The New Indian Express Chennai - February 18, 2025

In this issue

February 18, 2025

Beach sand: HC orders CBI probe, recovery of ₹5.8K cr

FINDING a strong case of collusion, corruption and connivance among politicians, officials and mining mafia in causing thousands of crores of rupees loss to the state exchequer in the excavation of beach sand minerals (BSM), the Madras High Court on Monday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

2 mins

No end to Samsung protest, families join workers' agitation

FOR the first time after protests erupted again at the Samsung India unit near Sriperumbudur over the suspension of three workers, family members of the staff joined them in a protest held at the Bazaar Area of Sunguvarchatram on Monday morning.

2 mins

NEP: DMK, allies plan huge stir; Pradhan calls it politics

THE ruling DMK and its allies, including the Congress and Left parties, would stage a \"massive protest\" in Chennai on Tuesday to condemn the BJP-led union government for not allocating funds to Tamil Nadu, especially under Samagra Shiksha, and the remarks of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

1 min

Places Of Worship Act Case Posted To April

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred hearing to the first week of April on a batch of petitions in connection with the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

1 min

Holding areas, new SOPs to ease crowding at stns

In the wake of the stampede at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday, the Ministry of Railways on Monday announced a slew of measures to prevent untoward incidents as it identified 60 railway stations across the country that experience high footfalls.

1 min

Gyanesh Kumar picked as CEC, Vivek Joshi is EC

THE selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday picked Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner.

1 min

BJP, Congress lock horns over Sam Pitroda's 'China' view

AMID sharp criticism from the BJP, the Congress on Monday distanced itself from its leader Sam Pitroda's remarks on China, and said his views do not belong to the party.

1 min

Bus-ted batteries: Public transport turns public workout for TNSTC passengers

Several TNSTC buses at KTC Nagar depot have to keep their engines running throughout the day, as a single stop is enough to exhaust the battery and the vehicle won't move one inch further.

2 mins

Teachers' associations seek release of SS funds, warn of agitation

VARIOUS government teachers' associations have warned of protests if the central government continues to withhold ₹2,401 crore in Samagra Shiksha funds to Tamil Nadu citing the state's refusal to implement the three-language policy and PM SHRI schools.

1 min

Baahubali escapes death due to timely aid from Tangedco

TIMELY alert given by Mettupalayam forest range officials to Tangedco staff saved the life of a wild elephant, nicknamed Baahubali, after it damaged an electric post when it pushed a Caryota urens (a type of palm tree) at Nellithurai near Mettupalayam on Sunday night.

1 min

1st manned deep sea exploration trial a success

'Matsya-6000'—a submersible—will descend up to a depth of 6,000m in the Indian Ocean in stages by 2026

2 mins

Parents of 2 suspects in Mayiladuthurai double murder arrested for 'instigation'

AS part of the investigation into the double murder case reported in Mayiladuthurai on February 14, police on Sunday night arrested the parents of two accused on suspicion of instigating the killings.

1 min

Kasimedu harbour facelift work to be over in next few months

WORKS are under way to transform the Chennai Fishing Harbour at Kasimedu under the ₹127-crore modernisation project.

1 min

Udhaya inaugurates 10 modern police assistant booths in city

DEPUTY Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated modern police assistance booths in the East Zone of the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) alongside GCP Commissioner A Arun.

1 min

CBI Registers Case Against Ex-Minister Bhalaji in ₹30L Job Scam

BASED on directions of the Madras High Court, the CBI has registered a case against former minister in the AIADMK government KT Rajenthra Bhalaji, his close aide and party functionaries Vijayanallathambi and Mariyappan on February 14.

1 min

CM Inaugurates 15 Completed Projects Across 7 TN Temples

CHIEF Minister M K Stalin on Monday inaugurated several completed projects under the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) and Commercial Taxes departments via video conference from the secretariat.

