Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 14 (PTI): The Vatican has rejected one more appeal of Sister Lucy Kalappura, a Keralite nun against the decision of Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) to expel her for "failing" to provide explanation for her lifestyle, which allegedly violated church rules.

According to an internal church communication, Apostalica Signatura, the apex judicial authority in the Catholic Church, rejected the nun's third appeal against dismissing her from the century-old Congregation.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 4 (PTI): Announcing a Rs 20,000 crore package to tide over the crisis induced by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal presented the maiden budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government here on Friday.

Besides the financial package, he also set aside Rs 1,000 crore to provide free vaccination for everyone aged above 18 years.

An additional 500 crore would be spent to ensure related equipment and facilities for free vaccination, he said.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 20 (PTI): CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan, who led the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to an unprecedented consecutive victory in the April 6 assembly polls, was on Thursday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala for the second successive term.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office to 76-year-old Vijayan in a low-key function at the Central Stadium here, which was held completely in adherencewith the COVID protocol.

It is the second stint of the Marxist veteran in the top office.

Thrissur (Ker), May 11 (PTI) Eminent novelist, actor and screenplay writer Madampu Sankaran Namboodiri alias Madampu Kunjukuttan, who had been under treatment for COVID-19, succumbed to the viral infection at a private hospital here on Tuesday.

He was 81.

He was admitted to the hospital following fever and breathing difficulties and tested positive for the virus recently, hospital sources said.

Kochi, May 9 (PTI) Television journalist Vipin Chandh, the chief reporter of Mathrubhumi News here, died of COVID-19 related complications in the city early on Sunday, his family said.

He was 42 and is survived by his wife and child.

Chandh, who was very active in reporting even during the second wave of the pandemic, had tested positive for the virus two weeks ago and was in home quarantine.

Later, he was admitted to a private hospital in the neighbourhood.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 6 (PTI) The Kerala government on Thursday announced a nine-day complete lockdown in the state from the morning of May 8 to arrest the massive spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the lockdown would come into force on May 8 morning and extend up to May 16.

"The entire State of Kerala will be under lockdown from 6am on 8 May to 16 May. This is in the background of a strong 2nd wave of #COVID19," Vijayan tweeted.

The CM said there was no need for panic.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 (PTI): The ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala is all set to retain power as it is leading at least in 94 of the 140 assembly seats as counting is still in progress.

If they win, they will buck the over four-decade-old trend of swinging between the Communists and the Congress- headed UDF in the southern state.

As per the Election Commission figures, the LDF is ahead in 85 seats, while the opposition Congress-headed UDF is leading in 44 segments and the BJP-NDA, in three constituencies.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 24 (PTI) The 48-hour lockdown-like curbs imposed by the Kerala government following unprecedented COVID-19 suge, came into force in the state with only essential services and emergency activities being allowed and a holiday declared for government offices and PSUs.

Police carried out intense vehicle check across the state since early this morning to ensure that nobody ventured out on roads and public places unnecessarily.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21 (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the Leftgovernment would provide the vaccine against COVID-19 free of cost for everyone in the State.

This statement comes on a day the Serum Institute of India announced a price of Rs 400 per dosefor its COVID-19 vaccine 'Covishield' for State governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.

Kollam (Ker), Apr 16 (PTI): A 42-year-old Catholic nun was found dead inside the well of the St Joseph convent at Kureepuzha in this south Kerala district on Friday, police said.

The other inmates noticed the body of Mable Joseph, a native of Karunagappally here, inside the well of the sprawling convent campus in the morning.

They carried out a search after she failed to turn up for the usual morning prayers.

Police said prima facie it was a suspected case of suicide and other details could be known only after the post-mortem and investigation.