HIGHLIGHTS

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1 pm: NATION CAL4 WB-GOVERNOR-INTERVIEW **** Bengal in state of flux, people lost faith in present govt: Governor C V Ananda Bose Kolkata: Terming the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in a Kolkata hospital as the "most shameful moment" for society, Governor C V Ananda Bose claimed that West Bengal is in a "state of flux" and the people have "lost faith in the present government". **** CAL2 WB-DOCTOR-AGITATION **** Junior doctors in Bengal continue to protest over rape-murder of medic, health services hit Kolkata: The healthcare services were severely affected at state-run hospitals across West Bengal as the ceasework agitation by junior doctors to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic entered the 12th day on Tuesday. **** CAL1 WB-DOCTOR-HOSPITAL-SIT **** Bengal govt forms SIT to probe into financial irregularities at RG Kar hospital Kolkata: The West Bengal government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe into alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the body of a postgraduate trainee doctor was found earlier this month, according to a notification. **** DEL6 CONG-RAJIV **** Rajiv Gandhi brought India to 21st century with unprecedented contribution: Cong New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday paid rich tributes to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 80th birth anniversary with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying that he ignited hope in crores of Indians and brought India to the 21st century with his "unprecedented contribution". **** CAL3 MN-CM-DOCTORED-CLIP **** Doctored audio clip of CM being circulated on social media to derail peace process: Manipur govt Imphal: The Manipur government said a "doctored audio clip" of Chief Minister N Biren Singh is being circulated on social media platforms to incite communal violence and derail the peace process in the state. **** DEL9 SONIA-FLAG-GOVT **** Sonia bats for khadi as sole fabric for tricolour New Delhi: Slamming the Modi government for the "rampant adoption" of machine-manufactured polyester flags, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday called for the restoration of khadi as the only fabric with the distinction of bearing the tricolour and asserted that the fabric must find its rightful place as an embodiment of national pride. **** BOM3 MH-POLLS-MIM **** AIMIM offers to join hands with MVA 'to defeat BJP' in Maharashtra assembly polls Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is keen to join hands with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra with an aim to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that is currently ruling the state along with two other parties, former MP Imtiaz Jaleel has said. **** BOM2 MH-PORSCHE CRASH-ARREST **** Porsche car crash: 2 more held for alleged swapping of blood samples; total arrests reach 9 Pune: The Pune police have arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged swapping of blood samples in the Porsche car crash case, a top official said on Tuesday. **** BOM7 MH-GIRLS-ABUSE-PROTEST **** Sexual abuse of girls: School principal among 3 suspended; parents stage rail blockade over incident Thane: The management of a school at Badlapur in Maharashtra's Thane district has suspended its principal and two staffers in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of two girls, while angry parents of the school children have been staging a blockade since Tuesday morning at the local railway station seeking stringent action against the accused. **** DEL1 JK-EARTHQUAKES **** Two back-to-back earthquakes strike J-K's Baramulla Srinagar: Two back-to-back earthquakes jolted Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning causing panic across the Valley, but there were no reports of loss of life or damage to property, officials said. **** LEGAL LGD24 SC-LD DOCTOR **** Kolkata rape-murder:SC raps West Bengal govt, questions delay in filing of FIR New Delhi: Terming the rape and murder case of a medic at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital as horrific, the Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the West Bengal government over delay in filing FIR in the matter. **** LGD18 SC-EXCISE-KAVITHA **** Excise policy case: Will file response to K Kavitha's bail plea by Aug 22, ED tells SC New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it will file its response to BRS leader K Kavitha's bail plea in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam by August 22. **** FOREIGN FGN26 US-DNC-BIDEN-LD HARRIS **** Biden passes the baton to Harris, says she will be a 'historic president' Chicago: Kamala Harris will be a "historic president", US President Joe Biden has said, as he passed the baton of the Democratic Party to her and made a strong pitch to American voters to vote for her to preserve democracy. **** **** FGN28 LANKA-PREZ-POLL-EXPENDITURE Sri Lanka sets expenditure limits for presidential election campaign for first time Colombo: For the first time, Sri Lanka's upcoming presidential election on September 21 will be subject to campaign finance regulations, following the introduction of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act in January 2023. **** FGN25 BANGLADESH-UNREST-MEMORIES **** Gunshots, airport chaos: Dhaka residents recall memories of unrest at peak Dhaka: Software engineer Tawhidul Alam says the "historic day of August 5" is indelibly seared in his memories -- the sea of humanity in the streets of Dhaka and a chain of events following unprecedented anti-government protests that have set Bangladesh's destiny on a course of change. **** PTI BHJ BHJ BHJ