November 10, 2025 - IndiaVerve

Eight killed in car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort; city on high alert

November 10, 2025 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion tore through a vehicle near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, triggering panic in the heart of the national capital.

According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, the blast occurred around 6:52 p.m. when a slow-moving car stopped at a traffic signal outside the Red Fort. The impact gutted nearby vehicles and sent shockwaves through the busy area.

Firefighters and police teams rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control within half an hour. The area has been sealed off, and a high alert has been declared across the city.

A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrived to assist in the probe, while forensic experts are examining the site to determine the nature of the explosive used.

The incident comes just hours after Haryana Police, working with Jammu and Kashmir counterparts, seized around 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, along with weapons and timers, from a doctor’s residence in Faridabad. Investigators are probing possible links between the two incidents.

India achieves record Rs 1.51 lakh crore in defence production: Rajnath Singh

November 10, 2025 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s defence manufacturing has reached a new milestone with production worth Rs 1.51 lakh crore in 2024–25, of which Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) contributed nearly 72 per cent. Defence exports have also touched Rs 6,695 crore reflecting growing international confidence in India’s indigenous systems, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of all 16 DPSUs at the newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh congratulated four enterprises — Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), India Optel Limited (IOL), and Munitions India Limited (MIL) — for being granted Miniratna (Category-I) status. He said the recognition was a testament to their efficiency, autonomy and contribution to the country’s defence sector.

“The excellent performance of our DPSUs in operations like Operation Sindoor shows the strength and reliability of our indigenous platforms. This is proof that Made in India defence products are now gaining global respect,” the minister said.

He urged the DPSUs to accelerate indigenisation, strengthen R&D, and enhance product quality and delivery timelines. “India must now move from licensed production to indigenous design and development. The government will extend all necessary support to achieve this,” Singh added.

At the event, three key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed among DPSUs. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will support Yantra India Limited (YIL) in setting up a 10,000-ton forging press facility to cut import dependence on aluminium alloys. Another MoU was signed with MIDHANI to establish a “Metal Bank” to ensure an uninterrupted supply of critical raw materials.

In a push for green defence manufacturing, Singh launched SWAYAM — a sustainability initiative under the Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Action Plan (CEEAP) 2023 — highlighting renewable energy adoption and carbon reduction efforts across the sector. He also felicitated IOL and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for achieving 100 per cent renewable energy usage, calling their achievement a “landmark in sustainable defence production.”

The Defence Minister also inaugurated the new DPSU Bhawan, envisioned as a collaborative hub for all 16 DPSUs under the motto “Sangachhadhwam Samvadadhwam” (Move together, dialogue together). The state-of-the-art facility aims to boost synergy, innovation and export potential in India’s defence industry.

Odisha sets example in millet revolution, says Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

November 12, 2025November 10, 2025 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday lauded Odisha’s pioneering efforts in promoting millets, calling the state a “model for the nation” in transforming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Shree Anna into grassroots action.

Speaking at the state-level Mandia Dibasa (Millet Day) celebration held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Chouhan said Odisha has turned words into deeds by making millets a people’s movement. “Mandia Dibasa is not merely a celebration — it’s a meaningful campaign. Many have spoken about millets, but Odisha has truly brought this vision to life. I wholeheartedly congratulate the state for this remarkable achievement,” he said.

Describing millets as a “symbol of nutrition, water conservation and environmental sustainability,” the Union Minister said that the grain nourishes both people and the planet. He emphasized the need to include millets in school mid-day meals and suggested that millet-based outlets be opened in all government departments. “Processing is the most crucial link in the millet value chain, and Odisha has shown leadership not just in cultivation but also in procurement at MSP,” he said.

Chouhan also praised Odisha’s women farmers for leading the change in agriculture. “Agriculture cannot progress without women. Odisha’s women farmers are at the forefront, showing the nation how to build resilient livelihoods,” he added.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who presided over the event, said millets represent both Odisha’s heritage and its future. “Farming is the backbone of Odisha’s economy, and our small and women farmers are progressing through the Millet Mission. Millets are healthy, tasty, and central to our vision of a prosperous rural economy,” he said.

The event saw participation from Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, senior scientists including Dr. Soumya Swaminathan and Dr. Yvonne Pinto, and global representatives from the World Food Programme and the International Rice Research Institute.

