Latest news with #PressTrustofIndiaThiruvananthapuram
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Tourism minister not to blame for inviting Jyoti Malhotra to Kerala: UDF
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 Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram 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 sponsored by Kerala Tourism. Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, who had recently brushed aside the allegation as "worthless propaganda", on Tuesday reiterated that the government was not aware of what Malhotra was involved in when she was invited to the state. He said that the government also did not receive any adverse information about her from any of the agencies. "She went to states ruled by various political parties, including the BJP. Now, some BJP leaders want a probe into the matter. The intention behind all this is only to create unnecessary controversy," he said. Meanwhile, amidst the raging row, a purported video of Malhotra interacting with the then Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, went viral on social media. Some Malayalam news channels also aired the same video of her interviewing Muraleedharan during the inaugural run of the orange-coloured Vande Bharat Express from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram in September 2023. In the video, the BJP leader can be seen telling her, in English and Malayalam, how the train would benefit the people of the state. Neither Muraleedharan nor the BJP has responded to the development. Malhotra was arrested in May this year, after the Pahalgam terror attack, on suspicion of spying for Pakistan. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Kerala on alert after two suspected Nipah virus cases spark concern
The suspected cases from Malappuram and Palakkad districts were flagged during routine testing at government medical colleges in Kozhikode and Malappuram Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram Health authorities in Kerala on Friday issued an alert across three northern districts after two people showed possible signs of Nipah virus infection, reviving fears of an outbreak that the state has battled in the past. Health alerts have been issued in the districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, officials said. The suspected cases from Malappuram and Palakkad districts were flagged during routine testing at government medical colleges in Kozhikode and Malappuram. Samples have been rushed to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation, an official release said here. "We have already strengthened preventive measures in line with Nipah protocol," said Health Minister Veena George after chairing an emergency meeting to assess the situation. In Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts, 26 special teams have been formed in each region to carry out contact tracing, monitor symptoms and inform the public. Help from the police has been sought to identify people who may have been exposed to the patients, the minister said. District collectors have been asked to prepare containment zones, and public announcements are being made to raise awareness. State and local helplines are being set up to assist the public. Officials are also being urged to check if any unnatural or unexplained deaths have occurred in recent weeks -- one of the key warning signs of a potential outbreak, she said. Another high-level meeting will be held this evening to take stock of the evolving situation and ensure all precautions are in place. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Congress urges Centre to clarify third-party mediation in Kashmir issue
The grand old party pointed to US President Donald Trump's daily statements, claiming that he was intervening in the matter Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram The Congress on Monday urged the Centre to clarify whether it is open to third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue, warning that such as stance could potentially violate the Simla Agreement. The grand old party pointed to US President Donald Trump 's daily statements, claiming that he was intervening in the matter, and said a clarification from the union government on the matter was inevitable. While addressing a party programme here, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said the party wants to know whether there has been a shift in the country's foreign policy, and therefore the matter has to be taken up in the Parliament at the earliest. Questions are now being raised if the Simla Agreement has been violated. "Was the Simla Agreement, which rejects any third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, violated? Trump has been making statements daily, claiming that he has intervened in the matter. We need the government's clarification," Venugopal said. "The Congress party has asked the Prime Minister of India to urgently convene Parliament to discuss these issues. This is not to blame anyone or put them on trial." The Congress party also called for a special session of Parliament to evaluate the situation in detail, to identify any mistakes that were made, and to ensure that they are not repeated in the future. "We must get answers to these questions in order to rectify lapses and mistakes, and to continue our fight against Pakistan without fail," he added. His comments came after India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to halt military actions on land, air and sea after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. There were violations of the agreement as Pakistan resorted to cross-border firing within hours of its announcement. According to Venugopal, the country is going through a very serious situation, and the Congress, the INDIA alliance, and the entire opposition firmly stand behind the union government and the Indian Army in their strong fight against terrorism. The leader also mentioned that in recent days, both the country and the world have recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had firmly opposed third-party intervention in the Kashmir issue. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to cease all military actions, following the most severe confrontation between the two countries in decades. The escalation was triggered by a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 dead. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Kerala launches 'Jyothi' to ensure education for migrant workers' children
Migrant workers form an essential part of Kerala's workforce, with over 35 lakh workers contributing across various sectors, it said Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram The Kerala government has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring access to education for the children of migrant workers. Titled "Jyothi", the programme seeks to bring all children of migrant workers aged 3 to 6 into the anganwadis while ensuring those aged 6 and above are fully integrated into public schools, a CMO statement said here on Wednesday. Migrant workers form an essential part of Kerala's workforce, with over 35 lakh workers contributing across various sectors, it said. Many live in the state with their families, making it imperative to extend Kerala's legacy of universal and free public education to their children as well. The initiative also focuses on fostering cultural and educational inclusion, it said. This project marks a crucial step in advancing the welfare and empowerment of migrant workers and reaffirms the Kerala Government's commitment to inclusive development, the CMO statement added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
