Page 8 - Kerala

Nimisha Priya row: Mahdi family presses for execution, rejects 'settlement'

The execution of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya was delayed after intervention from an Indian Muslim leader, but the Mahdi family continues to demand death penalty

Rabies deaths: Kerala to sterilise strays, allow euthanasia of sick dogs

Kerala will launch a crackdown on stray dogs by rolling out mobile sterilisation units in 152 blocks and permitting the euthanasia of seriously ill animals, following public concern over recent rabies-linked deaths in the state. Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh said on Wednesday that before deploying the portable ABC (Animal Birth Control) units across the blocks, a pilot study would be conducted in Nedumangad, near here, using one unit under the leadership of the Animal Husbandry Department. "These portable units are more cost-effective than permanent ABC centres," he told a press conference after a joint discussion involving the Animal Husbandry, Local Self-Government, and Law Departments regarding stray dog control. He also said a large-scale vaccination drive for stray dogs would be conducted in August. "Each portable ABC unit will cost Rs 28 lakh. Once an order is placed, it will take about two months for the units to be delivered. During this period, suitable locatio

Who is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, cleric who helped defer Nimisha's execution?

The Kerala-based religious leader reportedly made last-minute interventions to stop the execution of the 37-year-old nurse Nimisha Priya, who hails from the same state

Rains lash parts of Kerala; IMD issues orange alert in 5 districts

As rains lashed several parts of Kerala on Wednesday, leading to rise in water levels of various rivers, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in five districts for the day. The IMD issued the orange alert in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. It also issued a yellow alert in the remaining nine districts of the state. An orange alert is issued while very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm is predicted, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall of 6 cm to 11 cm is expected. Meanwhile, the Irrigation Design and Research Board (IDRB) issued alerts regarding the Uppala and Mogral rivers in Kasaragod district due to a rise in their water levels and cautioned people living on their banks to be vigilant.

Centre opposes Kerala's stand in SC to withdraw case against Governor

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to July 25 the pleas of the Kerala government against Governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar deferred the matter after attorney general R Venkataramani sought time. Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the Kerala government, sought to withdraw the plea saying that the issue had become infructuous in view of the recent judgment passed in the Tamil Nadu Governor case. Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta opposed the submission and urged the court to await the top court's decision on the reference of President under Article 143 of the Constitution over the grant of assent to bills. Mehta said the Kerala government's petition could also be referred to be tagged along with the presidential reference. Calling it strange , Venugopal asked how could his plea be opposed. "Why my lords are hesitant for the state to withdraw the petition? There has

Nothing much govt can do: Centre to SC on Kerala nurse's execution in Yemen

The Centre told the Supreme Court it has limited diplomatic leverage in Yemen, where Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya is set to be executed on July 16; efforts for private negotiations are ongoing

Kerala steps up surveillance after second Nipah death; 543 on contact list

Hospitals in six Kerala districts on alert as state steps up vigil; high-risk contacts under close watch to curb further spread of Nipah virus

Amit Shah accuses LDF, UDF of appeasement and shielding PFI in Kerala

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday slammed both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF alleging the regimes steered by them only created corruption, followed appeasement politics and made Kerala a safe haven for "anti-national forces", like the Popular Front of India (PFI). Addressing party workers here, Shah said only the BJP-led NDA can bring development to the state and not the LDF or the UDF. 'Viksit Bharat' is not possible without the development of strong southern states and the route to 'Viksit Bharat' is only through 'Viksit Keralam,' he said. "Therefore, from now, the basic aim of the BJP will be a 'Viksit Keralam'," he underlined. The top BJP leader said it was more important for the BJP to ensure that its state office here becomes the "centre of Viksit Keralam" than having a Chief Minister. He also unveiled the logo of the party's Viksit Keralam mission. During his speech, he hit out at the CPI(M)-headed LDF and the Congress-led UDF alleging

BJP office as centre of 'Vikasit Keralam' more important than CM post: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that it was more important for the BJP to ensure that its state office here becomes the centre of 'Vikasit Keralam' than having a Chief Minister in the government. Shah made the statement while addressing a massive gathering of party activists and supporters at a ward-level leadership meeting at Putharikandam Maidan here after inaugurating the new BJP state committee office. Shah also launched the logo and motto of the party's 'Vikasit Keralam' mission. He said that the route to 'Vikasit Bharat' goes through 'Vikasit Keralam' only. "Therefore, from now on, the basic aim of the BJP will be a 'Vikasit Keralam'," he said. Shah inaugurated the new BJP state committee office, Mararji Bhavan, here ahead of launching the party's campaign for the upcoming local body polls this year and the assembly elections next year. The Union Home Minister, who arrived in Kerala late Friday night, also paid floral tributes to a bronze half-bust of late fo

Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen: Husband hopes for a positive response

