News and Views

Thiruvananthapuram: Seat sharing talks were limping both in the United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front on Tuesday.  Talks in NDA also did not progress much

The CPI (M) said a no to demands from minor constituents of the LDF for more seats than they contested in the last elections.  The INL is demanding five seats in place of three last time.  The NCP wants seven seats. The JD (S) is demanding six seats including Chittoor in place of five seats contested by it in the last elections.

Kerala Parithasthithi Aikya Vedi has come out with an indictment of the government over harm done to the environment during the past five years.

The Vedi noted in the document released in the presence of scientists and environmentalists here that elephant poaching had resumed in Kerala and the government was engaged in a cover-up operation.

Permission was granted to reclaim paddy fields and water bodies at Metral Kayal, Kadamakudi and elsewhere. The government and Kochi Corporations themselves reclaimed land at Mundanveli in Kochi. Paddy fields were also filled up for Metro project.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta will be canonised on September 4 this year.

Pope Francis announced the date for the canonisation at a public consistory of cardinals in Vatican on Tuesday.

The Holy Father announced the upcoming canonization of five new saints, including Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata (née Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu) after a liturgical prayer, Vatican Radio announced.

Thiruvananthapuram: Differences persisted over seat sharing for Kerala Assembly elections in the United Democratic Front even after third round of discussions on Monday.

With minor constituents of the Front demanding more seats, no agreement is sight. However, a seat for Communist Marxist Party has been decided upon. C. P. John will contest from this seat (Kunnamkulam).

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala High Court has annulled Kerala Assembly Speaker N. Sakthan’s order disqualifying P. C. George as member of the House on the ground of defection.

The Court observed that the Speaker should have taken cognizance of the resignation letter submitted by Mr. George. The Speaker had failed to hear Mr. George. Moreover, the Speaker’s order did not have his signature or seal.