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Gold drops Rs 2,120 per sovereign in Chennai; down Rs 3,680 in 2 days
Business

Gold drops Rs 2,120 per sovereign in Chennai; down Rs 3,680 in 2 days

Chennai saw a sharp fall in gold prices on Tuesday (March 4), with 22-carat jewellery gold dropping by Rs 2,120 per sovereign to Rs 1,21,600. The per-gram rate declined by Rs 265 to Rs 15,200. The market has been witnessing fluctuations in gold and silver prices amid international developments. In Tamil Nadu, on March 2, jewellery gold was sold at Rs 15,660 per gram and Rs 1,25,280 per sovereign, while silver was priced at Rs 315 per gram.

Manickam Tagore urges unity as Congress resumes DMK alliance talks
Politics

Manickam Tagore urges unity as Congress resumes DMK alliance talks

Congress is set to hold a second round of discussions with the DMK in Chennai on Tuesday, amid continuing uncertainty over the alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In recent weeks, a section within the Tamil Nadu Congress had argued for exploring an alliance with TAVEKA. The DMK’s lack of early interest in seat-sharing talks—despite Congress forming a committee about two months ago—had added to discontent, prompting some leaders, including MP Manickam Tagore, to publicly criticise the DMK alliance.

US begins military action in Ecuador targeting terror groups
Politics

US begins military action in Ecuador targeting terror groups

The United States has begun military action in Ecuador, targeting what it described as terrorist organisations and drug-trafficking groups. The operation is being carried out jointly with Ecuador’s forces, following orders from President Donald Trump, according to reports. The development comes after a US-Israel attack on Iran in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, the report said. US attention has now shifted to groups operating in Ecuador, it added.

Aramco eyes Red Sea route as Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz
Business

Aramco eyes Red Sea route as Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz

Riyadh: Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, is exploring crude exports through the Red Sea after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating war tensions in West Asia. The closure has disrupted one of the world’s key oil shipping corridors, leaving cargo vessels stranded in the Gulf and affecting oil supplies to several countries, including India. The situation has pushed producers to look for alternative routes to keep deliveries moving.

India opens Gulf control room; helplines issued for Indians abroad
General

India opens Gulf control room; helplines issued for Indians abroad

Amid rising war-related tensions, the Central government has opened a special control room to assist Indians living in Gulf countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the control room will function daily from 9 am to 9 pm. Indians seeking assistance can call the toll-free number 1800118797. Additional contact numbers for the control room are +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, and +91 11 2301 7905.

US Democrats question Trump over Iran war, cite no imminent threat
Politics

US Democrats question Trump over Iran war, cite no imminent threat

Washington: US opposition Democrats have questioned President Donald Trump over why the United States launched strikes on Iran despite what they say was no imminent threat to the US. The report said the attack came after talks linked to a nuclear agreement ended without success, with the US acting alongside Israel. It claimed key Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were killed, and that the conflict has since spread to Gulf countries, heightening tensions across West Asia as it continues for a fifth day.

Israel warns Iran’s new leader: ‘Whoever it is will be eliminated’
Politics

Israel warns Iran’s new leader: ‘Whoever it is will be eliminated’

Israel has issued a sharp warning to Iran’s newly chosen supreme leader, saying any figure installed by what it called Iran’s “terror regime” would be treated as a target for elimination. The statement came after reports said Iran selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new ruler and top cleric. The development follows claims that Ali Khamenei was killed in an attack by the United States and Israel.

UAE says it foiled Iran strikes involving 194 missiles, 812 drones
Politics

UAE says it foiled Iran strikes involving 194 missiles, 812 drones

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has said it has thwarted a wave of Iranian attacks carried out using missiles and drones, describing the incidents as part of more than 1,000 strike attempts so far. According to the UAE, the escalation followed the breakdown of talks linked to a nuclear agreement and subsequent US action against Iran alongside Israel. The UAE said Iran has since targeted US military bases in Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait.

