Bhubaneswar, July 28: The Odisha government has issued a new directive mandating prior approval for officials planning to travel outside the state or the country while away from their headquarters. Under the revised guidelines, officials must seek permission at least 21 days in advance before undertaking personal travel outside Odisha or abroad. Exceptions to the…
Bhubaneswar: The scale of destruction emerging from Venezuela is heartbreaking. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck less than a minute apart west of the capital, Caracas, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and triggering frantic rescue efforts across affected regions. Families have been left searching through rubble for loved ones, while emergency…
Bhubaneswar: Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on the Palau-flagged commercial vessel MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, prompting a strong diplomatic protest from India and renewed concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the region. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the…
Bhubaneswar: India has dispatched the second tranche of humanitarian medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reinforcing its commitment to supporting public health efforts across Africa. The latest shipment comprises a 43-tonne consignment of essential medical supplies, including protective gear, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, medicines, and nutritional supplements. The…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to explore new international employment opportunities for its skilled workforce as Romania seeks large-scale recruitment of trained professionals to address its growing labour shortage. The development follows discussions with Manika Jain, who informed the Odisha government that Romania is facing a significant shortage of skilled manpower across multiple sectors and is…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tourism sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with more than 56 lakh tourists visiting the state between January and May 2026. The surge in arrivals reflects the state’s expanding appeal as it strengthens its position as one of India’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Leading the growth is the temple town of Puri, which registered a…
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police have stepped up surveillance and verification measures in border districts and coastal areas following a major crackdown on suspected illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in neighbouring West Bengal. Authorities have placed several districts on high alert amid concerns that individuals leaving West Bengal during the ongoing enforcement drive could attempt to enter and settle…
Bhubaneswar: The Central Government has announced a temporary exemption of all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, to augment the availability of cotton for the domestic textile industry. The decision is aimed at ensuring adequate raw material supply for textile and apparel manufacturers while addressing concerns over cotton…
Bhubaneswar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday defended the resilience of the Indian economy amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, asserting that criticism surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to conserve foreign exchange was being misrepresented by critics. Responding to concerns over rising global crude oil prices and economic uncertainty linked to geopolitical…
Bhubaneswar: India has issued a travel advisory asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan following the worsening Ebola outbreak in central Africa. The advisory was issued after the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a global public health emergency amid rising infections and fatalities…