: Top stories from the southern

: Top stories from the southern states at 1715 hrs today.
MDS1 KL-MEDIA-EDITOR
Kochi: A gag order issued by a lower court in Kerala restraining the media from publishing news involving the son of a legislator is against the basic principles of the Constitution, says Malayala Manorama Chief Editor Mammen Mathew.
MDS2 TN-AIADMK-EXPEL
Chennai: Continuing with its action against dissidents since its loss in the RK Nagar bypoll, the ruling AIADMK expels another round of office-bearers of the party's Tirunelveli unit.
MES6 KL-PETDOGS-LAW

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government says it will seriously consider bringing in a comprehensive law for pet dogs, days after an old woman is mauled to death by two of them at Wayand district.

BOM6 AP-TDP-NAIDU
Amaravati: Amid reports of strain in ties between BJP and the TDP, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu says it is a problem between the two governments which is to be resolved in Parliament and not on the streets.
BOM7 TL-UAE-EX-DIPLOMAT
Hyderabad: The UAE may share with India its understanding about the "present position" of the Islamic State (IS) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf country this weekend, says a former diplomat.
BES2 AP-TDP LEADER-DEMISE
Amaravati (AP): Senior TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu dies due to dengue and related health complications at a hospital in Hyderabad early today.

BES10 TL-GIRL-CHILD MARRIAGE-SPORTS
Hyderabad: A 16-year-old girl, whose child marriage was stopped by the Rachakonda police here last year, has made a mark on the cricket field.