Vijay targets DMK at Thanjavur meet, calls it an “evil force”
Politics

Vijay targets DMK at Thanjavur meet, calls it an “evil force”

TVK leader Vijay on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the DMK while addressing a party meeting at Sengipatti near Thanjavur. He claimed even youngsters were beginning to describe the DMK as an “evil force”, and positioned the coming polls as a contest centred on Tamil Nadu. Referring to his earlier remarks at a Vellore event, Vijay reiterated slogans linking himself and his party with the state, and said his political opponents were twisting his statements to portray him as speaking for the BJP. He alleged that minorities were being frightened and misled, and said such tactics would not work going forward.

Union Minister L Murugan slams DMK over alleged attacks on SC communities
Politics

Union Minister L Murugan slams DMK over alleged attacks on SC communities

Union Minister L Murugan on Tuesday condemned what he described as continuing atrocities against Scheduled Caste communities under the DMK government, alleging that southern districts have been kept in a state of tension since the regime took office. In a statement, he referred to an attack near Nanguneri’s Perumpathu area, where a gang arriving on motorcycles allegedly assaulted people at a roadside tea shop with sickles. He also cited a recent incident in Nanguneri in which petrol bombs were allegedly thrown in a Scheduled Caste residential area, including at a house wall, near a ground-level water tank and in front of a temple.

Trump says US will insure and protect ships in Gulf amid Hormuz crisis
Politics

Trump says US will insure and protect ships in Gulf amid Hormuz crisis

US President Donald Trump has announced that the American government will provide insurance coverage and naval protection for ships travelling through the Gulf, with a special focus on oil-carrying vessels. The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz—described as the key sea route for export shipments from West Asian crude oil-producing countries—has been closed, leaving around 700 oil tankers halted at various locations. Iran, which had earlier declared it would not allow any vessel through the Hormuz route, has also attacked two ships, according to the report.

IAEA chief says no evidence Iran has built a nuclear bomb
Politics

IAEA chief says no evidence Iran has built a nuclear bomb

Washington: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has said there is no evidence that Iran has produced a nuclear bomb, a statement that contrasts with repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that Iran possesses nuclear weapons. In his remarks, Grossi said he has been clear in his reporting on Iran’s nuclear programme. While he said there is no proof of a bomb being made, he noted that Iran has held large quantities of enriched uranium.

Attack on Iranian ship off Sri Lanka: 78 injured, 101 missing
General

Attack on Iranian ship off Sri Lanka: 78 injured, 101 missing

An Iranian ship, identified as IRIS Dena, was attacked in Sri Lankan waters, leaving 78 people injured and 101 reported missing, according to information cited in local reports. The incident occurred about 40 nautical miles from Galle harbour. Following the attack, assistance was sought from the Sri Lanka Navy, which rushed to the location and began rescue operations. Sri Lankan naval personnel rescued 30 people and admitted them to hospital for treatment. The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry has confirmed the attack.

Canada says US-Israel strikes on Iran violate international law
Politics

Canada says US-Israel strikes on Iran violate international law

Canada has said the large-scale strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran violate international law, as fighting in West Asia escalates. Speaking in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the war as another example of the failure of the international order. He said the attacks on Iran by the US and Israel run contrary to international law. Carney called for steps to bring the conflict to a swift end and said Canada is ready to help achieve that goal. He also alleged that Washington and Tel Aviv acted without consulting the United Nations and allied countries.

Annamalai asks Stalin to stop 'Hindi imposition' politics, address issues
Politics

Annamalai asks Stalin to stop 'Hindi imposition' politics, address issues

Former BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai on Tuesday questioned Chief Minister M K Stalin over what he called the “non-existent” issue of Hindi imposition. In a statement, Annamalai alleged that whenever the state faces criticism over deteriorating law and order, setbacks in courts, and corruption allegations, the DMK revives the Hindi imposition narrative to divert attention. He claimed this was an old political tactic and said it should have ended with the previous generation of leadership.

TN women’s aid: Those missing Rs 5,000 upset; ration shops seek details
Politics

TN women’s aid: Those missing Rs 5,000 upset; ration shops seek details

Chennai: After the Tamil Nadu government credited Rs 5,000 to women receiving the monthly women’s entitlement assistance, allegations have surfaced that ration shop staff are being used to pacify those who did not receive the amount. The scheme has been providing Rs 1,000 per month to 1.31 crore women heads of households since September 15, 2023. On February 13, beneficiaries received Rs 5,000 in a single credit—Rs 3,000 as advance for February, March and April, and an additional Rs 2,000 as a summer special grant.

