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Bhubaneswar: Though the Odisha Panchayat elections are still some time away, the state’s political parties have already shifted into election mode. For the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and the Congress, the 2027 rural polls will be far more than a contest for local self-government institutions—they will serve as the first major political indicator ahead of the crucial 2029 Assembly elections. Political observers believe the Panchayat elections will provide the first statewide assessment of public sentiment following the BJP’s historic victory in the 2024 Assembly elections, which brought an end to the BJD’s uninterrupted…

Boudh: An electricity meter reader in Odisha’s Boudh district has been booked for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI)-based image editing tools to tamper with electricity meter readings, causing an estimated loss of nearly Rs 1.74 lakh to the power distribution company. The accused, identified as Rajat Kumar Nayak (26) of Manikpur village under Purunakatak police station limits, was employed by Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) on an outsourcing basis. According to police, the case was registered following a complaint lodged by TPSODL officials. Nayak is accused of digitally altering photographs of electricity meters before uploading them to the…

Washington: The European Union has dismissed suggestions that recent shifts in United States trade policy under President Donald Trump were responsible for the conclusion of its landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with India, stressing that the deal is rooted in long-term strategic, economic and political interests shared by both partners. Speaking during a discussion hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Christophe Kiener, the European Union’s chief negotiator for the agreement, rejected the notion that recent trade tensions accelerated the deal. “We did not conclude this agreement because of a tweet,” Kiener said. “We concluded it because there is…

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has invited applications for the Mukhyamantri Research Fellowship (MRF) 2026-27 under the Mukhyamantri Research and Innovation Programme (MRIP), aimed at encouraging research and innovation among scholars in the state. According to a notification issued by the Higher Education Department on Tuesday, eligible Ph.D. scholars enrolled in state public universities can submit their applications through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha and should have registered for their Ph.D. programme between April 1, 2024, and July 19, 2026, under the guidance of an approved research…

Nuapada: In a significant breakthrough against Left Wing Extremism, a joint team of the Odisha Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, explosives and Maoist operational equipment from the Patdhara Reserve Forest along the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border in Nuapada district. The recovery was made during a joint search operation conducted on July 7 based on specific intelligence inputs developed by the Nuapada Police under the supervision of the district Superintendent of Police. Personnel of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the BD Team of the 19th Battalion CRPF carried out the operation in…

Cuttack: The post-mortem examination of Chauliaganj Police Station Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Beauty Mohanty, who was found dead at her government quarters in Cuttack, has confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging, according to Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the DCP said the autopsy report did not reveal any external injury marks on Mohanty’s body and, at present, investigators have found no evidence indicating foul play. However, he emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that police will await the viscera examination report and expert opinions before arriving at…

Puri: Odisha received a major boost in rail connectivity on Monday with the launch of the new Puri–Koraput Express, providing a direct link between the coastal pilgrimage city of Puri and the tribal-dominated Koraput region in southern Odisha. The train service was flagged off from Puri Railway Station by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The newly introduced Train No. 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput Express will operate as a tri-weekly service, improving travel convenience for passengers across several districts of the state. According to the railway schedule, the Puri–Koraput Express (18407) will depart from Puri at 7:00…

Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday emphasized the importance of seamless coordination among government departments, officials, employees, and servitors to ensure the successful and incident-free conduct of the annual Ratha Jatra in Puri. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Puri Town Hall, the Chief Minister urged all stakeholders to work with dedication, discipline, and a spirit of service while carrying out their responsibilities during the world-renowned festival. He said collective efforts, guided by experience and devotion to Lord Jagannath, are essential for the smooth management of the grand event. Describing Lord Jagannath as a symbol of…

Bhubaneswar: Actor, model, and sports presenter Shivanshi Sen is all set to make her debut in the Odia film industry with ‘Guruji Namaskar’, which is scheduled for release on July 10. Shivanshi began her professional journey as a model and has worked with several prominent national and regional brands across television, print, and digital platforms. Her portfolio includes campaigns for leading brands such as Ola, Berger Paints, Lalchand Jewellers, and Swosti Premium, among others. Over the years, she has successfully expanded her presence in the entertainment industry, featuring in multiple Hindi web series as a lead actress and appearing in…

Cuttack: In view of the heavy rainfall warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Cuttack district administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions on Monday. Cuttack Collector and District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde issued an official order directing that all schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres across the district remain closed as a precautionary measure amid the prevailing weather conditions. The order applies to all government and private educational institutions in the district. In addition to the closure of educational institutions, the district administration has imposed restrictions on swimming, bathing, fishing, boating, and all other recreational or…