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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: February 15, 2026

Kishan’s blitz powers India crush Pakistan to enter super eights

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Colombo: India booked their place in the Super Eights with a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan in a high-stakes T20 World Cup clash at the R Premadasa Stadium here today.

On a sluggish, spin-assisting surface, Ishan Kishan produced an innings of rare quality, smashing 77 off 40 balls to anchor India’s total of 175/7. While the pitch made strokeplay difficult for most batters, Kishan’s calculated aggression and sharp running between the wickets proved decisive.

India were jolted early when Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, undone by Salman Agha’s opening over. But Kishan counterpunched immediately, blending clean hitting with clever placement. His knock stood out starkly on a wicket where the rest of India’s batting unit, including extras, managed only 98 runs from 80 deliveries.

Suryakumar Yadav added a brisk 32, but regular wickets kept Pakistan’s spinners interested. Saad Ayub was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps, as Pakistan leaned heavily on spin, sending down the majority of their overs through slower bowlers.

Defending what appeared a competitive total, India’s pacers delivered a dream start. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah ripped through Pakistan’s top order, claiming three wickets inside the first two overs to swing the contest firmly India’s way.

Usman Khan attempted a rescue act with a fighting 44, but the chase never truly recovered from the early collapse. India’s bowling unit maintained relentless pressure, with Bumrah, Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel sharing wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 114.

The emphatic result extended India’s dominance in T20 World Cup meetings between the two rivals and provided a significant boost to their campaign momentum.

Speaking after the match, Suryakumar Yadav praised Kishan’s approach under testing conditions. He noted that batting first felt like the right call on a surface where run-making grew tougher, adding that the team believed they had posted slightly above-par.

Pakistan’s Salman Agha admitted execution lapses hurt his side, pointing to both missed opportunities with the ball and a damaging loss of wickets during the powerplay.

Player of the Match Ishan Kishan credited belief and simplicity for his match-winning effort. Acknowledging the challenging nature of the wicket, he said his focus remained on playing to his strengths, targeting gaps and rotating strike rather than forcing risky shots. Kishan also highlighted the impact of India’s new-ball burst, describing the early breakthroughs by Pandya and Bumrah as the turning point.

With qualification secured, India now shift focus to their remaining group fixtures, carrying both confidence and rhythm into the next phase of the tournament.

Brief scores: India 175/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32; Saim Ayub 3/25) beat Pakistan 114 in 18 overs (Usman Khan 44; Hardik Pandya 2/16, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/17) by 61 runs

T20 World Cup: West Indies storm into super eights; USA keep hopes alive

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Mumbai: West Indies confirmed their place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Nepal, while the United States kept their qualification hopes alive after a 31-run win against Namibia.

In Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, West Indies produced a clinical all-round performance to register their third win of the tournament. Asked to bowl first on a damp surface, their bowlers dominated the powerplay, reducing Nepal to a precarious 22/3 — the lowest powerplay total recorded by any team in this edition.

Akeal Hosein set the tone by dismissing Kushal Bhurtel in the opening over, while Matthew Forde’s disciplined spell piled pressure on Nepal’s top order. Jason Holder then struck immediately, finishing with impressive figures of 4/27 to derail Nepal’s innings.

Despite the early collapse, Dipendra Singh Airee fought back with a gritty 58, combining with Sompal Kami to add valuable runs at the death. Their late flourish helped Nepal reach 133/8, offering a modest challenge to the West Indies batting line-up.

Chasing 134, West Indies recovered steadily after losing Brandon King inside the powerplay. Skipper Shai Hope anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61, rediscovering form after a quiet start to the tournament. Shimron Hetmyer provided aggressive support, peppering the boundary as the pair ensured there were no further hiccups.

Hope accelerated as the target neared, bringing up his half-century before sealing the chase comfortably in the 16th over. The victory not only secured West Indies’ Super Eights berth but also ended Nepal’s hopes of advancing.

Brief Scores: Nepal 133/8 in 20 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 58, Sompal Kami 26*; Jason Holder 4-27, Matthew Forde 1-10) lost to West Indies 134/1 in 15.2 overs (Shai Hope 61*, Shimron Hetmyer 46*) by 9 wickets.

In MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, USA delivered a composed performance under lights to defeat Namibia by 31 runs. Batting first, the Americans were powered by captain Monank Patel’s brisk 52 and a dazzling unbeaten 68 from Sanjay Krishnamurthi.

Monank survived an early dropped chance and made Namibia pay with a flurry of boundaries, setting the tempo in the powerplay. Although Namibia’s spinners briefly stemmed the scoring, Krishnamurthi’s counterattack in the latter stages turned the momentum decisively.

