February 28, 2026 - IndiaVerve

T20 World Cup: Pakistan edge Sri Lanka but miss semifinals as New Zealand qualify

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Pallekele: Pakistan secured a thrilling five-run win over Sri Lanka in their Super Eight clash here today, but the victory was not enough to keep their T20 World Cup campaign alive as New Zealand advanced to the semifinals.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan rode on a dominant opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman to post 212/8. Farhan produced a superb 100 off 60 balls, striking nine fours and five sixes, while Zaman hammered 84 off 42 deliveries. The pair added 176 runs for the first wicket, laying the foundation for a formidable total. Sri Lanka, however, clawed back in the closing overs as Dilshan Madushanka claimed three wickets, skipper Dasun Shanaka picked up two, and Dushmantha Chameera added one to prevent further acceleration.

In reply, Sri Lanka stumbled early with Pathum Nissanka dismissed for 3. Kamil Mishara’s brisk 26 provided initial momentum before Abrar Ahmed removed him. Pavan Rathnayake steadied the chase with a composed 58 off 37 balls, but Pakistan regained control with timely breakthroughs. Shanaka then produced a sensational unbeaten 76 off just 31 deliveries, clearing the ropes eight times to keep Sri Lanka in contention until the final over.

Needing six runs from the last two balls, Sri Lanka fell just short as Pakistan sealed a narrow win. However, Pakistan had needed to restrict Sri Lanka below 147 to qualify for the semifinals. With Sri Lanka finishing well past that mark, New Zealand confirmed their place in the knockout stage despite Pakistan’s victory.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 212/8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 100, Fakhar Zaman 84, Dilshan Madushanka 3-33) beat Sri Lanka 207/6 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 76*, Pavan Rathnayake 58, Abrar Ahmed 3-23) by 5 runs.

India voices deep concern on Middle East tensions

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region.

In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said: “We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected.”

“Our Missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the Missions, and follow local security guidance,” the ministry added.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ongoing military actions by the US and Israel and Iran’s retaliatory strikes.

In his statement, Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, warning that failing to do so could lead to a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability. He strongly encouraged all parties to return to the negotiating table, theguardian.com reported.

Guterres reiterated that peaceful settlements, in line with international law and the UN Charter, remain the only viable path to resolve disputes, emphasizing that the charter provides the foundation for maintaining international peace and security.

Explosions rocked the Iranian capital, Tehran, with satellite imagery showing extensive damage at the secure compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though his location remains unclear.

Israel stated that its strikes targeted Iranian regime leaders and military commanders, including Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian state media reported that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been moved to a secure location, while Pezeshkian was safe.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who leads the nuclear talks for Tehran, warned that Iran’s Army would teach aggressors the lesson they deserved.

Further explosions were reported in Gulf nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, all hosting US military bases. UAE officials confirmed that one person in Abu Dhabi was killed by shrapnel from an Iranian missile.

US President Donald Trump described the campaign as massive and ongoing, calling on the Iranian people to take over their government. He said the US would destroy Iran’s missile industry and claimed that Tehran had refused a deal that could have averted war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the American-Israeli attack could create conditions for the Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.

World leaders have urged all sides to de-escalate. The UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks on neighbouring countries, but they stopped short of fully endorsing the US-Israeli strikes.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that British planes are operating in the Middle East as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect British people, interests, and allies.

Kakinada fireworks blast kills 21 workers

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: At least 21 workers died in a fireworks factory blast in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday afternoon. The blast took place at Surya Sri Fireworks in Vetlapalem village. Most of the victims are reported to be women working inside the unit at the time, according to media reports.

Eight others were seriously injured and have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reacted with shock to the incident. He was visiting Vizianagaram when he received the news and immediately instructed officials to ensure prompt rescue and relief operations. He also directed Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha to rush to the site and monitor the situation closely.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the explosion. In a post on X, he extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

Modi also announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased individual. Those injured in the blast will receive Rs 50,000 each.

BJD picks Santrupt Misra, Dr Datteswar Hota for RS polls

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday decided to field senior leader Dr. Santrupt Misra and noted physician Dr. Datteswar Hota as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha (RS) election in Odisha. The announcement comes despite the party having the numbers to send only one member to the Upper House.

