Man uses pvt pics to blackmail schoolgirls, they get him killed

Man uses pvt pics to blackmail schoolgirls, they get him killed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.12.2021

The Arambakkam police on Monday detained two Class X students from Chengalpet in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old college student, who was blackmailing the girls using intimate photographs he had taken.

The body of Premkumar of Otteri was found buried at Eachangadu village in Tiruvallur on Sunday after villagers alerted police on spotting hair and bloodied teeth at a deserted location. Police said investigations led them to the two girls, who had paid Premkumar ₹50,000 each over the last year after he threatened to publish their photos online. He befriended them on Instagram and neither was initially aware they were involved with the same man.

Unable to handle the blackmailer’s pressure, the girls asked Ashok, another youth they had befriended recently on Instagram, to help them snatch Premkumar’s phone and delete the photos. Police said Ashok and three of his friends from Red Hills used the girls to lure Premkumar to Sholavaram toll plaza on Friday morning and kidnapped him. Later that night, Ashok and another friend took Premkumar to Eechangadu where they allegedly murdered and buried him. “We have launched a hunt for Ashok. Only after we nab him will we know what exactly happened,” said an investigating officer.

Premkumar’s body was handed over to his family on Monday after autopsy at Government Stanley Hospital.

SC upholds judicial probe into Jaya’s treatment at pvt hospital

SC upholds judicial probe into Jaya’s treatment at pvt hospital

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:21.12.2021

The Supreme Court has upheld the inquiry into the “correctness, adequacy and inadequacy” of medical treatment extended to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and turned down Apollo Hospitals’ plea challenging the setting up of the Justice A Arumughaswamy commission of inquiry.

A bench of Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Krishna Murari, however, allowed the hospital to crossexamine any witness and lead its own evidence before the commission. It upheld the Madras high court order which had refused to interfere in the proceedings before the commission.

The bench said it would be just and proper to constitute a medical board to assist the commission in disposal of the case.

“For this purpose, we request the director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to nominate a panel of doctors, specialists in the fields of treatment of the ailments as suffered by the late chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Needless to say that the commission has to furnish the said medical board, so constituted, with complete records of the proceedings. The medical board, so appointed, is permitted to participate in all further proceedings of the commission and furnish a copy of the report to the commission,” it said.

Don’t find any infirmity in HC order in Jaya case: SC

The bench passed the order on an appeal filed by Apollo Hospitals, which approached the court through advocate Rohini Musa.

It had accused the panel of bias and of conducting proceedings in violation of natural justice.

The commission, however, denied the allegations and told the apex court that it was holding the inquiry as per the law.

“Having heard the learned senior counsel for the parties, we do not find any infirmity in the order of the high court,” the apex court said in its order, which was passed on November 30, but uploaded now on the SC website.

“However, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that it is just and proper for the commission to furnish the documents, the depositions and the records as available in the records of the commission on an application to be made by the hospital... The hospital is also permitted to make an appropriate application seeking permission to crossexamine/recall of any witness or individual including those witnesses whose evidence has since been closed and also lead its own evidence. If such an application is filed, we request the commission to consider the same and pass appropriate orders thereon,” it said.

Omicron spreading faster than Delta, infecting vaxxed: WHO

Omicron spreading faster than Delta, infecting vaxxed: WHO

But UN Body Predicts 2022 May See Pandemic’s End With Vax & Treatments; Britain Under Pressure To Tighten Curbs As Deaths From Variant Rises To 12

21.12.2021

The Omicron variant is spreading faster than the Delta variant and is causing infections in people already vaccinated or who have recovered from the Covid-19 disease, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday. “There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant,” he said. “And it is more likely people vaccinated or recovered from Covid could be infected or re-infected.”

WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said that the variant was successfully evading some immune responses, meaning that the booster programmes being rolled out in many countries ought to be targeted towards people with weaker immune systems. “We do not believe that all vaccines will become completely ineffective,” she said. WHO expert Abdi Mahamud added: “Although we are seeing a reduction in the neutralisation antibodies, almost all data shows T-cells remain intact, that is what we really require.” Swaminathan, referring to a treatment for people with the disease, said: “Of course there is a challenge, many of the monoclonals will not work with Omicron.” She gave no details. But the WHO team also offered some hope to a world facing the new wave that 2022 would be the year that the pandemic would end — with the development of second and third generation vaccines, further development of antimicrobial treatments and other innovations. “If we can keep virus transmission to minimum, then can bring pandemic to end,” Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert said. Tedros, too, called for the world to pull together and make the difficult decisions needed to end the pandemic within the next year. “2022 must be the year we end the pandemic,” he said.

Omicron infections are multiplying rapidly across Europe and the US, doubling every two or three days in London and elsewhere and taking a heavy toll on financial markets. Britain has reported record levels of cases over the past week. The UK health security agency said on Sunday that12 people had died due to Omicron and 104 were currently in hospital with it. Speaking after a two-hour cabinet meeting, UK PM Boris Johnson said on Monday he was looking at all kinds of measures to keep Omicron under control as the situation was extremely difficult, cautioning that further restrictions might be needed. British media said ministers had pushed back against the prospect of new restrictions before Christmas and that curbs, lasting between two weeks and a month, were now more likely to be introduced after, possibly from December 28. Media outlets said these would likely include a ban on households mixing indoors, as well as possible limits on the numbers who can meet outdoors and pubs and eateries limited to opening outdoors only.

Germany plans to limit private gatherings from December 28 to a maximum of 10 people who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid, according to a draft of proposed measures. Italy is also considering new measures. US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Omicron was “raging through the world” as he urged Americans to get booster shots. Since the start of the month, US cases have risen 50%, according to a Reuters tally. Meanwhile, US senator Elizabeth Warren said she had tested Covid positive. Australia for its part is pushing to ease curbs despite a predicted surge in infections, hoping inoculations will help keep people out of hospital.

