THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second day of the 17th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) turned into a vibrant space of dialogue and discovery, as nearly 20 young filmmakers interacted with audiences, sharing the stories behind their films and the struggles of bringing them to life. Organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the week-long festival, which opened on Friday at the Kairali Theatre in the capital, will showcase over 300 films from across the world.

KOZHIKODE: MP Shafi Parambil has said that he had not received any complaint from anyone against Rahul Mamkootathil , who resigned from the post of Youth Congress state president over allegations of sexual misconduct. Rahul resigned immediately after the controversy erupted, he told reporters in Vadakara. There is no FIR or any other finding against him, Shafi said. The MP said the resignation is an important step at this point of time, adding that the CPM or BJP didnt show such a gesture when t

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday called for making air travel more accessible to the public by reducing travel and operational costs. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Kerala Aviation Summit, organised by Kochi Airport and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, he said that planned interventions are required for the development of the aviation sector. Policies and incentives are necessary to promote industries in the aviation sector. Air travel need

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Congress is facing its worst crisis in recent years ahead of crucial elections after more evidence has emerged against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil , the group equations in the organisation are also being redrawn. Congress sources told TNIE that the complaints received by KPCC against Rahul has risen to 19. This is in sharp contrast to the claims made by KPCC leadership that they have not received any complaints through email, phone or in writing. There is also a gr

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversial Akkulam glass bridge touted as the longest bridge and a key adventure infrastructure in the state is ready for opening. The expert panel constituted by the state government has given safety clearance for the glass bridge, which had sparked concerns after cracks appeared even before its inauguration last year. Ratheesh C S, president of VYBECoS (Vattiyoorkavu Youth Brigade Entrepreneurs Cooperative Society) the agency that implemented the project said tha

Shaik Khader Rahman, chief commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Customs, Kerala, has been successful in increasing GST revenue and reducing litigations in the state. An IRS officer with 32 years of service, he has won accolades by reducing smuggling and developing IT architecture for tax officers, besides serving as a defence counsel in the Tax Tribunal. In an interaction with TNIE, he shares his thoughts on a wide range of issues connected to commerce in Kerala. Excerpts Wh

IDUKKI: Residents of Edamalakkudy on Saturday evening were forced to carry the body of a five-year-old boy in a coffin on their shoulders through 10 km of dense forest to reach their settlement. This heart-rending incident has once again exposed the neglect faced by the states first tribal panchayat. In the absence of a motorable road, the arduous journey, through paths frequented by wild animals is the only way to reach the childs remote settlement in Koodalarkudi. Karthik, son of Moorthi and U

KOCHI: Thanks to the Union governments decision to reduce the import duty on gold from 15% to 6%, gold smuggling through airports has seen a steep decline. However, Kerala is witnessing a spike in the smuggling of another contraband: hybrid ganja. From nil in 2022-23, 89.11 kg of hybrid ganja was confiscated in 2024-25 from airports in the state. This jumped to 129.68 kg in the first seven months of the current year. There has been a decline in gold smuggling, but the bigger concern for Kerala i

KOCHI: On one moment, off the next the Messi-coming-to-Kerala saga has kept fans on edge for nearly a year. Now, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that Lionel Messi and Argentina's World Cup-winning will come to Kerala between November 10 and 18, 2025. Information about the 2025 international friendlies that will face the national team led by Lionel Scaloni: In FIFA date for the month of October, between the dates 6th and the 14th, will be played in the United States, and f

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy surrounding Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil deepened on Saturday after a fresh audio clip surfaced, allegedly featuring a conversation between him and a woman who has accused him of sexual misconduct. In the phone conversation, which has been circulating on social media, the woman is heard resisting the MLAs alleged demand. When she raises concerns about her safety, a male voice, claimed to be Rahuls, responds: If I wanted to kill you, how much time do you thi

A curious crowd is thronging the Kairali Theatre, which is hosting the 17th edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy from August 22 to 27. The festival was inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian. It was followed by the screening of the opening film From Ground Zero, a collective work of 22 Palestinian filmmakers that showcases the untold stories of the Gaza genocide. IDSFFK 2025s film li

KOCHI: Allegations against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA will be thoroughly investigated, and action will be taken without looking at anyones face, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said on Saturday. His remarks come two days after Mamkootathil stepped down as state president of the Youth Congress, and amid speculation on whether he will also resign as MLA. Satheesan pointed out that there was not even a single formal complaint against Mamkootathil, yet he relinquished his party post within 24 hours o

KOLLAM: The Kerala High Court has ordered an inquiry against V Udayakumar, Judge of the Family Court, Chavara, after a woman complainants accused him of sexual misbehaviour. The High Courts Administrative Committee (AC) directed the Registrar to conduct the probe and submit a report, which will be considered by the committee on Tuesday. The inquiry was initiated after a woman litigant submitted a written complaint to the Principal District Judge, Kollam, alleging that the sexual misconduct occur

