25 children taken to Kochi for free heart treatment
Indian Oil board approves Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi gas pipeline
IOCLs Board cleared the investment approval for laying, building and operating KTPL at an estimated project cost of 2,448.70 crore
Child rights panel orders detailed probe into drowning of boy in Kochi flats swimming pool
The Commission issued the instruction after visiting the pool and its premises on September 21.
Child rights panel orders detailed probe into drowning of boy in Kochi flats swimming pool
The Commission issued the instruction after visiting the pool and its premises on September 21.
Ernakulam Boat Jetty Water Metro terminal to be completed in a year
The terminal, costing 32 crore, will be the second-largest in the Water Metro network after the High Court terminal. Once it becomes operational, direct services can be operated from the terminal to Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kumbalam, and Edakochi.
Bodies of Two Malayali Women Killed in California Returned to Kochi for Last Rites
The bodies of two Malayali women, murdered in California, have returned to Kochi for their final rites amid deep sorrow. Bodies of Two Malayali Women Killed in California Returned to Kochi for Last Rites
IOCL to invest 2,449 cr in Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi gas pipeline
The 424.5-km pipeline will have a capacity of 6.84 mscmd and transport regasified LNG from the Kochi terminal to key demand centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Indian Oil board approves 2,449-crore Kochi Thoothukudi gas pipeline
The system will have a capacity of 6.84 million metric standard cubic metres per day, including common-carrier capacity
Manju Warrier Vs Sanal Kumar Sasidharan: Kochi Court Issues Notice In Defamation Suit
Manju Warrier and director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan worked together on the 2020 Malayalam-language film Kayattam
Indian Oil to invest 2,449 crore for Kochi-Thoothukudi natural gas pipeline
The 424.65-kilometre pipeline will pass through Kochi, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi and will have an overall capacity of 6.84 million standard cubic metres per day
Calicut FC player dies in bike crash, teammate critically injured, Keralam CM condoles
Digital Desk | Kozhikode Sep 21 (IANS) Football in Kerala was plunged into grief after Calicut FC defender Rijohn Jose, 29, died in a bike accident in Kozhikode late Sunday night, just days before the start of the new Super League Kerala season. Rijohn, a native of Thrissur, was travelling with his Calicut FC teammate Gani Ahmed Nigam when their bike collided with another motorcycle near the flyover close to Malabar Christian College at around 10 p.m. Both players were seriously injured and rushed to hospital. Rijohn succumbed to his injuries during treatment in the early hours of Monday. Calicut Football FC said Rijohn's public viewing will be held today at EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut, from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Keralam Chief Minister Office alo condoled the the death of young football via X post. Rijo, the key player of the Calicut FC team that won the first Super League Kerala in 2024, was a talent who made outstanding contributions to the football scene in Kerala. He, who donned boots for various prominent clubs in the country, met with an untimely demise while preparing for the new Super League season. We pray that Gani Ahmed, the footballer who was involved in the accident with Rijo and is currently undergoing treatment, recovers swiftly, the post read. Sharing in the grief of Rijo Jose's family members, friends, and sports enthusiasts. Our respects. Gani, who suffered serious head injuries, was initially admitted to a private hospital and was later shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment, and his condition is being monitored. The tragedy came at a particularly painful time for Calicut FC, which was in intensive preparations for its opening Super League Kerala match. Super League Kerala is deeply saddened by the passing of Rijohn Jose of Calicut FC. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, his teammates, Calicut FC, and everyone who knew him, Super League Kerala posted on X. The team had been training at the JDT Ground in Vellimadukunnu ahead of its much-awaited opening fixture against Thiruvananthapuram Kombans at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday. Rijohn was an important member of the Calicut FC squad and played as a defender. He had previously represented Forca Kochi and FC Kerala and had also turned out for clubs including FC Deccan, Wayanad United. Gani Ahmed Nigam is also a familiar name in Kerala football. He represented Kerala in the last Santosh Trophy and was part of the Calicut FC squad for the Super League Kerala season. According to police, the two were returning to their accommodation after training when the accident occurred. Their motorcycle collided with another bike coming from the opposite direction. The impact threw the riders onto the road. Local residents and police rushed the injured to hospital soon after the accident. Kozhikode City Police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision. Rijohn's sudden death has left his teammates and the Calicut FC management devastated. The Kerala Football Association and the club expressed their deep sorrow over the death of the young footballer, who had emerged as a promising player in Indian domestic football. With the Super League Kerala season due to begin within days, the death has cast a pall of grief over the tournament and Kerala's football community.
Indian Oil to invest $256 mn for Kochi-Thoothukudi natural gas pipeline
The investment comes amid India's broader push to expand natural gas infrastructure, improve connectivity and increase the share of gas in the country's energy mix as it seeks cleaner fuel altern
Indian Oil's board approved a significant investment for a new natural gas pipeline. This 424.65-km project will connect Kochi and Thoothukudi in southern India. The pipeline will enhance natural gas transmission infrastructure across the region. It will support city gas networks and industrial consumers. This development strengthens existing gas supply networks in southern India.
