Tamil Nadu News

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

PM Modi hails women’s role in India’s development journey

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the contribution of women to India’s development journey and said the government remains committed to expanding opportunities for them. In a social media message marking International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister said the achievements of India’s “women power” are a matter of pride and have played a transformative role in nation-building. He added that as India moves forward, women’s aspirations and contributions will continue to guide the country’s path towards a more prosperous nation.

China urges immediate halt to Iran-US-Israel war

China has called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi urging all sides to stop hostilities and resume dialogue. Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, Wang said the war triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran “should never have happened.” He stressed that the Iran–US–Israel conflict must be halted without delay and that parties should return to negotiations at once.

Stalin fears defeat, says Union Minister L Murugan in Tiruchi

Tiruchi: Murugan targets DMK ahead of TEJA alliance meet Union Minister of State L Murugan on Saturday alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is “at the peak of fear of defeat”, claiming that the outcome would be the same whenever elections are held. Speaking to reporters in Tiruchi, he said the TEJA alliance public meeting planned in the city would bring a change in Tamil Nadu politics.

Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern relocates to Australia for jobs

Melbourne: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has relocated to Australia with her family, citing better employment prospects. Ardern, 43, served as prime minister for more than five years representing the Labour Party. According to the report, she sold her home in New Zealand and used the proceeds to purchase a larger house in Melbourne. She has now settled there with her husband and children. While New Zealanders moving abroad is not unusual, the move has drawn attention because it involves a former national leader who also served around 15 years as a Member of Parliament. The family is said to expect Ardern’s husband to secure work in Australia with about 50% higher pay than in New Zealand.

Modi says Trinamool insulted President Murmu, calls it hurtful

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the Trinamool Congress had insulted President Droupadi Murmu, saying the episode was “hurtful” and “deeply regrettable”. He made the remarks after inaugurating two new Delhi Metro corridors and laying the foundation stone for Metro projects worth Rs 18,300 crore. Speaking at the event, Modi said multiple initiatives were being rolled out in the national capital, ranging from Metro expansion to housing facilities for thousands of government employees. He also credited the “double-engine” government for accelerating development works in Delhi.

Centre seeks report from West Bengal over alleged insult to President

The Union Home Ministry has sought an urgent report from the West Bengal government over an alleged insult to President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to Darjeeling district. The ministry has directed the state’s chief secretary to submit an explanation by 5 pm on Saturday. According to the report, an international Santhal community conference was held at Kosaipuri in Darjeeling, which the President attended. The venue was originally planned at Bidhannagar in Phansidewa, but was shifted at the last minute to Kosaipuri, where large crowds could not gather.

Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant joins JD(U); may become Deputy CM soon

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, formally joined the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday, according to reports from Patna. Nishant enrolled at the party office in Patna in the presence of ministers and MLAs, marking his official entry into JD(U)’s organisational fold. The development comes as Nitish Kumar, four months into his latest term as Chief Minister, has announced his intention to resign. He has also said he plans to enter national politics as a Rajya Sabha MP and has filed his nomination.

Iran picks new leader; Israel warns it will “spare no one”

Iran has reportedly chosen a new ruler, though authorities have not officially disclosed the person’s name. The development comes amid heightened tensions following claims that Iran’s supreme leader and cleric Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a U.S.-Israel joint strike. After the reported death, information circulated that Khamenei’s son had been selected as the next ruler. Iran’s government, however, denied those claims and did not confirm any succession decision at the time.

VCK, Left parties seek parity with DMDK in DMK seat talks

Chennai: Seat-sharing negotiations within the DMK-led alliance for the upcoming Assembly election have hit a fresh hurdle, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Communist parties reportedly insisting on getting as many seats as the DMDK. According to information circulating in alliance circles, the DMK has already signed agreements allocating 28 seats to the Congress and two seats each to the Muslim League and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi. Talks are continuing with several other partners including DMDK, VCK, MDMK, CPI(M), CPI and MNM.

TN launches affordable ‘Beach Wedding’ plan for middle-class couples

Tamil Nadu has introduced a new ‘Beach Wedding’ scheme aimed at helping middle-class families host grand wedding functions on the seashore, officials said. In metro cities such as Chennai, weddings are often held at luxury halls and star hotels, while prominent personalities and big industrialists typically choose beachside resorts. Such venues usually involve expenses running into lakhs, keeping beach weddings out of reach for many families. To address this, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has launched the ‘Beach Wedding’ plan, enabling couples to conduct weddings on the beach with permission through TTDC’s office on Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR).