While talking to reporters, BJD President Naveen Patnaik announced the names of Misra and Hota. In a post on X, Patnaik made a pointed appeal to all political parties to support Dr. Hota as a “common candidate.”

Misra, a former corporate businessman, has been nominated for the third seat. Renowned urologist Dr. Hota has been named for the fourth seat.

Four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha will soon become vacant. The terms of BJP MPs Sujeet Kumar and Mamata Mohanta will end. The tenure of BJD MPs Niranjan Bishi and Muzibulla Khan, also known as Munna Khan, will also conclude.

The numbers in the Assembly present a clear picture. The BJP, with 79 MLAs and support from three Independent legislators, can secure two seats comfortably. It will still have a surplus of 20 votes. The BJD, with 50 votes, can win one seat and will have 20 votes left.

The contest for the fourth seat is expected to be crucial, as the outcome will depend on cross-party support and voting strategy.

Odisha launches HPV vaccination drive

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The government on Saturday launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at the State level in Bhubaneswar and reinforced its commitment to adolescent girls’ health and cancer prevention.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan, earlier in the day, giving the initiative a national push.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the state-level programme at Krushi Bhawan and directed officials to ensure full coverage of eligible beneficiaries across the State. Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronics & IT, also joined the event.

The campaign will vaccinate girls aged 14 to 15 years against HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer.

The State government will implement the vaccination drive across districts and ensure that all eligible adolescent girls receive protection under the programme, the CM said in a post on X. Health authorities will coordinate with schools and local health centres to streamline the rollout.

Odisha aligned its State programme with the national rollout to strengthen preventive healthcare and reduce cervical cancer cases in the future, Mahaling said in a post on X.

During the event, the CM also flagged off the remaining 28 ambulances out of the sanctioned 428 new emergency vehicles for the State. The government had already deployed 400 ambulances in two phases. With the latest launch, Odisha has now operationalised all 428 ambulances to enhance emergency medical response.

The expanded ambulance fleet will improve response time and deliver timely medical assistance in both urban and rural areas. The government aims to strengthen health infrastructure and ensure accessible emergency services for citizens.

Ekamra MLA Babu Singh and senior departmental officials attended the programme.

Israel, US launch strikes on Iran

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Saturday morning.

The strikes come after US President Donald Trump spent weeks threatening action against Iran over its nuclear programme. The move also follows a domestic crackdown in Iran that has reportedly killed thousands of protesters.

A US official said the strikes are currently focused on military targets. The official declined to share further details, citing an ongoing operation, CNN.com reported.

Another US official stated that the objective is to address the Iranian military threat and safeguard US forces. According to the official, precautionary measures had already been put in place to protect American military personnel stationed in the region.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on X that sirens were sounded across Israel. An advanced instruction alert was also sent directly to mobile devices, urging residents to remain close to protected spaces.

The IDF described the alert as a proactive step to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. It emphasized that people should stay near designated shelters.

Following a situational assessment, authorities announced that immediate changes would take effect from 08:00 on Saturday under the Home Front Command Guidelines. All areas of the country have been shifted from “Full Activity” to “Essential Activity.”

Separately, the Embassy of India in Israel also issued an advisory in view of the prevailing security situation.

“All Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times,” it said in a post on X.

Indian nationals have been strongly advised to follow safety guidelines and instructions issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. Updated instructions can be accessed at https://oref.org.il/eng.

The embassy further urged Indian citizens to stay close to designated shelters and identify the nearest protected spaces near their residence or workplace. They have also been advised to avoid all non-essential travel within Israel until further notice.

OpenAI signs deal with DoW for classified AI deployment

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: OpenAI on Friday reached an agreement with the US Department of War (DoW) to deploy its AI models within the department’s classified network.

According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, discussions with the DoW reflected a strong emphasis on safety and responsible collaboration. Altman said in a post on X that the department showed deep respect for safety standards and a shared intent to achieve the best possible outcome.

OpenAI’s statement came after US President Donald Trump blacklisted AI rival Anthropic. Trump ordered the government to stop using Anthropic, calling it a threat to national security after the company refused to agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models.

AI safety and the broad distribution of benefits remain central to OpenAI’s mission. The company highlighted two key safety principles: a prohibition on domestic mass surveillance and clear human responsibility in the use of force, including in autonomous weapon systems. OpenAI stated that the DoW agrees with these principles and reflects them in its laws and policies. These commitments have been formally incorporated into the agreement.

