The New Indian Express Nagapattinam - December 19, 2024

In this issue

December 19, 2024

Equipment glitch kills 2 EB workers

IN a suspected case of equipment failure, two contract workers of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) lost their lives after being electrocuted while carrying out maintenance work on a high-tension power line near KK Nagar on the Olaiyur Ring Road in Tiruchy district on Wednesday.

1 min

13 KILLED AS NAVY BOAT RAMS FERRY

THIRTEEN people were killed after a speed boat of the Indian Navy crashed into a passenger ferry boat near the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Wednesday.

1 min

State govt, guv butt heads again over UGC nominee in V-C search panel

AFTER a brief lull, Governor R N Ravi and the state government are at loggerheads again over the constitution of a selection committee for choosing the Vice-Chancellor of another state university, the Annamalai University in Cuddalore district.

1 min

Border talks back on track as Doval meets Wang in Beijing

IN what is seen as a major step towards normalization of India-China ties, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held \"substantive discussions\" during the Special Representatives dialogue in Beijing on Wednesday.

1 min

Car plunges 90ft into sea from port; driver missing, officer safe

A car that had entered the Chennai Harbour to pick up a coast guard officer, allegedly lost control and plunged 90 feet into the sea from a jetty on Tuesday night.

1 min

Modi raps Cong over demand for Shah's axe

Attacks Kharge claim on Ambedkar's insult

1 min

Ashwin's big spin: Goodbye to international cricket

NTRIGUE and suspense, the moments leading up to the revelation seemed like an episode right out of the pages of mystery books.

2 mins

Carrom world champion gets ₹1 cr from state govt

THREE TN women dominated the Women's Carrom World Championship.

1 min

Fisher's widow moves HC, seeks insurance claim

THE Madras Bench of the Madras High Court sought the state government's response on a petition filed by the widow of a fisherman, seeking the release of the insurance amount.

1 min

Tech snags hit rollout of Tasmac QR-code billing system across TN

Unloading alcohol stock from trucks which took 30 minutes now takes 7 hours, says official

1 min

28-year-old gets 5-year jail term for sexually assaulting girl

THE special court for cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act has sentenced a 28-year-old man to five years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a girl in Chennai, in 2020.

1 min

TN HOME TO 1,031 NILGIRI TAHRS

THE first-ever synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, conducted from April 29 to May 1 this year, has revealed a total population of 1,031 tahrs in Tamil Nadu, with 552 living in fragmented habitats across 128 blocks and 479 in large contiguous landscapes spanning 12 blocks.

1 min

Three get four-year jail for torching hut, cart of vegetable vendor

THREE people from the district were sentenced to four years of imprisonment on Wednesday for torching the hut of a vegetable vendor over trade rivalry.

1 min

Paddy on 26,508 acres damaged in rains

SINCE the onset of the northeast monsoon, paddy cultivated on 26,508 acres in the district has suffered damage beyond 33% in the heavy rains, a survey by the agriculture and farmers' welfare department in coordination with the revenue department has revealed.

1 min

70% jump in 2 weeks, 2.43 lakh acres of samba insured in dist

THE extension of the cut-off date for insuring crop coupled with the heavy rain forecast a week ahead of the revised deadline pushed the extent of samba and thaladi paddy cultivation insured in the district by as much as 70% in two weeks to put the final figure for this year at 2.43 lakh acres.

1 min

Full-scale emergency drill at Tiruchy airport

An extensive emergency drill was conducted at Tiruchy international airport on Wednesday to evaluate the real-time response capabilities of various stakeholders, including the bomb disposal squad and CISF.

1 min

Paddy farmers seek opening of DPCs early next month

WITH timely commencement of samba cultivation in the district this year, farmers, expecting harvesting to kick off early in January next year, want the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) to plan and open direct paddy purchase centres (DPCs) accordingly.

1 min

Firm on not aligning with BJP, says AIADMK

THE AIADMK on Wednesday said the party is firm in its conviction on not aligning with the BJP forever and that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has already categorically declared this position.

1 min

₹290 cr sanctioned for MK library in Tiruchy

THE state government has sanctioned ₹290 crore for constructing a \"world-class\" library and intellectual centre in Tiruchy, which will be named after DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi.

1 min

DMK govt will stand as shield for minorities, promises Stalin

EXPRESSING concern over the prevailing situation in the country, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday urged minorities to stand united to address the challenges.

1 min

Resource adequacy plan works afoot for steady power supply

Activists say lack of public outcry, opaque functioning reasons for under-reporting of rampant corruption in prisons in the state

3 mins

Shah draws flak from politicos for his remark on Ambedkar

CM MK Stalin and leaders of political parties condemned Union Minister Amit Shah for his remarks on BR Ambedkar, which belittled the late leader, according to opposition parties.

1 min

Resource adequacy plan works afoot for steady power supply

FOLLOWING the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Power, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) is working on a Resource Adequacy Plan (RAP) to ensure uninterrupted power supply and increase renewable energy generation throughout the year.

1 min

'Cooperative Pongal' grocery kits launched

THE state cooperation department has launched the sale of grocery kits named 'Cooperative Pongal' ahead of the Pongal festival, offering consumers grocery items at a price 20% lower than market rate.

