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Tamil Nadu News

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

Iran apologises to UAE, Saudi and other Gulf neighbours over attacks

Tehran has issued an apology to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring Gulf countries over attacks carried out in recent days, according to reports. The strikes were described as retaliation against the US and Israel, with Iran targeting locations linked to American military bases and diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. A drone attack was reported near Dubai’s international airport on Friday morning, though no damage was reported.

No alliance can match DMK front in Tamil Nadu, says Thirumavalavan

VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Friday said no alternative alliance has so far taken shape in Tamil Nadu that can match the DMK-led coalition. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport. He said the DMK leadership is holding talks with parties one by one and added that his party would also be invited for discussions soon. According to him, coordination among the alliance partners is progressing smoothly.

Israel says 80+ fighter jets hit Tehran, central Iran in wave attacks

Jerusalem: Israel has announced that it is carrying out a fresh round of strikes on Iran, deploying more than 80 fighter jets and conducting attacks in successive waves. The report comes amid continuing hostilities involving the United States and Israel against Iran. US President Donald Trump has said the campaign has not ended and asserted that Iran has no option other than surrender. Iran, meanwhile, has intensified its retaliatory actions, even as Israel said it has accelerated its operations compared with earlier phases.

Bangladesh rations fuel: 2 litres for bikes, 10 for cars

Bangladesh has introduced rationing for petrol and diesel sales as the country faces a fuel shortage, according to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). The shortage is being attributed to disruptions in global crude oil supply amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, with the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran said to be impacting international markets. Under the new limits, two-wheelers can receive up to 2 litres of fuel, while private cars are capped at 10 litres. SUVs, jeeps and mini-buses will be supplied 20 to 25 litres.

People won’t forgive DMK men over fatal crash, says Nainar Nagendran

Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran has said people will not forgive DMK members after a road accident in which a full-term pregnant woman died. In a statement, he referred to reports that a car bearing a DMK flag, allegedly speeding near the Chennai–Trichy National Highway, hit a two-wheeler. The woman travelling on the two-wheeler died, and he said the incident was deeply distressing for the family. Nagendran alleged that such acts carried out under the cover of being “DMK men” were continuing and called it not only condemnable but also dangerous. He claimed that with only a few weeks left for the government’s term to end, people were living in fear of further incidents driven by “abuse of power”.

Amit Shah says NDA will form govt in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal in 2026

Shah’s remarks in Dehradun Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the NDA would form governments in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026. He made the statement while addressing an event in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Citizenship granted to about 200 people Shah said around 200 people from Pakistan and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship in Uttarakhand. He linked the move to the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Indian Embassy in Doha seeks details of Indians stranded in Qatar

The Indian Embassy in Doha has begun collecting information on Indians who do not reside in Qatar but are currently stranded there due to the war situation. In an advisory, the embassy said flights departing Qatar were cancelled from February 28 to March 7. As a result, Indian tourists and short-term visa holders who are stuck in the country have been asked to enter their details through an online form.

Stalin urges Congress to field candidates who can fund campaigns

DMK and Congress may have reaffirmed their alliance, but discussions held ahead of finalising seat-sharing reportedly saw a sharp exchange over election funding, according to Congress sources. The sources said that in previous elections, the DMK typically bore a major share of campaign expenses for Congress candidates in Tamil Nadu. With campaign costs rising from lakhs to crores over recent polls, Congress leaders were said to expect similar support in the upcoming Assembly election as well.

Ooty court asks when Kodanad murder-robbery trial will be completed

The Kodanad estate murder and robbery case came up for hearing at the Ooty Sessions Court on Thursday, drawing attention after the presiding judge questioned the pace of the trial. The proceedings were held before Judge Muralidharan. Manoj of Walayar in Kerala appeared in person, along with police officers led by CB-CID and ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Murugavel. Government prosecutor Kanagaraj said the court was informed that examinations have so far been conducted with 269 witnesses in connection with the case.

Rahul Gandhi joins Kalaripayattu practice during Kerala visit

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is on a visit to Kerala, took part in a Kalaripayattu practice session along with a student at a college programme. After addressing a gathering in Kollam, Rahul visited Marian College in the Kuttikkanam area and interacted with students. He answered questions raised during the discussion. During the interaction, teachers said students trained in self-defence could demonstrate their skills and noted that Rahul was keen to watch. A student named Dinasree then performed Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s traditional martial art.

Reza Pahlavi says Iranians are calling for change in Iran

WASHINGTON: Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who lives in the United States, said Iranians are calling on him to help bring about a change of power. He said he accepts the responsibility and has been instructed to return the country and its foreign relations to a normal state. In a statement, Pahlavi accused Iran of targeting neighbouring countries by launching missiles at the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. He said violating the sovereignty of neighbours is unacceptable and deserves condemnation.