As part of the partnership, OpenAI will implement technical safeguards to ensure its AI models function within defined boundaries, Altman further said. The company said these safeguards were also requested by the DoW. Field Deployment Engineers will be assigned to support implementation and oversight. Deployment will take place exclusively on cloud networks.

OpenAI has also requested that the DoW extend similar terms to other AI companies. The company expressed the view that such standards should be acceptable across the industry. It further stated its desire to move away from legal and governmental disputes and toward practical agreements.

Reaffirming its broader mission, OpenAI said it remains committed to serving humanity responsibly, acknowledging that the global environment is complex and at times challenging.

DRI seizes 1,251 kg ganja linked to Odisha corridor

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur Regional Unit of the Mumbai Zone, on Friday dismantled an inter-state drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Odisha-Central India corridor. In two connected intelligence-based operations, officials seized 1,251 kg of cannabis (ganja) valued at approximately Rs 6.25 crore. Four people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested.

In the first operation, DRI officials stopped a Bolero pick-up moving from the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border towards the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan side along National Highway-53. During the search, officials recovered 53 gunny bags containing 142 packages of ganja weighing 729 kg. The contraband was concealed within the cover cargo of raw ginger packed inside the gunny bags, according to an official statement.

The seized ganja is valued at Rs 3.64 crore. The vehicle and cover cargo were also confiscated under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case. One of them is reportedly the mastermind who had been absconding for a long time in an earlier case.

Earlier, in another operation linked to the Odisha route, DRI officers intercepted a truck at Bhagimahari Toll Plaza on National Highway-47 after it travelled from the Odisha border. The search led to the recovery of 100 packages of ganja weighing 522 kg. The contraband was hidden beneath cover cargo consisting of coolers, table fans, and blankets.

The seized ganja in this case was valued at Rs 2.61 crore. The vehicle and cover cargo were confiscated, and two individuals were arrested.

The back-to-back operations highlight DRI’s continued action against organised narcotics trafficking networks operating through the Odisha corridor. The agency said the seizures reaffirm its commitment to combating drug trafficking and supporting the Government of India’s vision of a “Nasha Mukt Bharat.”

DRDO successfully conducts three flight-trials of VSHORADS missile

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out three successive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

The trials were conducted to revalidate the missile system’s capability to neutralise high-speed aerial threats flying at varying speeds, ranges, and altitudes.

During all three tests, the missiles intercepted and destroyed high-speed aerial targets that mimicked enemy aircraft under different threat scenarios. The system met all extreme engagement parameters. The trials were conducted in the final deployment configuration.

Flight data was recorded using telemetry systems, electro-optical tracking systems, and radars deployed at ITR Chandipur. The data validated the effectiveness of VSHORADS against a wide spectrum of aerial threats, according to an official statement.

The user validation trials were conducted in the presence of representatives from the Joint Forces, along with senior DRDO officials and development-cum-production partners.

VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners. The missile system is capable of meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners for the successful trials. He described the three consecutive tests as a major achievement and said the system is ready for induction into the armed forces.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved in the design and development of the system, along with the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Government aims to strenghten legal aid for vulnerable

February 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Minister of Law, Works & Excise Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government aims to provide legal aid to the vulnerable and helpless through a robust justice system.

He made the statement while inaugurating a dedicated induction-cum-refresher training program exclusively for non-cadre public prosecutors in the Conference Hall of the Law Department.

The minister said the training aims to equip public prosecutors with knowledge of the legal system and guide them in effectively advancing judicial processes.

In a post on X, Harichandan added that participants would gain practical knowledge through training and would undergo regular refresher sessions and monthly performance reviews to monitor and improve their work.

Organized jointly by the Law Department and the Directorate of Public Prosecution, the first phase of the program has commenced in Cuttack, Ganjam, Sambalpur, Balasore, Puri, Koraput, and Anugul districts.

The event was attended by Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, Secretary of the Law Department; Dipti Ranjan Kanungo, Director of Public Prosecution; senior officers of the Law Department; and, virtually, district collectors, superintendents of police, and non-cadre public prosecutors from the respective districts.