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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: March 8, 2026

India clinch record third T20 World Cup title with emphatic win

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Ahmedabad: India crowned their dominant campaign with a historic triumph, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to become the first team to win the tournament three times and successfully defend the title.

Asked to bat first, India unleashed a powerful batting display to post 255 for 5 — the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. The foundation was laid by an explosive opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who added 98 runs in just over seven overs to put New Zealand on the back foot early.

Abhishek set the tone with a blistering 52 off just 21 balls, reaching the fastest half-century of the tournament in 18 deliveries. Samson continued his outstanding form with a commanding 89 from 46 balls, registering his second consecutive score of 89 after a similar effort in the semi-final. Ishan Kishan maintained the momentum in the middle overs with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls as India crossed the 200-run mark with ease.

New Zealand briefly pulled things back when James Neesham struck three times in the 16th over to remove Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. However, Shivam Dube provided the late flourish with an aggressive cameo of 26 off just eight balls, ensuring India finished with a daunting total.

Chasing 256, New Zealand required a remarkable effort but their pursuit quickly lost direction. Finn Allen survived an early drop, yet the momentum shifted when Axar Patel dismissed him in the third over. Jasprit Bumrah then struck immediately with a slower delivery to remove Rachin Ravindra, triggering a collapse.

New Zealand never recovered from the early blows as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Tim Seifert provided some resistance with a brisk 52, but the mounting required run rate proved insurmountable.

Bumrah delivered another match-defining spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 15 in four overs, while Axar Patel claimed three wickets. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.

The emphatic victory capped a remarkable tournament for India, who produced three totals of over 250 runs in their last four matches and dominated opponents with both bat and ball. It also marked redemption for Ahmedabad after India’s defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue, as the hosts celebrated their third T20 World Cup title in front of a packed home crowd.

Speaking after the match, Player of the Match Jasprit Bumrah described the victory as a special moment, especially winning a World Cup final at his home venue. He said he relied on experience on a flat surface and used variations such as slower balls to outsmart the batters. Bumrah also praised the bowling unit for remaining calm under pressure and making collective decisions throughout the tournament.

Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament, called the achievement “a dream come true” and said the success was the result of years of preparation and belief. He revealed that he had spent months visualising such moments after missing opportunities in previous tournaments and credited guidance from former players, including Sachin Tendulkar, for helping him regain confidence.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said the triumph capped a long journey that began after the 2024 World Cup when he was entrusted with leadership responsibilities. He praised the team’s commitment and backed the match-winning abilities of players such as Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Suryakumar also hailed Bumrah as “a once-in-a-generation bowler” and a “national treasure” who consistently delivers in crucial moments.

Leaders and cricket legends congratulated the team for the historic achievement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the side’s performance in a message on X, saying the triumph reflected “exceptional skills, determination and teamwork” and added that the victory had filled “every Indian heart with pride and joy.”

President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated the team, noting that India had created history by becoming the only country to win the T20 World Cup three times and the first to defend the title. She said the achievement reflected the immense talent among India’s youth and praised the players, team management and support staff for the collective success.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar hailed the back-to-back triumph, saying India were “totally deserving and rightful winners of the trophy” and applauded the team for displaying a “fantastic brand of cricket” throughout the tournament.

Brief scores: India 255/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3-46) beat New Zealand 159 all out in 19 overs (Tim Seifert 52; Jasprit Bumrah 4-15) by 96 runs.

CGHS wellness centre to be established in Sambalpur soon

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Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday announced that a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Wellness Centre will soon be established in Sambalpur.

According to Pradhan, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Finance have already approved the required posts and related arrangements for setting up the new wellness centre in the city.

The minister said the approval came following his request to the Centre to address the long-standing demand of residents of Sambalpur.

The Sambalpur MP expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda for fulfilling the demand.

The Union minister said in a post on X that the CGHS wellness centre will significantly benefit employees working in various central government institutions in Sambalpur, as well as senior pensioners, by improving access to healthcare facilities.

The CGHS provides comprehensive healthcare services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents through a network of wellness centres and empanelled hospitals across the country.

PM Modi highlights women empowerment during Delhi event

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New Delhi: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering women by advancing the goal of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis.”

He said more than 10 crore women are now connected with Self-Help Groups across the country.

He made the remarks after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth around Rs 33,500 crore in Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, the PM noted that initiatives aimed at improving access to credit, banking services, and skill training have helped many women move towards financial independence. He added that these efforts are also contributing to the strengthening of the rural economy.

