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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The additional district and sessions court on Saturday accepted the anticipatory bail plea of Rahul Mamkootathil MLA in a second rape case registered against him. However, it refused to grant him interim protection from arrest till the bail plea is heard on Monday. Rahuls counsel swiftly moved the pre-arrest bail after the High Court granted him protection from arrest in the first rape case till a verdict is given on his anticipatory bail plea, which is scheduled to be heard o

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Saturday restrained the police from arresting Rahul Mamkoottathil, MLA, until December 15 in a case registered against him for allegedly raping a woman and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. When the anticipatory bail plea came up for hearing, Justice K. Babu said the matter would be posted foradetailed hearing. During the pendency of the case, I will not permit the police to arrest the petitioner because he has raised serious contentions, the court observed.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an election season dominated by long, text-cluttered manifestos, the NDA has thrown a curveball. Its Thiruvananthapuram corporation manifesto, released on November 30, has become one of the most talked-about campaign documents in the city not for its content alone, but for its strikingly unconventional, infographic-driven design that looks more like a colourful route map than a political pledge sheet. The moment the pamphlet is opened, voters are greeted with a bright roa

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vietnamese films will take the centre stage at the Country Focus section in the 30th edition of the International Film Festival Of Kerala (IFFK) scheduled to commence in the state capital from December 12. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the festival will screen five critically acclaimed Vietnamese movies Glorious Ashes directed by Bui Thac Chuyn, The Tree House by Truong Minh Qu, Cu Li Never Cries by Pham Ngoc Lan, Dont Cry Butterfly by Duong Dieu Lin

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said the two consecutive terms of the LDF government in 2016 and 2021 helped bring major changes and achievements in Kerala. He was inaugurating the LDFs Kochi corporation election convention held on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium premises in Kaloor on Friday. When the LDF assumed office in 2016, Kerala was in deep crisis due to years of mismanagement, Pinarayi said, adding that sectors including education and health were on the verge of collapse. W

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the time-frame of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala owing to the upcoming local body election. As per the revised schedule, the enumeration period has been extended till December 18 and the draft electoral roll will be brought out on December 23. The period of filing claims and objections to the draft voters list will be from December 23 to January 1. The poll panel will conduct hearin

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday tackled questions on a wide range of issues at a meet-the-press organised by the Ernakulam Press Club. He spoke on local-body polls, KIIFB, appointment of vice chancellors, and more. Edited excerpts: Will the local body election outcome be an evaluation of the governments performance? The evaluation of my government happens every day, through peoples lives. The final evaluation will be done by voters in assembly election. There are reports John Br

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Congress expelled Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, and as the aura around his mentor Shafi Parambil fades, the partys factional map is being ripped apart and redrawn. The once prominent power axis that ran the organisation, has started to crumble almost overnight, triggering realignment inside the party. Sidelined youth leaders, who had long been suppressed, have seized the moment and asserted themselves. Congress insiders say that this is only the beginning of a deeper s

KOCHI: In the days following the horrific assault inside a moving SUV in Kochi, Malayalam film industry insiders joined hands in grief and outrage. Among them was actor Dileep, who publicly expressed solidarity and vowed to support his colleagues pursuit of justice. But within months, that atmosphere of empathy would be overshadowed by a startling turn of events. A letter smuggled out of jail, beginning with the desperate plea, I need money, now triggered a chain of revelations that would eventu

MALAPPURAM: As the deadline to upload waqf property records to the Centres UMEED (Unified Management for Ensuring Efficient Digitalisation) portal expires on Saturday, Muslim organisations in Kerala are grappling with what many describe as the communitys most alarming administrative crisis in decades. With thousands of mahals unable to secure or compile the century-old land deeds, pattayams, and revenue records required for registration, the fear of losing vast tracts of waqf land has escalated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ernakulam district retained the top slot in nominal Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) figures for 2024-25 released by the economics and statistics department recently. The districts GDDP was Rs 1,67,661.90 crore (quick estimate), up from Rs 1,50,991.63 crore (provisional estimate) in the previous financial year. Residents in the district recorded the highest per capita GDDP of Rs 4,67,428. In terms of nominal GDDP, the value of goods and services produced in a district a

KOZHIKODE: here is unlikely to be any change in the majority of Muslim voters inclination for the UDF in the local-body polls as it had played out in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the subsequent by-elections to the Palakkad and Nilambur assembly constituencies. This has more to do with the communitys antagonism towards the CPM, driven by a host of factors, than its enthusiasm for the policies of the Congress-led front. The CPMs reluctance to denounce SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally N

