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UCC to ensure security for Muslim women: Assam CM

Politics

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UCC to ensure security for Muslim women: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. | Photo Credit: PTI GUWAHATIThe Assam government has included tea and plantation class landholdings in the farmers’ registry portal, which Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said would prove to be a “game-changing” move for small tea growers (STGs) in the State.He said the facility, formalised on June 26, would enable the STGs to obtain a Farmer ID and ensure the timely, requirement-based availability of fertilisers, government scheme benefits, and other services on a single platform.“This will also allow credit with better terms for the STGs and eliminate middlemen who exploit our tea growers,” the Chief Minister said, calling the onboarding a major leap for the tea community.The tea industry has hailed the Assam government’s initiative.Also Read: For Assam tea, erratic climate and stagnant prices present a crisis“Officially, there are 133,626 small tea growers in Assam, although the actual number is estimated to be more than 1.5 lakh. Assuming an average household size of four, this well-conceived initiative of the Chief Minister will directly benefit more than six lakh people,” Bidyananda Barkakoty, the adviser to the North Eastern Tea Association, told The Hindu on Saturday (June 27, 2026).A former vice chairman of the Tea Board of India, he said the step would strengthen and empower the STGs, who contribute nearly 50% of Assam’s total green leaf production.A farmers’ registry portal is a centralised digital database created by government agricultural departments to establish a verified Farmer ID or unique digital identity for individual farmers. It links a farmer’s personal details, Aadhaar, and land records to streamline access to subsidies, crop insurance, and agricultural schemes.Once registered, farmers do not need to provide repetitive paperwork to prove their identity or land ownership for government benefits. The registry also integrates with land records to map ownership, allowing farmers to view their land records, update linkages, and log their seasonal crop surveys online.“By creating a transparent, verified database, the government can directly transfer financial aid, fertiliser subsidies, and other scheme benefits to eligible farmers without leakage,” an Agriculture Department official said. Published - June 27, 2026 11:21 am IST

Plex adds new social features ahead of a major price hike for its lifetime pass

Technology

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filmaheadsocial

Plex adds new social features ahead of a major price hike for its lifetime pass

From the moment it was announced in late 2024, Christopher Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey has been a source of intense debate for the world’s keyboard warriors.The higher-level disputes concern questions of how to translate the ancient Greek epic to the screen and the relative importance of accurate period detail. The ugly gutter fights are about the film’s diverse casting and its supposedly “woke” slant on the source material.But whatever they imagine the film to be, the internet’s clout-chasers and tastemakers won’t be the ones to offer first impressions from actual screenings. In a sign of apparent confidence reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, Universal Studios has opted to skip the previews it typically holds for influencers. These screenings, common throughout the industry, tend to generate effusive praise on social media and fan blogs that can soften the blow of mixed or negative reviews from professional critics.While it should be noted that any number of TikTok and YouTube content creators will still get to see the film ahead of its release along with the press, the decision to not directly court their buzz has proved widely popular—not least with the film critics themselves, many of whom plan to attend Odyssey screenings after its July 7 global premiere in London.Scott Mantz, a cofounder of the Hollywood Critics Association, wasn’t one to undersell his approval of the move. “GOOD!!” he wrote in a post reacting to the news on X. “Because EVERYONE knows those so-called ‘influencer’ social media reactions are TOTAL BULLSHIT.”Other writers were a bit more tongue-in-cheek, if seemingly pleased as well; IndieWire chief film critic David Ehrlich joked on X that “this is what Homer would have wanted.” Some wondered if the snub could be the sign of a developing trend. “Good on Universal!” wrote Kristen Lopez, editor-in-chief of the independent newsletter The Film Maven, on X. “Interesting to see if other studios follow suit (though I’d lean towards no).”Tim Grierson, senior US critic for Screen International, tells WIRED that skipping the influencer showings is a “great” idea. “Actual film critics have gotten used to how the studios try to diminish whatever importance we have by often letting influencers be the first people to sound off on a film,” he says. “It's just another way in which Hollywood tries to instill the idea that some new piece-of-crap blockbuster is really ‘for the fans, not the critics.’”Instead, Universal is betting on the old-fashioned publicity cycle. “Essentially, the studio is declaring that it doesn't need influencers—who tend to be very gushy and uncritical—to bolster the film's initial word-of-mouth,” Grierson says. At the same time, he notes, “it was also a canny move on Nolan's part, because now whoever does get invited to a press screening—including influencers, who will see it at the same time as the rest of us—will feel like, ‘Oh wow, Christopher Nolan values me as a smart, professional critic!’”“Whether or not that's intentional, it's certainly not the worst way to endear yourself to the people responsible for evaluating your movie,” says Grierson, who expects to review the movie himself. (And who knows, maybe critics who feel their work is receiving the respect it deserves are slightly more inclined to write favorably of a film.)While a handful of aggrieved anti-woke crusaders claim that elevating the response of establishment critics over hot takes from internet personalities indicates a fear that The Odyssey is in for major right-wing backlash, there’s no reason to suspect that anyone at Universal is sweating right now. The film is on track for a massive opening of $80 million to $100 million, and movie theater apps and websites were instantly overloaded when tickets went on sale earlier this month. It shattered the record for most seats sold in a 24-hour period at BFI IMAX, which features the largest screen in the UK, and showings in premium IMAX and 70 mm forma

