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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: December 15, 2025

Govt hikes stipend for ayurvedic, homeopathy PG students

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Bhubaneswar: The government has significantly increased the stipend for Postgraduate (PG) students studying in various government Ayurvedic and Homeopathic colleges across the State. As a result, 120 students pursuing PG courses in both disciplines will benefit from this decision. The revised stipend will take effect on January 1, 2026.

The stipend for first-year PG students has been increased by 55%. Earlier, their monthly stipend was Rs31,000, which has now been raised to Rs48,000. For second-year PG students, the stipend has been increased by 62%, from Rs32,000 to Rs52,000 per month. Similarly, the stipend for third-year PG students has seen a 67% hike, rising from Rs33,000 to Rs55,000 per month.

In addition, the stipend for house surgeons in government Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical colleges has been increased from Rs17,000 to Rs30,000 per month. This revised stipend will be effective from August 1 of the current year.

Dense fog disrupts flight operations across Delhi-NCR

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New Delhi: Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport and several other airports in north India were disrupted on Monday as dense fog sharply reduced visibility, leading to widespread delays and cancellations. Airport authorities said at least 40 flights were cancelled, while a few others were diverted due to adverse weather conditions.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory urging passengers to confirm the status of their flights with airlines before travelling to the airport, warning that poor visibility could result in prolonged waiting times. Officials said air traffic control teams were working in close coordination with airlines and ground staff to manage operations safely and minimise inconvenience to travellers.

Airlines also issued advisories warning of possible disruptions. IndiGo, the country’s largest carrier, said low visibility caused by fog over Delhi was impacting flight schedules and that teams were closely monitoring weather conditions. The airline cautioned that some flights could be cancelled in the interest of safety and advised travellers to check flight status updates before leaving for the airport.

Air India also alerted passengers about operational challenges caused by dense fog in the capital and parts of northern India. The national carrier urged travellers to stay informed by checking flight details on its official website before commencing their journey.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation also appealed to passengers to remain alert and plan accordingly, advising them to allow additional time for travel. In a public message, the ministry said dense fog conditions were affecting visibility at Delhi and other northern airports, and stressed that safety considerations remained the top priority during flight operations.

Authorities said flight movements would continue to depend on weather conditions, and further disruptions could not be ruled out if visibility levels failed to improve. Passengers have been advised to regularly check official airport platforms and airline updates for the latest information.

Bondi Beach terror attack kills 15, Australia moves towards tougher gun laws

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Sydney: Australia is grappling with shock and grief after a deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah gathering near Bondi Beach left 15 people dead and dozens injured, prompting the federal and New South Wales governments to signal urgent reforms to gun control laws.

Police have confirmed that the attackers were a father and son duo — 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed. The elder Akram was shot dead by police at the scene late Sunday night, while his son remains in critical condition in hospital. Investigators have classified the incident as a terrorist act, saying the attackers had expressed allegiance to the Islamic State group.

The shooting unfolded during a public event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, turning a coastal celebration into a scene of chaos and horror. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and included a young child, a Holocaust survivor, a retired police officer and a British-born rabbi. At least 40 others were injured, several with gunshot wounds.

Authorities revealed that the older attacker legally possessed firearms under a recreational hunting licence and was also a member of a gun club, raising serious questions about existing licensing frameworks. Two improvised explosive devices were also recovered and safely disarmed near the site, adding to concerns over the scale of the planned violence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack exposed gaps in firearm regulations and vowed to push for stricter national laws. “This level of violence has no place in Australia,” Albanese said, adding that community safety must override lax interpretations of gun ownership.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed those sentiments, indicating that changes to state firearms legislation were imminent. While stopping short of detailing specific measures, Minns said the current system was “clearly not fit for purpose” and confirmed that reforms would focus on tightening access to high-powered weapons. Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon clarified that the older gunman technically met existing eligibility criteria, highlighting systemic shortcomings rather than procedural failures.

Amid the tragedy, acts of extraordinary bravery emerged. A bystander, identified as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, was captured on video charging at one of the armed attackers and forcing him to drop his weapon. Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the shoulder but is expected to recover. Minns described him as a “genuine hero,” saying his intervention likely saved many lives.

In the aftermath, the Bondi Beach community has rallied in solidarity. Blood donation centres across New South Wales reported record turnout, while vigils and prayer gatherings were held near the attack site. Jewish community leaders expressed grief and anger, calling for stronger protection against hate-driven violence.

Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional accomplices were involved in the attack.

India create history with maiden squash world cup title in Chennai

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Chennai: India etched a new chapter in their squash history on Sunday as the mixed team clinched the Squash World Cup 2025 title with a commanding victory over top seeds Hong Kong China at Chennai’s Express Avenue Mall.