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As pressure mounts on Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil to step down from his post following allegations of sexual misconduct, General Education Minister V Sivankutty has urged him to stay away from an official meeting to constitute the organising committee of the State School 'Shatrolsavam' (Science Fair) to be held in Palakkad on Monday (August 25). Rahul, in his capacity as Palakkad MLA, was scheduled to chair the meeting. The science fair is slated to be held in Palakkad d

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For commuters in the state capital, the very sight of those compact red-and-white electric buses of KSRTC, that easily negotiate busy city roads and help them reach their destinations on time, brings immense relief. Regular passengers may easily recollect the route number and the corresponding colour codes assigned to them. However, visitors and tourists to the city are often left clueless. Now, help is at hand for them. A website, fully designed by Keerthana Sara Kiran, a se

PALAKKAD: The Kollengode police have registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by Adivasi Samrakshana Sangham state president Mariyappan K, alleging that his relative and tribal person, 75-year-old Thirunavukkarasu, went missing around 11 pm on Thursday. Thirunavukkarasu was the person who discovered that 54-year-old Chambukkuzhi Vellayan, a member of the Eravallan tribal community and a resident of Moochakundu in Muthalamada, had been allegedly locked for five days inside a farm-stay named W

KOCHI: On once, off the next the Messi-to-Kerala saga has kept fans on edge for nearly a year. Now, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that Lionel Messi and Argentinas World Cup-winning squad are scheduled to play two international friendlies at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, between November 10 and 18, 2025. Yet, going by past uncertainties, supporters are celebrating with cautious optimism. FIFA date for the month of October between 6 and 14 will

KOTTAYAM: For Malayalis around the world, the image of a rotund man with a prominent moustache, holding an umbrella made from palm fronds, serves as a cherished symbol of Onam. The figure represents the mythical king Mahabali aka Maveli, who, as the legend goes, visits his beloved subjects on the day of Thiruvonam. Mavelis traditional portrayal, as a man with a notable pot belly, was meant to embody the spirit of abundance and property. However, this characterisation raises an intriguing questio

PALAKKAD: In a shocking case of atrocity against a tribal person, a 54-year-old man was allegedly locked up, starved and assaulted for five days by the owner and employees of a farm stay located around 6km from Muthalmada in Palakkad. Chambukkuzhi Vellayan, a resident of Moochakundu near Muthalamada, was rescued late on Thursday night by residents and Kollengode police. Belonging to the Eravallan tribal community, Vellayan is currently undergoing treatment at the Palakkad District Hospital. Kalp

KOCHI: A man suspected of theft was allegedly subjected to brutal assault by police officials in Muvattupuzha, raising serious questions about the spirit of Janamaithri policing. Amal Antony, 35, of Vallikkada, was allegedly assaulted brutally by cops after he was taken into custody over suspicion of stealing an inverter battery from a flower shop in Muvattupuzha town. He was later released without any charges as the police found he was not guilty. The incident took place around noon on August 1

KOCHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday presented Mission 2026, a 21-point strategy for the BJP to secure power in Kerala in the 2026 assembly elections. Addressing the partys state-level office-bearers at Hotel Renai in Kochi, he said the BJP will present a development agenda before the people, which will offer a solution for the overall development of the state. The development alternative presented by Amit Shah offers a solution for the development, economic and security challenges fac

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Rahul Mamkootathil saga could well turn out to be a spoiler for the new-found unity within both the Congress and the UDF. Resentment has been brewing within the party and the front over the way the entire episode has unfolded. While a section within the Congress and the UDF feel that the leadership should not have promoted such an individual, even after allegations against him came to its attention a couple of years ago, a few others feel that the Congress leadership has

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At 1pm Thursday, some senior most Congress leaders were closely watching the press meet of Rahul Mamkootathil, as he announced his decision to step down from the Youth Congress state president post after an actor and another woman accused him of indecent conduct. Some leaders, travelling by road, stopped their vehicle on the roadside and watched each word Rahul spoke. And they were disappointed with his performance, as one leader told TNIE: I think Rahul still believes he is

KOZHIKODE: A new case of the rare but deadly brain infection, amoebic meningoencephalitis, was confirmed on Friday. The infection was detected in a 47-year-old man from Chelambra, Malappuram, who is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College. According to health officials, the patient had been suffering from persistent fever for the past 20 days and was admitted to the hospital when his condition worsened. Laboratory analysis of fluid samples conducted on Thursday confirmed the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Highlighting the governments commitment to strengthening public transportation, Finance Minister K N Balagopal stated that the KSRTC receives an average of Rs 4 crore in daily financial support from the state. Over the past nine years, the government has allocated Rs 11,600 crore to support the sector. If there is no transport system in the public sector, the private sector transport system will also not be good, said the minister after inaugurating Transpo 2025, jointly orga