TikTok now wants to be the place you book the trip you just saw on TikTok

Technology

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TikTok now wants to be the place you book the trip you just saw on TikTok

Although TikTok is widely described as a social media giant, it’s been gradually moving beyond that category. Over time, the video app added TikTok Shop, a map for local discovery, robust search, games, and so much more. Recently, it’s added hotel booking capabilities and is pursuing a fintech license. It appears that TikTok is taking steps to evolve into a “super app,” a single platform where users can do much more than just watch and share videos and that can actually handle a wide range of needs in one destination. The super app model is big in China with apps like WeChat, which is kind of like Facebook, WhatsApp, Apple Pay, and an app store all rolled into a single platform. Of course, there’s the question of whether a super app model would work outside of China, but that doesn’t mean TikTok won’t try. Instead of switching between apps, TikTok is working to become the app that people use for most of their digital activities. After taking its biggest leap with TikTok Shop, the company — which, notably, transitioned to new, primarily U.S. ownership back in January — has applied the same playbook to recent developments. Sports Image Credits:TechCrunch/Screenshot Over the years, TikTok has steadily been looking to become a place where users can come to for sports highlights and content. In early June, the company launched a dedicated hub for the FIFA World Cup where users can see scores, match schedules, standings, trending videos, highlights, videos from players, and more. If people are already watching videos on TikTok but want to keep up with the score, they can do so without leaving the app or opening a dedicated sports news app or Google. The World Cup hub was made possible through TikTok’s Sports-focused product called “TikTok GamePlan,” which is designed to allow sports teams, leagues, and broadcasters to drive discovery and engagement on the platform. The social media giant also has partnerships with Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) for behind-the-scenes and exclusive content. Hotel and attraction booking Image Credits:TikTok In May, TikTok launched TikTok GO, a way for users to discover and book hotels, attractions, and experiences directly within its app in the United States. TikTok GO surfaces lodging and things to do through videos, search, and location pages. When users find something they’re interested in, they can view details, check availability, and complete a booking. Instead of directing users to third-party websites after they find a destination or recommendation in a video, TikTok has started positioning itself as a one-stop platform where viral travel content can drive bookings and revenue. While people have already been using TikTok as a search engine and replacement for Google, this latest step puts TikTok in more direct competition with Google’s core businesses, Search and Google Maps, because it’s working to not only be the app where you discover places, but also the platform where you purchase that trip. Payments Image Credits:Just_Super / Getty Images In March, Reuters reported that TikTok had applied to Brazil’s central bank for approval to operate as a financial technology company offering lending and payment services. The company is seeking two licenses. The first would allow it to provide prepaid accounts so users can store funds, receive money, and make payments. The second license would authorize it to operate as a direct credit provider, allowing it to lend its own capital or function as a platform that connects borrowers and lenders. The move marks a significant way that TikTok is branching out beyond a social media platform and into a digital ecosystem. By aiming to bring financial services into its app, TikTok is looking to increase user engagement, open new revenue streams, and position itself to compete with fintech startups and e-commerce platforms. TikTok Shop Image Credits:TikTok It’s widely known that one of TikTok’s biggest leaps beyond

Shigellosis cases rise to three in Wayanad; Health Minister reviews situation

Politics

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moreoversocial

Shigellosis cases rise to three in Wayanad; Health Minister reviews situation

Over 19 lakh children under the age of five years will be given oral polio drops in the State on June 28 as part of the nationwide Pulse Polio immunisation drive. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan will inaugurate the Statewide launch of the initiative at the Thycaud Mother and Child Hospital at 8 a.m. on Sunday.A total of 19,80,224 children under five years of age will receive polio vaccine drops across the State. For this, 22,288 booths will be set up and 46,663 trained volunteers are being deployed to administer the vaccine. Vaccination booths will be opened at convenient public locations, including government hospitals, health centres, urban health centres, anganwadis, private hospitals, libraries, schools, and buildings of voluntary organisations.In addition to regular booths, 539 transit vaccination booths will be set up to administer vaccines to children during travel, along with 283 mobile booths and nine booths at festivals and fairs. Transit booths will operate at railway stations, bus stands, and boat landings. Mobile booths are intended to reach people at locations such as migrant worker colonies, difficult terrain areas, festival grounds, and wedding halls.Polio-free certificationThe Pulse Polio drive was rolled out in India on October 2, 1994, when India accounted for around 60% of the global polio cases. The last case of polio due to the wild polio virus was reported in Kerala from Malappuram in 2000. No cases due to the wild virus have been reported in India since 2011. As of January 13, 2026, India has completed 15 years as a polio-free nation. India received a ‘Polio-free certification’ from the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with the entire South-East Asia Region on the March 27, 2014.According to the WHO, wild polio virus cases continue to be reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan and even if a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Failure to eradicate polio from these last remaining strongholds could result in as many as 2,00,000 new cases every year, within 10 years, all over the world, the WHO says.Hence, one national polio immunisation day and two sub-national immunisation days are held in the country every year to maintain population immunity against the wild virus and thus maintain India’s polio-free status. At the same time, injectable inactivated polio vaccine has been made part of the national immunisation schedule for providing routine immunisation cover to all children.Cold chainBanners, posters, leaflets will be distributed and house visits carried out as part of publicity for the programme. The Health department has made elaborate arrangements for vaccine delivery and cold chain maintenance — including ice-lined refrigerators, deep freezers, cold boxes, and vaccine carriers — have been arranged.Children who do not reach the booths on Pulse Polio Day will be covered through mop-up rounds on June 29 and 30, when health workers will visit the houses of these children to administer the vaccine. Published - June 26, 2026 06:53 pm IST

14-year-old wants to have sleepover with girlfriend: Social media post sparks reactions, ‘If they want to do it…’

Economy

4updates

socialwantswoman

14-year-old wants to have sleepover with girlfriend: Social media post sparks reactions, ‘If they want to do it…’

A 38-year-old woman arrested in Jaipur, Rajasthan, last week was allegedly preparing to travel to Pakistan via Nepal to marry a suspected terrorist commander believed to be a close associate of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, officials said on Thursday.The woman, identified as Babita Dhakad alias Khadija, was arrested by the Anti-Terror Squad of Rajasthan Police and booked under various sections of stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Sunday. Babita is in police custody till June 27.Officials told PTI that the woman is believed to have been manipulated emotionally and was converted to Islam by a Muslim preacher online.They claimed a forensic analysis of Dhakad's electronic devices showed many Pakistani numbers, which included those suspected to be those of Yusuf Azhar, a close relative of the JeM chief, and Qari Zarar, who is wanted in India for several crimes, the officials said.During the investigation, Babita, who lived in her parents' home in Jaipur's Sitapura area, was found to have alleged links with members and supporters of the Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation, they said.How Babita made contact with terroristsAccording to PTI, Babita said she began searching for Pakistani terrorists on social media following the Pahalgam attack in 2025 and gradually developed contacts with several individuals linked to extremist circles.She told officials during the questioning that she started by browsing Facebook pages related to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and sent friend requests to followers of such pages at random.Over time, she became connected with several individuals out of curiosity, the officials told PTI."An examination of her mobile phone and social media accounts revealed contacts with several Pakistani nationals and profiles allegedly associated with JeM operatives. She had been communicating with multiple Pakistan-based individuals through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp," an official linked to the investigation said."Chats, videos and contact details allegedly linked to members of the banned outfit were recovered from her devices," the official said.He added that Babita has also confessed to have shared one-time passwords (OTPs) connected to Indian mobile numbers with a JeM operative, enabling the use of those numbers on social media and communication platforms there."'Emotional ties with Abu Ubaidah', invited to work for JeMAt some point, she became friendly with Abu Ubaidah, who initiated conversations with her."She claimed that she developed emotional ties with Abu Ubaidah and became interested in the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed due to her admiration for the mujahideen," the source said, quoting the FIR.They added, “She frequently viewed and liked social media posts and reels featuring weapons uploaded by members or supporters of the organisation.”"She said that Abu Ubaidah wanted to marry her and encouraged her to learn and practise Islamic teachings, including offering prayers and reading the Quran. She was invited to Pakistan to work for Jaish-e-Mohammed. As part of the process, she was asked to obtain a passport," the FIR said.She discussed travel arrangements with Abu Ubaidah and the cleric, who suggested routes through Nepal, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.They also discussed funding her travel expenses through cryptocurrency, after which she downloaded cryptocurrency-related applications and researched the subject online.The sources told PTI that the woman admitted to sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) received on her Indian mobile numbers to her Pakistani handler so he could operate WhatsApp on her numbers there."The woman spent several hours chatting and video-calling with Abu Ubaidah. She later learned that he was married, which left her disappointed," the official source said.He also claimed that Babita searched online for methods of making explosives and had been informed by her Pakistani handler about networks operating in

Social media made protein a personality trait. Now people are exhausted

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Social media made protein a personality trait. Now people are exhausted

It started with “a lucky find”. While browsing online last month, a Bengaluru store manager came across an application called ‘Tuby’ that promised free access to OTT platforms, eliminating the need for a paid subscription. Tempted by the offer, he downloaded and installed the application on his smartphone.What appeared to be a shortcut to free entertainment soon turned into a costly mistake. It was later revealed that the app was fake and designed to compromise users’ devices and banking information. Before the victim could even realise something was wrong, over Rs 1 lakh had been siphoned from his bank account.“Free Netflix”, “Premium OTT access at zero cost”, “Unlimited movies without subscription,” such offers frequently appear on social media platforms. While they may seem like harmless shortcuts, cybersecurity experts warn that they are often traps designed to install malware, steal banking credentials or gain access to a user’s device. Ways to reduce digital expenses Deependra Singh, cyber security expert with Betul police, Madhya Pradesh, told indianexpress.com, “Nowadays, cybercriminals are taking advantage of people’s desire for free content. With OTT subscriptions becoming increasingly expensive and content being spread across multiple platforms, many users are drawn to unofficial apps and APK files. Scammers exploit this tendency.” Singh said whether it is a major sporting event, a blockbuster movie release, or exclusive streaming content, they launch fake apps using the names of popular brands and events. He added that while many people think they are simply accessing free content, in reality, they may be giving criminals access to their phones and personal data. “These apps often request permissions for SMS, contacts, notifications, accessibility features, or even device administrator privileges. Once granted, such permissions can allow attackers to compromise personal data, intercept OTPs, and gain access to user accounts. In some cases, malicious apps are also difficult to remove from the device,” Singh said. Zakir Hussain Rangwala, CEO of BD Software Distribution Pvt Ltd, said, “People are constantly looking for ways to reduce digital expenses. With multiple streaming platforms hosting exclusive content, many users feel compelled to subscribe to several services simultaneously. Unofficial apps exploit this frustration by promising free access to movies, sports, and OTT content in one place.”Story continues below this ad He said this happens because of a combination of all four factors — subscription fatigue, rising costs, convenience, and lack of awareness. Subscription fatigue is real because users now need multiple subscriptions to access different content libraries. Rising costs make people seek cheaper alternatives, while unofficial apps offer the convenience of aggregating content in one place. Lack of cybersecurity awareness further worsens the problem, as many users assume an app that looks professional is safe, said Rangwala. “Cybercriminals understand these behavioural patterns and design fake applications specifically to exploit cost-conscious and convenience-driven consumers,” he said. The risks extend far beyond monetary losses. He said fake streaming apps can secretly install malware, spyware, or remote access tools that allow cybercriminals to monitor user activity and steal sensitive information. “Personal data such as login credentials, emails, photos, contacts, and banking details can be harvested and sold on underground markets. Some apps may also compromise device performance, disable security features, or turn infected devices into part of larger cybercrime operations. In many cases, victims remain unaware of the compromise for months,” he explained. He added that cybercriminals increasingly misuse the names and visual identities of well-known streaming and entertainment platforms because trust is easy to exploit. “When people recognise a familiar brand or service category, they tend to low

Technology

social

UK may ban social media for children under 16

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is about to announce a ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16, according to multiple reports. While the government had previously revealed that it was studying options around a ban, both the Guardian and the Financial Times said that Starmer is now ready to unveil the policy in a speech on Monday. Government sources told the Guardian that the U.K. ban will cover a similar range of social platforms as Australia, where TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads, Snapchat, Twitch, and Kick are all banned for users under 16. Other products, such as gaming apps, would not be banned outright, but for their younger users, they’d need to remove features like the ability to chat with strangers. The policy would also prohibit users under 18 from accessing romantic and sexual chatbots and seek to prevent late-night scrolling. The government can use its existing regulatory powers to enforce some aspects of a ban, but new legislation may also be required, the Guardian said. The U.K. is one of a number of countries following Australia’s lead by considering bans on social media use by children. The U.K. already passed an age verification law that was similarly touted as protecting the safety of children online. These bans come amidst growing discussion around the effect of social media usage on teens and children — for example, the mother of murdered teen Brianna Ghey has called for a teen social media ban in the U.K. and said her daughter’s eating order and self-harming behavior were “significantly exacerbated by the harmful content she was consuming online.” At the same time, these bans have been criticized for potentially violating user privacy and isolating children, while offering unproven benefits to their mental health. Age verification laws — which, unlike outright bans, have taken effect in multiple U.S. states — have also been criticized as threats to online privacy and anonymity. And the verification methods aren’t exactly foolproof. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Anthony Ha is TechCrunch’s weekend editor. Previously, he worked as a tech reporter at Adweek, a senior editor at VentureBeat, a local government reporter at the Hollister Free Lance, and vice president of content at a VC firm. He lives in New York City. You can contact or verify outreach from Anthony by emailing anthony.ha@techcrunch.com. View Bio

Karnataka CM News Live Updates: As Siddaramaiah resigns today, D K Shivakumar set to take over as CM

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indialiveahead

Karnataka CM News Live Updates: As Siddaramaiah resigns today, D K Shivakumar set to take over as CM

2 min readBengaluruJun 4, 2026 05:08 AM IST Ending suspense on who will succeed Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar as president of the state unit of the Congress, the AICC on Wednesday appointed senior leader and MLC B K Hariprasad for the post. Hariprasad, who is an OBC leader from the Billava community, has been associated with the Congress since the late 80s. He is a four-time Rajya Sabha MP, starting from 1990 and his last election to the Upper House was in 2014.Subsequently, he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Council in 2020. He was picked for a second term in the Council from July 2026 by the Congress leadership earlier in the day. He is also a permanent invitee to the CWC. A leader close to the Gandhi family, Hariprasad courted controversy last October when he dubbed RSS as ‘Indian Taliban’. He, along with Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, had consistently attacked RSS over the last few months calling for the organisation’s registration and its source of income to be revealed to the public. Hariprasad’s choice for the post is also seen as a counter for Shivakumar, due to his careful ‘soft Hindutva’ stance as evidenced during the swearing-in ceremony. Shivakumar had kept an image of his family deity at the swearing-in stage, which he bowed to seconds before taking oath as CM. Picking the OBC leader of Billava community, who form a deciding factor in several constituencies of coastal Karnataka, is also seen as a move to attract the caste group – voters of which have aligned largely with the BJP in recent decades.

Iran and Oman in talks over Strait of Hormuz ship payment system, defying US warnings

Economy

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Iran and Oman in talks over Strait of Hormuz ship payment system, defying US warnings

The United States on Wednesday (local time) imposed sanctions on Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), accusing Tehran of using the body to "extort" commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz and "funnelling" revenue to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).The move, announced by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), adds the PGSA to the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list as part of the US President Trump's administration's intensified "Economic Fury" campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Iran amid ongoing regional tensions.According to the Treasury Department, the PGSA was established by Iran to manage requests from ships seeking passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. US officials alleged the authority works closely with the IRGC and the IRGC Navy to direct vessel traffic and impose "illegitimate tolls" on international maritime commerce."The Iranian military's latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, according to the official release."Through Economic Fury, the United States has imposed a financial stranglehold on the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions. Under President Trump's leadership, we will remain relentless in our pursuit to constrict the network of vessels, intermediaries, and buyers through which Iran exports both its oil and malevolence." Bessent added.The Treasury Department said vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz were being required to submit information to the PGSA and comply with Iranian-designated navigation routes near Iran's coastline in exchange for "permission" for safe passage.Washington further warned that companies or ship operators complying with Iranian demands for passage fees, " including payments made via fiat currency, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments such as nominally charitable donations," could face US sanctions exposure.The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, a counter, a counterterrorism authority used by the United States to target entities accused of materially supporting designated terrorist organisations. The Treasury Department said the PGSA was designated for "having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for" the IRGC.According to the release, the latest measures expand the administration's broader maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, which the Treasury Department said has already targeted "Tehran's global shadow banking networks; designated networks supplying weapons and other military components to Iran; sanctioned a corrupt Iraqi official who has facilitated the sale of oil along with Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq" and "taken numerous actions against Iran's terrorist proxies; and targeted shadow fleet vessels, companies, and other entities that sustain Iran's illicit oil industry."Earlier on May 21, the newly-launched Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) defined the boundaries of the Strait of Hormuz management supervision area.In a post on X, PGSA stated that the supervision area starts from the line connecting Kuh Mobarak in Iran and the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the east of the Strait of Hormuz, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm al-Qaiwain in the UAE in the west of the Strait of Hormuz.The management body said, "Frequencies in this range for passing through the Strait of Hormuz require coordination with the Persian Gulf Waterway Management and a permit from this entity."Meanwhile, on May 18, Iran announced the launch of a new regulatory body aimed at managing and monitoring operations related to the strategically important waterway, the Strait of

general

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socialmediatamil

Tamil Nadu's Social Media Pages See Vijay-Driven Surge, Followers Up 5 Times

Tamil Nadu's Social Media Pages See Vijay-Driven Surge, Followers Up 5 Times NDTV

G. Sudhakaran visits social and religious leaders

Politics

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socialjumpleaders

G. Sudhakaran visits social and religious leaders

Going by social media analytics, the official handle of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister saw a surge from May 11 after C. Joseph Vijay’s swearing in as Chief Minister. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The number of followers on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s official social media handles, especially Instagram, increased significantly after Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader C. Joseph Vijay took over as the Chief Minister. In a short span of a little more than 48 hours, the followers count increased from 4.56 lakh on May 9 to 1.9 million on May 11. The quantum jump in the number of followers was attributed to the strong presence of TVK across social media platforms besides the stardom factor.Going by social media analytics, the number of followers in @cmotamilnadu remained 4.47 lakh from April 11 to May 8, 2026. The count started to surge from May 11 after Mr. Vijay’s swearing in as Chief Minister and the official profile photo was changed. TVK steadily built its presence in social media, especially Instagram and ‘X’. The followers count of the Chief Minister’s Office is presently 2.2 million and 4.16 lakh in ‘X’ (@CMOTamilnadu) and Facebook (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) respectively which officials say was much more than double compared to what it was a week ago. The followers count on Instagram crossed 2.1 million on Tuesday.Gained traction after swearing-in“We provide the photographs, video, and speech copies to the social media team and they upload the content across social media platforms. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of followers. The social media handles gained traction after the swearing-in of the Chief Minister,” a senior official handling the Social Media wing in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), told The Hindu on Tuesday. Several handles with a large following of youth and students were active in the name of TVK as its youth wing or Information Technology team in different districts. “It is possible that they, along with the fans of the Chief Minister, followed the official handles of the Chief Minister’s Office,” the official said. He said the social media team functioning under the DIPR comprised well trained young engineering graduates. However, the support of an outsourced agency was being taken in the making of cards, reels, and videos. “We are in the process of standardising the team and processes to produce even better results in terms of quality and content.”‘Virtual warriors’Official sources said the contribution of followers, particularly the youth, was immense in promoting the leader and the party’s ideology in the run up to the elections. The propaganda machinery operating in the social media across boundaries was so impactful that Mr. Vijay thanked the ‘virtual warriors’ in his speech soon after becoming the Chief Minister, sources said. “Our leader was a celebrated actor in the film industry with a huge fan following. His entry to politics and subsequent winning with a massive mandate gave a new hope for the people that their life is set to change by way of good governance. The single largest achievement of the Chief Minister is the way he his handling politics positively and confidently,” K.G. Arunraj, Minister, said. Published - May 13, 2026 12:51 am IST

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socialtamilnadu

Tamil Nadu: How Vijay's TVK used social media for election success

Tamil Nadu: How Vijay's TVK used social media for election success BBC