Kerala News Highlights : Mar Raphael Thattil elected as new head of Syro-Malabar Church

5.00 PM: Mar Raphael Thattil elected as new head of Syro-Malabar Church

The Syro-Malabar Church has elected Mar Raphael Thattil, a bishop of the Shamshabad (Telangana) diocese, as its new Major Archbishop. Bishops convened at St. Thomas Mount, Kakkanad, Kochi, decided by unanimous vote, according to church officials.

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4.30 PM: 40-year-old man sentenced to 22 years jail for raping 13-year-old girl in Palakkad

The Palakkad Fast Track Special Pocso Court sentenced a man to 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine for raping a 13-year-old girl and getting her pregnant. Ganesan (40), a native of Agali Kottathara, Palakkad, was convicted. The incident related to the case was in 2018. A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by breaking into the house and impregnating her.

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3.55 PM: Mariyakutty's petition seeking pension arrears: The High Court adjourned for hearing on Monday.

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3:31 pm: Special poojas for Yesudas at Sabarimala tomorrow

Special offerings and ghee anointing will be conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board at the Sabarimala temple on January 12 in the name of Yesudas on his birth star ( Uthradam). Ganapati Homam and Sahasranamarchana will be performed and Niranjanam will be performed to remove Shanidosha.

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3:10 pm:  Woman allegedly strangled to death in Thiruvananthapuram

 A woman who stepped out of the house on the pretext of going to the hospital was found dead in an empty house in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased has been identified as Sunila, the wife of Sibi in Thiruvananthapuram. The police said that the young woman was strangled to death by her lover

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2:00 pm:  Kozhikode Government Medical College receives National MusQan certification in the state for the first time

Thiruvananthapuram: Kozhikode Government Medical College has received National MusQan certification for excellent baby-friendly services in the state. Health Minister Veena George said that it is the first time a hospital from the state has received this recognition. Kozhikode Medical College has received the certification with 96 percent score.

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1.00 PM: Youth Congress workers intensify protest at Secretariat for arresting Rahul Mamkootathil

The police resorted to water canons after Youth Congress workers intensified their protests at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram for arrested YC state president Rahul Mamkootathil. The YC workers tried to push the barricade of the police and resulted in a clash.

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12.30 PM: Youth dies after crashing his bike on a tree in Kannur

A young man died after losing control of his bike and hitting a tree in Kannur's Iritty. Albert Lucas (19), a resident of Keezhoor, died. Albert fell into the nearby bushes by the impact of the crash. The locals rushed him to the hospital, but he could not be saved.

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12.10 PM: SC adjourns hearing of dog attack cases in Kerala

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the stray dog ​​case to February 28. A bench headed by Justice JK Maheshwari adjourned the hearing of the petition to February.

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11:30 am: 10 people seek treatment for food poisoning in Kalamassery

Ten people are being treated for food poisoning in Kalamassery, Ernakulam. 10 people who ate Kuzhimandhi from a hotel called Pathira Kozhi in Kalamassery experienced physical discomfort. They sought treatment due to discomfort including abdominal pain and vomiting. They were admitted to Ernakulam General Hospital

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10.45 AM: Kerala: Customs seizes gold bar worth Rs 2 crore from flight's lavatory in Karipur

The Customs Department seized gold bars worth Rs 2 crore hidden in the lavatory of the plane. The customs conducted an inspection and recovered the gold bars from the washroom of the Indigo flight from Dubai. The gold weighing 3317 grams was hidden in the dustbin. The customs have started an investigation into the gold smuggling gang.

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10.00 AM: TJ Joseph hand chopping case: Prime accused Savad arrested by NIA after 13 years

The main accused in the case of chopping off the teacher's hand has been arrested. NIA arrested Sawad, the first accused in the case. Sawad has been absconding for 13 years since the incident in July 2010. He was a Popular Front activist. The NIA had announced a sum of money for those who helped trace Savad. It is reported that he was arrested from Kannur.

Read More: BREAKING: Kerala Prof hand chopping case: NIA arrests prime accused Savad after 13 years

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9.40 AM: Dr Vandana Das murder case: Special public prosecutor will be appointed, state tells HC

The government informed the High Court that a special public prosecutor would be appointed in the Dr Vandana Das murder case. The government also informed the court that it will also seek the advice of the parents in this regard. There is no need for a CBI investigation at present. The government said that the investigation is efficient and ready to listen to the parents if they have any complaints. The High Court will hear the final hearing in the case on 18th of this month.

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9.30 AM: Congress leader gets into trouble after inaugurating BJP's Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

The Congress woman leader also got into controversy after inaugurating the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Ernakulam. Thrikakkara Municipality Chairperson Radhamani Pillai inaugurated the event. Earlier, a CPM councillor also faced backlash for inaugurating the yatra in Maradu.

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9.00 AM: One killed in accident near Lifeline hospital in Adoor

A woman traveling on a scooter died in an accident after she collided with a tipper near Life Line Hospital in Adoor. The scooter overtook a parked bus and hit the tipper. There were two women on the scooter.

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8.45 AM: Dr K J Yesudas turns 84; music world pours wishes for legendary singer

Ganagandharvan Dr KJ Yesudas is celebrating his 84th birthday today at his home in Texas. Yesudas has not come to Kerala for four years. There was a hint that he would come to the Soorya Festival this time, but he did not come. The usual Mookambika Yatra on birthdays has also been absent for some time. The music world has been pouring wishes for the legendary singer.

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8.19 AM: PM Modi to hold roadshow in Kochi; visit Guruvayur temple next week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala again for 2 days. The Prime Minister will be in Kerala on Jan 16 and 17. PM Modi will participate in a road show in Kochi at 5 pm on Tuesday. Then he will arrive in Guruvayur at 7 am on Wednesday and will participate in the marriage ceremony of Suresh Gopi's daughter. Also, he will offer prayers at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. The Prime Minister will return in the afternoon after attending the party leadership meeting and inauguration of various central projects in Kochi.

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8.13 AM: Samarajwala: Youth Congress to intensify protest against arrest of Rahul Mamkootathil today

Youth Congress State Vice President Abin Varkey said that after the remand of Youth Congress State President Rahul Mamkootathil, strong protests will be organised. It has been decided to organize a protest program under the leadership of the Thiruvananthapuram District Committee at 11 am at the Secretariat and 6 pm at police stations and constituency headquarters across the state under the leadership of the Youth Congress Committee under the name "Samarajwala".