HIGHLIGHTS

Following are the highlights at 2100 hours:

TOP STORIES:

DEL79 CBI-LD DIRECTOR

Alok Verma shunted out of CBI

New Delhi: Alok Verma was shunted out as the CBI chief after a marathon meeting of the high-powered selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday, officials said.

LGD20 SC-3RD LD AYODHYA

Ayodhya case: SC to constitute fresh five-judge bench, Justice U U Lalit recuses

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday decided to constitute afresh the five-judge Constitution bench to hear on January 29 the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya after a judge, Justice U U Lalit, recused himself from the hearing.

LGD33 SC-AYODHYA-LALIT

Ayodhya dispute: Judge who recused from hearing had represented Kalyan Singh

New Delhi: Justice U U Lalit, who recused himself Thursday from the five judge bench of the Supreme Court hearing the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya, had represented the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh who faced contempt proceedings after the disputed structure was demolished.

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Bill for 10 pc reservation for poor in general category challenged in SC

New Delhi: The bill to provide 10 per cent reservation to general category poor in jobs and education was Thursday challenged in the Supreme Court on the grounds it breached the 50 per cent ceiling on quotas, barely a day after the measure secured Parliamentary approval.

DEL91 BJP-APPOINTMENTS

BJP appoints Shivraj, Vasundhara, Raman as party vice presidents

New Delhi: Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the BJP Thursday appointed former chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Raman Singh and Vasundhara Raje as its vice presidents, bringing its three powerful state leaders into the national politics.

DEL78 DEF-ARMYCHIEF-CHINA

Situation along border with China improved after Wuhan summit: Gen. Rawat

New Delhi: The situation along the nearly 4,000-km long border between India and China has improved following the summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan last year, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said Thursday.

NATION:

MDS14 TN-2ND-LD-MODI

PM says BJP open to alliances, attacks Cong for arrogance

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that the BJP is open to alliances and cherished its old friends, in a hint that it was looking to strengthen the NDA in Tamil Nadu ahead the Lok Sabha elections.

MDS11 TN-PM-RAFALE

PM questions Michel's role in stalled Rafale deal during UPA

Chennai: In a stinging counter-attack on the Rafale issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of stalling defence procurement if there was "no deal" for it.

DEL67 PM-2ND LD BOLLYWOOD MEET

Bollywood stars meet PM Modi, Johar calls it an 'incredible opportunity'

New Delhi/Mumbai: A 14-member Bollywood delegation of young stars, led by filmmaker Karan Johar, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday to discuss how the industry can contribute towards nation building.

DEL60 UP-BULANDSHAHR-2NDLD-ARREST

Bulandshahr violence: Local BJP youth wing leader arrested

Meerut (UP):The Uttar Pradesh Police Thursday arrested a local BJP youth wing leader accused of instigating mob violence in Bulandshahr that killed a police inspector and a civilian last month.

LEGAL:

LGC1 JH-COURT-LALU

Jharkhand HC rejects Lalu Prasad Yadav's bail plea in fodder scam cases

Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court Thursday rejected the bail petition of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav in three cases of the multi-crore fodder scam.

BUSINESS:

DEL72 BIZ-2NDLD GST

'Massive relief' to small businesses: GST exemption limit doubled to Rs 40 lakh

New Delhi: In a "massive relief" to small businesses, the GST Council Thursday doubled the limit for exemption from payment of goods and services tax (GST) to Rs 40 lakh and announced that the higher turnover cap of Rs 1.5 crore for availing composition scheme of paying 1 per cent tax will be effective from April 1.

BCM14 BIZ-LD-RESULTS-TCS

A 24% spike in Q3 net at Rs 8105 cr makes TCS bullish on 2019

Mumbai: The country's largest software exporter TCS Thursday posted 24.1 percent growth in the December quarter net income at Rs 8,105 crore, its highest ever, and guided towards a healthy 2019 saying it has a "strong" order pipeline.

SPORTS:

SPD5 SPO-PANDYA-LD COA

Rai recommends 2-ODI ban for Pandya, Rahul; Edulji seeks legal view

New Delhi: The Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai Thursday recommended a two-ODI ban on India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their controversial comments on women in a TV show but fellow COA member Diana Edulji referred the matter to the BCCI's legal cell.

FOREIGN:

FES53 LANKA-LD ARMY CHIEF

Rights group demands trial of new Sri Lanka army chief for alleged war crimes

Colombo: Major General Shavendra Silva has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new army chief that has led a global rights group to demand his prosecution over allegations of war crimes during the final battle with LTTE militants in 2009.PTI

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