Leader Karunakaran no more

Veteran Congress leader and four time Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran died at a private hospital here Thursday.

The 93-year-old leader, who was admitted to the hospital for the past two weeks for treatment of severe breathing problem and fever, died at 1725 Hrs.

`` It is an end of an era. The leader has left us at 1725 hrs,`` Kerala Pradesh Congress president Ramesh Chennnithala said while confirming the death of the leader.

Family members, including son K Muraleedharan and daughter Padmaja Venugopal, were besides Mr Karunakaran when the end came.

The cremation would take place at Thrissur, where the leader’s wife has been cremated, Mr Chennithala said. The body would be laid at the KPCC office and the Senate Hall of the secretariat tomorrow before it would be taken to Thrissur tomorrow, he said.

Soon after the death was confirmed, Chief Minister V S Achuthanadan visited the hospital.

After remaining serious for several days, his condition had improved and was taken off ventilator on December 17. However, ventilator support resumed yesterday morning ater he suffered acute breathing trouble following a stroke.

Read More ......http://keralz.com/news/kerala/2010/dec/dec10.html

IFFK

A dance drama based on Malayalam poet O N V's poem Amma, staged by Kalamandalam at the Inaugural function of the International Film festival of Kerala.

IFFK

A view of the spectacular crowd at the inauguration of the International Film festival of Kerala.

IFFK

German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, speaking at the inauguration of the International Film festival of Kerala.

He said "it

is an amazing moment for me. I see great appreciation of the films

here. Then looking at the selection of films, I see that the entire

world is present here. It is a great honour to me recieve the

Lifetime Achievement Award."

.

yesteryear legend WaheedaRehman, who was the guest of honour, at the International Film Festival of Kerala addressing the gathering

Culture Minister M A Baby at the Inauguration of the International Film Festival of Kefrala

IFFK

German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who got the Lifetime Achievement Award with yesteryear legend Waheeda

Rehman, who was the guest of honour at the International Film festival of Kerala.

IFFK

The venue of the International Film Festival of Kerala, an internationally reputed film festival. More than 200films from India and across the globe will feature in the 15thInternational Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK

IFFK

Kerala Culture Minister M A Baby with German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who received the Life Time Achievement award at the International Festival Of Kerala.

iffk

The venue of the International Film Festival of Kerala, an internationally reputed film festival. More than 200 films from Indiaand across the globe will feature in the 15thInternational Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)

IFFK

A bird soaring the highs: This bird symbolises International Film Festival of Kerala, an international reputed film festival. More than 200 films from India and across the globe will feature in the 15th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)

IFFK 15th edition sets off

The 15th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) was set off on Friday in an impressive way, which saw world known film makers, actors and politicians among others.

Kerala Chief minister V S Achuthanandan inaugurated the festival, in which he also conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to German filmmaker Werner Herzog. Jnanpith winner and Malapayalam poet and lyricist O N V Kurup was also honoured.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Achuthanandan said the IFFK has succeeded in attracting attention of the international film world.

Kerala Culture Minister M A Baby presented a memento to yesteryear legend Waheeda Rehman, who was the guest of honour.

Receiving the Lifetime achievement award, Werner Herzog said it was an amazing moment in his life. `` I see great appreciation of the films here and moreover, I see that the entire world is present here after looking at the selection of films.`` more here.... http://keralz.com/news/entertainment/2010/iffk/iffk10.html

More US billionaires pledge to part wealth

Seventeen more U S billionaires, including Facebook co-founders Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz, have pledged to part at least half their fortunes in a philanthropic campaign led by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Apart from Zuckerberg and Moskovitz, AOL co-founder Steve Case, financier Carl Icahn, Morningstar Chief Executive Joe Mansueto, businessman Nicolas Berggruen and private investor Ted Forstmann were among the billionaires who took the pledge.

A total of 57 billionaires have now joined The Giving Pledge, a platform launched by Microsoft founder Gates and investor Buffett. More here... http://keralz.com/news/life/2010/dec/dec.html

IFFK gets underway tomorrow

More than 200 films from India and across the globe will feature in the 15th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) that commences here tomorrow.