Modi praised the strong presence of women in the gathering, according to an official statement. He said women’s confidence and participation were strengthening India’s progress across sectors such as politics, science, sports, and social service.

He also said India’s Nari Shakti was moving forward with renewed energy in every field and playing a key role in shaping the country’s development journey.

Modi also described Delhi as the global identity and a powerful symbol of Indian democracy. He said modernising the capital’s infrastructure and improving connectivity were essential for reflecting India’s confidence to the world.

The PM highlighted major transport initiatives, including the Delhi Metro expansion to about 375 kilometres and the introduction of the Namo Bharat service. He said a more modern, convenient, and well-connected Delhi would project India’s growing confidence internationally.

Modi also stressed that the government was upgrading public transport facilities in the capital under the double-engine governance model. He said the effort aimed to provide clean, comfortable, and modern travel options for lakhs of citizens who depend on bus services every day.

He noted that more than 4,000 electric buses provided by the Centre were already operating in Delhi. In addition, about 1,800 new buses had been introduced in the past year, including several ‘Devi Buses’ designed to strengthen last-mile connectivity across colonies and neighbourhoods.

Modi said the government was addressing the capital’s challenges in mission mode. He highlighted that the Western Peripheral Expressway had diverted lakhs of vehicles that earlier had to enter the city.

Iran oil facilities hit as US–Israel war enters day nine

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Fires erupt across Tehran after strikes on fuel depots; regional tensions escalate sharply

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran and about 300 in Lebanon as the United States–Israel military campaign against Iran entered its ninth day, with Israeli air strikes hitting Iranian oil facilities for the first time since the conflict began.

Large fires broke out across parts of Tehran after air strikes targeted multiple fuel storage and oil infrastructure sites, sending thick smoke across the capital. According to Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s Fars news agency, the strikes hit four major oil storage facilities and an oil production transfer centre in Tehran and the nearby province of Alborz.

The facilities reportedly targeted include the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeast Tehran, the Tehran refinery in the south, the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran and another oil depot in Karaj city. Witnesses said oil from the Shahran depot spilled into nearby streets following the attack. At least four tanker drivers were killed in the strikes in Tehran and Alborz. Iranian authorities said security forces and emergency teams were working to contain the fires while fuel distribution across the country remained unaffected.

Israel confirmed that it had struck “a number of fuel storage facilities in Tehran”, saying the sites were being used to support military infrastructure. The attacks mark the first direct targeting of Iran’s oil infrastructure since the start of the conflict, raising concerns about energy security and global oil markets.

The war began on February 28 after coordinated US and Israeli strikes targeted senior Iranian leadership and military facilities, including an attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, the conflict has rapidly expanded across the region, with Iran launching missile and drone attacks against Israel and several countries hosting US military bases.

As the confrontation intensified, Israeli forces also carried out fresh strikes across Tehran on Sunday and reportedly targeted commanders of the Quds Force, the overseas operations wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, during an operation in Beirut.

Explaining Israel’s broader objective, former Israel Defense Forces international spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said the campaign aims to weaken Iran’s ruling establishment rather than immediately replace it.

Speaking to NDTV, Conricus said Israel’s goal was to degrade the regime’s military capacity so that internal political change could eventually emerge. “It’s too early to determine who will be the leader,” he said, adding that the strategy is to weaken the regime enough for the Iranian public to challenge it.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the country was prepared for a prolonged conflict. According to Iranian officials, the armed forces could sustain an “intense war” with the United States and Israel for up to six months. Tehran also said it had so far deployed only “first and second generation” missile systems and warned that more advanced long-range missiles could be used in the coming days.

The expanding war has begun to disrupt energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the region. Saudi Arabia reportedly intercepted several drones heading towards targets including the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh, while Kuwait said an attack struck fuel tanks at its international airport. Kuwait’s national oil company has also announced a reduction in crude production amid threats to the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass.

Meanwhile, Iran’s political leadership is moving to address a major vacuum created by the killing of Khamenei. The country’s Assembly of Experts — the 88-member clerical body responsible for appointing the supreme leader — has reached a broad consensus on a potential successor, Al Jazeera reported citing Iran’s Mehr news agency.

Assembly member Ayatollah Mohammad-Mahdi Mirbagheri said a candidate had been identified but that “some obstacles” still remained in the selection process. Israel has warned it may target members involved in choosing Khamenei’s successor, issuing a statement on social media cautioning those attending any leadership selection meeting.

