It is not uncommon these days to find college students and young professionals turning to part-time and online jobs for making a quick buck. The worrisome part is that some of them get lured into traps laid by cybercriminals seeking to exploit this trend. Fraudsters lure individuals into fraudulent schemes that misuse the victims bank and UPI accounts for illegal activities. They disguise themselves as job providers on social media, offering attractive commissions for simple tasks. Once victims

From childhood, Binu C Madhavan had a deep love for comics. With a talent for drawing and a fascination with comic characters, he spent his leisure time creating comic stories using pencil and pen sketches. Now he is set to launch a series of graphic stories based on Aithihyamala. From a young age, I used to think and imagine comic characters, says Binu, a guest lecturer in the department of applied arts at RLV College, Tripunithura. I wrote stories and translated them into pictures as well. As

KOCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided two Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) offices in Kerala on Thursday as part of a nationwide search operation. The raids took place at SDPI offices in Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram. According to sources, ED officials from New Delhi and Chennai conducted the raid, with assistance from the ED Kochi unit. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel provided security for the raiding team. ED has seized several registers, booklets, and bank do

KOLLAM: The four-day 24th CPM State Conference began in Kerala on Thursday, with Politburo member Prakash Karat inaugurating the event at C. Kesavan Memorial Hall. Slamming the UDF for its allegation that the Left has abandoned the fight against fascism, Karat countered that the real threat today is new fascism propagated by far-right governments worldwide, including the Narendra Modi-led Union government. He defined this new fascism as one rooted in prejudice and discrimination against minoriti

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has reportedly introduced a new provision to the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to alter the eligibility criteria for selection and appointment of Pro-VCs in universities. According to the draft amendment bill tabled in the Assembly on Monday, it was laid down that Pro-VC appointments should be carried out from among professors or college principals. As per the new provision, associate professors will be eligible for appointment to the Pro-VC post. The

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid rising cases of substance abuse among students, separate anti-drug campaigns are being planned in higher educational institutions and schools across the state. While the Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD) under the Higher Education Department has planned a campaign named Snehathon, CBSE schools across the state will join hands to implement an initiative named PRAJNA, focused on anti-drug awareness, prevention, and empowerment. Higher Education Minister R Bin

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six newborn babies have found shelter and protection at Ammathottil, the child reception centre under the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare, in the past month alone. The latest arrival is a four-day-old baby girl, weighing 2.48kg, who was placed in the care of Ammathottil at 7.30pm on Tuesday. Earlier that same day, another newborn girl was also received at the centre. These recent arrivals bring the total number of babies received this month to six, including four baby

KOCHI: Kerala Film Chamber and the film bodies on Wednesday decided to hold a discussion with the state government and put on hold the strike planned from June 1. The decision comes following the meeting between the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Saji Cherian, and the general secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber, Saji Nanthyatt. The cultural minister has invited representatives of the film bodies to discuss the issues in the industry. The interventions of multiple government-level departments, i

KOCHI: An online meeting convened by Industries Minister P Rajeeve to discuss severe waterlogging along the banks of the Vembanad in Ernakulam district has decided to expedite steps to remove silt and sediment accumulated on the lake bed. TNIE had highlighted the trials and tribulations of lakeside communities in a report on Wednesday. The meeting, attended by elected representatives and top officials, decided to implement short-term and long-term projects to avoid waterlogging. The local self-g

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to frame rules under the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998, for the effective implementation of anti-ragging norms in the state. A special bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) seeking the courts intervention in the wake of increasing ragging incidents reported at educational in

KOZHIKODE: The forest department has sent a notice to the secretary of Chakkittapara grama panchayat seeking explanation on its controversial decision to shoot wild animals that enter human settlements. On Wednesday, panchayat president K Sunil Kumar made the unusual announcement that Chakkittapara grama panchayat council has decided to shoot wild animals that enter human settlements within the panchayat, which is located in the hilly region of Kozhikode district and ruled by the LDF. The pancha

KOCHI: The CBI on Wednesday arraigned the parents of Walayar sisters in three more cases for abetting the minors sexual abuse and alleged suicide. Earlier, CBI had arraigned the parents- mother and stepfather in six cases. The central agency on Wednesday filed a report before the CBI Court in Kochi for arraigning parents as accused. These cases were earlier closed following the deaths of Pradeep Kumar, a close associate of the parents, and Madhu M alias Kutty Madhu, a cousin of the victims. Howe