Kochi Corporation to launch drive to remove low-hanging overhead cables
Cost to be recovered from respective cable owners
TN: Two dead as rain-triggered landslide hits Idukki village
Digital Desk | Idukki, Sep 20 (IANS) Two people were killed after a landslide buried a shed at Kottakamboor in Vattavada, Idukki district, on Sunday evening following three hours of heavy rain. The deceased were identified as Kottakamboor resident Balakrishnan and his sister, Chinnu. Balakrishnans wife, Mariamma, who was also inside the shed, was rescued with critical injuries. Residents rushed to the site and began removing soil and debris before emergency teams arrived. Mariamma was taken for emergency medical treatment, while rescuers continued searching the affected area to see whether anyone else was trapped. Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Munnar and police officers from Devikulam later joined the operation. Persistent rain, unstable soil, and difficult terrain posed major challenges to the teams. Officials closely monitored the surrounding slope amid fears of further earth movement. The landslide was reported after Vattavada and nearby high-range areas experienced intense rainfall for around three hours. The prolonged downpour is suspected to have saturated the slope and triggered the collapse. Police, revenue, and disaster-management officials are expected to inspect the location and assess risks to nearby residents. The incident has again highlighted Idukkis vulnerability to landslides during spells of heavy rain. The district has witnessed several deadly slope failures in recent years, particularly in and around the Munnar high ranges. The worst was the Pettimudi landslide near Rajamala on August 6, 2020, when a massive flow of mud and boulders buried plantation workers quarters. Sixty-six bodies were recovered, while four people remained missing and were presumed dead, taking the toll to 70. In October 2025, a mudslip at Koombanpara near Adimali buried houses below the KochiDhanushkodi national highway. Biju, 48, died after being pulled from the rubble, while his wife, Sandhya, was rescued and hospitalised. Several houses were damaged, and families living in vulnerable areas were shifted to a relief camp. Authorities have advised residents of landslide-prone locations to remain vigilant and avoid unstable slopes as heavy rainfall continues across the region. Emergency teams remained at Kottakamboor to complete the search, secure the affected site, and prevent residents from entering the danger zone.
Bike rental platform Royal Brothers conducts women riding initiative in Kochi
Royal Brothers is currently present across four cities in Kerala
Malayalam movie HALF screened under Midnight Madness section at Toronto film festival
Clamour grows in Keralam to augment coaches, introduce more MEMU trains
Passenger organisations seek measures to ease recurrent overcrowding on short-distance and inter-city express trains; rising preference for trains is linked to NH-66 widening works as well as frequent hikes in bus and fuel fares, say railway sources
INSV Neelkanth to sail from Visakhapatnam to Andamans for ANCs Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) The INSV Neelkanth, an ocean-going sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, will sail from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) headquarters at Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The sail ship will embark on a nearly 661.2 nautical miles voyage as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram (earlier Port Blair). Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief, ANC (CINCAN), interacted with the crew of INSV Neelkanth at Visakhapatnam ahead of the voyage on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The interaction focused on key lessons for the voyage and inspiring the future of sailing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the ANC said. The INSV Neelkanth is a nearly 40-foot-long sailing yacht or ocean-racing vessel. It is one of six ocean-going sailing vessels the Navy uses for expeditions and training. The others are INSV Mhadei, INSV Tarini, INSV Bulbul, INSV Hariyali, and INSV Kadalpura. In 2023, the INSV Neelkanth won first place in the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race by covering 360 nautical miles from Kochi to Goa. During the race, the crew, comprising both men and women, encountered heavy rain and sea states of up to 04, along with speeds gusting over 25 knots for two days. In 2024, the sailing vessel undertook a 100-nautical-mile expedition in 24 hours to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Navys submarine training school INS Satavahana. Earlier, in 2021, it sailed from Chennai to Visakhapatnam to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Navys submarine base INS Virbahu. While these expeditions were along the Indian coastline, the voyage to the Andamans will be through open seas. The crew may experience rough weather when approaching the Andaman Sea, with the possibility of a low-pressure system developing over the area. Southwest winds of 2025 knots may blow over the South Andaman Sea, and the sea state may be rough, with poor visibility. The crew is extremely well-trained, and the vessel is capable of handling all weather conditions. In fact, it will be a very good experience for those participating in the expedition, an official said. The ANC is Indias first and only tri-services Command, established on October 1, 2001. The Command, comprising the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, was created to defend the strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition to regular surveillance along Indias Exclusive Economic Zone around the archipelago for defence purposes, the ANC also protects the region's fragile ecosystem. It is also tasked with Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) operations in one of the worlds busiest maritime zones. The ANC has planned a series of activities for its Silver Jubilee celebrations, some of which, involving island residents, have already begun.
Convention urges Keralam govt. to establish State law university
First Next Generation Missile Vessel for Indian Navy Laid Down at Cochin Shipyard
The keel of the first Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) for the Indian Navy was laid at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi on Friday, marking a key milestone in the construction of a new class of frontline missile vessels. The keel-laying ceremony was held on September 18, 2026, in the presence of Vice Admiral [] The post First Next Generation Missile Vessel for Indian Navy Laid Down at Cochin Shipyard appeared first on Tfipost.com .
