Vadakara: BJP state general secretary K Surendran sought a CBI probe into the death of Jishnu Pranoy who was found dead in the hostel of Pambadi Nehru Engineering college. Surendran said the truth will not come out if the Kerala police probes the matter. He was speaking to mediapersons after visiting the house of Jishnu Pranoy. Surendran said the government has to give a fitting answer to the tears of many mothers and also cursed the LDF government.
Surendran seeks CBI probe into Jishnu case
↧
↧
Deadly storm batters Australia. thousands flee
Australia: A "monster" cyclone smashed into northeast Australia today, cutting power, damaging buildings and uprooting trees, with coastal residents battling lashing rain and howling winds. Great Barrier Reef islands popular with foreign tourists were battered by the category four storm which slammed into the coast of Queensland state with destructive wind gusts of up to 270 kph near its broad core. There were fears its arrival would coincide with early morning high tides and cause severe flooding, but it slowed before making landfall between the towns of Bowen and Airlie Beach in the early afternoon. By late evening it had been downgraded to category two and was expected to weaken further. At least one person was seriously injured, but the extent of damage was not expected to be known until daybreak with conditions too dangerous for emergency crews to venture outside despite hundreds of calls for help. "At first light tomorrow, well be sending people in to do a rapid assessment of the damage," said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, with flash flooding and still powerful winds making it hard to do this at night. "Everyone is going to be in shock tomorrow, just to see the full impact of this cyclone. Im bracing myself for it." The federal government said it was on standby to help with the clean-up, with soldiers, helicopters and planes ready to mobilise. The effects of the storm were felt across a huge swathe of coast that would span the distance between London and Berlin, although not all areas were badly hit. "It felt like we were underneath a freight train for most of the night, strong bass rumbles as the... wind rattled past and made the buildings shake," Cameron Berkman, who is holidaying on Hayman Island, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Queensland politician Mark Ryan said it was also chaotic at Airlie Beach, the mainland holiday gateway to the Whitsunday islands. "Trees down in Airlie Beach and reports of windows shattering and some roofs starting to cave in," he tweeted. Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there was "certainly structural damage", and at least one person had been badly hurt by a collapsing wall. "I think the public and the community of Queensland need to understand that we are going to get lots of reports of damage and sadly I think we will also receive more reports of injuries, if not deaths," he said. The Bureau of Meteorology, which forecast up to 50 centimetres of rain, urged people to stay calm but not be complacent. Palaszczuk, who called the storm a "monster", said at least 45,000 homes were without power with communications down in many areas and hundreds of schools and childcare centres closed. (AFP) CPS
↧
`Saseendran will be back if nothing is proved in probe'
New Delhi: If the investigations against NCP leader A K Saseendran, who tendered his resignation as Transport minister after allegations of misconduct with a woman surfaced, does not prove anything, then he would be back, said NCP national leader Sharad Pawar. The government has ordered for a judicial probe on the allegations against Saseendran. The state cabinet meet which will be convened on Wednesday will take a decision on what needs to be investigated in the matter. Sharad Pawar has also requested the probe to be completed within 3 months. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had informed that a sitting judge will not probe the case as it may cause undue delay. A new channel in Malayalam on its launch day had dropped an audio bomb claiming that a clip it aired was a phone conversation between a woman and minister Saseendran and he is heard talking in sexual overtunes. Following this, the minister resigned. The chief minister had said that the minister could have resigned after the preliminary investigations but Saseendran had resigned to uphold the integrity of the party and coalition as it is not right to face probe as a minister. The CM said that tapping phones goes against the law and this too would be probed. But so far, none have come forward with any complaint against the minister. At the same time, the NCP leadership has decided to seek a ministerial probe after Saseendran's resignation. The NCP leadership meeting proposed party MLA Thomas Chandy's name for the ministerial post.
