A look at the headlines today:
1. Ahead of budget session, all-party meet to be attended by PM Modi today
Amid expectations that the ongoing anti-CAA protests would figure prominently during the coming budget session of Parliament, the Centre on Wednesday said it was ready for debate on any issue and appealed to the opposition to allow smooth functioning. The government would make the same appeal in the all- party meeting to be held on Thursday and to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of an event. Among others, the ongoing protests across the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are expected to be raised during the budget session, commencing on January 31. "The government is ready for any discussion on the floor of house. In the all-party meeting, we appeal to the opposition and to run the Parliament smoothly, anything we can discuss, debate and disperse. This is the approach of the government," he said. "We are ready to allow them to raise any issues but it should run smoothly, that is the expectation of the government, that is the request of the government...," Joshi said.
2. In Gujarat, 17th king of Rajkot to be coronated today
Mandhatasinh Jadeja will be crowned as the 17th king of the over 400-year-old erstwhile princely state of Rajkot in Gujarat in a grand ceremony today. The coronation ceremony comes following the death of previous Thakor Saheb of Rajkot Manoharsinh Jadeja in 2018. "The coronation programme is not being done for celebration, but to uphold the tradition and fact that I have taken up the post as a responsibility," Jadeja, who is in his early 50s, said. Officiating priest Acharya Kaushik Trivedi said a 'Rajsuya Yagna' will be performed, in which waters from 31 rivers of the country will be brought for 'jalabhishek'. The three-day celebrations leading up to the event started from Tuesday, wherein a record was set by Rajput women for sword dance. As many as 2,500 Rajput women performed sword dance, entering the Guinness Book of World Records for largest number of women dancing with swords. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, some state ministers and several descendants from various royal families of India will participate in the coronation ceremony, those close to the royal family said.
3. Rahul Gandhi to lead 'Save the Constitution' march in Wayanad
As part of his party's anti-CAA protests in Kerala led by MPs and MLAs, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will spearhead a 'Save the Constitution March' today at Kalpetta in Wayanad district. Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Lok Sabha, will lead the 2km march, being held on the eve of martyr's day, from SKMJ high school to the new bus stand at Kalpetta, party sources said. The former Congress president, who would reach Kannur late Wednesday night, will also address the party workers after the rally. Congress in Kerala has been organising protest marches across the state against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) under the leadership of its MPs, MLAs and local leaders since the past few days. While the Save the Constitution march will be held in Wayanad, in the other 13 districts of the state the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will be organising a "human map of India" with the participants making formation of the country's map.
4. Trial in actress abduction case in Kerala to begin today
Trial in the actress abduction case involving actor Dileep will commence at Kaloor court today. A trial court had framed charges against Malayalam film actor Dileep and other accused in the case of alleged abduction and molestation of a south Indian actress in 2017. The actor and nine other accused were present in the additional special sessions court in Ernakulam when the charges were framed against them. All of them have denied the charges. On Saturday, the Court had dismissed a plea filed by Dileep, seeking to exclude him from the list of accused. The court had admitted the prosecution argument that there is prima facie evidence against him in the crime and dismissed the plea of the actor, who is eighth accused in the case. The court had also not allowed a plea by the actor to grant him 10 days time to file the appeal in a higher court in the light of the Supreme Court order in November 2019 that the trial should be completed in six months.
5. China coronavirus death toll rises to 170; confirmed cases soar to 7,711
The nationwide death toll from China's novel coronavirus epidemic has jumped to 170 with 38 more fatalities reported mainly from the worst-affected central Hubei province, the government said today, while confirming more than 1,700 new infections. The coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of China's Hubei province, in December and has now spread across the globe. The Chinese authorities are trying to contain the epidemic while other countries, including India, are working on plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called the coronavirus a "demon" which should be brought under control, pledging that the government would be transparent and release information on the virus in a "timely" manner. China's National Health Commission said on Thursday that 7,711 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Wednesday. A total of 170 people have died of the disease, it said.
6. ISL: Bengaluru look to maintain pace for top spot
Eyeing the top spot, Bengaluru FC will have plenty on their mind when they face laggard Hyderabad FC in their Hero Indian Super League clash today. Bengaluru FC can go a point clear at the top with a win, leapfrogging FC Goa and ATK, although having played a match more than both. Considering their record at home, the Blues will be favourites going into the match. They have won their last three matches at home and have conceded just four goals at the Kanteerava this season. "I don't feel the pressure. I think we need to get as many points as possible. Goa and ATK will be ahead of us, if they win all the games, so there is no pressure on us," said Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat. Bengaluru are coming off a 3-0 win over Odisha FC that saw striker Deshorn Brown get off the mark for them. Brown will once again be expected to lead the line against a Hyderabad defence that is yet to keep a clean sheet this season. With Brown leading the line, Sunil Chhetri can play from the left from where he has been very productive.
