SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 31, 2026) – Dansons Capital Group, in partnership with Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) and Hydro Construction (HydroCon), completed the acquisition of Shasta Pools, Phoenix Metro’s most recognized pool builder, and announced an immediate expansion into the broader home services market with plans to grow the brand into a national powerhouse. Founded in 1966 by brothers Bob and Skip Ast, the third-generation, family-owned…
Search ends for 22 missing crew of MV Ocean Winner off Odisha coast; seafarers presumed dead
Paradip, Sept. 1 (UDN): The week-long search for 22 crew members missing after the sinking of Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Ocean Winner off the Odisha coast has been officially called off, with rescue authorities now presuming the missing seafarers dead. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ended the extensive search-and-rescue operation after days of coordinated efforts across the Bay…
Odisha’s Kabita Hikaka clears NEET on third attempt, but financial crisis clouds MBBS dream
Rayagada, Sept 1 (UDN): Kabita Hikaka, a tribal student from Odisha’s Rayagada district, has achieved her long-cherished dream of clearing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). But for the aspiring doctor, the next challenge is not securing a medical seat—it’s finding the money to pursue an MBBS degree. Hailing from Sahada village in Bissamcuttack block, Kabita cracked NEET on her third attempt, a milestone that has…
Odisha waives upfront admission fee requirement for eligible SC, ST students in government medical and engineering colleges
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 1 (UDN): In a major relief for economically disadvantaged students, the Odisha government has decided that eligible Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students seeking admission to government medical and engineering colleges will no longer have to pay admission-related fees immediately. Representational Image Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed authorities to allow poor and meritorious SC and ST students facing financial…
NABARD and IMD Sign MoU to Bring Actionable Weather Insights to Farmers through DiCRA
New Delhi, Sept 01: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) signed an MoU to integrate IMD’s agro-meteorological data products into DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture), an open-source digital platform being supported by UNDP and NABARD. The objective is to primarily make this data freely accessible to farmers, financial institutions, policymakers, and researchers across India. The MoU was…
Autonomous Governance Day Celebrated Across Odisha with a Vision for Prosperous Cities and a More Developed State
Bhubaneswar, Sept 1 [UDN}: Autonomous Governance Day is being celebrated with the objective of accelerating the development of urban areas, making municipal administration more people-centric, and ensuring the delivery of quality civic services to every citizen. The occasion reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening urban infrastructure, improving municipal governance, and creating better living conditions for people across Odisha. Through responsive and citizen-focused urban administration, the…
8th Pay Commission Meeting Raises Expectations as a Major Decision on Employee Salaries and Pension Benefits Is Likely
Bhubaneswar, Sept 1 [UDN}:The 8th Pay Commission is progressing rapidly with consultations aimed at revising the salaries, allowances and pensions of central government employees and pensioners. As part of this process, the Commission is scheduled to hold official meetings with stakeholders and employee unions in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on August 31 and September 1, 2026. The Commission, headed by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai,…
Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Mellaka Visits Flood-Affected Areas of Kotpad to Assess the Situation and Review Relief Measures
Kotpad: Sept 1 [UDN}:Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Mellaka visited several flood-affected areas of Kotpad to take stock of the situation and assess the difficulties being faced by people in the aftermath of the recent floods. During her visit, she interacted with local residents and affected families and took firsthand information about the condition of roads, communication facilities, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and other essential services.…
Active Low-Pressure Area Over Northwest Bay of Bengal Raises Rainfall Concerns as Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Several Parts of Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Sept 1 [UDN}:An active low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to move across northern Odisha within the next 12 hours. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Balasore, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts by this morning. A Red Warning has been issued for these three districts, with district administrations advised to remain fully…
Higher Education Minister Surajvanshi Suraj Reviews Major Development Projects in Bargarh and Announces ₹3.60 Crore Grant for Women’s College
Bhubaneswar, Sept 1 [UDN}:During his visit to Bargarh district, Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj reviewed various ongoing and proposed development projects and assessed the progress of higher education initiatives in the district. As part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve facilities for women students, the Minister announced a ₹3.60 crore grant for the development and improvement of Bargarh Parvati Giri Women’s College.…