Chit Fund Deadline Extended
In relief to chit fund scam victims, the Odisha government has extended the refund application deadline till March 31 from the earlier January 31 cut-off. Around 8,000–10,000 small depositors are currently benefiting. Investors must submit required documents and proof of deposits to their local Revenue Inspector.

Minor Girl Found Dead
A Class 10 student died under suspicious circumstances in Rourkela’s Bisra area. She left home for school Thursday but did not attend classes. After a missing complaint, police traced her to a nearby forest in critical condition. She later died during treatment. Investigation is underway.

Bomb Threats to Odisha Courts
Bomb threat emails triggered panic at district judge courts in Cuttack, Puri and Phulbani. Court premises were evacuated as police, bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs conducted searches. Cuttack reported a fresh threat email. Security was tightened across affected court complexes.

Vacant Govt Buildings for Housing
The Odisha government has directed departments to identify vacant urban government buildings for conversion into affordable rental housing under PMAY Urban 2.0. Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee said the rental model targets migrants, industrial workers and urban poor to curb informal settlements and improve city productivity.

SC Allows 30-Week Termination
The Supreme Court permitted an 18-year-old to terminate her 30-week pregnancy, setting aside a Bombay High Court order that termed it “foeticide”. Justice BV Nagarathna said a woman cannot be compelled to continue a pregnancy, reiterating that reproductive autonomy prevails.

Clashes in Dhaka
Violent clashes broke out in Dhaka as government employees demanding implementation of the Ninth National Pay Scale confronted police outside Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ residence. The protest comes days before general elections under a caretaker administration formed after August 2024 political unrest.

Pakistan Shrine Blast Kills 24
At least 24 people were killed and 100 injured in a suicide blast at Tarlai Imambargah in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town area. Reports said the attacker detonated explosives at the main gate after being stopped by guards, preventing entry into the worship hall.

Sooryavanshi’s Record Century
India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a 55-ball century in the ICC U-19 World Cup final against England, the second-fastest in tournament history. The 14-year-old broke Raj Angad Bawa’s Indian record and became the third Indian to score a century in a U-19 final.