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Odisha Braces for Thunderstorms, Lightning and Gusty Winds From October 7

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Several parts of Odisha are likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds from October 7, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow warning for multiple districts.

 Representational Image 

The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places over the next few days, with weather activity expected to intensify in northern, coastal and southern districts from October 7.

Rain Expected in Several Districts

During the next 24 hours, isolated light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput and Malkangiri, while dry weather is expected across most other parts of the state.

On October 5, rainfall activity may occur in Baleshwar, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam. On October 6, isolated showers are likely in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.

Yellow Warning Issued for October 7

The weather system is expected to become more active from October 7.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places in these districts.

Weather Activity to Continue on October 8

The adverse weather conditions are likely to persist on October 8, when thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may affect Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers may occur at a few places across northern and central Odisha, while isolated rainfall activity is also expected in Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri.

Rain Forecast Through October 10

The IMD has forecast isolated rain or thundershower activity in several coastal and adjoining districts on October 9 and 10. The districts likely to see such activity include Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.

Temperatures Likely to Dip

Maximum temperatures are expected to remain largely stable over the next three to four days before falling by around 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter.

Minimum temperatures are likely to remain broadly unchanged during the next six to seven days.

In Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, partly cloudy conditions are expected over the next 24 hours, with the maximum temperature likely to remain around 35°C and the minimum near 25°C.

The IMD has not issued any weather warning for fishermen along the Odisha coast between October 4 and 8.

One Killed, Six Injured as Family’s Puri Pilgrimage Ends in Road Accident in Bargarh

Bargarh, Oct. 5 (UDN): A pilgrimage to Puri turned tragic for a family travelling from Indore after their vehicle crashed into a roadside tree near Madhupur in Bargarh district on Monday, leaving one person dead and six others injured.

Vehicle Crashes Into Tree

According to reports, the accident occurred under Sohela block when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while the family was travelling towards Puri to visit the Jagannath Temple.

The impact was severe, killing one person at the spot and leaving six others injured.

Three Shifted to Bargarh

Following the crash, the injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Three of them were admitted to a private hospital in Sohela, while the remaining three, who were reportedly in critical condition, were shifted to a private hospital in Bargarh for advanced treatment.

Police Begin Probe

Police have seized the vehicle involved in the accident and launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash.

Officials are examining the cause of the driver losing control and the sequence of events preceding the collision.

Rajnath Singh to Visit HAL’s Sunabeda Unit in Koraput on Tuesday

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Odisha on Tuesday, with a key engagement lined up at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Sunabeda, Koraput district.

 Representational Image 

The one-day visit is expected to focus on defence production activities at the strategically important HAL unit and provide an opportunity for the Union Minister to review ongoing operations.

Review of Defence Production Activities

During his visit to Sunabeda, Rajnath Singh is scheduled to attend a programme at the HAL facility and review various aspects of its defence production operations.

He is also expected to interact with senior HAL officials and officers associated with the defence sector and discuss matters concerning the functioning and future activities of the unit.

CM Majhi to Accompany Defence Minister

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is also scheduled to be present during the Defence Minister’s visit.

The engagement is being viewed as significant for the state’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in the context of the role played by the Sunabeda HAL facility in India’s defence production infrastructure.

Visit Holds Significance for Koraput

The Defence Minister’s visit to Sunabeda comes against the backdrop of continued emphasis on strengthening domestic defence manufacturing and production capabilities.

The HAL facility at Sunabeda is an important industrial establishment in Koraput and has a long association with India’s aviation and defence sector.

Following the scheduled engagements, Rajnath Singh is expected to leave Odisha for Delhi in the afternoon via Raipur.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is proud to sponsor Indian football team’s high-profile international fixtures at the Kolkata matches

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Director (Marketing) Mr. Subhankar Sen said the matches of Indian Football team represent more than just exciting sporting encounters offering an opportunity to inspire millions of young Indians to dream bigger and engage with sport.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, is sponsoring the Indian football team’s high-profile international fixtures against former FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay and Brazil, scheduled to be played in Kolkata.

