Two moderate earthquakes measuring 4.6 and 4.7 on the Richter scale jolted Nepal on Monday, officials said.

According to the National Seismological Centre (NSC) of Nepal, the two temblors that hit Ramechhap district were aftershocks of the massive 2015 quake that killed over 8,850 people.

The first occurred at 9.22 am, and the second followed at 10.06 a.m.

Schools in the districts were closed following the aftershocks and there were reports of damages on old structures.

The tremors were also felt in various parts of the Kathmandu Valley, the NSC added.

On February 18, an aftershock was recorded at Dhading district.

Tottenham Hotspur rebounded well from their Europa League exit at the hands of Gent in midweek with a 4-0 demolition of Stoke City on Sunday, trimming Chelsea’s lead at the top of the English Premier League table to 10 points in the process.

While their title ambitions are slim at best, the race for the Champions League spots is very much in the balance and with all their rivals not playing on the weekend, Spurs needed to make a statement at White Hart Lane.

And they did, with star striker Harry Kane leading the way with his third treble in nine games to get White Hart Lane roaring once again. The young striker opened the scoring with a well-taken half-volley in the 14th minute and despite being surrounded by plenty of Stoke defenders, got time to shift the ball onto his right and finish past Lee Grant.

The warning signs were there for the visitors when Jan Vertongen’s shot from just inside the box cannoned off the post as the Lilywhites looked like they were in the mood for goals.

Kane doubled Spurs’ lead two minutes after the half-hour mark, volleying home a Christian Eriksen corner from the edge of the box with his weaker foot, no less! And his treble was confirmed just five minutes later when his shot from distance took a wicked deflection off the wall to fool Grant.

Dele Alli, the villain in the Gent loss after his silly dismissal, went someway to redeeming himself after he finished Kane’s low cross from close range in first-half injury-time to give the host a commanding four-nil lead. Kane, on 17 League goals for the season and joint top-scorer, could have finished it himself but unselfishly laid it on a plate for his teammate.

If Spurs didn't add more to their tally in the second period it was down to the opposing team’s goalkeeper, Lee Grant. The 34-year-old custodian was superb and had it not been for him, Spurs would have been close to double digits by the end of the 90 minutes.

It wasn't all Spurs’ way, however, with defenders Toby Aldweireld and Jan Vertongen being forced off in the second half to create a bit of a defensive shuffle in the line up.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino calmed fears, however, saying the duo were taken off for a precaution and does not think their injuries are in any way serious.

The North Londoners climb to second in the Premier League table, one point ahead of Manchester City and two ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal, both who have a game in hand.

A good night's sleep for women is affected by having children in the house, with each kid increasing the odds of insufficient sleep by nearly 50 per cent, according to a new study which found no such effect on men.

Researchers from Georgia Southern University in the US examined data from a telephone survey of 5,805 people.

Participants were asked how long they slept, with seven to nine hours per day considered optimum and less than six hours considered insufficient.

They were also asked how many days they felt tired in the past month. All possible factors linked to sleep deprivation like age, race, education, marital status, number of children in the household, income, body mass index, exercise, employment and snoring were looked at.

Among 2,908 women aged 45 years and younger, researchers found that the only factor associated with getting enough sleep was having children in the house, with each child increasing the odds of insufficient sleep by nearly 50 per cent.

For women under 45, 48 per cent of women with children reported getting at least seven hours of sleep, compared to 62 per cent of women without children, researchers said.

The study found that not only was living with children associated with how long younger women slept, but also how often they felt tired.

"I think these findings may bolster those women who say they feel exhausted," said Kelly Sullivan, a PhD student in Georgia Southern University.

Younger women with children reported feeling tired 14 days per month, on an average, compared to 11 days for younger women without children in the household.

Having children in the house was not linked to how long men slept.

"Getting enough sleep is a key component of overall health and can impact the heart, mind and weight.

