Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday signed key files soon after taking oath, approving 200 units of free electricity, a dedicated women’s safety force and district-level anti-drug units. Vijay also announced a white paper on Tamil Nadu’s finances from 2021-2026, targeting the previous DMK government over fiscal management.

Two gelatin sticks were recovered near an event venue ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday, prompting an intensive security probe. Police said the explosives were found during routine checks near an ashram around 3 kilometres from the main venue where the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend a programme.

The Odisha Police transferred Balianta IIC Anil Parida and suspended four personnel over alleged negligence in the Balianta mob lynching case. One SI, one ASI, an OAPF personnel and a constable were suspended, while two home guards were removed from duty following outrage over the handling of the incident.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bhima Mandali Eco Heritage Site in Sambalpur district. Pradhan said the project under Naktideul block would showcase Odisha’s ancient civilisation and glorious history while boosting tourism and preserving the heritage significance of Bhima Mandali.

IIT-Bhubaneswar Student Dies

A PhD scholar of IIT-Bhubaneswar died after allegedly falling from the sixth-floor balcony of Brahmaputra Hall under Jatani police station limits late Saturday night. The deceased, identified as Tanikonda Nishanth Kumar from Andhra Pradesh, was pursuing doctoral research in Electrical Engineering and was found unconscious on the hostel premises.

7) Rahul Backs Venugopal For CM
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reportedly backed KC Venugopal for the Kerala Chief Minister’s post. The development triggered resistance within the party, with posters opposing Venugopal surfacing allegedly with support from leader VD Satheesan, who later admitted his opposition during a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

8) Iran Warns Of Retaliatory Strikes
Iran’s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of “heavy” retaliation against US assets and enemy ships if Iranian vessels are targeted again in the Gulf region. The warning came after reported US strikes on Iranian tankers and an unidentified projectile strike on a ship off Qatar amid escalating tensions.