Trump says US will focus on Cuba after ending Iran war

Washington: US President Donald Trump said the United States would focus on Cuba after the Iran war is “fully ended,” according to remarks reported from the White House. The US has already been tightening economic sanctions aimed at toppling Cuba’s communist government. The report said Cuba is facing widespread power cuts, linked to restrictions affecting fuel exports. Trump made the comments while meeting members of Inter Miami CF, the “Major League Soccer 2025” champions, including Lionel Messi. Cuban-origin attendees were present during the event.

Climate shift linked to rise in chickenpox and mumps among TN students

Chennai: Schoolchildren in Tamil Nadu are being affected in larger numbers by chickenpox and mumps, with doctors linking the rise to seasonal transition as the cold period ends and summer begins. Government doctors said the current climate shift and increasing heat are contributing to the spread of these viral infections among children and students. Chickenpox is described as a highly contagious viral illness. It typically begins with fever, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite, and later causes small blisters to appear on the body. Doctors cautioned that pregnant women, newborns and people with low immunity face higher risk and should be especially vigilant during this season.

BJP’s Nainar Nagenthran says regime change certain in Tamil Nadu

Meeting in Chennai The BJP’s management committee held a consultation meeting in Chennai on Thursday. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran discussed preparations linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, Assembly election campaigning and the party’s election manifesto. Talks with AIADMK to begin soon Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nagenthran said the BJP would start discussions with the AIADMK on seat-sharing “very soon”. He noted that the Assembly election date has not yet been announced and that there is still time for preparations.

Stalin: 7 lakh houses to be built under Kalaignar Dream Home by 2030

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday announced that Tamil Nadu will construct 7 lakh houses by 2030 under the ‘Kalaignar Dream Home’ scheme, covering both rural and urban areas. He said the target includes 5 lakh houses in villages and 2 lakh in towns and cities. The announcement was made at the valedictory event of the ‘Ungal Kanavai Sollunga’ initiative, held at the Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam under the theme “Tamil Nadu – 2030: Dreams Come True”. Stalin said the government had gathered aspirations from 1.80 lakh families and would take forward key priorities through 14 major initiatives for the next five years.

Udhayanidhi says Dravidian model made Modi speak English in TN

Meeting in Tenkasi Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said in Tenkasi that the “Dravidian model” in Tamil Nadu had made Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak in English during his recent visit to the state. Criticism of AIADMK’s stand on Union Budget Speaking at a DMK alliance functionaries’ consultation meeting held at Ilanji in Tenkasi district, Udhayanidhi alleged that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami rushed to praise the Union Budget immediately after it was presented in Parliament. He claimed this showed Palaniswami’s subservience to PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

DMK, Congress mock Governor Ravi’s transfer to West Bengal

Chennai: DMK and Congress leaders took to social media to mock the sudden transfer of Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi to West Bengal. According to the announcement, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will additionally hold charge as Tamil Nadu Governor. During his tenure in Tamil Nadu, Ravi frequently clashed with the DMK government. The report notes that he took firm positions on issues including vice-chancellor appointments and often pointed out alleged mistakes by the Chief Minister, ministers and the government.

US official: Trade deal won’t repeat China-era mistakes with India

New Delhi: The United States will prioritise its national interest in any trade agreement with India and will not repeat what it calls past mistakes made with China, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, Landau described the decision to open the US market to China about two decades ago as a “major mistake”. He said India should understand that Washington will not make the same error again.

Nepal’s National Freedom Party set to form govt; 35-year-old rapper to be PM

Kathmandu: Nepal’s National Freedom Party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by 35-year-old Balendra Shah, is set to form the next government after winning a clear majority in the recently concluded parliamentary election. The election followed months of unrest triggered by the government’s September 26 ban on social media. The move intensified public anger over long-standing issues such as corruption, unemployment and the perceived privileged lifestyles of political dynasties, leading youth and students to organise protests in large numbers.

Iran minister mocks Trump over remarks on choosing Iran’s next leader

At the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Khatibzadeh took a swipe at former US President Donald Trump over his comments on Iran’s leadership succession. According to the Iranian official, Trump—whom he said could not even “elect the mayor of New York”—was now insisting that the United States should have a role in choosing Iran’s next Supreme Leader. He described the claim as “ridiculous.” The remarks came after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was recently killed in an attack attributed to the US and Israel, the report said. Trump subsequently argued that Washington should influence Iran’s selection process, comparing it to what he claimed was a US role in changing Venezuela’s president.

