The Times of India

Congress returns to power in Tamil Nadu after 59 years with two legislators sworn in as ministers. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet, rewarding loyalists and allies, and notably inducted seven Dalit ministers, the highest ever. The new cabinet also features two Brahmin ministers and is one of the youngest in the state's history.

While the NGT had ordered the removal of fly ash deposited along the creek river bed and the flood plains, roughly amounting to 56.7 lakh metric tonnes, and to plug the leaks in all pipelines that carry the ash slurry, a visit by TOI to Ennore and nearby hamlets revealed that the compliance by Tangedco has been subpar at best

Most students come from families who are illiterate and they go on to become the first-generation graduates and change the future of the family, a headmaster, D Vijayan said.

A study by IIT Madras, published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, found that TNs healthcare system did not merely recover from the pandemic, but emerged stronger

Dyeing units in Namakkal district are openly discharging untreated effluents into the Cauvery River, turning it red, blue, and green. Despite directives from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and warnings from health experts, the toxic discharges continue, damaging livelihood and posing serious health risks to residents and impacting agriculture and aquatic life.

Allotted tourism and higher education posts

Tamil cinema has shifted from hyper-violent narratives to intelligent investigative dramas, reflecting changing audience tastes and the rise of streaming. This evolution, marked by films like 'Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru' and 'Ratsasan', emphasizes complex plots and psychological tension over gratuitous violence, with upcoming releases continuing this trend.

Broken tiles, exposed nails, and slabs jutting out have made the walkway risky

Additional chief secretary to the state govt K Manivasan issued the orders on Thursday.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet to 33 ministers, with 23 new additions taking the oath. Notably, first-time MLA Marie Wilson was appointed Finance Minister, replacing an experienced predecessor. This marks the first coalition cabinet in Tamil Nadu since independence, with Congress MLAs securing portfolios and a record seven Dalit ministers included.

N Marie Wilson of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who secured a dominant victory in the Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency, has been appointed to key finance, planning, and development portfolios in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's new cabinet. Wilson's win was significant, surpassing the combined vote share of DMK and AIADMK.

During a Tamil Nadu Cabinet expansion, Governor Arlekar cautioned Congress MLA S. Rajesh Kumar to adhere strictly to the written oath after he deviated to praise party leaders. Kumar, along with other new ministers, took their oaths at Lok Bhavan. Subsequently, other TVK legislators also added party-specific slogans to their affirmations.

Chennai's representation in the state cabinet has been bolstered with the induction of two new MLAs, bringing the total number of ministers from the city to six. The expanded cabinet now comprises 33 ministers, with two berths potentially reserved for coalition partners. This marks a significant development with Congress MLAs joining the ministry for the first time.

Indigenous languages in Tamil Nadu, like Toda and Kota, face extinction due to migration and language shift. The University of Madras's IELLAB is working to document and preserve these critically endangered languages, recognizing their invaluable cultural and environmental knowledge before they disappear forever.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has launched a new publication named Porvaal (battle sword) in response to a rival faction's move. This name echoes a historical magazine started by Kanchi Manimozhiyar in 1947 to champion the cause of a separate Dravidian land, marking a significant chapter in Dravidian politics.