Also, the World Economic Forum on Monday postponed its annual meeting in Davos due to the spread of Omicron, putting off the event scheduled for January until mid-2022.

Meanwhile, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa returned to work following a week of isolation after testing positive for Covid. Ramaphosa had mild symptoms. AGENCIES

State govt to operate over 16,000 buses to clear Pongal rush

State govt to operate over 16,000 buses to clear Pongal rush

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.12.2021

The Tamil Nadu transport department will be operating 16,768 buses from various locations in Chennai to clear extra passenger rush during Pongal week.

Similarly, around 6,468 other special buses will be operated along other districts in the state from January 11to 13.

As many as 11 ticket reservation counters will be opened at Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), Tambaram MEPZ and Poonamallee Bus Stand.

Tickets can also be booked online on www.tnstc.in, RedBus, Paytm, makemytrip and BusIndia. Temporary bus stands have been set up at different locations in the city to avoid congestion and smooth operation of special buses. Traffic diversions, introduced five years ago, will be followed this year too. Buses, transporting passengers to Thanjavur and Kumbakonam via Vikravandi, Panruti will depart from the temporary bus stand setup at Tambaram.

Poonamallee bus stand will be the origin for buses bound to Hosur, Arcot, Vellore, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore and Chidambaram buses (via Puducherry) will depart from KK Nagar bus stop.

Buses to AP will leave from Madhavaram. Only south-bound buses will depart from CMBT.

Responding on private omni charging more, TN transport minister RS Rajakannapan said that action will be taken against them.

Eleven ticket reservation counters will be opened at Koyambedu CMBT, Tambaram MEPZ and Poonamallee Bus Stand

PMK seeks clarification on NEET Bill status from DMK

PMK seeks clarification on NEET Bill status from DMK

Chennai:21.12.2021

PMK leader S Ramadoss on Monday sought clarification from the DMK government on the status of the NEET Bill, given that 100 days have passed since it was passed in the state legislature and sent for assent from governor R N Ravi and President Kovind. There is no other reason but politics for the governor not to give assent to the Bill, Ramadoss alleged.

“The Bill was passed on September 13 for medical admission on the basis of marks obtained by students in class 12 board examinations. All parties except BJP had endorsed the Bill. There has been no progress barring passage of the Bill,” Ramadoss said. He said a Bill to cancel the entrance examination for medical and engineering admission was passed in December 2006 and the entire process, including assent for the Bill, was given in 86 days, which was the correct duration. TNN

SC/ST dole scam: 52 principals come under DVAC lens

SC/ST dole scam: 52 principals come under DVAC lens

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.12.2021

Fifty-two college principals and administrators have been summoned by officials of dthe irectorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) for swindling ₹17.4 crore allocated for the uplift of scheduled caste students in the state.

The DVAC officials have summoned a batch of five principals every day to appear before the investigators.

The college authorities and the officials of the adi dravidar and tribal welfare department have been asked to appear before the special investigation cell. The officials will then collate the recorded statements and probe further.

Based on the complaint of lawyer Ashok Kumar, the DVAC discovered that ₹17.4 crore allotted for the scholarships of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students in Tamil Nadu was allegedly misappropriated from 2011 to 2014.

Inquiries revealed the involvement of the officials from the higher education department and various colleges in misappropriation of the funds.

The DVAC will also investigate seven joint directors of collegiate education, and 11 officials of the adi dravidar and tribal welfare department.

Preliminary inquiry audit report claimed that the scholarships due to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students admitted under the givernment quota were misappropriated causing a loss of Rs 4.3 crore to the government.

The DVAC officials have registered a case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) r/w 120 (B) (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code; 13 (1)(c)(d) and13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and 13(1)(a) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act.

The DVAC officials discovered that ₹17.4 crore allotted for scholarships for scheduled caste/ tribe students in Tamil Nadu was misappropriated from 2011 to 2014

Perfect co-coordination between health services, infra in TN: Guv

Perfect co-coordination between health services, infra in TN: Guv

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 21.12.2021

There is perfect cocoordination between health services and infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and the state is an example for the rest, Governor R N Ravi said, haling Stalin as a dynamic chief minister. Ravi, who shared the dais with Stalin for the 34th convocation of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University,also congraduated Tamil Nadu for containing the effect of pandemic.

He also praised the staterun medical university for identifying a vaccine candidate for Sars Cov 2. During his convocation address, he asked young graduates to hold on to five essential things — not to commercialise medical profession, develop the art of listening to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, integrate traditional and modern medicine using evidencebased research, continue learning and working hard and stay healthy.

Earlier, Stalin in his convocation address urged medical graduates, including those from urban areas, to serve in the rural areas of the state. You should be recognised as people’s doctors, he told young medical graduates seated at the Silver Jubilee Auditorium on the university campus. “When you start working you know that regardless of sex, caste or any other factors, what you will see in front of you is life. You are the nation’s children,” he said asking them to be prepared to face challenges ahead.

The state he said will reopen 11 new medical colleges this academic year, he said. The department has launched a slew of programmes such as door-to-door delivery of medicine, insurance for accident victims, clinic for internet addiction and emergency and rehab centre for people with mental illness.

Health minister Ma Subramanian said at least one in every eight doctors in the country was from Tamil Nadu. “Our best doctors did not join medicine after clearing NEET,” he said. This is the last batch of students from the university, who joined the undergraduate medical programme without clearing medicine. The state’s bill against using NEET as sole criteria for admission is now awaiting governor’s nod.