DMK factions clash at Thiruppuvanam Women’s Day event in MLA’s presence

A Women’s Day celebration held at the Thiruppuvanam Government Hospital in Sivaganga district on Friday witnessed a clash between two groups of the DMK, reportedly in the presence of local MLA Thamilarasi. According to the report, the party’s local unit is split into two camps—one led by district deputy secretary Sengai Maran and another led by Achangulam Murugan, deputy president of the district farmers’ wing. The programme was attended by MLA Thamilarasi along with supporters of Achangulam Murugan. Sengai Maran also arrived at the venue. On seeing the other group on the dais, Sengai Maran questioned organiser Dr Srividhya about conducting the event with “important persons,” following which Achangulam Murugan’s supporters left the hall.

Madurai HC asks TN to run POCSO awareness drives to curb misuse

Court order The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to consider conducting awareness programmes in schools and colleges on the POCSO Act, stating that better clarity about the law can help prevent its misuse. Case background Police had booked a boy under the POCSO Act on allegations that he abducted a minor girl with the intention of forcing marriage and sexually assaulted her. A POCSO special court later sentenced him to 20 years in prison, which he challenged in appeal.

TASMAC staff stage sit-in at Egmore seeking regularisation

TASMAC liquor shop employees and members of a protest coordination committee held a sit-in demonstration at Egmore in Chennai on Friday, pressing for long-pending service-related demands. Organisers said more than 500 people took part. The protesters said liquor shop staff have been working on consolidated pay since 2003, for about 23 years. They demanded regularisation of service along with time-scale pay and pension benefits. According to the group, Prohibition and Excise Minister Muthusamy had earlier said a committee of senior government officials would be formed and a decision would be taken after receiving its report. The protesters said the sit-in was held in opposition to the report not being made public.

US clears emergency sale of 12,000 aerial bomb casings to Israel

Emergency approval The US State Department has granted emergency approval to sell 12,000 aerial bomb casings to Israel, as the war with Iran continues to intensify. Request from Israel The proposed sale follows a request from Israel for the munitions casings, according to the report. Value and specifications The package is valued at Rs 1,366 crore and includes 12,000 casings, each weighing about 450 kg. Context The approval comes at a time of heightened conflict, with Washington moving quickly to clear the transfer under emergency provisions.

India eye back-to-back T20 World Cup title vs New Zealand in final

The T20 World Cup has reached its climax, with India set to take on New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad. India, the defending champions and the No.1-ranked side in international T20s, can create history by winning the title for a second consecutive time. India’s batting has been a major strength through the tournament. Sanju Samson has led the charge at the top with scores of 97 and 89 in his last two matches, while Abhishek Sharma has been inconsistent but is expected to retain his place.

Centre relaxes export rules amid West Asia shipping disruptions

New Delhi: The Central government has announced temporary relaxations for Indian exporters to prevent trade disruptions amid the ongoing conflict situation in West Asia. In a statement, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said recent geopolitical developments have affected international shipping routes and global supply networks. In view of this, the government is easing the export condition linked to duty-free imports, which requires exporters to meet specified export quantities within a fixed time period.

Mamata announces Rs 1,500 monthly aid for unemployed Class 10 pass youth

Kolkata: With West Bengal heading towards Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 for unemployed youth who have passed Class 10. Speaking during her protest in Kolkata alleging that the Election Commission is acting in a one-sided manner in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, Banerjee said the benefit would be extended to those aged 21 to 40 to help them become self-reliant.

Kolkata HC orders release of Bangladeshi held since age 15

Court order after age verification The Calcutta High Court has directed the immediate release of a Bangladeshi national who was arrested in 2005 for allegedly entering West Bengal illegally and has remained in custody for about 21 years. Arrested as a minor Police had detained him when he was 15 and placed him in a juvenile reform facility. He later approached the High Court seeking to be freed from the case.

Murmu flags protocol lapses in Bengal; PM blames Mamata govt

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday voiced displeasure over alleged protocol and security lapses during her visit to West Bengal for a tribal community annual conference. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later said the state government was responsible for the “insult” to the President. The conference was originally planned at Bidhannagar near Siliguri, but permission was denied citing security reasons, according to the report. The event was then shifted to Ghoshaipore near Bagdogra airport after the state government granted approval.

Udhayanidhi asks if separate election campaigning is needed

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday said the “Dravidian model” government has been delivering balanced development for all sections of society. He was speaking at an event in Thoothukudi. During the programme, he inaugurated a super-speciality hospital built at a cost of Rs 136 crore and distributed welfare assistance worth Rs 110 crore. He said the DMK government under Chief Minister M K Stalin has been implementing multiple schemes.