Krishnamurthi’s maiden T20I fifty came in spectacular fashion, highlighted by clean striking and fearless strokeplay as USA plundered 83 runs from the final six overs to post a formidable 199/4.

Namibia’s chase began brightly with Louren Steenkamp’s fluent 58 leading an aggressive start. However, regular wickets and rising pressure stalled their progress. USA’s bowlers tightened their grip in the back half of the innings, with Shadley van Schalkwyk contributing crucial breakthroughs.

As the asking rate climbed, Namibia struggled to maintain momentum and eventually finished at 168/6, falling short by 31 runs.

The result kept USA’s Super Eights aspirations alive, with net run rate potentially playing a decisive role in the final Group A standings.

Brief Scores: United States of America 199/4 in 20 overs (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 68*, Monank Patel 52; Willem Myburgh 2-22, Gerhard Erasmus 2-27) beat Namibia 168/6 in 20 overs (Louren Steenkamp 58; Shadley van Schalkwyk 2-30, Shubham Ranjane 1-6) by 31 runs

Rocky outer planet discovery challenges formation theory

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A newly studied planetary system located light-years away is prompting astronomers to reassess one of the most widely accepted ideas about how planets form. Scientists have identified an unexpected rocky planet in the outermost orbit of the red dwarf star LHS 1903 — a finding that defies conventional models of planetary architecture.

For decades, astronomers have observed a broadly consistent pattern across planetary systems in the Milky Way. Small, rocky planets typically orbit close to their host star, while larger gas-rich planets are found farther out. Our Solar System exemplifies this structure: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are rocky worlds, whereas Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are dominated by thick gaseous envelopes.

This arrangement is supported by the leading theory of planet formation. Young stars emit intense radiation capable of stripping gases from nearby developing planets, leaving behind dense rocky cores. At greater distances, cooler conditions allow planets to retain lighter gases, leading to the emergence of gas giants.

However, new observations of the LHS 1903 system suggest that nature may not always follow this rulebook.

The discovery, published in the journal Science, was led by an international team of astronomers including Professor Ryan Cloutier of McMaster University and Professor Thomas Wilson of the University of Warwick. By combining data from both ground-based observatories and space telescopes, the researchers initially detected three planets orbiting the faint red dwarf star.

The inner configuration appeared textbook. The closest planet was identified as rocky, followed by two gas-rich worlds resembling smaller versions of Neptune — precisely the structure predicted by existing theories.

But extended monitoring over several years revealed a striking anomaly.

Fresh measurements from the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS (Characterising Exoplanet Satellite) mission uncovered a fourth planet, designated LHS 1903 e, orbiting farthest from the star. Contrary to expectations, this outermost planet appears to be rocky rather than gaseous, ScienceDaily reported.

“We’ve seen the pattern of rocky planets inside and gas-rich planets outside across hundreds of systems,” Cloutier explained. “Finding a rocky world in the outer region forces us to rethink the timing and environmental conditions that govern planet formation.”

To understand the unexpected result, the research team tested alternative explanations. They investigated whether a giant collision might have stripped away the planet’s atmosphere or whether orbital migration had rearranged the system over time. Detailed simulations and orbital analyses ruled out both scenarios.

Instead, the scientists propose that the planets around LHS 1903 may have formed sequentially rather than simultaneously.

Traditional models suggest planets originate within a protoplanetary disc — a rotating cloud of gas and dust surrounding a young star. In this framework, multiple planetary embryos form around the same time and gradually evolve into fully developed planets.

The LHS 1903 system, however, may represent a different evolutionary pathway known as “inside-out planet formation.” Under this scenario, planets emerge one after another as conditions within the disc change. The availability of gas at the time of formation determines whether a planet becomes gas-rich or remains rocky.

Researchers believe LHS 1903 may have assembled after much of the surrounding gas had already dissipated, preventing it from developing a thick atmosphere.

“It’s remarkable to observe a rocky planet forming in an environment that shouldn’t favour that outcome,” Cloutier said, noting that the discovery raises broader questions about planetary diversity.

Astronomers now aim to determine whether LHS 1903 is an unusual outlier or an early hint of a more complex formation process occurring elsewhere in the galaxy.

As detection technologies continue to improve, scientists expect more such surprises.

“Each newly characterised system expands our understanding of how worlds take shape,” Cloutier added. “And sometimes, those worlds challenge the very theories we rely on.”

Toddler allegedly sold for ₹1 lakh in Odisha’s Balasore; father among two detained

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Balasore: In a disturbing case from Balasore district of Odisha, police on Saturday rescued a two-and-a-half-year-old boy who was allegedly sold by his father for ₹1 lakh. Two persons, including the child’s father, have been detained for questioning.