Coastal cleanup drive held at Fort Kochi beach
Drive held as part of the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0 campaign
He rejects allegations of a deal between UDF government and BJP
Kerala: Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine handed over to Excise custody for a day
Digital Desk | Wayanad, Sep 19 (IANS) Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Corporation, who is in judicial custody in connection with a liquor seizure case, was on Saturday handed over to the Excise Department for 24 hours by a court in Wayanad for further interrogation. The development comes a day after the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Sulthan Bathery rejected Augustine's bail plea. The Kerala High Court had also declined to grant him interim bail on Friday and posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday. Augustine was arrested by the Excise Department in the early hours of Thursday from the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery following the seizure of liquor allegedly recovered from his ancestral house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad. Excise officials said around 67 litres of liquor and wine were found during a search conducted on Wednesday. According to the department, the stock included foreign-made liquor, wine and other alcoholic beverages allegedly not authorised for sale in India. A case has been registered under Sections 55(a), 55(i) and 58 of the Kerala Abkari Act, which deal with alleged illegal possession and handling of liquor. An Excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached the Reporter TV office at around 2.30 a.m. on Thursday and arrested Augustine. He was later taken to Wayanad and produced before the Bathery court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. The arrest came shortly after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities linked to the proposed visit of football star Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to Kerala conducted searches at the offices of Reporter Broadcasting Corporation and premises associated with Augustine and his brothers in Kochi and Wayanad. Investigators seized documents and other records during those searches, including material related to Kaloor Stadium. Authorities have clarified that the police probe into the proposed football event is separate from the Excise case. A separate tax-related inquiry has also raised questions over alleged financial irregularities involving Reporter Broadcasting Corporation. Augustine has denied the liquor-related allegations and maintained that he cooperated with the SIT investigation by providing all documents sought by investigators. Following the 24-hour custodial interrogation, he is expected to be produced before the court again.
Traffic wing of police has forwarded details of around 100 private bus employees to district special branch for verification
Kerala HC directs Kochi Corporation to complete rectification work on S.A. Road within four months
The court says a revised estimate that was not communicated earlier cannot justify delaying the work
Kochi to host 13th edition of Kerala Travel Mart on September 24th
Of the total, 1,200 buyers will attend as hosted buyers, while 300 will participate as non-hosted buyers, taking the total to 1,500 buyers
Conclave on women in Indias blue economy held in Kochi
PM Modi fostering resilience, innovation to achieve Viksit Bharat@2047: Rajnath Singh
Digital Desk | Kochi, Sep 18 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is serving the nation with a special focus on fostering resilience, innovation and a sense of national identity among citizens to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Speaking at an event in Kochi, Kerala, the Defence Minister asserted that before 2014, India faced challenges such as corruption and misgovernance, which had weakened the morale of the people, and the nations progress in the last 12 years has been shaped by its ability to convert challenges into opportunities. Over the last 12 years, the world has faced a pandemic such as Covid-19 and witnessed several wars, which have had a profound impact on the global economy. Despite global challenges, we are moving steadily on the path towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation, he said. Rajnath Singh stated that Operation Sindoor is proof of Indias willingness to cross the border to eliminate those who threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the country. He added that Maoism, too, has been brought to an end. On the governments aim to continuously bolster indigenous capabilities, the minister stated that indigenous defence production, which was just Rs 40,000 crore in 2014, has now reached nearly Rs 1.80 lakh crore. He added that defence exports have risen from nearly Rs 600 crore to around Rs 40,000 crore, with Indian equipment reaching around 100 countries. Voicing the nations resolve to work tirelessly towards its goals with courage and determination, Rajnath Singh described youth as the countrys greatest strength. Our youth are building start-ups, creating unicorns, developing drones, building hydrogen trains, and making rockets and satellites. They are leaving no stone unturned to make India a developed nation, he said. Rajnath Singh emphasised the importance of making the younger generation more aware of Indias history, culture and heritage. He said greater awareness among youth would contribute to stronger national consciousness and help build confidence in Indias place in the world. He called upon the youth to contribute to Indias economic, social and technological transformation, saying that a confident, capable and socially inclusive India can emerge as a developed nation and play a greater role in shaping the future of the world. On the crucial role of media in todays times, the Defence Minister stated that journalism is rightly called the fourth pillar of democracy, terming an independent and impartial press as one of the strongest instruments for ensuring accountability. The role of the media is not merely to report the news. It is also to ask difficult questions, bring the truth before the people, and hold those in power accountable, he said.
