Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): A protest by drivers associated with Ola, Uber and Rapido escalated into violence near Master Canteen and Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, leaving at least 13 police personnel injured and prompting a major police crackdown that has so far resulted in 113 arrests and the seizure of 354 vehicles. Representational Image The unrest followed a road blockade by app-based cab, auto-rickshaw…
Aadhaar App Crosses 5 Crore Downloads as Digital Identity Services Gain Momentum
New Delhi, August 20: The Aadhaar App has crossed the milestone of 5 crore downloads, underlining the growing preference among residents for accessing digital identity services through their smartphones. Developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the app is increasingly serving as a digital interface for Aadhaar holders, offering services such as mobile number, address and email updates, biometric lock and unlock, and…
Flood-Hit Odisha Feels Price Shock as Ginger Touches Rs 200, Tomatoes Climb to Rs 80
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): The impact of recent floods across Odisha is now being felt in household kitchens, with prices of vegetables and essential grocery items rising sharply as supply disruptions tighten availability across markets. Consumers are facing higher bills for everyday essentials, with ginger touching Rs 200 per kg and tomatoes selling at around Rs 80 per kg. Traders attribute the surge to flood-related…
Gold Prices Jump in Bhubaneswar: 24K Rises by INR 430, 22K Gains INR 395
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): Gold prices witnessed a sharp upswing in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, with rates for both 24-karat and 22-karat gold registering significant gains after recent fluctuations in the local bullion market. Representational Image The price of 24-karat gold climbed to Rs 15,927 per gram, marking a Rs 430 increase from Wednesday’s rate of Rs 15,497 per gram. Meanwhile, 22-karat gold rose by Rs…
iQOO Launches Z11 and iQOO Buds with AI-Powered Features and Long Battery Life
New Delhi, August 20, 2026: iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand, today launched the iQOO Z11 5G, designed to make students’ day-to-day lives more productive, efficient, and seamless. From summarising live lectures to polishing assignments, working across documents, content consumption, and staying connected with friends, the iQOO Z11 5G brings together AI-powered productivity features with segment-leading performance, a large immersive display, and dependable full-day battery life,…
Odisha Colleges Told to Offer MDC, SEC and VAC Courses Under NEP 2020
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): The Odisha Higher Education Department has directed all government and non-government colleges to expand academic choices for students by introducing Multidisciplinary Courses (MDC), Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC), and Value-Added Courses (VAC) as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 curriculum. The directive, issued on August 19 by Director of Higher Education Kaliprasanna Mohapatra, instructs higher education institutions across the state…
SBI Customers Alert: New BSBD Withdrawal Charges From October 1
New Delhi, Aug 20: State Bank of India (SBI) is set to introduce revised withdrawal charges for customers holding Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts from October 1, 2026. Under the revised rules, BSBD account holders will continue to get four free cash withdrawals every month. Any withdrawal beyond the four free transactions will attract a charge of ₹15 per transaction, along with applicable GST.…
Coal Mine Pollution May Affect Male Fertility, Sambalpur University Study Finds
Sambalpur, Aug. 20 (UDN): A three-year study by Sambalpur University has raised concerns over the impact of coal mine pollution on male reproductive health, finding that workers exposed to coal dust showed lower sperm counts and structural abnormalities in sperm compared to the general population. Representational Image The research, conducted among coal mine workers in Jharsuguda, examined 215 workers aged 18 to 45 years and…
Odisha Floods: Subarnarekha Crosses Danger Mark in Balasore, 48 Panchayats Hit by Rising Waters
Balasore, Aug. 20 (UDN): The flood situation in Odisha’s Balasore district worsened on Thursday as the Subarnarekha River continued to flow above the danger level at Rajghat, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting road connectivity across several blocks. Representational Image According to official reports, the river’s water level reached 11.79 metres, significantly above the danger mark of 10.36 metres, raising concerns for villages located along its…
Odisha Plus II Admission 2026: DHSE to Begin Phase-II Applications from August 24 for Vacant Seats
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20 (UDN): The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Odisha, will open the Phase-II admission process for Plus II courses for the 2026-27 academic session on August 24. The online admission process for vacant higher secondary school seats will be conducted through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal. Representational Image Students can fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) from August 24…