THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A major drug trafficking gang has been arrested by the Thiruvananthapuram Rural Dansaf team on Friday. The four-member group was caught with 308 grams of MDMA, worth over `15 lakh in the market. The drugs were seized after two rounds of checking. Initially, 175 grams of MDMA was found hidden on one of the accused, a woman, during a body search. On further inspection, 133 grams more was found. The group had been under secret surveillance for some time. Those arrested are Shami

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NORKA) in association with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will host the Global Mobility Conclave 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram on October 7 as it looks to set new benchmarks in ethical and innovative overseas recruitment. The one-day event, organised in collaboration with the Protector of Emigrants (Thiruvananthapuram & Cochin) at Hycinth Hotel, is expected to bring together voices from the government, international migratio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC have announced their full squad and coaching team for the Super League season 2. The line-up combines experienced international players with young domestic talent. The teams jersey was unveiled and handed over to franchise owner T J Mathew by former state police chief Jacob Punnoose at the event held on Friday. The team will be led by Head Coach James McAloon, supported by Assistant Coach Kali, Goalkeeping Coach Balaji Narasimhan and Strength

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is planning to open more Eco Banks across Kerala following the positive public response to the initiative launched recently to facilitate proper disposal of inorganic and non-biodegradable waste. Currently, there are 14 Eco Banks, one each in every district. Now, the local self-government department (LSGD) has decided to establish a minimum of four centres in each district to ensure hassle free service to citizens. Since the Eco Banks initiative was rolle

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Pocso court has sentenced Hassan Kutty, 45, also known as Kabeer, to 67 years of rigorous imprisonment in the case where a two-year-old girl was kidnapped and raped. A fine of `12 lakh has also been imposed. Hassan Kutty had been accused in a Pocso case earlier too. The incident happened on February 19, 2024. The girl was sleeping on the roadside near Chackai with her parents, who had come to Kerala from Hyderabad to sel

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A woman suffered injuries after a concrete slab fell from the roof of the Nedumangad District Hospital building on Thursday. The injured, relative of a patient, has been identified as Naufiya Noushad, (21). The incident happened while she was waiting with her relative to consult a doctor at the PMR section. The slab reportedly fell on her left arm and the back of her shoulder. Naufiya was admitted to the hospital soon. When an X-ray was required, the hospitals machine was fou

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capitals thriving street food culture, which has become a key part of nightlife in areas such as Sasthamangalam, Vellayambalam and Vazhuthacaud, is facing curbs and eviction following intervention by the police. There are over 100 food joints, including trucks and makeshift stalls, operating along these stretches serving budget-friendly meals for the public. Despite repeated demands, the city corporation has failed to designate street vending zones in the capital. Accordi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands of children made their first step into the world of knowledge and arts in the capital city on Vidyarambham day. The Vijayadashami celebrations, held in various parts of Thiruvananthapuram, saw toddlers write their first letters, some with tears, and some with wide smiles. Over 1,000 students participated in the ceremony at the Saraswathi Devi Temple at Poojappura, the most significant Vidyarambham centre in the district. The curious kids were taken to the new world

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar flagged off the sixth edition of the Fit India Freedom Run, organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI LNCPE), Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday. Marking the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi, the programme celebrated the twin ideals of Swachchhta and Swasthya (cleanliness and health), as over 700 runners, including students, athletes, coaches, officials, and SAI staff, lined up at the Kowdiar Square. The 5-km run concluded at the Central Sta

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Pravasi Federation has urged Air India to immediately withdraw its reported decision to cancel around 50 flight services to Kerala starting October 26. In a statement, the organisations leadership expressed deep concern over the move, warning that it would severely affect connectivity for the Malayali diaspora in the Gulf countries, especially Kuwait. According to the federation, if the decision is implemented, there will be no direct Air India flights from Kuwait to Kera

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Manickal panchayat in Venjarammoodu and nearby areas are growing anxious as over a dozen homes have been broken into in the past few months. Houses in Aaliyadu, Parakkal, Puthayam, Cheenivila and nearby pockets have been repeatedly targeted, with residents reporting almirahs flung open, clothes scattered, and cash drawers looted. In some cases, stolen items were bizarrely found dumped in other nearby homes. We initially ignored some incidents, thinking they were

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Union Minister V Muraleedharan said that the monastic tradition at Santhigiri Ashram reflects the vision of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, who upheld the relevance of sanyasa and Indian spiritual heritage as a path to self-realisation in society. He was speaking at the public meeting held at the ashram in connection with the 41st Sanyasa Deeksha Anniversary. Muraleedharan said that the Indian tradition considers a sanyasi as someone who works for the welfare of the wo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With local body elections fast approaching, Thiruvananthapuram corporation is gearing up to open two major multi-level car parking (MLCP) facilities at Medical College Hospital and East Fort this month. The new MLCPs are expected to ease traffic congestion and parking woes in two of the busiest parts of the capital city. Works standing committee chairperson Medayil Vikraman told TNIE that both MLCPs will be inaugurated before October 20. The new parking facility at MCH has th