Bihar gears up for decisive second phase of polls

November 15, 2025November 10, 2025 by India Verve Desk

As Bihar heads into the second and final phase of assembly elections on Tuesday, 122 constituencies across 20 districts will vote in what is being seen as the decisive round for both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

After a record turnout in the first phase, the second round will determine whether the NDA can retain its traditional bastions or if the opposition can ride what it calls a “wave of change.” The key regions going to polls include Tirhut, Seemanchal, Magadh, and Shahabad — each expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome.

The NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), enjoys strong support in Tirhut and northern Bihar, while the Mahagathbandhan — comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties — holds sway in Magadh and Shahabad. Seemanchal, with its 24 constituencies and a complex mix of communities, remains the most unpredictable region, where parties like AIMIM and Jan Suraaj have turned the contest triangular.

In the 2020 polls, the NDA dominated Tirhut and Saran, while the Mahagathbandhan performed strongly in Magadh and Shahabad. This time, the ruling coalition hopes to expand its reach in these areas, buoyed by new allies such as Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM, as well as welfare initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.

A high voter turnout in the first phase has already fuelled speculation of shifting electoral moods. With both alliances evenly poised, the final outcome could hinge on how Seemanchal and Magadh vote today. Counting for all seats will take place on November 14.

J&K Police uncover massive explosives cache at Faridabad doctor’s home

November 10, 2025 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: In a major anti-terror operation, Jammu and Kashmir Police have recovered around 350 kilograms of explosives, an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, and several other weapons from a rented house in Faridabad’s Dhauj village. The residence belonged to a doctor from Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, who has been arrested, officials confirmed.

The operation was carried out jointly by J&K Police and Faridabad Police after the interrogation of another Kashmiri doctor, Adil Ahmad Rather, who had earlier been arrested from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Rather was wanted for allegedly putting up posters supporting the banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar on October 27.

Addressing the media on Monday, Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta said, “Based on information provided by the arrested suspect, our teams traced Dr Mujammil Shakeel, also known as Mujahil or Muzammil Shakeel, to a rented accommodation in Dhauj. During the search, we recovered about 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, three magazines, 20 electronic timers, a walkie-talkie set, and several rounds of ammunition.”

Gupta clarified that the recovered material was ammonium nitrate, not RDX as some reports had claimed. He added that Dr Shakeel, who was employed at Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad, had rented the house three months ago. “Both doctors are being questioned about their links and the purpose of storing such a large quantity of explosives,” he said.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Police had recovered another AK-47 rifle and ammunition from a locker belonging to Dr Rather at the Government Medical College in Anantnag, where he had served as a senior resident until last year.

Investigators are now probing how such a large stockpile of explosives was moved to the National Capital Region and whether the men had links to any terror networks. “The case is under investigation, and more arrests are likely,” Gupta said.

President Murmu meets Angolan counterpart, discusses key bilateral ties

November 10, 2025November 10, 2025 by Deepak Acharya

Luanda: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Luanda, Angola, on Friday, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian president to the southern African nation. The visit forms the first leg of her State tour to Angola and Botswana.

Minister of State accompanies President Murmu for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna and Members of Parliament Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and D. K. Aruna. Upon arrival at Luanda International Airport, she was received by Angola’s Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio, according to a release by PIB India.

On Saturday, Murmu began her official engagements at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, where President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço accorded her a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour. During their one-to-one meeting and subsequent delegation-level talks, the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues aimed at deepening co-operation between India and Angola.

The Indian president highlighted that the partnership between the two countries rests on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision for prosperity. She lauded Angola’s developmental efforts and reaffirmed India’s support for its progress.

Noting the robust energy trade partnership, Murmu emphasized Angola’s key role in India’s energy security. Both leaders agreed to diversify trade and investment into new sectors, including technology, agriculture, health, defence, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges. They also resolved to strengthen engagement under the India–Africa Forum Summit framework.

Two Memorandums of Understanding were exchanged during the talks – one on co-operation in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resources, and another on consular co-operation.

President Murmu welcomed Angola’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

Both presidents later issued statements to the press, followed by a Banquet Lunch hosted in President Murmu’s honour by Lourenço at the Presidential Palace.