The triumph marked India’s first-ever World Cup crown in squash, bettering the bronze-medal finish achieved at the 2023 edition. Seeded second in the tournament, the Indian side delivered a flawless campaign, remaining unbeaten across all ties.

India announced its intent early in the competition, registering dominant 4-0 wins against Switzerland and Brazil in the group stage. The momentum continued in the knockout rounds, where South Africa were swept aside in the quarter-finals before India outclassed two-time champions Egypt 3-0 in the semi-finals to book a place in the final.

India’s march to the Squash World Cup title culminated in three decisive wins in the final. The opening point was secured by Joshna Chinappa, who overcame Lee Ka Yi in the women’s singles despite the ranking gap. Chinappa closed the contest 3-1, taking the games 7-3, 2-7, 7-5, 7-1 to put India ahead.

The lead was doubled by Abhay Singh, India’s top-ranked men’s singles player, who produced a commanding display against Alex Lau. Singh wrapped up a 3-0 victory in just 19 minutes, winning the games 7-1, 7-4, 7-4 to leave India on the brink of the title.

The championship was sealed in the third rubber by 17-year-old Anahat Singh. Facing Tomato Ho, the Indian maintained control throughout and completed a straight-games win, 3-0 (7-2, 7-2, 7-5), ensuring the final men’s singles match between Velavan Senthilkumar and Henry Leung was no longer required.

Congratulating the team, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X: “This win will also boost the popularity of squash among our youth.”

The victory placed India in an elite group, making it only the fourth nation – after Australia, England, and Egypt – to lift the Squash World Cup trophy since the tournament’s inception. The 2025 edition also marked the third consecutive time Chennai hosted the prestigious event.

India’s breakthrough comes at a significant moment for the sport, with squash set to feature at the Olympic Games for the first time at Los Angeles 2028, adding further weight to the country’s landmark achievement.

GOAT India Tour: Sachin, Chhetri meets Messi in Mumbai

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Mumbai: An unforgettable sporting moment unfolded in Mumbai on Sunday as global football icon Lionel Messi met Indian sporting greats Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri during a special event at the Wankhede Stadium. The gathering brought together legends from cricket and football, drawing massive fan attention and creating scenes rarely witnessed at the iconic venue.

Messi, in India as part of a celebratory tour, received a rousing welcome from fans who packed the stadium and its surroundings. Chants, banners, and applause accompanied his arrival, reflecting the enormous admiration he enjoys across the country.

One of the evening’s most talked-about moments was Messi’s interaction with Sachin Tendulkar. The meeting featured a brief interaction between the two legends, with photographs and a jersey exchange marking a rare crossover between cricket and football at the iconic venue. The meeting resonated deeply with fans, given Wankhede’s legacy as a stage for historic cricketing achievements.

Indian football Captain Sunil Chhetri also shared the spotlight, greeting Messi with a heartfelt embrace. Messi presented Chhetri with an Argentina jersey, a gesture that underlined the bond between the two players and highlighted the growing stature of Indian football on the global stage.

The event also featured interactions with other international footballers accompanying Messi and highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting grassroots football development in India. Beyond the ceremonies and celebrations, the evening stood out as a rare convergence of sporting greatness.

For fans in Mumbai and across the country, the sight of Messi, Tendulkar, and Chhetri together at one venue turned the night into a landmark moment – a celebration of sport that transcended disciplines and generations.

Badminton: George, Hooda clinch singles titles in Cuttack

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Cuttack: India’s Kiran George and Unnati Hooda won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the Odisha Masters 2025 badminton tournament, which concluded at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack, on Sunday.

Second seed George clinched the men’s singles title with a hard-fought 21-14, 13-21, 21-16 win over Indonesia’s Muhamad Yusuf, sealing his second Odisha Masters crown after his earlier triumph in 2022.

In the women’s singles final, top-ranked Hooda delivered a calm and assured display to overcome fellow Indian Isharani Baruah 21-17, 21-10, wrapping up the contest in a little over 30 minutes.

The victory marked Hooda’s third BWF Super 100 title and brought an end to a two-year wait for silverware on the BWF circuit. Earlier this season, she had also made headlines by defeating two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu at the China Open.

Hooda’s first BWF title came at the Odisha Masters in 2022, followed by success at the Abu Dhabi Masters the next year.

Indonesia celebrated another title in the mixed doubles event, where Marwan Faza and Aisyah Pranata outclassed their compatriots Dejan Ferdinansyah and Bernadine Wardana with a straight-games win of 21-15, 21-10.

In women’s doubles, Bulgaria’s top-seeded pair Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva proved too strong for Malaysia’s Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting, securing the championship with a 21-19, 21-14 victory.

The men’s doubles trophy was lifted by Indonesia’s Ali Faathir Rayhan and Devin Artha Wahyudi, who bounced back after losing the opening game to defeat Malaysia’s Khang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai 15-21, 21-12, 21-16.