Bhubaneswar: Iran has announced a dramatic escalation in its maritime posture, declaring that select vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be charged a steep $2 million transit fee (approximately ₹18.7 crore). The move, reportedly already implemented, was confirmed by Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the country’s parliamentary national security committee, in…
Bhubaneswar: India on March 16 swiftly dispatched emergency humanitarian assistance to Kabul following reports of an attack on a rehabilitation hospital, underscoring its continued commitment to supporting the Afghan people. The aid package, sent via air, included essential medical supplies aimed at assisting victims and stabilising the immediate healthcare situation in the affected area. Officials…
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the escalating crisis in West Asia, which began on February 28 following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. Concerns Over Global Impact During his address, the Prime Minister said the continued bombings and military actions across the oil-rich…
Bhubaneswar: Two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers operated by the Shipping Corporation of India have successfully crossed the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India, officials said on Sunday. The vessels — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — navigated the narrow sea lane amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region following…
Bhubaneswar: A major escalation unfolded in the Middle East after the United States, under President Donald Trump, carried out a powerful bombing raid on Kharg Island, a strategically crucial outpost in the northern Persian Gulf located about 25 kilometres off Iran’s coast. The U.S. operation targeted several military installations on the island, including air defence…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has intensified preparations to tackle the upcoming summer heatwave, announcing a series of preventive measures across the state. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed the state’s Energy Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during peak summer, stressing that power cuts must be avoided as temperatures begin to…
Bhubaneswar: A shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in Bhubaneswar has forced residents, caterers and restaurant owners to increasingly rely on firewood for cooking, triggering a sharp rise in prices. Traders say the price of Chira wood, commonly used as cooking fuel, has surged to ₹1,700 per quintal as demand has spiked in recent days. With…
Bhubaneswar: Amid a commercial LPG shortage linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis, technology major Infosys has announced temporary changes to food services across its campuses. In a communication to employees, the company said all food courts will operate with a limited menu until the supply situation improves. Staff members have also been advised to…
Bhubaneswar: Hotels and restaurants across Odisha have raised alarm over a growing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, warning that kitchens could soon face operational disruptions if supplies are not restored quickly. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has urged Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to intervene…
Bhubaneswar: A Liberian-flagged oil tanker carrying Saudi Arabian crude has safely reached Mumbai, becoming the first India-bound vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since maritime traffic sharply declined following the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The tanker, identified as Shenlong, was carrying crude loaded from the Saudi port of Ras…