The conflict has become one of the most direct confrontations between Israel and Iran in modern history, escalating from years of proxy conflicts and covert operations into a wider regional war involving multiple countries across West Asia.

Majhi releases Rs 5,106 crore under Subhadra Yojana to over 1 crore women

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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday released the fourth instalment of the Subhadra Yojana to more than one crore women beneficiaries in the State.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the financial assistance was announced at a special event in Puri, where the CM said more than Rs 5,106 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Majhi wrote on X that the Yojana aims to strengthen financial independence and social security for women in Odisha.

The large gathering at the event and the response from beneficiaries reflected the scheme’s growing impact across the State, he noted.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the government’s flagship scheme is designed to support women not only through financial assistance but also by encouraging self-reliance, dignity, and confidence.

The government said its goal is to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of the scheme.

According to a review report by IIM Sambalpur, many beneficiaries have used the financial support as seed money to start income-generating activities such as mushroom cultivation, bamboo crafts, and small businesses.

Majhi said the State aims to create 60 lakh “Lakhpati Didis” and 10 lakh “Millionaire Didis” by 2047, to help women increase their annual income beyond Rs 10 lakh.

He said women will play a key role as the growth engine for a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and a developed India by 2047, through progress in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

The chief minister also highlighted other measures aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment. These include the Odisha Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana and a proposed allocation of nearly Rs 19,000 crore for women in the 2026-27 State budget, which accounts for 6.1% of the total budget and 1.7% of the State’s Gross Domestic Product.

Speaking at the same venue, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the Subhadra Yojana is not limited to financial assistance alone.

“In the coming days, the goal is to ensure that village development becomes women-centric. The scheme will play a key role in building a developed Odisha, while also becoming a source of dignity, security, and prosperity for women,” she said.

China’s Wang Yi says Taiwan “was never a country”

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New Delhi: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said that Taiwan “was never a country and will never be a country.”

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary and political gatherings, known as the “Two Sessions,” Yi said Taiwan has been an integral part of China since ancient times.

“Its return to China is a victorious outcome of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Second World War. Its status has been definitively fixed by a series of international legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan’s Instrument of Surrender, and Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly. Any attempt to create “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” is doomed to fail,” Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted Yi as saying.

Ning wrote a series of posts on X, outlining the foreign minister’s position on various global issues.

The foreign minister also said that since last year, relations between China and European countries have been regaining strength.

“Two-way trade topped USD 1 trillion, over two million European tourists travelled to China under visa-free policies, and European leaders paid a number of visits. Interactions are becoming more active,” Yi said.

Commenting on the situation in Iran, he said the war should not have happened.

“The history of the Middle East tells the world time, and again that force provides no solution, and armed conflict will only increase hatred and breed new crises. Once again, China calls for an immediate stop to military operations to avoid a spiralling escalation of the situation,” the foreign minister added.

Regarding China-US relations, Yi said both countries are major powers, and neither side can remodel the other.

He further said: “This year is a ‘big year’ for China-US relations. The agenda of high-level exchanges is already on the table. China remains committed and open. It is critical that the US side work in the same direction. When the two sides treat each other with sincerity and good faith, we will be able to lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems.”

Israeli raid in Lebanese village kills dozens, fails to find missing airman

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At least 41 people were killed and around 40 others injured after Israeli special forces carried out a raid in a Lebanese village during a wider escalation of hostilities with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The overnight operation targeted the town of Nabi Chit in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, a region that has increasingly become a focal point of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities said three soldiers were among those killed, while local residents reported that several civilians, including children, were also among the dead.

According to the BBC, the Israeli operation was aimed at recovering the remains of a missing Israeli military airman whose aircraft was shot down over Lebanon about four decades ago. Residents said Israeli forces dug up a grave in the town cemetery during the raid but found no remains. “They thought he was there but there was nothing,” the BBC quoted a local resident as saying.

Images from the area showed extensive damage to homes and vehicles, with bullet-riddled cars, debris from destroyed buildings and a large crater reportedly left by explosions. Everyday items such as children’s colouring books and household utensils were found scattered among the rubble.

