Tamil Nadu News

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

Madurai HC asks TN to frame guidelines to protect govt land in civil cases

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame clear guidelines to safeguard government-owned land in civil litigation, observing that officials often fail to act in time to protect public property. The order arose from a civil revision petition challenging an ex parte decree passed in 2001 by the Ramanathapuram subordinate court in a dispute involving government “natham poramboke” land in the Rameswaram area.

TRK to release first phase of election manifesto on March 8

Chennai: TRK has formed a 12-member committee to draft its election manifesto, led by the party’s Policy Outreach General Secretary Arunraj. The committee has been visiting various districts to collect demands and suggestions from party functionaries, the public and representatives of associations. Inputs are also being gathered through the party’s website. Amid this exercise, arrangements are under way to release the first phase of TRK’s election manifesto on March 8.

DMK plans to contest all 30 Puducherry seats; candidate list prepared

PUDUCHERRY: The DMK unit in the Union Territory is preparing for the next Puducherry Assembly election with a plan to contest all 30 constituencies, and has reportedly readied a list of potential candidates. In the 2021 Assembly election, the Congress led the alliance that included the DMK and other parties. Seat-sharing then saw Congress contest 15 seats and the DMK 13, while the CPI and VCK contested one seat each. The Congress won only two seats, while the DMK won six and secured the status of the principal opposition.

TN govt appeals in Supreme Court against quashing of Malviya case

Tamil Nadu government has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court order that quashed a police case registered against BJP IT cell national head Amit Malviya. The FIR stemmed from a complaint by Dinakaran, organiser of the DMK lawyers’ wing in Trichy South district, over Malviya’s social media remarks linked to Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi’s speech on “eradicating Sanatana”. Police had registered a case based on the complaint.

Melania Trump tells UN Security Council: Peace will come soon

New York: Melania Trump, wife of US President Donald Trump, addressed a United Nations Security Council meeting and expressed hope that peace would come soon for children affected by conflicts. The United States is holding the Security Council presidency for this month. A session was convened under the theme “children affected by conflict,” and Melania Trump was permitted to participate, noting her interest in child welfare. In her remarks, she said the US stands with children across the world and voiced confidence that they would soon find peace. She added that lasting peace is possible only when knowledge and understanding are fully respected in every society.

War jitters wipe over ₹6 lakh crore off Indian stock market

War-related concerns sparked volatility in Indian equities, leading to a broad sell-off during the session. According to a report published by Dinamalar, the market downturn wiped out more than ₹6 lakh crore in overall market capitalisation. The report attributed the fall to heightened uncertainty and risk aversion among investors amid the war-related tension. No further details on specific indices, sectors, or individual stocks were provided in the source.

TN credits Rs 2,000 special aid with March pension for 37 lakh beneficiaries

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said the state government has credited an additional Rs 2,000 as special assistance along with the March social security pension to beneficiaries. In a statement, Stalin said the move follows requests to extend a similar special support to people living on the margins who receive monthly assistance, including senior citizens, widows, elderly transgender persons and persons with disabilities. As part of the disbursal, a total of 29.29 lakh beneficiaries under various social security schemes received Rs 3,200 each, while 5.92 lakh persons with disabilities received Rs 3,500 each. In addition, 2.58 lakh families receiving maintenance assistance for persons with disabilities were credited Rs 4,000 each on Tuesday morning.

Tamil Nadu student among four killed in Texas shooting

Four people, including a student from Tamil Nadu, were killed in a shooting in Austin, Texas, according to reports. Police are investigating the incident and suspect it may be linked to terrorists. The shooting occurred at a bar in Austin two days ago, when unidentified persons opened fire in a crowded entertainment area. Three victims died on the same day, while another injured person died on Tuesday. Among the deceased is said to be 21-year-old Indian student Savitha Shanmugasundaram. Authorities said she was just a few months away from completing her degree.

Trump claims US election fraud, calls for voter ID and limits on mail ballots

Washington: President Donald Trump has alleged that fraud took place during voting in US elections and claimed that votes were stolen. He said the situation has made the world “laugh” at America’s election process. In a post on social media, Trump said his administration intends to “fix” the system, warning that failure to do so would threaten the country’s future. He also appealed to members of the Republican Party to fight for changes.

Madurai HC rebukes TN Law Minister Raghupathi in contempt case

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Raghupathi in a contempt of court case linked to the Tirupparankundram hill “deepa thoon” (lamp pillar) dispute. Justice G.R. Swaminathan referred to a newspaper report dated January 7 that quoted the minister as saying the district administration’s prohibitory order was meant to prevent lighting a lamp at the pillar, and that lighting should not be allowed at a “new place”. The report also carried an analogy attributed to him comparing designated places for cremation and for lighting the lamp.

