% rise by 2030

THE country's natural gas demand is projected to grow by nearly 60% by 2030, reaching 103 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually, according to a report by the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA).

1 min

Reserve Bank Lifts Curbs on Kotak Bank as Lender Takes Measures to Address Issues

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday lifted the curbs imposed on the fourth-largest private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank after 10 months for failing to improve its IT infrastructure despite repeated warnings for nearly two years.

1 min

Smallcap stocks take a beating as market crashes

AS the market fell, highly volatile smallcap and midcap stocks have taken a beating.

1 min

January retail inflation eases to five-month low of 4.31%

SUPPORTED by softening food prices, retail inflation eased to 4.31% in January 2025, down from 5.22% in December 2024, as per data released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation on Wednesday.

1 min

New I-T bill: Simpler, shorter, crisper

Bill, likely to be tabled on Thursday, has no change in rate structures, capital gains tax rules

2 mins

Dream run: Old pals Nizar & Azhar help Kerala enter semis

WHEN Jammu and Kashmir left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq dismissed Aditya Sarwate in the 84th over, Kerala, with only four wickets remaining, had to see off more than 40 overs to draw their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal tie in Pune on Wednesday.

2 mins

MOC meet: Pruning TOPS list core issue

Finally, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had a more intense meeting on Tuesday.

2 mins

FC Goa sink Mumbai City

IKER Guarrotxena scored a first-half double as FC Goa recorded a 3-1 win over Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai on Wednesday.

1 min

CLEAN SWEEP YET QUESTIONS REMAIN

Even as India beat England 3-0, the chopping & changing make one wonder about their backroom planning

3 mins

Day of records as Yadav claims javelin gold

JAVELIN thrower Sachin Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, 18-year-old high jumper Pooja Singh of Haryana and long distance runner Sawan Barwal of Himachal Pradesh rewrote National Games records and won gold medals on the concluding day of athletics competition here on Wednesday.

1 min

Bold-play concert: Gill symphony enthralls thousands in Ahmedabad

BY all accounts, the Coldplay concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the last week of January was box office.

3 mins

Real late show exposes City's decline

REAL Madrid once again twisted the knife into Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to compound a troubled season for the English champions and leave them on the brink of an early Champions League exit.

1 min

Traditions Reframed

When we watch a Bharatanatyam performance today, do we ever question its relevance?

2 mins

Galentines, Gossip, and Girlfriends

A day before Valentine's Day is popularly known as Galentine's Day - 24 hours reserved for celebrating those soulmates you find in your friends. Chennaiites say what makes these friendships special

5 mins

Screening solidarity

A rainbow flag stretched across the steps of the Alliance Francaise de Madras. But the colours didn't stop there.

2 mins

JOYS AND PLAYFULNESS AT WEDDINGS

Suggested by readers, this time, I explore numerous games or humorous bi-plays that are part of weddings and their customs.

2 mins

VIKRAM PRABHU'S NEXT TITLED LOVE MARRIAGE

EARLIER, we reported that Vikram Prabhu is set to star as a police of ficer in a drama from debutant filmmaker Suresh.

2 mins

COMEDY IS TOUGH: A JOKE EITHER LANDS OR NOT'

IN the upcoming romcom-caper Dhoom Dhaam, a different kind of action ensues as a bride and a groom are chased by gangsters on their first night.

2 mins

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