KOCHI: Six chairpersons in 10 years! For the Koothattukulam municipality, formed in 2015, political stability remains a dream. For years, the urban body with 14,625 voters has been craving for wider roads to end congestion. In the past two terms, independent councillors were crucial in deciding the fate of the council as frequent defections kept disrupting governance. Though the UDF grabbed power in Koothattukulam in 2015 with 13 councillors in the 25-member council, the municipality saw four ch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralas green election initiative is under strain as widespread use of prohibited campaign materials, especially polycotton, continues unabated despite stringent restrictions. With parties relying heavily on polycotton for campaigning, the state government has launched an extensive enforcement campaign, leading to large-scale seizures and hefty fines on printing units, manufacturers and dealers in the recent drives. The crackdown has triggered a strong backlash. The Sign Prin

KOCHI: With just three days left for the first phase of the local body elections , Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a blistering attack on the Congress-led UDF, accusing it of striking an unholy alliance with Jamaat-e-Islamis Welfare Party of India . Speaking at a Meet-the-Press organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, the CM said the Congress was risking Keralas peace and harmony for a handful of votes. Pinarayi alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami, which he described as a group that does not rec

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday, in its order, indicated that it would intervene in resolving theongoing impasse over the selectionof vice chancellors for two technical universities in Kerala if CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor-cum-chancellor Rajendra Arlekar do not reach a consensus. The universities in trouble are APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology. Amidst the ongoing tussle between the Kerala government and the sta

KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday sharply criticised the Congress over its handling of allegations against suspended MLA Rahul Mankootathil, accusing the party of having shielded him for long despite being aware of his perverted behaviour. Speaking at a Meet the Press organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, the Chief Minister said the information emerging about the MLA was deeply shocking and unacceptable, and that Congress leaders must introspect instead of projecting their

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Raising panic in the region, a major portion of the National Highway collapsed in Kollam on Friday. No casualties were reported. A portion of NH 66 and an adjacent service road caved in near Mylakkadu in Chathannur, close to Kottiyam, in the evening. The recently constructed retaining wall and service road collapsed, trapping several vehicles, including a school bus. The sudden cave-in has raised serious concerns about the construction quality of the road. People and children

KOCHI: Rahul Mamkoottathil, MLA, has approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered against him for allegedly raping a woman and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. According to the petition, the complainant, who claimed to be separated from her husband, developed an intimate relationship with the petitioner. They regularly communicated, met on several occasions, and grew closer over time. The complainant allegedly told the petitioner that after taking a long

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police department has appointed a woman IPS officer to head the probe into the second rape case against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. AIG G Poonkuzhali will lead the team investigating the complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman with the KPCC and forwarded to the State Police Chief. The woman, who is a resident of Bengaluru, had alleged that the MLA raped her at a homestay during a visit to the state and also physically tortured her. The complaint was mailed to the KPCC, which d

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local body polls are taking a heavy toll on the capital, with illegal flex boards and campaign materials defacing public spaces across Thiruvananthapuram. Medians, footpaths and even electric posts have been taken over by unauthorised campaign displays, despite the green protocol being in force. There are four enforcement squads at the district level and 25 under the city corporation. However, officials say enforcement is proving extremely difficult this time. According to Su

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Signalling a fresh showdown with the state government, Governor Rajendra Arlekar has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court rejecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans recommendation to appoint two academics of his choice as Vice Chancellors of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Digital University, Kerala (DUK). As directed by the Supreme Court, two separate search-cum-selection committees headed by Justice (Retd) Sudhanshu Dhulia had shortlisted VC probables

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly 200 children with disabilities took part in a special sports meet organised by the Trivandrum Physiatrists Club to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The event aimed to foster inclusion, confidence, and sporting excellence was held at the Sports Authority of Indias Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariavattom. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Selvan P, president of IAPMR Kerala. In his keynote address, Dr Roy R

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Delivering a devastating blow to Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, the Principal District and Sessions Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail plea noting that the evidence produced by the prosecution prima facie revealed his involvement in the offences. The Palakkad MLA was booked by the local police on November 27 on charges of raping his woman acquaintance and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. The hearing of the plea behind closed doors that started on Wednesday con

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress partys decision to expel Rahul B R, popularly known as Rahul Mamkootathil, marked a dramatic fall for the young Palakkad MLA who once enjoyed widespread popularity across Kerala. A Youth Congress president with a massive fan following at a time, Rahuls meteoric rise ended in ignominy after mounting sexual assault allegations forced the party to take the ultimate action. Until August 21, Rahul was a political superstar, commanding blind loyalty from supporters who

KOZHIKODE: KPCC Samskara Sahithi general secretary M A Shahanas has welcomed Congress decision to expel MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, stating that the party has taken a strong and proud stand in support of women. Shahanas, who had earlier revealed that she was removed from a cultural WhatsApp group by Rahul Mamkootathil, noted that the same person has now been expelled from the party. The person who removed me from the WhatsApp group has now been removed himself. Even at this moment, I remain within t