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A pillar at Vadakkekotta (North Fort) in Thiruvananthapuram, which stands just before the Government Taluk hospital here, was severely damaged after a vehicle crashed into it on Saturday. Maintained by the archaeological department, the pillar is at least 250 years old. The incident took place around 1.15 am when a trailer crashed into the pillar, said officials working with the archaeology department. They suspect that a possible deviation taken by the trailer due to the ong

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has hit out at a section of aided school managements that accused it of delaying approval of staff appointments citing implementation of a Supreme Court order on reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). In a strongly worded statement, General Education Minister V Sivankutty urged the aided managements not to mislead the public on approval of appointments. The minister said the situation has arisen as aided managements have under-reported the vacan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A challenge to media freedom is a challenge against democracy and critical thinking, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday. He was speaking after the official inauguration of the International Media Festival of Kerala 2025 organised by the Kerala Media Academy at Tagore Theatre in the state capital. Pinarayi highlighted the mounting challenges faced by the media. Once, the media was regarded as a pillar of democracy. Now things have changed a lot. Critics of adminis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The corporation council meeting held on Monday discussed flooding issues and the delay in opening of Veli breakwater that led to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas in the state capital in the recent rains. UDF councillor P Padmakumar, who raised the issue, said that various corporation wards lying close to the National Highways including Muttathara, Manickavilakam, Puthenpally, Thiruvallam and Vellar areas are facing severe waterlogging. The stormwater drains under NHAI a

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A father-son duo escaped from police custody on Sunday morning. Kulathupuzha natives Syedali, 22, and his father Ayoob Khan, 60, were accused of robbing three shops in Palode. They were caught from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad on Saturday, and were being brought back to Palode by the police when the duo escaped near Kadakkal, Kollam. The accused said that they wanted to urinate while coming back early on Sunday morning, by around 4 am. The duo immediately escaped when the vehic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Igniting young professional minds, the Shaping Young Minds Programme (SYMP) 2025, organised by Trivandrum Management Association (TMA), in association with the All India Management Association (AIMA), saw experts from various industries take part. The programme, which saw close to 1000 delegates, including invited guests, students, and young professionals, was held at the Uday Palace Convention Centre here on Sunday. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Air Marshal I P Vipin (

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The District Development Committee meeting held at the collectorate here discussed development programmes and schemes across various segments, including Kovalam, Parassala, Neyyattinkara and Vattiyoorkavu assembly constituencies and the Attingal Lok Sabha constituency. Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth called for steps to repair the street lights in the city. He demanded the effective utilisation of land owned by the Kerala Water Authority in Peroorkada. He also called for more

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will initiate steps to build a comprehensive ecosystem for senior citizens, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh said in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The minister was speaking at the Sherpa Senior Conclave organised by the Overseas Keralites Investment and Holding Limited (OKIH) at the Government Guest House. Mentioning the rising share of Keralas elderly population, Kerala State Planning Board member K Ravi Raman said the living conditions of senio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday inaugurated Sammohan 2025, the second edition of a national festival that celebrates the creativity and resilience of children with disabilities. As many as 200 participants from eight states are taking part in the two-day event hosted at the Different Art Centre (DAC). The festival offers a platform for children to showcase their abilities in classical dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and magic. Special schools, national award-winning

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Parvathy Puthanar, the 18.5-km canal stretching from Kovalam to Akkulam, continues to lie choked with waste, weeds, and sewage, aggravating flooding in residential wards during heavy rainfall. Despite recurring flooding, pollution and a suo motu intervention by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission, the rejuvenation of the canal project drags on, making the capital vulnerable to flooding. In April 2025, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission registered a case suo motu, o

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: New Innings, a state government project to promote entrepreneurship among elders, has been formally launched. The government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the first phase, which will be used to provide financial aid, technical support and marketing backup to beneficiaries. New Innings was one of the two initiatives Healthy Ageing was the other announced by Finance Minister K N Balagopal in the 2025-26 budget to make the state old-age friendly. It aims to support elders havi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could trigger a new row between the government and the governor, the general education department has released its updated Social Science textbook for Class 10, which includes the governors role in a state. The new portions have been included in the second part of the textbook, under the ninth chapter, Janadhipathyam: Oru Indian Anubhavam (Democracy: An Indian Experience). Sharing the pages of the new portions, General Education Minister V Sivankutty wrote on Facebook

