During his visit to Jakarta, PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community and highlighted the historic ties between India and Indonesia. He specifically praised the contribution of Odisha's former CM Biju Patnaik, recalling his bravery during Indonesia's independence struggle and mentioning the 'Bhumiputra' award bestowed upon him. Modi emphasized that the relationship is rooted in shared culture, including the influence of Ramayana and Mahabharata, and modern cooperation in defense and trade. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/pm-modi-remembers-biju-patnaik-india-indonesia-relations-jakarta-12143430

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Abhishek Kumar, the Vice President of BJYM, as its candidate for the Bankipur Assembly by-election. The seat became vacant after Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha. The election is set for July 30, with results on August 3. The contest is high-profile as Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor is also in the fray, receiving support from TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/bjp-announced-candidates-for-bankipur-contest-12143449

The main road connecting Sirkabarga in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district has become severely damaged due to heavy rains. Despite previous protests and an assurance from the administration to begin repairs by May 20th, no action has been taken. This has caused significant distress among locals as the route is crucial for passenger buses. The villagers have warned of renewed protests if the road is not repaired immediately, while the Rural Development department points to the contractor's ongoing maintenance period. https://www.dharitri.com/sirkabarga-road-remains-unrepaired-heavy-rains-wreak-havoc/

The natural forest barrier between Tampara Lake and the Bay of Bengal in Ganjam is being depleted due to mining activities by Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). Thousands of Casuarina and other trees are being cut down for mineral extraction from sea sand. This large-scale deforestation has raised environmental concerns, including rising temperatures and loss of biodiversity. Local residents fear that the removal of this natural shield will leave Chatrapur town vulnerable to cyclones and tsunamis, demanding immediate government intervention to stop the illegal activities. https://www.dharitri.com/rare-earth-mining-leads-to-deforestation-between-tampra-lake-and-bay-of-bengal/

The Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has issued strict guidelines to seize vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates, permits, or registration. This move aims to reduce road accidents caused by unfit vehicles. Previously, enforcement mostly involved issuing fines, but a recent review showed that only 428 vehicles were seized despite over 1.64 lakh challans being issued. Owners can only reclaim their vehicles after providing all valid documentation. The STA has instructed all RTOs and enforcement officers to strictly implement Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure road safety. https://sambad.in/state/odisha-sta-cracks-down-vehicles-without-fitness-permit-or-registration-to-be-seized-12143450

A massive landslide occurred in Kerala's Wayanad district near a tunnel construction site. CCTV footage captured the terrifying moment a fuel tanker and several vehicles were washed away by a mudflow. The disaster resulted in 3 deaths and left at least 5 people missing. The state government termed it a man-made disaster, citing negligence by the construction company for not clearing loose soil despite warnings. Rescue operations by NDRF and fire services are ongoing amidst heavy rains. https://odishasambad.in/caught-on-camera-terrifying-landslide-wipes-out-everything-oil-tanker-swept-away-in-seconds/

A tense situation erupted at Rama Devi Women's University in Bhubaneswar involving students and outsiders. The unrest reportedly stems from student-related issues and potential student election disputes. Visuals from the campus show significant commotion as students protested against the presence of non-students in the university premises. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/a-non-student-female-student-at-ramadevi-womens-university-12143311

Heavy monsoon rains in Gujarat have claimed 6 lives, with 4 deaths in Surat and 2 in Amreli. Torrential downpours led to severe waterlogging, causing educational institutions in Surat to shut down. High alerts have been issued in South Gujarat, and emergency teams rescued 28 bus passengers from an inundated underpass. Additionally, 59 gates of the Shetrunji dam were opened due to rising water levels. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/gujarat-heavy-rain-floods-surat-six-dead-monsoon-havoc-12143393

Tension erupted at Rama Devi Women's University in Bhubaneswar after non-students allegedly entered the campus and misbehaved with female students. The outsiders reportedly used abusive language against the students, raising serious concerns about the safety and security within the university premises, especially during the student election period. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/non-students-break-into-womens-college-and-abuse-12143361

Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz as a third tanker was attacked within 24 hours of a ceasefire. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the latest incident involved an unknown unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) striking a tanker, causing minor structural damage but no casualties. This follows two previous attacks in the Persian Gulf's narrow waterway, one of which resulted in a fire on a tanker off the coast of Oman. Iranian state media claimed the vessels ignored warnings. The incidents occur amidst strained US-Iran relations following the death of Iran's supreme leader. https://argusnews.in/international/strait-of-hormuz-tanker-attacks-us-iran-ceasefire