The New Indian Express Kochi - December 14, 2024

In this issue

December 14, 2024

RG Kar ex-head, cop get bail in rape-murder case

A Sealdah court on Friday granted bail to Sandip Ghosh, former principal of state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and Abhijit Mondol, former officer in-charge of the Tala police station, in the horrific rape-murder case of a junior doctor on August 9.

1 min

Allu Arjun arrested, granted bail

ACTOR Allu Arjun was on Friday arrested in connection with the death of a woman at Hyderabad's Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Pushpa-2 on December 4.

1 min

Cyber fraudsters pose as traffic cops to dupe 80-year-old of ₹30L

They approached the victim on WhatsApp posing as Bengaluru traffic police officials

2 mins

Union budget needs to address inequality gap

WHILE India has enjoyed robust growth in the last decade, the Union budget 2025-26 should reorient the priorities and deal with long unaddressed issues like the widening inequality gap, P J Kurien, former Union minister and Rajya Sabha chairman, said here on Friday.

1 min

Following in dad's footsteps, archives dept head senses a 'guiding presence'

ARCHIVES are not just about fixating on the past, but being inspired by the legacy of those who have left their mark to move on to greater things.

1 min

Five tourist destinations in state set to get women-friendly tag

Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society completes a first-of-its-kind gender auditing at Kanthalloor, Kumarakom, Perumpalam, Kadalundi and Kanakakunnu Palace

1 min

'Varnakoodaram' transforms learning experience of tiny tots in pre-schools

FOR CHILDREN in the pre-primary section of Government LPS, Thycaud here, learning has become a fun-filled activity altogether.

1 min

Ready to broker peace between Orthodox, Jacobite factions: ICM

THE Indian Christian Movement (ICM) will take the initiative to resolve the dispute between Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church, said its national president Dr John Joseph on Friday.

1 min

Balachandra Kumar, film director, dies at 52

FILM director P Balachandra Kumar, whose revelations against actor Dileep led the police to conduct further probe into the 2017 actor abduction and assault case, passed away due to renal ailments at a private hospital in Chengannur on Friday. He was 52.

1 min

Failure to provide proper rehab: UDF to shed soft stance towards state govt

THE Opposition UDF plans to reconsider the unconditional support extended to the LDF government in its effort to rebuild Wayanad and rehabilitate survivors.

1 min

Action plan to be formed to address rising accident cases

IN the wake of the accident in Panayampadam, which claimed the lives of four students, an emergency meeting chaired by Minister K Krishnankutty decided to conduct an inspection on December 14.

1 min

Anand Mahindra lavishes praise on Water Metro

BUSINESS tycoon Anand Mahindra has taken to social media platform 'X' to extol Kochi, especially its Water Metro system.

1 min

Ban 'politricks', not student politics in colleges, says HC

Says police don't need principal's nod to intervene during law & order situations in colleges; will not tolerate issues disrupting academics

2 mins

IAF bills Kerala for airlifting during Wayanad landslides

EVEN as the state has been demanding the Centre to provide financial assistance over the Wayanad landslide, the Air Force has asked the state government to pay the bill for rescue operations during the landslide.

1 min

To feature 67 films today

Award-winning actress Shabana Azmi lauded the Kerala audience for their impeccable taste and said that the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) remains one of the most important film festivals in the country.

2 mins

LET'S STOP SPEAKING IN TONGUES ABOUT ENGLISH

HERE is a funny line in the BBC comedy series, To the Manor Born, when a feudal aristocrat fallen on difficult days sells her country mansion to a Czech-born tycoon.

3 mins

READ THE DANGER SIGNALS BLINKING ON ECONOMIC HORIZON

We must realise corporate tax cuts don't create jobs to the extent hoped for. With the supply side failing to spur growth, we need to stimulate demand

4 mins

PM to chair national conference of chief secretaries on Dec 14 and 15

THE fourth three-day National Conference of Chief Secretaries (NCCS) commenced on December 13 in the national capital, focusing on establishing a unified development agenda and a blueprint for cohesive action in collaboration with the states.

