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Vivek Express to Kanniyakumari Partially Cancelled for One Month; Train to End at Nagercoil

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Vivek Express to Kanniyakumari Partially Cancelled for One Month; Train to End at Nagercoil

Southern Railway has announced a significant change in the service of one of the country’s longest-running trains, the Vivek Express, for a period of one month. Due to ongoing engineering works, the train service to its final destination, Kanniyakumari, will be partially cancelled until the end of October.

In an official release, the railway stated that Train No. 22504, the Dibrugarh – Kanniyakumari Vivek Express, will be short-terminated at Nagercoil. This regulation applies to all services leaving from Dibrugarh starting from September 28, 2025, through October 28, 2025.

Consequently, the train will be partially cancelled on its final leg between Nagercoil and Kanniyakumari during this period. The decision has been taken to facilitate essential engineering works being carried out in the Nagercoil – Kanniyakumari railway section.

Passengers who have booked their travel to Kanniyakumari on this train are advised to take note of this change and make alternative arrangements for their onward journey from Nagercoil. Southern Railway has urged all passengers to check the revised pattern of services and train schedules before commencing their travel to avoid any inconvenience.

“The Camera Is Calling”: Superstar Mammootty Announces Comeback After 7-Month Hiatus

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“The Camera Is Calling”: Superstar Mammootty Announces Comeback After 7-Month Hiatus

Kochi: Ending a seven-month-long wait for his legions of fans, Malayalam superstar Mammootty has officially announced his return to the silver screen. The celebrated actor took to Facebook to share the news, confirming he is rejoining the world of cinema after a significant break for medical treatment.

In a heartfelt post, Mammootty wrote, “After a short break, I am back to doing what I love most in life. Words are not enough to thank everyone who checked in on me during my absence. The camera is calling.” The announcement sent waves of excitement across social media, with fans celebrating by sharing iconic dialogues and scenes from his illustrious career.

The actor is reportedly set to join the film set of his upcoming project with director Mahesh Narayanan in Hyderabad. This return marks a significant moment for the actor, who has rarely taken such a long hiatus from his work. Besides the recent seven-month period, his only other major break was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For decades, Mammootty has been more than just an actor; he is a cultural icon who has defined an era of Malayalam cinema and inspired generations with his timeless style. Often hailed as an actor who has put “age in reverse gear,” his return from a brief period of rest to once again inhabit new characters is being eagerly anticipated by audiences.

Air India Express Drastically Cuts Kerala-Gulf Flights, Sparking Outcry and Fare Hike Fears

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Air India Express Drastically Cuts Kerala-Gulf Flights, Sparking Outcry and Fare Hike Fears

New Delhi: In a move set to severely impact thousands of expatriates, Air India Express is drastically reducing its services from Kerala to several Gulf nations. The airline plans to cut nearly 50 weekly flights as part of its revised winter schedule, which comes into effect on October 26.

The budget carrier, a lifeline for a large number of Indian workers in the Middle East, has cancelled key direct routes, including flights from Kozhikode and Kannur to Kuwait, and from Kannur to Bahrain and Dammam. Services from Kerala to major hubs like Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah are expected to be halved.

This significant reduction has caused widespread concern among the expatriate community, who rely on Air India Express for its relatively affordable fares. The decision is expected to lead to a sharp increase in ticket prices across other airlines, placing a heavy financial burden on ordinary workers. The cuts will also affect passengers who travel via Gulf countries to destinations in Europe and the United States.

While Air India Express has not officially stated a reason for the schedule overhaul, it is reported that the airline is shifting its focus by increasing services from other Indian cities, such as Bengaluru. Reports suggest that new flights from Bengaluru to Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh are planned to operate three times a week.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders. Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor condemned the decision in a letter to Air India Express CEO Campbell Wilson. “Air India Express must stop treating Kerala as second-class,” Tharoor warned, suggesting that if the neglect continues, preferential treatment might have to be given to other airlines operating from the state.

Sthree Sakthi SS-487 Winner from Kollam Bags ₹1 Crore; Kerala Lottery Result

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Sthree Sakthi SS-487 Winner from Kollam Bags ₹1 Crore; Kerala Lottery Result

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Lotteries department has announced the results for the Sthree Sakthi SS-487 lottery draw today, September 30, 2025. The live draw was held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram at 3:00 PM.

The first prize of a whopping ₹1 Crore was won by a ticket holder from Kollam. The winning ticket number is

SO 500622. The second prize of ₹30 Lakhs was awarded to ticket number

SR 735215, sold in Guruvayoor. The third prize of ₹5 Lakhs went to ticket number

SN 767729 from Irinjalakuda.

Winners are advised to verify their ticket numbers with the results published in the Kerala Government Gazette and to surrender their winning tickets within 90 days.

The next Sthree-Sakthi lottery draw will take place on October 7, 2025.

Here is a complete list of the winning numbers for the Sthree Sakthi SS-487 draw:

1st Prize: ₹1 Crore

  • SO 500622 (KOLLAM)

Consolation Prize: ₹5,000

  • SN 500622, SP 500622, SR 500622, SS 500622, ST 500622, SU 500622, SV 500622, SW 500622, SX 500622, SY 500622, SZ 500622

2nd Prize: ₹30 Lakhs

  • SR 735215 (GURUVAYOOR)

3rd Prize: ₹5 Lakhs

  • SN 767729 (IRINJALAKUDA)

4th Prize: ₹5,000

  • 0800, 1938, 2330, 2525, 2917, 3264, 3337, 3808, 3976, 4628, 5337, 5905, 6524, 6746, 7649, 7855, 8250, 8637, 9191

5th Prize: ₹2,000

  • 1382, 3998, 7109, 7616, 8889, 9800

6th Prize: ₹1,000

  • 0267, 0285, 1316, 1493, 1762, 1972, 2175, 2518, 3858, 4159, 4383, 4551, 4583, 4782, 4800, 5065, 5864, 6401, 7686, 7908, 8529, 8535, 8902, 9353, 9737

7th Prize: ₹500

  • 0092, 0121, 0238, 0552, 0576, 0838, 0871, 0875, 1080, 1186, 1199, 1320, 1489, 1539, 1643, 1947, 2092, 2142, 2247, 2334, 2340, 2658, 2807, 2899, 3093, 3116, 3159, 3164, 3282, 3404, 3427, 3578, 3673, 3745, 3887, 4045, 4173, 4178, 4326, 4494, 4499, 4579, 4612, 4640, 4839, 5043, 5500, 5584, 5715, 5740, 6028, 6164, 6222, 6322, 6639, 6707, 6729, 6744, 6961, 7324, 7369, 7606, 7609, 7727, 7972, 8267, 8377, 8383, 8640, 8703, 8928, 8929, 9301, 9488, 9642, 9875

8th Prize: ₹200

  • 0175, 0249, 0395, 0515, 0523, 0528, 0759, 0992, 1015, 1029, 1404, 1545, 1699, 1719, 1950, 2053, 2068, 2103, 2125, 2126, 2262, 2294, 2311, 2367, 2405, 2643, 2675, 2704, 2705, 2825, 2841, 2886, 2913, 2955, 3922, 4048, 4123, 4183, 4187, 4356, 4507, 4548, 4685, 4716, 4797, 4814, 4819, 4853, 4960, 4977, 4996, 5010, 5111, 5143, 5172, 5261, 5620, 5843, 6051, 6205, 6207, 6493, 6564, 6651, 6714, 7083, 7084, 7205, 7244, 7349, 7397, 7435, 7705, 7786, 7802, 7829, 8191, 8201, 8227, 8550, 9054, 9339, 9381, 9444, 9495, 9542, 9593, 9733, 9848, 9849

9th Prize: ₹100

  • 0001, 0014, 0044, 0134, 0181, 0231, 0244, 0298, 0499, 0526, 0549, 0554, 0662, 0740, 0889, 0962, 1148, 1162, 1223, 1460, 1718, 1905, 2001, 2016, 2099, 2284, 2312, 2322, 2432, 2501, 2526, 2579, 2750, 2894, 2925, 3063, 3077, 3199, 3267, 3276, 3356, 3406, 3411, 3412, 3537, 3543, 3573, 3630, 3806, 3818, 3854, 4011, 4104, 4139, 4192, 4208, 4224, 4249, 4291, 4333, 4362, 4370, 4413, 4466, 4558, 4602, 4762, 4829, 4891, 4904, 5034, 5053, 5140, 5208, 5344, 5415, 5434, 5511, 5524, 5531, 5557, 5708, 5711, 5725, 5820, 5823, 5919, 6012, 6105, 6317, 6343, 6411, 6478, 6686, 6747, 6792, 6818, 6898, 6922, 6932, 6976, 6988, 7028, 7127, 7172, 7185, 7233, 7237, 7249, 7273, 7280, 7460, 7546, 7551, 7562, 7619, 7647, 7670, 7737, 7738, 7828, 7831, 7875, 7936, 8206, 8237, 8260, 8292, 8312, 8321, 8467, 8584, 8600, 8618, 8666, 8955, 8976, 8997, 9013, 9047, 9385, 9418, 9435, 9463, 9707, 9712, 9829, 9853, 9933, 9968

