The Times of India

A Pawan Hans helicopter ditched near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, miraculously with all seven on board escaping unharmed. This incident follows a fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand just hours earlier, raising renewed concerns about aviation safety across the country. The helicopter was en route to Mayabunder when it encountered trouble shortly after takeoff.

Congress is pushing for 35 seats in the upcoming elections, but alliance leader DMK is reportedly offering only a slight increase from their 2021 count of 25. Talks are ongoing, with Congress also seeking more local body posts and a Rajya Sabha seat. DMK acknowledges the need to accommodate new allies, potentially impacting seat allocations.

Sloth bears are increasingly venturing out of Tamil Nadu's Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve into human-populated areas, drawn by food sources like temple offerings and seasonal fruits. This growing challenge is straining forest staff resources and impacting revenue generation, prompting the implementation of measures like solar fencing and a helpline.

Historical debates on Centre-state power sharing in India are revisited. From the Rajamannar Committee to the recent Kurian Joseph Committee, proposals aim to balance Union and state authority. The role of governors and their appointment process remain central to these discussions. Opposition-ruled states are highlighting these recommendations ahead of elections, advocating for genuine power sharing.

ustice N Anand Venkatesh made the observation while dismissing an arbitration plea moved by MIOT Hospitals, Chennai, against Dr Balaraman Palaniappan, a cardio thoracic surgeon. The court also imposed Rs 1 lakh cost on the hospital payable to the doctor.

Mocking chief minister M K Stalin as his ew friend, Vijay asked why the chief minister had blamed him for the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.

Tamil Nadu's final electoral roll for 2026 lists 5,67,07,380 electors, with women slightly outnumbering men. Following a special revision, the state saw a significant drop in voters due to 97.37 lakh deletions, primarily in urban areas. However, over 34 lakh new applications for inclusion were subsequently received.

A dispute over parked vehicles escalated tragically in Hosur when a youth allegedly rammed his car into an assistant labour inspector and his family. The inspector, K Sivamoorthy, died on the way to the hospital. His son and daughter-in-law were also injured. The 24-year-old driver and his two friends have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) members have passed a resolution urging party chief Vijay to contest the 2026 Assembly elections from the Perambur constituency. Party officials stated that the leadership would be informed of this request, emphasizing a focus on areas with significant public need.