Brazil defeated India 4–0 at Salt Lake Stadium after India put up a strong fight in the opening 27 minutes. The Blue Tigers entered the match with confidence after holding 44th-ranked Panama to a 1–1 draw, but Brazil, ranked fifth in the world, gradually took control of the game. Brazil’s superior quality and attacking strength helped them score four goals and secure a comfortable victory over India.

On the sidelines of the game, Mr. Subhankar Sen emphasised that BPCL believes sport has the power to unite, inspire and create pathways for excellence, adding that the company’s association with these landmark fixtures reflects its continued commitment to supporting Indian sport and its athletes.

Speaking about the association, Mr. Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), said, “BPCL is proud to support the Indian football team as it takes on two of the most celebrated names in world football, Uruguay and Brazil. These matches represent more than just exciting sporting encounters; they are an opportunity to inspire millions of young Indians to dream bigger and engage with sport. At BPCL, we believe that sport has the power to unite, inspire and create pathways for excellence, and our association with these landmark fixtures reflects our continued commitment to supporting Indian sport and its athletes.”

The two marquee encounters are bringing some of world football’s most celebrated teams to India, offering Indian football fans an opportunity to witness the national team compete against two globally renowned footballing nations. The fixtures are expected to provide a significant platform for Indian football and contribute to the growing popularity of the sport across the country.

BPCL has always been at the forefront of promoting Indian sports and supporting athletes across disciplines. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, is currently backing Team India as its Principal Partner at the 20th Asian Games. The company was also a Principal Sponsor of the Commonwealth Games 2026, further strengthening its association with Indian sport on major international platforms.

In line with its long-term commitment to nurturing sporting talent, BPCL announced the launch of the BPCL Sports Scholarship Initiative last year. The initiative aims to support and nurture emerging sports talent across India by providing financial assistance to promising young athletes, enabling them to focus on their training and competitive aspirations at both national and international levels.

Over the years, BPCL has been proud to be associated with a galaxy of Indian sporting champions who have brought laurels to the nation through their performances on the global stage. The company’s sporting associations have included Saina Nehwal and R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt in Badminton; Soumyajit Ghosh and Sanil Shetty in Table Tennis; Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari in Archery; Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav in Cricket; S.V. Sunil, Harmanpreet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Varun Kumar in Hockey; Jerome Vinith in Volleyball; Rishank Devadiga and Vishal Mane in Kabaddi; Vaibhav Suri and Abhijeet Gupta in Chess; Manan Chandra and Shahbaaz Adil Khan in Snooker; and Manasi Joshi and Manoj Sarkar in Para Badminton.

Through its sustained support for athletes, teams and sporting events, BPCL continues to contribute to the development of India’s sporting ecosystem and provide platforms that inspire the next generation of sporting talent.

The upcoming India-Uruguay and India-Brazil fixtures add another significant chapter to BPCL’s association with Indian sport, bringing together the excitement of international football and the company’s enduring commitment to supporting sporting excellence in the country.

About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL):

Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the club of companies having greater operational and financial autonomy.

Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, fuel stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 25,300+ Fuel Stations, over 1000+ CNG stations, over 6,250+ LPG distributorships, 440+ Lubes distributorships, 81 POL storage locations, 56 LPG Bottling Plants, 83 Aviation Service Stations, 5 Lube blending plants and 6 cross-country pipelines.

Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has Electric vehicle charging stations at 6800+ Fuel Stations. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing an ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting several initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With ‘Energising Lives’ as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum’s vision is to be an admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation and technology.

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Reap and Collinson International Enter Landmark Partnership to Bring Priority Pass Airport Experiences to the Stablecoin and Crypto Ecosystem

The collaboration connects digital asset customers to premium travel benefits, giving eligible cardholders access to Priority Pass’ global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reap, a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-enabled infrastructure, has entered a strategic partnership with Collinson International, the global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass.

