Tamil Nadu News

Latest news from Tamil Nadu - Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more

EC urges public to report poll code violations via cVIGIL app

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik has urged the public to report election-related violations through the Election Commission’s mobile application, cVIGIL. Speaking at the Secretariat in Chennai, she said citizens can capture photos of suspected violations and submit them through the app. She added that the identity of complainants will be kept confidential. Patnaik noted that Tamil Nadu already carries a reputation for high election spending, and said steps would be taken to curb it through a central government agency. She also said the deadline to apply for inclusion of names in the voter list has been extended until March 26.

Trump warns Iran’s gas facilities will be ‘wiped out’ if Qatar hit again

Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s gas facilities would be completely destroyed if Tehran attacks Qatar again. He also claimed Israel would not carry out further strikes on Iran. The warning comes as the conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran enters its third week. Israel recently struck Iran’s key natural gas site, the South Pars facility. In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on major natural gas plants in neighboring Qatar, described as the world’s largest. Qatar has not been directly involved in the conflict, but ordered Iranian embassy officials to leave the country within 24 hours following the strike.

Tamil Nadu Highways reorganisation order triggers staff concerns

Madurai: The Tamil Nadu Highways Department currently functions through multiple wings, including construction and maintenance, projects, bridges, quality control, national highways, rural roads (NABARD) and a highways research centre. These wings operate at the state level under a single Chief Engineer. The department is a large workforce, with around 10,000 road workers and about 8,000 other staff and officials. A government order issued on March 13 said the department’s wings would be brought under one unit in the name of reorganisation, while keeping quality control and the research centre as separate entities.

Pakistan Army chief warns Afghanistan against terror safe havens

Islamabad: Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir has issued a strong warning that Afghanistan will not be allowed to be used as a base for terrorist activity against Pakistan. Tensions between Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan have escalated in recent months. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of providing shelter to militants of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). After meeting Shia Muslim clerics in Rawalpindi, Munir said Pakistan launched an anti-terror military operation named “Ghazab Lil Haq” last month. He said the army is determined to eliminate militants operating against Pakistan and dismantle their infrastructure.

TVK candidate list likely soon; special puja held at Melmalaiyanur temple

Actor Vijay’s TVK is preparing to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on its own. The party has already collected applications from aspirants and conducted interviews in two phases. According to the report, Vijay has decided to pick candidates who can fund their campaigns, and those who pledged higher spending have been given preference. Importance has also been given to leaders who joined TVK from other parties.

DMK MLA faces complaint over luxury car gifts to party executives

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI: Manachanallur DMK MLA Kathiravan has come under scrutiny after gifting luxury cars to local party functionaries in Tiruchirappalli district, according to a complaint filed with the district election authorities. The MLA reportedly presented cars worth about Rs 15 lakh each to five DMK union secretaries and two town panchayat secretaries who had worked for his victory in the 2021 Assembly election. The gifts were also shared on social media.

Shruti Haasan’s stylish new photoshoot draws attention

Actor Shruti Haasan has featured in a new web photo story showcasing her latest photoshoot. The series highlights her posing in a standout outfit, with the images presented as a curated set. The photo story has been published online as part of a celebrity photo feature. No additional details about the shoot’s location or creative team were provided in the post.

Iron Cookware: Types, Uses and Simple Care Tips

Iron cookware is commonly classified into two types: cast iron and pure iron. While iron vessels are generally flexible and less likely to break, cast iron cookware can be more prone to cracking or breaking. In terms of heat performance, iron vessels heat up quickly and cool down faster. Cast iron, on the other hand, heats more slowly but retains heat for longer and cools down gradually. Weight can also be a clue: cast iron cookware—when made with the right metal mix—tends to be heavier, while pure iron vessels are comparatively lighter. Popular iron cookware used in kitchens includes kadai, dosa tawa, paniyaram pan, idli plate, frying pans and uruli.

Be cautious about what you eat, warns Dinamalar short

A short video published by Dinamalar carries a simple caution: be careful when it comes to eating. The available source text does not provide further details on the specific advice, context, or any expert guidance featured in the clip. As a result, only the central message—urging caution in food-related habits—can be reliably reported from the information provided. The video appears under Dinamalar’s shorts/reels section, but no additional content was included in the shared excerpt.

Dinamalar posts short video on demonetisation and a Tamil public review

Dinamalar has released a short-form video under its Shorts/Reels section with the title “Demonetisation ஏன்? Pls இந்த படத்தை பாருங்க | Dhurandhar The Revenge Public Review Tamil”. The clip appears to be positioned as a Tamil public review segment linked to “Dhurandhar The Revenge”, while also referencing the topic of demonetisation in the headline. No additional details about the video’s content, speakers, location, or specific viewpoints are provided in the available source text.

