Category Archives: News

Powerful Earthquakes Rock Venezuela Near Caracas, Causing Widespread Destruction

Caracas, June 25: Venezuela was shaken by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across the nation and causing significant damage in and around the capital, Caracas. The strong tremors led to the collapse of several buildings, disrupted transport and communication networks, and triggered panic among residents.

Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities and hundreds of injuries, while rescue teams continue to search for people feared trapped under debris. Emergency services have been deployed to the worst-affected areas, and temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families.

The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and urged citizens to remain cautious as several aftershocks have been reported. Schools and public offices in affected regions have been closed, and hospitals are operating on emergency protocols to treat the injured.

International aid agencies and neighboring countries have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance for rescue and relief operations. Officials warn that the death toll may rise as search teams reach remote and heavily damaged areas.

The twin earthquakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in recent decades, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the urgent need for disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.

Russia Considers Gasoline Imports from India Amid Refinery Disruptions: Report

June 25: Russia is reportedly exploring the possibility of importing gasoline from India as it navigates temporary disruptions in its domestic refinery operations, according to recent reports.

The development highlights emerging energy trade dynamics between the two countries, with India’s refining capacity increasingly positioned as a potential source of supply in global fuel markets. India, one of the world’s largest refining hubs, has expanded its export capabilities in recent years, supplying petroleum products to multiple international markets.

The report suggests that refinery disruptions in Russia have created short-term supply pressures, prompting considerations for alternative sourcing options to ensure stable domestic fuel availability. In this context, India’s robust refining infrastructure and surplus production capacity have drawn attention as a viable option for meeting demand.

Industry observers note that any potential fuel trade between India and Russia would reflect broader shifts in global energy flows, where refining capacity and export flexibility are becoming key strategic assets. Such developments could also strengthen energy trade ties between the two nations.

Experts believe that India’s growing role in global petroleum product markets underscores its importance as a reliable energy supplier, particularly in times of regional supply constraints.

The report reflects ongoing changes in global energy supply chains and highlights the increasing interconnectedness of fuel markets across regions.

India’s Growth Driven by Resilience, Learning and Ambition: Piyush Goyal

June 25: Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India’s growth journey continues to be shaped by resilience, a strong culture of learning, and national ambition.

He noted that India has consistently shown the ability to adapt to global challenges while maintaining steady economic progress. This resilience, he said, has played a key role in strengthening the country’s position in the global economy.

Goyal further emphasized that continuous learning and innovation are central to India’s development model. He highlighted that individuals, businesses, and institutions are increasingly embracing new ideas and improving their capabilities, which is helping drive competitiveness and long-term growth.

He also said that ambition at all levels of society is contributing to India’s rapid progress. According to him, this collective drive is enabling the country to expand opportunities and move steadily toward its long-term development goals.

Experts believe that India’s growth story reflects a combination of strong domestic demand, policy reforms, and a dynamic workforce, which together are supporting sustained economic momentum.

The statement reinforces India’s positioning as a resilient and fast-growing major economy focused on innovation, adaptability, and long-term vision.

Nagpur Airport to Power Development Across Central India: Nitin Gadkari

June 25: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that Nagpur Airport is set to play a key role in driving economic growth across Central India, supported by ongoing infrastructure development and improving connectivity.

He highlighted that Nagpur’s central location gives it a natural advantage to emerge as an important aviation and logistics hub in the coming years. With continued upgrades and expansion, the airport is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and support faster movement of passengers and cargo.

According to the Minister, improved airport infrastructure will help boost trade, tourism, and industrial activity across surrounding regions. He added that better air connectivity will make Central India more accessible and attractive for investment and business expansion.

The planned developments at Nagpur Airport include capacity enhancement, improved passenger facilities, and upgraded cargo operations, aimed at meeting future demand and improving efficiency.

Experts believe that the airport’s growth could generate new employment opportunities and support allied sectors such as logistics, warehousing, and tourism, contributing to overall regional development.

The statement reflects the government’s continued focus on infrastructure-led growth as a key driver of economic development in India.

EPFO Services to Remain Temporarily Unavailable Due to System Migration

June 25: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced that several of its online services will remain temporarily unavailable for a couple of days as part of a planned system migration initiative aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and improving service delivery.

