Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (BNP): The Congress on Tuesday announced that it will contest the upcoming Panchayat elections in Odisha independently, ruling out any alliance with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and putting an end to speculation over a possible electoral understanding. Clarifying the party’s stand, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said the Congress would fight the upcoming zilla parishad, panchayat, and…
India and UK Defence Ties Strengthen During CDS Gen Anil Chauhan’s UK Visit
New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): The visit of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to the United Kingdom has reinforced growing defence cooperation between India and the UK, marking a significant step in strengthening strategic ties between the two nations, according to the British High Commission. The discussions during the visit focused on enhancing bilateral defence collaboration, improving military-to-military engagement, and identifying new…
Bird Population Study Aims to Strengthen Conservation Efforts in Coastal Mangroves
Kendrapara, Apr 29 (BNP): A census of the Mangrove Pitta was conducted across five ranges of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest Division, covering important coastal mangrove habitats in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. According to Divisional Forest Officer Vardhraj Gaonkar, the survey was carried out using both direct and indirect observation methods across multiple mangrove patches in the region. The exercise was conducted to assess the presence…
Global Supply Risks May Increase Pressure on India’s LPG Costs
New Delhi, April 29: India’s LPG under-recoveries are expected to rise sharply and could reach nearly ₹80,000 crore in FY2027, driven by volatility in global energy markets and ongoing disruptions in West Asia, according to a recent assessment by ICRA. The report notes that geopolitical tensions in key oil and gas-producing regions have tightened global supply conditions, leading to higher import costs for liquefied petroleum…
Warehousing Demand Shifts Toward Western India as Delhi-NCR Slows
Mumbai, Apr 29 (BNP): India’s warehousing sector is witnessing a clear regional shift, with Mumbai and Pune emerging as key growth hubs, while Delhi-NCR has recorded a notable slowdown in activity, according to a recent report by Vestian. The report highlights that western India continues to attract strong industrial and logistics investments, supported by better infrastructure connectivity, proximity to ports, and rising demand from e-commerce…
Solar Adoption Rises as Countries Cut Dependence on Fossil Fuels
New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): The global transition toward renewable energy is gaining pace, with more countries increasingly adopting solar power as fossil fuel prices remain high and global energy supply chains face uncertainty, according to the Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). He noted that volatility in oil and gas markets, along with geopolitical disruptions, is prompting nations to look for cleaner,…
India Startup Ecosystem Expands in 2026 with Deep-Tech and Consumer Innovation Boom
New Delhi, Apr 29 (BNP): India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing strong expansion in 2026, driven by a new wave of innovation across deep-tech sectors and consumer-focused businesses that are reshaping multiple industries. Startups are increasingly moving beyond traditional models and adopting technology-led solutions powered by artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, and advanced digital platforms. This shift is helping companies address complex challenges while improving efficiency…
Odisha Hikes Salaries of Contractual Teaching Staff in Ayurvedic, Homeopathic Colleges!
Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (BNP): In a major step aimed at strengthening AYUSH education, the Odisha Government has announced a substantial salary hike for contractual teaching staff working in state-run Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical colleges. The decision, approved by the Health and Family Welfare Department with concurrence from the Finance Department, is expected to benefit lecturers, readers, and professors engaged on a contractual basis across government…
ixigo Launches Native Travel Apps on ChatGPT; Brings Conversational Travel Planning Across Flights, Trains, Buses and Hotels
Mumbai, Apr 29: ixigo, India’s leading AI-based travel platform, today announced the launch of native apps for its three platforms – ixigo flight & hotel, AbhiBus, and ConfirmTkt – inside ChatGPT, bringing end-to-end travel planning directly into a conversational AI interface. With this integration, users can search and compare travel options across flights, buses, trains, and hotels in real time within ChatGPT and then seamlessly…
OJEE 2026 Schedule Announced; Exams from May 4 to May 10 in CBT Mode
Bhubaneswar, Apr 29 (BNP): The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Committee has officially announced the schedule for OJEE 2026, with the entrance examinations set to be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from May 4 to May 10, 2026. According to the committee, the examinations will be held in multiple shifts each day as per course-wise schedules for admission into various undergraduate, postgraduate, lateral entry,…