ALAPPUZHA: A retired Indian Army officer from Kayamkulam, who was taken captive by Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen, was released after five months on Wednesday. Anilkumar Raveendran, 52, of Sreejalayam, Pathiyoor, Kayamkulam, was held by the security forces under the Houthi-controlled Yemeni government since July 7. He was serving as a security officer on board the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MV Eternity C, which was attacked and later sunk in the Red Sea. Anilkumar told TNIE after arriving fr

KOZHIKODE: Striking a different note on the UDF-Welfare Party election understanding, IUML leader M K Muneer, MLA, said his party can never compromise with the ideology of the Jamaat-e-Islami, the parent organisation of the Welfare Party. Speaking to a Malayalam TV channel, Muneer said he has no hesitation in declaring even in the time of election campaign that there are fundamental differences with the Jamaat. We have spoken and written against the Jamaat and we or they (the Jamaat) do not deno

KOCHI: The trial run for electricity production has successfully resumed at the Moolamattom Power House on Thursday, following the completion of critical maintenance work on the facilitys penstock. The KSEB has issued an urgent warning regarding a potential sudden and significant surge in water level in the canal stretching from Moolamattom to Malankara. The residents on both banks of the river and anyone entering the water should exercise extreme caution as there is a possibility of sudden surg

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When the new councils take charge in Keralas different local bodies later this month, most will have a common problem on their hands waste management. Kerala generates over 10,000 tonnes of solid waste every day. However, despite the state having systems in place to manage it, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Nearly 1,200 local bodies struggle manage the widening gap between waste generation and available infrastructure to handle it. Lack of land, stiff local resistance

KOCHI: With the campaigning for local body elections entering the final stage, farmers organisations have demanded written assurance from candidates on safeguarding the rights of farmers to defend themselves from wild animal attacks. The Kerala Independent Farmers Association (KIFA) and the Catholic Congress have given a call to farmers in the high ranges to get the assurance duly signed by candidates in a prescribed format. The form has been distributed among farmers in the forest fringe areas

ALAPPUZHA: It has been common practice, in the recent past, for government-owned buildings and educational institutions to be used as polling stations. However, a specially designated polling station for leprosy patients at the Leprosy Sanatorium in Nooranad holds a unique place in the states electoral history. The building, constructed in 1934 by the maharaja of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, continues to serve as the polling station for the sanatoriums inmates. According to Muth

THRISSUR: Cultural capital of Kerala. Land of Pooram and festivals. A city designed and built by Cochin King Sakthan Thampuran. The states gold hub. Thrissur is many things. For the BJP, it is also the constituency that gave it its first MP in the state. Understandably, as local body elections near just a week to go all eyes are on Thrissur corporation. Will there be a Suresh Gopi effect? As of now, with the campaigning intensifying, the pulse in the civic body suggests a tight three-way conte

ALAPPUZHA: After years of neglect, the picturesque Pathiramanal Island in Vembanad Lake is receiving a new lease of life. Muhamma panchayat has launched efforts to develop the island, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, into an international tourist destination. A major obstacle to tourism development had been the absence of electricity on the isle. This has now been resolved with the installation of a solar power unit at a cost of Rs 10 lakh. According to panchayat president Swapna Shabu

KOCHI: On February 17, 2017, she was in a pleasant mood when she left her home in Patturaikkal, near Thrissur, for a film shoot in Kochi. She boarded the SUV -- arranged by the production company Lal Creations -- at 7 pm, and was headed to Panampilly Nagar, according to the first information report (FIR). In one and a half hours, her whole world was to turn upside down. It all started when a gang of reportedly three hired gangsters who had been pursuing the actor in the van bearing the name of a

KOCHI: A couple was nabbed for smuggling 11 exotic birds, worth crores, at Cochin International Airport, on Thursday. The suspects, from Malappuram, and their seven-year-old child were intercepted by the air intelligence unit (AIU) of customs officials. The suspects had arrived from Thailand via Kuala Lumpur, customs sources said. Based on specific intelligence, officers intercepted the suspects at the exit gate and detailed examination of their check-in baggages resulted in the recovery of 11 l

KASARAGOD: Bekal, one of the best-preserved forts of Kerala, has appeared in more than 50 films. Yet, it was Tamil song Uyire Tu Hi Re in Hindi from the Mani Ratnam-directorial Bombay (1995) that put it on the tourism map of the cine world. So, it is only fitting that Bekal host the 30th anniversary reunion of the acclaimed Tamil flick. The Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) is organising the geet-together at Bekal Beach on December 20. The films director Mani Ratnam, lead actor Mani

It was something they had dreamt of since they were teenagers. A dream that sprouted from a shared fascination for motorcycles, and the thump. They wanted to be riders. For Shyni C V, that passion has now become as essential as breathing. For Uma Mahesh, the enduring love has slowly turned into a realisation. And for Nishi Khan, it felt like finally coming home. The three women, all in their 40s, recently completed a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride. That teenage dream has now evolved into a lifest

