Rahul has outstanding credentials to be PM: Manmohan
 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday declared that he would bow out of office after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and strongly backed Rahul Gandhi for the job while warning that Narendra Modi would be “disastrous” for the country. “I will hand over the baton to a new Prime Minister,” Dr. Singh said in an opening statement at a rare press conference, making it clear that he would no longer be in the running for the job when he completes his 10-year tenure...

Film Chamber slaps new ban on film stars
The Film Chamber has barred film stars from taking part in Award Night functions of private channels. The Film Chamber has reportedly informed Amma, an organisation of Malayalam film stars, the decision. The chamber has also threatened that films of stars who violate the rule would not be screened.

Great friendships, Hrithik Roshan+Aamir Khan.
With great blockbusters, come great friendships. Atleast that seems to be the case with Krrish 3 star Hrithik Roshan, and Dhoom 3 star Aamir Khan. Both delivered blockbusters that gave Bollywood some new trends to catch up with. And when you play the field, you're bound to notice each other and share a laugh or two. Like with Roshan and Khan, who've reportedly grown closer since Diwali, 2013. Watch: Dhoom 3 breaks all past records at box-office Hrithik who's quite...

John Abraham secretly marries girlfriend Priya Runchal in LA
'Madras Cafe' actor John Abraham has secretly tied the knot with his girlfriend of three years Priya Runchal at a private ceremony in Los Angeles. The news was confirmed by the actor himself, who in a New Year message on Twitter, added his surname Abraham to Priya.   John Abraham, who was holidaying in the US with Priya, is said to have tied the knot there with only family and close friends in attendance. John Abraham, who was in a very long relationship with...

Petrol price hiked by 75 paisa a litre, diesel by 50 paisa
Petrol price was on Friday hiked by 75 paise and diesel by 50 paise a litre as rise in global oil rates and fall in rupee value increased the cost of production. The hikes, effective midnight tonight, are excluding local sales tax or VAT and actual increase will be higher and vary from city to city. Petrol price, which was last hiked by 41 paise excluding VAT on December 21 as government raised commissioned paid to petrol pump dealers, will cost Rs 72.43 a litre in Delhi from...

PM to bow out after polls, attacks Modi
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared that he would bow out of office after the Lok Sabha elections and strongly backed Rahul Gandhi for the job while warning that Narendra Modi would be "disastrous" for the country. "I will hand over the baton to a new prime minister," Singh said in an opening statement at a rare press conference, making it clear that he would no longer be in the running for the job when he completes his 10-year tenure in May after the Lok...

CBI to probe Shukoor murder case
The CBI is to take over the murder case of Muslim League activist Abdul Shukoor (21) from Ariyil, Pattuvam. Abdul Shukoor, a youth wing activist of the Muslim league was murdered 20 Feb 2012. Many renowned CPM leaders are alleged to have a hand in the murder. Both Shukoor's family and the Muslim league had approached the government for a CBI inquiry, but it did not work in their favour. This further lead them to approach the HC. In response to this petition, the HC asked the...

No WhatsApp behind the wheel please!
Using social media or calling people while driving is a common sight nowadays but even the simplest distraction behind the wheel can put a young driver at risk. A study has stated that dialling cell phones, checking SMSs, eating and talking to passengers - multi-tasking among teens while driving has raised the risk of crashes and/or near-crash incidents. “Novice drivers are more likely to engage in high-risk secondary tasks more frequently over time as they became more...

SC rejects sexual abuse case against Thettayil
In a major relief to Janatha Dal (Secular) leader, Jose Thettayil, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the petition alleging sexual harassment against him. The court, which observed that the charges were politically motivated, opined that the woman who had levelled charges of sexual abuse was in fact trapping the JD (S) leader and former MLA. The bench, headed by Justice T S Thakur, said that sleeping with an old man in order to enter into a wedlock with his son is something that is...

AAP moves confidence motion in Delhi Assembly
The Aam Aadmi Party government on Thursday moved a confidence motion on the floor of the Delhi Assembly and urged members to rise above political affiliations and support alternate governance for the people of Delhi. AAP leader Manish Sisodia, while moving the vote of confidence said, "It is not the individual MLAs who are sitting here, it is the people of Delhi who are sitting here, each of the 70 MLAs sitting here represent Delhi's people." "The people of the...