This one might seem like a film script: a routine police probe into an abduction case in Aluva unexpectedly uncovers a web of financial fraud spanning several states. The victim here, initially believed to be the kidnapping target, eventually turned out to be a wanted fraudster involved in cheating cases across Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The case came to light on January 26, when Sashi, a 63-year-old lottery vendor from Kurumassery, witnessed a disturbing scene near the Aluva Dist

Bodybuilding has for long remained a male-dominated domain in the state until now. Women, these days, are smashing societal notions to win laurels at competitions. TNIE reporters Anu Kuruvilla & Parvana K B speak to five such iron-willed women who ace at flaunting their beauty, brains and brawn Anju S ...I will kick them Miss Trivandrum Physique 2020, Miss Kerala Physique (for three consecutive years since 2020), and Miss India Fitness 2023 Anju S, 28, has achieved impressive milestones throug

Recently, Kochi was witness to a rare feat. The Playfords, a band that works with German folk tunes and dances, mesmerised the Kerala audience with several old tunes that transport one to a bygone era. With the music that made a population stand up and dance, church hyms from forgotten times, all mixed with modern elements and interpretations, The Playfords opened up a new world in front of Malayalis. The performance was even more special as they collaborated with veena artist Arunitha Mohan. Th

KOCHI: Family-owned business enterprises play a pivotal role in India's economy, contributing 70 per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounting for 80 per cent of all businesses. These enterprises also employ 60 per cent of the nation's workforce, underscoring their significance in driving economic growth, said speakers at the Kerala Family Business Conclave 2025. Speaking at the conclave, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Kochi, R. Dinesh, Immediat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPMs stronghold, Kannur district, has once again cemented its position as the partys largest unit in the country, boasting an impressive 65,550 members. The district unit operates through 18 area committees, 249 local committees, and 4,421 branches. Of the total party members, 33 per cent are womena representation unmatched by any other CPM unit. Two women have been elected as local committee secretaries, while 242 branches are led by women secretaries. Until 2019, the 24 Nor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the Attukal Pongala festival, assessing the arrangements made by various departments. He emphasised the need to ensure clean drinking water and hygienic food for devotees and directed authorities to conduct strict inspections. He also stressed minimising inconvenience to local residents. To enhance safety, 1,000 female police officers will be deployed for the festival, along with 179 CCTV cameras, a main

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The rail and road connectivity projects to Vizhinjam International Seaport will soon become a reality. The construction of 1.7-km road connecting the port and NH-66 is in the last stretch, while the rail link is expected to be completed by 2028. Port Minister V N Vasavan on Tuesday informed the assembly that the land acquisition for the proposed rail connectivity project linking the port and Balaramapuram railway station is in the final stages. The minister highlighted that t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a setback to the state government in its move to appoint two bodybuilders as inspectors in the armed battalion, Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has put on hold the cabinet decision pertaining to their appointments. The tribunal put a temporary freeze on the appointments of Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chovva on a petition filed by an armed police sub-inspector, who challenged the cabinet decision as it would hinder his promotion. The appointments have been kept in abe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent activities by individuals and organisations claiming to offer jobs at the Vizhinjam International Port. It has come to our attention that money is being extorted from gullible youths through fake job offers sent via email and WhatsApp. We want to make it clear that no agency has been appointed for recruitment at Vizhinjam International Port, Managing Director of VISL, Divya S Iyer, stated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has initiated procedures for the auctioning of bauxite blocks in Kasaragod, Industries Principal Secretary A P M Mohammed Hanish has said. Speaking at the foundation day celebrations of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), he praised the GSI for discovering bauxite reserves in the district that opened up big opportunities for the state at a crucial time. Hanish described the GSI as an unsung hero for its contributions to geological research. As part of t

KOCHI: Amid a spate of ragging incidents in the state, the High Court on Tuesday formed a special bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C Jayachandran to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to eliminate ragging in educational institutions. The bench will take up the case at 1.45pm on Wednesday. The court made the decision when the PIL filed by the Kerala State Legal Service Authority (KeLSA) seeking to form state-level and district-level monitoring committees to ens

PALAKKAD: In the forests of Attappadi, where life follows the rhythms of the seasons, a remarkable project is transforming the lives of tribal communities who have long relied on the land for their livelihood. The Vanaamritham (roughly, nectar of the forest) scheme, launched by the forest department in 2022, is offering these communities a new way to earn while helping them take care of their ancestral land and protect the environment. The project focuses on the collection of medicinal plants, a

KOCHI: From Thanneermukkom to Purappillikavu, hundreds of hamlets located on the banks of Vembanad lake are witnessing mass exodus. Residents, mostly daily wagers, are forced to abandon their homes and shift to rented accommodation due to severe waterlogging. Normally, the water level in the lake rises during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November-December) but recedes within a month. However, there is no respite this time, and the water level remains high as the sea level has gone up due t

