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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: April 20, 2026

Odisha Police felicitate medal winners of national water sports championship

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police on Monday felicitated its athletes who secured nine medals at the 25th All India Police Water Sports Cluster Championship 2025–26, recognising their achievements at a ceremony held at the State Police Headquarters.

The Odisha Police team had won two silver and seven bronze medals with women athletes leading the performance across rowing and canoeing events at the championship held in Tehri, Uttarakhand, from April 8 to 12.

The medal winners met Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, who congratulated them and praised their sporting excellence. He said the achievement reflects the growing strength of Odisha Police in water sports and will inspire other personnel to excel in competitive events.

Among the standout performers, Ritu Kawdi from Sundargarh secured a silver medal in the 500-metre rowing event and a bronze in the 2000-metre category. Sonalika Das from Cuttack also won a silver in the 500-metre rowing event and a bronze in the 2000-metre race.

Sachima Kerketta from Sundargarh earned a bronze medal in the canoeing C-1 200-metre event. In the team category, Sanjukta Dungdung, Reshma Lakra, Richel Lakra, and Sumitra Mallick clinched a bronze medal in the coxless four 500-metre rowing event.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar was also present during the felicitation ceremony and encouraged the athletes to continue their strong performances.

CBI arrests top Reliance Communications executives in Rs 19,694 crore bank fraud case

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New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested two senior executives of Reliance Communications as part of its ongoing probe into an alleged multi-crore bank fraud case linked to the Anil Ambani-led group.

The arrested executives have been identified as D. Vishwanath, Joint President, and Anil Kalya, Vice President of the company, the CBI said in a post on X.

Officials said both were key functionaries involved in managing corporate finance, banking operations, and fund utilisation within the group.

The case was registered on a complaint filed by the State Bank of India, which alleged that credit facilities extended to the company were misused, resulting in a wrongful loss of around Rs 2,929.05 crore to the bank. The complaint further stated that a total loss of Rs 19,694.33 crore was caused to 17 public sector banks and financial institutions.

According to the investigation, the company allegedly routed funds through a network of shell entities controlled by its officials. It is also alleged that Letters of Credit were discounted for non-genuine service transactions involving group entities, which later devolved, leading to significant financial losses.

The probe agency said Vishwanath was overall in charge of banking operations and played a central role in coordinating with banks for sanction and disbursal of loans. Investigators allege that misutilisation of funds took place under his direction. Kalya is accused of actively assisting in these activities.

Both accused will be produced before a jurisdictional court, officials said, adding that further investigation is underway.

The agency also noted that in recent months, it has registered seven cases against the Reliance Group led by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, based on complaints from public sector banks and the Life Insurance Corporation of India, involving alleged fraud amounting to thousands of crores.

Iran weighs talks as US delegation heads to Islamabad amid rising tensions

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Ceasefire deadline nears as ship seizure, blockade tensions and backchannel diplomacy shape uncertain prospects for fresh US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad

Iran is “positively reviewing” participation in a fresh round of talks with the United States, even as uncertainty persists over whether negotiations in Islamabad will proceed amid escalating tensions and ceasefire violations.

A senior Iranian official indicated that Tehran has not taken a final decision on joining the proposed talks, despite earlier statements ruling out a new round of negotiations ahead of the expiry of the current ceasefire on Wednesday. The mixed signals come at a critical juncture as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian underscored Tehran’s deep mistrust of the United States, saying meaningful dialogue can only be built on adherence to commitments. In remarks posted on X, he criticised what he described as “unconstructive and contradictory” signals from US officials, suggesting they reflected an expectation of Iran’s surrender. Emphasising Iran’s position, he asserted that the country would not bow to coercion, highlighting the underlying tensions shaping the prospects of renewed negotiations.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States of undermining the ceasefire through actions including the naval blockade of Iranian ports, the reported attack on an Iranian cargo vessel, and delays in implementing a truce in Lebanon. Tehran has described the seizure of its container ship in the Gulf of Oman as “piracy,” further complicating the diplomatic environment.

Despite these tensions, the United States is pressing ahead with its diplomatic outreach. Vice President JD Vance, along with envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, is expected to arrive in Islamabad for a second round of negotiations aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire. President Donald Trump has said the talks are expected to proceed, adding that the US delegation is already en route.