1 min

Court orders LGBTQ+ speakers to be included in TN doc edu programmes

THE Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Director of Medical Education to hold the continuing medical education (CME) programme in all government and private medical colleges in the state by including speakers from the LGBTQIA+ community in order to spread awareness among medical students on the issues faced by this marginalised community.

1 min

Senior, junior leaders must be treated on a par

FORMER minister K A Sengottaiyan on Monday said that there should be no distinction between senior and junior leaders in politics, and it would be better if leaders concentrated on their respective responsibilities without making unnecessary public comments.

1 min

HC refuses to quash sexual assault FIR against Seeman

THE Madras High Court on Monday refused to quash an FIR on sexual assault registered against Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman by the Valasaravakkam police in 2011 based on the complaint lodged by an actor.

1 min

Third language optional under NEP not a must, says Annamalai

BJP state president K Annamalai has criticised the ruling DMK for not allowing government school students to learn Hindi while its leaders' children study in private CBSE schools that offer the language.

1 min

CB-CID seeks details on action taken on pleas of slain anti-mining activist

THE CB-CID investigating the murder of social activist K Jagabar Ali has issued notices to the revenue department and the Department of Geology and Mining, seeking details related to his past complaints.

1 min

1K CM Pharmacies to be opened on February 24

MINISTER for Cooperation K R Periyakaruppan on Tuesday announced that 1,000 ‘Mudalvar Marunthagam’ (Chief Minister’s Pharmacy) outlets, which will sell generic medicines at subsidised rates, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M K Stalin on February 24.

1 min

Whole of Thiruparankundram Hill, except 33 cents, belongs to Murugan

THE entire Thiruparankundram Hill belongs to Lord Murugan and is a part of the Shaivite sect of Hinduism, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan said after visiting the hill temple on Monday.

1 min

Cybercrimes Registered in TN Up 2.5 Times in Last Two Years

Of the total complaints received, FIRs are registered in only 3% cases due to HC advisory

2 mins

As leopard preys on dog, forest staff on their toes in Dharmapuri

A wild leopard wandered into a farmland and preyed on a dog raised by a local farmer, in Kuppankottai on Monday.

1 min

Let us bow our head to Nature, says Amma

MATA Amritanandamayi, who is on a visit to Chennai, on Monday urged people to approach Nature with humility and reverence.

1 min

Car driver arrested for sexual assault of teenager

A 30-year-old car driver has been arrested on Monday for alleged sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl from Chennai.

1 min

Thriving caste pride 'destroys' Dalits' crop in Tiruvannamalai

FARMERS belonging to a SC community in Arungunam village in Vandavasi taluk claimed a few caste Hindus have destroyed their harvest-ready crop by spraying herbicide on it using drones.

1 min

Nepali student suicide at KIIT sparks tension

Nepal PM Oli expresses concern; Odisha university which asked protesting students to vacate campus drops move later

2 mins

Dilemma Of Desperate Deportées

HEN you leave a country, you leave much behind. Pardeep and Vijay Saini from Punjab, aged 22 and 19, smuggled themselves into the wheel-bay of a British Airways flight to Heathrow. When the plane reached an altitude of around 40,000 feet, the temperature around them would have plummeted to -40°C.

4 mins

Tackling Trump's Turnaround on Diversity Track

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being taken down across the US. It might be what Trump's America wants. But is it what India or the rest of the world wants too?

4 mins

End of WTO Era, Seize Trade Pact Opportunity

ARSH Vardhan Shringla, who held a front-row seat in the first Donald Trump administration both as foreign secretary and Indian ambassador to the US, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit is likely to bolster not only trade, but also the overall bilateral roadmap.

4 mins

In rare gesture, PM receives Emir of Qatar personally

IN a rare display of warmth and a departure from usual protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally went to the airport on Monday to welcome the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who arrived in India for a two-day visit.

1 min

SC pulls up UP govt for razing part of mosque

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to concerned authorities of the Uttar Pradesh government in a contempt petition against the demolition of a part of the Madni mosque in Kushinagar.