Hormuz Strait shipping stalls after Iran warning; 700 oil tankers held
Business

Hormuz Strait shipping stalls after Iran warning; 700 oil tankers held

Dubai: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz— the key sea route linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea—has largely stalled after Iran warned it would attack vessels using the passage, according to maritime analytics firms Windward and Kpler. The strait is the main export corridor for crude produced by Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Around 20 million barrels of crude typically move through the route each day.

Indian airlines plan special flights to bring back citizens from Gulf
General

Indian airlines plan special flights to bring back citizens from Gulf

New Delhi: The Union government and Indian airlines have begun emergency steps to bring Indians stranded in Gulf countries back home safely. The effort is being coordinated with Indian missions in the region and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Indian embassies that had suspended routine consular services have opened control rooms to assist citizens and coordinate travel-related support. IndiGo said it will operate special flights in a phased manner, subject to approvals and airspace conditions. The airline advised passengers to travel to airports only after receiving confirmed information from the carrier. Services are expected to operate as the situation permits on routes including Athens, Muscat, Jeddah and Madinah, while decisions on operations from the UAE will be taken after permissions are secured.

126 Govt Officials Jailed in Bribery Cases in 2024–25: DVAC
Crime

126 Govt Officials Jailed in Bribery Cases in 2024–25: DVAC

Chennai: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police said 126 government officials were awarded prison sentences in bribery cases during 2024–25. DVAC officials said the agency monitors government offices across the state, registers cases based on complaints and carries out arrests. During 2024–25, preliminary inquiries were initiated against 171 officials, while detailed inquiries were taken up in 129 complaint cases. In the same period, 199 bribery-related cases were registered and 681 government officials were arrested, DVAC said. The figures were reviewed in an internal meeting that examined arrests and convictions.

PM Modi to campaign for NDA alliance in Tiruchirappalli on March 11
Politics

PM Modi to campaign for NDA alliance in Tiruchirappalli on March 11

Tamil Nadu BJP has confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tiruchirappalli on March 11 to campaign in support of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The visit comes as Assembly elections are due in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Assam and West Bengal. In Tamil Nadu, the NDA alliance includes parties such as the AIADMK, BJP, PMK and AMMK. According to a statement issued by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran, the Prime Minister will take part in a campaign public meeting scheduled in Tiruchirappalli on March 11.

Maharashtra RS poll: Congress pushes hard for MVA’s lone seat
Politics

Maharashtra RS poll: Congress pushes hard for MVA’s lone seat

Mumbai: Maharashtra will vote on March 16 to fill seven Rajya Sabha vacancies, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance expected to dominate the numbers in the 288-member Assembly. The BJP–Shiv Sena–NCP (Ajit Pawar) government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has 232 MLAs, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar’s NCP) has 50. Based on this strength, Mahayuti is projected to secure six seats and the MVA just one.

Village assistants’ sit-in at Chennai’s Ezhilagam enters 27th day
Politics

Village assistants’ sit-in at Chennai’s Ezhilagam enters 27th day

Village assistants continued their sit-in protest at the Ezhilagam campus in Chennai for the 27th consecutive day on Monday, demanding time-scale pay equivalent to Class IV employees. The agitation, led by the Tamil Nadu Village Assistants Association Federation, has been under way across the state since February 5. Protesters have been staging a continuous sit-in in Chennai since February 11. State general secretary Murugan said they met senior Revenue Department officials, who told them that all related files had been forwarded to the Finance Department but no response had been received so far. He said the lack of a reply despite 27 days of protest was disappointing.

Ravi Shankar Prasad named chair of Lok Sabha Privileges Committee
Politics

Ravi Shankar Prasad named chair of Lok Sabha Privileges Committee

Former Union law minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has been appointed chairman of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee, according to the latest announcement in New Delhi. The committee has been constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ahead of the second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session, scheduled to run from March 9 to April 2. The government is expected to push key bills during the sitting. Opposition parties are preparing to raise several issues in both Houses, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Israel visit and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, under which voter names were reportedly removed in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and Assam.