↧
Messi banned from World Cup qualifiers for abusing match official
Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been banned from their next four competitive internationals starting with Tuesdays World Cup qualifier in Bolivia for swearing at a match official, FIFA said on Tuesday. The decision means the five-times world player of the year will play in only one of Argentinas remaining five World Cup qualifiers, a severe blow to the two-times world champions who are struggling in the marathon South American campaign. FIFA said Messi had "directed insulting words at an assistant referee" during the 1-0 win over Chile on Friday. Messi, 29, will also miss games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru. The Barcelona forward will be eligible again when Argentina visit Ecuador on Oct. 10. Argentina are third in the 10-team South American group with 22 points from 13 games but have only a two-point cushion over sixth-placed Chile, with Colombia (21) and Ecuador (20) sandwiched in between. The top four qualify directly for the tournament in Russia and the fifth side play off against a team from a different confederation for another place. "This decision is in line with the FIFA Disciplinary Committees previous rulings in similar cases," FIFA said. AFP
↧
Trump looks forward to hosting Modi in Washington
WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Donald Trump when he travels to Washington later this year. "President Trump has said he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in Washington later this year," a statement issued by the White House said on Wednesday. "President Trump also expressed support for the Prime Ministers economic reform agenda and emphasized his great respect for the people of India," the statement said. The US President in a telephonic conversation congratulated PM Modi on the outcome of recent state elections, the White House said. This was the third telephonic conversation between the two leaders after Trumps electoral victory in November last year. "President Donald J Trump spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to congratulate him on the outcome of Indias recent state-level elections," the White House said in a readout of the call which took place on Monday. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters on Monday that Trump congratulated Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on their electoral victories. "The president spoke with German Chancellor Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Modi earlier today to congratulate them on their parties success in recent elections," Spicer said. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Germany in July. Following the elections, the BJP formed government in four states: Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Goa. It, however, lost Punjab to main rival Congress. Merkels Christian Democrat party easily won an election in the Saarland state on Sunday, dealing an early blow to centre-left hopes of ending her more than decade-long reign. "The two leaders also used the occasion to reflect on the Chancellors March 17 visit to the White House. The President said he looked forward to visiting Hamburg, Germany for the G-20 Summit on July 7th and 8th," the White House said. Previously, PM Modi and US President Trump spoke on phone on January 24, when they had resolved to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" in the global fight against terrorism and for defence and security. PTI
↧
↧
Shots of upcoming Mammootty film 'The Great Father' leaked
Kochi: Shots of Mammootty starrer 'The Great Father,' which is awaiting release, have beenleaked. The frames running up to 1 minute and 7 seconds have been posted in WhatsApp and YouTube. The combination scene of Mammootty and Sneha which was shot in Mumbai is being circulated.It is said that the scenes were captured in a mobile cameraduring video editing. The visuals posted in a Facebook page is on circulation. NewcomerHaneef Adeni is the director of the film. Prithviraj, Shaji Natesan, Arya and Santosh Sivan are the producers of the film which is made under the banner ofAugust cinema. The producers of the film have filed a police complaint. One of the producers Shaji Natesan has alleged a conspiracy behind the incident. "A crucial scene of the film has been leaked.The police have blockedthe page in which the video appeared following the complaint," Shaji Natesan said. Meanwhile, an allegation has come up in the social media that the scene was leaked intentionally for the promotion of the film.