Aadhaar-LPG norm relaxed for Kerala
A move to make Aadhaar mandatory for LPG subsidy has been postponed. With the decision, consumers in Kerala would get a reprieve of two months before they need to link their Aadhaar numbers with their bank accounts to receive LPG subsidy. It is believed that there are 31 lakh people in Kerala whose Aadhaar numbers have not been linked to their bank accounts. Minister Anoop Jacob said that a decision about the postponement was notified by the Petroleum ministry. The government...

Lalu meets Sonia amid alliance reports
RJD chief Lalu Prasad, out on bail in a corruption case, on Tuesday met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi amid speculation over an alliance between the two parties ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. "She will meet me again soon to discuss alliance," Lalu Prasad told reporters after meeting Gandhi here. Lalu Prasad, who broke his alliance with the Congress in 2009 by offering just three Lok Sabha seats to it, said he would not repeat the mistake this time. He expressed hope...

To work for public good: Chennithala
Home Minister designate, Ramesh Chennithala, has said that he would work for the good of the public. He said that he has been given a big responsibility by the High Command and added that he would try to strengthen the UDF and Congress in his new role. Chennithala said that he would go ahead with a new plan of action as per changed political circumstances in the state. Chennithala was speaking to the media after he visited the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in the capital. He is...

No increase in LPG price effected: Oommen Chandy
 Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today rejected reports of hike in the prices of LPG after Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily clarified that no increase had been effected. "I came to know about the reports regarding the LPG price increase while the cabinet meeting was on. Immediately I contacted Union Minister Moily and what he told me was that no increase had been effected." Moily said the Centre had only decided to implement the direct transfer of the subsidy...

Chennithala sworn in Kerala Home Minister
 Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has been sworn in as Minister in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government. At a brief ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday, Governor Nikhil Kumar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Chennithala. The KPCC president is all set to take over the reins of the Home Department from incumbent Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, bringing to an end a long-drawn out battle in the State unit...

KPCC should rein in Murali: George
Government Chief Whip P C George on Sunday lashed out at K Muraleedharan MLA for taking potshots at him. “The KPCC (Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) should stop Murali from making foolish comments. He had formed a party in 2004 to oust A K Antony from power,” said George. Murali had come out in the open against the Kerala Congress (M) leader by saying that the latter had turned against the Congress after reaping all the benefits from the party and the Front. He also...

The Ashes: England wobble as Australia fight back at Melbourne Cricket Ground
England suffered a calamitous top order collapse but pushed their lead over Australia to 166 runs at tea on the third day of the fourth Ashes test in Melbourne on Saturday. Australia seamer Mitchell Johnson continued his fairytale series, trapping England captain Alastair Cook in front for 51 and having a hand in two further wickets as the tourists lost three wickets for one run to limp to the interval at 115-4. Kevin Pietersen, who top-scored with 71 in the first innings,...

A.K. Antony has been assigned the task of strengthening congress
     Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has been assigned the task of strengthening the alliance of the Congress with regional and local parties in states across the country. Will he also strengthen the ruling Congress-led coalition in Kerala? The soft-spoken and respected politician will be keenly observed as he arrives in his home state Monday, for he comes with the promise of bringing solace to warring groups in his party and its allies. Congress...

Devyani Khobragade case: India sets up special group
With India determined not to relent on its demand for the US to formally apologize on the handcuffing and strip-search of its envoy Devyani Khobragade, a special group of experts, including in international law, would be meeting on Monday to discuss the case. The US has been quiet on the matter for the past few days on account of most senior officials going on end-of-year leave for Christmas and New Year. The meeting of the group of experts, set up by foreign secretary Sujatha...

Rishiraj Singh suffers mild heart attack, undergoes angioplasty
Transport Commissioner of Kerala, Rishiraj Singh on Sunday has undergone angioplasty at Caritas Hospital where he was brought after complaining of chest pain. Rishiraj Singh suffered a mild heart attack, doctors, who are attending on him, said. A major block has has been removed and the officer will have to remain in the hospital for at least three more days, they added. His condition is now stable and is now under observation, according to hospital sources.

