Netanyahu Visits Abu Dhabi, Meets UAE President Amid West Asia Tensions And Pre-Poll Scrutiny

Tamil Nadu CM Launches Gold Ring Scheme For Newborns In Madurai As Welfare Push ExpandsTamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched the 'Tai Maaman Thangam Odam' scheme in Madurai, presenting one-gram 22-carat gold rings to newborns born in government hospitals. Over 2,500 police personnel were deployed in Madurai for the Chief Minister's visit, which included handing over rings to parents at Madurai Rajaji Hospital, visiting the renovated Gandhi Museum, and offering prayers at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Effective retrospectively from 22 June 2026, the maternal uncle gold ring initiative prepared 1.28 lakh rings in its first phase, with an annual outlay of 756 crore rupees to benefit an estimated 4.41 lakh babies. Activist P. Saravanan approached the Election Commission objecting to the launch during by-polls in Dharapuram and Maduravani. The broadcast also outlined key welfare initiatives by the administration, including wedding assistance with eight-gram gold coins, the Annapoorna Super Six free LPG cylinders, free bus transit for women and transgenders, the Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, the Vetri Bicycle Scheme, and free laptops for college students.