↧
Due to constant elephant attacks, 90-yr-old hands over 74 cents of land to Forest Dept
Mulleria (Kasargod): 92-year-old Chathu Nair from Chettoni, Kottankuzhy, has been bravely facing a standoff with an unequal enemy for the last 15 years - the marauding wild tuskers from Karnataka. In the last few years he lost 350 arecanut palms, 15 coconut palms and hundreds of plantain shoots. Finally the old man and his 80-year-old wife have finally given up fearing their lives and are preparing to hand over their 74 cents of land to the Forest Department. The ADM and the forest department officials already completed evaluating the site for valuation of the property. The agriculture and revenue departments have completed their detailed study in the last one year. A sanction from the Collectors office will complete the procedure and Chathu Nairs land will be acquired by the government. During summer months, wild elephants migrate from Karnataka and reach the farmlands of Karadukka, Delampady and Muliyar regions of Kasargod seeking food. Chathu Nairs land is on the fringes of the Kottamkuzhy, Chettoni forests. The old couple eke out a living even at their advanced age from their arecanut production. The elephants destroyed the arecanuts and then uprooted the coconuts. Last year, a tusker knocked on the roof of the house sending chills down the spine for this lonely couple. It was Chathus presence of mind that saved them that day- he threw a burning piece of cloth at the wild animal to escape peril. The couple hung on for a while more but the tuskers returned. Finally, they gave up and shifted to a rented house at Karadukka, Barcole. Now living in the rented house in a depression area unable to make hospital visits, this old couple is surviving on old age pension. They were unable to reach the Collectors public interaction program due to poor access. They are waiting for the decision of the government who they expect will allot them some land somewhere so that they can live on agriculture till their death.
↧
Tanur coast returning to normalcy
Tanur: After the prolonged peace meetings and efforts lead by minister K T Jaleel involving all stakeholders, the Tanur coast is returning to normalcy. Majority of women and children who fled their homes since the violence are returning home. Homes are slowly coming back to life at Chappapady and Ottumpuram with women and children returning from asylums at Parappanangadi and its vicinity. Despite the women tracing their way back home, the men from the Chappapady, Pandarakkadappuram and Mohiyuddinpally areas are still largely away, apparently fearing that they will be implicated or arrested in the violence charges if they return. Buses and autorickshaws are servicing the routes again. The owners of the vehicles destroyed in the violence have been towing them away for repairs since the valuation is over. The shops that were shut for the last two weeks have finally opened and facilities are being arranged for children to attend their exams. The fishing activities are also picking up even though slowly. Most of the boats are coming from the Chappapady side. Boats from other regions have also moved into this fishing area. The number of policemen patrolling the area has been reduced to 150. Tanur had witnessed a violent range of protests on March 12 following arson and rioting by two different political outfits. Ninety houses were smashed down and around 60 vehicles were burned. Police were also attacked and this lead to raids across the coast creating tense situations. Most of the political and spiritual leadership had visited Tanur following this violence. Tanur is now slowly moving towards normalcy with the by-election discussion taking over.
↧
Goondas attack film crew in Kochi, producer Maha Subair injured
Kochi: Two persons were injured in a goonda attack against a film crew here on Tuesday night. Malayalam producer Maha Subair and production controller Badusha were injured in the attack by a goonda gang of 10 men. One person in the gang has been identified as Anish from Thammanam. The shooting of Jayaram movie Aakaashamittayi was being held at a hotel when the goondas barged into the premises and unleashed the attack. The hotel staff and the guards were also injured in the attack. The producer of the movie was on his way to the hotel and he too was beaten up by an iron rod. It is learnt that Subair received injuries on his neck and ear. The injuries are only minor, according to co-workers. Following the incident, many people from the film fraternity, including Jayaram, reached the hospital. A police team led by the assistant commissioner reached the spot and are investigating. Last month, there was an attack against an actress in Kochi. And after that, a film producer was attacked and Kochi is turning to be a goonda capital.
↧
↧
Centre cuts down 1.5 crore work days for Kerala under NREGS
Pathanamthitta: The Union Rural Development Ministry has issues orders to reduce 1.5 crore work days under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for Kerala. The ministry has said that only4.5 crore work days should be created in the next financial year. Kerala aimed to generate 6.03 crore work days in the current year.However, it could create 6.61 crore work days.With the reduction in the work days, several families will be removed from the employment guarantee scheme. Kerala is yet to receive Rs 96.87 crore as part of the wages of the current year. The state could generate work for an amount of Rs 2283 crore this year. The priority inemployment guarantee scheme is for anganwadi constructon, construction of toilets, wells and protection of soil. There were plans to link this scheme with the state governmentprojects like Haritha Keralam. Meanwhile, officials whoare in charge of the scheme, said they hoped that the Centre will sanction the amount later if thebeneficiaries work for more days. NREGworkers' union state executive committee member Sanal Kumar alleged that the work days were reduced to destroy NREGS.