Anbumani alleges Rs 500 crore scam in regulated market yards

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has alleged that corruption worth about Rs 500 crore has taken place in Tamil Nadu’s regulated market yards, and called on the state government to order an inquiry. In a statement, he said the Agriculture Marketing Department oversees 27 district market committees, under which 284 regulated market yards and 13 sub-regulated yards are functioning. These yards are meant to help farmers secure better prices by selling produce through indirect auctions.

HC orders expert panel to probe Agama rule claims in Kanchipuram temple works

The Madras High Court has directed the state-level expert committee to constitute a sub-committee to examine whether the ongoing works for the kumbabishekam at Kanchipuram’s Sri Devaraja Swamy (Devaraja Perumal) Temple violate Agama rules. The direction came on a petition filed by Krishna Devaraya from Karnataka, who alleged that the works were being carried out without approval from the Ancient Monuments authority and without adhering to Agama prescriptions. The matter was heard by Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy.

DMK-Congress alliance sealed, but rift grows between Sonia and Rahul

New Delhi: The DMK–Congress alliance has finally been concluded, with senior Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram seen as a key figure in bringing the talks to a close. According to party sources, Chidambaram was firm that the Congress should not allow the party to drift towards actor Vijay’s side, and pushed for the alliance to continue. Leaders claim the arrangement was settled at 28 Assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat.

JD(U) plans Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant as Bihar Deputy CM

Patna: A senior JD(U) leader has said the party has unanimously decided to make Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, the Deputy Chief Minister in the next government. Hari Narayan Singh, a JD(U) MLA and a close aide of Nitish Kumar, said the move would come after Nitish Kumar resigns as Chief Minister. Bihar is currently governed by a JD(U)-BJP coalition. The development comes amid a sudden political turn, with Nitish Kumar having filed his nomination to contest the Rajya Sabha elections. The report said he is expected to step down as Chief Minister after becoming a Rajya Sabha MP, following which a new government would be formed under BJP leadership.

Iran President apologises for strikes on neighbouring countries

Apology amid widening regional tensions Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologised for Iran’s attacks on neighbouring countries during the ongoing conflict against the United States and Israel. Speaking in a televised address, he said he was sorry for the strikes and expressed regret over the disruption caused. Why Iran says it struck neighbours According to Iran, the attacks were carried out using missiles and drones due to fears that US military bases located in nearby countries could be used to launch strikes against Iran. The reported targets included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Iraq.

TN Assembly poll schedule likely on March 15 or 16

The Election Commission is likely to announce the Assembly election schedule for five states, including Tamil Nadu, on March 15 or 16, according to reports. Assembly elections are due in April in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam. The Commission has been carrying out preparatory work and holding consultations as part of the process. On February 26 and 27, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi visited Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, meeting the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, the Chief Secretary, the DGP and representatives of recognised political parties. The Commission has also completed consultations in Assam, while its Kerala visit concluded on Saturday.

Meenakshi Amman Temple Kumbabhishekam set for September 19

The Kumbabhishekam of the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple has been scheduled for September 19, according to a decision taken by the authorities. A consultation meeting on the temple’s consecration was held in Chennai under the chairmanship of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister Sekar Babu. Officials noted that renovation works and the restoration of the Veeravasantharayar Mandapam have been completed. However, as the temple hosts festivals and processions throughout the year and these cannot be halted, the consecration has been fixed for September 19.

TVK celebrates Women’s Day with cultural programme

A short video published by Dinamalar highlights a TVK Women’s Day celebration held in Chennai. The event featured a cultural programme as part of the observance, according to the video’s title and tags. No further details about the venue, organisers, schedule, or participants were provided in the available source content.

Chennai gold rebounds after 5-day fall; up Rs 720 per sovereign

Gold prices in Chennai edged up on Friday (March 7) after falling for five consecutive days. The price of 22-carat jewellery gold increased by Rs 720 per sovereign to Rs 1,20,400, while the per-gram rate rose by Rs 80 to Rs 15,050. The report attributed recent volatility to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, with Iran responding in return. Gold and silver had surged last week as tensions escalated, before easing over the following days.

Stalin says DMK governance is a model for other states

Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the achievements of the DMK government have made other states look to Tamil Nadu as an example, describing the state’s progress as a guiding model. In a statement, Stalin recalled meeting party cadres at Siruganur near Tiruchirappalli on March 7, 2021, and said he would meet them again at the same venue on March 9. He claimed Tamil Nadu recorded a double-digit economic growth rate of 11.19%, a figure he said was affirmed by the Union government.

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