1 min

NCB appeals against freeing three in export of anti-anxiety drug case

THE Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has moved the Madras High Court challenging a recent acquittal of three persons by a Chennai trial court in a 2004 case of export of anti-anxiety drugs to the US.

1 min

CORRUPTION BEHIND BARS: ONLY 3 CASES AGAINST TN PRISON EMPLOYEES IN 8 YRS

Activists say lack of public outcry, opaque functioning reasons for under-reporting of rampant corruption in prisons in the state

2 mins

Firm on not aligning with BJP, says AIADMK

THE AIADMK on Wednesday said the party is firm in its conviction on not aligning with the BJP forever and that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has already categorically declared this position.

1 min

Activist alleges pressure to drop MUDA case, files plaint

Was approached by man who claimed to be CM wife's aide: Krishna

1 min

'Savukku' sent to judicial custody till December 20

THE Principal Special Court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act Cases on Wednesday remanded YouTuber 'Savukku' Shankar till December 20.

1 min

Moderate rain likely in Karaikal

REGIONAL Meteorological Centre has revised the heavy rainfall alert for Chennai and its surrounding districts for Thursday.

1 min

Tirunelveli man shot dead by thieves in Jamaica, two others severely injured

A 31-year-old man was allegedly shot dead by robbers at a supermarket where he was working, on an island in Jamaica on Wednesday.

1 min

More Kerala medical waste found in Nellai, probe on

AFTER waste from Kerala was found at Kodaganallur and Palavoor villages, a huge volume of biomedical, plastic and other waste from Kerala was found at a secluded location in Kondanagaram village near Tirunelveli on Wednesday.

1 min

Kerala govt promotes ADGP amid row over RSS links

IN a significant decision, the state cabinet on Wednesday accepted the recommendation of the high-level screening committee to bestow DGP rank to ADGP MR Ajith Kumar, who is now heading the armed battalions.

1 min

Tiruppur traders down shutters over 18% GST on rent, property tax hike

BUSINESS came to a standstill as traders, shop owners and industrial units in Tiruppur downed shutters from 6 am to 6 pm on Wednesday condemning the union government for imposing 18% GST on rent for commercial buildings and the state government for increasing property tax.

1 min

THE NEED FOR A JUDICIAL CODE OF CONDUCT

The latest case of a judge crossing lines of propriety is part of an alarming trend. With its 1997 code on judicial values breached, the Supreme Court needs to frame new rules

4 mins

THE PETROV DILEMMA & AI

N 1983, the Soviet Union's Oko early-warning system issued a critical alert, signaling an imminent nuclear strike from the US.

3 mins

Some retired HC judges drawing 'pitiable' pension of ₹10-15K per month: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it was \"pitiable\" that some retired high court judges were getting pensions ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.

1 min

Robust framework in place to counter drug trafficking: Govt

THE Centre on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it has been taking measures jointly with state governments to strengthen the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other enforcement agencies to ensure effective implementation of the anti-drug law to curb trafficking of the banned substances across India's borders with other countries.

1 min

Priyanka in 31-member JPC on 'One Poll'

The government on Wednesday set up a 31-member parliamentary panel that will scrutinise the two bills proposing simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

1 min

NIA conducts raids in 17 places across 4 states in Muzaffarpur arms haul case

THE anti-terror federal probe agency NIA on Wednesday conducted raids at 17 locations, including 12 in Bihar, in connection with its investigation into a case linked to the recovery of AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition in Muzaffarpur in May this year, officials said.

1 min

Oppn turns heat on govt over Shah remarks, seeks apology

AS the political row over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar escalated on Wednesday, the Opposition parties demanded the minister's resignation.

2 mins

Diljit's Chandigarh concert exceeded noise level limits

THE Chandigarh administration told the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday that the noise levels exceeded the prescribed limits during Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh's concert here on Saturday and that \"strict action\" has been recommended against the violators.

1 min

Paper leak: HC rejects plea against blacklisting of J'khand exam agency

A day after staying the results of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, the Jharkhand High Court rejected a petition challenging the blacklisting of the agency that conducted the examination.

1 min

HC adjourns pleas on ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday adjourned two petitions seeking direction to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake further surveys at Gyanvapi mosque premises.

1 min

Nitish face of NDA in Bihar elections: JD(U)

THE JD(U) on Wednesday said that the NDA would contest the Bihar assembly elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, irrespective of what formula was decided for the polls.

1 min

No allocation of portfolios amid Maha knot over home

Fadnavis launches dept site indicating he wants to keep the ministry

2 mins

Cong leader dies after falling sick in teargas shells

AN Assam Congress leader died after falling sick due to the tear gas shells thrown at party workers during the \"Raj Bhavan Chalo\" march in Guwahati on Wednesday.

1 min

MP's tribal districts top list of malnourished kids

UNDERWEIGHT & FAMISHED

1 min

Believe it or not! Gujarat tantric goes to govt hospital ICU to cure patients

AN occultist gained access to the ICU of a government hospital in Gujarat, one of Asia's most renowned hospitals, and performed rituals to \"cure\" a patient, triggering outrage among the public.

