HIGHLIGHTS AT 1730

Following are the top PTI stories at 1700 hours:

STORIES IN THE PIPELINE:

-Updates on Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha bypolls and Bihar bypolls

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UP-6THLD-LS-BYPOLLS

SP consolidates leads in Gorakhpur, Phulpur LS seats; BJP talks of redrawing strategy

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party strengthens its grip over Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats with latest trends showing its candidates establishing sizeable leads over their nearest BJP rivals, indicating a stunning reversal for the state's ruling party.

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BH-BYPOLLS-RESULTS

Bihar bypolls: RJD retains Jehanabad, BJP holds on to Bhabhua

Patna: The RJD retains the Jehanabad Assembly seat and the BJP the Bhabhua constituency in bypolls in Bihar.

 

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LD PARLIAMENT

LS passes budget without debate; both Houses adjourn amid din

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha passes the crucial Finance Bill 2018 and a Rs 89.25 lakh crore spending plan for the next fiscal year without discussion amid ruckus, which led to the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament for the eighth day.

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AVI-FLIGHTS-2NDLD CANCELLATION

IndiGo, GoAir cancel 50 flights

Mumbai: Domestic carriers IndiGo and GoAir cancells around 50 flights as almost one-third of their A320 Neo aircraft fleet remains grounded for the third day, following a safety directive by aviation watchdog DGCA.

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ED-NIRAVMODI-INTERPOL

ED seeks Interpol warrant against Nirav Modi, Choksi

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) moves the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice against diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in connection with the over Rs 12,000 crore PNB scam.

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MHA-RAJNATH-CYBERCRIME

Cyber crime becoming industry, may occur 'very often': Rajnath

New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh says cyber crime has become an industry globally and that such offences may occur "very often" due to the availability of resources in wrong hands.

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UP-SP-COMPLAINT

Massive irregularities in vote-counting in Gorakhpur: SP to EC

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh unit chief of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Naresh Uttam, writes to the Election Commission (EC), alleging large-scale irregularities in the ongoing counting of votes for the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat.

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CUSTOMS-GOLD-SMUGGLING

Customs for one-year detention of habitual gold smugglers

New Delhi: Delhi Customs decides to invoke a stringent provision of the anti-smuggling law to ensure that habitual gold smugglers get at least one-year detention to prevent them from illegally ferrying the yellow metal, official sources say.By Ashwini Shrivastava

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RSQ-COMMUNAL

UP tops the list of communal violence hit states in 2017: Govt

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with maximum communal violence incidents in the country last year, the Lok Sabha was informed.

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BIZ-GROWTH-WORLD BANK

World Bank projects India's FY19 GDP growth at 7.3 pc

New Delhi: The World Bank projects India's GDP growth at 7.3 per cent for the next financial year and accelerate further to 7.5 per cent in 2019-20.

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PM-HAWKING

PM Modi condoles demise of Stephen Hawking

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles the demise of cosmologist Stephen Hawking and says his grit and tenacity inspired people all over the world.

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HAWKING-RAHUL

Congress chief pays tributes to Stephen Hawking

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi condoles the demise of renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, describing him as a torchbearer for logic, reason and scientific temper who left an indelible mark on society.

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LSQ-LAW-WOMEN JUDGES

Out of over 600 HC judges, only 73 are women

New Delhi: Out of over 600 high court judges, only 73 are women, while there is only one woman judge in the Supreme Court, the government informs the Lok Sabha.

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RSQ-STUDENT SUICIDES

26,500 students committed suicide in 2014-16: Govt tells RS

New Delhi: Almost 26,500 students committed suicide in the country between 2014 and 2016, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

BOM6

MH-PAK NATIONAL-DEPORTATION

Pak national, who stayed in India for 27 yrs, deported

Mumbai: A 37-year-old Pakistani national, who was illegally staying in India since he was about 10 years of age, deported to the neighbouring country, a police official says.

LEGAL:

LGD11

SC-AYODHYA

SC rejects all interim pleas to intervene as parties in Ayodhya dispute

New Delhi: The Supreme Court rejects all interim pleas seeking to intervene as parties in the sensitive Babri masjid- Ram temple land dispute case.

FGN18

UK-3RDLD HAWKING

British theoretical scientist Stephen Hawking dies at 76

London: Stephen Hawking, the legendary British theoretical physicist who explored the mysteries of the universe from his wheelchair and went on to become an inspiring figure globally, dies at his home in Cambridge.