Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party in the capital is riding a wave of enthusiasm, confidently raising its head after an early and strategic candidate declaration, gaining a significant edge in the upcoming Corporation elections.
The initial election charge for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was entrusted to P.C. Vishnunath. However, following a strong demand for a political heavyweight to spearhead the campaign, the mantle was handed over to K. Muraleedharan, the son of the late Leader K. Karunakaran. Muraleedharan’s entry has injected a newfound dynamism into the party structure.
The momentum amplified further with the decision of former MLA K.S. Sabarinathan to contest in the Corporation polls, creating a festive atmosphere among the Congress ranks.
The synergy of the ‘Murali-Sabari Combo’ was palpable as the two leaders launched a road-show and vehicle rally across the capital. This aggressive campaigning has secured a clear early advantage for the Congress in the electoral landscape.
The capital city also witnessed the retreat of internal dissenters, metaphorically referred to as the ‘Manacaud faction,’ who have reportedly been forced to abandon their disruptive efforts in the face of the unified and vigorous party campaign.
Chennai: Actor Gouri Kishan has earned widespread acclaim and support after publicly confronting a journalist who repeatedly body-shamed her with questions about her weight during a promotional event for her upcoming film, Others. The heated exchange quickly went viral, igniting a crucial conversation about the sexism and objectification female actors face in the entertainment industry.
The incident occurred during a press interaction in Chennai, where Gouri was promoting the film alongside her co-stars. The confrontation escalated after the journalist brought up the topic of her weight, having previously asked her male co-star about the difficulty of lifting her for a scene.
A visibly frustrated Gouri, known for her roles in films like ’96, slammed the line of questioning, calling it “highly disrespectful, unnecessary, and stupid.”
She firmly stood her ground as the reporter attempted to justify his query, asserting that her physical appearance was irrelevant to her professional work. “How does my weight concern you? How is it relevant to this film? Every woman has a different body type. I will let my talent speak,” Gouri asserted.
The actor went on to point out the blatant gender bias, questioning if the reporter would ever pose such a query to a male actor. “I’m the only woman in this room and I’m being targeted with such questions,” she stated, adding, “This is not journalism; you are a disgrace to your profession.”
Gouri also expressed frustration that questions about her craft and character were being overshadowed by comments on her appearance. Despite some journalists attempting to label the question as “light-hearted,” Gouri was quick to shut down the defense, saying, “I did not find it funny. Stop normalising body-shaming.”
Following the viral clip, numerous celebrities and netizens have rallied behind Gouri, praising her for her courage and poise. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada and actor Kavin were among those who publicly voiced their support, condemning misogynistic practices in media and applauding Gouri for pushing back against a toxic norm.
Bollywood power couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have embraced parenthood, joyfully announcing the birth of their first child, a baby boy, on November 7, 2025.
The couple took to social media to share the blissful news with their fans, posting a joint statement that read, “Our bundle of joy has arrived. With immense love and gratitude, we welcome our baby boy. 7th November 2025. Katrina & Vicky.” Vicky Kaushal captioned the post with a simple yet heartfelt “Blessed.”
The announcement, which featured an adorable graphic of a teddy bear with a blue baby carriage, immediately set off a wave of celebratory messages from the film fraternity and millions of fans.
Congratulatory messages poured in from Bollywood’s biggest names. Actress Priyanka Chopra commented, “sooooo happy! Congratulations,” while Arjun Kapoor dropped a series of heart emojis. New mother Parineeti Chopra also shared her joy, writing, “Congratssssssss new mamma and papa!”
Perhaps the most enthusiastic reaction came from Kareena Kapoor Khan, who welcomed Katrina to the ‘boy Mamma club’ writing, “Katttttt welcome to the boy Mamma club so happy for you and vicky…”
The pair, who tied the knot in a private ceremony in December 2021, had revealed their pregnancy back in September with a tender black-and-white photograph, signaling the start of their “best chapter.”
On the professional front, the new mother, Katrina Kaif, was last seen in the film ‘Merry Christmas’ and is reportedly taking an extended maternity break. Vicky Kaushal, whose recent film ‘Chhaava’ was a major box office success in 2025, is next slated to appear in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Love And War.’ Fans eagerly await the first glimpse of the newest member of the Kaushal family.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a significant order aimed at enhancing public safety across the country, directing the immediate removal of stray dogs from key public areas, including educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and sports complexes.
The apex court, in its directive, explicitly mandated that the concerned authorities must ensure all captured stray canines are relocated to designated dog shelters. The ruling is expected to have a major impact on commuter safety and public health, especially at high-traffic zones like railway and bus hubs where the presence of stray dogs often poses a risk of accidents and bites.
