Ferry which sunk in Fort Kochi was 'termite ridden', 'held together by rusted nails'

1. The condition of the ferry, which sunk in Fort Kochi on Wednesday afternoon after colliding with a fishing boat, was dangerously fragile, making it a "floating coffin", Rochelle Dsouza reported for The Times of India. The report states M B Bharath was "termite ridden, and in many places the brittle wood was dangerously held together by rusted nails". Surprisingly, a fitness certificate had been issued to the ferry just three months ago. The Fort Kochi Police have arrested the driver of the fishing boat which had rammed the ferry reportedly killing 10.

2. Following a feasibility study which was recently completed, solar panels will be installed in Edamalakkudy, the only grama panchayat in the state without electricity, reports The Hindu. This will make will also make Edamalakkudy the first solar-powered panchayat in the State.

3. The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on appeals filed by Kerala hoteliers against the state government’s liquor policy of shutting all bars except those in five-star hotels, The Financial Express reported. In their plea, the hoteliers stated that the government's policy was arbitrary.

4. The youth in the state prefers flying overseas than to celebrate Onam in the traditional way and the trend seems to be on a rise. Malaysia, Singapore, China and Europe are some of the favourite destinations for getaway trips, Shainu Mohan reports for the Deccan Chronicle.

5. The High Court has ordered police cover for the Government Higher Secondary School at Kilimanoor in Thiruvananthapuram after a petition was filed by the school's Parent-Teachers association (PTA) alleging that union members indulged in criminal activities on the school premises, Mahir Haneef reported for The Times of India.