HIGHLIGHTS AT 1700 HOURS

Following are the top PTI stories at 1800 hours:

DEL32

2ND LD DUST STORM

Nearly 100 killed in dust storm in UP, Rajasthan

Lucknow/Jaipur: A severe dust storm followed by thunder showers hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan overnight, killing nearly 100 people and leaving a trail of destruction.

DEL22

NAT AWARDS- 2ND LD PROTESTS

Nat Film Awards: Winners to skip ceremony because Prez to present only 11 awards

New Delhi: More than 70 winners of the National Film Awards today said they would skip the ceremony in the evening after a last minute announcement that President Ram Nath Kovind would be presenting only 11 awards, a departure from tradition.

 

DEL34

RJ-DUST STORM-MET OFFICIAL

Another dust storm may hit UP and Rajasthan: IMD official

Jaipur: Another dust storm may hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the next 48 hours due to cyclonic circulation formation in the region, a MeT official said today.

MDS10

KA-POLL-MODI

Modi plays nationalism card, rakes up surgical strike in Karnataka

Kalaburagi (Kar): Playing the nationalism card, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the Congress of "insulting national heroes" and the Indian Army by "questioning" the veracity of the cross-border surgical strikes.

MDS14

KA-POLLS-RAHUL

Rahul hits back at Modi for personal attacks on him

Aurad (Karnataka): Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "personal attacks" on him, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said it does not behove a person who holds the high office.

DEL35

JK-MILITANTS

At least 45 youths join militancy in 2018; security establishment taken by surprise

Srinagar: At least 45 youths from the Kashmir Valley, including an MBA and a PhD scholar, have joined militancy this year till mid-April, according to officials, as the unusual surge in numbers take the security establishment by surprise. By Sumir Kaul

DEL36

CBI-LD JOURNALIST

CBI books Delhi scribe for accessing sensitive areas with false info

New Delhi: The CBI has booked Delhi-based journalist Upendra Rai and chief security officer of a private aviation company for allegedly indulging in dubious financial transactions and getting access passes made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) by furnishing false information, officials said today.

DEL31

NAT AWARDS-TEWARI

Unfortunate Prez won't present all awards, should reconsider:

Tewari

New Delhi: Congress leader and former I&B Minister Manish Tewari today said it was unfortunate that President Ram Nath Kovind will not be presenting all the National Film Awards today and requested him to not break with tradition.

DEL29

UP-AMU

Eerie silence descends on AMU campus, heavy police deployment

Aligarh (UP): An eerie silence today descended over the AMU campus even as hundreds of student protesters gathered at the Baab-e-Syed gate, the scene of yesterday's violent incident in which around 20 students were injured in police action.

DEL21

PM-PRESS FREEDOM

Free press makes for a stronger democracy: PM

New Delhi: Multiplicity of ideas and human expression make us more vibrant as a society and a free press makes for a stronger democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the World Press Freedom Day.

DEL19

MHA-NAXAL

Home Ministry asks 10 Naxal-hit states to expedite development projects

New Delhi: The Home Ministry has asked 10 Naxal-hit states to expedite development projects in Left Wing Extremism affected areas after the Environment Ministry relaxed its guidelines, officials said today.

DEL17

CONG-ADITYANATH

Cong slams Yogi for campaigning in KTK after dust storm hits UP

New Delhi: The Congress today took a dig at UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka even when people of his state were reeling under the impact of the severe dust storm that has left many dead.

DEL16

PM-DUST STORM

PM for speedy assistance to those hit by dust storms

New Delhi: Expressing sorrow at the loss of lives due to dust storms in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation of those affected.

LEGAL:

LGD19

DL-HC-LD JAITLEY DDCA

Statements against Jaitley based on info from Kejriwal: Kumar Vishwas to HC

New Delhi: Dissident Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas today told the Delhi High Court that his statements against Union minister Arun Jaitley were based on the information received as a party worker from his leader Arvind Kejriwal.

FOREIGN:

FGN4

UK-CA-LD OPERATIONS

Scandal-hit Cambridge Analytica to shut down

London: Cambridge Analytica, the UK-based political consulting firm embroiled in a massive data-harvesting scandal that compromised the personal information of up to 87 million Facebook users, has announced that it would immediately cease operations as the controversy had driven away virtually all of its customers.