KOCHI: Pointing out that the Karuvanur Cooperative Bank case represents one of the largest and most damaging frauds in the cooperative history of Kerala, the amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court has filed a report stating that most cooperative societies are dominated by political parties, making them vulnerable to corruption and favouritism. The report highlighted that administrative members are appointed based on political connections rather than merit, and these connections often s

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Industries Minister P Rajeeve on Tuesday said that Expressions of Interest (EoIs) worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore were received during the Invest Kerala Global Summit held recently in Kochi. During the question hour, the minister said that the focus should now be on implementing the current investment promises. He emphasised that discussion should not be about investment summits held by previous governments or future summits. He said that cooperation from everyone is essential to mo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 2002, which allow deep-sea mineral mining off the coast. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressed concerns about the potential harm to marine wealth, ecology, and the livelihoods of fishermen. It was passed without discussion amid protests by UDF members on an issue related to the adjournm

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has announced Rs 4.5 crore cash prize for the state team that finished runners-up in the recent Ranji Trophy tournament. KCA president Jayesh George made the announcement during the felicitation ceremony organised by the association for the team. The prize, he said, will be distributed among players and the team management. The BCCI cash award of Rs 3 crore is already awaiting the squad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief guest, sa

KOCHI: Observing that registering a Pocso case against the mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old child based on the complaint of the father is unfortunate, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted bail to the mother in the case. Kodungallur police had registered a case against the mother for allegedly committing sexual assault on her daughter. The court noted that there is a matrimonial dispute between the couple and a dispute regarding the custody of the child. The husband filed a complaint stati

KOZHIKODE: Clearing the decks for the construction of the Kozhikode-Wayanad twin tube tunnel road, the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has approved the project, albeit with 25 conditions, which include ensuring appropriate safety precautions After considering the project in eight meetings, the panel approved the construction of a four-lane twin tunnel road with a four-lane approach road the Rs 1643.33-crore project is being built as an alternative to the Thamarassery Ghat Road in

KOZHIKODE: One more student was taken into police custody and sent to the Observation Home in Vellimadukunnu on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Class 10 student Muhammad Shahabaz in Thamarassery. With this, the number of students accused in the case has gone up to six. Police found that the sixth student was also involved in the gang attack on Shahabaz. The accused, who is studying in Class 10 at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School Thamarassery in Korangad, was produced before

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health, Woman and Child Development Minister Veena George on Tuesday stated that all necessary procedures to prevent ragging have been implemented in the medical colleges under the Directorate of Medical Education in the state. The minister also said that if any incidents of ragging are reported, they will be informed to the police within 24 hours and the accused will be temporarily expelled from the hostel. The minister was responding to questions in the Legislative Assembly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Afan, the accused in the Venjaramoodu mass murder case, was shifted from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital to Poojappura Central Jail on Tuesday. The decision to shift Afan was made after a medical board confirmed that he was physically fit and no longer required hospitalisation. Afan had been under treatment for eight days following his arrest. There had been concerns over his fluctuating platelet count and other health issues that delayed his transfer initially sc

KOZHIKODE: The Sunni group, led by Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar, has decided to establish a private university in Kerala. The mushawara of the Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama that met on Monday decided to set apart Rs 100 crore for the development of infrastructure for the proposed university. The university will streamline the activities of different educations under Samastha. Research will be encouraged on how to modernise traditional ed

With the usual roads leading to Edappally often chocked with traffic, there has arisen a need for commuters to find other ways around the snarl-up. Pipeline Road in Thrikkakara is one such alternative. Though neglected for decades, the spike in movement on this stretch has seen local administration allotting money and resources for its upgradation in recent years. Now, the road offers almost seamless passage for commuters headed towards Lulu Mall in Edappally, Thrikkakara or Palarivattom. The in

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou Every writer has a story waiting to be told. But sometimes, fear of judgment or self-doubt holds them back. But in Thiruvananthapuram, this is no longer an issue. The city has growing communities for writers to support and uplift them in every possible way. Whether its poetry circles, writers meetups, or creative workshops, these groups bring people together and encourage them to grow through their words. Here are t

Stepping out into the sun seems like the last thing anyone would want to do as Kerala sizzles with soaring temperatures and record-high UV index. But for most, avoiding the heat isnt an option. In this sweltering weather, theres often a tendency to grab whatevers at hand in the wardrobe anything light and airy is deemed good enough. While its hard to escape the discomfort of heat and sweat, its important not to compromise on style in the process. The 2025 summer collections prioritise lightweig

