The Forest Wing of Odisha Vigilance has busted an alleged illegal furniture manufacturing unit operating in Cuttack district and seized timber and related materials valued at around ₹4.8 lakh, officials said on Thursday. The raid was carried out near Sofa village under the jurisdiction of Tangi police station following intelligence inputs regarding unauthorised timber processing activities in the area. Raid Conducted on Illegal Furniture Workshop According to officials, a joint forest enforcement operation was launched at a furniture manufacturing unit that was allegedly functioning without a valid licence. During the search, authorities found timber…

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated the renovated post office at Nehru Place Post Office, highlighting the government’s focus on modernising postal infrastructure and expanding citizen services through technology. The upgraded facility in New Delhi is part of broader efforts to transform traditional post offices into multi-service public centres capable of handling digital and financial services alongside conventional mail operations. Focus on Technology-Driven Postal Services Speaking at the inauguration, Scindia said the postal department is being modernised in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda, combining traditional public trust with modern…

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday cautioned party leaders against indiscipline as the regional party intensified preparations for the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections in Odisha. Addressing the Jajpur district executive meeting in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik stressed that maintaining discipline within the organisation was essential for strengthening the party ahead of the local body polls. Focus on Organisational Discipline During his address to party functionaries, Patnaik said the BJD would not tolerate misconduct or factionalism within its ranks. He called on leaders and workers to work in coordination and remain connected…

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Kerala on Thursday adopted a one-line resolution authorising the party high command to appoint the next Chief Minister, as internal consultations intensified after the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) victory in the state Assembly elections. The decision was taken during a meeting of newly elected Congress MLAs at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. The resolution gives Mallikarjun Kharge the authority to make the final decision on the selection of the CLP leader, who will subsequently be sworn in as Chief Minister. Central Observers Begin Consultations Senior Congress leaders and central observers Ajay…

Ravi Kishan on Thursday criticised the Trinamool Congress over alleged incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal, claiming the ruling party was unable to accept the outcome of the elections. Speaking to reporters during a private event in Jaunpur, the BJP MP said the people had expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and voted for political change in the state. BJP MP Alleges Rise in Political Violence Ravi Kishan alleged that incidents of violence and killings had increased in West Bengal following the elections. He claimed the Trinamool Congress had engaged in politics driven by “loot,…

Global equity markets showed signs of optimism on Wednesday, with strong gains in the United States carrying over into Asian trading. Investor sentiment improved amid expectations of reduced tensions in West Asia, helping major indices close higher and pushing several Asian markets into positive territory. Key Highlights US Markets Lead Global Momentum On Wall Street, benchmark indices closed firmly in the green. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained around 350 points, while the S&P 500 rose 0.81% to settle at 7,259.22. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also advanced, climbing 258.32 points, or 1.03%, to close at 25,326.13.…

A modest yet meaningful Buddha Purnima celebration was held at a private residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday, offering a contrast to larger public events typically associated with the occasion. The gathering took place at the home of S. Rudramuni, a former banker and social worker, in the Hebbal Kempapura area. Key Highlights The event was marked by simplicity, with children playing a central role in hosting and conducting proceedings. They welcomed guests, managed the programme, and presented short reflections on the lives and contributions of key social reformers. Observations from the Event…

Yogi Adityanath visited Varanasi on Wednesday, where he offered prayers at prominent temples and reviewed ongoing development works. The visit included religious engagements as well as administrative oversight. Key Announcements / Highlights Adityanath arrived in Varanasi by helicopter from Gorakhpur and was received by public representatives and administrative officials. He later proceeded to the Circuit House before attending a private function in the city. Official Statement While no formal public statement was issued during the visit, officials indicated that the Chief Minister combined religious observances with administrative review. He performed traditional rituals, including…

Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation into alleged corruption in West Bengal, following recent political developments linked to the Assembly elections. His remarks came amid heightened political exchanges between parties after the vote-counting trends. Key Announcements / Highlights The Deputy Chief Minister made the remarks through a social media post, asserting that alleged irregularities and governance issues in the state should be examined in detail. Official Statement In his statement, Maurya said that corruption and governance concerns in West Bengal would be scrutinised thoroughly and that accountability should…