2 mins

Passenger carrying luggage on head fell, led to stampede

A senior railway official clarified that a passenger carrying a heavy load lost his balance on the crowded staircase at the New Delhi railway station, causing the stampede on Saturday evening.

2 mins

Lured into trafficking by friend, reprieve for Indian on death row

THE UAE authorities have notified the Indian embassy that there is no immediate execution scheduled for Shehzadi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the death of an infant under her care.

1 min

Cong, BJP in war of words over DOGE election funding claims

THE political row over the alleged US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) funding in Indian elections escalated on Monday, with the BJP and the Congress trading barbs over the allegations.

1 min

2 Flights Carrying 33 Gujaratis From US Land at Ahmedabad

A group of 33 Gujaratis, part of the second batch of illegal Indian immigrant deportees from the US that landed in Amritsar, arrived at Ahmedabad on Monday.

1 min

Illegal mining of coal kills couple, 5 kids orphaned

A couple were killed when soil caved in on them while they were digging for coal illegally in a village in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, police said on Monday.

1 min

Case against Pak national linked to Gogoi's wife

THE Assam Police on Monday registered a case against a Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, and others for their alleged comments on India's internal affairs and parliamentary matters aimed at disrupting communal harmony and the nation's interests.

1 min

Maha cyber cell summons Allahbadia on Feb 18 over crass & derogatory jokes

MAHARASHTRA Cyber cell on Monday summoned YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, aka \"Beer-Biceps,\" to appear before it on February 24 in connection with his controversial and obscene comment on the \"India's Got Latent\" show.

1 min

Setback to Sukhbir as SGPC chief resigns, offers to quit Akal Takht panel

HARJINDER Singh Dhami on Monday resigned as the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) following condemnation from Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh regarding the sacking of Giani Harpreet Singh from Takht Damdama Sahib by the SGPC executive committee, which Dhami chairs.

1 min

Friend away at Kumbh, youth steps in for him at exam, held

IN an interesting incident, a youth has been arrested for taking the Class 12 JAC (Jharkhand Academic Council) Board exams on behalf of his friend, who was away at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj for a holy dip.

1 min

Heavy rush, passengers with confirmed tickets scramble to board trains

JHARKHAND police on Monday reviewed the overcrowding at railway stations in the state following at least five women fainting at Ranchi railway station on Sunday because of unprecedented overcrowding.

1 min

41 Ex-Police in Bangladesh Arrested for Committing Atrocities

POLICE in Bangladesh have arrested 41 former officers who are among 1,059 ex-policemen accused of committing atrocities during the 2024 student-led movement that led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, officials and media reports said on Monday.

1 min

Pope Francis' hospital stay gets extended

Pope Francis' respiratory tract infection is presenting a 'complex clinical picture' that will require further hospitalization, the Vatican said on Monday as concerns grew about the increasingly frail health of the pontiff.

1 min

US, Russian officials meet in Saudi to normalize ties

Move by America reverses its policy decision of isolating Russia

2 mins

DeepSeek's AI apps download halted in South Korea over privacy

CHINESE artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has temporarily paused downloads of its chatbot apps in South Korea while it works with local authorities to address privacy concerns, according to South Korean officials on Monday.

1 min

IDF to miss Lebanon withdrawal deadline

ISRAEL's military said its forces will remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon after Tuesday's deadline for their withdrawal under a cease-fire with the Hezbollah militant group, as Lebanon's government expressed frustration over another delay.

1 min

Benchmark indices end flat after 8-day losing streak; FII outflow continues

DOMESTIC equity market ended its eight-day losing streak on Friday as benchmark indices BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 closed in positive territory despite a sluggish start to the trading session.

1 min

'India delivering good returns, so FPIs booking profit'

AT a time when the market tanked for eight sessions on the trot and investors have lost more than ₹40 lakh crore of their invested value so far this year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said foreign funds are selling because \"India is delivering good returns to them and are thus booking profits,\" and not because of any market failure.

