New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9.30 pm: NATION DEL138 INDIA-STRIKE-LDALL PAKISTAN

India foils Pak attempts to strike military sites in 15 cities, targets air defence systems in Pakistan New Delhi: India on Thursday thwarted Pakistan's attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles at 15 places in northern and western regions of the country and targeted Pakistani air defence systems with one in Lahore being "neutralised", as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider conflict.

DEL149 LDALL INDIA-STRIKE-STATES-ALERT

Leave cancelled, schools shut: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan among states on high alert Chandigarh/Jaipur: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, many states have announced the closure of schools, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave of police personnel and administration officials.

DEL141 INDIA-PAK-STRIKE-LD RAJNATH

No limit will become obstacle to protect India's sovereignty: Rajnath New Delhi: No limit will become an obstacle to protect India's sovereignty and the nation is fully prepared for such responses, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday as tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated amid fears of a wider conflict.

DEL147 UKD-3RDLD CRASH

6 killed as helicopter on way to Gangotri temple crashes Uttarkashi (U'khand): A helicopter on its way to the Gangotri temple crashed near Gangnani in Uttarkashi district on Thursday, killing six people, including the pilot, and leaving a man seriously injured, officials said.

DEL140 PM-BRAZIL-LULA

Brazilian Prez Lula dials PM Modi, conveys solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism New Delhi: Brazilian President Lula de Silva has conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi his condolences on the loss of lives in the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support and solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.

DEL119 CONG-KERALA-REJIG

Cong rejigs Kerala unit with eye of 2026 polls, appoints Sunny Joseph as its chief New Delhi: The Congress initiated organisational changes in its Kerala unit by appointing Sunny Joseph as the chief in place of K Sudhakaran and naming three new working presidents on Thursday.

MDS16 ED-AP-LIQUOR SCAM

ED registers money laundering case to probe alleged liquor scam during previous YSRCP govt in Andhra Hyderabad/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case to investigate an alleged liquor scam that took place in Andhra Pradesh during the previous YSRCP regime, official sources said on Thursday.

LEGAL LGD40 SC-DUBEY-LD ORDER

'Not as fragile as flowers': SC raps BJP Nishikant Dubey for 'scandalous' remarks on judiciary, CJI New Delhi: The Supreme Court has rapped BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his remarks against it and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, saying they tend to “scandalise” and lower the authority of apex court.

LGD33 CJI- LD JUSTICE VARMA

Cash row: CJI recommends impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, say sources New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is learnt to have recommended to the Centre impeachment of Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma following his indictment in the cash discovery row by a Supreme Court-appointed committee.

LGD27 SC-LD HIGH COURTS

SC flags vacancies in high courts, prods Centre to clear names for judges appointment New Delhi: Observing Indian high courts have more than 7 lakh criminal appeals pending, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to expeditiously clear names for judges' appointments to mitigate issues of vacancies and pendency.

LGD42 SC-ROHINGYA

Rohingya refugees need to be deported if held foreigners: SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday said if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they will have to be deported.

LGD41 SC-JUDICIAL INTERVENTION

Judicial intervention vital in weeding out vexatious proceedings: SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday said judicial intervention to weed out vexatious proceedings was crucial in protecting people from misery and quashed the criminal prosecution of two persons.

FOREIGN FGN77 PAK-LDALL ARMY

Pak army says 3 people killed, 4 soldiers among 8 injured in drone attacks, claims it hit several UAVs launched by India Islamabad/Lahore: The Pakistan Army on Thursday said three people were killed and eight others, including four soldiers, were injured in drone attacks and claimed that armed forces shot down several UAVs launched by India, as tension continued between the neighbours. By Sajjad Hussain and M Zulqernain

FGN71 CHINA-INDOPAK

China urges India, Pak to exercise restraint, refrain from taking actions that may 'further complicate' situation Beijing: China on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may "further complicate" the situation, as it asked the two neighbours to act in the "larger interests of peace and stability". By K J M Varma

FGN56: PAK-US-SECURITY ALERT

US Consulate in Lahore directs all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place due to reports of drone explosions Lahore: The US Consulate in Lahore on Thursday directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore.

FGN38: UNGA-PAK-INDIA-STRIKES-REAX

UNGA chief urges restraint as India, Pakistan tensions escalate United Nations: Concerned over the “escalating hostilities” between India and Pakistan, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Philemon Yang on Thursday urged the neighbours to exercise restraint and initiate steps to defuse the tension.

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