Oil firms won’t easily allow shift to alternative fuels: Gadkari

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said petroleum companies in India would not easily allow the country to shift to alternative fuels. Speaking at a biofuel conference in Pune, Maharashtra, Gadkari said energy self-reliance could help India reach an economic target of Rs 460 lakh crore. He pointed to the ongoing tensions in West Asia as a reminder of why energy security is crucial. Gadkari noted that India imports 86% of the energy it uses, spending about Rs 22 lakh crore for it. He said the government’s aim is to make the transport system safer by 2030 and to promote cleaner fuels along with agriculture to unlock benefits from domestic fuel sources.

Trump says US will back Kurdish forces if they attack Iran

Washington: As military action involving the United States and Israel against Iran continues, US President Donald Trump has said Washington would support Kurdish forces if they launch attacks against Iran. The report said the US and Israeli forces carried out strikes on February 28, alleging Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons. It also claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, and that his son Mojtaba Khamenei is set to assume the role.

Sri Lanka lets Iranian warship enter waters on humanitarian grounds

Colombo: Sri Lanka has granted permission for an Iranian naval vessel to enter its maritime area on humanitarian grounds after the ship developed an engine problem while sailing in the Indian Ocean near the island. The development comes amid continuing attacks involving the US and Israel against Iran, with reports saying the strikes continued for a seventh day. In a separate incident, Iran’s warship “Iris Tina” was reportedly destroyed in an attack after completing a two-day naval exercise in India, killing 87 people on board.

Madurai’s Rajeshwari Suvi ranks 2nd in UPSC Civil Services results

UPSC on Thursday announced the final results of the 2025 Civil Services Examination, conducted for recruitment to 23 services including IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS. Rajeshwari Suvi from Vadipatti in Madurai district secured All-India Rank (AIR) 2, marking a major achievement for Tamil Nadu. The notification for the 2025 examination was issued on January 22 last year. The preliminary exam was held on May 25 across 79 cities, with more than seven lakh candidates appearing. Results for the prelims were declared on June 11, with 14,156 candidates qualifying, including 723 from Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Pradesh to ban social media for children under 13: Naidu

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that children below 13 years of age will be barred from using social media in the state, citing the need to protect youngsters. According to the Chief Minister, the policy will be implemented in phases over the next 90 days. The government is also considering whether the restriction should be extended to children aged 13 to 16. The move comes amid growing concerns over increasing mobile phone use among children, including very young kids spending time on games and short-form videos on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Reports also point to children accessing phones without parents’ knowledge and becoming dependent on screens.

Vijay to unveil women-focused election promises today in Mamallapuram

TVK leader Vijay is set to announce a set of women-focused election promises today, as part of the party’s Assembly election commitments. According to a statement issued by the TVK leadership, the party is marking International Women’s Day with a special celebration in Chennai. The event, to be attended by Vijay, will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Mamallapuram from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Vijay is expected to outline schemes and plans aimed at women during the programme.

Seeman blames rulers for rising movie craze among youth

Chennai: Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman has said the ruling establishment is responsible for the growing “movie craze” among young people. Speaking to reporters, he reiterated that NTK is firm on contesting the upcoming Assembly election on its own and that there is no change in its stand of not aligning with Dravidian parties. Seeman said he does not expect parties to come forward for an alliance with him, adding that he would consider it only with groups that accept a political culture that does not involve paying money for votes. He described victories secured through cash as “degrading politics.”

CSK Unveils New Team Jersey

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has unveiled a new jersey for the team, according to a short video published by Dinamalar. The update highlights the franchise’s latest kit design as the side prepares for upcoming matches. No additional details about the jersey’s features or launch event were provided in the source. Further information is expected as the team or organisers share more official updates.

Madurai HC flags temple land encroachment, says “God has no vote”

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, hearing a case on alleged encroachment of lands belonging to the Balasubramaniaswamy Temple at Vennamalai in Karur district, remarked that “the poor God has no right to vote, but powerful encroachers have a valuable vote.” The court cautioned that electoral considerations cannot override governance under the Constitution. The petition was filed by Radhakrishnan of Chennai, who said about 500 acres of temple land in Kadapparai and Athur had been encroached upon. He pointed out that a Division Bench had earlier, on October 23, 2019, directed the administration to take steps to recover temple properties from encroachment, and sought contempt action against officials for alleged non-compliance.

Ex-DGP Rajeev Kumar enters politics, files Rajya Sabha nomination

Rajya Sabha elections for 37 vacant seats across India are scheduled to be held on March 16. In West Bengal, nominations were filed for five seats by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP. The TMC named four candidates and submitted their nomination papers. The list includes state minister Babul Supriyo, former West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, senior Supreme Court advocate Menaka Guruswamy, and actor Koyal Malik.

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