Here is a select list of stories to start the day.
Kerala CM Announcement Set for May 14 After Congress Discussions
New Delhi, May 14: Following the Kerala election results, Congress has confirmed that discussions regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate have concluded. The announcement will be made on Thursday. A high-level meeting of Congress leaders took place in Delhi, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior officials. After the meeting, Congress leader ... Read more Kerala CM Announcement Set for May 14 After Congress Discussions
Kerala CM announcement likely today as Congress convenes CLP meeting
The Congress-led UDF secured a strong majority in the Kerala Assembly elections, but leadership discussions have continued amid intense lobbying within the party
Travancore Devaswom Board signs MoU for complete temple digitisation in Kerala
The initiative will integrate temple administration, financial transactions, office file movement, devotee services and Sabarimala-related online facilities onto a unified digital platform
Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi hold talks, Congress to name Kerala CM today
The Congress party will announce its Kerala chief minister on Thursday. This decision follows a meeting between party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The announcement comes amid internal discussions and pressure from allies. A poster campaign in Wayanad has added to the political maneuvering. The party is navigating differing opinions on the top post.
Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh top logistics performance ranking, Mizoram and Delhi also lead
The LEADS 2025 report has unveiled the logistics champions of India, with Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and Delhi being hailed as 'exemplars'. Gujarat and Kerala are also making waves as 'high performers' among an elite group of 11 states, reflecting their exceptional efforts in logistics development.
TDB signs pact with KITSFRA for complete digitisation of temples, offices
Temple administration, file movement in offices, financial transactions in temples and offices, services for devotees and various online facilities connected to the Sabarimala temple will be brought under a digital platform
Prolonged power outage plunges Thripunithura and nearby areas into darkness
Congress faster than BJP in selecting CM: Ajay Maken
Congress leader Ajay Maken countered claims of delay in selecting Kerala's Chief Minister by stating the party averages five days to pick a CM, significantly faster than the BJP's 7.2-day average.
Around 83% of candidates lost their deposit in Tamil Nadu polls, says ECI
In West Bengal polls, 78% lost their security amount; the least number (63%) of candidates lost their deposit was in Assam
Kerala CM to be announced tomorrow, says Jairam Ramesh
Good show by Ernakulam schools in Class 12 exams
GCDA contests government order allotting land adjoining Kaloor stadium to college
The dispute resurfaced when the GCDA undertook construction of a compound wall as part of strengthening stadium security, which the college challenged in court
Kerala CM Announcement Set for May 14
New Delhi, May 13: Nearly ten days after the Kerala election results, the Congress party has announced that discussions regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate have been finalized, with an official announcement scheduled for Thursday. A high-level meeting of Congress leaders took place in Delhi, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior ... Read more Kerala CM Announcement Set for May 14
Two hurt in explosion during air conditioner maintenance
NEET question leak a shocking failure: FUTA
Cong. high command defers announcement of Kerala CM designate to Thursday
High command asks Congress MLAs-elect to report to Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, even as Congress workers congregate in front of the houses of Venugopal, Chennithala and Satheesan in anticipation of the momentous announcement from New Delhi
Hotel staff assaulted, case registered
SSLC results to be declared on Friday
General Education Principal Secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph will declare the results at 3 p.m.
Postal Department returns complaint, cites 'no functioning Chief Ministers office' in Kerala
Incident sparks curiosity amid delay in selecting a Chief Minister by the United Democratic Front
BJPs B. Gopalakrishnan questions the visit, while researcher Vinil Paul says it was part of a larger field study on Keralas socio-religious history
Congress to announce Kerala chief ministerial pick on Thursday
The Congress party will reveal its choice for Kerala's next chief minister on Thursday. This decision follows days of intense discussions and lobbying. The announcement comes after a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The suspense ends ten days after the UDF secured a significant victory in the assembly elections.
Protests erupt in Kozhikode over alleged NEET paper leak
Congress High Command To Announce Kerala CM on Thursday
The leadership decision is expected to be announced after the high command concludes its consultations.