"It's important to learn what is keeping people from getting the rest they need so we can help them work toward better health," Sullivan said.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act – the AFSPA – is not the medicine for militancy and it is there to "extract resources" from Manipur, Irom Sharmila's party PRJA has said.

To drive home the point, the Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) said that there were only four insurgent groups when the draconian AFSPA was introduced in Manipur in the 1980s and the number has gone up to 32 since.

The PRJA, which was formed by Sharmila after she ended her 16-year-long hunger strike against the AFSPA in August last year, is making its electoral debut in this Assembly polls, fielding candidates in three of the state's 60 seats.

"The AFSPA is not about militancy and counter-insurgency. It is something beyond that. To deal with militancy and counter-insurgency, you may need laws and programmes but the AFSPA is not one of them.

"In the 1980s when the AFSPA was introduced in Manipur, there were only four insurgent groups and in 2016 there were more than 32 groups reported… The AFSPA is not the medicine for militancy. It has clearly multiplied the disease. The AFSPA is there to extract resources from Manipur," PRJA convener Erendro Leichombam said in an email interview.

He said that his party would work towards the removal of the act, which gives sweeping powers and immunity to the army in conflict-ridden areas, from Manipur first and "then move Parliament to repeal it from all places across India".

Asked whether the electoral fight this time was "symbolic", the 33-year-old leader said, "Absolutely not. I think one PRJA MLA is worth 60 other MLAs. We are going to create so much ruckus inside the assembly and expose the lies that people are going to ask for more."

Asked whether the party would support either the Congress of the BJP in case of a hung verdict, Leichombam just said, "We are not going to ally with the Congress."

On the possibility of a future alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in view of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's appreciation of Sharmila, he said, "We are a very new party, we are barely five months old. We want to make sure we establish our own identity and foundation and once we are assured of the party strength, only after that we will be looking at an alliance."

Besides removal of the AFSPA, the nascent party is fighting the election on the planks of ending corruption, reducing unemployment, implementing Lokayukta, and ensuring a harmonious and inclusive Manipur.

Manipur is going to polls in two phases on March 4 and March 8 and the counting will be held on March 11. The Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress dispensation has been in power in Manipur since 2002.

Asked about the party's take on the economic blockade by the United Naga Council and its impact to the economy of the state, he said, "Every day, people are struggling because of the economic blockade. The Congress and the BJP are in power in the state and at the Centre, respectively. It is their job to resolve this at the earliest but they are just taking political mileage out of this.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Monday wondered who was "polluting" the mind of a Delhi University student campaigning on social media against the ABVP.

Gurmehar Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram College and daughter of an army officer killed in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP after the violence in Ramjas College. 

Kaur posted a picture on Facebook saying: "I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me."

She then received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

In response to Kaur's campaign, the minister said: "Who's polluting this young girl's mind?" 

Clashes took place at Delhi University's Ramjas college on February 22 after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members forced the cancellation of a seminar and then disrupted a march.

Jharkhand government has decided to ban polythene in the state, an official said on Monday.

"Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has asked to bring a proposal regarding banning of the polythene in the next cabinet meeting. There will be also a move on sending people to jail who uses polythene in the state," said an official said.

The official said that motive behind the ban is to protect environment and save the cows.

"Cows eat polythene which causes their death. Banning of polythene use will protect their lives," the official added.

The official said that the quantum of sentence of violating the polythene use is not clear.

Counterfeit goods, software piracy and the theft of trade secrets cost the American economy as much as $600 billion a year, a private watchdog says.

In a report out today, the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property says the annual losses range from about $225 billion to $600 billion. The theft of trade secrets alone costs the United States between $180 billion and $540 billion annually. Counterfeit goods cost the United States $29 billion to $41 billion annual; pirated software costs an additional $18 billion a year.

The findings echo those of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which in 2015 pegged the annual cost of economic espionage by computer hacking at $400 billion.

The commission labels China the world's No. 1 culprit.

