Tamil Nadu

H5N1 outbreak in Chennai: What is it, symptoms, causes, is it fatal? What we know

Feb 06, 2026, 12:51 PM IST

Mass crow deaths across Chennai have triggered alarm after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, prompting swift containment measures and public warnings.

'Chennai-Bengaluru in 1:13 hours, Varanasi-Siliguri in 2:55': Ashwini Vaishnaw maps high-speed rail plan

Feb 02, 2026, 06:46 PM IST

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget 2026 on Sunday, announced that the government will develop seven high-speed rail corridors

Saree Diplomacy On Budget Day: Sitharaman’s Kanjeevaram Weave Tells A Story

Feb 02, 2026, 01:43 PM IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman once again turned Budget Day into a canvas of sartorial symbolism. Presenting the Union Budget 2026, she wore a handwoven Kanjeevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu, underscoring India’s rich handloom heritage. Over the years, Sitharaman has consistently used traditional sarees from Mangalagiri and Pochampally to Bomkai, Ilkal, Tussar and Madhubani as a quiet yet powerful form of visual communication. Each weave has reflected regional craftsmanship, cultural pride and economic messaging. From introducing the bahi khata to championing GI-tagged textiles, her Budget attire has evolved into a distinctive style of “saree diplomacy,” proving that in politics, messages can be woven as much as spoken.

Poll-Bound States In Focus As Budget 2026 Unveils Big Infra Promises, Opposition Pushes Back

Feb 02, 2026, 12:53 PM IST

With four states heading into Assembly elections, political focus sharpened on what Union Budget 2026 delivered to poll-bound regions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced major infrastructure and sectoral pushes for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, ranging from high-speed rail corridors and freight networks to rare earth corridors, farm support and eco-tourism initiatives. Assam was earmarked for a new NIMHANS-2 and Buddhist circuit development. However, the Opposition was quick to criticise the budget, with leaders from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal calling it disappointing and claiming credit for past initiatives. As campaign season intensifies, the real test now lies in translating budget promises into on-ground outcomes.

Union Budget 2026: Rare-earth corridors get thumbs-up, but experts warn execution needs Centre–State alignment

Feb 01, 2026, 06:26 PM IST

From the budget podium to mineral corridors: FM Sitharaman’s strategic move could redefine India’s manufacturing and tech future

Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman names four states for rare earth corridors as India steps up manufacturing push

Feb 01, 2026, 12:18 PM IST

Presenting her Budget speech, Sitharaman said the Centre will support mineral-rich states, Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, to establish dedicated rare earth corridors.

Union Budget 2026: 'Bio Pharma Shakti' gets Rs 10,000 crore over five years, FM Sitharaman’s big push

Feb 01, 2026, 11:28 AM IST

Union Budget 2026: Biopharmaceuticals (biologics) are complex drugs made from living sources, not chemical processes. The government is planning interventions in manufacturing, strategic sectors, healthcare, and advanced tech

Budget 2026: What is indirect tax, how is it different from direct tax, how does it work?

Jan 21, 2026, 05:05 PM IST

Indirect taxes are likely to form a big part of this year's budget presentation as West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry are looking at assembly elections this year.

Inside BJP’s ‘audition’ strategy for assembly elections 2026: Why poll duty could decide careers under Nitin Nabin?

Jan 31, 2026, 11:49 AM IST

Party insiders describe it as an informal “audition” process, where performance in upcoming Assembly elections could determine who finds a place in the organisational team of newly appointed BJP president Nitin Nabin.

Setback for Vijay's Jana Nayagan: 'Artificial urgency created by producers,' Madras HC pauses order granting censor certificate

Jan 27, 2026, 11:50 AM IST

The case has now been remitted for a fresh hearing, pausing the release process and sending the matter back for further judicial review.

India’s population paradox: Why Sridhar Vembu is worried about falling birth rates

Jan 22, 2026, 08:35 PM IST

Vembu has repeatedly warned that India should pay close attention to what is happening in China and Japan. Citing Chinese government data, he noted that births in China fell to 7.92 million in 2025 — 1.62 million fewer than in 2024 — pushing the country’s total fertility rate down to 0.93.