In a significant move to support the biodiesel industry, the Odisha government, led by the BJP, has approved an exemption for methanol (methyl alcohol) used in biodiesel production. The decision, made during a state cabinet meeting on August 7 chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, exempts methanol from both import fees and excise duty. This…
A catastrophic explosion at a pharmaceutical plant in Andhra Pradesh has claimed 17 lives and left nearly 40 others injured. The blast, which occurred on August 22, has devastated the region, prompting extensive rescue efforts and a high-level inquiry into the incident. Ongoing Rescue Operations Hampered by Dense Smoke Rescue operations were immediately launched at…
Chevron, one of the world’s largest energy companies, has announced a landmark investment of $1 billion in India. This ambitious plan includes establishing a state-of-the-art engineering and technology center in Bengaluru, aptly named the Chevron Engineering and Innovation Excellence Centre, or “The Engine.” The move signifies a major milestone for the 145-year-old company, which generates…
Government Targets Seven Major Cities with New Initiative India is poised to invest nearly $300 million over the next two years to tackle urban flooding and enhance water conservation efforts in seven major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This ambitious plan, recently approved by the federal government, aims to expand water bodies such as…
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, launched over 50 rockets at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday. This attack targeted several private homes, intensifying tensions in the already volatile Middle East. The assault occurred as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued diplomatic efforts to broker a…
Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to be named the new Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), replacing the outgoing Greg Barclay. Barclay, who has held the position since November 2020, has announced his decision not to seek a third term, paving the way…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant two-nation tour on Wednesday, marking a historic visit to Poland and Ukraine. The trip underscores India’s growing influence in global diplomacy, as Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Poland in 45 years and the first to set foot in Ukraine since the establishment of…
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently voiced strong concerns about the rapid expansion of e-commerce in India, particularly focusing on the practices of major players like Amazon. Speaking at the release of a report titled “Net Impact of E-Commerce on Employment and Consumer Welfare in India,” Goyal questioned the sustainability of e-commerce’s growth and its…
Revised Question Pattern and Marking Scheme Announced The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha, has announced a significant revision in the question pattern and marking scheme for the upcoming Plus Two examinations. This change, aimed at ensuring uniformity in question patterns and the distribution of marks, was officially communicated through a notification issued on…
Statewide Protests Disrupt Normal Life Odisha witnessed widespread disruptions as the dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh,’ called by various Dalit and Adivasi organizations, brought normal life to a standstill on Wednesday. The 12-hour strike, led by the Bhim Army, the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDAOR), Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, and other groups, aimed…