UDFs landslide victory in Idukki constituency shows shifting of political votes
The massive victory of the UDF candidate in the Idukki Assembly constituency indicates a significant return of Kerala Congress (M) votes to the UDF fold
Volatile gold market leaves clients flustered
Following Prime Ministers appeal to refrain from buying gold, people rushed to sell jewellery in anticipation of a price drop. But the subsequent import duty hike from 6% to 15% reversed the trend
Massive fire engulfs scrap collection unit
The blaze has caused losses worth several lakhs of rupees
Keralas environmental history now in encyclopaedia form
A new encyclopaedia on the environmental history of Kerala published by the State Institute of Encyclopaedic Publications to be released on May 14
Night train restrictions to expedite Kollam railway station redevelopment
The project will now be accelerated through these regulated night blocks and the 12-meter wide and 14-meter long foot overbridge is expected to be completed by September
INL blames Vellappallys remarks for LDF poll debacle
Rubber rally breaks records, but growers cautious
Board officials attribute the dramatic spike to the conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted crude oil supplies and, in turn, affected the production of synthetic rubber. However, with the peak production season in Southeast Asia set to begin soon, they expect prices to stabilise in the near term
Live Updates: Kerala Chief Minister Announcement Tomorrow, Says Congress
Kerala Chief Minister Live Updates: A formal announcement is expected today, once Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge returns to Delhi and holds further talks with senior figures, including Sonia Gandhi.
NEET UG Exam Paper Leak: Parliamentary Committee to Address Issue as Students Protest
New Delhi, May 13: The controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 paper leak and irregularities is intensifying. Investigative agencies have uncovered links to Kerala following initial findings from Rajasthan. Preparations are underway to raise this issue in the parliamentary committee. Meanwhile, angry students protested outside the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters ... Read more NEET UG Exam Paper Leak: Parliamentary Committee to Address Issue as Students Protest
SHRC urges KSRTC staff to show greater courtesy to passengers
Muneer hopeful of ministerial berth for Kozhikode
Kannur Corpn. halts road construction work following complaints
Rahul Gandhi meets Mallikarjun Kharge for final discussion to pick Kerala's next chief minister
Congress leaders are finalizing the next Kerala chief minister. Rahul Gandhi met with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The United Democratic Front secured a significant victory. Several leaders are vying for the top post. The decision is expected soon. Sonia Gandhi's health is also a factor in the delay.
Internal strife in CPI, senior leader lashes out at State leadership
He pointed out that any corrective measures within the party should not begin at the grassroots level but must start from the top leadership
KCBC calls for comprehensive rehaul of Keralas liquor policy towards total prohibition in five years
Call for rewriting liquor policy along the lines of the model implemented by new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay
India braces for intensified pre-monsoon activity as the IMD issues alerts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning across several states. Jharkhand, Bihar, and Maharashtra anticipate severe weather, while Delhi faces a heatwave. Rajasthan is also set for intense heat, with Kerala and West Bengal expecting significant rainfall.
Summer Rain, Strong Winds Wreak Havoc Across Kerala
In Thiruvananthapuram district, severe sea erosion was reported from Pozhiyoor, where rough sea conditions damaged roads and inundated several houses
Thangal to respond after Kerala CM announcement
Leaders reportedly expressed that Congresss indecision had dented the UDFs public image and weakened the alliances momentum following its sweeping electoral victory
Deepak Joy resigns as deputy mayor and councillor of Kochi corporation
Both vacancies were immediately reported to the State Election Commission, as per norm; a by-election to fill the vacancy must be held within six months
LIVE: Kerala Chief Minister Announcement Likely Today After Big Congress Meet
Kerala Chief Minister Live Updates: A formal announcement is expected today, once Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge returns to Delhi and holds further talks with senior figures, including Sonia Gandhi.
An official from the SOG said a student from Kerala forwarded the guess paper to a some of his friends abd a hostel owner in Sikar
Aim of Avalkoppam Legal Support Trust is to provide support to survivors in cases of abuse against women
Athiradi trailer: Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph lock horns in this action-comedy film
The film, set to release on May 14, is directed by debutant Arun Anirudhan, who penned Minnal Murali and Padayottam
CBSE class XII results: Thiruvananthapuram region back at the top
The region, comprising Kerala and Lakshadweep, registered a pass percentage of 95.62
Pinarayi Vijayan calls for scrapping NTA, demands time-bound probe into NEET leak allegations
He called for handing back the responsibility for conducting examinations to the respective State government agencies as was done earlier
Kerala CM Race: Why is it Such a Difficult Decision for Congress?
The decision isn't about who will rule Kerala for 5 years, it is about who can dominate state politics for 15 years.
Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balans untitled comedy with Anees Bazmee gets release date
The film recently wrapped a major Kerala schedule, with the makers expected to unveil a new still featuring Akshay in the coming days
Wayanad posters: Congress-led UDF may have swept the Kerala elections, but the partys delay in naming the next chief minister is now triggering visible cracks within the organisation. Posters targeting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra surfaced outside the Congress office in Wayanad, warning the Gandhi siblings to forget Wayanad.