‘Shaken to My Core’: Actor Vijay Breaks Silence After 41 Die in Stampede at His Rally

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‘Shaken to My Core’: Actor Vijay Breaks Silence After 41 Die in Stampede at His Rally

Karur: Three days after a tragic stampede at his political rally in Karur claimed 41 lives, actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has broken his silence. In a video statement, Vijay described the incident as the “most painful situation” of his life and said he was “shaken to the core.”

The deadly stampede occurred during a TVK event where massive, uncontrolled crowd swelling was cited as a contributing factor. In the aftermath, serious questions have been raised about the safety arrangements and crowd management at the high-profile political gathering.

The incident has also taken a political and legal turn. On Monday, TVK’s Karur district secretary, Mathiyazhagan, was arrested in connection with the tragedy. Rejecting the notion that the stampede was an accident, Vijay’s party has alleged it was the result of a “conspiracy.” The TVK has subsequently moved the Madras High Court with their claims, seeking a judicial intervention into the matter.

‘Can I See You One More Time?’: Indraja’s Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Father Robo Shankar

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‘Can I See You One More Time?’: Indraja’s Heartbreaking Tribute to Late Father Robo Shankar

CHENNAI: Actress Indraja Shankar has shared a deeply emotional video tribute to her late father, actor Robo Shankar, who passed away a few days ago after collapsing on a film set. The poignant video reel, featuring a collection of cherished photographs from her childhood to the present, has left fans and colleagues in tears.

Indraja posted the montage with a heart-wrenching caption in Tamil, which translates to: “Can I see you one more time, Appa (dad)? If yes, please come to me, Appa.” The post was quickly flooded with thousands of comments from fans and celebrities offering their condolences and messages of support to the grieving actress.

Actor Robo Shankar’s sudden death came as a shock to the film industry. He collapsed on the sets of his upcoming movie, ‘Godzilla’, after vomiting blood. He was immediately rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital in Perungudi but could not be saved.

The actor had recently been suffering from jaundice, which had led to significant weight loss. The tragedy occurred just as he was making a recovery and actively returning to his film commitments.

Indraja Shankar is a well-known actress, acclaimed for her role as Pandiyamma in the Vijay-starrer blockbuster ‘Bigil’. Her mother and Robo Shankar’s wife, Priyanka, is also an actress. The family’s loss is being mourned by the entire Kollywood fraternity.

In the Land of Oil, an Energy Revolution: Saudi Arabia’s Solar Push Shakes Global Market

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In the Land of Oil, an Energy Revolution: Saudi Arabia’s Solar Push Shakes Global Market

Riyadh: In a move that is sending shockwaves through the global energy market, Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, is drastically cutting its own domestic oil consumption. The Kingdom’s rapid transition to renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, is now being seen as a major threat to the future of the oil market—a threat emerging not from Western electric vehicle adoption, but from within the heart of the oil empire itself.

For the last two decades, Saudi Arabia’s growth in oil consumption was surpassed only by China and India. A significant portion of this oil was used to generate electricity, especially to power air conditioning during the scorching summer months. Now, under its “Vision 2030” plan, the country aims to completely replace this with solar power and natural gas. The goal is to generate 130 gigawatts of solar energy by 2030, a capacity roughly equal to the entire solar production of India. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this shift alone could cause the single largest drop in global oil demand within the next five years.

While many were initially skeptical of these ambitious targets due to slow progress on other Saudi megaprojects, recent developments are proving the doubters wrong. Solar projects are now being completed at a remarkable pace. ACWA Power, a leading Saudi energy company, has already activated approximately 4.9 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2024 alone and has announced plans for a similar expansion by next year.

This energy transition is driven by a shrewd economic strategy. As Saudi Aramco President Amin Nasser has clarified, reducing domestic consumption frees up more crude oil for the export market. The scale of this internal shift is staggering: the Saudi electricity grid alone consumes more oil than all the cars and scooters in India combined.

As this massive consumer weans itself off oil by the end of the decade, an already oversupplied global market could be pushed into a deeper and more prolonged crisis.

