The 38th Governing Body meeting of the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society (OFSDS) approved the extension of the JICA-aided Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (Phase-II) from 2027 to 2030. Key decisions include setting up a Livelihood Resource Centre (LRC) to support local producer groups and SHGs even after the project ends. The meeting also reviewed the progress of carbon credit initiatives involving over 2,700 farmers across 12 forest divisions and assessed the impact of the Ama Jangala Yojana for sustainable forest management. https://prajuktiodisha.com/ofsds-governing-body-meeting-project-duration-extended-odisha

A video of a humanoid robot in Indonesia going out of control and performing 'Kung Fu' kicks has gone viral. The robot was seen attacking a person standing behind it with high kicks, causing them to retreat. The footage, shared by Russian media RT on X, has garnered over 850,000 views. The exact reason behind the robot's malfunction remains unknown. https://argusnews.in/international/indonesia-robot-kung-fu-kicks-man-viral-video

Additional SP of Bhanjanagar, Ranjan Kumar De, rescued an injured youth named Sagar Maharana who was lying on the roadside at Kulad Road. The ASP spotted him while traveling to Gallery and immediately took him to Bhanjanagar Hospital in his own vehicle. The youth was later shifted to Berhampur for better treatment. The officer's humanitarian act is being widely praised. https://www.dharitri.com/exemplary-humanity-bhanjanagar-asp-rescues-injured-youth-lying-on-roadside/

A BJP joining program was held in Habaspur, Junagarh block of Kalahandi district, where over 500 people joined the party in the presence of MP Malvika Devi and MLA Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi. Additionally, a free ambulance service funded by Akshaya Nayak was inaugurated for the local public during the event. https://www.dharitri.com/bjps-mishrana-in-habaspur-kalahandi/

In Anugul, Odisha, a farmer named Tapas Pradhan cut down 1,400 of his own banana trees worth approximately 2.5 lakh rupees due to constant elephant menace. The elephant herd had been destroying his crops and entering his home for the past 10 days. Feeling helpless and fearing for his life, the farmer took this extreme step to stop the elephants from frequenting his farm. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/fear-of-elephants-compels-farmer-to-chop-down-1400-banana-trees-in-angul-12146777

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has chaired a high-level meeting deciding to establish 2200 Godabarish Mishra Adarsh Primary Schools by March 2027. Over ₹2200 crore has been allocated for the current financial year. The CM expressed concern over delays in land identification and instructed collectors to ensure 5-acre plots for each mega campus, including purchasing land if necessary. The overall goal is to set up 7000 such model primary schools across the state. https://sambad.in/state/odisha-to-establish-2200-godabarish-mishra-model-primary-schools-by-march-2027-cm-sets-9-month-deadline-12146795

A major controversy has erupted over Junior NTR's upcoming mythological film based on Lord Kartikeya. Tamil organizations have objected to a motion poster describing the deity's birth in the North, demanding a ban or removal of the text. Meanwhile, the actor is busy shooting for Prashanth Neel's film 'Dragon', which revolves around an international drug network and is set to release on June 11, 2027. https://odishasambad.in/controversy-erupts-over-jr-ntrs-new-film/

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to stop charging customers for SMS alerts related to compliance, awareness, and promotional messages. Previously, banks were charging between Rs 15-18 every three months for these services. Furthermore, banks are no longer mandatory required to send SMS alerts for transactions of Rs 500 or less. This move is expected to impact the fee income of banks and the revenue of telecom companies. https://sambad.in/business/rbi-directs-banks-not-to-charge-sms-alert-fees-customers-12146696

The Odisha government has integrated the 'PM-Surya Ghar Yojana' with central housing schemes like PMAY to provide solar energy to beneficiaries. Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announced that for 1KW rooftop solar panels, a combined subsidy of ₹55,000 (₹30,000 from Center and ₹25,000 from State) will be provided, leaving beneficiaries to pay only ₹1,875. Additionally, a ₹3,708 crore project for underground cabling across four DISCOMs was approved to enhance safety and infrastructure. Directives were issued to replace dangerous overhead wires with insulated cables and develop a utility shifting portal for easier infrastructure management. https://prajuktiodisha.com/odisha-dy-cm-kanak-vardhan-singh-deo-power-reforms-pm-surya-ghar-pmay

An emotional video from Maharashtra has gone viral on social media, showing a man refusing to leave his Tata Nexon car despite being submerged in chest-deep floodwater. He held onto his vehicle amidst strong currents, waiting for help. Later, a JCB and crane were used to pull the car to safety. Social media users have reacted emotionally, stating that for many, a car is not just a machine but a symbol of years of hard work and dreams. https://www.dharitri.com/owner-braves-chest-deep-floodwaters-to-save-his-tata-nexon-in-viral-video/