The Times of India

AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal announced AICC Secretary Christopher Tilak as the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. Tilak, an engineering graduate and former hockey player, is expected to file his nomination soon. He also serves as AICC in-charge for several northeastern states and has prior experience in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The DMK and Congress have finalized their alliance for the upcoming elections, agreeing on a seat-sharing deal. Congress will contest 28 assembly seats and secure a Rajya Sabha berth. This agreement, reached after intense negotiations and crucial interventions, ensures the continuation of their partnership, vital for both parties' electoral prospects.

Tamil Nadu is undertaking high-resolution mapping of its coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass, and tidal marshlands. Utilizing drones, AI, and cloud computing, the project aims to generate precise, pixel-level carbon data to global standards, creating a Blue Carbon Atlas for potential carbon trading and conservation efforts.

Kareemullah, a knife sharpener from Harichandrapuram, travels for weeks, sleeping on pavements and facing threats, to find customers. His traditional trade, once common, is declining due to online alternatives and changing times. This generational craft, passed down through families, now struggles for survival.

Renowned for its lively quizzing scene, Chennai has maintained this tradition since the 1950s, especially visible in the annual Landmark quiz, proudly affiliated with Zifo. Even as entertainment evolves, this historic competition continues to attract a diverse array of teams, often leading to wedding plans being postponed for trivia glory.

Six Rajya Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu are up for election on March 16. DMK is set to nominate Constandine Ravindran and re-nominate Tiruchi N Siva, while AIADMK likely re-nominates M Thambidurai and PMK its president Anbumani Ramadoss. DMK awaits Congress's decision on a third seat.

Tragedy struck Elephant Gate as an LPG cylinder blast at a goldsmith workshop claimed three more lives, bringing the total to five. The explosion, caused by a gas leak igniting during metalwork, left seven workers with severe burns. Two others remain hospitalized, one in intensive care. Investigations into safety measures are ongoing.

Congress and DMK commenced seat-sharing discussions for upcoming elections, with Congress seeking 41 assembly and two Rajya Sabha seats. DMK countered with an offer of 25 assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, explicitly stating power-sharing is not on the agenda. Congress will revert after consulting Rahul Gandhi.