Prayagraj, Aug 7 (IANS) In a high-stakes late-night encounter on Wednesday, a notorious mafia gang member from Jharkhand, Ashish Ranjan alias Chhotu Singh, was gunned down by the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh in the Shankargarh area of Prayagraj. The criminal, armed with an AK-47 and a 9 mm pistol, opened fire at the STF team when intercepted, prompting a retaliatory response that led to his death.Originally from J.C. Malik Road in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, Ashish Ranjan was wanted in mult…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) India and Russia have reaffirmed their strategic partnership by signing a Protocol to deepen cooperation in aluminium, fertilisers, railways, and mining technology.At the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation here, the two sides welcomed enhanced engagement in aluminium, fertilisers, and railway transport, alongside capacity building and technology transfer in mining sector equipment, exploration, and industrial and dom…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on Thursday at ICAR PUSA in New Delhi. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 A.M., after which the Prime Minister will address the gathering. He will also release a commemorative coin and stamp issued by the Government of India in honour of the agricultural scientist.The theme of the conference, ‘Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness’, reflects the lifelong comm…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The Patiala House Court in Delhi is set to pronounce its verdict on a plea moved by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Rana, who has sought permission to speak to his family members over the phone to consult them regarding a possible change in legal representation.On Tuesday, August 5, the court had reserved its decision after hearing submissions during in-camera proceedings.Rana told the court that he needs to consult his family before deciding whether to cha…

Dehradun, Aug 7 (IANS) Uttarakhand remains under a red alert with warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts, as the monsoon continues to unleash devastation in the hill state.The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert till August 12 for Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, and Nainital.Additionally, schools have been shut in view of the situation, and people are advised to stay indoors.Since last week, incessant ra…

Bengaluru, Aug 6 (IANS) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday defending the move of the state government to shut down the Jan Aushadhi Centres from the premises of government hospitals and urged the Centre to supply medicines to the state health department at the same rates at which these are supplied to Janushadhi Kendras.In his letter, Minister Rao said: “As per the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pari Yojana (PMBJP) scheme,…

Agartala, Aug 6 (IANS) The Tripura government on Wednesday served a showcause notice to the District Magistrate (DM) in Khowai district and suspended the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Teliamura, in connection with the tragic death of a truck driver in the district’s Chakmaghat areas, officials said. Chief Minister Manik Saha, in a Facebook post on Wednesday night said that in connection with the tragic death of Mihirlal Debnath, a truck driver, who lost his life on Tuesday in Teliamura, the…

Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) In a bid to curb unauthorised constructions and protect the integrity of urban planning, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Wednesday has strengthened its enforcement mechanisms in areas where it operates as the Special Planning Authority (SPA). It has adopted zero tolerance for unauthorised constructions and deployed officials to scan key areas.“To uphold lawful urban development, designated officers have been appointed under Section 53 of the…

Bhopal, Aug 6 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Motor Vehicle Taxation (Amendment) Bill 2025, was passed on the seventh day of the ongoing Monsoon session of the Assembly on Wednesday. The Bill, which was presented by the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government for discussion in the House on Tuesday, witnessed healthy discussion from the members of both — the Opposition and ruling party. The state government has introduced a provision for stricter penalties for unpaid vehicle taxes it levies through ‘motor v…

Amaravati, Aug 6 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved the scheme for free travel for women in APSRTC buses from August 15.The Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu put its stamp of approval on the scheme to fulfill another promise made in the elections last year.As part of the coalition government’s “Super Six” promises, the “Stri Shakti” – free bus travel will be launched on Independence Day. The implementation of this scheme will cost…