1 min

Oppn MPs submit notice to impeach Allahabad judge

AS many as 55 Opposition MPs on Friday moved a notice in the Rajya Sabha calling for the impeachment of Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav over his alleged remarks at an event organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

1 min

House adjourned twice during Constitution debate

THE proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned twice after a row over Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's reference to the death of judge BH Loya \"long before his time\".

2 mins

91 dists face high drought risks, 51 flood: Report

INDIA'S 91 districts face high risks of drought, 51 districts are at high flood risks and 11 face \"very high\" risks of both, a new report released by the department of science and technology says, emphasizing the need for immediate interventions to address challenges posed by climate change.

1 min

Of 9.5L CAPF personnel, only 42K availed 100-day leave in 4 yrs, House told

NEARLY 42,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel have availed of 100-day leaves between 2020 and October 2024, data compiled by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed.

1 min

Shortage of IAS, IPS officers slows decision-making process

THE country's administrative and police services have been gripped by a significant shortage of civil servants, official data showed.

1 min

Fadnavis makes Maha pitch, says will make economy $1 tn by '30

CHIEF Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Maharashtra will be a trillion dollar economy by 2028-30 and play a key role in India's growth story under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

1 min

No dearth of Central grants, yet jobs in Gujarat take a hit: Data

Dip in employment

1 min

Satellite phones for trekkers in J&K mountains

THE tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Sinthan Top in the Valley are currently blanketed in snow after the recent snowfall, leading to a vibrant atmosphere filled with tourists.

2 mins

'Mahakumbh a spectacle of unity'

PM launches projects worth ₹5.5K cr during his Prayagraj visit ahead of religious congregation

2 mins

Chirag says will focus more on Bihar, contest assembly polls in 2030

UNION minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Friday said he will focus more on Bihar in the days to come and also contest assembly elections in 2030 to be elected as a member of the House.

1 min

4 back-to-back suicides in 24 hrs rock MP; BJP & Cong leaders among dead

Couple found dead

1 min

8 detained for gang-raping Assam woman

A woman was allegedly gang-raped in Guwahati and eight of the nine people involved have been detained, said police.

1 min

Four desis among Biden's pardon picks

FOUR Indian-Americans facing sentences ranging from 17 years to life imprisonment are among nearly 1,500 people granted clemency by US President Joe Biden.

1 min

Massive Russian aerial attack on Ukraine

Power infrastructure targeted using dozens and cruise missiles sparking fears of electricity outage amid bitter winter

1 min

Thousands in Syria celebrate Assad's fall

THOUSANDS of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus' historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since the downfall of former President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital's largest square.

1 min

Forex reserves decline by $3.23 bn to $654.86 bn; rupee surges 10 paise

WITH the rupee plumbing new lows and touching 84.88 to the dollar last week, the Reserve Bank continued to sell the greenback, leading to a further fall in the forex reserves by $3.23 billion to $654.86 billion for the week to December 6.

1 min

Sensex gains 1% as Nov CPI inflation moderated to 5.48%

IN a highly volatile trading session, the BSE Sensex recovered more than 2,000 points from the day's low and the NSE Nifty50 recouped over 600 points.

1 min

SpiceJet clears pending PF dues of ₹160 cr

SPICEJET on Friday said it has cleared all pending employee provident fund (PF) dues of ₹160.07 crore, spanning over two years.

1 min

Gen Z accounts for one-third of Meesho's customer base

FOR Meesho, Gen Z is rapidly emerging as the fastest-growing ecommerce demographic as it accounts for one-third of the company's userbase.

1 min

Sebi proposes framework to enable retail investors to participate in algo trading

MARKET regulator Sebi has proposed empanelment and registration of algo providers and traders with the exchanges and also has asked tech-savvy retail investors to register the algos they have developed with the exchanges through their brokers.

1 min

Max Life Insurance rebranded as Axis Max Life

MAX Life Insurance Company Ltd has been rebranded as Axis Max Life after Axis Bank increased its stake in the Delhi-based life insurer to 19.99% earlier this year.