Vilathikulam case: Key evidence helps identify accused, report says

A short video published by Dinamalar highlights a court-related case linked to Vilathikulam, involving a student. According to the video’s headline, a small piece of physical evidence is said to have played a crucial role in identifying the accused in the case. No further verified details about the incident, the parties involved, or the court proceedings are provided in the available source content. The report is presented in the format of a brief social-media “shorts/reels” update connected to Vilathikulam court.

Gold price in Chennai plunges Rs 5,360 in a day; silver also dips

Chennai saw a steep fall in 22-carat jewellery gold prices on March 19, with rates sliding in both the morning and evening sessions. The total drop for the day came to Rs 5,360 per sovereign, bringing cheer to buyers. According to the report, the decline is linked to international investors reducing their exposure to gold, which has pushed prices lower in India. In the previous sessions, gold and silver had already been trending down.

No need to threaten anyone using ED, says TN BJP chief Nainar

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Wednesday said there was no need for his party to threaten anyone using agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Speaking to reporters in Tirunelveli, he maintained that the ED and the Income Tax Department function as independent bodies. He said investigations would be carried out only against those who are already facing issues, and argued that many of the cases being cited existed well before the current election season. He claimed that ED and Income Tax cases against DMK ministers and actor Vijay had been in place even before Vijay launched his party, and questioned whether it was fair to call it “threatening” now.

EPS says he will reveal purpose of Delhi trip tomorrow

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday said he would disclose the purpose of his Delhi visit “tomorrow”, responding to questions from reporters at the airport. Tamil Nadu is set to vote in the Assembly election on April 23, with parties engaged in seat-sharing negotiations and candidate selection. While the DMK-led alliance is said to have nearly completed its seat allocation, the AIADMK-led front has not finalised arrangements with partners including the BJP, PMK, AMMK and TMC.

Annamalai questions arrest in Class 12 student murder case

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has said several questions arise over the police claim of having arrested the accused in the rape and murder of a Class 12 school student in Vedanatham village, Vilathikulam, Thoothukudi district. In a statement, he noted that the crime occurred over 10 days ago and alleged that the police did not make an arrest despite sustained public protests demanding swift action. He said the police have now announced the arrest of a man named Dharma Muneeswaran from Sayalkudi.

President Murmu offers prayers at Ayodhya Ram temple

President Droupadi Murmu visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and offered prayers on Wednesday. She also took part in a ceremony to install the Shri Ram Yantra at the temple. According to the event details, the installed Yantra is a gold-plated plate weighing about 150 kg. The President attended the installation programme and later addressed the gathering amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. In her remarks, Murmu said milestones linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi site—such as the bhoomi pujan, the pran pratishtha, the opening of the Ram Darbar for devotees, and the flag hoisted atop the temple—were “golden moments” in the nation’s history. She said stepping on the sacred land was a great blessing for her.

Centre auctions Dawood family’s Ratnagiri lands after years of delay

Four agricultural land parcels in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, linked to the family of underworld fugitive Dawood Ibrahim, have been sold in an auction conducted by the Central government. Officials said the properties are located in Mumbake village and were recorded in the name of Dawood Ibrahim’s mother, Amina Beevi. The assets were earlier attached by the Centre following the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, in which 257 people were killed and around 700 injured.

World’s 25 happiest countries: Finland tops again; India ranks 116th

Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country, securing the top spot for the ninth consecutive time in the 2026 global happiness rankings released by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre. The annual list, published around International Day of Happiness, assessed 147 countries. The study considered factors such as social support, health, freedom, generosity, public perceptions of corruption and gross domestic product, based on people’s responses. Finland scored 7.76 out of 10 to lead the table. India was placed 116th this year, improving by two positions from 118th in 2025.

Qatar attack pushes up gas prices across Europe

London: Gas prices climbed across Europe after an attack on energy infrastructure in Qatar, according to reports. The development comes amid a wider conflict in the Middle East that has been triggering economic ripple effects globally. The report said Iran has been carrying out strikes on US bases in the region in what it described as retaliation. On Thursday, Iran allegedly carried out a drone attack on what was described as the world’s largest LPG plant in Qatar. The report also said Iran used drones to target Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, and later struck a refinery in Qatar, drawing strong condemnation from Gulf countries.

Ugadi Pachadi Recipe: Neem, Jaggery and Mango Mix

Ugadi pachadi is a customary dish prepared on Ugadi and shared with relatives as a festive greeting. The mix is meant to symbolise that life is a blend of happiness, worry, anger, fear, boredom and surprise. The pachadi brings together multiple tastes: neem flower for bitterness, raw mango for astringency, tamarind extract for sourness, green chilli or pepper for heat, and jaggery for sweetness. Ingredients: 1/2 cup neem flower, 1 raw mango, tamarind extract, green chillies, a small piece of ginger, jaggery, and salt as needed.

