The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered a sophisticated organ trafficking racket in Kerala, operating under the guise of a medical tourism company. The network exploited financially distressed donors, forging documents and facilitating illegal transplant procedures at major hospitals, leading to arrests and freezing of assets.
In a heartwarming act of compassion, Irfana Iqbal, a Muslim panchayat member in Kasaragod, Kerala, performed the last rites of an abandoned Hindu man, Narayanan, according to his customs after his family refused to claim his body. Her selfless act, driven by the belief that humanity transcends religion, has garnered widespread appreciation.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned following an uproar over an alleged derogatory 'lungiwala' remark made by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPI(M)'s John Brittas, who had moved a privilege motion. Dev denied the accusation, stating she had not cast aspersions on any state's attire.
The Kerala high court has ruled that elected local body representatives must take their oath strictly as prescribed by law, invalidating oaths that included names beyond "God" or solemn affirmation. The court directed affected councillors to retake their oaths within four weeks, clarifying that while their elections remain valid, actions by a panchayat member whose oath was invalid are also invalid.
A 25-year-old man, Sharfin Sebastian, who allegedly posed as the state president of an anti-drug organisation, has been arrested in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, after police seized 1.590 grams of MDMA and drug paraphernalia from his residence. The arrest highlights a shocking case of hypocrisy, as the accused was actively campaigning against narcotics while allegedly possessing banned synthetic drugs.
The Kerala high court has set aside the Centre's decision not to renew the FCRA certificate of two NGOs, accused by central agencies of funding agitations against the Vizhinjam sea port, saying that financial support to a protest cannot be seen as diversion of foreign funds.
Families don't really break apart in a single moment, they just quietly stop fitting under one roof, notes Binu Alex.
Alappuzha MLA A D Thomas and five others have identified former security personnel of then Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as alleged assailants of Youth Congress workers during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas programme. The identification occurred at the Crime Branch office, with Thomas expressing concerns about the investigation being derailed despite a new SIT being formed under the Congress-led UDF government, which has invoked a more serious charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide.
The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the trial proceedings in the 2018 Mattannur Shuhaib murder case until June 15, following a plea by three accused seeking to transfer the trial to a different court. The case involves the alleged murder of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib and has seen significant legal and political attention.
BJP leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar and B B Gopakumar have accused both the UDF and LDF governments of pushing Kerala into an economic crisis. They criticised the lack of solutions from the ruling fronts, highlighted the state's high public debt, and questioned the allocation of revenue for development versus salaries and pensions.
'Where is the official record? Media bytes are not parliamentary records. What matters is what is recorded on the floor of Parliament. I am not denying that we had a heated exchange.'
The southwest monsoon has officially set over Kerala, albeit delayed from its typical June 1 start. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall for the season, expecting around 90% of the long-period average, primarily due to the emerging El Nino conditions.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old shooter from Kerala, has secured a spot in India's Asian Games squad for the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events, overcoming significant financial hurdles and training setbacks through resilience and family support.
A 37-year-old woman was killed and her son injured in a wild elephant attack in Chinnakkanal, Idukki, amidst heavy rain and fog. This incident highlights the escalating human-elephant conflict in Kerala, with five reported deaths in the past two weeks.
Kerala's Health Minister K Muraleedharan has announced increased inspections of eateries across the state due to a rise in infectious diseases. The Food Safety Department has been directed to conduct searches, and licences will be revoked for any violations of food safety norms.
Kerala is facing increased inflationary pressure due to recent hikes in petrol and diesel prices, according to Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The state's economy is also impacted by the decline in remittances from the Gulf and higher oil prices.
A maiden Test century is never just about three figures. It is a reflection of patience, perseverance, self-belief and the courage to wait for the right moment.
Football fans in Kerala's Pullavoor village have created a unique floating stadium with cutouts of the Argentine squad in a river, showcasing their intense passion for the upcoming World Cup. This elaborate display continues a tradition of fervent fan support in the region.
Manappuram Finance has announced the appointment of Ashish Singh as its new managing director and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2027, marking a significant shift from its family-led governance structure.
Vigilance officials in Kerala have uncovered a case where a government doctor was allegedly engaged in private practice while also receiving a non-practising allowance. The doctor, an associate professor, was found earning an additional Rs 7 lakh monthly from a private hospital, alongside his Rs 3 lakh government salary. This discovery is part of a wider crackdown, with nearly 200 doctors under surveillance.