The temporary disruption is necessary to facilitate the migration of EPFO’s existing systems to a more advanced technology platform. The upgrade is expected to improve system efficiency, strengthen data security, and provide a better user experience for millions of subscribers, employers, and pensioners across the country.

During the migration period, users may face difficulties accessing various online services, including member account-related functions, claim submissions, balance checks, passbook access, and other digital services offered through the EPFO portal and associated platforms.

EPFO has advised its members, employers, and stakeholders to plan their activities accordingly and avoid scheduling non-urgent transactions during the maintenance window. The organization has assured users that every effort is being made to complete the migration process as quickly as possible and restore services at the earliest.

The system upgrade forms part of EPFO’s ongoing efforts to modernize its digital ecosystem and strengthen service delivery capabilities. Once completed, the migration is expected to support faster processing, improved reliability, and enhanced accessibility of EPFO services.

EPFO has expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to users and has requested stakeholders for their cooperation during the transition period.

Jharkhand Emerges as Power Surplus State with Commissioning of PVUNL’s Second 800 MW Unit

Ranchi, June 25: In a major boost to Jharkhand’s energy infrastructure, the state has officially become power surplus following the commencement of commercial operations of the second 800 MW unit of the Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL) thermal power project.

The commissioning of the new unit marks a significant milestone in Jharkhand’s efforts to strengthen its power generation capacity and achieve greater energy self-sufficiency. With the addition of another 800 MW, the state is now better positioned to meet rising electricity demand from households, agriculture, businesses, and industries while reducing its dependence on power purchases from other states.

PVUNL, a joint venture between NTPC and Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL), is one of the state’s flagship power projects aimed at modernising electricity infrastructure and ensuring long-term energy security. The operationalisation of the second unit substantially increases the project’s contribution to the state’s power supply network.

Officials said the enhanced generation capacity will improve grid stability, strengthen power availability across urban and rural regions, and support uninterrupted electricity supply. The development is also expected to accelerate industrial growth by providing reliable power to existing industries and attracting fresh investments into the state.

The achievement comes at a time when Jharkhand is focusing on infrastructure-led economic development. Adequate and reliable electricity is considered a key enabler for manufacturing, mining, commercial activities, and social development initiatives.

Energy sector experts noted that becoming a power surplus state offers multiple benefits, including reduced expenditure on power procurement, improved energy planning, and the potential to supply surplus electricity to other regions through the national grid. This could further enhance the state’s revenue generation opportunities.

The commissioning of the second unit also reflects the successful execution of large-scale infrastructure projects in the power sector and highlights ongoing efforts to modernise thermal power generation facilities with improved efficiency and environmental standards.

State officials expressed confidence that the expanded power generation capacity will play a crucial role in supporting Jharkhand’s long-term economic ambitions, improving quality of life for citizens, and ensuring sustainable energy availability for future growth.

With the latest addition to its power infrastructure, Jharkhand has taken a significant step towards strengthening its energy ecosystem and reinforcing its position as an emerging industrial and economic hub in eastern India.

Over 17 pc of Assam Households Pay Zero Electricity Bills: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, June 25: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that more than 17 per cent of households in the state are currently paying zero electricity bills, highlighting the impact of the government’s power subsidy and welfare initiatives.

According to the Chief Minister, the benefit is reaching a significant number of families, particularly those from economically weaker sections, helping reduce their monthly household expenses.

Sarma said the initiative is part of the state’s efforts to make electricity more affordable and ensure wider access to essential services. He noted that the scheme has provided relief to thousands of families amid rising living costs.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving power infrastructure and expanding access to reliable electricity across urban and rural areas of the state.

Officials said the programme reflects Assam’s focus on inclusive development and social welfare, ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach those who need them most.

The state government continues to implement measures aimed at improving the quality of life for residents through affordable and accessible public services.

Odisha Crime Branch Recovers Rs 1.1 Crore Lost by Retired Professor in ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

Bhubaneswar, June 25 (UDN): In a major success against cyber fraud, the Odisha Crime Branch has recovered and returned Rs 1.1 crore to a retired professor who had lost over Rs 2.45 crore in a sophisticated “digital arrest” scam earlier this year.

Representational image

According to officials, the victim was targeted in February through an elaborate four-day cyber fraud operation orchestrated by fraudsters posing as government officials.

