Kerala

The southern Indian state of Kerala is on alert after two deaths from an outbreak of Nipah virus.

Kerala is one of the subcontinent’s great natural marinas—the main base for these backwaters, a destination for holidaymakers, and a world unto itself.

Outside the central temple of Thrissur, a town in the southern coastal state of Kerala, thousands gathered to feed some 60-70 elephants on July 17. They were there to celebrate the elephant feeding festival called Anayoottu, which takes place every year on the first day of the Karkidakam, the last month in the local calendar.

A look at our world through local headlines on May 3, 2014: “Spanish romantic nicknames for lovers,” “Extraordinary UAE timelapse video wins Mohammad’s approval,” and more.