Bhubaneswar/Chhatrapur, Apr 28 (BNP): Odisha has carried out its first-ever statewide census of house sparrows for 2025–26, recording a total population of 83,576 birds across various districts. The survey was conducted by Bhubaneswar-based organisation Wildlife Odisha Foundation, marking a significant step in tracking the status of the once-common urban bird species. According to the findings, house sparrows were spotted in both rural and urban habitats across…
Historic Milestone for Ladakh: Five New Districts Carved Out to Redefine Himalayan Governance
New Delhi/Leh,Apr28 (BNP): In a landmark administrative move, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has approved the creation of five new districts—Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass—raising the total number of districts in the Union Territory from two to seven. The decision is aimed at decentralising governance, improving administrative efficiency, and bringing government services closer to people living in Ladakh’s remote and far-flung Himalayan regions. The…
Odisha Launches SITI ODISHA Think Tank for Data Driven Growth
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): Odisha has taken a significant step towards strengthening innovation-led governance with the launch of SITI-ODISHA, a new think tank aimed at improving policy formulation, research, and data-driven decision-making. The initiative marks a new phase in the state’s development strategy focused on innovation, collaboration, and the use of technology to enhance governance outcomes. SITI-ODISHA is expected to function as a key knowledge…
Harschit Damodaran Clinches Junior All-Around Gold at National Gymnastics Meet
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): The Day 3 action of the Junior & Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships 2026–27 saw strong performances across categories, with young athletes and senior teams delivering closely fought contests at the national level. In the Junior Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) All-Around final, Harschit Damodaran of Uttar Pradesh secured the gold medal with a total score of 73.700, displaying consistency and control across…
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Thunderstorms and Heatwave in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28 (BNP): Parts of Odisha are likely to experience a mix of adverse weather conditions over the coming days, including thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and rising temperatures, according to the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather office has issued a Yellow Warning (Be Aware) for several districts, advising residents to remain cautious as unstable atmospheric conditions are expected to persist.…
Bennett and Lapid Unite to Challenge Netanyahu in High-Stakes Israel Election Battle
Jerusalem, Apr 28 (BNP): In a major political development in Israel, two prominent leaders—former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid—announced on Sunday that they will join forces for the elections scheduled later this year in an effort to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders said they plan to merge their respective parties into a single political faction to be headed by Bennett,…
ISSO Hosts SCORE 2026 on Sports Careers
Gurugram, Apr 28 (BNP): The International School Sports Organisation (ISSO) successfully organised SCORE 2026: Reimagining Sports Career Opportunities at Lancers International School, Gurugram, bringing together students, educators, and sports professionals to explore evolving career pathways in the sports sector. The event focused on presenting sports as a dynamic and multi-dimensional career field that extends beyond playing on the field, highlighting opportunities in areas such as…
Stanley Lifestyles Wins Gold at India Kitchen Congress 2026 for ‘Kitchen Brand Campaign Award
Bengaluru, Apr 28: Stanley Lifestyles Limited, one of India’s largest integrated super premium and luxury furniture manufacturer and retailer, has been awarded the prestigious Kitchen Brand Campaign Award – Gold at the India Kitchen Congress 2026, in recognition of its impactful Cabinetry Cult marketing campaigns in 2025. The award was received by Venkataramana Gorti, Joint Managing Director – Stanley Lifestyles Limited on behalf of the organisation.…
Rupee Falls to 94.39 Against US Dollar
Mumbai, Apr 28 (BNP): The Indian rupee slipped in early trade on Tuesday, losing 24 paise to touch 94.39 against the US dollar, as pressure from rising crude oil prices and month-end dollar demand weighed on the currency. Dealers said the rupee remained under strain due to higher global oil prices, which tend to increase India’s import bill and widen external account concerns. At the…
Ratlam Rail Division Saves INR 1.84 Crore on Power Bills Using Solar Energy
Indore, Apr 28 (BNP): The Ratlam Division of Indian Railways has achieved significant savings on electricity costs by generating solar power across its network during FY 2025–26. Officials said the division produced 35.53 lakh units of solar energy, helping it save around ₹1.84 crore in power expenses over the year. The division has installed solar power plants with a combined capacity of about 3,300 kilowatts at…