Accordig to Al jazeera, preparations for the high-stakes engagement appear to be underway, with multiple US government aircraft reportedly landing at a Pakistani airbase in Rawalpindi over the past two days to support logistics and security arrangements ahead of the delegation’s arrival.

Pakistan, which is mediating the talks, has expressed cautious optimism about the process. Officials have been in contact with both US and Iranian representatives, while security arrangements are being put in place to facilitate the negotiations. Diplomatic sources indicate that momentum built during earlier discussions has not entirely dissipated, despite the lack of a formal agreement.

At the same time, backchannel engagement continues, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly holding discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar amid the uncertainty surrounding the talks.

The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of continued military escalation. The US Navy’s interception of an Iranian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Oman and ongoing maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns that operational developments could derail negotiations.

With the ceasefire deadline approaching, both sides appear to be navigating a delicate balance between pressure and diplomacy. While Washington signals readiness to negotiate and Tehran indicates conditional openness, the outcome of the proposed talks remains uncertain.

India, Korea aim to boost ties with trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced a major push to strengthen India’s strategic and economic partnership with Korea, setting an ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 50 billion by 2030 during talks with visiting President Lee Jae-myung.

Addressing a joint press statement in New Delhi, Modi described the visit, coming after an eight-year gap, as significant and said both nations are set to transform their existing partnership into a future-oriented collaboration. He noted that shared democratic values, a market economy, and respect for the rule of law form the foundation of ties between the two countries.

The prime minister said bilateral trade has reached USD 27 billion and both sides have taken key decisions to nearly double it in the coming years. To support this goal, the two countries launched an India-Korea Financial Forum, set up an Industrial Cooperation Committee, and initiated an Economic Security Dialogue focused on critical technologies and supply chains, according to an official statement.

Modi announced that a Korean Industrial Township will be established in India to facilitate the entry of Korean companies, particularly small and medium enterprises. He added that the existing trade agreement between the two countries will be upgraded within the next year.

Highlighting emerging sectors, the prime minister said both sides will expand cooperation across areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, energy, and environment. He also announced the launch of the India-Korea Digital Bridge to deepen collaboration in advanced technologies.

Several agreements were signed in sectors including shipbuilding, sustainability, steel, and port infrastructure. Modi said the Business Forum held alongside the visit would help translate these opportunities into tangible outcomes.

On cultural ties, the prime minister noted that relations between the two countries date back centuries, referring to the historical link between Ayodhya’s Princess Suriratna and Korea’s King Kim Suro. He said the growing popularity of Korean pop culture in India and Indian cinema in Korea reflects strengthening people-to-people connections.

To further enhance cultural engagement, Modi announced that the India-Korea Friendship Festival will be held in 2028. He added that cooperation in education, research, and tourism will also be expanded.

In the context of global challenges, Modi said India and South Korea will work together to promote peace, stability, and an inclusive Indo-Pacific. He welcomed Korea’s decision to join initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

Modi also emphasised the need for reforms in global institutions to address evolving international challenges. Referring to Rabindranath Tagore’s description of Korea as the “Lamp of the East,” Modi said Korea remains a key partner in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

He expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership would contribute not only to the progress of both countries but also to global prosperity.

Odisha government disburses Rs 838 crore to farmers, launches seed initiatives on Akshaya Tritiya

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Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and State-Level Farmers’ Day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a series of major initiatives for farmers at a state-level programme held at the Central Rice Research Institute in Cuttack.

The chief minister disbursed Rs 838.48 crore in financial assistance to 41,68,582 farmers under the ‘CM-KISAN’ scheme for the 2026 Kharif season through direct benefit transfer. He stated that strengthening farmers financially remains a key priority of the government. Among the beneficiaries, 41,24,241 are small and marginal farmers, 41,049 belong to landless farming families, and 3,292 are from tribal farmer households.

Marking the beginning of the agricultural season, Majhi performed Bhoomi Puja and the traditional ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’ ritual at a farmland near the institute. He later visited an agricultural exhibition and inaugurated ‘Ama Bihana Ratha’ and ‘Krushi Ratha’ initiatives aimed at improving access to agricultural inputs.

