Rediff

Despite recent electoral losses to the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in both the April Assembly election and October 6 by-polls, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has demonstrated a robust and independent vote bank. Electoral data indicates that the DMK maintained significant voter support, securing its position as the principal opposition party and potentially a key challenger to the TVK in future elections, including the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.

The DMK has announced its exit from the INDIA bloc, citing etrayal by the Congress and asserting its independent political path. The party accused Congress leaders, including TNCC chief B Manickam Tagore, of making unsavoury remarks and acting as sleeper cells, which contributed to the DMK's electoral setbacks. The DMK warned Congress leaders against further criticism and stated it would not participate in Congress-led agitations.

The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasisin

President Droupadi Murmu has announced a major gubernatorial reshuffle, appointing new governors for Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Sikkim, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Odisha. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar moves from Keralam to Tamil Nadu, while Om Prakash Mathur becomes the new Keralam Governor. Dushyant Gautam, Sudha Yadav, Dhal Singh Bisen, and Braj Mohan Ram are among the new appointees, bringing diverse political experience to their roles.

The AIADMK suffered a significant blow in the recent Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-polls, seeing a sharp decline in its traditional vote base. The party came in a distant third in both seats, which were previously its strongholds, raising concerns about its leadership, strategy, and future in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, especially with the rise of the TVK.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's past meetings with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak have come under scrutiny following criticism of Burnham's initial response to the club's financial rule breaches.

The official Congress Keralam 'X' account posted a controversial message against CJI Surya Kant, which quickly went viral before being deleted. The party subsequently removed the individual responsible, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph stating the post was unauthorised and did not reflect the party's stance on judicial impartiality. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress over the incident.

Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Tahsildar and a Mandal Surveyor in Abdullapurmet Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, on Monday for allegedly accepting a Rs 20 lakh bribe. The officials had initially demanded Rs 30 lakh for a survey report related to a layout under HMDA guidelines.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a new skating track in Dhuri, Sangrur, aiming to develop the district into a skating hub. He highlighted the government's commitment to sports with a Rs 1,790 crore allocation and ongoing initiatives like 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' to nurture young talent and promote a healthy lifestyle.

NorthEast United FC secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their Indian Super League season opener. Substitute Jithin M S scored in the 90+2nd minute, clinching all three points for the Highlanders in a closely fought home encounter against the defending champions.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has significantly expanded its central contract list to 30 players, alongside nine development contracts, for the 2026/27 season, introducing several new faces and extending deals for key players.

Gurugram police have arrested two individuals, Mukesh Mandal and Ganesh Kumar, in connection with the murder of auto-rickshaw driver Arvind. The motive appears to be a dispute over a transport contract and alleged abusive language, leading Mukesh to hold a grudge against Arvind. The victim's body was found on Saturday, and the arrests were made on Monday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated armed forces sportspersons who won 27 medals at the recent Asian Games. He highlighted the role of the Mission Olympic Wing and stressed a focused approach for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to establish India as a leading sporting power.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar shared his childhood dream of dismissing legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, whom he idolised as 'everybody's hero', during a conversation celebrating Sobers' life and legacy.

A Thane court extended the police custody of Subhash Shinde, the first arrested accused in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, by a day. Two other recently apprehended suspects from Uttar Pradesh, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, were sent to four-day police remand. The Special Investigation Team is probing the murder conspiracy, including funding for the suspects' stay in UP and the arrangement of logistics, weapons, and getaway vehicles.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has claimed actor Imran Khan, who participated in a protest, holds US citizenship and questioned his motive. Somaiya lodged a complaint, alleging a conspiracy to create anarchy through protests against electoral roll revisions and stating police assured him of summoning Khan for citizenship documents.

HCLTech announced a robust 21.18 per cent increase in its Q2 FY27 consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 5,132 crore, largely propelled by the strong performance and higher margins from its advanced AI operations and a reduced tax burden.

