AIYF activists burn Tharoor’s effigy in Kerala criticising his latest tweet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - In reaction to Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor’s remark about the government’s austerity drive on a social networking site, activists from the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), burnt his effigy in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

Kerala reserves 50 percent seats for women in local bodies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala assembly Wednesday unanimously passed two bills - the Kerala Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment) Bill 2009 and the Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Bill 2009 - that will now reserve 50 percent seats in local government bodies for women.

All Kerala government employees to get e-mail IDs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday inaugurated the ‘Email to All Employees’ project, whereby over 475,000 government employees will get e-mail IDs in a phased manner.

Kerala signs accord with Gas Authority for pipeline network

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala State Industrial Development Corp (KSIDC), the investment promotion agency of the state government, has tied up with Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) for developing gas pipeline infrastructure.

Congress demands CBI probe into Muthoot murder case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Congress Monday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of Muthoot business group scion Paul M. George.

Kerala opposition stages walks out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Congress-led opposition Monday staged a walk-out from the Kerala assembly alleging that the ruling Left Front government wants to bring in a law to curb the freedom of press.

Congress see Vijayan’s hidden agenda in Muthoot murder probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Pinarayi Vijayan, state secretary of Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), has a hidden agenda in the probe into the murder of Paul M. George, son of a prominent businessman, the opposition Congress alleged Saturday.

For Christian priest, Quran is as dear as the Bible

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - For 65-year-old priest G.S. Francis, the Holy Quran is as dear as the Holy Bible.

A section of media misleading Muthoot murder case: Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan Friday said that a section of media has vested interest

Congress leader Karunakaran hospitalized

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran was admitted to a hospital here Friday for fever.

Take away home portfolio from CPI-M in Kerala: opposition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Congress-led opposition in Kerala Wednesday said it would hold a daylong protest Sep 17 seeking the removal of the home portfolio from the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) over the probe into the murder of Muthoot business group scion Paul M. George.

Opposition accuses Kerala Govt of leaking out cabinet decision, stages walkout

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Accusing the Kerala Government of giving cabinet decision documents on a corruption case to CPI-M’s tainted leader Pinarayi Vijyan, the Congress-led Opposition staged a walk out of the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday.

Kerala to set up Islamic bank shortly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala government will set up an Islamic bank in the state, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac told the assembly Wednesday.

Two men linked to Muthoot scion’s murder surrender

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Two men with criminal records who were reportedly travelling with Muthoot business group scion Paul M. George on the night he was murdered, surrendered before a court in Tamil Nadu Tuesday, police said here.

Muthoot scion’s murder stalls Kerala assembly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Congress-led opposition Tuesday stalled the proceedings of the Kerala assembly, demanding that state Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan resign for allegedly misleading legislators on the probe into the murder of Muthoot business group scion Paul M. George.

Vayalar Ravi’s wife Mercy is dead

CHENNAI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Mercy Ravi, wife of Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, died of kidney failure early Saturday at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital in Chennai, family sources said. She was 63.

Week-long Onam celebrations begin in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Week-long festivities commenced here on Monday as Onam festival celebrations got off to a colourful start.

Price rise, rain play dampener to Onam festivities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - If skyrocketing prices were not enough to dampen the Onam festivities Wednesday, heavy rain lashing Kerala since Tuesday evening also played a spoilsport to the most important festival of the year for the Malayalis.

Shashi Tharoor to celebrate his first Onam in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - For Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor it will be his first Onam in Kerala, his home state. He is to celebrate the traditional Thiru Onam lunch Wednesday at an orphanage here.

Alcohol worth Rs.34 crore sold in a single day in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Alcohol sales in Kerala Monday reached a record single-day high to touch Rs.34.13 crore.

Terror suspect held in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Thiruvananthapuram-Kuwait flight take off was delayed on Sunday after the airport police arrested one person named ‘Kabir’.

Muthoot’s family alleges conspiracy behind murder

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - A week after Kerala business tycoon Paul Muthoot was found murdered, his family has refuted Kerala Police’s road rage claim saying that there’s something more creepy behind his death.

Rich NRIs can contribute to diaspora fund: Vayalar Ravi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Saturday asked rich Indians working abroad to contribute to the diaspora fund so that welfare activities can be undertaken for distressed citizens living outside the country.

CPI-M misleading farmers on Asean trade pact: Vayalar Ravi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Saturday charged Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) with misleading farmers on the Asean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by India earlier this month.

CBI asks Pinarayi Vijayan to appear in court Sept 24

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday asked Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Kerala unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan to appear before the CBI court at Kochi Sep 24 in the Rs.374-crore SNC Lavalin scam, in which he is the seventh accused.

Kerala expects Rs.200 crore liquor sales during Onam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Alcohol sales in Kerala are expected to touch Rs.200 crore during this Onam season that starts Aug 26. Liquor shops in the state are well-stocked to meet the high demand.

US firm to launch budget hotel in Kerala capital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Berggruen Hotels, owned by the US-based Berggruen Holdings Inc, will launch its first mid-market hotel “Keys” in Kerala Friday.

Develop a coconut plucking machine and win Rs.1 mn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala’s industries department has called for innovative thinkers from across the country to develop a coconut plucking machine and win Rs.1 million as prize money.

30 products vie for honours at TechTop-2009

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Thirty innovative products, including an automatic solar panel guide system, a punching station and a surveillance robot to detect bombs, are vying for top honours at the “TechTop-2009″, a two-day engineering event started here Monday.

Kerala cabinet expanded

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan’s cabinet was expanded on Monday with the induction of three more ministers.