Hezbollah, which controls much of the surrounding area, allowed journalists to visit the town and witness the aftermath of the destruction. The Shia militant group is designated as a terrorist organisation by countries including the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Lebanese military said it detected four Israeli aircraft approaching the border area with Syria late on Friday night. Two of the aircraft landed and deployed special forces personnel on the ground while a “large-scale aerial bombardment” began simultaneously. Lebanese army units responded by initiating defensive measures, including launching flare bombs to identify the landing site, the BBC reported.

The Israeli military later acknowledged that the operation did not yield the expected results. According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said no evidence linked to the missing airman, identified as Ron Arad, was found during the mission, although it said the operation allowed it to rule out one possible location for the remains.

Arad’s family was informed of the developments, the report added. His widow later said the family did not want Israeli soldiers’ lives to be put at risk in attempts to locate his remains.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the operation, reiterating that Israel would continue efforts to locate missing personnel. “The operation carried out last night did not produce what we were looking for,” Netanyahu said in a statement cited by the Times of Israel, adding that Israel remained fully committed to finding all missing soldiers and captives.

Meanwhile, Lebanese military chief Rodolphe Haykal reportedly said Israeli soldiers involved in the raid had reportedly worn uniforms resembling those of the Lebanese army and used vehicles and ambulances similar to those operated by the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Authority.

Haykal also warned that continued Israeli attacks were complicating the Lebanese army’s efforts to implement its plan to disarm Hezbollah, amid the broader regional conflict linked to the ongoing confrontation involving Israel, Iran and their allies.

Tamil Nadu opens India’s first slender loris conservation centre in Dindigul

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New Delhi: Tamil Nadu on Saturday opened India’s first Slender Loris Conservation Centre at Kadavur in Dindigul district, marking a major step toward protecting one of the country’s most elusive and threatened primate species.

State Forests and Khadi Minister R. S. Rajakannappan virtually inaugurated the facility at Ayyalur in Kadavur, Tamil Nadu Forest Department said in a post on X.

The centre has been established to support the conservation of the Slender Loris, a nocturnal primate known for its large eyes and shy behaviour.

The species lives mainly in dry forests and scrub habitats in southern India.

The conservation centre is located within the Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary, which spreads across Dindigul and Karur districts. The sanctuary covers nearly 11,806 hectares of dry forest, providing a natural habitat for the species.

Built at Rs 16.04 crore, the new facility will serve as a dedicated hub for conservation activities, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change & Forests, Tamil Nadu government, wrote on a post on X.

She said it will help strengthen habitat protection, population monitoring, and long-term conservation planning for the species.

The centre will also include eco-trails, night observation facilities, an interpretation centre, and learning spaces. These facilities will allow researchers, students, and visitors to understand the behaviour of the slender loris and the importance of protecting its fragile ecosystem.

Sahu added the project builds on an important decision taken by the Tamil Nadu government in 2022, when it notified India’s first Slender Loris Conservation Reserve at Kadavur. The reserve was created to protect the species across nearly 11,800 hectares in the Karur and Dindigul regions.

With the launch of the conservation centre, authorities hope to strengthen awareness, research, and conservation action for the rare primate and its dry forest habitat.

Officials described the initiative as a significant milestone in India’s efforts to protect the slender loris, a species that remains difficult to spot in the wild but plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance.

Odisha government directs fast-track update of forest dwellers’ pattas and maps

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Bhubaneswar: The Revenue and Disaster Management Department on Saturday directed all district administrations to expedite the updating of forest land records and pattas (land titles) granted to tribal and other traditional forest dwellers in the State.

The directive has been issued by Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr. Arvind Kumar Padhee.

According to a government release, Padhee has written to all district collectors asking them to complete the pending work related to forest land titles within a fixed timeline.

According to the instructions, the final maps of forest land will be prepared by the Revenue Department in accordance with the rights recognised under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act. Authorities have also been asked to incorporate the land details into official records maintained by either the Revenue or Forest Department, wherever applicable.

District collectors have been directed to review forest land rights already recognised by field officials and ensure that pending forest land titles are properly demarcated and recorded. Officials have also been asked to complete the correction of pending pattas and maps in the state’s Bhulekh land records database, so that the recognised rights of beneficiaries are accurately reflected in official land records.

The government has set April 30, 2026, as the deadline for completing these updates and incorporating the revised information into official records.

Officials said the move is expected to strengthen the protection of land rights for eligible beneficiaries and ensure that forest dwellers can access the benefits of various government welfare schemes more effectively.

The initiative is part of the State government’s effort to streamline land documentation and ensure that recognised forest rights are accurately reflected in land records across districts.