Kerala Chief minister V S Achuthanandan will inaugurate the festival in which German filmmaker Werner Herzog would be conferred the lifetime achievement award.

Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Abdolvahab’s ‘Please Do Not Disturb’ will be the inaugural film.

Films from Latin America, Asia and Africa would compete for the prestigious Rs. One million Suvarna Chakoram award (The Golden Crow Pheasant Award). The Last Summer of La Boyita (Julia Solomonoff), Wine (Diego Fried), Portraits in a sea of lies (Carlos Gaviria), Palerimanikyam Oru Paathira Kolapathakathinte Katha (Ranjith), T D Dasan Std. VI B (Mohan Raghavan) and Zephyr (Belma Bas) are among the competition films.. Read More here.. http://keralz.com/news/entertainment/2010/iffk/iffk9.html

Women`s voice to be heard at IFFK

The repertoire of films made by women included in the Women’s Films section of the 15th IFFK comes is remarkable showcasing how women have chosen to play successful parts in film making.

Leni Riefenstahl`s Triumph of Will is a famous documentary made at the special request of Adolf Hitler. The film adores the Great Dictator with divinity and imparts him an evangelical quality.

Leni`s technical flair is revealed through her deft handling of the camera, use of telephoto lens and fresh approach to music and cinematography.

Meshes of the Afternoon by Maya Deren imparts an intriguing and yet charming feel through the use of recurring motifs coupled with interruptive images. more... http://keralz.com/news/entertainment/2010/iffk/iffk8.html

Job Scam: Wayanad collector suspended

Wayanad District Collector T Bhaskaran has been suspended from the service in connection with the Public Service Commission Job scam.

The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held today.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said Wayanad collector was removed from his job on the basis of Land Revenue Commissioner K R Muraleedharan`s report that stated that there was failure on the part of the collector.

A team under crime Branch ADGP Vincent M Paul would be constituted to investigate into the job scam, he said. The Vigilance department would probe corruption and scams related to the employees. More ... http://keralz.com/news/kerala/2010/dec/dec3.html

Main accused in Job scam surrenders

Kochi: Abhilash S Pillai, the main accused in the job scam on Tuesday surrendered before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court.

Abhilash is considered to be the mastermind behind the scam. Sooraj Krishna who acquired a job with the help of Abhilash too surrendered along with Abhilash. ...read more here http://keralz.com/news/kerala/2010/dec/dec1.html

LATIN AMERICA DOMINATE COMPETITION SECTION

Latin American films dominate the Competitive Section, which is the most attractive part of the International Film Festival of Kerala. Among the 14 films, five films from Latin America are vying for the prestigious Rs. One million Suvarna Chakoram award (The Golden Crow Pheasant Award).

Apart from the five Latin American films, the films in the competition section includes two Malayalam films, one film each from Bengali, Hindi, Iranian, Korean, Arabic, Turkish and Egyptian are included.

The films from Latin America include The Last Summer of La Boyita (Julia Solomonoff), Wine (Diego Fried), Optical Illusions (Christian Jimenez), Portraits in a sea of lies (Carlos Gaviria) and A Day in Orange by (Alejandra Szeplaki).

The Last Summer tells the story of a pre-adolescent world and Wine deals with the encounter and disencounter between a man and a woman. The Optical Illusions is a satirical comedy that brings to the surface, pokes fun at our own assumptions of reality, and our own ways of looking at the world. The Portraits in a Sea of Lies gives the experiences of cousins merge with a portrait of Colombia, a country that has been in a civil war for the last sixty years ....More..http://keralz.com/news/entertainment/2010/iffk/iffk6.html

WikiLeaks founder Assange arrested

London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was on Tuesday arrested by the British police after Sweden issued a warrant for his arrest over allegations of sex crimes.

Assange, whose WikiLeaks website has created a row over the release of secret US diplomatic cables, was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant. However, he has denied allegations that he had sexually assaulted two women in Sweden.