Three people were injured in two suspected wild elephant attacks in Palakkad, Kerala. These incidents follow two recent fatalities in Wayanad and Idukki. In response, the Kerala government has decided to establish a 500-member Special Reserve Force to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
BJP leader K Surendran has alleged that organised networks are helping Bangladeshi nationals obtain fake identity documents in Kerala, including Aadhaar and ration cards. He warned of a serious challenge if unchecked and called for urgent measures to distinguish genuine migrant workers from illegal infiltrators.
Make the most of the monsoon with these hatke experiences.
Former DGP R Sreelekha has questioned the Kerala government's proposal to grant menstrual leave for schoolgirls, raising concerns about privacy and whether it empowers or weakens girls.
The patient initially developed a fever that subsided but later returned, prompting hospitalisation.
Kerala Minister K M Shaji admitted that distributing welfare pensions from a UDF political office in Malappuram's Pulpatta panchayat was improper, leading to the removal of the responsible official. The incident, which sparked allegations of rule violation, was attributed to unforeseen circumstances and bad weather, with the minister assuring steps to prevent recurrence.
Astronauts Anil Menon and Sophie Adenot encountered unexpected delays during a spacewalk to replace a critical space-to-ground antenna on the International Space Station. Despite successfully removing the failed antenna, they ran out of time to install the replacement, rescheduling the task for a future spacewalk. Menon, of Indian origin, and Adenot, the first French woman to spacewalk, faced challenges with tight connectors and bolting during the six-hour mission.
A 59-year-old woman in Malappuram district has died of a Shigella infection, the Kerala health department confirmed on Friday. Officials also reported 18 fresh cases of the bacterial disease across the state.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that parole would not be granted or extended on political grounds, assuring that eligible prisoners' legitimate rights would be protected. He highlighted ongoing prison reforms aimed at improving rehabilitation, welfare measures, and administration, including plans to amend the prison manual and strengthen security.
Senior CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty has criticised the Kerala UDF government for allegedly spreading misinformation about the Centre's PM SHRI scheme and attempting to implement it despite earlier opposition. He clarified that the previous LDF government froze the agreement over concerns about the National Education Policy and that funds received were not for PM SHRI. The scheme continues to be a politically contentious issue in the state.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that the violent attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials' vehicles was a conspiracy by the CPI(M) to disrupt law and order. The ED raids were linked to financial dealings between former CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter's firm and a sand mining company.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized over 24 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Kerala and arrested five individuals involved in trafficking networks.
Indian security forces have successfully dismantled the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network, arresting over 200 operatives across 14 states and preventing planned subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day.
Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has defended the appointment of his brother-in-law, Benny Thomas, as his Additional Private Secretary, citing Thomas's public service record and political experience. The appointment has sparked controversy, with the opposition CPI(M) accusing the minister of nepotism and hypocrisy, demanding his resignation.
Kerala Police has issued a warning against the unauthorised recording and circulation of private visuals using mobile phone cameras, stating that such actions violate fundamental rights and are punishable under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The caution comes after public criticism of online media's conduct during a recent celebrity cremation.
Kerala Police has issued a warning against the unauthorised recording and circulation of private visuals using mobile phone cameras, stating that such actions violate fundamental rights and are punishable under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The caution comes after public criticism of online media's conduct during a recent celebrity cremation.
The appointment of senior IAS officer Rathan U Kelkar as secretary to Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has ignited a political controversy, drawing criticism from the CPI(M), CPI, and BJP.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan defends the suspension of police personnel linked to a 2023 assault on Youth Congress workers, citing an SIT report and attempts to sabotage the case.
Kerala Police have arrested 13 individuals for allegedly attempting to abduct a passenger arriving from abroad at Karipur airport and rob him of gold and cash. The operation was launched based on a tip-off, leading to the seizure of vehicles and the discovery of a larger conspiracy. Authorities are also investigating the possibility of the passenger carrying smuggled gold.
Chief ministers from southern states convened at the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Kovalam, where Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar advocated for the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation and a freeze on Lok Sabha seats, while also addressing the contentious Cauvery water and Mekedatu dam issues.
