HIGHLIGHTS

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 5 pm: NATION DEL8 DL-3RDLD TREMOR

Shallow earthquake jolts NCR; PM Modi says stay calm, alert for possible aftershocks New Delhi: Strong tremors were felt in the national capital and adjoining regions as an earthquake of 4.0 magnitude struck the region early on Monday.

DEL14 DL-TREMOR SCIENTIST

Delhi temblor due to regional geological variation, not plate tectonic: scientist New Delhi: The temblor that jolted the national capital early Monday was a result of naturally occurring variation in the geological features of the region and not due to plate tectonics, a senior scientist said.

DEL34 PB-DEPORTEE-LD-ORDEAL

From snakes, crocodiles to trimming beard, US deportees from Punjab recall perilous 'donkey route' Chandigarh: Promised a legal entry into the US, Mandeep Singh's life was at risk after he was made to deal with crocodiles and snakes, trim his beard despite being a Sikh, and having to go without food for days.

BOM8 MH-YOUTUBE SHOW-PROBE

YouTube show row: Maharashtra cyber asks comedian Samay Raina to appear for inquiry on February 18 Mumbai: Maharashtra Cyber, a cyber and information security division, has rejected comedian Samay Raina's request to record his statement virtually in a case registered over his YouTube show and asked him to appear before it on February 18, an official said on Monday.

DEL36 INDIA-BANGLA-BORDER TALKS

BGB delegation lands in Delhi; talks with BSF begin tomorrow New Delhi: A high-level delegation of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the border guarding force of the neighbouring country, reached Delhi on Monday for bi-lateral talks on issues like fencing and attacks on BSF personnel and civilians by Bangladeshi miscreants, officials said.

DEL31 MOE-PRADHAN-NEP-TN

Committed to implementing NEP across country, TN opposition political: Pradhan New Delhi: The Centre is committed to implementing the New Education Policy across the country, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Monday, and dismissed the Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the NEP as "politics".

DEL41 BJP-CONGRESS-LD PITRODA

Pitroda's comments, 'voter turnout' funding make clear agenda of harming India: BJP New Delhi: The BJP on Monday cited Indian Overseas Congress leader Sam Pitroda's reported comments negating Chinese threat to India to target the opposition party, claiming that his remarks are in line with its leaders' statements in support of China.

CAL17 AS-GOGOI-HIMANTA-LD FIR

Assam police files FIR under UAPA against Pak national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh for anti-India posts Guwahati: Amid controversy over the alleged ISI links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn, the Assam Police on Monday lodged an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh for his social media comments on India's internal affairs, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said

CAL15 AS-INVESTIGATION-GOGOI

Govt can conduct probe, but we know where we stand: Gogoi amid controversity over wife’s ISI links Guwahati: Senior Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said the Assam government can conduct any inquiry on the issue of his wife’s alleged ISI links, but he and his party know where they stand.

MDS6 KL-TEMPLE-ELEPHANTS-COMPENSATION (R)

Govt announces Rs 5 lakh aid for kin of those killed when elephants ran amok in temple festival Kozhikode (Kerala): The Kerala government on Monday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the three persons who lost their lives when two elephants ran amok during a temple festival in this district.

BUSINESS DEL24 BIZ-FM

India delivering good returns on investments: Nirmala Sitharaman Mumbai: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said India is delivering good returns to investors who are booking profits.

LEGAL LGD8 SC-RELIGIOUS PLACES-3RDLD PLEAS

SC irked over many fresh pleas on 1991 places of worship law, lists pending ones in Apr New Delhi: Expressing displeasure over filing of several pleas on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, the Supreme Court on Monday said a three-judge bench will hear in April the pending post-notice petitions related to the 1991 law which mandates the religious character of a place to be maintained as it existed on August 15, 1947.

LGD10 DL-HC-SATYENDAR JAIN

HC asks Satyendar Jain to reply to ED's plea to defer arguments on charges in money laundering case New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday sought AAP leader Satyendar Jain's response on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate seeking to defer arguments on framing of charges in a money laundering case against him.

BOM3 GA-COURT-RAPE-IRISH WOMAN

Goa court sentences local man to rigorous life imprisonment for rape-murder of Irish-British woman Panaji: A court in Goa on Monday sentenced a 31-year-old local resident to rigorous life imprisonment for the rape and murder of Irish-British national Danielle McLaughin in 2017.

FOREIGN FGN18 UK-IMO CHIEF-INDIA VISIT

Green growth on agenda of International Maritime Organisation chief's India visit London: The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will begin a three-day visit to India when he arrives in Mumbai on Wednesday for talks with senior government officials on topics including unlocking green growth and jobs to make shipping more sustainable for all. By Aditi Khanna

FGN21 LANKA-BUDGET

Dissanayake govt unveils first budget, projects 5 pc economic growth for Sri Lanka in 2025 Colombo: The Sri Lankan economy is expected to grow at 5 per cent in 2025, President Anura Dissanayake said Monday while presenting the budget for this year.

FGN16 SINGAPORE-COURT-LD SINGH (RPT)

Singapore's Indian-origin leader fined SGD 14,000 for lying to parliamentary committee Singapore: Singapore's Indian-origin Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh was on Monday fined SGD 14,000 after a district court found him guilty on two counts of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. By Gurdip Singh

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Source: PTI