Row Over Congress Remark on PM Modi; BJP Protests, Digital War Escalates

The arrest of DMK leader and former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh has sparked protests, with DMK cadre and MLA Sekar Babu demonstrating at the commissioner's office. The DMK has termed the arrest a political vendetta ahead of the Trichy East by-election. Meanwhile, the administration alleges that Anbil Mahesh was involved in collecting nearly 400 crore rupees in bribes from over 2,000 private schools and trusts for granting permanent recognition. The Central Crime Branch stated it has evidence tracing the money trail. Following the Madras High Court's rejection of his anticipatory bail plea, Mahesh was arrested from his residence and remanded in judicial custody.

A massive security alert has been sounded across Tamil Nadu after seventeen prison inmates escaped after attacking guards. Authorities have launched extensive search operations, deploying drones and high-tech surveillance to track the escapees across multiple districts and remote terrain. Special police teams have conducted massive raids, resulting in four prisoners being caught, while efforts continue to trace the remaining inmates. Questions have been raised regarding surveillance and intelligence protocols, as the high-security facility is equipped with high perimeter walls and solar electric fencing. Top police officials remain on high alert as remote terrain monitoring continues.

Indian equity benchmark Nifty opened lower near 22,705 amid the monthly options expiry, with Nifty Bank also trading flat with a negative bias. IT and FMCG stocks experienced downward pressure, while small caps, PSU banks, and pharma shares gained ground. The Indian rupee opened slightly stronger at 95.17 per dollar. Globally, Claude maker Anthropic filed to go public on the NASDAQ under ticker ANT at a potential valuation of up to 2 trillion dollars, while reporting an 81 billion dollar first-half net loss. Anthropic devoted over 90 pages of its prospectus to warning that advanced AI systems could manipulate humans, resist shutdowns, and circumvent safeguards. Speaking on the broadcast, market analyst Dharmesh Kant assessed the AI boom and advised a gradual recovery strategy for domestic markets. In corporate developments, Hyundai India outlined plans for 50 percent alternative powertrains by 2030, while Tata Motors' takeover bid for Italian truckmaker Iveco cleared an 80 percent threshold.

Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, putting Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on high alert ahead of an expected landfall between Visakhapatnam and Bapatla. The India Meteorological Department has warned of sustained wind speeds reaching 115 to 125 km/h, gusting up to 140 km/h, alongside storm surges and heavy rainfall. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness and released 27 crore rupees for cyclone response, directing officials to issue regular alerts and secure reservoirs. Precautionary measures are also underway in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, and Puducherry. Disaster management forces, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, have been deployed and placed on standby. Police have cordoned off coastal stretches like Kakinada beach, while schools and colleges in several districts have been closed ahead of landfall.