News for 'Southern'

How Many Lok Sabha Seats Will South India Lose In 2029?

How Many Lok Sabha Seats Will South India Lose In 2029?

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

'Kerala will lose 6 seats, Tamil Nadu 9 seats, Telangana and Karnataka 2 seats each, Andhra Pradesh 5 seats.'

Cargo shipwreck: Thin oil spill detected, no calcium carbide ashore yet

Cargo shipwreck: Thin oil spill detected, no calcium carbide ashore yet

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KPCB) is on high alert after a Liberian vessel carrying hazardous cargo sank off the Kerala coast. While no calcium carbide containers have washed ashore yet, a thin layer of oil spill has been detected. The KPCB is working to contain the spill and prevent it from reaching the shore, but rough conditions at sea have hampered efforts to spray dispersants. The board is also taking steps to prevent the oil from reaching the Ashtamudi and Vembanad lakes.

India should reclaim land beyond McMahon Line because...: BJP MP

India should reclaim land beyond McMahon Line because...: BJP MP

Rediff.com15 May 2025

In a statement, the BJP MP of Aarunachal East constituency said communities living beyond the McMahon Line share "deep civilisational roots with Bharat", and it's time for India to reclaim the regions "that are rightfully part of our country".

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

Rediff.com9 May 2025

India has no intention to escalate tensions with Pakistan, but any military attacks on its soil will be met with a "very" firm response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Jaishankar made the remarks at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing that the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack compelled India to carry out strikes on "cross-border" terror infrastructure on Wednesday. He reiterated that India's response was targeted and measured, but stressed that any further military attacks would be met with a firm response. The Iranian foreign minister, who landed in New Delhi amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, called for de-escalation of the situation and stressed the need for regional cooperation to eradicate terrorism. The meeting also focused on boosting ties in areas of trade and investment, including the Chabahar port project.

India slams China's 'vain' bid to rename parts of Arunachal

India slams China's 'vain' bid to rename parts of Arunachal

Rediff.com14 May 2025

India on Wednesday outright rejected China's attempts to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh, saying such 'preposterous' attempts will not alter the 'undeniable' reality that the state 'was, is, and will' always remain an integral part of India.

Is Your Alarm Costing You 6 Hrs of Sleep?

Is Your Alarm Costing You 6 Hrs of Sleep?

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Here's why the snooze button on your alarm clock costs you precious sleep every month.

Mumbai attack: Tushar Mehta-led team appointed for trial against Rana

Mumbai attack: Tushar Mehta-led team appointed for trial against Rana

Rediff.com15 May 2025

He was sent to judicial custody on May 9 and lodged in Tihar jail after his custodial interrogation by the NIA.

7 held after 'Free Palestine' posters surface in Sambhal

7 held after 'Free Palestine' posters surface in Sambhal

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

Posters with the message "Free Gaza, Free Palestine" and calls to boycott Israeli goods were found in the Narauli town of Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh, India. Police are investigating the incident based on CCTV footage and information gathered from shop owners. The posters emerged following Israel's offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel in October 2023.

SEE: Skipper Patidar reflects on his journey at RCB

SEE: Skipper Patidar reflects on his journey at RCB

Rediff.com16 May 2025

Speaking on RCB Podcast, Patidar said of his captaincy journey: 'I had a lot of questions like, there are so many (big players) in the team. Virat Kohli is such a big player, how will you do it under him. I know how supportive he is about this (captaincy change).

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'There will be no change of seats for Delhi, Assam and Maharashtra.' 'Andhra, J&K, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana will lose seats while there will be an increase for MP, UP, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.' 'It is a big mistake if you make it a north-south issue.'

Opposition walks out of RS over debate on duplicate voters

Opposition walks out of RS over debate on duplicate voters

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Opposition parties in India's Rajya Sabha, including the Congress and the TMC, walked out of the chamber after their demand for a discussion on the Election Commission's alleged lapses in issuing duplicate voter ID cards and delimitation was disallowed. The Deputy Chairman, Harivansh, rejected the notices under Rule 267, citing non-compliance with previous rulings. While TMC and Congress MPs focused on the duplicate voter ID issue, Tamil parties expressed concerns about the impact of delimitation on southern states. Despite raising slogans and pressing for a discussion, the opposition staged a walkout after their notices were rejected and their statements deemed not part of the official record.

