Bhubaneswar: Around 200 Indian nationals stranded in Jeddah were repatriated on a special flight that landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport late on Tuesday. Many of the passengers had travelled to Jeddah during the holy month of Ramadan and were unable to return after flight operations were disrupted amid escalating tensions in West Asia…
Bhubaneswar: The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically vital energy chokepoints in the world. Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, this narrow maritime corridor carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies each day. Any disruption — or even credible claims of a temporary closure —…
Bhubaneswar: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 in its affiliated schools across the Middle East in view of the escalating conflict in the region. In a fresh notice issued on Tuesday, the board stated that examinations scheduled for March 5 and 6 in the Middle…
Bhubaneswar: In response to the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East, the Odisha government has established a dedicated helpline to assist Odia citizens residing in or travelling through the affected region. The decision was taken following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, aimed at ensuring…
Bhubaneswar: Indian fuel prices could face upward pressure following reports that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The narrow maritime corridor connects the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles a significant share of international crude oil shipments. Any disruption in this passage typically constrains…
Bhubaneswar/ India: In a sharp escalation of cross-border hostilities, Pakistan launched multiple airstrikes on Taliban-ruled Afghanistan during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, targeting areas including Kabul and Kandahar. Islamabad termed the offensive “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” claiming it struck key military facilities in response to what it described as “unprovoked firing” from across…
Bhubaneswar/Ganjam: The iconic Rushikulya rookery is poised to receive designation as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act, marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s conservation efforts. Located along Odisha’s southern coastline, the Rushikulya river mouth is globally known as one of the most important mass nesting (arribada) sites for the endangered Olive Ridley…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam” has triggered a broader political and cultural debate, with leaders across states renewing long-pending demands for similar changes. The move, which aligns the state’s official English nomenclature with its Malayalam identity, was initially viewed as an administrative correction. However, it has quickly…
Bhubaneswar: India’s highways have long symbolised speed, connectivity, and economic progress. But they have also represented ecological disruption—fragmented habitats, declining wildlife populations, and vanishing pollinators. Against this backdrop, the National Highways Authority of India’s proposal to create ‘Bee Corridors’ along national highways is a welcome, if overdue, intervention. Pollinators such as bees are not mere…
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of an intense summer, Pakistan’s water situation is expected to worsen as India prepares to block excess water flow from the Ravi River with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage by March 31. The development comes at a time when Pakistan is already facing pressure following the suspension of the Indus Waters…