Kerala politics has been shaken once again as Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil faces fresh allegations of sexual misconduct—this time from a transgender activist who has accused him of making obscene and threatening remarks.

According to the activist, the MLA reportedly said, “He wants to rape me”, sparking outrage and triggering a wave of condemnation from various sections of society.

Not the First Allegation

This is not an isolated case. Earlier, actor Rini Ann George and writer Honey Bhaskaran had also accused Rahul Mamkootathil of similar misconduct. With this being the third accusation in recent months, questions over political accountability, women’s safety, and the treatment of marginalized voices are being raised with urgency.

Growing Political & Public Outcry

In response to the growing concerns over stray dog attacks, the Kerala government has constituted district-level committees to process and disburse compensation claims for dog bite victims. This move follows a Supreme Court directive that instructed the state to strengthen its framework for addressing public safety and victim relief.

Why New Committees Were Formed

The newly set-up panels will replace the Siri Jagan Committee, which was previously tasked with handling such matters but was later dissolved. Victims and their families had long raised concerns about delays and inadequate compensation, prompting the apex court to intervene and push for a more transparent, localized mechanism.

Who’s in the Committees?

Each district-level panel will be inclusive and multidisciplinary, consisting of:

Kerala is once again grappling with a public health scare as a 9-year-old girl from Kozhikode tragically lost her life to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but devastating brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

This marks the fourth reported case in the state, pushing health authorities to issue urgent warnings and preventive advisories.

What is Naegleria fowleri?

Often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri is a free-living microorganism commonly found in warm, untreated freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming pools.

Once it enters the human body through the nose—usually while swimming or bathing—it travels up the nasal passages to the brain, where it causes PAM, a rapidly progressing and often fatal condition.

A Day Steeped in Pride

Today, India marks its 79th Independence Day, a milestone that blends history, pride, and hope for the future.The morning began with the Prime Minister hoisting the Tricolour at the Red Fort, paying tribute to the heroes of Operation Sindoor and calling for a united march towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

This year, the Google Doodle joined the celebrations, honoring India’s achievements in cricket, chess, cinema, and space exploration—a colorful nod to how far we have come.

Highlights from the PM’s Address

Delivering his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi touched upon:

The serene shores of Thrissur and Kozhikode are witnessing an unusual spectacle — a “red tide” phenomenon, confirmed by marine biologists at the Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT). This natural event, caused by the proliferation of the microscopic organism Noctiluca scintillans, has painted parts of the Arabian Sea with a rusty-red hue during the day and an otherworldly bioluminescent glow at night.

🔬 What is Red Tide?

Red tide refers to a harmful algal bloom (HAB), where certain algae multiply rapidly, changing the color of the water. In Kerala’s case, the organism involved is non-toxic at present, meaning it poses no direct threat to humans. However, scientists warn that it can have indirect ecological consequences by depleting dissolved oxygen levels in the water, which may lead to the death of fish and other marine life.

🌱 Potential Environmental Impact

While this bloom has not yet reached dangerous levels, history shows that Noctiluca outbreaks can disrupt…

Kerala’s political climate heated up today after Governor Rajendra Arlekar directed all state universities to observe August 14 as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’. The move, framed as a way to remember the suffering during India’s 1947 partition, has sparked strong backlash from the state government.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Education Minister V. Sivankutty have slammed the Governor’s order, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated. They argue that decisions on academic observances fall under the elected government’s purview, not the Governor’s unilateral authority.

This clash isn’t isolated—it’s part of a long-running tussle between Kerala’s Left-led government and the Governor over control of universities, appointments, and policy directions. Critics see the Governor’s directive as an overreach, while supporters argue it’s a legitimate effort to acknowledge a pivotal chapter in Indian history.

Key Points:

• The directive applies to all state universities.

Thiruvananthapuram is reeling from a deeply disturbing incident after a young student was found dead in what appears to be a case of suicide linked to prolonged harassment and coercion. The victim’s suicide note, now in police custody, alleges that her boyfriend, identified as Ramees, subjected her to severe physical and mental abuse. Most alarmingly, the note claims that she was being forced to convert before marriage — a demand that left her feeling cornered and distressed.

Police officials, who are leading the investigation, have also recovered WhatsApp message exchanges between the victim and the accused. These messages reportedly reveal signs of extreme psychological pressure and manipulation, painting a grim picture of the victim’s final days. While authorities have yet to formally confirm charges, the nature of the accusations has sparked intense debate over relationship abuse, religious coercion, and the urgent need for stronger safeguards for vulnerable individuals.

Mental health…

In a landmark achievement for environmental conservation, Thiruvananthapuram has entered the World Book of Records with a massive seed ball campaign aimed at boosting urban greenery.

As part of the city’s Green Budget 2025 initiatives, more than 7,000 students came together to roll seed balls—small, eco-friendly packages of soil, nutrients, and seeds that can be scattered in barren areas to promote plant growth. The initial target was ambitious, but the students’ enthusiasm far exceeded expectations, making it not just a citywide success but also a global record-setting effort.

The campaign highlights a powerful example of civic participation, where young minds actively engaged in tackling climate change and restoring green cover. These seed balls will be distributed and planted across urban and peri-urban zones, helping to counter the effects of pollution, improve biodiversity, and create a healthier environment for future generations.

City officials hailed the event as a milestone in environmental stewardship, noting that…

The Kerala High Court has sent a strong message to Kochi’s private bus operators—passenger safety comes first. In a recent hearing, Justice Amit Rawal emphasized that the current system of tightly packed bus schedules is fueling a dangerous culture of overspeeding on city roads.

The Problem: Deadly Race Against the Clock

For years, Kochi’s private buses have competed fiercely for passengers, often running on tight schedules designed to maximize profits. This has led to drivers taking risks—cutting lanes abruptly, ignoring traffic signals, and pushing their vehicles well beyond safe speed limits. Unfortunately, such practices endanger not only passengers but also pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Court’s Proposed Solutions

To address this systemic issue, the High Court has put forward clear and practical measures: