Kerala News HIGHLIGHTS: Kerala to receive heavy rainfall today; IMD sounds yellow alert in 5 districts

4.00 PM: Four KAS officers appointed as General Managers at KSRTC; All four engineering graduates

Four KAS officers with engineering degrees have been appointed to KSRTC based on the recommendation of the KSRTC board of directors to the government to create four general manager posts in KSRTC and appoint KAS officers. Presently Malappuram Disaster Management Deputy Collector Sarin SS, Kozhikode District Audit Office Deputy Director Josho Bennett John, State Goods and Services Tax Department Idukki Deputy Commissioner Intelligence Rararaj R, Kannur Irrigation Project Financial Assistant Roshna Alikunjhi have been appointed to the post of General Managers of KSRTC.

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3.15 PM: Kerala to receive heavy rainfall today; IMD sounds yellow alert in 5 districts

Kerala is expected to receive heavy rainfall today and tomorrow. The IMD has sounded a yellow alert in five districts including Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

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2.00 PM: Kerala court rejects petition seeking termination of Rahul Mamkootathil as Youth Congress president

The Muvattupuzha Munsiff Court rejected the plea not to allow Rahul Mamkootathil to assume the post of Youth Congress President. The petition was filed by Sanal PS, a resident of Muvattupuzha. The court dismissed the plea, stating that Rahul Mamkootathil and Shafi Parambil had assumed their roles before the petition was filed. The petition was filed in connection with the case of using fake ID cards in the Youth Congress Election. 

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1.15 PM: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan slams Kerala govt over appointment of VC in Kannur University

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan slammed the LDF-led Pinarayi govt for pressurising him to sign the appointment letter of Vice Chancelor at Kannur University. 

In a significant setback for the Kerala government, the Supreme Court has annulled the reappointment of Dr Gopinath Raveendran as the Vice Chancellor of Kannur University. The ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, emphasized that the appointment process was tainted by unwarranted interference from the Kerala government.

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12:30 PM: Senior nursing officer transferred over harassment at Kozhikode Medical College

Senior Nursing Officer PB Anitha has been transferred to Idukki Medical College over harassment at Kozhikode Medical College ICU. The transfer comes amid a controversial backdrop as the investigation committee attributed the incidents to irresponsible behavior.

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11.55 AM: Long Jump Olympian M Sreesankar received the 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award for Best Sportsperson. The award consists of one lakh rupees and a plaque. The award will be presented at Jimmy George Sports Academy on the 22nd of next month.

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11:33 AM: Driving school loses license for 3 months over malpractices during driving test

An action was taken against the driving school that came up with a shortcut for the candidates to pass the test. The incident happened in Ernakulam's Aluva. The shortcut was to give instructions through a sound box kept secretly in the car while the candidates were taking H during the car driving test. The license of Driving School was canceled based on the report issued by the Aluva Joint RTO over malpractices during the driving test.

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11:06 AM: High Court issues warning over participation of students in Nava Kerala Sadas

The High Court has expressed grave concern over the participation of students at Nava Kerala Sadas. Despite a court order prohibiting such involvement, the High Court deems the students' engagement in the matter a serious transgression.

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10.15 AM: Attempt to sell dead chicken in Kulathoor; Officials take action against chicken stall

In an attempt to sell dead chickens in Barkat Chicken stall in Kulathoor, the locals alerted the police and the municipality. Many of the chickens brought from the Chullimanoor farm at 7:30 this morning were dead. Then the officials of the municipal health department came and found the dead chickens.

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9.50 AM: Nava Kerala Sadas: Palakkad's Nalleppilly panchayat secretary orders teachers to participate in CM's event

The Nalleppilly Panchayat secretary has directed school teachers to participate in Nava Kerala Sadas in large numbers. All the teachers of the schools of the panchayat have been instructed to participate in the 'Vilambara Jatha' this afternoon. At the same time, as the incident became controversial, the officials explained that it is suggested to participate in the program which will be held at 4 pm.

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9.40 AM: Kerala Lottery Christmas New Year Bumper BR-95 full prize structure announced; Check

Read More: Kerala Lottery Christmas New Year Bumper BR-95: Check full prize structure, date, time and more

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9.10 AM: Kerala police beefs up security at Sabarimala shrine

Police have increased security at dangerous places in Sabarimala. Steps are being taken to avoid congestion in the wake of the CUSAT tragedy. Around 1500 security personnel including police and various army personnel are present. The police service evaluates the accurate numbers of pilgrims going up from Pampa, those who return after darshan, and those who stay back in Sannidhanam. Strict security arrangements have also been made at each location. 

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8:45 AM: Former sportsman Omkar Nath dies in bike accident in Kollam

A former sportsman Omkar Nath lost his life in a car accident on the national highway in Punalur, Kollam. A native of Tolikode, Omkar Nath (25), met with an unfortunate accident on the Kollam-Tirumangalam highway near Punalur and Wallakode church. The incident unfolded when Omkar Nath, a national medalist and former MA college athlete, was riding his bike. Tragically, the bike lost control, leading to a collision with a tree.

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8:15 AM: CPI Leadership meeting will be held today

The Communist Party of India's crucial leadership meeting will be held today. The state executive will take a further decision on Kanam Rajendran's request to take leave from the post of state secretary due to ill health. The excitement of the executive meeting is about who will replace Kanam to lead the party.

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8.11 AM: Leopard dies hours after rescuing from well in Kannur

The leopard that was pulled out of a well at Peringathur here on Wednesday died a few hours later. After being sedated for several hours, the large cat was discovered to be physically feeble. Internal bleeding may have contributed to the death even though there was no visible wound.

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8.06 AM: Surge in COVID cases; Kerala Health Department issues warning

In the wake of a slight increase in the number of COVID cases in the state, the general instructions of the health department to the districts. It is suggested that those seeking treatment with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested. This month reported a slight increase in daily cases over last month. About 20 to 30 COVID cases were reported these days. The number of people requiring hospitalization has also increased slightly.

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8.00 AM: Three missing students from Thiruvananthapuram found safe in Kanyakumari

Three students who went missing from Kerala's capital on Wednesday, have been located in Kanyakumari. They were able to trace with the help of mobile phone locations. All three are students of Vattapara LMS School. The Vattapara police started an investigation when the students who went to school did not return late at night.