HIGHLIGHTS AT 1800 HRS

Following are the top PTI stories at 1800 hours:

STORIES IN THE PIPELINE:

-- Cong delegation to meet President over SC/ST issue

--West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to meet Sonia Gandhi

NATION:

DEL12 PASWAN-MODI-SCST

MPs meet PM to discuss verdict on SC/ST atrocities act

New Delhi: A delegation of NDA's SC and ST MPs, led by LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the apex court judgement diluting provisions of the SC-ST atrocities act.

DEL11 ED-NIRAVMODI-ARREST

ED arrests close associate of Nirav Modi

Mumbai/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has arrested a "close" associate and the vice president of a firm of diamantaire Nirav Modi in connection with a money laundering probe in the over Rs 12,000 crore PNB bank scam, officials said today.

 

DEL10 JK-ENCOUNTER

Security forces trace infiltrator militants, engage them in gun fight in Rajouri

Jammu: A gun fight broke out today between the security personnel and some militants, who had infiltrated from across the LoC four-five days back in Rajouri sector and were traced to be in its Sunderbani tehsil after days of combing operations, the police said.

DEL4 MEA-SAUDI-MISSILE

India condemns missile attacks on Saudi Arabia

New Delhi: India today strongly condemned renewed missile attacks targeting civilian areas in Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia, and reiterated its resolve to fight terrorism and violence in all its forms.

DEL6 AV-VISTARA-SEXUAL HARASSMENT

62-yr-old bizman held for 'sexual harassment'

New Delhi: A 62-year-old Pune businessman has been arrested on a complaint of sexual harassment lodged against him by a cabin crew member of the Air Vistara, Lucknow-Delhi flight on March 24, the police said today.

DEL5 MHA-WB-REPORT

Centre seeks report from W Bengal govt on violence during Ram Navami

New Delhi: The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government on incidents of arson and violence during Ram Navami processions in the last two days and offered assistance to deal with the situation, an official spokesperson said.

DEL2 BIZ-FORTIS-DEMERGER

Fortis board approves demerger of its hospital biz

New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare Ltd. (FHL) board has approved demerger of its hospitals business, which will be acquired by Manipal Hospitals and TPG Capital, along with the sale of 20 per cent stake in diagnostics chain SRL Ltd., in a Rs 3,900-crore deal.

PAR9 RS-NAIDU

Naidu concerned over washout of Par proceedings

New Delhi: Concerned over the virtual washout of Parliament proceedings, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu today urged MPs not to further erode "the quality of polity" and make a fresh beginning by conducting themselves in a more dignified manner.

PAR8 RS-LD PM

MPs could not debate major issues due to disruptions: PM in RS

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lamented that disruptions in Parliament have unfortunately prevented several members, retiring from the Rajya Sabha, from being able to participate in debates on historic legislations like the triple talaq bill.

LEGAL:

LGD7 SC-LD SYMBOL

SC keeps in abeyance HC order on allotment of symbol to AIADMK faction

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today kept in abeyance a Delhi High Court order asking the Election Commission to consider allotting the 'pressure cooker' poll symbol to the AIADMK faction led by T T V Dhinakaran.

LGD2 SC-MAHATMA

SC dismisses plea seeking re-probe into Mahatma assassination

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking a re-investigation into the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

FOREIGN:

FGN5 CHINA-KIM-LD VISIT

Kim holds talks with Xi in secret trip to China ahead of Trump summit

Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that he is committed to denuclearisation as the dictator made a secret trip to China ahead of his landmark meeting with US President Donald Trump. By KJM Varma

FGN3 UN-INDIA-PEACEKEEPING

India calls for timely reimbursement to nations for UN peacekeeping operations

United Nations: India has emphasised the importance of timely reimbursements to nations for their contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, saying success of such missions depend on addressing structural challenges of timely payments, adequate resources and well-trained troops. By Yoshita Singh.