The ordeal began with a phone call informing the retired academic that his Aadhaar number had allegedly been linked to a bank account associated with terrorist activities. The call was subsequently shifted to a video conference, during which the fraudsters impersonated officials from central investigative agencies.

To make the deception appear genuine, the scammers allegedly sent a forged “digital arrest order” through WhatsApp, directing the professor not to leave his residence or contact anyone. The victim was kept under constant surveillance through virtual means and was allegedly coerced into transferring Rs 2,45,24,540 to multiple bank accounts over several days.

After realising that he had been duped, the professor lodged an FIR with the Cyber Crime Unit of the Odisha Crime Branch on March 2 and subsequently registered a complaint on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

Acting swiftly, investigators traced the money trail and identified beneficiary accounts linked to the fraud. During the investigation, one account containing Rs 1.1 crore was frozen. Following necessary legal procedures and coordination with the concerned bank, the amount was successfully refunded to the victim.

Officials said the investigation is still underway and efforts are on to trace the remaining funds and identify those involved in the cyber fraud. No arrests have been made so far.

The case comes amid a sharp rise in cybercrime incidents in Odisha. Official figures indicate that the state recorded 49,426 cyber fraud complaints involving Rs 432.28 crore in 2025. Of this amount, Rs 68.71 crore was frozen, while Rs 5.31 crore was refunded to victims. Between January and April 2026, another 16,335 complaints involving Rs 134.24 crore were reported, with authorities freezing Rs 24.27 crore and returning Rs 2.97 crore to victims.

The Odisha Police have once again cautioned citizens against falling prey to “digital arrest” scams, stressing that no genuine government agency or law enforcement authority conducts investigations solely through video calls or asks individuals to transfer money during an inquiry.

People have been advised to immediately report suspicious calls by dialling the national cybercrime helpline number 1930 or by lodging complaints through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Fake Ticket Websites Raise Online Security Concerns

New Delhi, June 25: Concerns have been raised over fraudulent online platforms impersonating official channels for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket sales, with authorities and cybersecurity experts warning fans to exercise caution while booking tickets.

Officials said several fake websites and misleading links have surfaced, attempting to imitate legitimate ticketing portals and deceive users into sharing personal and financial information. The surge in such activities has prompted increased monitoring and public advisories to ensure safe access to official ticketing channels.

Cybersecurity experts have advised fans to verify official sources before making any purchases and avoid clicking on unverified links circulated through social media or messaging platforms. They also stressed the importance of checking domain authenticity and using only authorised platforms for ticket bookings.

Organisers are expected to intensify awareness campaigns to help fans identify genuine ticketing sources and reduce the risk of online fraud during the tournament’s ticket sales phase.

Authorities are working to track and block suspicious websites while encouraging users to report any suspected fraudulent activity to relevant agencies.

With global demand expected to be high for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, experts say public vigilance will play a key role in preventing financial losses and ensuring secure transactions.

Government Introduces QR Code System to Track High-Risk Medicines

New Delhi, June 25: The Government of India has mandated the use of QR codes on vaccines, antimicrobials, and cancer drugs as part of a strengthened regulatory framework aimed at curbing counterfeit medicines and improving drug traceability across the supply chain.

Officials said the move is intended to ensure end-to-end tracking of critical and high-value pharmaceutical products, enhancing patient safety and strengthening trust in the healthcare system. The QR code system will allow stakeholders, including regulators, healthcare providers, and consumers, to verify the authenticity of medicines in real time.

The initiative is expected to improve transparency across manufacturing, distribution, and retail channels by enabling digital verification at every stage of the supply chain. Authorities said this will help reduce the risk of spurious or substandard drugs entering the market.

Regulatory bodies will oversee the implementation process, ensuring compliance from pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Companies will be required to integrate QR-based tracking systems into packaging for the specified categories of medicines.

Health officials noted that the step is particularly significant for life-saving drugs such as vaccines, cancer treatments, and antimicrobial medicines, where counterfeit risks can have serious public health implications.

The government stated that the initiative aligns with its broader goal of leveraging digital technologies to strengthen healthcare governance and improve patient safety outcomes.

Experts believe the measure will enhance accountability in the pharmaceutical sector and position India’s drug regulatory system among the more advanced globally in terms of traceability and anti-counterfeit mechanisms.