2 mins

SBI MF's ₹250 SIP: Sebi chief says 'one of her fondest dreams'

The country's largest fund house SBI Mutual Fund has become the first asset manager to launch the sachetised SIPs or micro systematic investment plans (SIPs) starting at as low as ₹250 per unit investment.

1 min

Merchandise trade deficit widens to $23 billion

AMID the cloud of uncertainty over the global trade with Donald Trump training the gun of reciprocal tariff, the goods trade deficit in January widened to $23 billion. Exports fell by 2.4% even as imports rose by 10.3% during the month.

1 min

Global crypto market surged to $3.76 tn in Jan on positive momentum: Report

POTENTIAL policy initiatives such as national crypto reserve and stablecoin regulations have contributed to the growth of the cryptocurrency market in January 2025 as it peaked at $3.76 trillion, a 4.3% monthly increase in market capitalisation.

1 min

Tariff not a hurdle for Indo-US trade deal, say officials

WITH the sword of high tariff hanging over its head, the government believes that the issue of reciprocal tariff and Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US can be dealt with separately.

1 min

Punitive US tariffs can hurt exports by 3-3.5% or 50 bps of GDP, says SBI Research

Though no clarity is available on how much incremental reciprocal tariffs that the US could slap on Indian goods, an SBI Research report has said that \"in a highly unlikely event\" of \"a flat 20% additional tariff on all goods,\" leaving Indian shores to the US ports would eat up half a percentage of the GDP next fiscal.

1 min

Experts question viability of more oil, gas imports from United States

WITH the US pushing for significantly increasing its oil and gas supplies to India, experts have questioned the cost viability of the proposal.

1 min

Private telecom service providers, TRAI at odds over new spam call/messages rules

THE private telecom service providers are at odds with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over its new spam rules, citing that the regulations were issued without addressing all relevant issues.

1 min

WPL: 8-wicket win for RCB

SMRITI Mandhana led from the front to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru post a handsome win over Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League in Vadodara on Monday.

1 min

National-ranking bridge event: Playing their cards right with big picture in mind

A DECK of cards is neatly arranged at the centre of a red velvety table.

3 mins

Ananda's century helps Tirunelveli post victory

RIDING on AP Ananda Kumar's 116, Tirunelveli defeated Tirupattur by 79 runs in a Zone A match of the TNCA inter-districts U-25 tournament played on Monday.

2 mins

Baby slams unbeaten 69

SACHIN Baby steadied Kerala's innings with a resolute unbeaten half-century, guiding his team to 206/4 against a probing Gujarat attack on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal here.

1 min

CT, least favoured but money-spinner

Tournament, which also marks return of an ICC event in Pakistan after 1996, begins in Karachi on Wednesday

3 mins

Serving aces or aesthetics?

The inaugural Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League was a showcase of how Chennai has embraced the hitherto niche sport

4 mins

Beauty In The Bare

RT isn't something you see on walls or stages; it fills everyday moments.

3 mins

Satsang, prayers mark temple fest

ATA Amritanandamayi Devi attended the Brahmasthanam Temple Fest at Virugambakkam.

1 min

Bison Kaalamaadan wraps filming

HE latest update from director Mari Selvaraj's upcoming sports drama Bison Kaalamaadan, starring Dhruv Vikram, is that the filming has concluded.

1 min

Dupahiya to Premiere in March

Dupahiya, billed as a comedy series, will stream on Prime Video on March 7, the streamer announced on Monday.

1 min

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE QUEER WHILE I WAS DOING JAMES BOND

Daniel Craig talks about portraying William Lee in Queer, while director Luca Guadagnino discusses experimentation, directing films back to back, and more

3 mins

Sivakarthikeyan, AR Murugadoss film titled Madharasi

N Monday, on the occasion of Sivakarthikeyan's birthday, director AR Murugadoss unveiled the title of his much-anticipated upcoming film with the Amaran actor.

1 min

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