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Commuters and residents on Friday woke up to inundated roads and streets as heavy overnight rain brought the state capital to a standstill. The incessant rain that lashed the capital from Thursday evening continued till Friday morning hours, inundating Thampanoor, East Fort, Chackai, Vanchiyoor and other low-lying areas. The severe flooding was largely attributed to a delay in opening the Veli breakwater. It took several hours for the rain water to recede, forcing pedestrians

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state capital continues to reel under the threat of flooding, the corporation is facing flak from different corners for their alleged inefficiency in resolving the issue. Criticism that the authorities have failed to make any solid intervention, apart from studies and ineffective pre-monsoon sanitation drives, to address the problem is mounting. With the local body elections fast approaching, the opposition parties are planning to use the issue politically against the

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains that lashed the state capital overnight threw normal life out of gear on Friday, with severe waterlogging reported in several parts of the city. The incessant downpour inundated roads, disrupted traffic, and triggered incidents of wall collapse, causing damage to property across the capital. Major stretches in Thampanoor, East Fort, Chackai, Vanchiyoor, and other low-lying areas remained under water for hours, causing significant inconvenience to the public. With

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking incident in the capital, an anganwadi teacher was suspended on Thursday for slapping a two-year-old child at Parambukkonam here. The teacher, Pushpakala S, reportedly slapped the kid on Wednesday. The action was initiated against the teacher after a preliminary investigation, officials from the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department said. The incident came to the parents attention on Wednesday evening when they noticed marks on the childs face, following w

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ambitious Swadesh Darshan project at Varkalas centuries-old Janardhana Swamy Temple has come to an abrupt halt after the municipality issued a stop memo to the tourism department on Thursday citing procedural lapses, including lack of approval from the local body. The Rs 25-crore project, launched earlier this month, aimed at upgrading basic facilities at the temple, a major pilgrim centre that sees lakhs of devotees performing post-funeral rites and ancestral rituals at

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dead fish floating on the surface, unbearable stench. The Padmatheertham pond associated with the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple cuts a sorry figure. A favourite of devotees and local residents, the sacred pond has been in bad shape for weeks now. Every day, there are dead fish floating on the surface, said one of the vendors operating close to the pond. Executive officer of the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust, Mahesh B, said they consulted the fisheries department following

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three cops from Kerala faced multiple challenges in their quest to nab a cyber criminal from Karnataka. In the end though, the men, fatigued but steadfast, got the last laugh as they brought the criminal back to the state and produced him in court. SI Sudeesh S L and civil police officers Mahesh and Sajad from the Thumba police station faced the ordeal on September 20 in Kalaburagi, where they had gone to arrest Prakash Eerappa, who is accused of swindling Rs 10 lakh from a r

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city will host the second edition of UST Trivandrum Marathon on October 12 in which over 10,000 people are expected to participate. Organised by UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, in collaboration with NEB Sports, the UST Trivandrum Marathon 2025 will include four different categories, such as the full marathon, half marathon, 10K run, and 5K run. Milind Soman, well-known actor, model and fitness enthusiast, who has been chosen as t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralas much-awaited mobile animal birth control (ABC) unit has finally arrived in the state, but its debut was overshadowed by protests in Nedumangad, where the pilot project is being launched. The unit, brought from Gujarat, was delivered to the Nedumangad municipality parking yard on Wednesday morning. The authorities had made elaborate arrangements including pagoda tents, 100 dog cages, drainage, WiFi, and power and water connections to host the facility. However, the a

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shaping Young Minds Programme (SYMP) 2025, a programme to bring together distinguished achievers from diverse fields to share experiences and leadership lessons with students and young professionals, will be organised in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Trivandrum Management Association (TMA), in association with All India Management Association (AIMA), will host the event with an objective to provide insights on self-management, career planning, and leadership to the young aspi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP is working out counter-strategies to prevent the CPM from using the death of its councillor K Anil Kumar to dent its urban vote base in Thiruvananthapuram. Party insiders said there are concerns that the CPM might project allegations of financial irregularities against Anil Kumar to weaken BJPs growing influence in the corporation, where it currently holds 35 of 100 seats. In response, sources said that the BJP is planning a series of campaigns and protests aimed at k

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sakhi, 11, a native of Kayikkara, died in an accident near Prabhat Junction close to the Kadakkavoor overbridge on Tuesday. She was a Class 6 student at SSPBHS,Kadakkavoor. The accident happened while Sakhi was returning home with her mother after a PTA meeting at school. Her father, who was driving the auto-rickshaw, lost control of the vehicle when a stray dog suddenly ran across the road. The autorickshaw overturned and the child suffered serious injuries. Though Sakhi was

