Bhubaneswar: Cargo vessel Haji Ali, registered at Salaya Port in Devbhoomi Dwarka, sank off the coast of Oman following a suspected drone strike, raising fresh concerns over maritime security amid escalating tensions linked to the Iran–US conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. According to officials, all 14 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were rescued…
Bhubaneswar: The Central Government has suspended sugar exports with immediate effect, halting overseas shipments until September 30, 2026, or until further orders are issued, according to reports. The move comes amid efforts to prevent a rise in domestic sugar prices at a time when food inflation continues to remain economically and politically sensitive for households…
Bhubaneswar: Educator Khan Sir sharply criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, alleging serious administrative failures and demanding strict accountability. Speaking to reporters in Noida, Khan Sir said that while the examination might appear to be “just a single paper” for the agency, it represents the future and…
Bhubaneswar: The Central Government is reportedly preparing a major renewed push for gold monetisation aimed at reducing India’s heavy dependence on gold imports and mobilising idle household gold reserves into the formal economy. Under the proposed initiative, citizens may soon be able to deposit gold with banks and earn interest on their holdings, with banks…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said the Union Cabinet has taken a “very important and timely decision” to promote coal gasification as part of India’s strategy to strengthen energy self-reliance amid rising gas demand and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Addressing a Cabinet briefing, the minister said India possesses sufficient coal reserves to meet requirements…
Bhubaneswar: Air India has announced a reduction of nearly 100 international flight services through July 2026 amid mounting operational pressures caused by rising jet fuel prices and extended flight routes linked to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline has been compelled to rationalise several long-haul operations as…
BHUBANESWAR: A report by State Bank of India (SBI) has revealed that nearly 66 per cent of Odisha’s informal sector workforce receives wages below the statutory minimum wage, placing the state among the poorest performers in minimum wage compliance. The findings, based on data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)-2025, point to significant interstate…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched a new eight-year strategic partnership framework under the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for the period 2026 to 2033. The new strategy is aimed at strengthening India’s rural economy by enhancing rural incomes, improving resilience and expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities…
BHUBANESWAR: The Empowered Committee on Infrastructure for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects of the Odisha government has approved five new PPP projects with a combined investment of ₹1,130 crore across sectors including healthcare, urban development and animal vaccine production. The committee meeting was chaired by Anu Garg, who emphasized the need for strict adherence to project…
Bhubaneswar: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly becoming the foundation for scalable, secure and technology-driven financial services in India, with policymakers and industry stakeholders highlighting their growing role in transforming the fintech ecosystem. Officials noted that platforms such as Unified Lending Interface (ULI) are enabling digital access to multiple data sources,…