↧
Nursing scam accused Uthup Varghese arrested
Kochi: Uthup Varghese, the main accused in the nursing recruitment case, was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday morning from the Nedumbassery airport. Uthup was arrested at about 3.30 am when he landed at the Nedumbassery airport from Kuwait. Uthup Varghese will be produced before the CBI court in Ernakulam. Police are interrogating him. After being picked up when he alighted from a Middle East flight here, Uthup told the media that he will reveal everything at the appropriate time. The 50-year-old who was stay put in Kuwait and moving to other Middle East countries to evade the arrest, had no other option but to surrender after the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court earlier rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Several nurses were recruited by his firm Al Zarafa Travels to get jobs at hospitals run by the Kuwait government. He had cheated several of them by demanding excess service charge and was allegedly involved in Rs 400 cr nurses recruitment racket. According to the case filed by the CBI, he had amassed nearly Rs 300 crore recruiting nurses this way. Earlier, Income Tax Department had seized Rs 3 crore unaccounted money from his agencys offices in Bengaluru and Kochi. The CBI had served notices on him for appearing before the agency for interrogation. Since he had refused to oblige, the agency issued a lookout notice and also figured in the Interpol list.
↧
Justice P S Antony to head judicial commission
Thiruvananthapuram: A retired district court judge will probe the sleaze allegations against A K Saseendran, who resigned as Transport Minister. Retired judge P S Antony will head the judicial commission to probe into the allegations against Saseendran and submit its report in three months time, an official release said here. The commission has been directed to complete the probe within 3 months. The commission will probe if the phone conversation Saseendran alleged to have had with the woman was edited, the identity of the caller, the purpose of the call, among other things. The government announced on Monday that a judicial probe would be ordered into the matter. As the case involves a media house, both the government and the CPM are of the stand that the investigation by police could be done. The judicial commission will seek details of the media house too. If any conspiracy angle or any criminal activities had taken place behind this, then the CPM is of the view that a crime branch probe could be done. After consulting the concerned officials, the chief minister had decided on judicial investigation. A K Saseendran resigned on Sunday following an audio clip which revealed his sexual talk with a woman. Saseendran is the second minister to quit after Industries Minister E P Jayarajan, who resigned over charges of nepotism triggered by appointment of his two close relatives to top posts in the state PSUs.
↧
Nalini Netto is new Kerala chief secretary
Thiruvananthapuram: The Cabinet which met here today has taken a decision to appoint Home secretary Nalini Netto as the chief secretary. The present chief secretary S M Vijayanand will retire on March 31. Nalini Netto will hold office till August and will take charge on April 1. The new Home secretary will be Subrato Biswas. In a major rejig among the top brass, V S Senthil has been appointed as the principal secretary to the chief minister. Asha Thomas will be given charge of PWD secretary. P Balakiran has been appointed as tourism director and Haritha V Kumar has been appointed as the new Panchayat secretary.