1 min

SP legislator moves HC against arrest in Sambhal chaos

SAMAJWADI leader and MP from Sambhal Ziaur-Rehman Barq has moved Allahabad High Court seeking protection from arrest in a case registered against him for Sambhal violence.

1 min

Uzbek man held for senior Russian general's murder

Suspect promised reward of $100,000, plus residency in EU: FSB

2 mins

US eases H1-B rules for special skills

THE outgoing Biden administration has relaxed rules for H-1B visas that will make it easier for American companies to hire foreign workers with special skills and facilitate a smoother transition from F-1 student visas to H-1B visas, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals.

1 min

6 months on, Sunita's stay in space just got extended

NASA's two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again.

1 min

Lawmakers in Iran push for softening tough hijab bill

IRANIAN lawmakers have asked to amend a bill that would impose tougher penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory hijab, local media reported on Wednesday.

1 min

B'desh HC commutes ULFA leader's sentence

A Bangladeshi High Court on Wednesday commuted the death sentence of ULFA leader Paresh Baruah to life imprisonment and acquitted a former junior minister and five others in a 2004 case of attempted smuggling of weapons to the separatist outfit in northeast India.

1 min

Govt appoints Rama Mohan Rao as SBI MD

THE government has appointed Rama Mohan Rao Amara as the fourth managing director of State Bank of India, the country's largest lender informed the exchanges on Wednesday.

1 min

Infosys inaugurates new campus in Kolkata

IT services company Infosys on Wednesday announced the inauguration of its new development centre (DC) in Kolkata.

1 min

GIC buys majority stake in AHH for $150 mn

AHH sees growth in specialty healthcare enterprises

1 min

Centre's net direct tax collection rises 16.5% to ₹15.82 lakh crore till Dec 17

THE central government's net direct tax collection for 2024-25 has soared 16.5% to ₹15.82 lakh crore till December 17, 2024, thanks to healthy personal income tax collections even as growth in corporate taxes remained moderate.

1 min

Sensex sheds 2k points in 3 sessions ahead of Fed decision

AFTER recovering over the past three weeks following two months of selling, domestic equity market is once again under pressure as investors adopt a cautious stance ahead of the crucial Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting outcome on Wednesday night.

1 min

Mobikwik, Vishal Mega Mart, Sai Life Sciences make blockbuster market debut

FINTECH firm One MobiKwik Systems made a blockbuster debut on the stock exchanges on Wednesday as its shares got listed at ₹440 apiece on the NSE, a significant premium of 57.71% against the issue price of ₹279.

1 min

Sebi tightens norms for SME IPOs

Tighter norms include higher profitability threshold, lower cap on OFS proceeds for listing

1 min

GST Council may lower tax rate on insurance premium

THE 55th GST Council meeting in Jaisalmer is likely to take a decision on tax rate on insurance premium, as per finance ministry sources.

1 min

Boy who evolved as a match-winner

BACK then, few would have imagined a young boy from West Mambalam, Chennai, who enjoyed playing tennis ball cricket with his father Ravichandran, would one day go on to play for his state and then take 537 wickets for India in Tests.

2 mins

PKL: Tamil Thalaivas rout Warriorz 60-29

MOEIN SHAFAGHI and Himanshu dished out superb performances as Tamil Thalaivas thrashed Bengal Warriorz 60-29 in their Pro Kabaddi League match here on Wednesday.

1 min

Navy's Kiran sails past stars to corner nat'l glory

UP against two established rivals, Navy's Kiran Ankush Jadhav held his own to come out on top in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event of the ongoing national shooting championship at the MP State Academy Shooting range in Bhopal on Wednesday.

1 min

Halep gets wildcard for Oz Open qualifier

SIMONA HALEP was handed a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying on Wednesday as the two-time Grand Slam champion attempts to ramp up her return to tennis following a doping ban.

1 min

EVENTFUL CONTEST BEFORE RAIN FORCES A DRAW

IN the end, the result only seemed fitting. On a day that saw eight wickets fall in 24.1 overs in just over five hours and multiple rain and thunderstorm breaks, India and Australia shook hands to call it a draw at 3.25 PM (local time).

1 min

Vinicius, Bonmati FIFA Best players of the year

REAL Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior won the FIFA Best men's player of the year award at a ceremony in Doha on Tuesday, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati picked up the women's prize for the second time.

1 min

POUSH MELA RETURNS AFTER FOUR YEARS!

Over the years, this fair has evolved into a grand celebration, symbolising the harvest season and Bengal's rich cultural heritage while offering an opportunity to explore the town of Shantiniketan

1 min

THE NILGIRIS EARTH FESTIVAL BEGINS TODAY!

This festival offers a chance to step off the beaten path and into the soul of the Nilgiris - tasting forgotten flavours, walking through landscapes teeming with life and experiencing the region's cultural heritage...

2 mins

WINE, VINES & A PERFECT GETAWAY

A long-awaited one-day vineyard getaway from Bengaluru is finally possible now; and it's as delightful as it is unexpected and affordable...

3 mins

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