CATEGORIES

6 cr seniors covered under Ayushman Bharat

WITH the Union Cabinet approving health insurance coverage to those aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income, the Centre’s flagship scheme said Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), has now become much bigger. It will now cover 6 crore senior citizens and around ₹4.5 crore families.

Missile tests stacked, conventional & N-weaponry to be inducted soon

THE armed forces are due for a major upgrade in their missile inventory as the services and manufacturers have chalked out an array of tests for missiles, including strategic deterrence—the nuclear-capable and conventional ones—in different categories.

Dhankhar takes a jibe at Rahul, says Indians must act as ambassadors abroad

IN an oblique reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said that every Indian abroad should act as an ambassador for the nation.

China ties complex, but 75% of issues sorted: Jaishankar

INDIA’S relationship with China is very complex, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Geneva on Thursday.

Putin proposes bilateral talks with Modi in Oct as Doval meets Russian Prez

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin on Thursday proposed to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan when National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on him in St Petersburg, Russian officials said.

ADIOS AMIGO

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away after prolonged illness at AIIMS-Delhi on Thursday. He was admitted to AIIMS for acute respiratory tract infection.

Flying Frog, 33 other amphibians spotted during survey at ATR

NEARLY 85% of reptile and amphibian species recorded in two forest ranges in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) during the recent Herpetofauna survey are endemic to the Western Ghats, with many restricted to the Anamalai sub cluster.

Ganesh puja: 20 shops set on fire in clash in K'taka

Argument between members of 2 communities triggers trouble, 56 people arrested by police

CATERPILLAR TO INVEST 500 CR TO EXPAND TN UNITS

TEXAS-based Caterpillar, world leader in the production of construction and mining equipment, is planning to expand its existing construction equipment manufacturing facilities in Tiruvallur and Krishnagiri districts, with an investment of ₹500 crore.

CM keen on enforcing prohibition: Min

MINISTER for Prohibition and excise S Muthusamy on Thursday said Chief Minister MK Stalin does not want to continue the sale of liquor through Tasmac outlets and wishes to enforce total prohibition in the state, but the decision cannot be taken in a haste.

Vellore jail DIG put on compulsory wait, another official moved out

Vellore Central Prison’s Deputy Inspector General r rajalakshmi was placed on the compulsory waiting list on Thursday morning. Additionally, AS Abdul rahuman, the Central Prison Vellore’s Additional Superintendent, was deputed to Central Prison II, Puzhal, following an FIR filed by the CB-CID on Wednesday evening.

HC dissatisfied over 'NCC camp' probe, decries delay in the arresting of accused

EXPRESSING dissatisfaction over the investigation into the sexual assault of girls at a fake NCC camp held in a private school in Krishnagiri, the Madras High Court on Thursday wanted the investigators to \"unravel the mystery\" shrouding the death of the prime accused, Sivaraman, and the persons who had close links with him in organising the camp.

Red Salute comrade, says Stalin; leaders condole Yechury's death

GOVERNOR RN Ravi, Chief Minister MK Stalin and leaders of various political parties on Thursday condoled the demise of CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and recalled the late leader's services to the country.

'Fin panel must incentivise performing states'

Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu says states should collectively advocate for 50% share in central tax devolution

Redspot butterfly spotted in Virudhunagar

XESIUS Chrysomallus, also known as Redspot butterfly, an uncommon butterfly species often found in tropical regions, was spotted at Rajapalayam Rajus' College in Virudhunagar during an ongoing 'Big Butterfly Month' celebration at the college.

One yr after bid, Siruseri canal work a non-starter

RESIDENTS of Thiruporur in Chengalpattu have urged the state government to restore the Siruseri canal which drains into the Buckingham canal, before the northeast monsoons.

'Manavar Manasu' lays bare Ponneri students' toilet woes

Most of the complaints dropped by the students in the ‘Manavar Manasu’ box at Ponneri Government Girls Higher secondary school urged the authorities to take up repair work and proper upkeep of the school toilets.

Temple jumbo hurt as shed catches fire

A 54-year-old elephant of Shanmuganatha Peruman Temple in Kundrakudi near Karaikudi sustained burn injuries, after an asbestos sheet-cum-thatched shed caught fire and fell over the jumbo on Wednesday night. Sources said the elephant, Subbulakshmi, was gifted to the temple by a devotee in 1971.

Pongal train tickets fly off rly shelves in minutes

PASSENGERS, who arrived at ticket counters at railway stations as early as 5 am to secure train tickets for the upcoming Pongal festival on January 10 were left disappointed as tickets sold out within minutes.

Gate 9 at Chennai airport the 'golden route', finds probe

A particular gate at the Chennai international airport has been identified by enforcement agencies as a “porous” route used by the ground handling staff of the facility to bring out gold, smuggled by carriers into India from abroad.

EXIT, STAGE LEFT: A COMRADE TO ALL

A mop of frizzy hair that placed him in a permanent Seventies, a boyish face that seemed to be built for laughter, eyes that were always smiling (though of late touched by sadness), a manner that was the very definition of amiable, speech that was erudite but easy, persuasive rather than offensive, smooth but always guided by conviction.

Manali substation fire: Massive power outage hits Chennai

NEARLY 10 lakh homes in North and Central Chennai plunged into darkness after a major fire broke out at the 400 kV substation in Manali located on the outskirts of the city around 9 pm on Thursday.

5 killed in road accident near Chidambaram

ALL five passengers of a car, including a four-year-old boy, were killed when their vehicle collided head-on with a lorry near Chidambaram during the wee hours of Thursday.

Chennai Metro Phase II a state project, TN should fund it: FM

FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the Phase II of Chennai Metro Rail is a state project and that it should be funded by Tamil Nadu government, with the Centre chipping in with 10% of the total cost.

Retail inflation inches up as base effect diminishes

RETAIL inflation stayed below RBI’s target of 4% for the second straight month in August at 3.65%, though it is a tad higher than July’s 3.60%.

Oppn states seek equal tax share

A conclave of the finance ministers from five Oppositionruled states here on Thursday flagged concerns over the rise in surcharges and cesses and the low share for states from the divisible pool of taxes.

No talks for 2nd straight day, Didi offers to resign

Attempting to change the optics following widespread protests by people from all walks of life against the horrific rape-murder of a 31-yearold trainee doctor at the staterun Rg Kar Medical College and Hospital here on August 9, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday dramatically offered to quit.

Champions Argentina, Brazil Suffer Losses In World Cup Qualifiers

COLOMBIA avenged their Copa America final defeat with a 2-1 victory over Argentina while Brazil crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.

Hyderabad win Buchi Babu tourney

TANAY Thyagarajann's 5 for 61 came in handy for Hyderabad to beat Chhattisgarh by 243 runs in the final of the TAKE Sports -TNCA All India Buchi Babu Invitation cricket tournament played at Dindigul.

Both Indian teams begin chess Olympiad strongly

DGUKESH, the star of the previous chess Olympiad in Mahabalipuram, was rested for India's opening round of the 2024 edition against Morocco in Budapest on Wednesday.