Top News

·         In spite of Dollar falling against all major currencies, it has appreciated against Indian Rupee and reached 40.53 Rs per Dollar. Many NRIs were waiting for slightly better rates for Dollar before bringing funds into India.

·         Soaring palm oil prices will have a major impact on Kerala economy since palm oil is a widely used medium of cooking in the State.

·         Citizens of India among others will be issued compulsory identity cards by British government to improve security.

·         NRI steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal was listed as the fourth richest in the world by Forbes magazine. Others in top ten include Mukesh Ambani(5th), Anil Ambani (6th), K P Singh of DLF (8th).

·         NRI students who finish high school this year will be able to qualify for a new scholarship programme announced by the Indian government.

·         India Government is setting Overseas Indian Centres in Washington DC, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, that will provide legal, medical and financial advice and services at its missions and embassies.

·         The Finance Minister has also made a provision of Rs.2 million for the first International Youth Festival proposed for the NRI children and youth.

·         The National Geographic Traveller has listed Kerala in its one of the ten 'Paradises Found.'

·         Sister Alphonsa from Kerala will become the first nun from India to be canonised by the Vatican ahead of Mother Teresa. She will become Saint Alphonsa on October 12 this year.

·         World's first marina with golf course is proposed at Kochi. Foundation ceremony proposed in March. It will have the facility to accommodate up to 50 luxury yachts. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) will build and operate the Marina.

·         Close on the heels of the huge cut in taxes for aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by the Andhra Pradesh government, the LDF government in Kerala cut ATF tax significantly.