Police warn: ‘Digital arrest’ is not a legal concept

Police have issued a public warning stating that there is no concept called “digital arrest” in Indian law, amid a rise in cyber frauds using the term to scare victims. In recent times, several people have reportedly fallen into such scams and lost large sums of money after receiving calls that claim they are being “digitally arrested”. Officials clarified that neither the police nor central agencies arrest anyone over the phone, and there is no procedure where money is demanded to “close” a case.

Dinamalar short: “First take care of home, then society”

A short video published by Dinamalar highlights a simple message: personal and family responsibilities should come first. The clip, presented as a brief “shorts/reels” format, stresses that one should first ensure the home is in order before turning attention to broader social concerns. The video is shared under Dinamalar’s short-video section and is positioned as a quick, reflective takeaway for viewers. No further details or context were provided in the available source text.

Iran accused of striking world’s largest LNG plant

A short video item published by Dinamalar claims that Iran carried out a bomb attack targeting what it describes as the world’s largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant. The source does not specify where the LNG facility is located, when the incident occurred, or what kind of explosive was used. No official confirmation, casualty figures, or information on damage and operational impact were included in the available content. With limited details provided, further clarity would depend on additional official statements or follow-up reporting from the publisher.

TVK struggles to find candidates after Vijay’s ‘self-funded’ rule

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is facing difficulty finalising candidates after party chief Vijay reportedly told aspirants not to expect financial support for election expenses and that tickets would go only to those who can fund their own campaigns. According to state-level functionaries, the party’s internal assessment is that spending at least Rs 2 crore is needed even to secure the election deposit, while a serious campaign could require anywhere between Rs 5 crore and Rs 20 crore. Based on this, the leadership decided to consider only financially capable candidates.

Ramadoss faces crunch as PMK dispute deepens, options narrow

Chennai: A rift between PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, has widened, with both now functioning separately. Amid the split, Anbumani joined the AIADMK-BJP alliance on January 7. The development has left Ramadoss unable to enter any alliance, according to the report. Ramadoss has moved the Chennai civil court seeking to restrain Anbumani from using the PMK name, flag and the mango symbol. However, the Madras High Court has directed that the matter be taken up only after May 10, a move being viewed as a setback for him.

DMK holds interviews for 22 southern seats; Panneerselvam attends

Chennai: The DMK on Wednesday conducted interviews for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket in 22 constituencies across southern districts. The exercise was held at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, as part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly election. Chief Minister M K Stalin is overseeing the candidate-selection process by interviewing those who submitted applications to contest on the DMK symbol. On the second day, interviews covered constituencies in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari, Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts.

Vijay’s ‘Jananayagan’ release awaits Election Commission decision

Film’s release timeline shifts again Chennai: The release of Jananayagan, starring TVK leader Vijay, is now expected to depend on a decision by the Election Commission, according to reports. The film had earlier been announced for release on January 9, ahead of the Pongal festival. Censor hurdle and court move The Central Board of Film Certification reportedly declined to issue a censor certificate, citing scenes that were alleged to hurt religious sentiments. As a result, the film did not release during Pongal as planned.

Iran keeps oil exports flowing as 90 ships cross Strait of Hormuz

Tehran: Even as maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply slowed after the war began, Iran has continued exporting oil, according to reports. The conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel has continued for days, with both sides exchanging missile strikes. Amid the escalation, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and warned of attacks on crude oil tankers using the passage.

Seat talks: VCK struggles as DMK insists on symbol condition

VCK, which had been among the first in the DMK alliance to finalise seat-sharing during the previous Assembly election, is now finding it difficult to conclude talks for the upcoming election. According to DMK sources, senior ministers have already held discussions with VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. The VCK side reportedly argued that, with two MPs and four MLAs, it should be allotted eight constituencies this time. DMK leaders, while describing Thirumavalavan as a trusted ally from the beginning, are said to have pointed to the expanded alliance and the need to accommodate more parties. They reportedly asked VCK to reduce its demand by at least one seat, which Thirumavalavan did not accept.

Puducherry alliance talks stall as DMK, Congress file nominations separately

Seat-sharing negotiations in Puducherry’s two major political blocs remain stuck, triggering fresh uncertainty ahead of the 16th Assembly election scheduled for April 9. In the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the N.R. Congress, an understanding was said to be emerging to split the 30 seats with N.R. Congress taking 16 and the BJP and other partners sharing 14. However, tensions escalated after the BJP moved to bring the Lakshya Jana Nayaka Party, started by industrialist Jose Charles Martin, into the alliance.

Latest Updates

Is it healthy to have one raw-food meal every day?

Esther Anil’s latest photo clicks go viral

Sankatahara Chaturthi fast observed today; devotees worship Ganesha

Dinamalar short highlights Jannik Sinner as a record-setting player

Yash: Son of a bus driver to pan-India film producer