New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 5.25 PM: NATION DEL3 WASIA-MEA-UAE-NUCLEAR (09.21 PM)

Deeply concerned: India on drone strike near UAE's Barakah nuclear plant New Delhi: India on Monday voiced deep concern over a drone attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it marked a dangerous escalation in the West Asia conflict.

DEL26 CBI-LD NEET (02.47 PM)

Coaching centre founder arrested in NEET case New Delhi: The CBI arrested Renukai Career Centre founder Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar on Sunday over his alleged involvement in the NEET-UG paper leak, agency officials said on Monday.

DEL34 PAR-NTA-NEET (03.46 PM)

Parliamentary panel summons NTA chief; to review reforms, NEET-UG paper leak case on Thursday New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has decided to review the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats for deliberations.

BOM13 CG-SHAH-BASTAR-MARTYRS (04.08 PM)

Govt fully committed to permanent peace, last-mile development in Bastar: Amit Shah Jagdalpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government is fully committed to establishing permanent peace in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region and ensuring that development reaches the last person.

MDS23 KA-FUEL-KHARGE (01.19 PM)

PM Modi, Centre 'lack' foresight, responsible for rising inflation: Kharge Bengaluru: Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre over the recent hike in fuel prices, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused them of "lacking foresight" and driving up inflation in the country.

MDS35 KL-CABINET-LD DECISIONS (04.39 PM)

UDF govt announces welfare measures, free KSRTC travel for women from June 15 Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (PTI) The newly sworn-in UDF government in Kerala on Monday announced a series of welfare measures, including free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15, enhanced honorarium for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and the creation of a dedicated department for elderly people.

CAL28 WB-2ND LD CABINET (04.20 PM)

Bengal cabinet to discontinue stipends for religious leaders from June Kolkata: The West Bengal cabinet on Monday decided that assistance-oriented schemes currently in place based on religious categorisation for Imams, muezzins and purohits would be discontinued from June this year.

DEL25 ED-AAP-ARREST (02.39 PM)

ED arrests AAP leader Deepak Singla in money laundering case New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested AAP leader Deepak Singla in an alleged money laundering case following searches in Delhi and Goa, officials said.

DEL37 NCR-2NDLD DOWRY (04.03 PM)

Woman 'jumps to death' over dowry harassment in Gr Noida; husband held Noida: A 24-year-old woman died allegedly after jumping from the terrace of her three-storey matrimonial house in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district following harassment by her in-laws over dowry, police said on Monday.

LEGAL LGD7 SC-BAIL-LD UAPA (12.24 PM)

Bail is rule, jail exception even in UAPA cases: SC grants bail to narco-terror case accused New Delhi: Observing that bail is the rule and jail an exception even in UAPA cases, the Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to a man allegedly involved in drug trafficking and financing terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

BUSINESS DEL36 BIZ-RUPEE-CLOSE (03.58 PM)

Rupee settles at record low of 96.35 against US dollar Mumbai: The Indian rupee weakened further and closed at a record low of 96.35 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, pressured by rising crude oil prices on the back of ongoing geopolitical tensions and a strong dollar.

DEL43 BIZ-FINMIN-AUSTERITY (05.17 PM)

FinMin asks PSU banks, insurers to adopt austerity measures, shift to EV New Delhi: The Finance Ministry on Monday urged public sector banks and financial institutions to adopt austerity measures and shift to electric vehicles, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal.

CAL32 OD-LD SEBI (5.23 PM)

Indian markets capable of absorbing different types of shocks: SEBI chief on West Asia crisis Bhubaneswar: Volatility has shot up in the financial markets due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, but the Indian bourses have the capacity to “absorb different types of shocks”, Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Monday.

FOREIGN FGN28 PM-NORWAY-TALKS (04.18 PM)

PM Modi holds talks with Norwegian counterpart Oslo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre on Monday, focusing on trade and investment, green technology, blue economy, and other key areas.

FGN24 PM-SWEDEN-LD OUTCOMES (03.46 PM)

PM Modi’s Sweden visit yields strategic partnership; both sides unveil tech roadmap, aim to double trade in 5 years Gothenburg (Sweden): Driven by a push to deepen strategic and technology ties, India and Sweden have unveiled an ambitious roadmap spanning artificial intelligence, critical minerals, innovation, trade and cultural exchanges during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country.

FGN1 US-CHINA-IRAN (03.13 AM)

China committed to US on not providing material support to Iran: US trade representative Washington: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that President Donald Trump secured a commitment from China not to "provide material support to Iran." By Sagar Kulkarni

FGN30 CHINA-PUTIN (04.59 PM)

After Trump, Putin to visit Beijing for talks with Xi Beijing: Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China on Tuesday – a trip that comes shortly after his US counterpart Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

PTI ARB ARB

Bail as the norm in UAPA cases shapes liberty analysis even where drug trafficking and terror financing are alleged. Bail continues to be treated as the norm and jail as the exception even in UAPA matters, including cases alleging drug trafficking and terror financing. The gravity of the accusation by itself does not displace the governing bail principle, and personal liberty remains a central consideration in criminal procedure despite the special statutory framework involved in such prosecutions.