Author: Indmedia

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday raised serious concerns over the growing culture of ‘freebies’ across states , warning that indiscriminate distribution of such benefits could hamper economic development and strain state finances. The top court also cautioned states and asked whether such a culture, without drawing a distinction between the haves and the have-nots, would amount to an “appeasing policy.”Hearing a plea by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Ltd, which plans to provide free electricity to all consumers regardless of their financial status, the court said welfare measures are justified for the poor, but extending them to everyone could…

Chennai: Late actor Vijayakanth founded DMDK on Thursday joined the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance here for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls, ending weeks of political speculation.DMDK’s move came amidst reports that the opposition AIADMK was also actively wooing the party to its led NDA. Key NDA constituent BJP slammed DMDK, saying while it has boarded a “sinking ship,” Vijayakanth’s “athma (soul) will not forgive” the party for forging ties with the DMK.Incidentally, this was the first time the two parties have forged an electoral alliance. DMDK joined hands with the J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK for the 2011 polls where the…

Moscow was walloped by a powerful winter storm between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, bringing heavy snow and strong winds that created treacherous road conditions and led to flight delays and cancellations. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the Russian capital was expecting more than 70% of the monthly average snowfall throughout Thursday alone. “Winter is breaking all records. The snowfalls are relentless… Snow will continue throughout the day, the night, and into tomorrow,” Sobyanin wrote on Telegram. Meteorologists said snow cover in Moscow stood at 175% of the daily average snowfall for Feb. 19, but it still fell short of a…

A “Bengali baba” or self styled godman was arrested by a joint team of Railway Protection Force (RPF) from Central and Western Railway for illegally pasting and distributing publicity material in trains and on railway premises. Image Credit: TOI MUMBAI: A “Bengali baba” or self-styled godman was arrested by a joint team of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) from Central and Western Railway for illegally pasting and distributing publicity material in trains and on railway premises. The operation was carried out on February 17. Mohammad Nazir Andari was apprehended from a dargah at Reay Road, acting on specific information. Around…

New Delhi: An artificial intelligence-powered mobile application developed by a Karnataka-based startup and validated by AIIMS may soon help bridge a key diagnostic gap in India’s primary healthcare system. The app, Shwaasa, uses an algorithm-based platform to screen patients for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of India’s major causes of illness. AIIMS-Delhi conducted a validation study on 460 people at its Ballabhgarh unit last year. When compared with spirometry — the gold standard for lung function testing — the tool showed moderate overall correlation and strong agreement in severe cases. AI Summit 2026 Extended, Rajya Sabha Biennial Elections, Galgotias…

Twenty-six members of Karnataka’s Hakki-Pikki tribal community were arrested in Ghana BENGALURU: What began as a routine overseas business trip to sell traditional herbal products ended in jail for 26 members of Karnataka’s Hakki-Pikki tribal community in Ghana. Days after a separate group was arrested in Chad for alleged visa violations, these 26 tribals — including 12 women from Shivamogga and Davanagere districts — were taken into custody on Wednesday in Tumu, the capital of the Sissala East Municipal Assembly in Ghana’s Upper West Region, for allegedly selling unregistered herbal products. Confirming the development, Karnataka Hakki-Pikki Budakattu Sanghatane President R…

Hyderabad: Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting, will begin on Thursday in the city, with the sighting of the crescent on Wednesday night.The official moon-sighting committees of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh confirmed the sighting of the crescent, heralding Ramzan in the Telugu states and other parts of India. This is the first Ramzan falling in winter, though at the fag end of the season, after a gap of 33 years. The last time Ramzan began in Feb was in 1993 (Feb 23). This year, it will begin on Feb 19.AI Summit 2026 Extended, Rajya Sabha Biennial Elections, Galgotias University Row…

Chennai: A man was arrested for cheating a person of 15 lakh by impersonating the original owner of the property in Uthiramerur near Kancheepuram and promising to sell two residential plots.Police said Balachandar, 45, was introduced to Baskaran, 51, in 2024 through a common friend. Baskaran claimed he owned land in Kamadhenu Nagar in Uthiramerur and was selling it as plots.When Balachandar expressed interest in buying two residential plots, they negotiated a price of 15 lakh. Balachandar paid the amount to Baskaran through bank transfer and cash in 2024.However, when Baskaran delayed completing the transaction, Balachandar grew suspicious and made…

Ahmedabad: Gujarat govt has earmarked major funding for Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) to position it as a global hub for future industries, with finance minister Kanu Desai announcing the allocations in the state budget on Wednesday.Industry representatives said the provisions could accelerate Dholera’s emergence as an industrial centre. Pathik Patwari, chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Gujarat chapter, said, “There is a provision of Rs 1,100 crore for the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy and also assistance of Rs 150 crore under the Gujarat Electronics Policy. An allocation of Rs 610 crore for developing trunk infra at Dholera SIR…

A 17-year-old boy, burdened by online gaming debts, was apprehended for robbing a Bhubaneswar jewellery store. He used pepper spray on a salesman before fleeing with ornaments, which he then pawned for cash. Police also detained the gold finance firm’s manager for lax verification. Separately, a chain-snatcher was arrested after locals intervened. Bhubaneswar: Tamando police on Wednesday detained a 17-year-old boy in connection with the robbery of gold ornaments from a jewellery store in Kalinga Vihar area here on Tuesday, citing his debt burden as the motive.“The juvenile had a few months ago borrowed Rs 1 lakh from a man…