Kerala HC seeks report on siblings approaching Collector to end parents feud
The children had earlier approached the child welfare committee, citing that they were emotionally exhausted due to the feud between their parents and police cases
Kerala Lottey Results Today: Kerala Lottery Dhanalekshmi DL-52 results for Wednesday, 13 May 2026, have been officially declared. Ticket holders can now check their numbers for the 1 crore first prize and other attractive cash rewards.
Kerala gold merchants seek policy push for gold recycling
Association calls for bullion banking system to cut dependence on imports and protect jewellery sector jobs
CBI Investigation into NEET Paper Leak Expands to Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram, May 13: The investigation into the NEET question paper leak has now reached Kerala. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the potential involvement of students from two districts in the state. Investigators suspect that a model question paper, allegedly derived from the leaked NEET paper, reached several students in Kerala just days ... Read more CBI Investigation into NEET Paper Leak Expands to Kerala
INCOIS expands coastal flood monitoring to tackle Kallakkadal surges
The sudden and powerful swell surges pose a significant threat to fishing communities and coastal infrastructure
CEE Kerala extends KMAT 2026 registeration deadine: Check last date, link to apply
The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala has extended the KMAT Kerala 2026 session 2 application deadline to May 14, 2026, including fee payment and document upload. The exam, expected in late May, assesses candidates for MBA and PGDM programs with a 180-question format and specific qualifying marks for different categories.
Tensions Rise in Kerala Over Chief Minister Selection Amid Protests in Wayanad
Mumbai, May 13: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) recently achieved a significant victory in Kerala. However, just ten days into their new term, disputes over who will be the Chief Minister continue to create rifts within the party. This internal conflict has sparked public outrage, now visible on the streets of Wayanad. Amid the ... Read more Tensions Rise in Kerala Over Chief Minister Selection Amid Protests in Wayanad
Unable to face public queries on Kerala CM as Cong delays decision: IUML MLA
The three main contenders for the post of chief minister are senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, V D Satheesan and AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal
Kerala CM suspense deepens as anti-high command posters surface in Wayanad
Congress leadership expected to name Chief Minister today
Kerala CM suspense may end today, Congress wraps up final huddle
Congress leadership is nearing a decision to end Kerala's week-long Chief Minister deadlock after internal party discussions. Senior leaders, including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, are expected to finalize the successor to the Left Front's decade-long rule. The prolonged uncertainty has somewhat dulled the UDF's election victory, with three prominent figures vying for the top post.
Four Youths Killed In A Lightning Strike In A Kerala Tourist Spot
The victims were identified as Rahees, 20, Bahas, 18, Siyad, 18, and Fahadh, 22, all from Vellilla Malayil. The injured, Roshan, 20, and Ishaath, 16, are also from the same village.
Rahul Gandhi takes views of Kerala Congress leaders on choice of Chief Minister
Rahul Gandhi convened a meeting with the Kerala Congress leadership to navigate the party's chief ministerial options. During the discussion, he sought valuable feedback on key candidates, spotlighting the dynamics of recent public advocacy. Leaders expressed their inclinations toward KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala, while the Indian Union Muslim League is preparing to contribute their perspective.
