"kerala"

A week of prolonged night-time power cuts has emerged as the first major political challenge for Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's Congress-led government, giving the Left fresh ammunition while triggering scrutiny over power shortages, demand, procurement and previous policy decisions

Kerala’s controversial PM SHRI scheme has resurfaced after the Centre sought clarity on implementation for a second time. The state government will consult Chief Minister VD Satheesan and the UDF, while weighing educational funding concerns against its earlier opposition

The NHRC has sought a comprehensive action taken report on facilities and arrangements for pilgrims at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur. The report will cover prasadam quality, crowd management, food safety, grievance redressal, accessibility, employee conduct, traffic and security

Kerala Police booked 2,799 people for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol during a week-long special drive. Authorities inspected 81,565 vehicles and recommended cancellation of 884 driving licences, while highway patrol units were directed to continue checks against repeat offenders

Private bus operators in Kerala have threatened an indefinite strike over financial losses linked to KSRTC's Priyadarshini scheme offering free travel to women. Operators rejected an expert committee's recommendations and will decide on statewide service suspension at a September 8 meeting

Kerala's Cabinet is participating in a two-day IIM Kozhikode workshop focused on the state's long-term development. Discussions cover artificial intelligence, ageing, climate resilience, healthcare, employment, migration, fiscal pressures and ways to build a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said an SIT will proe alleged irregularities in the previous government's bid to host an Argentina football match featuring Lionel Messi. The probe follows a Sports Department report and a legal opinion sought by the Home Department.

Differences have emerged between TDB president K Jayakumar and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan over Onam sadya at Sabarimala. Jayakumar said sadya was served to around 3,000 devotees, while Muraleedharan alleged devotees received pulao and officials were served traditional feast

CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday accused independent MLA T K Govindan of betraying the party and contributing to its defeat in Thaliparamba. Govindan hit back, accusing the CPM leadership of pursuing selfish interests and destroying the party

Thiruvananthapuram witnessed the grand finale of week-long Onam celebrations on Sunday, featuring traditional art forms, cultural troupes and over 69 floats. Thousands attended the closing procession, flagged off by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, amid heightened security and traffic restrictions

More Keralites stranded in Nepal following devastating floods have begun returning to India, NORKA Roots said. Of 52 people who contacted its help desk, 45 have been confirmed safe, while authorities are working to trace seven others, including foreign nationals

A 23-year-old nursing student from Kerala drowned in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district after he and his female friend fell into a swollen river while crossing a culvert on a motorcycle. Locals rescued the woman, while SDRF recovered his body downstream on Sunday

Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar opposed a directive by a prominent Sunni scholars’ body urging restrictions on women’s participation in public religious events. CPI(M) leaders criticised the directive as anti-women, while some Islamic scholars defended it. IUML said it would not intervene

A Kottayam man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor after posing as an IPS officer on social media and promising to marry her. Police also found that he had allegedly cheated several people by taking money while posing as an officer

Congress leader Anil Kumar alias Chenthi Ani was arrested for allegedly obstructing Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s convoy in Thiruvananthapuram. Congress removed him from the party following the incident. Police booked him under BNS sections concerning wrongful restraint, intimidation and obstruction of a public servant

A man initially identified online as fugitive Sukumara Kurup in a photograph reportedly linked to Brunei has been identified by relatives as Thrissur native Damodara Menon. The development comes hours after Kerala ordered a Crime Branch probe into Kurup’s alleged whereabouts

A 65-year-old plantation worker from Tamil Nadu was killed after being attacked by a herd of wild elephants in Idukki’s Thalakkulam near Poopara. Relatives later blocked NH-85 demanding action, but ended the protest after officials assured compensation from the Forest Department

A 33-year-old autorickshaw driver allegedly died by suicide in Malappuram after claiming on Facebook that MVD officials denied his vehicle a fitness certificate, causing financial distress. The Kerala government ordered an inquiry, while autorickshaw unions protested demanding action against officials

A 62-year-old plantation worker, Ocha Thevar, was killed in a wild elephant attack at Pooppara in Kerala’s Idukki. The fatality has renewed concerns over escalating human-wildlife conflict, as elephants continue to enter settlements and plantations across the Munnar-Pooppara high-range region

Kerala celebrated Thiruvonam, the culmination of its 10-day Onam festivities, with traditional feasts, colourful pookkalams, temple rituals and cultural programmes. Families reunited from across the world, making homecoming and togetherness the enduring highlights of the harvest festival