Kovilpatti: A major political controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu after Vilathikulam DMK MLA Markandeyan was arrested in the early hours of Monday for allegedly making threatening remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a public meeting in Kovilpatti. The arrest came after videos of his speech went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and demands...

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha Monday, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The proposed legislation seeks to make insulting or obstructing the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ a criminal offence by extending...

New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for more than three weeks, said he would end his fast Monday only if the three conditions outlined in a handwritten letter from Safdarjung Hospital are fulfilled. Wangchuk, who is on the 23rd day of his fast, was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital July 18....

Kendrapada: Women in disaster-prone areas of Kendrapada district are facing growing health risks during and af ter natural calamities such as floods and cyclones, with inadequate sanitation and healthcare facilities at relief shelters worsening their condition, residents and experts said. Kendrapada, which has a 48-km coastline, remains vulnerable to floods, cyclones and tidal surges. Officials estimate that...

Joda: A residential bridge course in Kendujhar district, aimed at bringing school dropouts back into the education system, is facing a severe financial crisis, raising concerns over the future of more than 100 students enrolled under the programme. The residential facility in Jo da block has been struggling to meet even the cost of food for students...

Kendujhar: Tribal communities in Kendujhar have long depended on forests for their livelihood, collecting and selling traditional chew sticks in local and urban markets. However, environmentalists warn that the growing trade is contributing to the degradation of the district’s sal forests. Hundreds of young sal saplings are reportedly cut every day to meet the demand for chew...

Raurkela: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) sealed three units of Agrasen Sponge at Rajgangpur in Sundaragada district for allegedly violating pollution control norms. The action was carried out Saturday by the OSPCB’s Raurkela regional office under the direction of Additional Chief Environmental Scientist and Regional Officer Anup Kumar Mallik. Officials simultaneously sealed the plant’s PLC...

Digapahandi: A 62-year-old woman died after she collapsed while attending a community feast in Ganjam district Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as A Mahalakshmi of Gola Sahi in Basudevpur village under Digapahandi block. The incident occurred at around 2:30 pm while she was having a meal at a feast organised at the Sri Dhabaleswar shrine to...

Kendujhar: A 48-year-old man was killed in an elephant attack at Talarad huan village under the Bhuyan Juang Pirha Forest Range in Kendujhar district Saturday night, officials said. The victim, identified as Narottam Juang, was returning home from work when he encountered the elephant near his village. The animal reportedly grabbed him with its trunk and flung...

Brahmapur: Two minor girls were allegedly sex ually abused by their own kin under Gosani Nuagaon police limits here in Ganjam district, with police in the Brahmapur police district arresting two men in this connection after registration of two separate cases, authorities said Sunday. Police said a 17-year-old girl accused her elder paternal uncle and his younger...