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Talk about taking the right step. The Kerala Police, which decided to go for the gait analysis of a bank heist suspect, struck gold after the test confirmed that his walking pattern matched with the perpetrator caught in CCTV visuals. In a criminal probe, gait analysis involves comparing the walking pattern or gait signature of a person, often a suspect, to the one in a surveillance footage. The Thrissur rural district police decided to go for the gait analysis of Rijo Antony

KANNUR: The Kerala Polices K9 squad has found unlikely stars in its beagle unit. The five female beagles, trained to detect explosives, have become instant crowd-pullers-both at inspection points and on social media. Unlike the usual intimidating image of police dogs, these floppy-eared officers have charmed the public with their petite size and playful demeanor. Leading the pack is Lovely from the Kannur K9 force, now affectionately known as Cute Lovely. She has become a selfie magnet, drawing

KOCHI: Taking a decisive step in shaping its aviation future, Kerala is hosting its first gathering of industry players. The two-day Kerala Aviation Summit 2025 will commence on Saturday at the Taj Cochin International Airport Hotel, Kochi. It is being jointly organised by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The summit will serve as a platform to attract investment, foster innovation and lay out the states vision of

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rallying behind its disgraced legislator, the Congress leadership in the state has decided to ignore the mounting political pressure for Rahul Mamkootathils resignation as MLA. It has also ruled out any party probe against Rahul, who stepped down as Youth Congress state chief on Thursday, following harassment allegations. KPCC president Sunny Joseph, after consultations with Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and the three PCC working presidents, came to the conclusion on Fri

An eager crowd gathers as Veliyathunadu Junction, about 15km from the busy Kalamassery town, wakes up to a beautiful sunrise on Friday. Some trickle down the verdant fields, others round up at nearby tea stalls and grocery shops. They are waiting to welcome their beloved Kadamban Moothan. One can sense his arrival from a distance. The atmosphere changes. A pleasant breeze sweeps through the rustic locale. Birds coo and chirp in chorus, and the orangish-red sun peeps from the horizon. Kadamban Mo

For a state blessed with an extensive shoreline and a plethora of water bodies such as lakes, rivers and backwaters, operating seaplane services would be beneficial in boosting Keralas tourism prospects and aiding in its mission to become an aviation hub in the country. Though various proposals were mooted over the years, nothing concrete materialised until very recently. In 2024, a seaplane conducted a trial flight from the Kochi backwaters to Mattupetty dam near Munnar under the UDAN (Ude Desh

With Onam round the corner, the seasons shopping whirlwind has already begun. Whether its for college events, office festivities, family gatherings, or that perfect Instagram post, this years fashion spread appears to offer more choices than ever. This year, fashion is a beautiful mix of nostalgia and reinvention, offering something for every mood and generation. There is a real boom in the Onam market this year, says designer Treesa Josh. It feels like a creative race, in the best way, with eve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Madhav Suresh, son of Union Minister Suresh Gopi, was taken into police custody late Thursday night following a road rage incident involving Congress leader Vinod Krishna near Sasthamangalam. The incident occurred around 11 pm when Madhav, en route to Vellayambalam, allegedly came dangerously close to Vinods car as the KPCC member attempted a U-turn. A verbal altercation ensued, which reportedly escalated when Madhav allegedly obstructed Vinods vehicle on the busy Vella

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant intervention to revive Keralas struggling coir sector, the state government has announced the formation of a yarn bank to tackle the acute shortage of coir fibre. Industries and Coir Minister P. Rajeeve said the project, with an allocation of Rs 5 crore, is intended to ensure a steady supply of fibre to units across the state and safeguard the livelihoods of more than two lakh workers, nearly 80 percent of them women. The yarn bank will be jointly managed by

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 17th edition of Isha Gramotsavam, one of the largest rural sports festivals, will kick off in six districts of the state from August 23. Over 700 players from across the state are expected to participate, forming more than 140 teams. Matches will be held in Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The festival unfolds in three stages: cluster level, divisional level, and the grand finale. The cluster-level matches will take place

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government on Thursday asked schools not to set out on excursions during night hours and said they should ensure proper parking space within their premises for all vehicles that ferry students to and from campus. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said orders restricting night excursions were issued earlier but some institutions were flouting it. He also said the practice of some private schools of excluding students who cannot afford the excursion, should be curbed.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday launched the Kerala Fibre Optic Network Ltds (K-FON) OTT services, while asserting that the state government would not succumb to pressure from vested interests trying to block the project or obstruct Keralas wider development initiatives. The government will never bend down to such pressure. K-FON will continue to grow and we will move ahead with our agenda of comprehensive development, he said. The CM noted that K-FON had already

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a gap of nearly four years, the Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre at Vandithadam, Thiruvallam, has resumed operations. The facility, which was shut down in 2021 following High Court intervention over pollution concerns and alleged animal rights violations, has a capacity to sterilise more than 100 dogs per month. The High Court had sealed the facility following reports on death of stray dogs brought for sterilisation at the ABC centre. The corporation only had one opera

KOCHI: Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), in partnership with the CVJ Centre for Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, on Thursday launched Indias first-ever MTech programme in Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing a landmark step towards shaping the countrys future in biotechnology. This cutting-edge, two-year postgraduate programme places India firmly on the global map of advanced biotech education, equipping students to design organisms, engineer biological systems, and

KOCHI: Until now, an archaic rule had prevented women from starting a homestay business in their houses, which were owned by their husbands who either worked abroad or in other states. But, soon that will change. Bringing hope to many homemakers who can earn a livelihood from the comfort of their home, a meeting of high-level officials of the Local Self-government Department, under the chairmanship of the director of tourism, Shikha Surendran, has decided to permit a wife or a husband to run a h

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed that a committee be constituted to formulate an interim traffic management plan for the congested EdappallyMannuthy National Highway stretch near the Paliyekkara toll plaza. The Bench noted reports of a 12-hour block on the stretch and observed that a permanent solution must be found to address the issue. The court said: A monitoring committee should be in place to ensure that traffic is not affected. Perhaps because there is no toll at present,

KOZHIKODE: Health authorities on Thursday confirmed a new case of amoebic meningoencephalitis (AME), commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba, in the younger brother of nine-year-old Anaya, who recently died of the disease. The seven-year-old boy, whose name has not been disclosed, tested positive and is now undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where his condition is stable. The new case brings the total number of patients currently under treatment for the dise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The customary announcement on the Murajapam-Lakshadeepam rituals at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple was made at a colourful function at the temple. Actor Mohanlal received the vilambara pathrika from members of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. He also lit the sacred lamp as part of the function. In his brief address, Mohanlal said he got a blessed responsibility, bestowed upon him by the Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy. My father was a government official who served in Sree Padma

KOCHI: Amid ongoing allegations against MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil , a formal complaint was filed against him at the Ernakulam central police station on Thursday evening. The complaint was filed by advocate Shinto Sebastian, who called for criminal proceedings against Rahul in the wake of alleged abortion claims through the media. Moreover, he also filed a complaint with the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights alleging that Rahul coerced a woman into undergoing an abortion. The complain

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as Rahul Mamkootathil stepped down as Youth Congress state president, the CPM and the BJP have mounted attacks on the Congress for protecting the young MLA. While demands have come from various corners for Rahuls resignation as Palakkad MLA, the Yuva Morcha took out a protest march to Cantonment House, the official residence of Opposition Leader V D Satheesan. The Congress leadership cannot evade responsibility with respect to the sexual harassment allegations against Ra

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that after achieving full literacy, Kerala has once again set a model by becoming the first state in India to achieve complete digital literacy . Declaring Kerala as the first fully digitally literate state in the country at a function held in Thiruvananthapuram, the chief minister said that as part of the second phase of the Digi Kerala project, every essential documents of citizens will be digitised and linked to DigiLocker.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The appointment of permanent vice-chancellors in APJ Kalam Technological University and Digital University, Kerala, is likely to be further caught up in legal wrangles. Governor Rajendra Arlekar is set to file a modification petition in the Supreme Court against its order constituting a VC search panel without a nominee of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Through the petition, the Raj Bhavan will seek an amendment to the order that constituted a search committee with f

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil from the post of Youth Congress state president, the national leadership has started looking for a new president to replace him. Five names are under active consideration of the Youth Congress national leadership. They are national general secretary Binu Chulliyil, state vice-presidents Abin Varkey, O J Janeesh, former KSU state president K M Abhijith and Congress leader J S Akhil. Of these, Akhils name had been proposed by late CM

KOCHI: The Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) conducted the keel-laying ceremony for a state-of-the-art hybrid service operation vessel (SOV) for North Star Shipping (Aberdeen) Ltd, UK. The ceremony was officiated by North Star Shipping chief technology officer James Bradford, who laid the keel in the presence of North Star Shipping special projects division head Michael Reid, director, finance, Jose V J, executive director Harikrishnan S and CSL officials. North Star Shipping is a pioneer in the offshor

KOCHI: In the current scenario regarding higher education institutions, the primary factor that prompts students to pursue a course is the job prospects it offers. Placements have been a significant aspect of technical education. Now, even ITI institutions and arts and science colleges are making a concerted effort to secure placements for their students. In contrast, law colleges, especially Government Law Colleges, still have a considerable distance to cover. Speaking to TNIE, Safi Mohan, assi