Maoist leader Azad, alias Dona Keshav Rao, has been released from jail after more than 15 years as an undertrial prisoner. He had surrendered in 2011 and faced 49 cases across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, including the high-profile Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati murder case. Following a Supreme Court directive, a special court in Paralakhemundi conducted expedited hearings and acquitted him of all charges due to a lack of strong evidence. His lawyer expressed concerns over the long period of detention without trial. https://www.dharitri.com/maoist-leader-azad-alias-dana-kesaba-rao-acquitted/

Deputy CM and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida laid the foundation stone for a 23 crore integrated tourism development project in Raghurajpur, Odisha. The project aims to upgrade village infrastructure, support local artists, and promote Pattachitra and Gotipua dance globally. The goal is to transform this heritage village into a world-class cultural destination. The event was attended by local leaders and officials, following a recent visit by the President of Singapore to the village. https://sambad.in/state/23-crore-integrated-tourism-development-project-launched-in-odishas-heritage-village-raghurajpur-12393484

The Ministry of Sports has decided not to confer the Khel Ratna award for the year 2025. Although hockey player Hardik Singh was recommended by the selection committee, he was ultimately excluded. However, 17 athletes have been selected for the Arjuna Award after a re-evaluation process by the ministry. The list includes notable names like chess player Divya Deshmukh, shuttler Gayatri Gopichand, and high jumper Tejaswin Shankar. This is the first time since 2014 that no athlete has been chosen for the country's highest sporting honor. https://www.dharitri.com/no-khil-ratna-award-for-2025-arjuna-award-for-tejaswin-divya-gayatri/

Farmers in Baisinga, Mayurbhanj are facing severe difficulties in online registration for Kharif paddy sales due to server issues and complex land rules. With the August 31 deadline approaching, only 900 out of over 4,000 farmers have completed registration. Farmers are demanding an extension of the deadline and a resolution to the technical problems, warning of protests if their demands are not met. https://sambad.in/district/mayurbhanj/mayurbhanj-farmers-paddy-registration-server-problem-baisinga-lamp-12393487

Odisha is facing a significant train delay crisis, reportedly ranking high in terms of late train arrivals. This situation has caused immense inconvenience to passengers, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. The frequent delays reflect ongoing operational challenges within the railway department, impacting daily schedules across the state. https://odia.news18.com/videos/videos/khurda-road-division-faces-passenger-outrage-sps-406048.html

In Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, a man named Israr allegedly murdered his wife Nasreen for refusing to sell land she received from her family. According to police, the husband electrocuted her after a dispute escalated. Post-mortem reports indicated electrical burn marks on six parts of her body, including private parts. The couple had been married for 13 years and had five children. The accused has been arrested, and the police are investigating the case further. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/uttar-pradesh-rampur-husband-arrested-wife-killing-land-sale-dispute-12393471

The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has issued an alert regarding a potential missile threat detected by the country's air defense system. Residents have been advised to seek shelter and follow official government updates. This warning comes a day after the expiration of a deadline regarding regional agreements between Iran and the US. The Ministry of Interior has also urged caution, marking this as the first such high-level alert in recent months amid escalating Middle East tensions. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/uae-missile-attack-alert-advisory-safe-locations-12393497

A JMFC court in Digapahandi, Ganjam district, has sentenced an individual named Vibhudatta Rath to one year in prison for a cheque bounce case. The accused had borrowed 53 lakh rupees from Chandan Patra by promising double returns through investments in a film company. When the complainant tried to encash a 10 lakh rupee cheque, it bounced due to insufficient funds. Magistrate Nilima Sarangi convicted the accused under Section 138 of the NI Act, ordering him to undergo a 1-year jail term and pay 11 lakh rupees in compensation to the complainant. https://www.dharitri.com/digapahandi-check-bounce-case-accused-sentenced-to-one-year-in-jail-with-compensation/

A 40-year-old occultist named Radhu Kisku was arrested in Mayurbhanj district for allegedly raping a 19-year-old college student. The accused tricked the victim by claiming her father's illness was due to an evil spirit in her body and assaulted her during a fake ritual. He threatened the victim to keep quiet, but she later filed a complaint at Tiring police station. The police have registered a case and forwarded the accused to court after conducting medical examinations. https://sambad.in/state/college-student-allegedly-raped-on-pretext-of-exorcism-in-mayurbhanj-tantrik-arrested-12393367

The Jharkhand government's decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam has sparked intense protests from candidates who were already recruited and working for the last seven months. Around 2,000 affected employees formed a human chain in Ranchi, urging CM Hemant Soren to reconsider. While the government cited irregularities for the cancellation and ordered a judicial probe, the candidates claim their selection was merit-based and supported by court rulings. They now plan to move to court to save their jobs. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/jssc-cgl-exam-cancellation-selected-candidates-protest-job-security-12393419