Reporter TV chief Anto Augustine denied bail, to remain in judicial custody
Digital Desk | Wayanad (Kerala), Sep 18 (IANS) Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine, arrested in an excise case following the seizure of liquor from his ancestral house in Wayanad, will remain in judicial custody as a Kerala court on Friday rejected his bail plea. The decision was announced by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Sulthan Bathery. Augustine was arrested by the Excise Department early on Thursday, shortly after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities surrounding the proposed visit of football star Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to Kerala completed searches at his office and properties. The Bathery court had on Thursday sent Augustine to judicial custody for 14 days. He was subsequently to be shifted to the District Jail at Mananthavady. The Excise case relates to the alleged possession of liquor beyond the permissible limit. The arrest followed the seizure of about 67 litres of liquor and wine from Augustines ancestral house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad during the SIT search on Wednesday. Excise officials said the seized stock included foreign-made liquor and wine and other liquor allegedly not authorised for sale in India. The case has been registered under Sections 55(a), 55(i) and 58 of the Kerala Abkari Act. An Excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery around 2.30 am on Thursday and arrested Augustine there. He was subsequently taken to Wayanad and produced before the court. The arrest came after the SIT conducted searches for several hours at the Reporter Broadcasting Company office and premises linked to Augustine and his brothers in Kochi and Wayanad. Investigators were probing alleged financial irregularities connected with the proposed Messi-Argentina event. The police action is separate from the excise case. The SIT searches had led to the seizure of documents and other records, including material relating to the Kaloor stadium, while investigators also examined financial transactions linked to the proposed event. A separate tax-related inquiry has also flagged alleged financial irregularities involving Reporter Broadcasting Company. The timing of Augustines arrest, coming hours after the SIT searches, triggered criticism and questions over the action against the head of a news organisation. Augustine had denied the liquor allegations and said he had cooperated with the investigation into the Messi episode, handing over the documents sought by the investigators. The Kerala Police SIT is investigating alleged cheating and financial irregularities surrounding the proposed football event, while the Excise case before the Bathery court concerns the alleged possession of liquor beyond the legally permissible quantity.
Kerala Widens Lionel Messi Event Probe, Ex-Sports Minister Likely To Be Quizzed
A probe is being conducted into alleged irregularities in the previous government's move to host Argentina's national team's match featuring Lionel Messi in Kochi in 2025.
Kader Attia to unveil curatorial vision for seventh edition of Kochi Muziris Biennale on November 14
The noted Algerian-French artist has initiated site visits and conversations in Kochi ahead of the next edition of the international art event, say KMB organisers
Migrants robbed of valuables worth lakhs at rented house in Kochi
Interstate drug trafficking network busted, claims NCB Kochi unit
A total of 33.1 grams of suspected cocaine seized as part of the operation
Frequent water supply disruptions hit life in Kochi amid summer-like conditions
Multiple incidents of pipe bursts reported in the city and neighbouring municipalities over the past month; recurrent power failures at pumping stations blamed for pressure variations in pumping lines
Frequent water supply disruptions hit life in Kochi amid summer-like conditions
Multiple incidents of pipe bursts reported in the city and neighbouring municipalities over the past month; recurrent power failures at pumping stations blamed for pressure variations in pumping lines
CPI(M) back in familiar opposition role, questions Satheesan's zoo relocation plan
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 (IANS) The CPI(M) in Kerala has moved swiftly to oppose Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's proposal to relocate the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo to a forested setting, with senior party leader and former mayor V.K. Prasanth questioning the rationale behind the move and alleging that commercial interests could be driving the plan. Prasanth alleged that the proposal was driven by commercial interests and wondered whether the prime 36-acre property in the heart of the capital was being eyed for handover to private business interests. He also questioned why such a move was being taken without consulting the people. The quick reaction has placed the CPI(M) in familiar territory, opposing a major initiative floated by a Congress-led government, even before the idea has moved beyond the discussion stage. Kerala's political history is replete with examples of projects that faced resistance depending on which political front championed them. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy often remarked that in Kerala, the identity of the proposer frequently mattered more than the proposal itself. Chandy had himself faced strong Left opposition after introducing computers in the Finance Department in 1991 while serving as Finance Minister. He later pointed to the irony that several Left leaders who had opposed computerisation eventually embraced the technology. Similarly, the Kochi Smart City project encountered stiff resistance from the Left when it was pursued by the UDF government, only to be carried forward later under the LDF administration. Several infrastructure projects in the state have witnessed comparable political reversals over the years. Satheesan unveiled the zoo relocation proposal during the three-day 'Reimagining Keralam' forum on Wednesday. He suggested shifting the zoo towards the Neyyar forest region, arguing that the animals could live in surroundings closer to their natural habitat. The Chief Minister also proposed converting the valuable city-centre land into a major public space modelled on world-class urban recreational hubs. Highlighting the zoo's significance, Prasanth noted that it attracts over 1.2 million visitors annually and generates around Rs 8 crore in revenue. Interestingly, BJP Mayor V.V. Rajesh welcomed the proposal and suggested that the Central Jail, another major government property located in the city centre, could also be shifted to a rural area. For now, the zoo remains where it is. But the political battle over its future has already begun.
WPL 2027 to begin January 14; final scheduled for February 7, confirms BCCI
The fifth edition of the Women's Premier League will be played from January 14 to February 7, 2027 while its auction will be held on October 28 this year in Kochi, the BCCI announced on Wednesday. The BCCI however did not disclose the host cities for the WPL. As the biggest T20 league in women's cricket, the TATA WPL has established itself as a significant platform for the growth of the sport, bringing together leading players from India and around the world while creating opportunities for emerging talent to perform at the highest level, said the BCCI in a statement. The Player Retention deadline is set for September 28. The five franchises will have the opportunity to retain players from their existing squads as they begin putting their combinations in place for the new season, the BCCI added.
Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine Arrested Amid Messi Investigation in Kochi
Anto Augustine, MD of Reporter TV, has been arrested for excessive alcohol possession as police probe Messis financial irregularities. Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine Arrested Amid Messi Investigation in Kochi
Anto Augustine arrested by Excise in Abkari case
Reporter TV managing director arrested on charges of alleged possession of liquor in excess of legally permissible limit
Anto Augustine arrested in liquor case as Messi probe gathers pace
Digital Desk | Kochi, Sep 17 (IANS) Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine was formally arrested by the Excise Department in a case relating to the possession of liquor beyond the permissible limit, as the police investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding the proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to Kerala gathered pace. An Excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery in the early hours of Thursday and took Augustine into custody. He was later subjected to a medical examination and is now being taken to Wayanad, a journey expected to take several hours. He will be produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Sulthan Bathery. The arrest followed the seizure of a large quantity of liquor from Augustines ancestral house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad during the SIT search on Wednesday. Excise officials seized 43 litres of foreign liquor, seven litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine, besides liquor bottles not authorised for sale in India. The arrest at the Reporter TV office witnessed a tense sequence of events. After the Excise team read out the seizure mahazar, Augustine insisted that he be shown the FIR before being arrested. Though officials showed him a digital copy, he insisted on a hard copy. Perumbavoor Excise Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar subsequently arrived with the physical copy, following which the arrest was formally recorded. The developments came shortly after a nearly 20-hour search by the SIT at the Reporter Broadcasting Company office and premises linked to its owners in Kochi and Wayanad. The police seized several documents, memory cards and records relating to the Kaloor stadium, besides $6,300 in foreign currency. The searches were conducted under court warrants. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who returned from the US, said the SIT headed by ADGP P. Vijayan was constituted to investigate the Messi episode on the basis of a report submitted by the Sports Secretary. He said the report had been handed over to him by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. The SIT is doing its job according to law. It has acted only in accordance with the prevailing laws. The Home Minister does not intervene, Chennithala told reporters at the Cochin airport. He said any action found to be contrary to law would be examined. They had a search warrant and proceeded accordingly. What happened during the past one decade is known to everyone. Why did you not see that then? Many media personnel were under duress. We are making it very clear that if anything wrong has been done, it will be looked into, he said. The SIT search, led by Thrikkakara ACP Bijoy Chandran, began around 6 a.m. on Wednesday and concluded at about 2.30 a.m. on Thursday. The team also searched the flats of Augustine and his brothers at Chembumukku and the office of marketing company GOTAD, which investigators suspect has links with Augustine. Police said evidence had been collected and that the SIT chief would provide further details. The Excise case against Augustine carries non-bailable provisions under the Abkari Act, while the separate SIT investigation concerns alleged cheating and financial irregularities linked to the proposed Messi-Argentina event.
PIL in Kerala High Court seeks regulation of counsellors and mental health services
Court seeks the Union governments response on implementing regulations under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021
Maradu water treatment plant set to add 20 MLD to Kochi water supply
Plants production capacity to be raised from 100 MLD to 120 MLD; new 1,000-mm high-density polyethylene pipeline to be laid over 5.2 km
Women's Premier League 2027 dates locked in from January 14 to February 7
The Women's Premier Leaguefifth edition is scheduled for January 14 to February 7, 2027. This tournament will precede the Women's Champions Trophy, which is now hosted in India. The player auction for the upcoming WPL season will take place on October 28. Kochi will host this important player acquisition event for the league. These dates were officially announced by the BCCI on Wednesday.
Dr. H. Prabhakar Elected National Vice President of Indian College of Cardiology
Dr. H. Prabhakar Elected National Vice President of Indian College of Cardiology Mangaluru: Dr. H. Prabhakar, a distinguished interventional cardiologist and pioneer in the field, has been elected National Vice President of the prestigious Indian College of Cardiology at its National Meet held in Kochi on September 12, 2026. The recognition reflects his contributions to [] The post Dr. H. Prabhakar Elected National Vice President of Indian College of Cardiology appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
CMRL pay-off case: official retracts statement to ED
It has now come to light that P. Suresh Kumar submitted a retraction statement to the ED Directorate in Delhi, alleging illegal and high-handed conduct of the officers of the Kochi office of the Enforcement Directorate.
'Saral Keralam' to cut investment delays; Kerala cabinet clears single-window mechanism
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 16 (IANS) The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Saral Keralam initiative aimed at cutting delays in investment clearances by creating a single mechanism to coordinate approvals across departments, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan saying as many as 19 laws would be amended to make the system investor-friendly. Briefing the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting, CM Satheesan said the governments objective was to have one state, one approval and one body for fresh investments and to minimise the hurdles faced by investors. Proposals involving investments of Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore will be examined by a district-level body, while those above Rs 50 crore will be handled by a state-level body. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) will coordinate the new mechanism. CM Satheesan clarified that the existing departments would not be bypassed and would continue to discharge their responsibilities, but the process would be streamlined to avoid files remaining pending for years. Some investment proposals, he said, had been pending for as long as seven years. The Cabinet decision followed consultations with various departments, he said. On the controversy surrounding the police search at the Reporter TV office on Wednesday morning in connection with the Messi-related fraud case, CM Satheesan said the channels functioning had not been stopped, noting that he had learnt about the police action through the channel itself. He said the SIT had been constituted to investigate the Messi episode and that the court had permitted the police to proceed with the investigation. The searches were part of that probe, he said. Responding to Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayans criticism of the police action, CM Satheesan recalled police action against Mangalam TV, Asianet and Marunadan during the previous governments tenure, and said the present action was being carried out according to law. On the power crisis, CM Satheesan said the immediate electricity shortage would be addressed within a week, while the government had begun work on a long-term power policy with particular emphasis on renewable energy. Kerala would soon enter into power-purchase agreements from October until the next monsoon, he said. He pointed to Karnatakas renewable energy capacity, saying Kerala had not adequately tapped the sector and would examine the Karnataka model. The CM also rejected claims that the Kerala State Electricity Board was being prepared for privatisation, calling the reports baseless. The state is currently facing continued supply constraints and power cuts amid a wider shortage in the national grid. CM Satheesan also said two NIA courts would be established in Kochi, with the Centre bearing the expenditure. On the seizure of a dairy from the residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans daughter, he said contradictory reports from the family had emerged on whether such a dairy existed and that the government had nothing to say on the issue. Reacting to the extended CPI(M) state committee meeting, CM Satheesan said it was strange that the partys Politburo had placed the responsibility for the Lefts electoral setback on state secretary M.V. Govindan and the people of Kerala. On the dispute over questioning of PSC members by Crime Branch in the Planning Board examination case, CM Satheesan said no one was above the law and that PSC chairman and members had no special right to refuse to appear before investigators. He said they would have to cooperate with the police investigation whenever called.
Messi Event Row: Police Conduct Search at Reporter TV Office in Kochi
The Assistant Commissioner of Police of Thrikkakara, who is leading the search, claimed that the channel was not cooperating with the process
Messi Kerala Event Row: Police Action at Reporter TV Office Triggers Media Freedom Debate
Police searched Malayalam news channel Reporter TV's Kochi office amid an SIT probe into the Kerala Messi-Argentina event controversy. The channel alleged phones were seized.
Kerala Messi fraud case: SIT raids multiple locations linked to Reporter TV in Kochi, Wayanad
Digital Desk | Kochi, Sep 16 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged fraud in the name of football superstar Lionel Messi conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Kerala's Kochi and Wayanad early Wednesday, including the office of Reporter TV, triggering a sharp political confrontation over the police action against the media organisation. The searches began around 4 a.m. and were carried out at the Kochi flats of Anto Augustin and Josekutty Augustin, their ancestral house in Wayanad, the Reporter TV office in Kochi and the office of GOTAD company. The police SIT reached the locations in five vehicles and conducted searches simultaneously. The police have registered a case at the Kalamassery police station in connection with the alleged fraud involving Messis name. The FIR invokes charges including cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy. Reporter Broadcasting Company and Anto Augustin have been named as the accused. The search at the Reporter TV office, however, became the immediate focus of a political controversy, with Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemning the police action and alleging that the operation disrupted news broadcasting. In a statement, Vijayan alleged that a group of policemen entered the news desk at the Kochi office in the early hours, forcibly took away journalists mobile phones and created an atmosphere of terror for nearly one-and-a-half hours. He also alleged that the police filmed the journalists. Vijayan described the action as reminiscent of the Emergency and alleged that what had happened in Kerala was similar to attacks on media organisations in BJP-ruled states and Delhi. He also drew a comparison to the action against NewsClick, alleging that the seizure of equipment and action against journalists in that case were similar to what had happened at Reporter TV. Kerala will not accept such an assault aimed at silencing the media, Vijayan said, while strongly condemning what he described as an attack on media freedom. He demanded an explanation from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who also holds the Home portfolio, saying the CM and state Home Minister should answer for the police action against the media. The SIT raids form part of the investigation into the alleged misuse of Messis name. The simultaneous searches at the residences and offices of those linked to the case indicate that investigators are examining multiple aspects of the alleged financial transactions and the role of the accused and associated entities.
Three held for alleged robbery near Aluva railway station in Keralam
KWA to re-tender 5 MLD STP as no bidder qualifies; Work begins on 27-km sewage pipeline in Kochi
The sewerage treatment project includes three components an STP and two sewage pipeline networks of 27 km and 17 km
SWTD to launch two partly solar-powered, electric ro-ro ferries in Kochi
The vessels are expected to be commissioned in October 2027
Cochin shipyard goes global: Why Indian Navy could be the biggest winner
India and UAE are deepening maritime cooperation with a new joint venture. This partnership will expand the International Ship Repair Facility at Kochi. The venture aims to transform Kochi into a major ship repair hub. This initiative supports India's national shipbuilding and maritime reform schemes. The goal is to position India among the world's top shipbuilding nations.