He is accused by the Swedish authorities of one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation and one count of rape, all alleged to have been committed in August 2010.

Ski Pole Buyers Guide

When selecting ski poles, many things have to be considered. Factors like length, weight and grip has to be considered ahead of selecting the poles. Another factor that has to be considered is the snow type and the terrain.

Length of ski pole

The first thing one should have to look for while choosing a pole is its length. The length of ski poles can have great impact on the skiers. For choosing the correct length, one has to stand up straight with arms on the two sides. After turning the pole upside down, see if the grip contacts the ground and the elbows stand and ninety degree angle with the forearms. If this is so, then the length is perfect.

Grip

Before buying the pole, look whether the grip is perfect. Always wear gloves and hold the skies as it helps in a wise choice. It is an individual choice of the nylon strap and the plastic strap.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/413376_ski-pole-buyers-guide#ixzz17Vvxhasx

Work At Home; Which is The Best?

There are various works at home options for making some extra money. When searching the net, one can come across numerous works at home options and it is really confusing as to which one to choose.

There are telecommuting jobs and home business opportunities that most persons are tempted to take up as they claim huge money. But most of the people dive into these works at home without evaluating the pros and cons of it.

When talking of the telecommuting jobs, it comes with several pros and cons. In Telecommuting jobs, you will have a steady paycheck, a work schedule and no responsibility as that of a home business. In case you are organised and efficient, telecommuting is best for you. When talking of the cons, you will have less freedom and flexibility when compared to your own home business. You are always under an employer and you would have to work according to his instructions. There are also chances that the business may slow down and you will have no work, which means no money. In terms of earning, you earn less when compared to your own home business. Read more here... http://www.bukisa.com/articles/403989_work-at-home-which-is-the-best

UNAIDS Report on HIV/AIDS

• An estimated 33.3 million people worldwide had the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) There were 26.2 million in 1999.
• A estimated 1.8 million AIDS-related deaths around the world in 2009.
• One in four AIDS deaths is caused by tuberculosis.
• In 2009, there were 2.6 million new HIV infections, down from 3.1 million in 1999.
• Around 370,000 children were born with HIV in 2009, bringing to 2.5 million the total number of children under 15 living with HIV. More here ... http://keralz.com/news/world/2010/nov/nov1.html

Nitish heads for landslide victory

Nitish Kumar led JD(U)-BJP combine heads for a two-thirds landslide victory in Bihar in the assembly elections, crushing long-time foe Lalu Prasad and wiping out the Congress.

Serving a major blow to his opponents, Nitish Kumar's party JD(U) posted leads in maximum number of seats while its ally BJP also exhibited an impressve performance.

Riding on the developmental plank, the ruling alliance appears sweeping back to power with the JD(U) having a lead in 117 seats and its ally in 88 seats. The main opposition combine of RJD and LJP of Ram Vilas Paswan had leads in 17 and five seats respectively.... Read More Here ... http://keralz.com/news/india/2010/nov/nov.html

Andhra Pradesh CM Rosaiah resigns

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday quit the post on health grounds after he received the party high command's nod.

``I have decided to resign, I am submitting my resignation to the state Governor and I will request him to accept it immediately,`` Rosaiah announced at a press conference here.

He had taken over as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister on September 2, 2009, after the tragic death of Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash. Read more .... http://keralz.com/news/india/2010/nov/nov1.html

CPI(M) led Front suffers set back in Kerala polls

The CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front in Kerala suffered a major set back in the three-tier local body elections with the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front surging ahead in both the urban and the local areas.

In a major blow to the LDF, the UDF wrested the Kochi Corporation after three long decades. The Left Front was also thrashed the UDF in Thrissur Corporation. In the last civic polls, the UDF had lost all the five corporations.

The LDF could only manage with Thiruvanathauram and Kollam corporations.

Of the 74 seats in Kochi Corporation, the UDF had got a clear majority, winning 47 seats. The LDF won in 23 while the BJP and independents won in two seats each. Out of the total 55 seats in Thrissur Corporation, the UDF made a clean sweep with 45 seats. The LDF had to be contended with just six seats and two seats each was won by the BJP and Independents.