4 dead, 500 injured in 'massive explosion' at Iranian port city

4 dead, 500 injured in 'massive explosion' at Iranian port city

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

At least four people were killed and 516 others were injured on Saturday in a massive explosion and fire at the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, more than 1,000km south of capital Tehran, according to officials and state media, Al Jazeera reported.

Kamal Haasan to enter Rajya Sabha with DMK support

Kamal Haasan to enter Rajya Sabha with DMK support

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Actor Kamal Haasan launched Makkal Needhi Miam at a public meeting in Madurai in 2018.

5 hardcore terrorists, including IC-814 mastermind, killed in Op Sindoor

5 hardcore terrorists, including IC-814 mastermind, killed in Op Sindoor

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Sources have revealed that at least five hardcore terrorists affiliated with banned terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed in Indian strikes in Pakistan on May 7th. The strikes targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the dead were Mudassar Khadian Khas, a LeT leader, and Hafiz Muhammed Jameel, the brother of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar. Other notable casualties included Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, a brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, and Khalid alias Abu Akasha, a LeT operative. The Pakistani military and government officials were present at the funerals of the slain terrorists.

The North-South Battle Gets Ugly

The North-South Battle Gets Ugly

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

With its age-old fascination for education, southern states have done better than the North. Start-ups, IT hubs, and industry majors setting up shop have changed the face of the South. Nearly 79% of global offices set up by international conglomerates in India are in the South. Almost 46% of tech unicorns are from the South. The GDP per person in the South is 4.2 times higher than the North. None of these indicators can be ignored by any central government, whatever the political compulsions, notes Ramesh Menon.

What The Next Census Will Discover

What The Next Census Will Discover

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The next Census' findings will help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels.

Is BJP The 'Party-Splitter' In TN Too?

Is BJP The 'Party-Splitter' In TN Too?

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Successive elections since 2019 have proved that the Modi charisma and Shah's strategy does not work in Tamil Nadu. Now, they have to see next year if the DMK is capable of losing, whether to an existing NDA alliance or an expanded version, if one becomes necessary and possible!, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sunken ship's containers with hazardous material wash ashore in Kerala

Sunken ship's containers with hazardous material wash ashore in Kerala

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Containers from a Liberian cargo ship that sank off the Kerala coast have started washing ashore, prompting authorities to urge the public to stay away from them. The ship carried 13 hazardous cargos, including calcium carbide, which reacts with seawater to release highly flammable acetylene gas. The Indian Coast Guard is leading pollution response efforts and monitoring the spread of the oil slick.

10-km traffic jam in B'galuru as 100 mm rains create chaos

10-km traffic jam in B'galuru as 100 mm rains create chaos

Rediff.com19 May 2025

Heavy overnight rains severely affected parts of the city on Monday, leading to water-logged roads, inundated residential areas and traffic pile-up, as the city braces for more spells in the coming days.

3 Cheers For These Navy Lady Officers!

3 Cheers For These Navy Lady Officers!

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A have successfully crossed the most dangerous passage in their historic 8-month sailing expedition around the globe.

2 Women, 1 Boat & A Journey Around The World

2 Women, 1 Boat & A Journey Around The World

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

'The Pacific crossing was the longest and toughest leg.' 'Temperatures dropped near zero and they navigated through two cyclones.'

Roads waterlogged, trains delayed as heavy rains disrupt Mumbai

Roads waterlogged, trains delayed as heavy rains disrupt Mumbai

Rediff.com26 May 2025

The IMD issued a "Nowcast" warning, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph at isolated places in Mumbai in the next three to four hours.

Record rains in southern TN claim 10 lives; state blames poor IMD forecast

Record rains in southern TN claim 10 lives; state blames poor IMD forecast

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

While there was a brief respite from the incessant downpour on Tuesday, collaborative efforts from the defence, national, and state disaster response forces took the lead in executing rescue and relief operations.

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

'I Expect More Disasters To Happen'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

'Even one accident can cause problems for the entire coastal system.'

China-Russia Bhai Bhai: What India Can Expect

China-Russia Bhai Bhai: What India Can Expect

Rediff.com30 May 2025

China appears determined to upgrade Pakistan's military capabilities, sufficient to ensure local parity with India, alerts former foreign secretary Ambassador Shyam Saran.