The incident took place in Barisahi village under the jurisdiction of the Nilgiri Notified Area Council. The matter surfaced after a video, purportedly showing the father negotiating with a prospective buyer, went viral on social media. A local activist subsequently lodged a complaint at the Nilgiri police station, prompting immediate action.

Acting on the complaint, police traced the child to the Chiminibhati area and safely rescued him. Nilgiri Sub-Divisional Police Officer Pramod Kumar Mallick said the toddler has been produced before the Child Welfare Committee and placed under its care for protection. He added that a detailed investigation is underway to examine all aspects of the case.

The father has been identified as Rakesh Kumar Behera, also known as Kua, a mason by profession. According to police sources, he allegedly received ₹50,000 as an advance payment. During preliminary interrogation, Behera reportedly cited acute financial hardship as the reason for his actions, claiming he was struggling to provide for his four children.

Investigators said Behera alleged that an acquaintance facilitated contact with the buyer. Police also stated that he had married twice and that the rescued child was born to his second wife, who is currently living separately.

Authorities are probing whether the case has links to a wider child trafficking network. Legal proceedings are expected against all those found involved as the investigation progresses.

Missing Indian student found dead in California

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Bengaluru: Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian student who had been missing in the United States since February 9, has been found dead, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco confirmed on Sunday.

According to local authorities, Sreenivasaiah’s body was recovered from Lake Anza near the Berkeley Hills in California. He was a postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, and hailed from Tumakuru in Karnataka. Reports said he was last seen near Tilden Regional Park.

In a statement posted on X, the Consulate expressed deep sorrow over the development. “The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time,” it said.

The mission added that it is in direct contact with the family and will provide all necessary assistance, including coordination with local authorities and repatriation of the mortal remains to India.

The confirmation came a day after the Consulate had voiced concern over Sreenivasaiah’s disappearance. His parents had written to Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh seeking the state government’s support. The Karnataka government subsequently requested the Ministry of External Affairs to extend assistance to the family.

India, Europe and Germany aim to strengthen trust, says Jaishankar

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that India, Europe, and Germany should work together to build their trust levels to the highest level.

He was speaking in an interactive session alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Munich Security Conference.

“Relationships don’t happen just through visits and agreements, headline news, or even discussions here. They require a lot of comfort-building. At different levels within the system, people need to know each other, call each other, discuss with each other, and throw ideas at each other. We need India and Europe, and India and Germany, to work to build that level of comfort, which I think is eminently feasible. That is really what I see as the task before us,” Jaishankar said in a series of posts on X.

He also said that India remains firmly committed to its policy of “strategic autonomy”, with decisions on energy procurement guided by considerations such as cost, risk, and supply stability. Jaishankar described the global energy market as “complex”, noting that Indian oil companies will make decisions based on what they believe serves their best interests.

The minister also participated in a roundtable titled “Delhi Decides: Mapping India’s Policy Calculus”, where he spoke about the significance of the India-EU FTA and the India-US trade deal. He also met with G7 foreign ministers and conveyed New Delhi’s support for the UN@80 agenda, particularly meaningful reform of the UN Security Council.

“Emphasised our role in safeguarding sea lines of communication, serving as a first responder, strengthening port security, and contributing to resilient submarine cable infrastructure. Our conversation brought out the many convergences and shared interests between India and the G7,” he said.

Trump to deploy second US aircraft carrier to Middle East

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US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East “very soon,” underscoring Washington’s continued military and diplomatic pressure on Iran.

Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump confirmed that the USS Gerald R Ford would be moved from the Caribbean to the Middle East as regional tensions persist following indirect US-Iran negotiations held in Oman last week.

“If we need it, we’ll have it ready, a very big force,” Trump said, expressing optimism that negotiations with Tehran would be “successful.” At the same time, he cautioned that it would be a “bad day for Iran” if a deal was not reached, Al Jazeera reported.

“For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking. In the meantime, we’ve lost a lot of lives,” he said, in an apparent reference to Tehran’s crackdown on recent antigovernment protests that left thousands dead.

He also suggested that political change in Iran could be beneficial, stating that a change of government would be “the best thing that could happen.” His remarks appeared to reference longstanding US criticism of Tehran’s domestic policies and its handling of anti-government protests.

The Gerald R Ford’s deployment forms part of a broader US military buildup in the region. In recent weeks, the US has positioned the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group along with guided-missile destroyers, fighter aircraft and surveillance assets to reinforce its presence.

Trump’s comments came shortly after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Netanyahu indicated expectations of a “good deal” with Iran but reiterated Israel’s position that any agreement must also address Iran’s ballistic missile programme — a condition Tehran has publicly rejected.

The developments follow heightened tensions after Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran in June, during which the US briefly joined military operations by targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities in strikes codenamed “Midnight Hammer.” Trump had then stated that the sites were “totally obliterated.”

