New Delhi, May 21 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1 pm:
NATION
BOM10 CG-NAXAL-LD ENCOUNTER
* At least 26 Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh
Narayanpur: More than 26 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests along the border of Narayanpur-Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh, officials said on Wednesday. *
DEL6 CONG-RAMESH-DELEGATIONS
* PM thought of sending delegations to divert attention from tough questions: Ramesh
New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi suddenly thought of sending multi-party delegations of MPs to visit different countries to divert attention from the tough questions he is being called to answer, while his image globally has been "shattered". *
DEL1 PM-TRIBUTES-RAJIV GANDHI
* PM Modi pays tributes to Rajiv Gandhi on 34th death anniversary
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary. *
DEL7 CONG-RAJIV
* Rajiv's visionary interventions instrumental in preparing India for 21st century challenges: Cong
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying his visionary and courageous interventions were instrumental in preparing India for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. *
BOM8 GJ-LD LIONS
* Lion population in Gujarat goes up from 674 to 891 in 5 years; footprint expands too
Gandhinagar: The estimated population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has increased to 891 from 674 five years ago as per the census conducted this month, officials said on Wednesday. *
CAL3 MN-MILITANTS-ARREST
* 6 militants arrested in Manipur with arms, ammunition
Imphal: Security forces have arrested six militants belonging to various proscribed outfits in Manipur and seized arms and ammunition from their possession, police said on Wednesday. *
CAL6 WB-FLYING OBJECTS-PROBE
* Drone-like objects spotted over Kolkata sky, police probe espionage angle
Kolkata: Several drone-like objects were recently spotted hovering over the night sky in Kolkata, prompting the police to investigate the matter from all angles, including the possibility of espionage, officials said on Wednesday. *
MDS5 KA-RAIN-SAI LAYOUT(R)
* Bengaluru rains: Sai Layout still submerged days after rain; residents question relief efforts
Bengaluru: Even after a night without rain in the city, Sai Layout in North Bengaluru remains considerably waterlogged on Wednesday. This situation underscores the area's susceptibility as a low-lying residential area with enduring drainage issues. *
LEGAL
LGD17 SC-ASHOKA-MAHMUDABAD
* SC grants interim bail to Mahmudabad, asks Haryana DGP to set up 3-member SIT to probe case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, arrested for his alleged offensive social media posts on Operation Sindoor, but refused to stay the investigation against him. *
LGD5 DL-COURT-NATIONAL HERALD
* Prima facie case against Sonia, Rahul made out: ED tells court in National Herald matter
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday told a Delhi court that a 'prima facie' case of money laundering was made out against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald matter.
LGD14 SC-WAQF ACT
Waqf case: Nobody has right over government land even under waqf by user principle, Centre to SC
New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that nobody can claim right over government land and it is legally empowered to reclaim properties which are declared waqf by using the waqf by user principle.
LGD18 SC-PUJA KHEDKAR
Has she committed murder? asks SC, grants anticipatory bail to ex-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating, and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. *
FOREIGN
FGN19 UK-BOOKER
* Banu Mushtaq wins International Booker Prize for Kannada short story collection ‘Heart Lamp’
London: Writer, activist and lawyer Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection ‘Heart Lamp’ has become the first Kannada title to win the coveted GBP 50,000 International Booker Prize in London. By Aditi Khanna. *
FGN20 UN-INDIA-MARITIME
* At UN, India calls maritime, anti-terror strategy vital to national security amid Indo-Pacific shifts
United Nations: India told the UN Security Council that it views maritime security and countering terrorism as central to its national security and economic interests as it continues to evolve its strategy in response to new threats and geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific region. By Yoshita Singh. *
FGN34 PAK-BOMB-LD BLAST
* Bus blast kills 5, including 3 children, in Pakistan's Balochistan
Islamabad/Karachi: At least five people, including three children, were killed and several others injured in an attack on a bus in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Wednesday. By Sajjad Hussain. *