Union Cabinet approves changing Kerala’s name to Keralam; Rahul Gandhi challenges Modi to scrap U.S. trade deal, and more in The Hindu’s top news of February 24, 2026.

Kerala to become ‘Keralam’: Union Cabinet approves change of name

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) approved the renaming of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced. On June 24, 2024, the Kerala Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to rename the State as “Keralam”. The move came ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections expected to be held in April-May.

PM Modi should scrap ‘anti-farmer’ trade deal with U.S., says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should scrap the India-U.S. trade deal, which he described as being against the interests of Indian farmers. Addressing the ‘Kisan Mahachaupal’ farmers’ rally in Bhopal, Mr. Gandhi likened the interim trade deal to an arrow piercing the hearts of Indian farmers.

Top Maoists underground for three to four decades surrender before Telangana police; only one central committee member active