Don't target Muslims: Wife of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam

Don't target Muslims: Wife of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam

Rediff.com1 May 2025

"We don't want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris," Himanshi Narwal said on Thursday, stoic and firm as she mourned her husband, Naval officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was gunned down in Pahalgam just 10 days ago. He would have been 27 on Thursday.

Hamas Hands Over Prisoners, But They Are Dead

Hamas Hands Over Prisoners, But They Are Dead

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Hamas on Thursday, February 20, 2025, handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the war broke out.

Gaza 'annexation' is part of Israeli military strategy: Defence minister

Gaza 'annexation' is part of Israeli military strategy: Defence minister

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has affirmed that Gaza's annexation was part of a military strategy and troops will remain in the security zones created in Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, Al Jazeera reported.

Husband key suspect in B'luru murder, hospitalised after suicide bid

Husband key suspect in B'luru murder, hospitalised after suicide bid

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

The husband of a 32-year-old woman, found dead in a suitcase in Bengaluru, is the main suspect in her murder. He fled to Pune after the crime and attempted suicide by consuming poison. The police have detained him and are awaiting his discharge from the hospital to interrogate him. Marital dispute is suspected to be the motive behind the murder.

Modi launches India's first vertical lift sea bridge in TN, Stalin opts out

Modi launches India's first vertical lift sea bridge in TN, Stalin opts out

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pamban sea bridge, providing rail link between Rameswaram island and the mainland and flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service. The bridge is India's first vertical sea-lift bridge, spanning 2.08 kilometers, and includes a 72.5-meter-long vertical lift span that can be raised up to 17 meters, allowing the smooth passage of large ships while ensuring seamless train operations. Built at a cost of over Rs 550 crore, the bridge features stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade paint, and fully welded joints, enhancing durability while reducing maintenance requirements. The bridge is a remarkable blend of tradition and technology.

537 Pak nationals exit India via Attari as deadline ends

537 Pak nationals exit India via Attari as deadline ends

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

The exit deadline for Pakistani nationals visiting India on SAARC visas ended on April 26, while for the rest, except those on medical visas, it is set to close on Sunday, April 27 amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

LA28: US team's participation in doubt

LA28: US team's participation in doubt

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'They are not a full-member (of the ICC) but being the Olympic hosts, the US naturally have a claim to be there, which makes it such a tough decision.'

How ITC plans to build a future-ready portfolio

How ITC plans to build a future-ready portfolio

Rediff.com6 May 2025

There remains a debate on who said this: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, Sir?" Was it the British economist John Maynard Keynes or the American economist Paul Samuelson. Irrespective of who said it, this sentiment appears to have found resonance in ITC's boardroom in recent years.

6 more killed in Assam flood; Manipur, Mizoram battle rain fury, lakhs hit

6 more killed in Assam flood; Manipur, Mizoram battle rain fury, lakhs hit

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The rain and flood situation in northeastern states remained grim on Tuesday, with lakhs people affected in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, even as the meteorological department predicted more rain in several parts of the region.

Lights Off: Spain and Portugal Plunge into Darkness

Lights Off: Spain and Portugal Plunge into Darkness

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

Spain and Portugal suffered a major power outage on Monday, affecting millions and disrupting airports, metros, and telecom companies.

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The visitor returns not just with the jewel-like beauty of the country imprinted on the mind, the body rejuvenated by hot stone massages, but also with the captivating stories and myths that are built into every important structure -- whether a tourist magnet or an off-the-beaten track spot.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

Ambedkar favoured smaller states; proposed MP, UP's division

Ambedkar favoured smaller states; proposed MP, UP's division

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Ambedkar argued that smaller states would allow citizens to have more control over public spending and governance.

FBI director Kash Patel removed as...

FBI director Kash Patel removed as...

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel has reportedly been removed as the interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by the Trump administration in the US, which has replaced him with Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, the Washington Post said on Thursday.

Are Luxury Homes Fuelling Surge In Home Loan Growth?

Are Luxury Homes Fuelling Surge In Home Loan Growth?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

More than 58% of individual housing loans disbursed in 2023-2024 were more than 25 lakh in size.