1 min

VIL to invest ₹50,000-55,000 cr to strengthen 4G, 5G network rollout

VODAFONE IDEA LIMITED (VIL) on Friday announced that it plans to invest nearly ₹50,000-₹55,000 crore over the next three years to expand its 4G network across 17 priority circles.

1 min

'24 IPO mkt slated for 'Vishal' closing

Mobikwik issue booked more than 119 times, Vishal Mega Mart subscribed little over 27 times

1 min

No plans of 35% slab yet under GST: MoS Finance

THERE are no plans yet to have a 35% tax slab under the goods and services tax (GST), and any decision on this would be taken together in consultation with GST Council, minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary told reporters here on Friday.

1 min

Local lad Labuschagne arrives at Marnus-land

SHORTLY after India's win in Perth, Sean Llyod, President of the Redlands Tigers Cricket Club, had come out and offered Marnus Labuschagne an option of sorts.

2 mins

Man United grab win, Spurs held by Rangers

RASMUS HOJLUND fired Manchester United to a late 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday, while Tottenham were held to a stalemate at Rangers.

1 min

Rahane, Patidar sizzle as Mumbai, MP enter final

AJINKYA RAHANE and Rajat Patidar played whirlwind knocks as their respective sides—Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh—stormed into the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Friday.

1 min

If not now, when' moment for youngsters

ORNE Morkel was at the start of his short run-up, ready to jog in at the outdoor nets of The Gabba on Friday afternoon.

3 mins

Siverio powers Jamshedpur FC

JAVIER SIVERIO scored a double as Jamshedpur FC recorded a 2-1 victory over Punjab FC in the Indian Super League in Jamshedpur on Friday.

1 min

GUKESH SUPER KING WITH GAJEWSKI-UPTON BY HIS SIDE

Trainer & mental coach recall challenges the Indian GM faced, how he retained his calm during those testing times & process he followed to become a world champ

4 mins

TN'S MAYILADUTHURAI MOST VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, ACTION PLAN UNVEILED

Mayiladuthurai became the first district in Tamil Nadu to get a District Climate Action Plan (DCAP), an ambitious move to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

3 mins

IDEA CAME FROM IMAGERY OF COCONUT TREES BEING BURNED DOWN

JOSHY BENEDICT's perseverance in the field of animation finally got its due reward when his film, A Coconut Tree, bagged the National Award in the Best Animated Short Film category recently.

2 mins

Choco rush, coming right up!

YOU know that feeling when you're scrolling Instagram late at night, promising yourself just one more reel, and suddenly, a rich, indulgent chocolate soufflé with a dusting of powdered sugar appears on your screen?

2 mins

VIKRAM'S NEXT ANNOUNCED

VIKRAM has joined hands with director Madonne Ashwin of Mandela and Maaveeran fame for his 63rd film.

1 min

Rani Mukerji returns for Mardaani 3

PRODUCTION house Yash Raj Films officially announced Mardaani 3 on Friday.

1 min

Paatal Lok S2 gets first look

PRIME Video took to social media on Friday to share the first look of the second season of its hit crime-thriller series Paatal Lok.

1 min

Rani Mukerji returns for Mardaani 3

PRODUCTION house Yash Raj Films officially announced Mardaani 3 on Friday. The third part in the franchise, fronted by Rani Mukerji, will release in 2026.

3 mins

Snoop Dogg and Luc Besson team Up for The Last Man

LUC Besson is scripting and directing a science-fiction film titled The Last Man, starring rapper-actor Snoop Dogg.

1 min

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Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited is the flagship company of The New Indian Express Group and is publishing Newspapers and Periodicals in the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Yanam and Lakshdweep. It brings out its publication of newspapers and periodicals from 33 Centres. It also has Marketing Offices in Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. The Company's publications include English Dailies viz. The New Indian Express and The Morning Standard and Sunday editions The Sunday Express and The Sunday Standard . The Morning Standard and The Sunday Standard are published from New Delhi. The company also brings out Tamil daily Dinamani and Samakalika Malayalam Varika, a weekly magazine in Malayalam. The Company's publications are popular and command large readership.