Including Hong Kong, China accounts for 87 per cent of counterfeit goods seized entering the United States. The report says the Chinese government encourages intellectual property theft.

The commission is led by former Republican presidential candidate and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who also served as US ambassador to China, and Adm. Dennis Blair, a former director of US national intelligence.

"The vast, illicit transfer of American innovation is one of the most significant economic issues impacting US competitiveness that the nation has not fully addressed," Huntsman said. "It looks to be, must be, a top priority of the new administration."

Continuing its uptrend, the Rupee firmed up by another 17 paise to 66.65 against the US Dollar in early trade on Monday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on increased selling of the American currency by exporters and banks.

Besides, the Dollar's weakness against some currencies overseas supported the Rupee but a lower opening of the domestic equity market capped the gain, forex dealers said.

On Thursday, the Rupee had gained 14 paise to close at 66.82 a Dollar on fresh selling of the American currency by banks and exporters on the back of weakness of greenback in the overseas market. Forex market was closed on Friday on account of Shivratri.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex down 80.09 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 28,812.88 in morning trade.

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to release gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari on parole for canvassing in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls.

Justice Mukta Gupta allowed the plea of the Election Commission (EC) which moved the high court challenging a trial court's order granting bail to Ansari till March 4 to campaign.

Ansari is contesting the polls from Mau Sadar constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket.

The high court had on February 17 stayed the custody parole after the EC moved the court seeking the cancellation on the ground that Ansari might influence witnesses in the 2005 murder case.

A special court in Delhi earlier granted bail to Ansari in the murder case of BJP lawmaker Krishnanand Rai.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday announced a solatium of Rs.2 lakh each to the families of nine persons who drowned when the private boat in which they were travelling capsized in the Bay of Bengal.

Nine persons drowned while 11 others were rescued in the mishap that occurred mid-sea off Manapadu beach in Tuticorin on Sunday, an official release said.

Those rescued were admitted to various private and government hospitals, it said.

Expressing condolences, Palaniswami said Rs.50,000 would be given to those injured from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

On taking up relief and rescue operations, the release said the chief minister has directed the Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur S Raju to monitor the process.

Medical officers in the region have been directed to provide best treatment to the injured, the release added.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons, also possibly the last, to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in connection with its money laundering probe case against him and others.

Officials said the agency issued the fourth summons to Naik, via his lawyer and through e-mail, to join the probe even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an Internet-based video link from abroad.

They indicated that the latest summons could well possibly be the last issued to him and the agency may move court for an arrest warrant against him, if he again choses to ignore the summons.

The ED officials had earlier indicated inability to allow the video link proposal as such a remedy is not allowed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Moreover, they said, the agency wants to question Naik "in person" given the serious charges of money laundering being investigated against him and others.

Naik, through his lawyer, had made a proposal to depose via video link some days back even as he apprehended that he could be arrested by the agency like his aide Aamir Gazdar.

"My client is willing and ready to give any statement before you via Skype or any other mode of electronic media to assist you in your investigation," a letter sent by Naik, also the founder of NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), through his lawyer Mahesh Mule had said.

It had to be seen to be believed. Over 100 old elegant beauties on four wheels lined up gracefully to display their glamour to car enthusiasts who had assembled in large numbers to witness the 51st Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally here on Sunday.

As the convoy of gleaming motors began moving ahead with grace, the assembled public clapped and waved. People were seen clicking photographs and selfies with vintage beauties.

Among the many vintage and classic cars lined up at Statesman House in Connaught Place was the classic John Morris (1914) fire engine, the oldest vehcile taking part in the rally and like every year the centre of attraction.

The rally was flagged off from Statesman House by Naresh Kumar, NDMC chairman. A spectacular rollout of classic, handpicked,vintage automobiles was on display.

