Court clears Chandy in palm oil import case

The Kerala High Court yesterday dismissed petitions of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and former bureaucrat Alphons Kannanthanam to against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the 1992 palm oil import case.

Upholding the trial court decision, the high court also wondered if the petitioners were trying to delay the trial and making political capital out of it. The court also observed that the petitioners did not approach any court after it was taken up for trial in 2004.

Malaysia's opposition to march despite ban

Malaysia's opposition leader is planning a rally against alleged electoral fraud in Sunday's election, despite a ban on the protest by police, and threats that those who attend will be arrested.

Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat, or People's Pact, has been calling for support from people to attend the rally, which is due to begin at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday, after he lost the race to become prime minister.

Authorities said that correct permits have not been obtained, and therefore it would be illegal to go ahead with the march.