US soldier death toll rises to 6 in Iran attacks on bases

Washington: The number of US soldiers killed in attacks attributed to Iran has risen to six, the US military said. According to the statement, two troops who were critically injured in the strikes have since died, and their bodies were recovered on Monday, pushing the death toll higher. The development comes amid a sharp escalation after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran on the 28th. In retaliation, Iran has been targeting US military bases in West Asian countries.

Annamalai slams DMK over law and order after Tirunelveli killings

BJP leader and former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has accused the DMK government of “choking” the people even in what he called its final days, alleging a sharp deterioration in law and order across the state. In a statement, state BJP president Nainar Nagendran said reports from Perumbathu near Nanguneri in Tirunelveli district were shocking, alleging that a gang under the influence of ganja attacked people at a tea shop and killed two persons with machetes. He claimed ganja circulation has increased over the past five years across both towns and villages, affecting youth and public safety.

PV Sindhu returns to India safely after being stranded in Dubai

Badminton player PV Sindhu has returned to India safely after being stranded at Dubai airport following airspace closures. The disruption came amid an extraordinary situation in the Middle East after military strikes began between Israel and Iran, with reports of aerial attacks affecting cities including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh. Sindhu was travelling by flight to participate in a badminton tournament in Birmingham, the UK, when she got stuck in Dubai. She and her team were accommodated safely at a hotel near the Dubai airport.

Chidambaram meets Stalin as DMK-Congress seat talks hit deadlock

Former Union minister P Chidambaram met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in Chennai on March 3 as negotiations between the DMK and the Congress over seat-sharing remained unresolved. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Selva Perunthagai accompanied him for the talks. The meeting comes amid continuing uncertainty within the Congress over whether to remain in the DMK-led alliance or explore an alternative tie-up with the TVK. Party general secretary Venugopal has sought views separately from Congress MPs and MLAs on the way forward.

Modi tops world leaders on YouTube with 30 million subscribers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official YouTube channel has crossed 30 million subscribers, placing him at the top among world leaders on the platform, according to the report. In the current technology-driven era, social media has become a key part of daily life. The Prime Minister is described as being active online, using these platforms to share travel updates, meetings with global leaders, government events, greetings and other major moments. The report lists US President Donald Trump in second place on YouTube with about 4 million subscribers. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ranks third with 1.5 million, followed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with 1.4 million.

Analysts: US-Iran war cost $779 million on day one

New York: Military analysts have estimated that the war being waged by the United States against Iran is costing the US military thousands of crores of rupees each day. They said the first 24 hours alone amounted to about $779 million, roughly ₹7,088 crore. The report notes that US and Israeli forces are carrying out sustained strikes, and that daily operations add significant pressure on American defence spending. Prior preparations—such as moving warships, positioning aircraft at overseas bases and deploying personnel—are estimated at $630 million (about ₹5,733 crore).

580 Indians stranded in Dubai for 3 days begin returning to Mumbai

A first group of Indian nationals who had been stranded in Dubai for three days has arrived safely in Mumbai by air, as flight services across parts of the Middle East remain disrupted. The disruption comes amid heightened war tensions in the region, with reports of intensified attacks on Iran by the US and Israel and fears of retaliatory targeting of US military bases in Gulf countries. With air connectivity affected, many Indians in Middle Eastern countries have been unable to return home. The Central government has stepped up efforts to facilitate their safe return.

No deadline, no delay in talks with DMK: Selva Perunthagai

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Selva Perunthagai on Tuesday said the party’s discussions with the DMK are progressing smoothly, with no deadline set and no delay in the talks. His remarks came after a meeting in Chennai where Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held discussions for about an hour with former Union minister P. Chidambaram and Selva Perunthagai. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Selva Perunthagai said there was nothing further to share at the moment, adding that the parties were still in talks and would brief the media once discussions conclude.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin to contest Rajya Sabha from Bihar

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced that its national president, Nitin Nabin, will contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha election from Bihar. Nabin, an MLA from Bihar, assumed charge as the BJP’s national president a few months ago. The party’s decision places him among the candidates it has finalised for the election. Polling for 37 Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant across the country is scheduled to be held on March 16. The BJP has released a list of nine candidates for the election.

US Embassy in Kuwait shuts after Iran drone attack; 787 dead in Iran

The US Embassy in Kuwait has been closed following a drone attack linked to Iran, as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues to intensify. The escalation comes days after the US and Israel began joint strikes against Iran, heightening tensions across West Asia. With ongoing exchanges of fire and attacks, Washington has moved to evacuate officials from diplomatic missions in the region. US missions in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were reported to have faced drone attacks, prompting the shutdown of the Kuwait embassy.