Under the ‘Ama Bihana Ratha’ (Seeds on Wheels) programme, mobile seed distribution units will operate in 31 blocks across 10 districts in the first phase. New varieties of paddy seeds will be made available at the Gram Panchayat level in 5 kg packets to ensure easier access for farmers.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said agriculture forms the foundation of Odisha’s economy, culture, and prosperity. He noted that the tradition of ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, performed on Akshaya Tritiya to mark the beginning of the farming year, is a matter of pride for the state.

Highlighting recent progress, he said the state’s agricultural growth rate has reached 5.3% within 22 months of the new government, surpassing the national average. He added that Odisha has recorded a new milestone with food grain production exceeding 150 lakh metric tonnes this year.

To ensure fair returns, the state government is procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal. During the 2025-26 Kharif season, 76.47 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from 18,55,661 farmers, with input assistance of Rs 5,589.98 crore provided.

The government is also supporting education for farmers’ children under the ‘Krishi Vidyanidhi’ scholarship scheme. In the 2025-26 academic year, 68,910 students received assistance amounting to over Rs 291.60 crore for technical and vocational education.

Efforts to promote sustainable agriculture are being strengthened through the ‘Balabhadra Organic Farming Mission’. At the same time, the ‘Shree Anna Abhiyan’ is being expanded to promote Odisha’s traditional millets globally.

Majhi said farmers are the driving force behind a prosperous Odisha and assured continued government support to make agriculture more modern, profitable, and resilient.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said farmers are the backbone of the state’s economy and urged them to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers using Aadhaar and OTP verification. He advised farmers to collect purchase receipts from POS machines, use balanced fertilisers, and protect soil health.

Several public representatives, including MPs and MLAs from different constituencies, along with senior officials, attended the programme.

16 killed, several injured as bus plunges into gorge in Udhampur

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Jammu: At least 16 people were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday morning. Authorities said the toll could rise further as many of the injured remain in critical condition.

The bus, travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur, reportedly lost control while negotiating a blind curve around 10 am, overturned, and fell down a steep hillside.

Rescue operations were launched immediately, with personnel from the Army, police, and local residents working together to evacuate passengers from the wreckage. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he has spoken to district officials and assured that all possible assistance is being provided. He added that arrangements are being made to airlift critically injured passengers for advanced medical care.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and affirmed that the government “stands firmly with the victims and their families in this hour of grief” and added that the government is extending all necessary support to the victims and their families.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the accident as heartbreaking and said he has directed the district administration, police, disaster response teams, and the health department to ensure immediate assistance and medical care.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with hilly terrain routes in the region, where sharp curves and narrow roads often contribute to accidents.

Iran rules out fresh US talks as tensions rise over seized ship, ceasefire strain

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New Delhi: Iran is not planning to participate in a new round of talks with the US, according to state media reports on Sunday, even as tensions escalated following a maritime incident near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

State media in Iran reported that Tehran currently has no plans to join upcoming negotiations with the US. The development comes hours after US President Donald Trump said he was dispatching negotiators to Islamabad for fresh discussions.

Trump announced that a cargo vessel linked to Iran had been seized after attempting to breach a US-enforced naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. He said the ship was now under US custody and authorities were examining its contents.

Iran’s military, however, stated that the vessel had been travelling from China and accused the US of violating a fragile ceasefire. A military spokesperson, quoted by state media, warned that Iran’s armed forces would respond and retaliate against what was described as an act of armed piracy by the US military.

The incident has raised concerns that the already fragile ceasefire could collapse before negotiations resume, guardian.com reported. The US had earlier indicated that a delegation would travel to Islamabad on Monday for a potential new round of talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli forces in Iran. However, Iran’s refusal to participate appears to have cast uncertainty over the planned discussions.

The US delegation to Islamabad is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The diplomatic push comes amid rising tensions after Iran reimposed strict controls on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, reversing an earlier agreement to reopen the crucial waterway. The move followed Washington’s refusal to lift its naval blockade.

Iran, through its official news agency IRNA, indicated that its decision to skip the next round of talks was due to what it described as excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, shifting positions, repeated contradictions by Washington, and the continued naval blockade, which Tehran considers a violation of the ceasefire.