Thomas met with the Kerala Governor, Rajendra Arlekar, recently, who offered support to Nimisha's mother through video conferencing

9 states graded down for education quality; literate Kerala declines

Punjab, Gujarat and Odisha score the best in government report grading states in various domains

Stranded British F-35B fighter jet in Kerala may finally fly back home

The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea last month when it ran into bad weather and couldn't return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier

SC to hear plea for intervention to save Kerala nurse on death row in Yemen

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to use diplomatic channels to make an attempt to save an Indian nurse, who is likely to be executed in Yemen on July 16 for murder charges. A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi listed the matter for hearing on July 14 after advocate Subhash Chandran KR said diplomatic channels need to be explored at the earliest. He submitted that payment of blood money to the family of the deceased permissible under Sharia law can be explored. The family of the deceased may pardon the Kerala nurse if blood money is paid, he submitted. The bench asked the counsel to serve the copy of the petition to the Attorney General and sought his assistance. Nimisha Priya, 38, a nurse from Palakkad district of Kerala, was convicted of murdering her Yemeni business partner in 2017. She was sentenced to death in 2020, and her final appeal was rejected in 2023. She is currently imprisoned in a jail in Sana

Tharoor shares survey showing public support for him as UDF''s CM face

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday shared a survey indicating that he is the most preferred choice for Chief Minister among leaders of the party-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. The survey, reportedly conducted by private agency called Kerala Vote Vibe, found that 28.3 per cent of respondents believe Tharoor is best suited to lead the state. He shared a news post about the survey on the social media platform X, adding a folded hands emoji in response. The Thiruvananthapuram MP's move comes at a time when his recent positions post Pahalgam terror attack have invited sharp criticism within the Congress, with some of his comments seen as putting the party on the defensive. Kerala is scheduled to go to the Assembly polls in April next year, as the five-year term of the second LDF government led by CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan comes to an end.

Coconut prices triple within a year in Kerala, disrupting temple rituals

Coconut output has dropped due to farming neglect and climate change, driving up prices. Temple offerings of coconut are down 30%, and oil use for lamps is being cut to cope with the rising costs

Indian nurse Nimisha Priya to be executed in Yemen on July 16 for murder

Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, convicted of killing her Yemeni partner in 2017 after alleged abuse, is set to be executed on July 16

Bharat Bandh: Services hit in Kerala, protesters lathicharged in Bengal

Trade unions have called a nationwide strike on July 9, protesting new labour codes, privatisation, inflation, job losses, and the Centre's alleged anti-worker policies

Tourism minister not to blame for inviting Jyoti Malhotra to Kerala: UDF

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Tuesday said neither the Tourism Department nor the minister heading it can be blamed for inviting social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, suspected of spying for Pakistan, to the state for promoting its tourism sector. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan said had the government known she was a spy, it would not have invited her to the state. "No one knew she was carrying out espionage when she was here. So, what can be done about that? We are a responsible opposition, we do not blame the government unnecessarily," he said. At the same time, he also said that had CPI(M) been in the opposition, it would have demanded the resignation of the Tourism Minister over the issue. The opposition leader was replying to reporters' queries regarding the state government inviting Malhotra to Kerala for promoting its tourism. The issue assumes importance as BJP leader K Surendran recently questioned why "a Pak-linked spy's trip" was sponsor

BJP urges Christian youth in Kerala to take part in mainstream politics

The BJP welcomed Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC)'s appeal to Christian youths to join mainstream politics and said that the call aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. In a social media post, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said his party supports youths entering politics and contributing to nation-building. "VikasitaKeralam" needs visionary young leaders committed to development for all, he said in a post on 'X'. "Appreciate the call from KCBC to Christian youth to actively engage in public life and serve society. @BJP4Keralam warmly welcomes youth aspiring to enter politics and contribute to nation-building. This aligns with PM Narendra Modi's vision of one lakh talented youth leading a politics of performance. Vikasita Keralam needs visionary young leaders committed to development for all," Chandrasekhar said. The BJP state chief's statement came two days after a prominent Catholic body in Kerala urged the Christian youth to actively take part in politi

Private bus strike in Kerala; owners warn of indefinite stir from July 22

Private buses kept off the roads in the majority of districts in Kerala on Tuesday, causing difficulties to commuters as part of a token strike announced by their owners pressing various long-pending demands. Daily commuters in the state largely depend upon private buses along with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) vehicles. In the absence of private buses, people were seen relying on the state-run buses, autorickshaws, online taxis, and their own vehicles across the state. However, within the city limits of Thiruvananthapuram, private buses could be seen operating, though their total number is comparatively less. The KSRTC authorities have already announced that they would be operating more services on Tuesday, especially in the key areas, including hospitals and railway stations. A joint forum of the private bus owners announced the token strike after their talks with the transport authorities failed on Monday. They also warned of an indefinite strike from Jul