Sri Lanka Strike Early in World Cup Opener, Dismiss Smriti Mandhana to Put India on Back Foot

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Sri Lanka Strike Early in World Cup Opener, Dismiss Smriti Mandhana to Put India on Back Foot

September 30, 2025: The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup kicked off with an exciting start as co-hosts Sri Lanka landed an early blow against India in the opening match. After being put in to bat, India lost the crucial wicket of star opener Smriti Mandhana, putting the team under immediate pressure. After six overs, India were 24 for the loss of one wicket.

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field first, a decision she attributed to her confidence in the bowling unit and the likelihood of dew in the second innings. In response, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur stated her team’s intention was to post a competitive total on what looked to be a good pitch.

The decision to bowl paid dividends for Sri Lanka when pacer Udeshika Prabodhani dismissed the in-form Mandhana. Attempting a big shot on the off-side, Mandhana was caught at deep point. Following her departure, opener Pratika Rawal was joined at the crease by Harleen Deol, who sought to counter-attack by hitting two quick boundaries to ease the pressure.

India, ranked third in the world, entered the tournament with a powerful batting lineup featuring Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh. The return of Renuka Singh strengthens their pace attack, complemented by the experienced spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana.

Sri Lanka, returning to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition, will be heavily reliant on the performance of their captain, Chamari Athapaththu.

Rupee Plunges to Historic Low of 88.80 Against US Dollar

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Rupee Plunges to Historic Low of 88.80 Against US Dollar

Mumbai: The Indian rupee recorded its biggest fall in history on Tuesday, plunging to an all-time low of 88.80 against the US dollar during intraday trade. The currency’s sharp decline surpassed the previous record set just last week, signalling intense pressure on the Indian economy.

The slide is being attributed primarily to ongoing trade tensions between India and the United States, which have fueled a surge in demand for the US dollar.

Although the rupee showed a marginal recovery in early trade on Tuesday, it quickly buckled under intense selling pressure. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reportedly intervened in the market by selling dollars in an attempt to cushion the fall, but these efforts were insufficient to stop the currency from hitting the new low.

Adding to the pressure, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have continued their selling spree in the Indian stock market, further weakening the rupee. Market sentiment is also dampened by the lack of any significant progress on a new India-US trade agreement. The financial world is now anxiously awaiting the RBI’s policy announcement tomorrow to gauge its stance on interest rates and measures to stabilize the currency.

The rupee’s weakness is also seen in the context of broader economic challenges. As early as January this year, brokerage firm UBS Group had warned that India’s economy was entering a “structural slowdown.” It cited weak credit growth, a decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and a general deceleration in economic momentum as key underlying causes for concern.

Setback for Kerala Govt: Tribunal Orders Vigilance Clearance for DGP Yogesh Gupta Within Five Days

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Setback for Kerala Govt: Tribunal Orders Vigilance Clearance for DGP Yogesh Gupta Within Five Days

Kochi: In a significant setback for the Kerala government, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday directed the state to issue a vigilance clearance certificate to senior IPS officer DGP Yogesh Gupta within five days. The order paves the way for Gupta’s central deputation, which he had sought following a strained relationship with the state administration.

The CAT’s Ernakulam bench issued the directive after Gupta filed a petition alleging that the state government was deliberately withholding the clearance necessary for his appointment to a central government post. The Union Home Ministry had repeatedly requested the clearance from the state, but the requests were not acted upon.

Gupta’s plea for a central deputation came after a tumultuous period in the state cadre, during which he was transferred seven times in the last three years. His most recent posting was as the Road Safety Commissioner last week.

His previous assignments included Managing Director of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO), Director of the Kerala Police Academy, Additional Director General of the State Crime Records Bureau, and head of the Vigilance and Fire and Rescue Services departments.

These frequent transfers contravene a Supreme Court directive that civil service officers should have a minimum tenure of two years in a single post to ensure stability and effective administration. According to regulations, any deviation from this rule requires approval from the Civil Services Board, a procedure often overlooked, as noted in the petition.

The state government had contended before the tribunal that Gupta was facing a preliminary inquiry over decisions made during his tenure as Vigilance Director, and therefore, clearance could not be issued until the inquiry concluded. However, the tribunal noted that details of the inquiry were not disclosed and questioned whether a pending inquiry was a valid reason to withhold the information sought by the central government.

Despite requests to the Chief Minister, Gupta’s plea to be relieved from the state cadre for a central posting was not approved, prompting him to seek legal recourse. The tribunal’s decisive order now clears the path for his deputation.

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