Nilambur: Politician P.V. Anwar has launched a new political alliance named the ‘People’s Opposition Resistance Front’, under the leadership of the Trinamool Congress, and will contest elections in Nilambur under this banner.

He stated that he would contest either using the Trinamool symbol (if allotted) or as an independent. The alliance aims to form a “third front,” bringing together several smaller groups and targeting votes beyond the main coalitions.

Anwar also criticized both the LDF and UDF alliances, claiming he has proof against leaders involved in multiple misdeeds, which he is ready to expose publicly if needed.

He alleged that Minister Mohammed Riyas extorted money under the guise of the Nava Kerala Sadas program and claimed to possess audio evidence of threats made to contractors.

He called Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan a “Hitler” and said the party is intolerant of dissent. “Even if I lose, I’m standing my ground,” Anwar stated.

New Delhi: COVID-19 cases are rising sharply across India, prompting the Central Government to intensify monitoring efforts. A high-level meeting was held to assess the situation.

States have been directed to ensure the availability of essential medicines, hospital beds, oxygen, and vaccines. Authorities must also strengthen surveillance, enforce health protocols, and encourage mask usage.

As of now, 3,961 active cases are reported in the country, with Kerala leading at 1,400 cases, followed by Maharashtra (506), Delhi (486), Gujarat (338), West Bengal (331), Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189), Uttar Pradesh (157), and Rajasthan (69).

In the last 24 hours, Kerala reported 64 new cases, Maharashtra 18, and Delhi 61. Four deaths were reported across Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra.

The number of active cases surged from 257 on May 22 to 3,961 on June 2, a threefold increase. Experts note that while the new variant is more transmissible, there’s currently no cause for serious concern, according to the ICMR.

Kochi: In a landmark verdict, the Kerala High Court ruled in favor of a petition filed by transgender parents seeking the use of the term ‘parents’ instead of ‘father’ and ‘mother’ in their child’s birth certificate.

Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. issued the judgment on the plea filed by Sahad and Ziya Paval, Kerala’s first transgender couple from Kozhikode.

They had approached the Kozhikode Corporation with this request, which was denied, prompting them to approach the High Court. The court observed that refusing such a request would be a violation of their and their child’s fundamental rights.

It also noted that similar legal provisions exist in many other countries, reinforcing the right to dignity and equality.

Kochi: Actor Unni Mukundan has filed a complaint with the DGP and ADGP alleging a conspiracy in a case accusing him of assaulting his former manager. The complaint comes ahead of a court hearing on his anticipatory bail application scheduled for Saturday. Meanwhile, the complainant, Vipin Kumar, has stated that the assault caused him distress and dismissed Unni’s conspiracy claim as baseless. Vipin also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing police investigation. The assault allegedly followed a social media post by Vipin praising actor Tovino Thomas’s film “Narivetta,” which reportedly angered Unni Mukundan. The case may see more serious charges added against the actor.