CATEGORIES

81% of groundwater safe for irrigation

THE groundwater quality report for 2024 reveals that India's overall drinking groundwater resource is temporarily becoming hard and may not be directly suitable for many industrial purposes.

Eco zone in 196 villages of 3 Gujarat dists triggers row

PROTESTS over an eco-sensitive zone in 196 villages across Gujarat's Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts have sparked a political slugfest.

Beed murder mastermind surrenders after 22 days

AFTER 22 days, Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, on Tuesday surrendered before the Pune police in connection with an extortion case linked to the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district.

After doctors, Indore mayor opposes Union Carbide plant waste disposal

OPPOSITION to the government's planned disposal of Bhopal's closed Union Carbide/Dow Chemical plant's toxic waste in the Pithampur Industrial Area in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district is growing daily.

OLD CHALLENGES IN THE NEW YEAR

IMMEDIATE HURDLE IS SELECTING A NEW PARTY CHIEF THROUGH ORGANISATIONAL POLLS SLATED BY FEB, GETTING STRONGER FOOTHOLDS IN POLL-BOUND BIHAR & DELHI

Buy Maha Kumbh tickets through scanner jacket of Prayagraj rly staff

IN a first, people attending Maha Kumbh can book train tickets through scanners fitted on the jackets of railway workers on duty at Prayagraj station, officials said.

NITI AAYOG: LESSONS FROM DECADES PAST

India is a rare Asian nation without a ministry for planning today. When Latin American and sub-Saharan nations did the same in the 1980s and 90s, their economies stagnated

Why Nehru Brought The First Amendment

The debate in parliament on the 75 years of the glorious journey of the Constitution did not live up to its billing.

Banakacherla not Naidu's idea: Ambati

YSRCP senior leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for claiming that the Godavari-Banakacherla project was his brainchild, which will be a game changer for Rayalaseema, stating that it was nothing but a publicity stunt.

Kodali Nani's aide held in TDP office attack case

POLICE nabbed Merugumala Kali, the prime accused in the Gudivada TDP office attack case, in Assam on Tuesday.

TDP Membership Likely to Cross 1 Cr

Drive extended by 15 days due to tremendous response, Naidu lauds efforts of party cadre

Drone surveillance to curb crimes in Srikakulam

SRIKAKULAM police have introduced drones to monitor and document anti-social activities, including gambling, public drinking, and ganja consumption, in crime-prone areas.

Govt to hike margin for liquor shops to 14%

THE State government has decided to enhance the margin being given to liquor shops to 14% from the existing 10.5%.

Lokesh likely to launch meal scheme for Intermediate students on January 3

COMMISSIONER and Director of Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) Kritika Shukla, and Samagra Shiksha State Project Director Srinivasa Rao on Tuesday reviewed preparations for implementation of the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme for Intermediate students at Lady Ample Government Girls' Junior College in Machilipatnam.

Over 6,000 Persons Held in ID Liquor Cases in 2024

The Prohibition and Excise Department's intensified efforts have resulted in a substantial crackdown on the sale and distribution of illicit distillation, Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL), and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS).

PDS rice case: HC directs police not to take coercive steps against Perni till Jan 6

FORMER minister and Krishna district YSRCP president Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) got relief from the Andhra Pradesh High Court in the PDS rice missing case from the warehouse belonging to his wife Perni Jayasudha.

CRDA calls for e-tenders for ₹1,200 cr works

Tenders include major infra works such as roads, drains, utility ducts for power in Amaravati funded by WB and ADB

Govt to Introduce Biometric Face Authentication for GST Registration

ANDHRA Pradesh Commercial Taxes Department, in collaboration with the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), is all ready to introduce a Biometric Face Authentication feature through an android mobile application on January 1.

Public Hearings on Electricity Tariff Proposals from Jan 7

THE Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) will hold public hearings on the financial resource requirements and electricity tariff proposals for the 2024-25 financial year.

RVR & JC engg college holds seminar on cybersecurity

AP High Court Lawyer Anupama Darla emphasised the critical importance of maintaining personal data privacy to combat cyber attacks.

GMC's Manasa Sarovaram Park to get a facelift

Civic chief directs officials to develop park as a tourist attraction under PPP model

Palnadu Sees Slight Dip; Cybercrimes Rise 200%

IMPROVED policing activities have led to a 7.7% reduction in the crime rate in Palnadu district in 2024, with 4,222 cases registered, according to SP K Srinivasa Rao.

Overall crime rate down by 32% in Bapatla dist

WITH increased vigilance and women-friendly initiatives, crimes against women in Bapatla district dropped by 19% in 2024, with 531 cases reported compared to 659 in 2023, Bapatla Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Dudi announced at a year-end press conference on Tuesday.

NDA govt committed to welfare of poor: Min

SOCIAL Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy emphasised the TDP-led NDA government's commitment to the welfare of the underprivileged while distributing NTR Bharosa social security pensions in Sunkireddypalem village in Ponnaluru mandal on Tuesday.

7-member fake police gang nabbed in Prakasam

PRAKASAM Police successfully apprehended a fake police gang on Tuesday for threatening a man and demanding a ransom of ₹1.5 crore.

SORRY

● CM APOLOGISES FOR LOSS OF LIVES DUE TO ETHNIC STRIFE ● URGES PEOPLE TO FORGIVE AND FORGET PAST MISTAKES

Farmer on Fast Seeks Talks With Centre, SC Grants Time

Supreme Court on Tuesday granted three more days to the Punjab government to comply with its December 20 order to provide medical aid to 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death strike since November 26, and shift him to hospital.

MIND YOUR GUT

UNIL (name changed), a 33-year-old IT professional from Kochi, was regularly suffering from bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements. He had a desk job, and a sedentary lifestyle. He didn't sleep well, often ate from restaurants, and treated himself with antibiotics when he got sick.

Indoor heating can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions

As winter sets in, respiratory illnesses often rise due to colder weather, low humidity, and increased indoor pollution. Dr Sunil Kumar K, lead consultant, interventional pulmonology at Aster CMI Hospital, explains to Rishita Khanna how groups like children and the elderly face heightened risks, while those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma must take extra precautions to stay healthy. Edited excerpts:

Winning moves & historic returns on 64 squares

Chess wizards from the country had a momentous 2024, rewriting history on multiple occasions. From D Gukesh's world title to Koneru Humpy's recent success at US, Indian chess just kept on giving, writes Swaroop Swaminathan