The collaboration enables Reap’s clients in the digital-assets landscape, including leading global crypto exchanges, Web3 neobanks, private banks, and asset managers, to offer premium travel benefits to their customers. This will grant eligible Reap cardholders access to Priority Pass’ global network of over 1,900 airport lounges and travel experiences, including spa, sleep pods, dining, and more.

The partnership comes as meaningful travel benefits take on an increasingly central role in enhancing customer value and engagement. According to Collinson International’s research report, access to airport lounges is ranked as the most desirable travel benefit, while 92% of respondents in Asia Pacific agree that travel rewards and benefits encourage card use for everyday and travel expenses. The findings highlight how travel benefits, including access to airport lounges through Priority Pass, can help drive card use, customer engagement and loyalty.

“As the payments landscape continues to evolve, the ability to provide experiential value is becoming an increasingly important differentiator among financial products,” said Rom Remy, SVP Commercial, APAC at Collinson International. “Travel experiences, in particular, offer payment providers a powerful way to deepen customer engagement, build loyalty and lifetime value. We are delighted to partner with Reap as it expands across high-growth markets. Through access to Priority Pass’ global network of airport lounges and travel experiences, Reap can help its clients to broaden their offerings and deliver more seamless, premium journeys to travellers worldwide.”

The partnership extends Reap’s card issuing offering into lifestyle and travel benefits. By connecting onchain spending to real-world experiences, Reap enables its clients to reward everyday card usage and strengthen their customer retention, bringing the experiential value that has long driven engagement in traditional card programmes to stablecoin-linked cards.

“At Reap, our stablecoin-native infrastructure is built to create real-world value for the businesses we support and the customers they serve,” said Pablo Che Leon, Head of Customer Growth, Reap. “Stablecoins are becoming everyday money for millions of people, and the cards they spend with should carry the same benefits as any premium card. By bringing Priority Pass to Reap-issued cards, a cardholder in Hong Kong or Tokyo can now enjoy the same airport lounge experience as a premium cardholder in London or New York. For our clients, it’s a new way to differentiate their card offerings, reward everyday spending and keep customers engaged.”

For more information, please visit https://reap.global/products/reap-rewards.

About Priority Pass

Priority Pass is the world’s original and market-leading airport experiences programme. We provide travellers with access to over 1,900 lounges and travel experiences in 865 airports in 143 countries. Members can access an ever-growing range of premium experiences – from spas to sleeping pods to dining – that help elevate every journey into something special. By building partnerships with other leading brands, we help to bring a better travel experience to the world.

Priority Pass is owned and operated by Collinson International, part of The Collinson Group, a family-owned business. Formed over 35 years ago, it now has five distinct operating companies that generate a combined annual revenue of £2.1bn, employing more than 2,500 people across 14 countries.

About Reap

Reap is a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-native infrastructure. We transform the financial landscape through more efficient money movement by merging traditional finance with digital assets, bridging disparate economies and connecting key financial markets.

Reap was an early leader in Asia to incorporate stablecoins into our solutions. In 2025, Reap processed billions in stablecoin-funded transaction flows. From stablecoin-enabled corporate cards to cross-border payments, we streamline financial operations and empower companies to scale with our integrated business accounts and embedded finance solutions.

Founded and headquartered in Hong Kong, Reap employs 300 people worldwide.

More information about Reap can be found at reap.global.

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Dharmendra Pradhan Urges Sambalpur Residents to Join October 10 Cleanliness Drive

Sambalpur, Oct. 5 (UDN): Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has appealed to residents across the district to participate in a mass cleanliness campaign scheduled for October 10 under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.

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In a video message shared on social media, Pradhan called upon citizens, youth, women, elected representatives and members of various organisations to come together and clean their villages, hamlets, wards, neighbourhoods and public spaces.

Call for Cleanliness to Become a Mass Movement

Pradhan urged people to transform the campaign into a sustained public movement aimed at making Sambalpur cleaner, healthier and more attractive.

He said cleanliness should not be viewed merely as a household responsibility but as a broader social value reflected in people’s everyday lives and conduct.