The antique cars then traversed down Kasturba Gandhi Marg,India Gate, Purana Qila Marg,Mathura Road,Bhairon Mandir, Ring Road, Nizamuddin Bridge, Mayur Vihar Phase 1 and 2, Noida Film City and went to Greater Noida's Amity School and finally returned to the National Stadium where a prize distribution ceremony was held late afternoon. At the National Stadium,the car owners enjoyed their refreshments,lunch and enjoyed some time among themselves taking pictures with the old beauties.

The commissioner of Delhi Police, Amulya Kumar Patnaik was the chief guest of the event.

Later in the evening, a book, The Statesman 50 Classic Years of Vintage Glory was released by Dr Justice Dalveer Bhandari, Judge, International Court of Justice. R P Gupta, Chairman and Ravindra Kumar, Editor and Managing Director of The Statesman were also present at the bookrelease function.

Around 68 cars were inspected in the pre-judging process that took place on February 24-25 on the Modern School campus, Barakhamba Road, before the unveiling of the big event on Sunday.

Last year, at the 50th edition of the rally, 60-odd cars participated in it,which belonged to 1939 or were older. Around 40 cars were from the era of 1940s. This time, the number of participating cars increased to over 100. The first vintage car rally was organised by The Statesman in Delhi in 1964. Its huge success encouraged the organisers to take it to Kolkata in 1968.

The AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted: "Just listen to this. This is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism."

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here on Wednesday, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

The AAP on Monday slammed the BJP for not condemning those issuing "rape threats" on social media to a Delhi University student who took a stand against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"A girl is being threatened by rape on social media. Not a single BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) leader called it wrong or condemned it. Why," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh tweeted.

Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student and daughter of an Army captain who died in the Kargil war, launched a social media campaign against the ABVP in wake of the violence in Ramjas College.

She later received rape and life threats on social media by some who called her "anti-national".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP on Sunday over the issue and said it had now become a party of "hooligans" and "criminals".

Sharing a video of Kaur speaking about the "graphically detailed" rape threat she received, Kejriwal tweeted: "Just listen to this. This is BJP. They will destroy our country. Everyone must rise against their goondaism."

"Threatening our daughters and sisters with rape; is this BJP's patriotism? Shame on these people," he added.

Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh, who was killed during the Kargil war.

Clashes erupted between activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing ABVP outside Ramjas College here on Wednesday, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

Jose Mourinho has challenged his Manchester United stars to use their dramatic League Cup final win against Southampton as a springboard to bigger prizes.

Mourinho lifted the first major trophy of his United reign on Sunday after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late header clinched a 3-2 victory at Wembley.

The 54-year-old is the first United manager to win a major competition in his maiden season at Old Trafford and the 19th trophy of his glittering career made him only the third boss, after Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough, to enjoy four League Cup triumphs.

Now Mourinho wants his players to learn from the winning feeling as they chase FA Cup and Europa League titles this term, and ideally Premier League and Champions League glory next season.

"The reality is that we want more: my contract is long, I have two more years with this one, so hopefully I can win more," Mourinho said.

"This season I know it's difficult, but the reality is we have to try to fight for more."

Despite the landmark occasion Mourinho wore a stern expression during the trophy presentation.

But he insisted he was merely hiding his pride because he wanted his players to soak up the adulation.

"I am very happy. I always try to put myself in the secondary position — it's important for the fans, the club, the players — but it's also important for me," he said.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, you (the media) put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted very much to win a major trophy at every club. By doing that with Manchester United it's quite the sense of relief because it was a big target for me.

"I feel very happy with the victory and the fact I did it four times, the same as the biggest one (Ferguson) and Mr Clough."

After watching United blow a two-goal lead as Manolo Gabbiadini struck twice for the Saints before Ibrahimovic's winner, Mourinho conceded his team had been fortunate.

"You could feel in the game the difference in freshness.

Southampton were in Spain, relaxing and preparing, and we were playing Europa League and FA Cup," he said.