The conflict, now in its eighth week, has resulted in thousands of deaths in Iran and Lebanon and triggered a surge in global oil prices due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a televised interview, Iran’s parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said there would be no retreat in diplomacy, while acknowledging that significant differences remain between the two sides.

Trump, meanwhile, described the proposed talks in Islamabad as a final opportunity for Iran to reach an agreement. He warned that failure to sign a deal could lead to severe consequences, including targeted strikes on critical infrastructure such as power plants and bridges. He maintained that the US proposal – centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring Iran does not possess enriched uranium – was fair and reasonable, while reiterating that Washington would take decisive action if Tehran refused to accept the terms.

Foreign influencers explore Odisha’s culture, development during MEA-led visit

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Bhubaneswar: A delegation of social media influencers and content creators from 10 Asian countries visited Bhubaneswar from April 16 to April 19, 2026, as part of a Familiarisation Visit initiated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The programme was facilitated in the state by the Department of Information and Public Relations.

The delegation comprised travel vloggers, food and lifestyle influencers, wellness bloggers, history enthusiasts, and documentary filmmakers. The visit aimed to showcase Odisha’s cultural richness along with its ongoing development initiatives to a global digital audience.

During their stay, the group visited the Khandagiri–Udayagiri Caves, where they explored the legacy of ancient Kalinga, Jain traditions, and rock-cut architecture. They also toured the World Skill Center, observing modern skill development programmes aligned with international standards in sectors such as hospitality, construction, and mechatronics.

The delegation participated in hands-on experiences, including virtual reality-based training, wellness sessions, and mechatronics demonstrations.

The influencers further visited the Raghurajpur Heritage Crafts Village, where they witnessed traditional art forms such as Pattachitra paintings and palm leaf engravings. They interacted with local artisans and gained insights into the techniques behind these crafts.

The itinerary also included the Konark Sun Temple, where the delegation experienced the architectural grandeur of the chariot-shaped monument, known for its intricate carvings and historical significance.

Members of the delegation described their visit as enriching and memorable. They appreciated Odisha’s hospitality, vibrant culture, traditional cuisine, and the warmth of its people. They also expressed interest in participating in similar engagements in the future.

The Familiarisation Visit was conducted under the guidance of Anuj Kumar Daspattnayak, Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations. Officials said such initiatives play a crucial role in promoting Odisha’s heritage and development globally through digital platforms.

Odisha rail push gathers pace as Rs 90,000 crore projects advance, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday highlighted a major expansion of railway infrastructure in Bhubaneswar, stating that projects worth over Rs 90,000 crore are currently under execution across Odisha.

He said the scale of investment marks an unprecedented push to strengthen both passenger and freight capacity in the state.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of India’s first advanced 3D glass semiconductor packaging unit in the capital city, the minister underscored the Centre’s focus on improving connectivity and expanding rail capacity.

In a series of posts on X, he said the ongoing investments reflect a strong commitment to accelerating infrastructure growth in Odisha.

During his visit, Vaishnaw also reviewed the redevelopment work at Bhubaneswar Railway Station. He stressed the need for timely completion and high-quality execution, noting that the upgraded station will offer improved passenger comfort with modern amenities.

He added that the redevelopment aligns with Indian Railways’ broader plan to transform stations into world-class infrastructure hubs.

The minister also said Odisha has received a record railway budget allocation of Rs 10,928 crore, significantly higher than previous years, which is expected to speed up project execution. He added that 59 stations across the state are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to make them more passenger-friendly with enhanced facilities.

Highlighting connectivity goals, Vaishnaw said efforts are underway to bring all 30 districts of Odisha under the rail network. He noted that the initiative aims to ensure inclusive development and better integration of remote and interior regions.

He also pointed to key infrastructure proposals, including a four-line coastal rail corridor from Balasore to Berhampur, which is expected to significantly boost capacity along the coastline. According to the minister, such projects will improve regional mobility, ease congestion, and support economic activity across the state.

Vaishnaw said the ongoing railway initiatives will strengthen connectivity, support economic growth, and integrate Odisha more closely with national freight and passenger networks, positioning the state as a key beneficiary of India’s expanding rail infrastructure.