The order underscores the need for a balance between animal welfare and public safety, moving the focus from simple culling to managed relocation and shelter care. The ruling comes amidst persistent reports of inconvenience and danger posed by the growing number of stray dogs in public infrastructure areas.
Authorities responsible for the upkeep and management of these public spaces—including transport departments, railway boards, and municipal bodies—are now tasked with the immediate implementation of this sweeping judicial mandate. The move is anticipated to be a challenging logistical exercise, requiring the mobilisation of animal welfare workers and municipal resources to comply with the court’s decision effectively and humanely.
Queensland, Australia : India captain Suryakumar Yadav, known for his calm demeanor and ‘Mr. 360’ flair, showed a rare moment of visible frustration during the crucial fourth T20I against Australia in Queensland. The incident involved all-rounder Shivam Dube and occurred during a pivotal stage of the match, though it did not prevent India from securing a dominant 48-run victory and taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The flare-up unfolded on the final delivery of the 12th over as Australia chased a target of 168. Dube, bowling well, had just claimed the wicket of Tim David and built pressure with two consecutive dot balls against new batter Marcus Stoinis. However, the pressure was instantly released when Dube erred on the last ball, sending down a short delivery that was wide outside the off-stump. Stoinis capitalized, cutting the loose ball to the backward point boundary.
As the ball raced to the fence, an animated Suryakumar Yadav was captured on camera, visibly shouting at Dube, clearly unhappy about the bowler giving away momentum in a critical phase of the innings.
Despite the brief moment of tension, the young Indian side quickly regained control. Washington Sundar sparked a stunning Australian batting collapse, claiming three wickets in the space of just five balls. Australia tumbled from a relatively comfortable 91 for 4 to an eventual 119 all out in 18.2 overs, their second-lowest T20 total on home soil.
India’s spinners were the architects of the victory, sharing six wickets. Sundar finished with an exceptional 3 for 3 from 1.2 overs, while Axar Patel’s all-round contribution (21 off 11 balls and 2/20) earned him the Player of the Match award. Earlier, Shubman Gill’s anchor knock of 46 helped India post 167 for 8. The series now moves to Brisbane for the final match, with India holding the upper hand.
The Kerala State Lotteries Department has released the results for the Karunya Plus Lottery (KN-596) draw held today, November 6, 2025. The grand first prize of ₹1,00,00,000 (One Crore) was claimed by a ticket sold in the Thrissur district.
The winning ticket number for the bumper prize is PT 799772, while the second prize of ₹30,00,000 goes to PR 239806 sold in Kannur. The draw took place at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
Major Prize Winners
Prize
Amount (₹)
Winning Ticket Number
Sold At
1st Prize
1,00,00,000 (1 Crore)
PT 799772
THRISSUR
2nd Prize
30,00,000 (30 Lakh)
PR 239806
KANNUR
3rd Prize
5,00,000 (5 Lakh)
PV 853793
PATTAMBI
Consolation Prize (₹5,000)
The following tickets win the consolation prize for having the same number (799772) as the first prize, but belonging to different series: PN 799772, PO 799772, PP 799772, PR 799772, PS 799772, PU 799772, PV 799772, PW 799772, PX 799772, PY 799772, PZ 799772
All prize winners are advised to verify the winning numbers with the official results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Winners must surrender their tickets within 90 days from the date of the draw.
The next Karunya Plus draw will be held on 13/11/2025 at Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
MUMBAI: The Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), led by Dr. Ranjan Pai, has expressed interest in acquiring the parent company of the education technology firm Byju’s (Think and Learn Private Ltd), which is currently facing bankruptcy proceedings due to severe debt obligations.
This move by MEMG is reportedly aimed at securing full control of Aakash Educational Services, a key subsidiary under the Byju’s umbrella. Dr. Ranjan Pai’s group previously acted as a ‘rescuer’ for Byju’s by acquiring a 58% stake in Aakash. The current objective is to secure the remaining 25% stake in Aakash that is still held by the bankrupt parent entity, Think and Learn.
Byju’s, founded by Keralite entrepreneur Byju Raveendran, had fallen into a severe crisis after defaulting on loan repayments, leading to the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings. Dr. Ranjan Pai initially stepped in by investing ₹1,400 crore in Aakash in November 2023, primarily by purchasing debt instruments from the US financial institution Davidson Kempner.
