The Death toll in the hooch tragedy in Malappuram district of Kerala has gone up to 24 with seven more people succumbing to their illness in hospitals here and Kozhikode since last night.

Defence Minister A K Antony has ordered a re-investigation into the mysterious death of Captain Sumit Kohli
in Jammu and Kashmir, heeding to the demands of his family that had maintained that it was a murder and not a suicide as claimed by the Army.

The all-India strike called by central trade unions today disrupted the normal life  creating the impressions of a bandh. The strike was total in transport sector with buses, trucks and taxis keeping off the roads. The strike has also affected industry and commercial sectors in the state.

Finance minister Thomas Isaac said he is ready for an open debate on the lottery row on September 9. The debate would be organized by the Keluvettan Study Centre, Kozhikode. He said anyone can ask questions and public and political activists too can participate. He invited the UDF leaders also for the debate.

In the wake of the self-financing issue, Jus. Mohammed Committee on Friday intervened in the current developments. A meeting of the Supervisory, Fee regulatory committees have been called on Monday, to evaluate the developments following the Supreme Court verdict.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Thursday said Smart City Dubai, builder of the Rs.1,500-crore Kochi IT township, will be asked to say within 15 days whether or not it is going ahead with the project.Achuthanandan said the government will send a letter to Smart City Dubai Chief Executive Fareed Abdul Rehman, asking the company to express its intention.

The Centre has granted permission for exporting about 10,000 tonnes of coconut oil from 13 ports, Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas said today.

Education minister M A Baby said that a discussion would be held with self financing managements on Thursday . Officials from health-education departments will also attend. He said that the government expect management to stood firm in the pact with government.

A fisherman engaged in fishing in Chalakkudi river was killed by a alligator crocodile here on Wednesday. The deceased is Antony , 56,from Karukutty.

State Election Commission has decided to conduct the local body polls at single phase. The decision came after the verdict of High Court on Tuesday ordering the conduct of polls at one go.