Three students killed in separate accidents

Kochi: Three students died in separate accidents in Ernakulam district on Sunday. Two engineering students died when their bike hit a lorry parked on the Vallarpadom container terminal road and another student died at MC road after his bike hit a mini lorry.
Jain Joseph, 22, son of Joseph from Chengamanad, Shobin Nath, 22, son of Sethumadhavan from Kuttippuram died after their bike hit a continer lorry parked on the roadside. Jain and Shobin Nath were fourth year computer engineering students at Mala Mets School of Engineering. They were on their way to their college in Mala from Ernakulam. 
Basil K Paul, 24, son of Paulose from Vatakkattupadi died in another accident at Perumbavoor. His friend Eldose Varghese was admitted to the Ernakulam medical center. They were returning after meeting a friend in Pulluvazhi. Their bike was hit by a mini lorry coming from Muvattupuzha. Basil was a diploma student at Erode PGP College.

Three students killed in separate accidents

Kochi: Three students died in separate accidents in Ernakulam district on Sunday. Two engineering students died when their bike hit a lorry parked on the Vallarpadom container terminal road and another student died at MC road after his bike hit a mini lorry.
Jain Joseph, 22, son of Joseph from Chengamanad, Shobin Nath, 22, son of Sethumadhavan from Kuttippuram died after their bike hit a continer lorry parked on the roadside. Jain and Shobin Nath were fourth year computer engineering students at Mala Mets School of Engineering. They were on their way to their college in Mala from Ernakulam. 
Basil K Paul, 24, son of Paulose from Vatakkattupadi died in another accident at Perumbavoor. His friend Eldose Varghese was admitted to the Ernakulam medical center. They were returning after meeting a friend in Pulluvazhi. Their bike was hit by a mini lorry coming from Muvattupuzha. Basil was a diploma student at Erode PGP College.

SC seeks Italian govt's stand on release of Enrica Lexie ship

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today sought the Italian government's stand on a plea for release of its vessel Enrica Lexie whose two marines allegedly had shot dead two Indian fishermen, Jalastine and Binki, in February.
A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale reserved its order on vessel's owner Dolphin Tankers' plea for release ofthe ship for 10.30 am tomorrow, by which time the Italian government too was asked to file its reply.
Earlier during the two-hour-long argument, the apex court questioned the Kerala government as to why it did not oppose
the compromise reached between the families of the deceased fishermen and the Italian vessel's owners, who reportedly paidRs one crore to each victim's family.
Referring to the compromise, the apex court bench said, 'This is a challenge to the Indian judicial system, this isimpermissible. It is most unfortunate.'
The apex court also indicated that it was not in favour of detaining the vessel crew and the two marines unless theirpresence was required by the investigating authorities.
The bench made it clear that not only the citizens of this country but even foreign nationals, present in the country are entitled to the protection as per Article 21 which grants right to life and liberty to everyone in India.
Earlier on April 23, the court had sought the response of the Centre and the Kerala government on Italian government'splea to quash the criminal cases against its two merchant navy personnel.
The court is also hearing a petition challenging the seizure of Italian vessel Enrica Lexie by the Indian authorities after two of its onboard marines allegedly gunned down two Indian fishermen on February 15.
The special leave petition was filed by Enrica's owners, Dolphin Tankers questioning the Kerala High Court's orderstaying the release of the vessel. 
In its petition filed under Article 32, the Italian government had asserted that the Kerala Government has nolocus standi to register any criminal case as the alleged offence ought to be treated under international law andcovenants as India is a signatory to the UN charter.
Appearing for the Italian government, senior counsel Harish Salve had told the bench that the matter needs to bedealt between the two countries and the Kerala Government had no jurisdiction in interfering with the matter as the incident had occurred in 'contigual waters' 12 nautical miles beyond the Indian jurisdiction.
He had said the action of the Italian personnel was part of their official duty.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising had questioned the maintainability of the petition of the Italian government on the ground that it was not a citizen within the meaning of Article 32 for invoking the court's jurisdiction.
Counsel for the Kerala Government had also opposed the Italian Government's petition on the ground that the KeralaHigh Court had already reserved its judgement on the  sue.

