Trump’s Republic Day Greeting Signals Continuity in US–India Democratic Messaging

Bhubaneswar: US President Donald Trump’s Republic Day greeting to India, framing the bilateral relationship as a bond between the world’s “oldest and largest democracies,” reflects a long-standing diplomatic narrative rather than a policy shift. Such messaging has historically been used by successive US administrations to anchor ties with India in shared democratic values, even as…

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Apple Pay Likely to Launch in India by Late 2026 After Regulatory Clearances

Bhubaneswar: Apple Inc. is preparing to roll out its digital payments service, Apple Pay, in India by late 2026, ending years of regulatory and operational delays in one of the world’s largest digital payments markets. India remains one of the few major economies where Apple Pay is yet to be officially launched. According to reports,…

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Indian Army Personnel’s Participation in Religious Event Sparks Debate

Bhubaneswar: Footage circulating on social media from January 24 has shown Indian Army personnel attending a religious programme at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh, where they were seen participating in a katha conducted by religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. The visuals also show soldiers cutting cakes bearing the words “Sita Ram” and interacting with devotees…

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India’s Electronics Ecosystem Ready for Homegrown Mobile Brands: Vaishnaw at WEF

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said India’s rapidly expanding electronics manufacturing ecosystem has created favourable conditions for the emergence of Indian-owned mobile phone brands. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Vaishnaw highlighted the impact of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains. The minister noted that…

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Odisha’s Buddhist Triangle Added to UNESCO Tentative List

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s renowned Buddhist heritage sites—Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri—collectively known as the Buddhist Triangle, have been included in India’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage inscription. The development marks an important step towards securing global recognition for the ancient archaeological complex. The inclusion acknowledges the region’s historical and spiritual significance as a prominent centre of…

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IndiGo May Discontinue Dubai–Bhubaneswar Direct Flight, Raising Concerns Among Odia Diaspora

Bhubaneswar/Dubai: IndiGo Airlines is reportedly planning to discontinue its direct Dubai–Bhubaneswar flight from March 30, a move that has sparked concern among the Odia community living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other stakeholders. The thrice-weekly service, launched in May 2023, was introduced with viability gap funding support from the Odisha government to strengthen…

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PCB Offers to Host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Matches Amid Security Concerns

Bhubaneswar: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered to host all of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raised security concerns about playing in India. According to a PCB source quoted by PTI, the Pakistan board conveyed through an email that Bangladesh’s concerns were justified and…

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India Launches First Indigenous Runway Cleaning Vehicles, Boosting ‘Make in India’ Aviation Push

Bhubaneswar: India has taken a significant step towards aviation self-reliance with the launch of its first indigenously developed runway cleaning vehicles, reinforcing the Centre’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The advanced machines have been developed by Bengaluru-based Anlon Technology Solutions in collaboration with Switzerland’s Bucher Municipal, combining global expertise with domestic manufacturing. The…

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India Ranks Third Globally in AI Vibrancy: Vaishnaw Highlights Progress, Sparks Debate

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted India’s rise to third place globally in Stanford University’s 2025 AI Index for AI vibrancy, talent, and penetration—behind only the United States and China. The ranking underscores India’s growing footprint in artificial intelligence, driven by a large talent base and rapid adoption across sectors. Addressing the developments, Vaishnaw…

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