Flood victims in Kendrapada are facing a double threat as floodwaters reach waist-deep levels inside their homes. Along with the water, venomous snakes and wild animals like jackals are entering residential areas, causing widespread panic. Additionally, the affected population is grappling with a severe shortage of clean drinking water. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/when-the-water-enters-the-house-snakes-foxes-and-poisonous-animals-and-wild-animals-in-the-house-are-afraid-of-flooding-12392741

Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) has announced a robust future strategy focusing on digital expansion, AI integration, and new revenue models. CEO Rakhtim Das shared that the company saw a 21% revenue growth this quarter, reaching ₹191 crore. Key initiatives include an Omni-channel news strategy, the creation of an AI-driven 'Digital Brain' for newsrooms, and a focus on premium subscription models. The company is also repositioning Zee Bharat as a youth-centric, social-first brand and expanding WION's global footprint. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeeodisha/trending/zee-medias-big-future-plan-ai-digital-expansion-and-new-revenue-models-in-focus/3290541

Australian star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and his wife Vini Raman have welcomed their second child, a daughter named Maia Maxwell. The couple shared the joyful news on Instagram on Tuesday. Maia is their second child after their son Logan Maverick, who was born in September 2023. Maxwell and Vini, of Indian origin, married in March 2022 following both Christian and Tamil Brahmin traditions. Fans and the cricket fraternity are showering the couple with congratulations. https://odishasambad.in/glenn-maxwell-welcomes-a-baby-becomes-a-father-for-second-time/

In a remote village of Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district, a woman and her newborn had to be carried on a cot for half a kilometer due to the lack of motorable roads. Alingadei Majhi gave birth at home, but because the ambulance could not reach her house due to poor road conditions, villagers carried her to the vehicle. She was later admitted to the Lanjigarh Community Health Center. This incident has sparked anger among locals regarding the failure of government infrastructure and road connectivity in tribal-dominated areas. https://www.dharitri.com/pain-of-childbirth-in-remote-tribal-dominated-area-woman-carried-on-a-stretcher-for-half-a-kilometer/

Chhattisgarh's Konta police seized 308 kg of ganja worth approximately ₹1.54 crore from a pickup van traveling from Malkangiri to Rajasthan. The contraband was hidden under salt bags. Two smugglers from Rajasthan, identified as Shiv Kumar Prajapati and Uday Ram Balai, were arrested and forwarded to court. https://sambad.in/state/308-kg-ganja-seized-in-malkangiri-two-rajasthan-based-traffickers-arrested-12392843

The Central Government has announced the National Sports Awards, notably excluding cricketers this year. For the first time since 2014, no player has been selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. While the selection committee initially recommended 24 names for the Arjuna Award, the Ministry approved only 17, including shuttler Gayatri Gopichand and chess player Divya Deshmukh. In the coaching category, three coaches, including boxing coach Chhotelal Yadav, received the Dronacharya Award. The Para-sports category saw a significant drop, with only two selections compared to 17 last year. https://odia.news18.com/photogallery/sport/arjuna-awards-list-announced-17-athletes-selected-no-khel-ratna-awarded-for-the-first-time-since-sps-ws-l-406005.html

A travel blogger recently exposed overcharging by catering staff on the Varanasi Express, where an 80-rupee veg thali was being sold for 140 rupees. After a video of the incident and the staff's misbehavior went viral on social media, IRCTC registered a complaint via RailMadad and initiated an investigation. Indian Railways rules state that passengers can refuse payment if a bill isn't provided, and contractors can face fines up to 1 lakh rupees for such irregularities. https://argusnews.in/travel-and-tourism/varanasi-express-overcharging-pantry-car-food-plate-indian-railway-response

Farmers in the Kesinga block of Kalahandi district are delighted as steady rains from a low-pressure system have accelerated paddy transplantation activities. Despite the continuous drizzle, farmers are actively working in fields across various villages like Dumermunda and Balsi. The Block Agriculture Officer, Jitendra Singh, noted that about 80% of the farmers have already completed their transplantation work, aiming for a total target of 10,000 hectares of cultivation this season. https://www.dharitri.com/rice-harvest-in-torrential-rain-farmers-are-filled-with-joy/

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda underwent angioplasty at AIIMS Delhi on August 17. He was admitted on August 13 following discomfort and was kept under the observation of the Cardiology department. According to a press release by AIIMS on August 18, his condition is stable and he remains under strict medical supervision. Angioplasty was performed to clear blocked coronary arteries and restore normal blood flow. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/union-health-minister-jp-nadda-undergoes-angioplasty-at-aiims-new-delhi-12392696

The Himachal Pradesh government is planning to reduce the number of IAS, IFS, and IPS officers to cut administrative costs. According to the proposal, the number of IAS officers will be reduced from 153 to 130 and IFS officers from 118 to 83. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the focus is on efficient implementation of schemes rather than a high number of officials. Each officer costs the state approximately 40 to 50 lakh rupees annually. The state also plans to request the center not to send more central service officers and will facilitate immediate central deputation for interested officers. https://otvkhabar.in/national/government-plans-officer-cuts-as-himachal-looks-to-reduce-bureaucratic-expenditure-12392821