SC seeks Italian govt's stand on release of Enrica Lexie ship

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today sought the Italian government's stand on a plea for release of its vessel Enrica Lexie whose two marines allegedly had shot dead two Indian fishermen, Jalastine and Binki, in February.
A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale reserved its order on vessel's owner Dolphin Tankers' plea for release ofthe ship for 10.30 am tomorrow, by which time the Italian government too was asked to file its reply.
Earlier during the two-hour-long argument, the apex court questioned the Kerala government as to why it did not oppose
the compromise reached between the families of the deceased fishermen and the Italian vessel's owners, who reportedly paidRs one crore to each victim's family.
Referring to the compromise, the apex court bench said, 'This is a challenge to the Indian judicial system, this isimpermissible. It is most unfortunate.'
The apex court also indicated that it was not in favour of detaining the vessel crew and the two marines unless theirpresence was required by the investigating authorities.
The bench made it clear that not only the citizens of this country but even foreign nationals, present in the country are entitled to the protection as per Article 21 which grants right to life and liberty to everyone in India.
Earlier on April 23, the court had sought the response of the Centre and the Kerala government on Italian government'splea to quash the criminal cases against its two merchant navy personnel.
The court is also hearing a petition challenging the seizure of Italian vessel Enrica Lexie by the Indian authorities after two of its onboard marines allegedly gunned down two Indian fishermen on February 15.
The special leave petition was filed by Enrica's owners, Dolphin Tankers questioning the Kerala High Court's orderstaying the release of the vessel. 
In its petition filed under Article 32, the Italian government had asserted that the Kerala Government has nolocus standi to register any criminal case as the alleged offence ought to be treated under international law andcovenants as India is a signatory to the UN charter.
Appearing for the Italian government, senior counsel Harish Salve had told the bench that the matter needs to bedealt between the two countries and the Kerala Government had no jurisdiction in interfering with the matter as the incident had occurred in 'contigual waters' 12 nautical miles beyond the Indian jurisdiction.
He had said the action of the Italian personnel was part of their official duty.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising had questioned the maintainability of the petition of the Italian government on the ground that it was not a citizen within the meaning of Article 32 for invoking the court's jurisdiction.
Counsel for the Kerala Government had also opposed the Italian Government's petition on the ground that the KeralaHigh Court had already reserved its judgement on the  sue.

New carcinogen in smokeless tobacco identified

Thiruvananthapuram: It is bad news for those Malayalis who use smokeless tobacco -- in the form of 'gutka' and similar products -- as a research in the US has, for the first time, identified a specific oral cancer-causing chemical in smokeless tobacco products.
Dr. Silvia Balbo of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, US, found after a study on rats that smokeless tobacco products contain a strong oral carcinogen -- a chemical called (S)-N'-nitrosonornicotine, or (S)-NNN.
Dr. K.R. Thankappan, professor and head, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies in Thiruvananthapuram, said though this study is yet to be translated on humans, it is a definite pointer to the grave risk that use of smokeless tobacco products poses to health.
'Oral cancer can be extremely debilitating and the use of smokeless tobacco that is fast gaining popularity among Malayali youth should be controlled through strict legislative measures,' said Thankappan.
According to a recent study in Kerala, 10.7 percent of adult Malayali users are hooked to smokeless tobacco.
P. Janardhana Iyer, honorary secretary, Regional Cancer Association and a well-known tobacco control activist in Kerala said the sale and use of smokeless tobacco products should be strongly discouraged.
'This (US) study and the example set by Madhya Pradesh which has banned such products indicate the great dangers that these products pose to the society, particularly to the vulnerable young population,' said Iyer.
Incidentally, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had last year written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to ban tobacco products in the country through a legislation.
The Kerala government has extended the ban on sale of tobacco products within a radius of 400 metres around educational institutions, thus extending the scope of Section 6(b) of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003.

New carcinogen in smokeless tobacco identified

Thiruvananthapuram: It is bad news for those Malayalis who use smokeless tobacco -- in the form of 'gutka' and similar products -- as a research in the US has, for the first time, identified a specific oral cancer-causing chemical in smokeless tobacco products.
Dr. Silvia Balbo of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, US, found after a study on rats that smokeless tobacco products contain a strong oral carcinogen -- a chemical called (S)-N'-nitrosonornicotine, or (S)-NNN.
Dr. K.R. Thankappan, professor and head, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies in Thiruvananthapuram, said though this study is yet to be translated on humans, it is a definite pointer to the grave risk that use of smokeless tobacco products poses to health.
'Oral cancer can be extremely debilitating and the use of smokeless tobacco that is fast gaining popularity among Malayali youth should be controlled through strict legislative measures,' said Thankappan.
According to a recent study in Kerala, 10.7 percent of adult Malayali users are hooked to smokeless tobacco.
P. Janardhana Iyer, honorary secretary, Regional Cancer Association and a well-known tobacco control activist in Kerala said the sale and use of smokeless tobacco products should be strongly discouraged.
'This (US) study and the example set by Madhya Pradesh which has banned such products indicate the great dangers that these products pose to the society, particularly to the vulnerable young population,' said Iyer.
Incidentally, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had last year written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to ban tobacco products in the country through a legislation.
The Kerala government has extended the ban on sale of tobacco products within a radius of 400 metres around educational institutions, thus extending the scope of Section 6(b) of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003.