It was a tight fight between the two fronts in Thiruvanathapuram, in which the Left front got 53 seats and the UDF 38 seats. The BJP has won in six seats while others won three seats. It was only in Kollam that the LDF had a comfortable win. They bagged 34 seats while the UDF got 19 seats. Two seats went to independent candidates.

Counting for the Kozhikode Corporation will be done Oct 31.

The UDF also had an upper hand in the municipalities. It won 39 of the Municipalities whereas the LDF got only 18 municipalities.

The LDF was behind the UDF in the District Panchayat, block Panchayat and grama panchayats.

In the last elections, the Left Democratic front was in power in 12 of 14 district panchayats, 33 of the 53 municipalities, 114 of 152 block panchayats and 688 of 984 gram panchayats.

Vishnunarayanan Namboodiri gets Vayalar award

Poet Vishnunarayanan Namboodiri has won this year’s Vayalar Award for his collection of poems ``Charulatha``.

One of the prestigious literary awards in malayalam, the Vayalar Award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a bronze statue.

A jury consisting of M Thomas Mathew, K S Ravi Kumar and S V Venugopalan Nair had selected Charulatha for the award.

Swanthriyathey Kurichu Oru Geetham, Bhoomi Geethangal, Pranaya Geethangal, Mukhamevide, Ujjyiniyile Raapakalukal and Apharajitha are some of the important works of Mr Namboodiri.

He had also got Vallathol Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and Odakuzhal award.

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Women in 40s have good sex lives

When talking of women and sex, it has been revealed that women who are in their 40s have better sex life.

The survey, conducted by the British Top Sante magazine, has said that women in their 40s have a better time in bed than at any other age of their life.

The magazine had come out with the report after surveying 2,000 women. It said that that women in their 40s were less self-conscious about their bodies, which made them more confident under the sheets.

More than 80 per cent of the women said they were now more adventurous with their partner than during their 20s.

The survey also says that 68 per cent of women in their 40s were fully aware of which love-making technique gave them the most pleasure.

Big B wins again

Big B Amitab Batchan wins the third time the Best Actor award at the 57th National Film Awards. Bengali actress Ananya Chaterjee won the Best Actress award for `Aabo Hawa` and Rituparno Ghosh became the Best Director.

``Kutty Srank``, directed by Shaji N Karun got the awards for the Best National Feature Film, Best Cinematography (Anjali Shukla), Best Screenplay and Best Costume (Jayakumar).

Farooque Sheikh won the Best Supporting Male Actor Award for his performance in ``Lahore``. Arundhati Nag won the Best Supporting Female Actor Award for her performance in ``Paa``.

Malayalam film "Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja" won Best Film in Malayalam, Best Sound Designer (Resul Pookutty) and Best Background Score (Illayaraja).

Rupam Islam and Nilanjana Sarkar were adjudged the best male and Female Playback Singer awards.

Hindi film ``3 Idiots`` won the award for the Best Popular Film for wholesome entertainment and ``Delhi 6`` won the Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Film on National Integration.

Sanjay Chauhan got the Best Debut Director award for ``Lahore``. Shyam Benegal's ``Well done! Abba`` got the award for Best Film on Social Issues.

Local body elections in 2 phases

The elections to the local bodies in Kerala will be conducted in two phases on October 23 and 25.

Announcing the decision, the state election commissioner said Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasargodu & Kannur districts would go to polls on October 23. Kottayam, Alapuzha, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts will go to polls on October 25.

The model code of conduct came into effect as soon as the date of elections was announced. The official notification regarding elections would be published on September 27.

The Nominations would be accepted till October 4. The scrutiny of the nominations would take place on October 5 and the last date of withdrawal of nominations is October 7.

Counting of votes is scheduled for October 27. The new office bearers would assume office on November 1.

