Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has unveiled his party's election manifesto ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. In his speech delivered in Thanjavur on March 4, 2026, Vijay made bold promises, including free higher education for children of small and marginal farmers, with a focus on families owning less than two acres of land. The announcement is designed to alleviate the financial burden of rising education costs for economically vulnerable farming households. Vijay's party aims to ensure that no member of these families is employed in a government job to be eligible for the benefit, highlighting his focus on empowering rural populations. He also pledged to take strong actions against corruption, positioning TVK as a clean and transparent alternative in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. With these commitments, Vijay seeks to contrast TVK's vision with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he has heavily criticized, calling it an "evil force" and accusing it of misleading the people on key issues like the NEET examination. The announcement came at a critical juncture, with Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections approaching. Thanjavur, historically significant and a stronghold for the DMK, saw Vijay passionately declare that the upcoming elections are a personal and emotional turning point. Drawing inspiration from regional pride, he linked TVK's election symbol, the "whistle," to the popular "whistle podu" slogan of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team, reinforcing his vision for Tamil Nadu's autonomy. As the election season heats up, Vijay urged voters to rally behind TVK, framing the political battle as a fight for Tamil pride and a brighter future.

Israel’s air force carried out overnight strikes on key government sites in Iran, including the country’s presidential complex and a building linked to its top security authority, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces. The military said it targeted what it described as the “Iranian regime’s leadership compound,” identifying it as the central headquarters of Iran’s leadership structure. In a post published on X, the Israel Defense Forces stated that

Satellite imagery and open-source flight tracking data indicate that the United States has significantly expanded its military presence across Europe and the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensify over Tehran’s nuclear programme. More than 150 American military aircraft have reportedly been repositioned to forward operating bases in what analysts describe as one of the largest regional force deployments in over two decades. The aircraft include heavy cargo planes, aerial refuelling tanker

In a heated discussion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged ghee adulteration in Tirumala Laddus. Kalyan emphasized that while he did not directly blame the previous Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for the adulteration, the responsibility lies with the TTD governing body and its allocated board. Kalyan clarified that he never accused Jagan personally of being behind the adulteration. Howev

In a major step towards enhancing India's pandemic preparedness, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is rolling out an AI-enabled pathogen surveillance tool under the National One Health Mission (NOHM). This innovative system aims to monitor emerging and novel pathogens to predict and track diseases before they spiral into full-blown outbreaks. The focus is on early detection of zoonotic diseases, viral diseases, bacterial infections, and even parasitic threats that can have far-rea

Andhra Pradesh's Assembly saw an action-packed session today, marked by a brief yet intense protest from YS Jagan and his YCP MLAs. After a year of absence, the opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy made a quick entry into the Assembly, along with his party members. They began their appearance by singing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, before immediately raising slogans during the Governor's speech. The slogans, such as "Law and order must be saved," were aimed at dra

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials of APSRTC to introduce a fleet of 1,000 electric buses in a bid to transform the state’s public transport system into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable one. This directive is part of the government’s larger vision to encourage green energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions in the state. During a review meeting held at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized the growing need for cl

A tragic incident from Uttar Pradesh has reignited concerns over the health risks linked to excessive online gaming after a 22-year-old youth allegedly died from a brain haemorrhage triggered while playing a game on his mobile phone. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on gaming addiction and its potential impact on both physical and mental health, especially among young adults. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Kaif, was a resident of the Khairnagar area of Meerut.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the India-Pakistan match in the 2026 T20 World Cup. In a formal letter sent to the PCB, SLC expressed concerns over the severe financial losses that could result from the boycott. The India-Pakistan fixture is one of the most lucrative matches in world cricket, drawing massive global viewership and contributing significantly to the revenue generated during International Cricket

The number of reported sightings of rogue drones operating near military installations in the United Kingdom has more than doubled over the past year, raising fresh concerns over national security and prompting the government to consider significant changes to military powers. Official figures show that incidents increased from 126 in 2024 to 266 in 2025, representing a rise of more than 100 per cent and highlighting what ministers describe as an evolving and increasingly complex threat envir