Kochi to Host Cybersecurity Hackathon in October: Keralam Police Chief
He said that the eight-day conference will bring together cyber security experts, law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technology professionals, academicians and students from across India and around the world
India's semiconductor sector attracts $1.4 billion funding: Report
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) India's semiconductor sector has raised a total of $1.4 billion in equity funding with nearly half of the capital secured since 2025, according to a report released on Tuesday. A report by Tracxn Technologies said the country's semiconductor ecosystem comprises 3,557 companies, of which 281 have raised funding and 142 have secured equity investments. According to the report, funding activity has gained momentum in recent years, with capital increasingly flowing into a smaller number of larger transactions. The two biggest funding rounds were IL JIN Electronics' $198 million private equity raise in September 2025 and Tessolve Semiconductor's $150 million private equity round in the same month. Moreover, Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) emerged as the most-funded business segment and attracted $313 million since 2025, including $89 million in the trailing 12 months. Embedded Hardware followed with $51.9 million raised since 2025, all of it secured over the past 12 months. Other prominent segments attracting investor interest include Power Management Integrated Circuits and Fabless Semiconductor Manufacturing, the report said. Bengaluru remained the leading hub for semiconductor companies, hosting 626 firms or around 18 per cent of the total ecosystem. The city accounted for about 40 per cent of all equity funding raised by the sector to date. Noida, Gurugram, Kochi and Hyderabad also featured among key semiconductor clusters. The report further noted that the sector has recorded 62 acquisitions and 42 initial public offerings (IPOs) as of 2026 year-to-date. The report said the data reflects growing investor interest in India's semiconductor ecosystem as the country seeks to strengthen domestic capabilities across chip design, manufacturing and electronics value chains. Additionally, electronics production rose from about Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 13.11 lakh crore in 2025-26, while electronics exports increased from around Rs 38,000 crore to Rs 4.24 lakh crore during the period, according to the government data. Mobile phone production increased from Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 6.27 lakh crore over the same period, while mobile phone exports rose from about Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2.59 lakh crore, it added.
Cyber security, hacking conferences to be held in Kochi in Oct, says Keralam Police chief
The eight-day conference will bring together cyber security experts, law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technology professionals, academicians and students from across India and around the world
Fire breaks out at automobile service centre in Keralams Kochi; none injured
The blaze broke out when workers were uninstalling steel frames of the facility as part of relocation
Keralite vlogger says she escaped arrest threat in Afghanistan
Kochi: A Keralite woman travel vlogger, who had earlier claimed that she was arrested by the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, has now said that local authorities threatened to arrest her in Bamyan, citing the countrys law that women cannot travel without a male companion or guide. According to the law of this country, a woman cannot Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Kochi to host Keralams c0c0n 2026cybersecurity conference in October
Organised by Kerala Police, the event will bring together cybersecurityprofessionals, government and lawenforcement agencies, industry leaders, researchers, technologyexperts, academicians and students
The Liberian-flagged vessel owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) sank off the coast of Alappuzha in May 2025, reportedly causing substantial coastal and marine damage to the shores of Keralam and Tamil Nadu
Residents take out protest following drinking water shortage in Kochi
Sources at KWA said that the issue has come to their notice and will be rectified soon
Kochi Metro documents leak: Police launch probe
According to police, the incident came to light after KMRL found that some of its confidential documents were being circulated in WhatsApp groups
Kochi Metro documents leak: Police launch probe
According to police, the incident came to light after KMRL found that some of its confidential documents were being circulated in WhatsApp groups
Bihari youth arrested for alleged murder of colleague from the State in Kochi plywood factory
The arrested person is Mohammed Sahil, 23, of Muzaffarpur in Bihar; he has been charged with murder
Kochi Metro confidential documents leaked on social media, police launch investigation
Kochi Metro Police registered a case regarding the theft of confidential company documents. Unidentified individuals allegedly gained unauthorized access to KMRL computer systems for financial gain. Leaked documents, including employee and financial details, were circulated on a WhatsApp group. The investigation is underway, with police suspecting insider involvement in the data breach. Authorities will seek cyber police assistance to trace the responsible parties.
Man tied up, brutally assaulted during robbery in Keralam
Kochi: A 28-year-old man suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and hands after he was allegedly brutally assaulted and robbed by two persons near Aluva railway station here, police said on Monday. The injured, Jofin Joju of Kodanad near here, was walking towards Aluva railway station when he was allegedly approached by the two-member gang Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Keralam CM V.D. Satheesan takes a trip down memory lane at alumni meet
Migrant worker found dead in Perumbavoor, colleague in custody
Youth allegedly assaulted, robbed near Aluva railway station
Air India Mumbai-Dehradun flight diverted to Lucknow due to bad weather
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) An Air India flight from Mumbai to Dehradun was diverted to Lucknow on Sunday, according to the airline. As per Air India's flight status, the Mumbai-Dehradun flight -- AI431 -- diverted to Lucknow. While reports claim that the flight was unable to land in Dehradun as weather conditions and visibility were not favourable. Following directions from Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft was diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the airport at 4:45 pm. The flight was cleared to continue its journey after weather conditions in Dehradun improved, the reports said. The aircraft departed from Lucknow for Dehradun at around 6 pm, as per Air India's website. Earlier in the day, Air India's flight from Bhopal to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur due to a technical issue, according to the airline. The aircraft landed safely in Jaipur and is being checked in accordance with Air India's safety standards. Flight AI1886 operating from Bhopal to Delhi on 13 September was diverted to Jaipur due to a technical issue as per laid down procedures, the airline stated. Apart from that, Air Indias pilot died due to cardiac arrest while he was on a layover rest at a hotel in the national capital, the airline said on Saturday. He was on a layover rest at a hotel in Delhi, where he was found unconscious last evening. He was rushed to the hospital immediately, where he was declared dead, the airline statement said. The Mumbai-based pilot was found unconscious at the hotel on Friday evening and was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead. He had earlier worked with Air India Express and moved to Air India a couple of months ago. He was scheduled to operate a flight early on Saturday morning. Earlier in August, an Air India Express flight operating from Kochi to Abu Dhabi had made an air turnback in line with established safety protocols after the crew detected a problem with the aircraft.