The Oman talks marked the first indirect diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since that conflict, which had stalled earlier efforts to revive or replace the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The nuclear agreement, abandoned by Trump during his first term in 2018, had placed limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Following the US withdrawal, Iran resumed uranium enrichment beyond the deal’s prescribed limits, while continuing to deny Western allegations that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons.

Since beginning his second term in January, Trump initially indicated interest in negotiating a new nuclear framework with Iran but later adopted a “zero-enrichment” stance, a proposal Iranian officials have consistently dismissed.

Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has acknowledged difficulties in securing full inspection access in Iran. Addressing the Munich Security Conference, Grossi said inspectors had returned to Iran after the June hostilities but had not been permitted to visit sites targeted during the conflict.

He described the ongoing dialogue with Tehran as “imperfect and complicated and extremely difficult,” while noting that communication channels remain open.

The USS Gerald R Ford, one of the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carriers, is powered by a nuclear reactor and can carry more than 75 aircraft, significantly enhancing US operational capability in the region.

According to Al Jazeera, Gulf Arab nations have voiced concern that further military escalation could risk triggering a wider regional conflict, particularly as West Asia continues to grapple with the fallout of the Gaza war.

The US administration has maintained that its actions are aimed at safeguarding regional stability and preventing nuclear proliferation.

Couples who pause together, stay stronger, happier: study

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Washington: In the rush of daily routines, deadlines and digital distractions, a quiet relationship habit may be doing more to sustain love than grand gestures. A new study suggests that couples who intentionally pause to appreciate their shared happy moments tend to build stronger, more resilient relationships.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have found that partners who practice what psychologists call “joint savoring” — consciously slowing down to relive, enjoy or anticipate positive experiences together — report higher relationship satisfaction, reduced conflict and greater confidence that their bond will last.

“Savoring involves slowing down to become aware of and focus on positive experiences,” said Noah Larsen, the study’s first author and a graduate researcher in human development and family studies. He explained that savoring can take multiple forms: reminiscing about meaningful memories, being fully present during enjoyable moments, or looking forward to future experiences as a couple.

While earlier research has shown that savoring benefits individuals by enhancing well-being and emotional regulation, this study set out to understand what happens when couples engage in savoring together as a shared relational practice.

The research drew on responses from 589 adults across the United States who completed an online survey designed to measure how frequently they and their partners intentionally appreciated positive aspects of their relationship. The assessment used a scale titled Joint Savoring in Romantic Relationships, adapted from the widely recognised Savoring Beliefs Inventory, ScienceDaily reported.

Participants also answered questions evaluating their overall relationship satisfaction, levels of conflict in communication, and their confidence in the long-term stability of their partnership. In addition, the survey explored perceived stress, psychological distress, quality of life and general health indicators.

The participant group largely consisted of long-term partners: over 85% were married, around 10% engaged, and 4% in committed dating relationships. The average age was approximately 39 years. Slightly more than half of the respondents were women, and the majority identified as white. Household incomes most commonly ranged between $85,000 and $95,000.

Across the sample, respondents generally reported high levels of both individual savoring and joint savoring, along with relatively low stress levels.

However, the most compelling findings emerged when researchers examined how joint savoring interacted with relationship stress.

“We found that joint savoring has the most benefits for romantic relationships, as well as secondary benefits for individuals’ health and well-being,” Larsen noted. Individuals who reported engaging more frequently in joint savoring described experiencing less conflict with their partners, greater satisfaction, and stronger belief in their future together.

Importantly, the protective effect of savoring was even more pronounced among couples facing higher stress. Under pressure, those who intentionally focused on shared positive experiences appeared better able to preserve both relationship confidence and mental health.

“When couples face greater stress, savoring can serve as a buffer,” Larsen said.

Allen W. Barton, co-author of the study, emphasised the practical implications of the findings. “Identifying factors that provide this type of buffering effect is important for marriage and romantic relationships, as they offer tangible actions couples can take to keep their relationship strong, even in times of heightened stress,” he said.

The researchers suggest that joint savoring need not be elaborate or time-consuming. Even small, consistent rituals may deliver meaningful benefits.

“We all are busy and have so many things going on in our day-to-day lives,” Larsen observed. “Finding time — even just once a week — to slow down, be present with your partner and talk about positive experiences can really benefit you as a couple.”

That could mean revisiting a cherished memory, enjoying an uninterrupted meal, or simply sharing excitement about something ahead. During stressful periods, such moments of intentional reflection and connection may be especially valuable.

In a world that constantly accelerates, the study offers a gentle reminder: sometimes, the act of slowing down together may be what helps relationships go the distance.