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have launched an investigation after a group of miscreants hurled firecrackers at a house and vandalised vehicles in Mannanthala around midnight on Monday. The gang also unleashed an attack in a nearby shop, injuring the shop owner with a machete. According to the Mannanthala police, the incident appears to be a fallout between two rival gangs. The police suspect that the attack was led by a history-sheeter, Sarath. The issue reportedly began when Rajesh, another perso

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Tourisms ambitious plan to set up the states first adventure tourism academy and park has hit repeated roadblocks, with the project struggling to attract investors. Despite issuing Expressions of Interest (EoI) multiple times, the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) has failed to find a suitable bidder. The project proposed at Sasthampara on 4.85 hectares of revenue land under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. It envisages a private operator es

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) launched protest programmes on Monday over alleged inadequacies in infrastructure and faculty positions at government medical colleges. As part of their demonstration, KGMCTA members observed a black day on Monday, and a sit-in protest will be held in front of all government medical colleges and the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) offices across the state on Tuesday. KGMCTA state president Dr Rosnara Beegu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated the state-wide Vikasana Sadas (Development Conclave) at a function held at the Nishagandhi Auditorium, asserting that Keralas comprehensive development will be shaped by the opinions and suggestions collected from the people. The first conclave was organised under the aegis of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. Through development conclaves, Kerala is setting out on a new path. Future growth will be implemented

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Data-driven decisions will help in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, said Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. For this, the ministry is delivering data with enhanced granularity, frequency and timeliness. Garg was speaking at the Data Users Conference on the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024 organised by the MoSPI in collaboration with the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) here on Monday. He said the TUS is an important s

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Kollam man, who was accused of strangling his 26-year-old female lover in a city lodge in 2022, was sentenced to life by the Additional Sessions Court. The punishment was handed over to Praveen by judge Siju Shaikh, who also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict. Praveen was accused of murdering Gayathri, a native of Veeranakavu near Kattakada in a lodge near Thampanoor on March 5, 2022. The two were employees of a city-based jewellery shop and were in a relationship.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nine bonnet macaques were found dead near the Mankayam check-post in the Palode forest range on Sunday. The monkeys were found in and around rubber trees flanking both sides of a stream near the Palode-Mankayam pump house around 11.30am. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and an investigation is under way. The carcasses were first noticed by a group of women who had gone to the stream. Some monkeys were seen lying under rubber trees, while others were floating dea

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In view of the annual Navaratri celebrations, traffic restrictions will be enforced across the city on Monday from 11am to 8pm, as the traditional procession carrying Navaratri idols will make its way through major routes. The procession is scheduled to reach the city border at Pallichal by 11am, after which it will travel from Nemom and reach the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple by around 8pm. In anticipation of traffic congestion along this route, the city police have announced

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A man who allegedly raped and impregnated a 22-year-old woman from Karamana, whom he befriended on social media, has been arrested by the police. The accused, Akhil Bhaskaran, 24, a native of Erumeli in Kottayam, was arrested from Idukki by the Karamana police. Akhil got acquainted with the woman while staying in Ernakulam. He later moved to Thiruvananthapuram to work at a juice shop. While he was staying there, he lured the woman by promising to marry her. He hid the fact th

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A blood cancer survivor (17) from Kollam met his lifesaving donor at an event in Thiruvananthapuram as part of World Marrow Donor Day 2025. The event was organised by DATRI Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry in association with MG College and the NSS Unit KL15A & B. Aadinarayanan, a resident of Anchal, had undergone a blood stem cell transplant in 2023 at MVR Cancer Center and Research Institute, Kozhikode. His donor, Vishnu Venugopal, was an unrelated HLA match. The transplant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM councillor B Rajendran of Muttathara ward has resigned from the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation following serious corruption allegations. The move came after evidence emerged linking him to financial fraud, including a case where Rs 12 lakh was sanctioned for road repair works, where he allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh as commission from local residents. Following this, the CPM expelled Rajendran from the partys primary membership. District secretary of CPM, V Joy, confirmed t

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police are yet to locate the culprits behind the back-to-back temple thefts that happened on Thursday morning in the Karettu area of Venjarammoodu. Two temples, Vettoor Sree Mahavishnu Temple and Karettu Shiva Temple, were targeted by unidentified men in the early hours. According to police, the first incident happened around 12.30 am at the Mahavishnu temple. About an hour and a half later, the Karettu Shiva Temple was also targeted. CCTV cameras installed at both temples ca

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A delegation of ambassadors and representatives from European Union (EU) nations, who arrived in Kerala for a two-day conclave on the blue economy, immersed themselves in the regions coastal traditions with a visit to Hawa Beach in Kovalam. The group witnessed the early morning catch and the intense physical labour of local fishermen, gaining firsthand insight into indigenous fishing practices. Some delegates even joined the fishermen at sea, sharing in their daily routine. T