Latest news from Tamil Nadu - Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more
No articles found in this category
Try selecting a different category above
Trump Media & Technology Group, owned by US President Donald Trump, has replaced its Chief Executive Officer Devin Nunes after the company’s share value fell sharply over the past two years in New York. According to the report, the company’s market value has dropped by more than ₹55,000 crore, a decline estimated at about 67% from November 2024 to the present. The fall has led to losses for many investors.
A two-day meeting involving defence ministers and military commanders from more than 30 countries began in London to discuss how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and strengthen maritime security. Shipping through the strategic waterway has been disrupted due to the war involving Iran. With the strait seen as a crucial route for global energy supplies, the UK and France are leading efforts to shape a new coordinated plan to restore safe passage.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories over allegations that some CBSE-affiliated schools are forcing students to buy expensive private textbooks. As per existing norms, students in CBSE schools are expected to use textbooks prepared and published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which are intended to be available at affordable prices.
The Supreme Court has held that the Tamil Nadu government cannot arbitrarily take away people’s land rights in connection with the Thalambur land dispute in Kancheepuram district. The court also set aside the “status quo” order that had remained in force since 2019, effectively lifting a six-year freeze. The dispute traces back to allegations raised in 2018 that land in Thalambur village had been illegally allotted to freedom fighters and private individuals. In 2019, the state government approached the Supreme Court and obtained a status quo order to maintain the existing position.
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released the operational rules to implement the Online Gaming Development and Regulation law. The rules will come into force from May 1. In a statement, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the framework provides for setting up a dedicated Online Gaming Commission to monitor and regulate online games. The government aims to keep compliance simple. Under the new approach, companies running online social games that do not involve money will not be required to register with the commission.
TASMAC retail liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu have been shut for three days as part of restrictions ahead of the Assembly elections. The closure, in effect from April 21 through today, also includes a ban on opening attached bars. Despite the shutdown, illegal sales were reported in Chennai and its suburbs on Tuesday. People were seen selling liquor bottles in dimly lit spots, including areas behind suburban railway stations and near the coastline, across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.
The Election Commission has begun distributing booth slips door-to-door for voters whose names are included in the electoral roll. Voters can use the booth slip and carry their voter identity card to the polling station allotted to them to cast their vote. For those who do not have a voter ID card, the Commission has said voting is permitted by producing any one of 12 approved documents notified by it.
Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election is being held today in all 234 constituencies, with voting scheduled from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said the Election Commission has made arrangements to offer voters a better and smoother experience. A total of 5.73 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots, including 2.80 crore men, 2.93 crore women and 7,728 third-gender voters. Around 14.5 lakh first-time voters are also set to vote.
Chennai: AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has reportedly issued a firm message to the party’s district secretaries and former ministers: ministerial positions will be considered only if they ensure victory in all constituencies within their districts. According to party functionaries, the AIADMK has formed an alliance with 12 parties, including the BJP, PMK and AMMK, for the Assembly election. The AIADMK is contesting 166 seats directly, and Palaniswami is said to be rolling out multiple strategies aimed at securing a change of government.
NTK chief coordinator Seeman has urged party members to remain active in politics irrespective of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results. He said the party has already put in its hard work and must continue to stand in the political arena. The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) is contesting the election on its own. Seeman campaigned across the state in support of all 234 candidates, addressing more than 180 campaign meetings.
TVK leader Vijay wrapped up his final-phase campaign in Nandanam, Chennai, on Monday and began returning to his residence in Neelangarai in a campaign vehicle. While passing through Palavakkam, which falls under the Sholinganallur Assembly segment, DMK and alliance party workers were campaigning in the area. Vijay reportedly shifted from the front seat to the rear, apparently anticipating possible objections. However, the DMK alliance workers ran towards his vehicle in excitement. Vijay then moved back to the front seat as several people waved party flags and tried to take selfies.