India urges nationals in UAE to stay alert, shares emergency helplines

India has issued a fresh advisory for its citizens living in the United Arab Emirates, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel in view of the prevailing situation. The advisory comes amid continuing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, and retaliatory Iranian attacks targeting US military bases in Gulf countries. In a statement, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said all Indian nationals in the UAE should strictly follow safety instructions and official advisories. The embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are functioning as usual, and further updates will be issued if required.

Most Indian students in Tehran moved to safe locations: Embassy

India’s embassy in Iran on Tuesday said most Indian students based in Tehran have been moved to safer locations, citing heightened security concerns in the capital. In a statement issued on March 3, the embassy said only a small number of students chose to remain in Tehran after declining the mission’s assistance. The embassy noted that its earlier advisory remains in force. Indians have been asked to avoid going out, stay indoors as far as possible, and exercise extreme caution around areas where protests are taking place.

India warns West Asia conflict is hitting the economy hard

New Delhi: India has said the continuing conflict in West Asia is having severe consequences for the economy, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy, saying New Delhi is raising its voice in support of an early end to the hostilities. He expressed regret over the loss of lives in the region and noted that around one crore Indians live in Gulf countries, making their safety a top priority for the government.

IAEA confirms damage to Iran’s Natanz nuclear site amid war

Vienna The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially confirmed that Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility has been damaged amid the ongoing war. The conflict, involving the United States and Israel against Iran, has entered its fourth day. After a 10-hour pause, Iran resumed its strikes, while US and Israeli forces have continued their attacks. With fighting intensifying, the IAEA said the Natanz site—one of Iran’s key nuclear facilities—was hit in strikes attributed to US-Israeli forces. The agency has now stated that the facility sustained damage.

PM Modi speaks to Oman, Kuwait leaders on safety of Indians

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with leaders of Oman and Kuwait on the welfare and safety of Indians in the Gulf region. Tensions have risen across Gulf countries following attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States. The Union government has begun efforts to bring back Indians who are stranded in the region safely. In this backdrop, Modi spoke by phone with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Modi targets DMK-Congress alliance in Madurai rally, cites corruption claims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an NDA alliance public meeting in Madurai, took aim at the DMK–Congress combine and the INDIA bloc, using a mix of national-level political attacks and references to local issues to sharpen his campaign pitch. In his address, Modi alleged that the DMK government was mired in corruption and read out a list of claimed irregularities, including figures linked to transfers, job-related fraud, contract awards, sand smuggling and alleged TASMAC-related scams. He argued that such allegations undermined the ruling party’s moral right to continue in power.

Centre asks states to tighten security amid West Asia tensions

The Union Home Ministry has directed all states and Union Territories to strengthen security measures, citing the possibility of violent incidents in India amid heightened tensions in West Asia following the US–Israel–Iran conflict. According to the communication sent to chief secretaries and directors general of police, the ministry said the prevailing war-like situation could trigger law-and-order issues, and called for preventive steps to maintain public peace. The advisory asked authorities to identify and monitor religious preachers and elements accused of inciting violence, and to enhance protection for the embassies and consulates of the US, Israel and Iran. It also called for additional security at tourist locations frequented by visitors from these countries and at Jewish places of worship.

Village assistants’ sit-in enters day 26; TNEB staff protest in Chennai

Chennai saw multiple protests on Monday, with village assistants continuing their sit-in for the 26th day at the Ezhilagam campus, demanding time-scale pay on par with fourth-level staff. The agitation, led by the Tamil Nadu Village Assistants’ Association Federation, has been ongoing since February 5. More than 500 participants joined the protest under state chief coordinator Murugan. Separately, the Tamil Nadu Revenue Village Assistants’ Association held demonstrations at collectorate offices across the state. In Chennai, over 50 revenue department officials continued a sit-in inside the Collectorate premises for the seventh day, demanding time-scale pay for village assistants and an increase in compassionate appointment quota for families of employees who die on duty from 5% to 25%.

BJP’s Annamalai slams DMK allies over Chennai protest

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has criticised the DMK and its alliance partners over a protest held in Chennai with full police protection. The demonstration, organised by Muslim groups, condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attack by the United States and Israel. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan was among those who took part. In a statement, Annamalai said the DMK and its allies did not take to the streets to condemn the perpetrators and supporters when innocent Indians were shot dead in Pahalgam in what he described as a cowardly terror attack carried out by Pakistan.

Villupuram court to deliver verdict in Ponmudi red soil quarry case on Apr 2

A sessions court in Villupuram has announced that it will deliver its verdict on April 2 in the red soil quarry case involving former DMK minister K. Ponmudi. The case relates to alleged violations in a red soil quarry at Boothurai village in Vanur taluk, Villupuram district, during 2006–2011 when Ponmudi was a minister. The prosecution claims the irregular extraction caused a revenue loss of Rs 28.36 crore to the government.

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