↧
↧
Theresa May signs letter to exit from EU
London: Britain is set to formally file for a divorce from the EU after Prime Minister Theresa May today signed a letter to notify the economic bloc about the countrys intention to initiate a two-year negotiation process for its departure. The letter, giving official notification to other 27 European Union (EU) members that Britain has invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, will be delivered to European Council President Donald Tusk by British ambassador to the EU Sir Tim Barrow today. It sets the clock for the two-year negotiation process for Britains relationship with the EU as a non-member. Over the next two years, the terms of the settlement will be thrashed out between Britain and its 27 counterparts. It follows a referendum in June 2016 in favour of Brexit. Unless that time-frame is extended, Britain will leave the economic bloc by March 29, 2019. Last night, the prime minister spoke by telephone to Tusk, EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Negotiations are expected to begin in mid-May. The UK government says it wants to carry out both separation and trade talks at the same time, but EU chiefs say the two issues must be handled separately. May is scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting today before making a statement in the House of Commons confirming the countdown to the UKs departure from the EU has begun. She will promise to "represent every person in the whole United Kingdom" during the negotiations, including EU nationals, who are worried about their future following Brexit. The UK has said it wants an "early agreement" to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the country and those of British nationals living abroad. Other issues which are likely to be discussed are things like cross-border security arrangements, the European Arrest Warrant, moving EU agencies which have their headquarters in the UK and the UKs contribution to pensions of EU civil servants - part of a wider "divorce bill" which some reports have suggested could run to 50 billion pounds, BBC said. May will say now is the time for national unity to achieve the best possible Brexit deal. Yesteday, Scotlands semi-autonomous parliament backed a call by its nationalist government for a new referendum on independence before Brexit. Scotland is particularly concerned about leaving Europes single market. Britain as a whole voted to leave the bloc in the June referendum, but Scots voted by a large margin to stay. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party respected the decision to leave the EU and would hold the government to account "every step of the way". He said: "Britain is going to change as a result. The question is how." Corbyn warned it would be "a national failure of historic proportions" if May does not secure protection for workers rights. The Lib Dems claimed May was "pulling the trigger that will set in motion a chain of events which will change this country forever, and doing so without a proper plan", but the Leave Means Leave campaign congratulated her on sticking to her timetable of invoking Article 50 before the end of March. May was forced to consult Parliament before invoking Article 50 after the government lost a legal challenge in the Supreme Court, but it secured the backing of most MPs earlier this month. PTI
↧
Anju may hold India's first-ever Olympic medal in athletics
New Delhi: Will Anju Bobby George become the first Indian to bag an Olympic medal in Athletics? The chances of Anju's fifth spot in 2004 Athens Olympics turning into a silver medal have increased. Anju is theonly Indian sportsperson who has bagged an individual medal in the world athletic championship. In the women's long jump in Athens Olympics, three athletes who bagged medals in women's long jump, have since failed drug tests. However, the International Olympic Committee till now was not ready to take back the medals from the three athletes who won the Athens Olympics after passing the drug examination test during the event. After 13 years, India, Australia and Britain are going to submit a joint complaint to the International Olympic Committee and International Athletic Federation asking to probe the incident and to take appropriate action. Anju's medal hopes have come alive after this development. Anju's coach Robert Bobby George said that the plan is to filea complaint to the annual general body meeting of International Athletic Federation in April 2nd week. While Australia's BronwynThompson finished in the fourth spot in the Athens Olympics, Britains Jade Johnson finished in the sixth spot. Anju, who leaped 6.83 metres in the final,had set a new national recordthen.While Bronwyn leaped 6.96 metres, Jade Johnson leaped 6.80 metres. If the first three Russian medallists, Tatyana Lebedeva, Irina Meleshina and Tatyana Kotova, are disqualified, then the gold, silver and bronze medals will go to Bronwyn, Anju and Jade. The two silver medals that Tatyana Lebedeva won at Beijing Olympics in 2008 was taken back after retestsof her samples found her positive for the steroid Turinabol. Meleshina, who had won silver at the Athens Olympics, wasbanned for two years in 2012 aftertesting positive in a drug test. She could not compete in London Olympics due to the ban. The 2005 world championship medalof Kotova, who had bagged the bronze in Athens, was taken back after she tested positive in the drug test in 2013.