The Resolution Professional (RP), Shailendra Ajmera, appointed to sell off Think and Learn’s assets to recover loan amounts, had set November 13 as the deadline for interested parties to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Reports indicate that the Manipal Education and Medical Group is currently the sole entity to have submitted an EOI.
Byju’s had acquired Aakash Institute in 2021 for a staggering $950 million (approximately ₹8,000 crore). Following the post-Covid business slump, Byju’s faced major headwinds. Dr. Pai’s initial investment in Aakash secured him around 40% of the shares, followed by further acquisitions from Blackstone and Aakash founder J.C. Chaudhry, raising his stake to 58%.
The ongoing share sale process allows bidders to apply for the entire Think and Learn equity or individual subsidiaries like Aakash, GeoGebra, WhiteHat Jr, and Toppr. Dr. Ranjan Pai’s current strategy is seen as a focused bid to consolidate complete ownership and control over the highly profitable Aakash unit.
New Delhi: In the perpetual debate over footballing supremacy, the FIFA World Cup provides the ultimate proving ground. Recent statistics confirm that Lionel Messi holds a significant lead over his former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Neymar, in total goals scored on the global stage.
The Argentine maestro, Messi, boasts an impressive 13 goals across 26 matches in five World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022). His most prolific tournament was the victorious 2022 campaign, where he netted seven goals.
Conversely, Brazil’s talisman, Neymar, has secured 8 goals in 13 appearances over three tournaments (2014, 2018, 2022). Neymar’s best individual performance was in 2014, matching Messi’s four goals from that year.
While Neymar boasts a better goals-per-game ratio (8 goals / 13matches, approx 0.62) compared to Messi (13 goals/ 26 matches, =0.50), Messi’s sheer longevity and extraordinary 2022 campaign have cemented his superior overall record.
Thiruvananthapuram: In a swift and unexpected move, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] has reportedly decided against extending the term of the current Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) governing body, a decision widely seen as a direct consequence of the escalating Sabarimala gold misappropriation controversy.
The term of the current body, led by President P.S. Prasanth and members P.D. Santhosh Kumar and A. Ajith Kumar, had recently expired. Despite initial plans to issue an ordinance for an extension, particularly with the vital Sabarimala pilgrimage season approaching, the CPM’s available secretariat has suddenly reversed course, opting instead for a new committee.
New Leadership to Take Charge
The final decision is expected at the routine state secretariat meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Former Haripad MLA T.K. Devakumar is slated to take over as the new TDB President. Vilappil Radhakrishnan will be the representative from the CPI.
Gold Controversy Looms Large
The sudden non-renewal has fuelled speculation that the CPM is distancing itself from the current leadership amidst fears that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case could implicate Prasanth.
The core of the controversy surrounds the highly irregular decision in September 2025 to send the gold-plated panels of the Dwarapalaka sculptures to Chennai for repair. Critics point out that this was done without heeding the Devaswom Manual and relevant High Court orders. This move, along with subsequent court interventions and discussions, brought to light the details of the alleged gold misappropriation at the hill shrine.
The appointment of the new board is now viewed as an attempt by the CPM to manage the fallout from the temple scandal and ensure a new, less controversial administration is in place ahead of the crucial pilgrimage season.
NEW DELHI—A Brazilian model, identified as Larissa, has expressed shock after her photograph was allegedly found used repeatedly under different names in the Haryana voter list, an allegation presented by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as evidence of massive voter fraud in the recent Assembly elections.
In a video reaction that has since gone viral, the model dismissed the photo’s usage as a “horrible joke” and a “mess.”
“Guys, I’m gonna tell you a joke—it’s too horrible! They’re using an old picture of me for elections in India, showing me as Indian. What a mess!” Larissa stated, confirming that the photo was an old stock image and that a reporter had reached out to her workplace for an interview.
The photograph became a central part of what Gandhi dubbed the ‘H-Files,’ unveiled during a press conference in Delhi. Gandhi claimed that approximately 25 lakh (2.5 million) voter records in Haryana were either fake, duplicate, or manipulated, asserting that “one in eight voters in Haryana are fake.”
The Congress leader displayed a section of the voter list where the same foreign model’s picture appeared under various Indian names, including Seema, Sweety, Saraswati, Rashmi, and Vilma, to question the integrity of the electoral rolls and allege a conspiracy to turn a predicted Congress victory into a loss.
However, the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has swiftly dismissed the serious charges. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini hit back at the allegations, stating that Rahul Gandhi was “doing the work of misleading the nation” and spreading lies. Union ministers also ridiculed the evidence, with one describing Gandhi’s supposed “Hydrogen bomb” as merely a “small cracker.”