Work on 1.1 MLD sewage treatment plant at Edakochi expected to be completed by August
Kerala Fishermen Detained for Illegal Fishing in Thoothukudi Waters
Mechanised boat seized after alleged entry into restricted Tamil Nadu waters
Summer showers, strong winds lash district
Free vaccination for cervical cancer until May 31
Launched in September 2022, this five-year initiative aims to transform over 14,500 schools into exemplar institutions that lead the way in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020; only a limited time is left for the scheme to complete its five-year duration, the Ministry stated in a letter issued to the States
Minister urges Andhra nurses to earn Kerala-like recognition in Guntur
Addressing the International Nurses Day celebrations at Government Medical College, Satya Kumar Yadav says nurses provide emotional support and comfort to patients through compassionate service and care
In a recent workshop, I heard several instructors urging young people to consider some hard facts regarding their career and educational choices. Degree is not destiny and your certificate is not your ceiling were often-repeated exhortations in the conference hall. What happens when degrees fail to fetch jobs or meaningful work? Academic Krishna Kumar argues that the driving force behind the urge to obtain more and more degrees lies within our education system and economic structures. It also can be located in collective psychology, and mental attitudes. The need to delink degrees from jobs was recognised in the 1980s, but little progress was made for several reasons. As far as the NEP 2020 is concerned, one can only say that there is a lot of noise on the stairs, but no one is in the room. Degree Disease Contrary to efforts aimed at delinking degrees from employment, I see a growing clamour for foreign degrees even after obtaining one locally. Pertinently, under the new policy, young people are allowed to pursue dual degrees. Part of the blame for this hangover lies with the erstwhile colonial state, which, for its own purposes, introduced a system of education that was not in sync with the needs and educational traditions of the subcontinent. The British needed babus to run the administration, and after 1947, the change was merely from white sahibs to brown sahibs. Eminent British sociologist Ronald Dore, in his celebrated book The Diploma Disease, explains the craze for more degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Instead of looking into behavioural psychology for answers, he links the phenomenon to the devaluation of qualifications. The problem of joblessness further fuels the urge to acquire new credentials. Prof. Krishna Kumar argues that the volatility of the job market creates anxiety among young people, compelling them to become eligible for as many jobs as possible. This, in turn, opens the path for acquiring multiple degrees in the vast education bazaar. This mad race for certificates wastes and exhausts the energy of young people, most of whom depend on parental finance and advice. Unfortunately, the obsession with accumulating degrees has given birth to what experts call the time-pass generation youth who merely count days and nights while waiting for a job and experiencing restless boredom. The colonial framework of education also made us hesitant to work with our own hands. Time-Pass Generation It was during his fieldwork in the Meerut region of Uttar Pradesh for his doctoral thesis that scholar Craig Jeffrey, in 1999, observed groups of young men outside two colleges near a tea stall, most of them belonging to Jat families. These young people were the object of lavish parental attention and heavy educational investment. Drawn by the hope of salaried employment, these men spent much of their day in what they called time pass. Much later, in China, we noticed an equivalent phenomenon in the lying-flat movement, which encouraged youth to withdraw from the economic race and settle for modest workplace success and limited consumer fulfilment. Until recently, many in South Asia resorted to the donkey route to leave their countries and settle abroad. In Senegal and several other countries, youth have responded to such frustrations by organising cultural festivals to vent their pent-up anxieties. The unemployment of the educated did not begin with the economic reforms of 1991, nor is it confined to any particular region. A recent study by Azim Premji University found graduate unemployment existing as far back as 1983, even when the public sector was expanding and education was largely viewed as a public good. There are several explanations for this problem. First, our higher education system is broken. Many of our challenges stem from an acute leadership crisis in higher education. Foreign and private universities may have some space to address this issue, but public-sector institutions have increasingly become liabilities. In China, reforms became possible because of visionary managers. The country is a one-party system but campus culture is interactive and innovative. You cannot convert university/College into a graveyard to showcase your administrative efficiency. The universities/Colleges are not monasteries but places where students have a right to be wrong. The time has come for us to hire the best talent from anywhere to run our institutions and provide them with maximum autonomy to achieve targets. The leadership of higher education institutions should not be selected on the basis of parochial considerations or opportunistic ideological alignments of aspirants. The historic Government College/ University Lahore was built by a Hungarian Jew with the motto: Courage to Know. A Muslim beggar contributed one rupee toward the establishment of Banaras Hindu University. The government and the market need to provide outcome-linked grants to institutions while encouraging them to diversify their revenue streams. To restore academic rigour, we must address governance issues through deep audits and institutional restructuring. Recently, noted academic Prof. Dinesh Singh in an interview at the India Today Conclave, admitted that India has lost its way while implementing NEP 2020. The fact remains that no institution can rise above the quality of its leadership. To quote Cardinal Lawrence: Let us pray that God grants us a pope who knows how to doubt. Second, every countrys growth model eventually undergoes transition and exhaustion. In India, the 1991 economic reforms undoubtedly marked a major turning point. Investment manager Saurabh Mukherjea, while