Busy Sunday for CM Arvind Kejriwal as crowds, politicians meet him
 It was his first Sunday after becoming Delhi's chief minister, but it may well have been a working day for Arvind Kejriwal. With the excitement of the 45-year-old taking charge of Delhi yet to die down, Kejriwal had his hands full as an unending stream of people called on him at his modest middle class residence here. They included known names like Kamal Farooqui, a former leading light of the Samajwadi Party, and some 500 drivers and conductors of the Delhi Transport...

Kejriwal sings song of brotherhood, crowd joins
In keeping with his down-to-earth image, Delhi’s new Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal capped his maiden speech with a song of brotherhood to unite people against divisiveness and injustice. “Insaan se insaan ka ho bhaichara, yehi hai paigam hamara (people should have brotherly relations, this is our message),” he sang to loud cheers. “Harek mahal se kaho ke/ Jhopdiyo me diye jalaye/Chhoto aur bado me ab/Koi pharak nahi rah jaye.(There should be no differences...

Arvind Kejriwal praises Harsh Vardhan, ignores Sheila Dikshit
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday described BJP leader Harsh Vardhan, who was a chief ministerial contender, as a "good man" but added he would not say that about his party. "Harsh Vardhan is a good man, I know him," Kejriwal said in a speech after taking oath of office at the Ramlila Maidan here. "But I cannot say that about his party," the Aam Aadmi Party leader added, triggering laughter in the crowds packing the sprawling...

Kerala's 'first legislator' Rosamma Punnoose passes away
Rosamma Punnoose, who was the first person to be sworn in as legislator soon after the first assembly polls in Kerala in 1957, passed away in the Sultanate of Oman Saturday morning, her family said. She was 100. Incidentally, Punnoose was also the first pro-tem speaker of the Kerala assembly, as she had also administered the oath to other legislators at that time. Punnoose was living with her son in Oman for the past two years. Though she began her career with the Travancore...

Excise Inspector's Ear Bitten Off During Illicit Liquor Raid
Two persons, who were arrested by the Excise sleuths on charges of trafficking illicit liquor, attacked the officials in Koyilandy on Friday. A portion of the  ear of an assistant Excise inspector was bitten off, allegedly, by the accused during the attack. According to the officials, K Satheesan, the Excise official whose ear was bitten off, was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Acting on a tip-off that a gang was transporting Indian-made...

Nanded-Bangalore express catches fire in Andhra, 26 killed
More than two dozen passengers were charred to death in a major fire accident in Nanded-Bangalore express train near Kothacheru railway station in Anantapur district on Saturday morning. The fire occurred in D1 airconditioned compartment and the impact of the fire was felt more on passengers occupying seats from 62 to 72. There were 57 passengers in the train when flames suddenly engulfed the compartment. Many passengers pulled the safety chain and jumped off the train. Local...

Kejriwal promises clean government, warns of dangers
 Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday pledged to provide a clean government and alternative politics to change the face of India but warned of "roadblocks" from vested interests. Addressing tens of thousands after taking oath at the vast Ramlila Maidan, Kejriwal said this was a "historic day" but the path ahead would be long and challenging. "Today is a historic day," the 45-year-old said in opening remarks, triggering wild cheering...

An informative Workshop/Seminar on Vizhinjam Mother Port Project
Jose Pinto Stephen   The team members from Kerala Vision use this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all those who were participated in our Video Campaign in favor of Vizhinjam Mother Port Project. At this occasion we also express our joy with our friends and supporters. This project has got environmental clearance from Government of India and now Vizhinjam Project is moving into the next level. This Sunday (12/29/13 - 29th December 2013), Vizhinjam Motherport Action...

Petrol bunk strike called off
The proposed petrol bunk strike in the state slated for Friday has been called off. The strike was proposed by the pump owners raising many demands. The main demand was that the oil companies should compensate the owners for the losses incurred by them due to the vapourization of fuel. The other grievance was that the law which is applicable only for big flats and factories should not be implemented for petrol bunks. At present this rule is being applicable for bunks only in...

National biodiversity garden to come up in Munnar
A national biodiversity garden, exhibiting rare flora and fauna of Western Ghats, will soon come up in the hill station of Munnar, a busy tourist centre located in Idukki district. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board has drawn up the plan to set up a 200-acre garden and a traditional knowledge centre at the hill town to conserve the rich biodiversity of the region and create an awareness about them among common people. A team of biodiversity experts recently visited various areas...