David Lawrence does not consider himself the ideal Christian. Yet every morning, he slips quietly into the Santa Cruz Basilica in Fort Kochi his parish church and spends thirty unhurried minutes there. This is how I begin my day. This is my ritual, my anchor - and has been for many years now. It is essential. To quieten the mind, to reflect, to lift my thoughts, he says. This reverence, David adds, is stirred in part by the intricate frescoes that stretch across the churchs ceiling. They are l

They say a wedding is the most important day of your life. But we believe the life you build together is an important journey, a newly-wed couple wrote on social media recently, explaining why they skipped the banquet halls, the stage lights, the glittering gold, and chose a court marriage and a trip across continents. It was a small post, just a few paragraphs about how they traded an eight-hour performance for something that felt more like themselves. In the comments that followed, young peopl

KOCHI is set to host an evening of poetry, short film screenings, exhibitions, and conversation, all centred on womens voices, perspectives, and creativity. The event is organised by Thambu Womens Theatre Collective, a Dalit women-led group founded in 2020 by theatre artist Athira Nikathil. The collective took shape during the lockdown, when three other membersAhalya Praveen, Krishnapriya Thilakan, and Neethu Chandranjoined Athira, and they staged a play together. The experience made them realis

Heart attack deaths among people under 30 have risen by 40% between 2018 and 2022, increasing from 2,371 to 3,329. For those over 30, the numbers climbed from 23,392 to 29,081 in the same period. Figures like these naturally compel us to fear heart attacks. But do we really need to live in fear? Is it possible to live without constantly worrying about one? Yes, says Dr George Thayil, founding head of the cardiology department at Lourdes Hospital in Kochi. He explains how in his book 'Heart Attac

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major setback for Rahul Mamkootathil MLA, the principal district and sessions court has rejected his anticipatory bail plea assessing that there was evidence against him for forcing the victim to abort her pregnancy. The court proclaimed its verdict in the afternoon after concluding Thursdays hearing that spanned about 25 minutes in a closed court. The court on Wednesday posted the case for the next day for further hearing noting that several documents related to the cas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Left with no other option, the Congress in Kerala expelled Rahul Mamkootathil, MLAwho is facing sexual harassment chargesfrom the party. The action came minutes after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, leaving the leadership with little room to defend or protect him. The court also refused to issue a directive preventing his arrest. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said Rahul has been expelled from the partys primary membership. Th

KOCHI: Filmmaker Jeethu Joseph still remembers the moment Antony Perumbavoor pulled him aside with startling news. Ive got an excellent offer -- and Im closing it, he told the filmmaker. The Rs 115-crore blockbuster of a deal from Mumbai-based Panorama Studios was finalised even before Drishyam 3 was wrapped up. For Mollywood, where rights sales typically happen after a film proves itself at the box office, this was nothing short of a revolution. Panoramas acquisition of the Malayalam rights is

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Ocean region is a highly strategic and critical maritime space, and being positioned at its centre, India bears a special responsibility towards it, said President Droupadi Murmu. Addressing the operational demonstration conducted by the Indian Navy at Shankhumukham beach as part of the Navy Day celebration, she said the country is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining open, stable and rule-based. Stressing the need for ensuring maritime security in the Ind

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Trivandrum Physiatrists Club will host a special sports meet for children with disabilities on Thursday, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025. The event is scheduled at the Sports Authority of India - Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Kariavattom. Nearly 200 children facing diverse challenges, guided by Samagra Shiksha Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram district, will take part in a range of athletic and team events designed to

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will bring together landmark works of three celebrated filmmakers Saeed Akhtar Mirza, Garin Nugroho, and Youssef Chahine through Retrospective and Special Focus sections, from December 12 to 19. Three films by Saeed, one of the leading voices of Indian Parallel Cinema, will be screened in the Retrospective section. They include Naseem (1996), which won two National Film Awards and portrays the growing communal tensions b

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday defended the proposal in BJPs manifesto for Thiruvanthapuram corporation to bring an Olympic event to the capital city, dismissing the criticism raised by General Education Minister V Sivankutty. When the Olympics is coming to India, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Alappuzha, in fact all 14 districts must have their share of participation. When someone presents such a great dream of bringing an Olympic event venue to the state capital, it

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As a MiG-29K fighter jet thundered off from INS Vikrant, there was pin-drop silence among the spectators who had gathered in their thousands along Shankhumukham and other beaches nearby. The might of Vikrant the countrys first indigenous aircraft carrier and the magnificent sight of the jet punching through the skies painted orange by the descending sun was awe-inspiring. The state capital was on Wednesday evening treated to an exhilarating demonstration of operational capa