Highlights at 2100 hrs

Following are the top stories at 2100 hrs:

NATION

DEL47 JK-2ND LD SITUATION Phone lines in Kashmir to be restored over weekend, schools to reopen next week: JK chief secy

Srinagar: Most phone lines in the Valley will be gradually restored over the weekend and schools will reopen area-wise next week, a top Jammu and Kashmir official said on Friday while announcing the easing of restrictions in a phased and "orderly way". By Sumir Kaul and Inayat Jehangir

DEL43 RJ-LD-THAR-EXPRESS SUSPEND

India suspends Thar Link Express to Pakistan Jodhpur: The railways on Friday cancelled operations of Thar Link Express that connects Jodhpur in India to Karachi in Pakistan, officials said, a development that temporarily snaps all rail links between the two countries, as the services of Samjhauta Express have already been suspended.

DEL48 JK-DOVAL-RETURN

Doval returns to Delhi after 11 days in Kashmir Valley Srinagar: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday returned to Delhi after spending 11 days in Kashmir Valley to ensure smooth implementation of plans after the withdrawal of special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. By Sumir Kaul

DEL57 PM-POPULATION-LD PARTIES

Sena targets section of Muslim community over PM's push for popln control; PC hails Modi's stand Mumbai/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for population control in the country prompted key ally Shiv Sena on Friday to target a section of the Muslim community while senior Congress leader P Chidambaram welcomed his stand and said this should become a "people's movement".

DEL9 VAJPAYEE-LD TRIBUTES

Prez, PM pay tributes to Vajpayee on first death anniversary New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the top dignitaries who paid tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his first death anniversary at a prayer meeting held on Friday at 'Sadaiv Atal' - the memorial of the former PM.

DEL62 CONG-LD KASHMIR-UN

UNSC meeting on Kashmir a 'grave diplomatic failure' of govt : Congress New Delhi: The Congress on Friday termed the UNSC discussing the Kashmir issue a "grave diplomatic failure" of the BJP government and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk to "India's friends" in the United Nations to stall the meeting.

DEL61 DEF-RAJNATH-2NDLD NUCLEAR

What happens in future depends on circumstances: Rajnath on 'no first use' of nuke policy Jaipur/New Delhi: India is "firmly committed" to its 'no first use' of nuclear weapons policy but future of the security doctrine will depend on the circumstances, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, in remarks which came in the midst of rising tension between New Delhi and Islamabad over Kashmir.

DEL60 HR-SHAH-POLLS

Good opposition people welcomed in BJP: Amit Shah in Haryana Jind (Haryana): BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said “good people" are welcome into the party-fold, as he addressed a rally here weeks before the assembly elections in the state.

DEL53 KA-YEDIYURAPPA-LD PM

Yediyurappa meets PM, seeks immediate funds for flood relief New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday and appealed for release of funds immediately to take up relief work in the flood- and rain-ravaged state.

LEGAL

LGD32 SC-LD AYODHYA

Ayodhya case: Temple existed before Babri Masjid came up at disputed site, counsel for deity to SC New Delhi: A "massive" temple of Lord Ram, dating back to the second century BC (Before Christ), existed at the disputed site in Ayodhya before the construction of Babri Masjid, a counsel for deity "Ram Lalla Virajman" told the Supreme Court on Friday.

LGD29 SC-2NDLD 370

SC expresses anguish over filing of defective petitions on Article 370 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refrained from examining the legal challenges posed to the changes made in the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the petitions filed on the "serious issue" of abrogation of provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution suffer from defects.

FOREIGN

FGN24 UNSC-KASHMIR-3RDLD MEETING UNSC opens closed door meeting on India revoking special status to Jammu & Kashmir

United Nations: The UN Security Council on Friday began a rare closed door meeting to discuss India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistan, backed by its all-weather ally, China, requested "closed consultations" on the issue. By Yoshita Singh

FGN26 PAK-IMRAN-TRUMP-KASHMIR Imran discusses Kashmir, Afghan issues with Trump

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday had a telephonic talk with US President Donald Trump on the Kashmir issue, according to Pakistan's state media. PTI

DPB