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar announced that the KSRTC would give salaries to employees on the first of every month. KSRTC requires close Rs 80 crore for salaries. The money will be arranged through a Rs 100 crore overdraft at 10.8% interest from SBI, which shall be repaid using the monthly government aid of Rs 50 crore and the collection money. The minister explained that the effort was to reduce the interest burden as low as possible through early repayment. The money

KOCHI: Kochi's Mahakavi G Sankara Kurup Memorial Cultural Centre was vandalised by unidentified persons in the wee hours of Tuesday. An earth-mover machine parked nearby was also torched. The cultural centre located atAbraham Madamakkal Road near Marine Drive was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in February last year. The Centre hosts cultural events and art exhibitions on a regular basis. According to Prathapan K K, a watchman, he and his colleague made a security round and went i

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Opposition UDF has strongly criticised the Kerala government over the low wages of ASHA workers, demanding that they receive a retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh. The issue sparked a heated debate in the Legislative Assembly, with Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan warning that the UDF would intensify its protest if the government failed to act. Satheeshan urged the Chief Minister to hold discussions with ASHA workers, similar to how the Karnataka Chief Minister addressed th

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has arrested SDPI national president MK Faizy under the anti-money laundering law, official sources said on Tuesday. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), founded in 2009 and headquartered in Delhi, is alleged to be the political front of the now banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Faizy, according to the sources, was taken into custody on Monday night from the Delhi international airport under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED h

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A two-day national conference on making the Emergency Department paediatric-ready concluded in Thiruvananthapuram. Close to 300 doctors participated in the two-day event, with 49 faculty members from India and abroad leading the sessions. KIMSHEALTH, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) Trivandrum Chapter, IAP Kerala Chapter, and IAP Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Chapter, jointly organised the conference. Dr M I Sahadulla, Chairman and Managing Director, KIMSHEALTH i

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Preparations are in full swing for the smooth conduct of much-anticipated Attukal Pongala festival which holds the world record for the largest gathering of women for a religious activity in the state capital. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will hold a final review meeting on the eve of the 10-day long Attukal Pongala festival, which will kick off in the state capital on Wednesday. The annual pongala offering will be held on March 13. With only a day left for the 10-day lo

KOCHI: While the catchy tagline Deliver anywhere in Kerala in 16 hours has worked wonders for KSRTCs Courier & Parcel venture, it has also resulted in its customers queuing up with perishable items like vegetables and fish. The quick delivery, however, attracted a lot of customers with consignment stocks of short-lived supplies. As a result, complaints regarding perishable goods transit began to pour in. Finally the KSRTC has stopped accepting easily-spoiled consignments amid its burgeoning busi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vizhinjam International Seaport handled the maximum number of cargoes among the 15 ports in the eastern and southern regions of the country in February 78,833 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) from 40 ships. The port managed more cargo than the Chennai port which led the chart in the region in January. Lauding the achievement, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the port was able to do amazing work just eight months after the trial run and three months after the comme

KOCHI: After having resided in Muscat, Dubai, Sharjah, and later, the US with their kids, Thrissur natives Mallika Paul and her husband decided to return to Kerala to spend their retired lives here. However, when her husbands health took a hit and the pandemic struck, Mallika moved to an assisted living facility with him after a brief stay at their Thrissur home. As an elderly couple, we found it difficult to stay at our home. Also, when my husbands health worsened, we had to depend on a home nu

MALAPPURAM: Shibu Vettom, an artist from Pariyapuram in Vettom panchayat, has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution. As part of the campaign, he has created an installation featuring plastic bottles pouring from a water pipe positioned 340 centimetres above a globe, symbolising the uncontrolled spread of plastic waste. Shibu said that the campaign will be conducted at multiple locations, both within and beyond the district. At each venue, the installation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state governments LIFE Mission, which provides free housing to the homeless, stimulated construction activity in the housing sector, a report from the economics and statistics department has said. The post-Covid boom in the sector led to a price rise of materials, the Annual average market price of building materials and labour wages 2022-23 report showed. Kerala, like elsewhere, witnessed a construction-sector slump during the pandemic. The number of newly constructed bu

KOZHIKODE: The five students accused in the Thamarassery Shahabaz murder case, wrote their SSLC examinations on Monday at a specially arranged exam centre inside the Vellimadukunnu Juvenile Home, where they are currently lodged. This move by the authorities came in the wake of strong protests from opposition student and youth organisations, leading to the detention of around 85 protesters. The Juvenile Justice Board had granted permission for the accused to appear for the examination. However, d