United Nations: While expressing concern over the attacks on commercial shipping in the Hormuz Strait, India has taken a neutral stance on the veto by Russia and China of a Security Council resolution demanding that Iran stop attacks. Speaking Thursday at a General Assembly meeting on the veto, India’s Permanent Representative skirted the issue and said, “We...

Paris: The leaders of France and the UK will gather dozens of countries - but not the United States -Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route choked off by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of...

New Delhi/Ludhiana: The Enforcement Directorate Friday conducted searches at premises linked to Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora and some others as part of an investigation, officials said. Locations in Ludhiana and some others places are being covered by the agency officials, they said. Arora, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, was raided by the ED in 2024...

RISHABH PAREKH, OP Bhubaneswar: Following gritty fixtures on away soil resulting in one win and three losses, Odisha FC return for their home game after six weeks against Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League Friday. Having slipped to 11th in the standings with five points, the Juggernauts will look to regain momentum on their home advantage...

Hatadihi: Irregularities have surfaced in the Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) programme, with works reportedly executed without prior project approval or budget allocation, even as the scheme faces an acute staff shortage across four districts. Despite the government allocating crores of rupees under various schemes to support farmers, implementation gaps have raised concerns. Sources said...

Kendrapara/Rajnagar: Bhitarkanika National Park and the adjoining Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed for tourists and local visitors from May 1 to July 31 to facilitate the breeding and nesting of estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar, Vardaraj Gaonkar, said Thursday that the annual restriction is imposed to ensure...

Bargarh: Police seized 960 bottles of cough syrup and arrested seven persons during a surprise raid at a football ground here, officials said Thursday. Acting on a tip-off about an illegal cough syrup trade at Behera football ground, a team from Bargarh Sadar police station conducted a raid at around 1pm and apprehended the accused on the...

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen healthcare delivery, the state government Thursday signed two major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at improving access to quality and advanced medical services across the state. The agreements were signed in presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling at Lok Seva Bhawan here. The first MoU was inked...

New Delhi: The Women Reservation Act 2023, which gave 33 per cent quota to women in legislatures, came into force Thursday, according to a notification issued by the Union Law Ministry. It is, however, not immediately known why the 2023 act was notified with effect from April 16, in the midst of the debate in Parliament to...