Daily Bulletin: Supreme Court likely to hear Ayodhya title dispute case; Parliament updates; Ajit Doval to meet Afghan NSA in Delhi; day's top stories

Supreme Court likely to hear Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case

The Supreme Court might hear a batch of petitions in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on Friday. The matter is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul. It is likely to constitute a three-judge bench for hearing as many as 14 appeals filed against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among the three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

45 Lok Sabha members suspended in 2 days for disruptions

Cracking the whip on unruly MPs, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has suspended 45 Lok Sabha members belonging to the TDP and the AIADMK since Wednesday after they created ruckus in the House and continuously disrupted proceedings for days. Mahajan had suspended 24 AIADMK members on Wednesday for five consecutive sittings. A day later, she suspended 21 members of AIADMK, TDP and an unattached YSR Congress member. The action was taken under rule 374A of Lok Sabha which says that they cannot attend the remaining days of the session, which concludes on 8 January. While AIADMK has 37 members, the TDP has 15 in the lower house.

Ajit Doval to meet Afghan NSA in Delhi

National Security Advisers Ajit Doval will meet his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib in Delhi on Friday to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and explore ways to enhance security partnership including supply of military hardware. The meeting comes at a time when the US has announced withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. In December, US president Donald Trump announced that 14,000 American troops would return home, even as the 17-year-old war continues to destabilise the country and the region.

Smriti Irani, Rahul Gandhi to be in Amethi

Union minister Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi will both be in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi on Friday, but at different times. The Lok Sabha seat saw the Congress president and Smriti Irani face each other in 2014. The contest was won by Gandhi. The BJP is likely to field the Union textile minister once again to take on Rahul Gandhi on this seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

While Irani will visit different places across the Gandhi bastion, Rahul will address a programme in Amethi around 4.30 pm. However, Rahul is scheduled to arrive in Amethi, after minister leaves for Lucknow.

The Congress chief will meet people in his constituency and attend a party reception. He is expected to inaugurate the Adhivakta Bhawan, built from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme funds.

Kerala turns into war zone after women’s entry into Sabarimala

Hurling crude bombs and stones, Hindu fringe groups on Thursday rampaged through the streets of Kerala, fighting pitched battles with police and political rivals, leaving scores of people injured including three BJP workers in a knife attack, officials told PTI. The dawn-to-dusk ‘hartal’ called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of pro-Hindutva groups, and the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), to protest the entry of two women of reproductive age into the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday virtually brought the state down to its knees.

Hordes of right-wing activists were on the streets soon after the shutdown began, placing burning tyres and granite blocks on the roads, bringing vehicular traffic to a halt at several places. The state was under siege as they attacked over 20 offices of the ruling CPM and its other Left allies, and clashed with police, leaving at least 31 personnel injured.

Cheteshwar Pujara stands tall as India reach 389/5 at lunch on Day 2 of 4th Test

Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 181 as India reached 389/5 at lunch on the second day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pujara continued to defy the Australian attack with grit and patience as he went past the 500-run mark in this series. Rishabh Pant looked set at the other end, having collected 27 off 42, with the unbroken partnership between the two worth 60 at the end of the session.

Follow live updates on the day’s play here .

Centre ready for polls in Jammu and Kashmir along with general elections, says Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the government is willing to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir along with general elections which are slated to be held by May. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under President’s Rule in December, six months after the BJP pulled out of Mehbooba Mufti-led government and the state was put under Governor’s Rule.

“If Election Commission wants (to hold elections in state along with general elections), our government will have no objection,” Rajnath said replying to a debate on proclamation of imposition of Central rule in the state. He said there would be no obstruction from the Centre for holding elections in the state.

No consensus reached on recommendations by panel on censor board functioning: Rajyavardhan Rathore

The recommendations of the Shyam Benegal-headed panel on the functioning of the censor board require amendment in the Cinematograph Act and consensus on them could not be reached after two rounds of consultative meetings on the issue in 2017, the government said on Thursday.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, in a written response to a question in Lok Sabha on the recommendations of the Committee of Experts chaired by Benegal, said the panel submitted first part of its report in April 2016, and the final part in June 2016.

The recommendations contained in the report require amendment in the Cinematograph Act and Rules and it was felt that their implementation, especially those requiring important amendments in the Act, be done after further consultations, he said.

“A consultation meeting between the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Minister of Law and Justice, Minister of Finance and Minister of Human Resource Development was held on 16 March, 2017, to deliberate on the issue of repeal or amendment of the Cinematograph Act,” Rathore said.

Apple expected to lose $9 bn in revenue owing to weak iPhone demand

On Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook told investors that iPhone sales were much lower than expected and that the company would miss its revenue targets. Cook placed the majority of the blame on escalating tensions between China and the US, which, he said, puts a strain on the US economy. Other reports, however, indicated that people simply didn’t feel like upgrading their old, but perfectly functional phones. Apple’s revised guidance forecast now predicts a revenue shortfall of $9 billion when compared to the original estimates.

Gold prices surge

Gold prices rose by Rs 335 to Rs 32,835 per 10 gram at the bullion market in the national capital for the third straight day on Thursday helped by weak rupee and overseas trends. Silver, too, followed gold by gaining Rs 350 to Rs 39,700 per kg due to increased demand from industrial units and coin makers, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, gold prices gained by Rs 200 and Rs 30, respectively. Bullion traders said positive global cues and marginal demand from local jewellers led to the rise in gold prices.

Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to https://www.firstpost.com/whatsapp/ and hit the Subscribe button.