Cultural Traditions Linked to Cleanliness

Highlighting Odisha’s cultural traditions, Pradhan said cleanliness and purity have long held an important place in the state’s social and religious practices.

Referring to the Lakshmi Purana, he said the tradition associates cleanliness with the presence of Goddess Lakshmi and noted that religious rituals in Odia households traditionally place strong emphasis on cleanliness and purity.

According to Pradhan, the values associated with cleanliness have been passed down through generations and carry both social and spiritual significance.

Invokes Gandhi, Modi’s Swachhata Message

Pradhan also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on sanitation and cleanliness, saying Gandhi viewed cleanliness as essential to building a healthy society and improving quality of life.

He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swachhata Hi Seva” message, stressing that maintaining clean surroundings is a form of service to society, the nation and future generations.

Sambalpur’s Heritage in Focus

Describing Sambalpur as an important centre of Odia literature, culture, art and tradition, Pradhan said maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the region was a collective responsibility.

He urged citizens to actively participate in the October 10 campaign and contribute towards creating cleaner public spaces across the district.

The cleanliness drive is expected to cover villages, urban wards, localities and other public places as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.

EVIDENT Completes Acquisition of CrestOptics S.p.A.

NEEDHAM, Mass., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Evident announced today that it has completed the acquisition of CrestOptics S.p.A., a Rome-based developer and manufacturer of advanced optical imaging systems for spinning disk confocal and super-resolution microscopy. The acquisition broadens Evident’s life science imaging portfolio and deepens its capability in high-speed, high-content 3D imaging for research, pharma, and biotech applications.

Founded in 2011, CrestOptics designs and manufactures confocal spinning disk and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) modules that integrate with microscope platforms from leading manufacturers worldwide. Its portfolio includes the X-Light family of spinning disk confocal systems, featuring precise optical sectioning and uniform illumination across a class-leading field of view; the compact CICERO widefield and spinning disk solution, which brings highly capable entry-level confocal within reach of any lab; and DeepSIM, a Lattice SIM super-resolution module that delivers sub-diffraction imaging with the accessibility of a widefield system. Used in laboratories around the world, CrestOptics products are built to be universally accessible tools that advance discovery without barriers.

“Researchers are asking harder questions of increasingly complex biological models, and that demands faster, gentler, higher-resolution imaging,” said Wes Pringle, Evident CEO. “Our customers push the limits of science, and our role is to advance the optical technologies that make new discoveries faster and easier than ever. Evident and CrestOptics operate under a shared vision. After partnering with them, it was clear that their mission, their engineering capability, and most importantly their people, complement our own and together we can deliver more complete solutions to the scientists who depend on us.”

Evident and CrestOptics have collaborated as partners for several years, with CrestOptics spinning disk technology already integrated into Evident microscope configurations. The acquisition formalizes and expands that relationship.

“Joining Evident is a natural next step for CrestOptics,” said Renato Giacobbo Scavo, Chief Executive Officer, CrestOptics. “We share a commitment to advancing what microscopy can reveal. With Evident’s global reach, manufacturing strength, and applications expertise, we can accelerate our innovation roadmap and bring our technologies to many more laboratories worldwide. We are grateful to our previous investors, Apposite Capital and Primo Capital, as well as our Chairman, David Martyr, and the board of directors, for their support throughout this journey.”

CrestOptics will continue to operate from its Rome headquarters and R&D and manufacturing facility and maintain its existing partner and distribution relationships, continuing to be a technology provider for the entire microscopy industry.

Learn more about Evident’s confocal and super-resolution solutions. 

About EVIDENT

For over 100 years, Olympus set the industry standard for optical precision in microscopy. Today, Evident carries that legacy forward, helping scientists, physicians, and engineers illuminate the unseen with advanced imaging solutions that combine renowned optics with digital innovation.

Evident’s life science portfolio spans brightfield and darkfield microscopy through advanced fluorescence, 4D analysis, and digital pathology. In industrial microscopy, the company delivers laser scanning, digital, and semiconductor systems for inspection, quality control, and manufacturing analysis.

