New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1 pm: DEL14 MEA-JAISHANKAR-AFRICA

India's approach to Africa based on mutually-beneficial ties, unlike 'extractive' models: EAM New Delhi: India's approach towards Africa has been guided by a deep-rooted commitment to build mutually-beneficial partnerships, unlike "extractive" models of engagement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday, amid China's relentless attempts to expand influence in the continent.

DEL13 AUSTRALIA-INDIA-ROADMAP

Australia unveils ambitious roadmap to boost trade & investment ties with India New Delhi: Australia on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deepen and diversify its trade and investment ties with India.

DEL12 UP-KUMBH-3RDLD MAHASHIVRATRI

Maha Kumbh's final 'snan' underway on Mahashivratri, 81 lakh devotees take dip Mahakumbh Nagar: Amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', a multitude of pilgrims from across the country on Wednesday took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Mahashivratri as the 45-day Maha Kumbh inched towards its closure. By Kunal Dutt and Kishor Dwivedi

DEL10 PAK BORDER-INTRUDER-SHOT

Pak intruder shot dead along Punjab border Amritsar/Jammu: A Pakistani intruder was shot dead early Wednesday morning by BSF troops along the international border at Pathankot in Punjab, officials said.

CAL7 BH-LD JAISWAL

Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal resigns as minister, Nitish to expand cabinet in evening Patna: Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet on Wednesday morning to conform with his party's policy of 'one person, one post'.

DEL11 RAMESH-KA-GRASSLAND

Karnataka govt demonstrating how economic growth, ecological sustainability can go together: Ramesh New Delhi: Hailing the Karnataka government's decision to declare its lands in the Yelahanka taluk of Bengaluru Urban district as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said the Siddaramaiah-led dispensation was demonstrating how economic growth, social development and ecological sustainability could go hand-in-hand.

DES6 PB-BYPOLL-AAP-LD CANDIDATE

AAP names Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora as candidate for Ludhiana West assembly bypoll Chandigarh: AAP on Wednesday named Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora as its candidate for the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll.

CAL8 BH-SHG PLUS-WOMEN

Bihar: SHG Plus model helping rural women build homes, educate children, secure futures Muzaffarpur: Kiran Kumari of Bihar's Muzaffarpur remembers a time when borrowing money at exorbitant rates was the norm for her. Now, a unique community loan system designed to empower rural women has not only provided her with an escape from the debt trap but also a way to secure her family's future. By Uzmi Athar

BOM4 MH-SARPANCH CASE-PROSECUTOR

Ujjwal Nikam appointed special public prosecutor in Beed sarpanch murder case Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has appointed renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case.

LEGAL LGD1 JK-HC-TOLL

HC directs Union road transport ministry to reduce toll rates in J-K Jammu: In a major relief for commuters, including pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to slash hefty toll fees in the Union Territory within four months.

ARD ARD