Senior YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu has once again found himself at the center of controversy, with police reports confirming that as many as 16 criminal cases have been registered against him. The cases are reportedly linked to repeated incidents involving abusive language, provocative public statements, and actions that authorities believe could d

Shares of German software company SAP fell sharply on Thursday after the company reported weaker-than-expected growth in its cloud contract backlog for the fourth quarter, unsettling investors and triggering its steepest one-day decline in more than four years. The stock dropped as much as 16% during the session, marking its largest daily fall since October 2020, when the company suffered a sharp sell-off following disappointing quarterly results. By the close of trading, SAP shares were at t

The Budget Session 2026 of the Indian Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi. The opening of the session marks the beginning of one of the most significant legislative periods of the year, during which the government outlines its economic vision and policy priorities. Lawmakers from across political parties assembled as the President delivered her customary address, setting the tone for deb

Amazon is poised for a new round of layoffs, expected to affect as many as 16,000 employees, adding to the 14,000 roles eliminated in the previous round. These job cuts come as part of Amazon's broader restructuring plan, aimed at streamlining its operations and becoming more efficient, particularly in light of shifting demands in the tech industry and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. The latest wave of layoffs is set to target several core teams, including those at Amazon We

NEW YORK — Nurses across New York City returned to picket lines Tuesday for the second day of what union leaders describe as the largest nurses strike in the city’s history, as contract negotiations with major hospital systems remain unresolved. The strike, which began early Monday, involves an estimated 15,000 nurses from hospitals within the Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian networks. Picketing resumed outside multiple hospital facilities Tuesday morning, though

Thousands of nurses across several major hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the deadline. The walkout, which began early January 12, involves nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and two affiliated campuses, as well as staff at New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Union officials say the action represents one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history, both in scale and i

India on Friday issued a firm response to a message written by Zohran Mamdani, stating that elected representatives in democracies should respect the independence of judicial institutions in other countries and refrain from commenting on ongoing legal matters. The reaction followed the circulation of a handwritten note addressed to jailed activist Umar Khalid, who is accused in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. At a regular press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored that public office carries responsibilities that require restraint, particularly on sensitive judicial issues. Responding to questions on the matter, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said India expects public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. He added that expressing personal views or prejudices on such matters does not befit those holding public office and that attention should instead remain on the duties entrusted to them by their constituents. The remarks came after a photograph of the note written by Mamdani was shared publicly by a close associate of Khalid. The message, written on the day Mamdani was ceremonially sworn in as mayor of New York City, conveyed personal sentiments and support for Khalid. According to those familiar with the interaction, the note was handed to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December 2025. The development has drawn attention in India amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the violence that erupted in parts of the national capital in February 2020. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that the two stood on a qualitatively different footing compared with other accused, given the nature of the allegations and the evidence cited by the prosecution. In the same order, the apex court granted bail to several other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad, noting that their alleged roles appeared limited in scope. The court, however, made it clear that similar relief could not be extended to Khalid and Imam at this stage. Officials indicated that India’s response was rooted in principle rather than politics, emphasizing the need for mutual respect among democratic institutions across borders. The government maintained that judicial processes in India are governed by law and evidence, and external commentary by foreign public figures on active cases is neither appropriate nor constructive. The episode has also highlighted the sensitivities surrounding international commentary on domestic legal matters, particularly in high-profile cases. Indian officials reiterated that while democratic societies value free expression, elected representatives are expected to exercise caution and uphold the norms of diplomatic and institutional respect when addressing issues beyond their jurisdiction.

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is preparing a major overhaul of its employee compensation strategy, with plans to increase bonuses and incentives by as much as 50 percent in 2026. The move, revealed through an internal memo, reflects the company’s effort to retain top talent and maintain stability as it navigates regulatory pressure and corporate restructuring, including the planned spin-off of TikTok’s US operations. According to internal communications reviewed by media r

German lawmakers are widely expected to approve a defense procurement package exceeding 50 billion euros on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant military spending decisions in the country’s post-war history. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s security policy as the government seeks to strengthen national and allied defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Agenda documents for the Bundestag’s Budget Committee indicate that members are

The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee