Chennai, Aug 13 (IANS) A sharp drop in Tamil Nadu’s birth rate and a corresponding fall in student enrolment have compelled the state government to temporarily shut down 208 of its primary and middle schools this academic year, according to the Department of Elementary Education (DEE).Fresh data from the DEE reveals that 1,204 schools across the state did not register a single new admission in 2024-25. This list includes 208 state-run institutions, 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially fu…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) In a sharp critique aimed at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Uday Samant on Wednesday said it was “unfortunate” that Balasaheb Thackeray’s son had chosen to ally with the Congress, the very party his father had vehemently opposed.“The same Balasaheb Thackeray who once said he would shut down the Shiv Sena if it ever joined hands with the Congress, today, it is unfortunate that his own son has allied…

Chandigarh, Aug 13 (IANS) As India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini hoisted the Tricolour at his official residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, here, saying, “Our National Flag is a symbol of our pride and glory.” The Chief Minister hoisted the Tricolour under the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan.In an appeal to the public, the Chief Minister, in a message, said, “To mark Independence Day, every house should hoist the Tricolour and participate in this fest…

Trinidad, Aug 13 (IANS) Shai Hope’s unbeaten century and Jayden Seales’ six-fer led West Indies to register their first series win over Pakistan since 1991 with an emphatic 202-run win the third and final ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium.Hope led from the front with an unbeaten 120 to help the West Indies post 294/6 and pacer Seales collected six wickets in reply as Pakistan were bundled out for just 92 to ensure the home side registered a 2-1 series triumph for the first time since Nov…

Cincinnati, Aug 13 (IANS) World No. 3 Alexander Zverev was denied the opportunity to serve out his third-round Cincinnati Open evening match against Brandon Nakashima as the inclement weather led to the suspension of play on Wednesday (IST).The 2021 tournament champion had just broken for a 6-4, 5-4 lead when players were forced from the court at 9:03 p.m. due to lightning in the area. Heavy rain soon followed and less than 30 minutes later officials cancelled all remaining play for the night, A…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) On the late legendary actress Sridevi’s 62nd birth anniversary on Wednesday, filmmaker Boney Kapoor took a trip down memory lane and reminisced about a cherished memory from 1990, when his wife mistook a compliment for teasing. Boney took to Instagram, where he shared an old picture from Sridevi’s 27th birthday in 1990. He revealed that at her birthday party in Chennai, he wished her a “happy 26th birthday” on purpose, which the late star misunderstood and thought h…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Following the Supreme Court’s verdict on relocating stray dogs to shelters in Delhi-NCR, veteran actress-politcian Nafisa Ali, who cannot imagine her life “without dogs”, says the decision to “rid Delhi roads of dogs is totally devastating” and said it’s a “disaster in making.”Nafisa took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images of herself feeding strays at a beach in Goa.She wrote: “I cannot imagine my life without dogs. Street dogs are the kinde…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Actress Ankita Lokhande has remembered her father on his death anniversary and said that three years have gone by and yet it still feels like yesterday. Ankita took to Instagram, where she shared a picture featuring the actress, her mother and late father, who passed away in 2022.For the caption, Ankita wrote: “Some wounds don’t get healed..You just learn to hold them gently.. Three years have gone by, yet it still feels like yesterday.. I’m so grateful to have had a …

Los Angeles, Aug 13 (IANS) Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston recalled how she battled a studio over a brunette hued wig for the 2011 comedy “Horrible Bosses.” Aniston told Vanity Fair during a career retrospective video interview that she fought Warner Bros. to wear a brunette wig in the 2011 comedy “Horrible Bosses.” The studio wanted Aniston on-screen with her iconic blonde tresses.“I fought for that wig. That was not an easy battle,” Aniston said.The actress said: “I wanted (my ch…

United Nations, Aug 13 (IANS) The latest attacks in the El Fasher area of Sudan’s North Darfur State and violence in the Kordofan region alarmed the United Nations, a UN spokesman said.Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said a large-scale attack in the El Fasher area affected the Abu Shouk displacement camp.”The attack has been attributed by local sources to fighters from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),” Dujarric said on Tuesday.”At least 40 civilians have be…