The Mighty Marathas secured a dramatic shoot-off victory against the Chero Archers in the Archery Premier League on Monday, extending their winning streak to three matches. After being tied 4-4 in regulation time, Aman Saini and Dhiraj Bommadevara clinched the tie-breaker for the Marathas.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad, emphasising the role of traditional sports in reflecting cultural identity and fostering international cooperation. The one-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, brought together delegations from BRICS and partner countries to showcase indigenous sporting practices like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India, alongside Wushu from Chi

The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's cap on anti-cancer drug trade margins, questioning why similar controls aren't applied to other medicines. The court highlighted significant markups on common drugs and medical devices, urging the government to expand its price regulation efforts and present modalities by October 27.

A 62-year-old farmer from Dakshina Kannada district was digitally arrested and duped of Rs 1.31 crore by cybercriminals impersonating Mumbai police and ATS officers. The fraudsters coerced him into transferring money by falsely claiming he was involved in a terror attack. A case has been registered, and investigation is ongoing.

Britain's AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, issued a strong warning on Monday about the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence to cyber defences. He highlighted the potential for serious consequences from autonomous AI systems and announced new government measures, including a 'National Cyber Action Plan', to bolster the UK's resilience against cyber-attacks.

Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani and three others have been booked in a second FIR for allegedly obstructing police, creating commotion at a police outpost, and violating the poll code during the Gandhinagar civic body elections. The charges include unlawful assembly and rioting, stemming from an incident where Mevani and supporters allegedly interfered with police questioning a man at a Sector-13 police outpost on October 9.

Jantar Mantar, a historic protest site in New Delhi, is facing de-notification by Delhi Police, raising concerns about its future as a space for public dissent. The site has been central to numerous significant movements, from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption fast and the Nirbhaya protests to recent agitations over NEET paper leaks and wrestlers' grievances. Its proximity to power centres made it a crucial platform for citizens to voice concerns and demand accountability, a role now threatened by i

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has criticised the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), calling it an 'unimaginative and dystopian' vision. He argues that while AI threatens intellectual jobs, humans have endless tasks related to nature, nurture, culture, and spirituality that can provide purpose and sustenance, rejecting the idea of dependency on handouts.

Indian precision engineering firm Aequs has signed long-term supply agreements with French aerospace major Safran. These contracts will support Safran's supply chain and expand Aequs' role in manufacturing critical aerospace components, including fully assembled A320 family aircraft wheels and landing gear components for various Airbus and Boeing programmes, with significant in-country value addition in India.

India's retail inflation surged to 5.54 per cent in September, primarily due to a significant increase in onion and other food prices, remaining just within the Reserve Bank of India's tolerance band. This marks the highest inflation since the new series with base year 2024 took effect in January.

Fourth seed Harmeet Desai and second seed Yashaswini Ghorpade faced unexpected defeats at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula on Monday. Unseeded Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula, both former top-ranked players, also exited the tournament in the Round of 32, while top seeds like Syndrela Das and Diya Chitale advanced.

Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for 120, allowing Madhya Pradesh to take a 135-run overall lead on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. Meanwhile, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha also established strong positions in their respective matches.

Four inter-state drug peddlers were arrested in Ranchi, Jharkhand, with brown sugar valued at Rs 23 lakh. Police seized 340 grams of the drug, Rs 9,100 in cash, and vehicles. The accused, including three from Bihar and one from Ranchi, planned to sell the contraband during festivals. An FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act.

A businessman in Ratlam was allegedly defrauded of Rs 55 lakh by cyber criminals posing as police officers. The fraudsters claimed his mobile number was linked to Pakistan's ISI and threatened legal action, coercing him to transfer funds. Three accused have been apprehended, and Rs 20 lakh of the defrauded amount has been blocked.

The CBI has registered a case against former Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) assistant commandant Amit for alleged cross-border smuggling activities along the India-Nepal border. He is accused of establishing a nexus with smugglers, facilitating large-scale operations, and engaging in suspicious financial transactions during his posting in Sitamarhi.