BJP national former secretary H. Raja on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the DMK government during an election campaign in Tiruppathur, calling it a “bad regime” that should be voted out. Addressing voters while campaigning for an alliance candidate, Raja said parties including the BJP, AIADMK, AMMK and PMK had come together “for the welfare of the nation.” He cited past remarks attributed to DMK leader M.K. Stalin about former minister Senthil Balaji, and questioned why Balaji later continued as a minister.
A roadshow was held in Avinashi to campaign for BJP candidate Murugan in the Avinashi constituency, as electioneering entered its final phase. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took part and sought votes for the candidate. Addressing supporters, Yadav said he had come to the “holy land” of Avinashi to ask for votes. He claimed the AIADMK–BJP alliance had gained momentum and argued that only the National Democratic Alliance offered opportunities for ordinary people to rise to positions such as minister, chief minister or prime minister.
Coimbatore witnessed a high-visibility final-phase campaign on Tuesday as BJP leader K. Annamalai and Coimbatore North candidate Vanathi Srinivasan rode together on a scooter during a two-wheeler rally in the Ganapathy area. The rally, led by Annamalai in support of Vanathi, began at Sivasakthi Colony and passed through Bharathi Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, Maniyakarampalayam, Kannappa Nagar and Krishnammal Street. Party workers and residents welcomed the convoy by showering flowers and raising slogans.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India would never bow to terrorism in any form, as he remembered the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In a message marking the anniversary of the attack in which 26 people were killed, the Prime Minister said the innocent lives lost in the “brutal” incident would never be forgotten. He said his thoughts were with the families who continue to bear the loss and are trying to recover from the tragedy.
Chennai saw a dip in gold prices on Tuesday (April 22), with 22-carat jewellery gold falling by Rs 400 per sovereign. The metal is now selling at Rs 1,14,000 per sovereign. The per-gram price also eased by Rs 50, taking the rate to Rs 14,250 per gram. Gold prices in Tamil Nadu have been fluctuating in recent days amid international developments. Earlier, 22-carat jewellery gold was sold at Rs 14,300 per gram and Rs 1,14,400 per sovereign, while silver was priced at Rs 280 per gram. On the following day, gold remained unchanged, but silver slipped by Rs 5 to Rs 275 per gram, with the kilogram rate down by Rs 5,000 to Rs 2.75 lakh.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a case involving the alleged gang sexual assault of a 15-year-old schoolgirl near Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai district. Police have detained three persons, described as part of a drug-related gang, and are questioning them in connection with the incident. In a statement shared on social media, the NCW said the assault has raised serious concerns about the safety of young girls and condemned the act as a grave violation of human rights.
Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik on Tuesday said cash and gift items worth Rs 1,262 crore have been seized in the state so far as part of election enforcement measures. Of this, cash seizures alone account for Rs 543 crore. Speaking to reporters in Chennai a day ahead of the Assembly election on April 23, she said 3.60 lakh personnel have been deployed for election-related duties, while 83,000 are assigned for security. She added that 300 companies of central armed police forces have been brought into Tamil Nadu.
AIADMK candidate Amman Arjunan staged a dharna at the Coimbatore Collectorate on Tuesday, demanding that the election in the Coimbatore South constituency be stopped. He alleged that cash was being distributed to voters across constituencies in Coimbatore district, claiming Rs 2,000 per voter in seats contested by the DMK and Rs 1,500 in seats contested by its allies. Opposition parties have also alleged that in Coimbatore South—where former minister Senthil Balaji is contesting—money is being offered at Rs 5,000 per vote. Arjunan said he had already submitted a complaint to the district election officer, alleging that DMK members and people from Karur were involved in distributing cash.
Tamil Nadu will vote in the Assembly election on April 23, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm. Voters are expected to turn up and exercise their democratic right. Election officials have said mobile phones are not allowed inside polling stations. Arrangements have been made to keep phones safely outside the booth, and voters must switch off their phone, hand it over to the official and collect a token before entering.
Former minister and DMK candidate Senthil Balaji said he would never accept the practice of giving money for votes, adding that both offering and receiving cash are wrong. Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Balaji said the DMK was campaigning with the aim of winning all 10 Assembly constituencies in the district and expressed confidence that voters would back the party. He said the focus was on conducting the election smoothly.
Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to DMK members urging them to remain vigilant through polling day and ensure that every supportive vote is secured in a dignified manner. In the letter, he said the achievements of the five-year “Dravidian Model” government have benefited households across Tamil Nadu, while the BJP-led NDA—along with the AIADMK and allied parties—has continued to “cheat” the state. He claimed voters understand that backing the AIADMK-led alliance effectively helps the BJP, and asserted that the electorate is determined to defeat the BJP-led front and vote for the DMK-led secular progressive alliance.
Parents in Tamil Nadu are raising questions about actor-turned-politician Vijay’s public silence on steering young fans away from drug use, even as large crowds of youth gather wherever he appears. According to the concerns voiced, some followers display extreme fan behaviour—shouting, chasing his convoy on bikes and declaring unwavering political support—prompting families to worry about the influence such celebrity-driven devotion can have on impressionable youngsters. The criticism comes amid allegations that ganja and other narcotics are increasingly circulating among youth in the state, with parents linking substance abuse to a rise in sexual offences and other social problems.
Ceasefire extended amid uncertainty US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the temporary ceasefire with Iran, even as tensions remain high and fresh peace talks appear uncertain. Background to the conflict The US and Israeli forces carried out a joint strike on Iran on February 28, after which Iran began retaliatory actions and shut the Strait of Hormuz. The move disrupted global crude oil supplies, prompting international pressure that led Washington to declare a temporary ceasefire, which was due to end today.
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has resigned just days after taking charge, following allegations and public criticism linked to shares and related matters. Gurung was appointed to the post in Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s newly formed government after the Rastriya Swatantra Party won the recent parliamentary election. He had been serving as home minister since March 26. In a statement, Gurung said ethical standards mattered more than any position and that public trust was paramount. He said he was stepping down immediately so that an honest inquiry could be conducted and to ensure he did not use his office for personal gain.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that the Congress would not be able to win even a double-digit number of seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Polling for the Assembly elections is scheduled for April 23, with Tamil Nadu voting in a single phase and West Bengal beginning its first phase. With campaigning having ended, the Election Commission has stepped up preparations for voting. Amid this, Shah campaigned in constituencies in West Bengal where the second phase of polling is due. Addressing a public meeting in the Dum Dum Uttar constituency, he said Congress would fail to touch double digits in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
India and New Zealand are set to sign a free trade agreement on April 27 (Monday), marking a major step in bilateral economic ties. The agreement was announced on December 22 last year. Under the pact, New Zealand will bring import duties on all categories of Indian goods down to zero. On the Indian side, tariffs on about 95% of goods imported from New Zealand—including timber, wine, avocados and blueberries—will be reduced or eliminated. However, dairy and dairy products will not receive tariff concessions.
A short video posted on Dinamalar’s website has drawn attention with its caption suggesting that Union Minister Piyush Goyal is well familiar with Madurai. The clip appears in Dinamalar’s “Shorts/Reels” section and is presented as a brief, shareable video item. No additional details, context, or quotes beyond the headline-style line are available in the provided source text. The video is hosted on Dinamalar’s platform under the URL shared with the post.
A renewed political debate has emerged around the implementation of the women’s reservation law, which was passed in Parliament in 2023. The timing of the BJP’s fresh push has raised questions about whether it is aimed at electoral gains, distraction from economic pressures, or projecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a champion of women. What began as a discussion on women’s representation has now widened into a contentious issue: parliamentary constituency delimitation. The long-simmering North–South fault line is being invoked again, with leaders warning that any move seen as hurting southern states could trigger strong protests.
Kerala Police have issued a warning about a cyber fraud targeting Vivo and iQOO smartphone users through fake software update messages. The scam is designed to trick users into installing malicious software that can lead to theft of sensitive information, including banking details. According to a statement from the Kerala Cyber Police, victims may see an urgent on-screen prompt claiming a software update is required. When the message is clicked, an app titled “OriginOS Update” gets downloaded, appearing similar to an official company update.
