Feb 5 News Live: Tamil actress, others arrested in drug case

Tamil film actress Anju Krishna, Niveda and seven others arrested in drug case

Chennai City Police arrested nine persons, including Tamil actress Anju Krishna (30) and supporting actress Vinci alias Niveda (26), for alleged possession of methamphetamine, ganja, and other contrabands during a raid at Valasaravakkam on Thursday. The Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), led by inspector Johnny Chellappa, acted on specific intelligence and initially detained Vigneswaran (33), and Venkatesh Kumar (31) in connection with the case.

A search revealed they were allegedly carrying 6 g of methamphetamine and other contrabands. Investigations indicated that the drugs were allegedly being used at a gathering involving film industry professionals. Among those arrested were Anju Krishna, Om Vellimalai fame, and Vinci, and seven others. Both actresses, along with the other suspects, are being interrogated at the Valasaravakkam police station.

By Our Chennai Bureau

Eight out of 16 detained Indian sailors in Iran released

Eight out of 16 Indian crew members of a commercial vessel detained by Iran in December have been released, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was given consular access to the Indians. The Iranian authorities have informed us that eight out of 16 people have been released and they will return home after completion of as and when necessary formalities, he said.

"With regard to the remaining eight sailors, we are in touch with Iranian authorities, and we'll see how best to support them for whatever need they may have," Jaiswal said.

The Indian embassy in Tehran last month said it was informed in mid-December about the detention of the vessel MT Valiant Roar with the Indian crew onboard. 

Took refuge in lies: Rahul slams PM Modi over his Rajya Sabha address

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his address in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, saying he was "so afraid of the truth that he took refuge in lies".

The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha sought to know why the prime minister had "panicked" so much by just a few questions. "Modi ji was so afraid of the truth, he took refuge in lies. However, he did what he felt was right," Rahul said in a post in Hindi on X.

The Congress leader on Wednesday cited former Army chief MM Naravane's "unreleased" memoir to claim that PM Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to the general.

Rahul had said he had been told that he could not quote from this "memoir" in the Lok Sabha. "The main line is what the PM said -- 'jo uchit samjho woh karo'( do what you feel right)," he said.

Rahul's remarks on Thursday came after Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of insulting the President of India by resorting to disruptions in the Lok Sabha during the debate on her address.

Border fencing: Land no issue, Centre must complete pending work, says Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government had no objection to provide land for border fencing but maintained that the Centre should first complete the pending work on the plots provided to various agencies, and roll back its "arbitrary" decision to expand the BSF's jurisdiction in the state from 15 km to 50 km before seeking additional land.

Speaking in the assembly during discussion on the governor's address, Banerjee rejected allegations by the Centre and the BJP over the state government obstructing border fencing, and asserted that land had already been provided to all central organisations and agencies, including the BSF.

She claimed the BJP's tally in the assembly polls will go down further, and many saffron party MLAs present in the house will not win elections in April this year. "We have given land for many projects. First tell us how much work has been completed. We have given land to BSF as well. Finish the work first," the CM said.

"Land will not be a problem. You will get land. But first, change the arbitrary rule increasing BSF's jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km. Locals in bordering areas are being tortured," she said, reiterating her government's commitment to national security.

The remarks came amid a war of words between the Centre and the Trinamool Congress-led state government over "delay" in fencing, alleged illegal migration and the management of West Bengal's long and porous borders with Bangladesh. 

India rejects report on Doval-Rubio meeting

India on Thursday trashed a media report that said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Washington last September to get back to negotiating a trade deal, and told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that New Delhi wouldn't be bullied.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) even said there was no such visit to the US by Doval. "Regarding the report by Bloomberg, I would like to say that there is absolutely no basis for that report. No such meeting or no such visit has taken place," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. He was responding to a question on the report.

According to the report, Doval met Rubio in Washington during the visit in early September and said the two nations should put the acrimony in their relations behind them and return to negotiating a trade deal.

It claimed that Doval also told Rubio that India would not be bullied by US President Donald Trump and his top aides, and that New Delhi was willing to wait out Trump's term.

India negates Trump claim on stopping Russian oil purchase

Despite US President Donald Trump's assertion that India has consented to cease purchasing oil from Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed on Thursday (February 5) that safeguarding energy security for the country’s 1.4 billion citizens continues to be the foremost priority for the Narendra Modi government, particularly in light of the changing global energy landscape.

During a press conference held in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India's energy policies are driven by national interests.

“In so far as India's energy security or sourcing is confirmed, the government has publicly on several occasions, including me here, stated that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion is the supreme priority of the government,” he said, adding the country is also looking to diversify its energy sourcing, adhering to the prevailing market conditions and the changing dynamics of the international landscape.

After US deal, world keen to forge trade pacts with India: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cited the India-US trade deal as evidence of growing global confidence in the country, saying New Delhi was increasingly seen as a reliable and fast-moving partner.

“The world is keen on forging deals with India,” PM Modi said, adding, “After the US trade deal, the world acknowledges our speed along with the stability," as quoted by NDTV.

Taking a dig at the Opposition, the Prime Minister said political rivals viewed the agreement through a negative prism. “For opposition, deal meant Bofors,” he remarked.

Modi also launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress, accusing it of pressuring the Centre on the issue of illegal immigration. “While prosperous countries are throwing out infiltrators, they are trying to put pressure on the Centre through courts to save illegal immigrants,” he said.

The remarks were made amid an ongoing political debate over trade, immigration and governance.

Modi jibes at Kharge amid sloganeering, pitches Viksit Bharat in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a swipe at the Opposition during a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha, referring to continued sloganeering as he rose to speak.

Addressing the Chair amid the disruptions, Modi made a pointed remark about Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that he be allowed to continue protesting while seated. “…Looking at the age of Kharge ji, I urge you, the Chairman, to let him sit and sloganeer so that he faces no discomfort. There are young people at the back. So, please permit Kharge ji to sloganeer even while sitting,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi then went on to highlight the government’s development agenda, saying the last few years had been marked by rapid progress and wide-ranging change across sectors as India moved ahead on the path of “Viksit Bharat.”

16 dead, several feared trapped after blast in illegal coal mine in Meghalaya

Sixteen labourers have died after an explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in a village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday.

“Four bodies have been retrieved from the remote coal mine area. One person with burn injuries has been shifted to Shillong for treatment,” said East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar as quoted by the Assam Tribune.

The blast occurred in the Thangsku area, Kumar said, adding that the exact number of workers inside the mine was not known. The injured person was taken to a primary health centre and later referred to Shillong.

Police have sought assistance from the State Disaster Response Force for rescue operations. The explosion is suspected to have occurred during illegal mining activity. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause.

Rat-hole coal mining in the state was banned by the National Green Tribunal in 2014, a ban later upheld by the Supreme Court of India.

SC backs NBCC to finish Supertech’s 16 stalled housing projects

In a significant relief for thousands of homebuyers awaiting possession for over a decade, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday upheld an order directing state-owned NBCC to complete 16 stalled housing projects of debt-laden real estate firm Supertech Limited at the earliest.

The court also restrained all tribunals and high courts from passing any orders that could halt the construction work to be undertaken by NBCC. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to uphold the December 12, 2024, order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

The bench noted that Supertech had booked around 51,000 homes between 2010 and 2012. It made clear that financial and operational creditors’ claims would be considered only after delivery of fully furnished homes with assured amenities such as water, electricity, sewage connections, roads and parks. Creditors, the court said, would have to accept haircuts as determined by insolvency tribunals.