karur

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet to 33 ministers, with 23 new additions taking the oath. Notably, first-time MLA Marie Wilson was appointed Finance Minister, replacing an experienced predecessor. This marks the first coalition cabinet in Tamil Nadu since independence, with Congress MLAs securing portfolios and a record seven Dalit ministers included.

A tragic road accident near the Tiruppur-karur border claimed the lives of six people, including a police constable on duty. A lorry driver and the constable were hit by a speeding SUV while repositioning a damaged barricade. The SUV then crashed into the parked lorry, resulting in the fatalities.

DMK accuses Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of skipping Kerala CM V D Satheesan's swearing-in due to political concerns, including pending cases and a desire to maintain state-Centre rapport. Vijay is set to meet the Prime Minister in Delhi, prioritizing administrative duties and a financial white paper before visiting Kerala.

AIADMK's internal rift escalates across Tamil Nadu, with party offices becoming flashpoints for factional clashes. In Dindigul, a direct confrontation between former ministers over district control led to police intervention. Meanwhile, the rebel camp is gathering signatures for an emergency general council meeting, while the EPS faction threatens legal action against 25 MLAs for defying the party whip.

The IMD has announced the onset of the southwest monsoon, with the RMC in Chennai forecasting heavy rainfall in several Tamil Nadu districts over the next few days. A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is influencing weather, bringing moderate to heavy showers to interior and western regions.

The Reserve Bank of India aggressively intervened, selling billions to defend the rupee against sustained pressure. This significant dollar selling, even before markets opened, helped the currency strengthen. Elevated oil prices remain a key concern, with policymakers considering further measures, including a potential interest rate hike, to stabilize the rupee.