speaking at the Indian Express Adda, observed that India faces three major stresses. White-collar employment has stagnated even as the country produces nearly eighty lakh graduates annually. Small businesses face volatility, profits are increasingly concentrated, and nearly eighty percent of employment generated by small companies is under pressure. Additionally, wage compression has intensified, and instead of relying on employers for retirement benefits and healthcare, citizens are increasingly being asked to become self-reliant. It must also be underlined that while we depoliticised the economy and built broad political consensus across ideological lines, we simultaneously politicised higher education, resulting in declining standards and rising mediocrity. We must urgently overhaul the system to make graduates employable and, in contemporary parlance, job-ready. Some measures that need to be undertaken in earnest include the following: First, we are not alone in experiencing rapid changes and economic stress. According to The Harvard Crimson annual faculty survey, professors warn of declining academic focus, with nearly two-thirds believing that students prioritise jobs over classroom learning. Land reforms and phenomenal expansion of English medium schools in Jammu and Kashmir, the literacy movement in Kerala, the English-medium schooling boom in Goa, and near-universal education in Mizoram have all expanded access to education without ensuring alignment with employability. We realised this too late and began lamenting how education has outpaced employability. In Kerala, much of the educated workforce holds degrees in commerce and the arts, while job growth lies elsewhere. There are useful lessons to be learned from states such as Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, where balanced growth has led to better absorption of educated youth. Second, the recent Union Budget (202627) proposal for five higher education townships or university hub zones near major industrial and logistics corridors across different states should be expanded. This initiative is expected to create a more integrated academic ecosystem where universities and industries can work side by side to bridge the gap between education and employment. Entrepreneurial initiatives surrounding Stanford University were valued at approximately three trillion dollars in 2012. During COVID-19, the University of Houston contributed significantly to the citys economy. We continue to view education as a linear journey: school, college, university, and then employment. In China, however, many young people enter the economy through practical, income-generating skills such as repairing goods, preparing food, or producing simple items. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. These are not fallback options but legitimate entry points into economic life. Such youth redefine education through modest beginnings. Third, from a foundational perspective, we need to reconceptualise school education and treat any dilution of it as an original sin. The key features of school education in Finland include ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Children trust their teachers. The system is not centred on grades but on learning, curiosity, creativity, and a love for education. Students are free to explore, and teachers are free to support them. The government in Jammu and Kashmir should consider sending committed educational leaders to Finland so that best practices may be studied and replicated, as many governments have already done. In conclusion, it must be reiterated that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest, as Benjamin Franklin famously said. Finland has made education a national priority, while Israel has declared brainpower its greatest natural resource. We should not make a mess of it. The author is Kashmir based Political Scientist.
Infant found in Ammathottil in Thiruvananthapuram
The girl is around 10 days old and weighing 2.64 kg
Assembly polls 2026: Cautious strategy, poll wins reinforce IUMLs edge in Samastha ties
Several Samastha leaders are now more openly recognising IUMLs key role in the political landscape and its likely importance in forming and running the upcoming government
NTA complacency led to NEET cancellation: Fraternity Movement
It said the conduct of the examination, preparation of question paper and the alleged leak should be investigated thoroughly
Outreach programme on Income Tax Act
The programme will focus on policy reforms affecting the non-profit sector
PG resident doctors at Thiruvananthapuram MCH go on strike over non-payment of stipend
Outpatient clinics, inpatient services and elective operations at the hospital were partially affected
Four youngsters killed as lightning strikes at Mankada in Malappuram
Encourage recycling of gold, says merchants association
MSF seeks govt. intervention in NEET-UG fiasco
Congress will succumb to Jamaats demands, says Kerala BJP leader S. Suresh
BJP State general secretary says the Congress' failure to choose a CM candidate even nine days after the United Democratic Front emerged victorious in the Assembly elections is an insult to all Malayalis
Kerala Assembly polls 2026: IUML growing restive over Congress delaying CM decision
IUML leadership meeting at Panakkad may witness strong emotions unless CM is chosen by Wednesday morning
Composition of governing bodies in Calicut varsity to change
With the UDF coming to power, its strength could rise to 41 members. The number of CPI(M) members may fall to 20. The strength of BJP supporters is unlikely to change, as they were nominated by the Governor
Documentary proof of age not a must in cases registered under POCSO Act: Kerala High Court
81.78% students clear Calicut varsity UG exams
Elephant carcass found in Nilambur
The elephant is suspected to have slipped from a cliff nearly 30 metres high before crashing onto the concrete structure below, say forest officials
Letter to senior leaders highlights strong performance of women candidates
Kochi Corporation council to decide on Aakris biomedical waste bid
Kozhikode Corporation to review progress of literary corridor project
The initiative aims to uphold the citys title as a UNESCO City of Literature
Development of new lotus varieties brings Ajitha national recognition
A couple of new lotus varieties developed by her -- Mayoori and Paneer Rose -- have now received registration from the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority of the Government of India
Dog that attacked girl confirmed rabies-infected