Elections would be held to 978 Grama Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats, 14 District Panchayats, 59 Municipalities and five corporations. Mattanoor municipality would not go for polls as the term of office of the governing body would end only on 2011.

Virginity behind 106 long years

A woman living in Edinburgh who turned 106 thinks that her virginity is the reason behind her long life.

Isa Blyth has never been kissed and attributes her strong will to being single, the media reported.

"I'm not sure if anyone ever tried it on - but they never got anywhere! She says she never felt the need for romance and never had time for a man. She never had time to be sad. She's an amazing character. You wouldn't believe she is106," the Sun quoted the lady's niece, Sheena Campbell, as saying.

Isa born in 1904 kept busy by going to flower club and church."I think she was also a bit of a maiden lady as she was the first-born and acted as a head with her six brothers and sisters," the Sun quoted the niece.

Maudani arrested in Bangalore blast case

After days of suspense, the Karnataka Police arrested People's Democratic Party Chairman Abdul Naser Madani, who is an accused in the Bangalore blast case.

The arrest was made as Maudani was leaving Anwarssery, where he was camping, to surrender at a court.

The arrest comes minutes after Maudani stated that he was going to surrender before the Judiciary. At a press conference minutes before his arrest, Maudani stated that he was gong to surrender before the court after the afternoon Namaz. He also said that if the police wanted to arrest him in between, they could do that. Though Maudani was ready for surrendering, the Karnataka police had insisted to arrest the Karnataka High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.


Maudani also reiterated that he was not involved in any conspiracy in the Bangalore Blasts. Stating that the charges leveled against him were because of a high level conspiracy, he said he was aware more charges would be framed against him to trap him.

He was listed as an accused in the Bangalore blasts, allegedly based on the statements given to police by T Nazeer, a key accused in the case. Karnataka High Court had last week rejected Madhani's anticipatory bail plea.

British women prefer clothes engaging in Sex

Almost half of British women prefer to keep their clothes on during sex, a survey has said.

The survey says that about 48 per cent of women prefer not to bare it all in bed, leaving on at least one garment. The results showed that 61 per cent of women claimed to prefer sex with the lights off, compared with just 37 per cent of men.

This research really unveils how large clothes play a role when it comes to female body confidence.

No needles for injections

Those who are afraid of the needles need not be afraid of it any more. A group of scientists from the Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology have come up with a skin patch to administer vaccines without administering it with needles.

The scientists say that the new patch would pave the way for "mail-order" inoculations instead of needles. They say that the patch would dissolve into the skin painlessly.

Man with full-face transplant comes before camera

The Spanish man who underwent the world's first full face transplant has appeared before cameras for the first time since surgery.

Before the Press at Barcelona's Vall d'Hebron hospital, Oscar, 31 spoke with considerable difficulty. He was was operated on in late March at this hospital.

The surgery involved lifting an entire face, including jaw, nose, cheekbones, muscles, teeth and eyelids, and placed it mask-like onto the man.

Oscar, who got a new face, was unable to breathe or eat on his own after accidentally shooting himself five years ago.

Head of the surgical team, Dr Joan Pere Barret, said Oscar would need between a year and 18 months of physical therapy.

Shark attack; man with 300 stitches

A person attacked by a shark has been left with 300 stitches. Clayton Schultz was surfing at Jacksonville Beach in North Florida, when a shark attacked him.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors has to give 300 stitches to close the huge cut in his foot.

He said the shark came up and grabbed his foot and shook it around a little and let go. He said he could see that his foot was torn up when he lifted his foot out of the water.

Patriarch of Indian communism Basu no more

Jyoti Basu, patriarch of Indian communism and an icon of Indian Parliamentary communists, has passed away.
Regarded as the country’s most elderly statesman, He breathed his last at 1147 hours at a city hospital, ending a 17-day battle for life and an era in the country`s political history.
He was 95.
Basu was admitted to the hospital on January 1. Basu's condition worsened day by day. He reached the stage of multiple-organ failure and was on life support.
As Basu`s condition worsened, leaders from various walks of life, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan visited him… read more here… www.keralz.com