↧
Rajendran possessed fake title deed; Officials failed to act even after 2 years
Devikulam: CPM Devikulam MLA S Rajendran has a fake title deed for the land that is under his possession, according to the Land Revenue Commissioner report. Though the Commissioner had given a report to the Collector pointing out the matter 2 years back itself, the authorities failed to seize the land from the MLA. When Rajendran approached the KDH Village office to pay tax for the land occupied by him, the authorities came to know about the encroached land the MLA had in his control. Following this, the village office informed Rajendran that tax could not be paid for the land. Though Rajendran contacted the Devikulam Talukoffice and the Idukki district collector, the officials were of the conclusion that it was encroached land under his proprietorship. Later the matter came up before the land Revenue Commissioner. The Land Revenue Commissioner submitted a report to the Collector stating the land in Rajendran's hand was the land distributed by KSEB to the deprived people. Moreover, it also recommended that the land must be seized immediately and this was made clear in the January 5, 2015 report. The copy of the report has been sent to the village office, Devikulam Tahsildhar and district collector. With the controversy over the land coming up again, Rajendran said that during 2000-2003, the then MLA A K Mani, who headed the Land Assignment Committee, had given the title deed for the land. An RTI query has revealed that the Land Assignment Committee did not convene a meeting in this regard during this period.Recently Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala who visited Munnar had alleged that the land with Rajendran belonged to KSEB.
↧
Best Emerging Varsity in Kerala to get Rs 1 Cr Chancellor's Award
Thiruvanathapuram: This year onwards, the Chancellors Award for the Best Emerging University will carry a cash award of Rs 1 crore. Kerala Governor Justice(Retd) P.Sathasivam announced this while laying the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the proposed International Academic Convention Centre at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. At present, Best University of Kerala has been conferred Chancellors Award every year. A selection committee has been constituted for this purpose.In 2016, Mahatma Gandhi University bagged the award. The Chancellor's Award for the Best University went to the University of Kerala in 2015. The Vice Chancellors' conference chaired by the Governor on October 27, 2014 had decided to institute the Chancellor's Award for the Best University for nurturing the spirit of healthy competition among universities in the State.The award has a cash prize of Rs.5 crore, a citation and a gold plated trophy.
↧
↧
Damage to Enathu bridge: Vigilance probe ordered
Thiruvananthapuram: A Vigilance probe has been ordered into the damage to Enathu bridge in MC Road. Public works minister G Sudhakaran informed this matter.The decision has been taken on the basis of the department level investigation into the damage to the bridge. Locals had alleged that the bridge suffered damage due to the faults in the construction of the bridge. They also alleged that corruption had occurred during the construction of the bridge. According to reports, the departmental enquiry has proved that the allegations are correct. Traffic through MC road was banned after cracks were found in the pillars of the bridge. The bridge connects Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts. Efforts to build a temporary bridge with the help of the Army is progressing.
↧
HC raps govt over remission of prisoners
Kochi:The High Court has criticized the government move in granting remission or commutation of jail terms to the accused convicted in cases. The court criticized the government while considering the petition filed by Thrissur native P D Joseph against the government move. While temporarily preventing the government action to release theconvicts,the court asked the government whether it is appropriate to release convicts whenever celebrations occur in the state. Informing that the case will be considered again on April 12, the court asked the government to produce the guidelines and manuals connected with the release of prisoners. The bench headed by the Chief Justice considered the case today.
↧
Kochi Metro to provide free Wi-Fi to passengers
Kochi: Free Wi-Fi will be provided to passengers who travel in Kochi Metro,the work of which is in its final stages. The KMRL has invited tenders for this purpose.The facility will be implemented in such a way that those who purchasetickets for the journey can avail this facility. Free Wi-Fi facilities will be provided in metro trains and stations. However, there are indications thatthere will restrictions in dataconsumption.The KMRL aims to provide half an hour of free Wi-Fi. A final decision has not been taken in this regard. It is estimated that the metro will start services by April-end. Hence, the KMRL is trying to establish Wi-Fi hotspots after completing the tender procedures. Railnets powerful Wi-Fi system is available in the waiting rooms of stations of Indian Railway. However, such facilities have not been provided in trains. Currently, only the Delhi metro have the Wi-Fi facility in trains.
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