Evident is headquartered in Tokyo, with R&D and manufacturing centers in Japan, the United States, Germany, and China, and sales and service operations worldwide. For more information, visit EvidentScientific.com.



About CrestOptics

Founded in 2011 in Rome, Italy, CrestOptics develops and manufactures advanced optical imaging systems for life science research. Its spinning disk confocal and super-resolution SIM technologies deliver high-speed, high-contrast imaging with low phototoxicity — enabling work with live cells, 3D models, and thick tissue that conventional techniques cannot resolve.

The portfolio includes the X-Light confocal spinning disk family, the CICERO integrated confocal solution, and the DeepSIM super-resolution module, each designed for broad compatibility with leading microscope platforms. CrestOptics also develops custom optical solutions for OEMs serving research, pharma, biotech, and industrial markets.

CrestOptics operates an ISO 9001-certified R&D and manufacturing facility in Rome and collaborates with research institutions including the Italian Institute of Technology.

For more information, visit CrestOptics.com.

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Central Range Orients 80 New Police SIs on Modern Policing, Cybercrime and Public Service

Cuttack, Oct. 5 (UDN): Around 80 newly inducted Sub-Inspectors from seven districts under Odisha Police’s Central Range underwent an orientation programme in Cuttack on Sunday, with senior officers stressing professional integrity, technological preparedness and citizen-focused policing.

Pic Credit: x.com/igcrcuttack

The programme was organised by the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Central Range, at the Padhee Memorial Hall of the IPS Officers’ Mess under the guidance of Odisha DGP (HoPF) Vinaytosh Mishra.

Focus on Discipline and Rule of Law

Satyajit Naik, IGP, Central Range, who attended as the chief guest, urged the newly inducted officers to uphold discipline and professional ethics while carrying out their responsibilities.

He emphasised the importance of sensitivity towards citizens and strict adherence to the rule of law, particularly as police personnel increasingly face complex challenges in the field.

Cybercrime Preparedness Takes Centre Stage

DIG, Crime Branch, Madkar Sandeep Sampat, the guest of honour, addressed the officers on the evolving nature of cybercrime.

He highlighted the growing use of technology in criminal activities and stressed the need for police officers to develop adequate technological knowledge and modern investigative skills to effectively deal with cyber-enabled offences.

Senior Officers Share Field Experience

Ram Kishore Sharma, National Career Services and former Head of NCDS, Government of India, interacted with the new officers on professional development, workplace challenges and long-term career responsibilities.

Senior police officers, including the SPs of Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Nayagarh and Jagatsinghpur, also shared their field experiences and offered guidance on leadership, policing practices and professional conduct.

SIs From Seven Districts Attend

The participating Sub-Inspectors were drawn from Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh districts.

The orientation concluded with an emphasis on ethical policing, professional excellence, technological readiness, citizen-centric service and commitment to justice as the newly inducted officers begin their policing careers.

Boudh Youth Survives Crocodile Attack After Hour-Long Struggle in Mahanadi

Boudh, Oct. 5 (UDN): A young man sustained critical injuries after allegedly being attacked by a crocodile in the Mahanadi river near Marada village in Odisha’s Boudh district, police said.

 Representational Image 

The incident reportedly occurred near the Kusang range in the Purunakatak area, when the youth had gone to the riverbank.

Crocodile Drags Youth Into River

According to reports, the crocodile suddenly attacked the youth and pulled him into the river. Despite suffering serious injuries, he reportedly fought back and struggled with the reptile for nearly an hour.

The prolonged struggle eventually enabled him to break free and make his way to safety.

Critical Condition After Rescue

The injured youth was subsequently rescued and rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Boudh for treatment.

He was reportedly in critical condition following the attack, with doctors attending to his injuries.

Villagers Concerned Over Crocodile Presence

The incident has sparked concern among residents of villages along the Mahanadi, particularly those who depend on or regularly visit the riverbank.

Locals have expressed apprehension over the presence of crocodiles in the river and the potential risk to people venturing close to the water.

The incident has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and caution among residents living near crocodile-inhabited stretches of the Mahanadi.