Historic Cochin gymnasium rejects Corporations rent proposal
The Corporation secretary has been asked to hear the gym authorities before taking a decision on the matter, says Mayor V.K. Minimol.
Indias semiconductor industry attracts $1.4 billion in equity funding: Report
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) India's semiconductor sector has attracted a cumulative $1.4 billion in equity funding across 281 funded companies with nearly half of the total capital, around $701 million raised since 2025, according to a report. A report by Tracxn showed that the nation currently hosts 3,557 semiconductor-related companies. Of these, 281 firms have secured funding, while 142 have raised equity investments and the chip industry has garnered $228 million in funding so far in 2026, it said. The analysis comes ahead of SEMICON India 2026 conference and exhibition which is scheduled to be held from September 17 to 19 here that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report highlighted electronic manufacturing services (EMS) as the largest funding segment, attracting $313 million since 2025. In addition, embedded hardware ranked second and secured $51.9 million over the same period with all of it raised within the last 12 months. While Power Management Integrated Circuits and Fabless Semiconductor Manufacturers also featured among the leading categories by funding. According to the report, annual funding in the sector increased sharply from $49 million in 2021 to $473 million in 2025, a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 36 per cent. City-wise, Bengaluru remained India's leading semiconductor hub, accounting for 626 companies or around 18 per cent of the sector's total firms. The city also contributed 40.1 per cent of all equity funding raised to date. However, Noida, Gurugram, Kochi and Hyderabad followed in terms of funding share. On exits, acquisitions remained the preferred route with 62 acquisitions recorded compared to 42 initial public offerings (IPOs). The report noted that companies reached acquisition in an average of 11.8 years from their first funding round, while firms that went public took an average of 16.5 years.
Tourists hit as ferry services to two Kochi prime jetties remain stalled
SWTD attributes the delay in resuming services to the Mattancherry jetty to the pending dredging of its premises. It says the Kamalakadavu jetty is yet to be handed over by CSML despite the completion of pontoon and allied works.
Kerala High Court prescribes timelines for speedy disposal of bail applications
Kerala High Court specifies that regular bail applications should be disposed of within two weeks and anticipatory bail pleas within six weeks
KWA to set up 50-lakh-litre tank at Thammanam to address water woes of Kochi
The new tank will replace the 35 lakh-litre tank the utility had earlier proposed in place of the destroyed chamber of the Thammanam tank
Kochi airport launches robot for enhanced passenger assistance and cultural promotion
In the first phase, the robot has been deployed at Kalangan, the art museum located in the domestic security hold area
The district continues to report the highest number of influenza cases in the State, while dengue and leptospirosis cases also persist
Kerala Assistant Public Prosecutors Association gets new office-bearers
Electricity crisis an opportunity to find a solution, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
The Chief Minister says the energy crisis is on the priority list of his government and that it is high time the State formulated a modern power policy
Kochi Corporation to restrict subsidy on biomedical waste collection amid opposition protest
All except exempted categories to pay 20 per kg plus GST; subsidised rate fixed at 12 per kg, reducing Corporations subsidy component to 8 from the earlier 28
Kochi Corporation to restrict subsidy on biomedical waste collection amid opposition protest
All except exempted categories to pay 20 per kg plus GST; subsidised rate fixed at 12 per kg, reducing Corporations subsidy component to 8 from the earlier 28
Kochi police deploy 15-member team to trace suspected Bangladeshi man
The team comprises cops from the Palarivattom station and members of the special operation groups from other stations
Frequent power outages leave Keralams EV owners anxious over charging woes
Residents from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram express concerns over unpredictable power cuts. While some users are yet to feel the impact, others say it is already interrupting their charging schedules, leaving them anxious about their vehicles readiness for daily use. KSEB sources advise charging during off-peak hours.
Drydocks World, Cochin Shipyard form 50:50 JV for ship repair facility
The joint venture will operate, consolidate and expand Kochi's International Ship Repair Facility, adding capacity for Indian, regional and international vessel customers
Cricketers Sreesanths father dies
The deceased is survived by his wife Savithri Devi and children Deepu Santh, Niveditha, Diva, and Sreesanth
Four arrested with 10 kg of suspected MDMA in Kochi
Dubais Drydocks World eyes further investments in India
Under the arrangement,the jointventurewilloperate, consolidate and expand theship repair facility in Kochi creating additional capacity