Forest officials in Odisha's Kendrapara district successfully rescued a six-foot-long female saltwater crocodile from a village pond on Monday. The reptile, which had caused panic among villagers, was later released into the Bausagada river within Bhitarkanika National Park.

Kerala secured a 2-2 draw against Chhattisgarh in Division 'B' of the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship on Monday, rallying after falling behind. In another Pool B match, Jharkhand and Telangana played out a 1-1 draw, both earning a point.

Sudip Kumar Gharami (122 not out) and Abhishek Porel (114 not out) struck unbeaten centuries, forging a 199-run partnership to put Bengal in a commanding position against Delhi in their Ranji Trophy Group C match.

Coal India Ltd (CIL) has refuted claims by NTPC Ltd regarding critically low coal stocks, stating it has met and exceeded its contractual supply commitments to the power producer. CIL reported supplying 97 million tonnes to NTPC and its joint ventures during April-September of FY27, a 5% increase year-on-year.

Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi arrested an Indian woman arriving from Bangkok after recovering 16 kg of hydroponic cannabis, valued at Rs 5.62 crore, from her baggage. The seizure was made on October 10, and the woman was arrested under the NDPS Act.

The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals and taken action against three minors in connection with nine FIRs related to online harassment, fake social media profiles, objectionable content circulation, and blackmail. The arrests were made under Mission Cyber Rakshika, an initiative focused on protecting women from cyber-stalking and abuse.

Fast bowler Tushar Deshpande's impressive five-wicket haul led Mumbai to bowl out Chandigarh for a mere 78 runs in their first innings, forcing a follow-on on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Group D match.

Police in Kerala have arrested four individuals, including the driver, in connection with a fatal Mini Cooper crash that killed three youngsters. The driver, Suhail, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and driving at high speed. The victims' family is demanding that murder charges be invoked against the accused, while the Excise Department has registered cases against three bars for serving alcohol to underage individuals.

Assam Police's Special Task Force (STF) seized Yaba tablets worth Rs 10 crore and arrested one person in Kamrup district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the bust, highlighting the state's commitment to combating drug menace as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

A special PMLA court in Mumbai has allowed the monetisation of attached assets worth over Rs 3,400 crore in the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL)-linked money laundering case. This decision paves the way for the restitution of funds to thousands of investors who have been awaiting recovery for 13 years since the 2013 payment default. Up to Rs 1,950 crore from the monetisation will be paid to 63 Moons Technologies Ltd for specified creditors.

HCLTech has announced a global partnership with Anthropic to establish a dedicated business unit focused on developing agentic AI solutions for enterprise clients using Anthropic's Claude. The collaboration aims to help businesses adopt AI systems that operate with minimal human intervention, prioritising safety, cybersecurity, and governance. HCLSoftware will also integrate Claude into its enterprise products.

Police in Thrissur exhumed the body of a newborn girl on Monday to conduct a postmortem examination as part of an investigation into her mother's death. The mother, Muhseena, died in March, and her husband, Ibrahim, an acupuncture practitioner, has been arrested for allegedly denying her medical treatment and conducting the baby's delivery himself at home.

The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi police commissioner to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a complaint filed by lawyers who were allegedly assaulted during a protest demanding the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. This directive comes after the Delhi High Court had dismissed a similar plea, stating it was not maintainable.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Rs 860-Rs 880 crore generated from an alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh during the previous Congress regime was delivered to the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Raipur. The agency filed a supplementary chargesheet against former PCC treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal and provisionally attached his properties worth Rs 9.06 crore. The ED alleges a liquor syndicate controlled the state excise department, generating over Rs 2,883 crore in illegal proc

Ram Purnekar, son of murdered Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, has demanded a CBI probe into his father's killing, alleging political pressure on Thane police. He also accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of being the masterminds behind the September 29 murder.

West Indies cricketers Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford have been reprimanded and received one demerit point each for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20 International against India.

Guyanese batter Quentin Sampson, known for his aggressive power-hitting, is attracting attention from IPL franchises, with Chennai Super Kings reportedly among those watching him ahead of the 2027 auction, following his impressive cameo against India.