Special flights sent to Dubai, Jeddah to bring stranded Indians home
General

Special flights sent to Dubai, Jeddah to bring stranded Indians home

New Delhi: The Union government has stepped up efforts to bring back Indians stranded in West Asia as tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict disrupt air travel in the region. With parts of international airspace in the region closed for security reasons, flight operations have been affected and Dubai airport has faced disruptions, leaving many Indian travellers unable to return. Following talks with IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet, special evacuation flights were arranged. Passengers were brought back safely from Dubai on special services operated by IndiGo and Air India.

Defence Ministry signs Rs 5,083 crore deal for Navy helicopters, missiles
Politics

Defence Ministry signs Rs 5,083 crore deal for Navy helicopters, missiles

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore to procure helicopters and missiles for maritime security and air-defence needs. According to an official statement, the government has approved the purchase of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-2 for the Coast Guard. The deal, valued at Rs 2,901 crore, has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The twin-engine helicopters are expected to offer more advanced technology features compared with the helicopters currently in service. Officials said the induction will help the Coast Guard carry out coastal protection duties more effectively and enhance its operational capability.

Karnataka backs Tamil Nadu call for constitutional amendment on autonomy
Politics

Karnataka backs Tamil Nadu call for constitutional amendment on autonomy

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, expressing support for Tamil Nadu’s efforts to amend the Constitution to reinforce state autonomy. Tamil Nadu had set up a high-level committee to study Centre–State relations. Stalin sent Part 1 of the committee’s report to Siddaramaiah on February 20, along with a letter raising the issue of constitutional amendments. In his reply, Siddaramaiah said federalism is not merely a political demand but part of the Constitution’s basic structure. He noted that growing disputes over financial and legislative matters over the years have disturbed the balance envisioned by the Constitution’s framers.

Report: Israel tracked Khamenei via hacked Tehran traffic cameras
Politics

Report: Israel tracked Khamenei via hacked Tehran traffic cameras

A report has claimed that Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad used Iran’s traffic surveillance cameras to monitor the movements of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials. According to the report, published by the UK-based Financial Times, Mossad had penetrated Tehran’s extensive traffic monitoring camera system years earlier and later leveraged it for intelligence collection. The report said footage from one camera provided a clear view of where security-team vehicles were parked. From this, details such as the security personnel’s locations, duty rotations, the people they protected and daily movement patterns were compiled.

BJP alleges Rs 7 crore demand for Congress ticket in Haryana
Politics

BJP alleges Rs 7 crore demand for Congress ticket in Haryana

New Delhi: The BJP has alleged that a former office-bearer of the Haryana Mahila Congress was asked to pay up to Rs 7 crore to secure a party ticket to contest the Assembly election, triggering a fresh political row. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said WhatsApp message exchanges related to the alleged deal were made public by Gaurav Kumar, the husband of the former Mahila Congress functionary. He claimed the messages amount to preliminary evidence of corruption involving the Sonia Gandhi family.

Pakistan sends air defence systems, troops to Saudi Arabia
Politics

Pakistan sends air defence systems, troops to Saudi Arabia

Islamabad: Pakistan has sent air defence systems and troops to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, amid reports of Iranian attacks targeting Saudi oil facilities. The report said Iran has been striking US military bases in West Asian countries, and that a major Saudi oil field was attacked recently. To bolster Saudi security, Pakistan has provided LY-80 and FM-90 air defence systems. These systems are described as capable of engaging low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones.

Kerala denies RTI request for original Mullaperiyar lease documents
Politics

Kerala denies RTI request for original Mullaperiyar lease documents

Kerala has declined to provide original documents linked to the Mullaperiyar dam’s long-term lease agreement in response to applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to the request, Chennai resident Jeyakrishnan sought the original 1886 lease agreement signed between the Travancore Maharaja and the British government, along with the revised 1970 agreement related to power generation. He also asked for associated key records such as maps and photographs. A similar application was filed by Dan Mathew from Idukki district in Kerala.

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