500-km human chain for Indian fishermen's sake

Thiruvananthapuram: More than half a million people Saturday formed a 500-km-long human chain running from Kerala to Tamil Nadu to press for the safety and security of Indian fishermen.
The formation started at 5 p.m. and in 15 minutes a human chain had been formed running from Manjeswaram to Kanyakumari.
The formation aimed to highlight the threat looming over the lives of fishermen after five people were recently killed while fishing in the seas in two separate incidents.
Archbishop M. Susaipakiam of the Latin Archdiocese inaugurated the process, seeking the safety of fishermen.
'Numerous state and central agencies are associated with the safety of fishermen but there is a lack of coordination and hence things do not happen the way they should,' he said.
Part of the chain was people from all walks of life and political affiliations.
Pinarayi Vijayan, secretary of Kerala CPI-M, was among the leaders who joined the formation.
Several Kerala legislators also took part in the formation in their respective localities.
'This was done to bring to attention the safety and security issues our fishermen face while doing their jobs,' said T. Peter, convener of Kerala Swanthantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation.
The event comes in the wake of two recent incidents namely the killing of two fishermen by Italian marines along the Alappuzha coast and the death of three fishermen after being hit by a Singaporean vessel.

500-km human chain for Indian fishermen's sake

Thiruvananthapuram: More than half a million people Saturday formed a 500-km-long human chain running from Kerala to Tamil Nadu to press for the safety and security of Indian fishermen.
The formation started at 5 p.m. and in 15 minutes a human chain had been formed running from Manjeswaram to Kanyakumari.
The formation aimed to highlight the threat looming over the lives of fishermen after five people were recently killed while fishing in the seas in two separate incidents.
Archbishop M. Susaipakiam of the Latin Archdiocese inaugurated the process, seeking the safety of fishermen.
'Numerous state and central agencies are associated with the safety of fishermen but there is a lack of coordination and hence things do not happen the way they should,' he said.
Part of the chain was people from all walks of life and political affiliations.
Pinarayi Vijayan, secretary of Kerala CPI-M, was among the leaders who joined the formation.
Several Kerala legislators also took part in the formation in their respective localities.
'This was done to bring to attention the safety and security issues our fishermen face while doing their jobs,' said T. Peter, convener of Kerala Swanthantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation.
The event comes in the wake of two recent incidents namely the killing of two fishermen by Italian marines along the Alappuzha coast and the death of three fishermen after being hit by a Singaporean vessel.

Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Egypt

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has decided to recall its ambassador to Cairo and close its diplomatic missions in Egypt after protests outside its embassy over an arrested Egyptian lawyer, state news agency SPA said Saturday. 
The embassy as well as consulates in the Mediterranean cities of Alexandria and Suez were closed. 
An official spokesman, quoted by SPA, said the measures were decided in response to demonstrations outside its missions in Egypt and threats following the announcement of the arrest of the Egyptian lawyer in Saudi Arabia. 
The protests were "unjustified," the spokesman said, adding that Saudi and Egyptian employees of its diplomatic missions had been threatened. 
"Hostile slogans were shouted out and the immunity of the diplomatic representations was violated, contrary to all international regulations," the spokesman said. 
He said the violence had led to the suspension of diplomatic and consular services for Egyptian workers and Muslim pilgrims headed for Islam's holiest sites, located in western Saudi Arabia. 
On Tuesday, hundreds of Egyptians protested outside the embassy demanding the release of an Egyptian human rights activist held by Saudi authorities who claim he possessed banned drugs. 
The protesters chanted slogans against the Saudi regime as they called for the "immediate" release of Ahmed Mohammed al-Gizawi, who was arrested on arrival at Jeddah airport on April 17. 
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, an Egyptian organisation, said Gizawi was detained following a sentence of one year in prison and 20 lashes delivered against him in absentia for criticism of the Saudi government. 
Gizawi, whose supporters said he travelled to the Gulf state on pilgrimage, was being targeted for his activism in favour of Egyptian detainees in Saudi prisons, it said.

Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Egypt

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has decided to recall its ambassador to Cairo and close its diplomatic missions in Egypt after protests outside its embassy over an arrested Egyptian lawyer, state news agency SPA said Saturday. 
The embassy as well as consulates in the Mediterranean cities of Alexandria and Suez were closed. 
An official spokesman, quoted by SPA, said the measures were decided in response to demonstrations outside its missions in Egypt and threats following the announcement of the arrest of the Egyptian lawyer in Saudi Arabia. 
The protests were "unjustified," the spokesman said, adding that Saudi and Egyptian employees of its diplomatic missions had been threatened. 
"Hostile slogans were shouted out and the immunity of the diplomatic representations was violated, contrary to all international regulations," the spokesman said. 
He said the violence had led to the suspension of diplomatic and consular services for Egyptian workers and Muslim pilgrims headed for Islam's holiest sites, located in western Saudi Arabia. 
On Tuesday, hundreds of Egyptians protested outside the embassy demanding the release of an Egyptian human rights activist held by Saudi authorities who claim he possessed banned drugs. 
The protesters chanted slogans against the Saudi regime as they called for the "immediate" release of Ahmed Mohammed al-Gizawi, who was arrested on arrival at Jeddah airport on April 17. 
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, an Egyptian organisation, said Gizawi was detained following a sentence of one year in prison and 20 lashes delivered against him in absentia for criticism of the Saudi government. 
Gizawi, whose supporters said he travelled to the Gulf state on pilgrimage, was being targeted for his activism in favour of Egyptian detainees in Saudi prisons, it said.