"We coped because we are humble, we stuck together and fought together, then we had a bit of luck because the 3-2 came at a moment when they couldn't react.”
Although more silverware this year would be nice, Mourinho knows the main target is to guarantee Champions League action next season by securing a top-four Premier League finish.

The key to achieving that will be keeping Ibrahimovic fit and firing on all cylinders.

The Swedish veteran, who also scored United's opener with a fine free-kick, was written off by many when Mourinho signed him on a free transfer last year.

Yet he has defied the critics with 26 goals in all competitions, and Mourinho said he never doubted the forward.

"I was his manager, I know his potential," said Mourinho of their previous spell together at Inter Milan.

"Only a silly player comes to England at 35 years old, and with the successful career that Zlatan has, if he doesn't feel he can do it (he wouldn't have come).

"Who better to know? Him. Not me, not you. Him."

Ibrahimovic's future remains uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the season but, while Mourinho won't plead with him, he expects the star to stay.

"I never beg for a player to sign a contract. I never beg for a player to play for me," Mourinho said.

"But if needed, maybe United fans can go to the door of his house, and stay there all night if needed!

"We all want, and believe, that he is going to stay another season."

Jose Mourinho has challenged his Manchester United stars to use their dramatic League Cup final win against Southampton as a springboard to bigger prizes.

Mourinho lifted the first major trophy of his United reign on Sunday after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late header clinched a 3-2 victory at Wembley.

The 54-year-old is the first United manager to win a major competition in his maiden season at Old Trafford and the 19th trophy of his glittering career made him only the third boss, after Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough, to enjoy four League Cup triumphs.

Now Mourinho wants his players to learn from the winning feeling as they chase FA Cup and Europa League titles this term, and ideally Premier League and Champions League glory next season.

"The reality is that we want more: my contract is long, I have two more years with this one, so hopefully I can win more," Mourinho said.

"This season I know it's difficult, but the reality is we have to try to fight for more."

Despite the landmark occasion Mourinho wore a stern expression during the trophy presentation.

But he insisted he was merely hiding his pride because he wanted his players to soak up the adulation.

"I am very happy. I always try to put myself in the secondary position — it's important for the fans, the club, the players — but it's also important for me," he said.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, you (the media) put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted very much to win a major trophy at every club. By doing that with Manchester United it's quite the sense of relief because it was a big target for me.

"I feel very happy with the victory and the fact I did it four times, the same as the biggest one (Ferguson) and Mr Clough."

After watching United blow a two-goal lead as Manolo Gabbiadini struck twice for the Saints before Ibrahimovic's winner, Mourinho conceded his team had been fortunate.

"You could feel in the game the difference in freshness.

Southampton were in Spain, relaxing and preparing, and we were playing Europa League and FA Cup," he said.

"We coped because we are humble, we stuck together and fought together, then we had a bit of luck because the 3-2 came at a moment when they couldn't react.”
Although more silverware this year would be nice, Mourinho knows the main target is to guarantee Champions League action next season by securing a top-four Premier League finish.

The key to achieving that will be keeping Ibrahimovic fit and firing on all cylinders.

The Swedish veteran, who also scored United's opener with a fine free-kick, was written off by many when Mourinho signed him on a free transfer last year.

Yet he has defied the critics with 26 goals in all competitions, and Mourinho said he never doubted the forward.

"I was his manager, I know his potential," said Mourinho of their previous spell together at Inter Milan.

"Only a silly player comes to England at 35 years old, and with the successful career that Zlatan has, if he doesn't feel he can do it (he wouldn't have come).

"Who better to know? Him. Not me, not you. Him."

Ibrahimovic's future remains uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the season but, while Mourinho won't plead with him, he expects the star to stay.

"I never beg for a player to sign a contract. I never beg for a player to play for me," Mourinho said.

"But if needed, maybe United fans can go to the door of his house, and stay there all night if needed!

"We all want, and believe, that he is going to stay another season."