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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: May 20, 2026

Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy crash out as India’s men’s singles campaign ends at Malaysia Masters 2026

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New Delhi: India’s challenge in men’s singles at the Malaysia Masters 2026 badminton tournament came to an early end on Wednesday after Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Tharun Mannepalli, and Kiran George suffered opening-round exits in Kuala Lumpur.

Playing at the Stadium Axiata Arena, Sen endured a straight-games defeat against Indonesia’s Zaki Ubaidillah. The Indian shuttler, ranked world No. 11, lost 21-17, 21-11 in a 43-minute contest after the Indonesian world No. 38 pulled away late in the opening game.

HS Prannoy, champion of the BWF Super 500 event in 2023, also bowed out despite a spirited fight against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, according to olympics.com.

After dropping the first game, the Indian battled back to force a decider by saving a match point in the second. However, Prannoy failed to convert four match points in the final game before losing 17-21, 22-20, 22-24 in a marathon clash lasting one hour and 20 minutes.

Mannepalli also failed to hold on to an early advantage and went down 21-17, 14-21, 8-21 against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Po-Wei. Kiran George, meanwhile, retired midway through his opening-round encounter against France’s seventh seed Alex Lanier, the world No. 10.

While India’s men’s singles campaign ended on a disappointing note, the women’s singles players produced better results to keep the country’s hopes alive in the tournament.

Malvika Bansod defeated German Olympian Yvonne Li 21-17, 16-21, 21-9 in a one-hour battle to move into the second round. Qualifier Ashmita Chaliha also advanced after registering a straight-games win over Indonesia’s Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan.

Devika Sihag joined them in the next round after edging past South Korea’s Park Ga Eun 19-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a closely fought contest.

However, several Indian women’s singles players failed to progress further. Anmol Kharb lost a hard-fought match against Denmark’s eighth seed Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt, while Tanya Hemnath suffered a straight-games defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Huang Ching Ping.

Tanvi Sharma was beaten by Thailand’s Pitchamon Opatniputh, while Isharani Baruah lost to Danish fifth seed Line Christophersen in three games.

India’s women’s doubles campaign also came to an end after Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda suffered a heavy defeat against Japanese second seeds Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi, the world No. 7 pair. Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam had exited the competition earlier.

In mixed doubles, Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma progressed to the next round after overcoming Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Julie MacPherson in three games.

India, Italy elevate ties to ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ during PM Modi’s visit

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday announced the elevation of India-Italy relations to the level of a “Special Strategic Partnership” during the former’s official visit to Italy from May 19-20.

The visit took place at the invitation of Meloni and followed earlier high-level engagements between the two leaders during the G7 Summit in Italy in 2024 and the G20 Summit in India in 2023.

Both leaders welcomed the growing momentum in bilateral ties and agreed to hold annual meetings of leaders, including on the sidelines of multilateral events, along with regular ministerial and institutional-level engagements, according to an official statement.

They also decided to establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to review the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 and provide strategic guidance to the newly elevated partnership.

On economic cooperation, the two PMs expressed satisfaction over the growing dynamism in bilateral trade and industrial collaboration. Referring to the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, the leaders reaffirmed the shared goal of expanding bilateral trade to EUR 20 billion by 2029.

The two sides welcomed increased investments in sectors such as textiles, clean technologies, semiconductors, automotive, tourism, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, critical raw materials, ports, and infrastructure. They also encouraged industries in both countries to strengthen industrial and technology partnerships to build resilient supply chains.

India and Italy also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in critical minerals and agreed to strengthen collaboration in sustainable supply chains and recovery of critical minerals from unconventional sources, including electronic waste and mine tailings. Another MoU was signed in the field of agriculture and agricultural research.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, describing it as a transformational initiative for global trade and connectivity. They encouraged the first IMEC Ministerial meeting in 2026 to take concrete steps to advance the project. The two countries also signed an MoU on maritime transport and ports and agreed to establish a joint working group for its implementation.

Highlighting innovation and technology as core pillars of bilateral cooperation, the two PMs announced the creation of “INNOVIT India,” an innovation hub aimed at strengthening collaboration between Indian and Italian innovation ecosystems. The initiative will support startup acceleration, joint research, university collaboration, and talent mobility in sectors including healthcare, semiconductors, logistics, energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a human-centric, secure, and trustworthy approach to Artificial Intelligence and agreed to cooperate in the sector, including in third countries. They also stressed cooperation in supercomputing, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable blue economy under the 2025-2027 Executive Program for Scientific Cooperation.

In the space sector, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Italian Space Agency in areas including Earth observation, heliophysics, and space exploration. The leaders also discussed expanding collaboration in access to space and protection of space infrastructure.

On defence cooperation, Modi and Meloni welcomed the adoption of a Joint Declaration of Intent and a Defence Industrial Roadmap to promote technological cooperation, co-production, and co-development projects in areas such as helicopters, naval platforms, marine armament and electronic warfare.

The two countries also agreed to examine the feasibility of establishing an annual high-level military structured dialogue and decided to launch a Dialogue on Maritime Security to enhance cooperation and coordination in the maritime domain.

US-Iran peace talks enter final stage amid renewed war warnings

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Diplomatic efforts to avert renewed conflict intensify as Washington and Tehran inch closer to a possible agreement amid fresh warnings and regional tensions.

Efforts to secure a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran appeared to gain momentum on Wednesday, with reports indicating that negotiations may be nearing a decisive stage as ealry as this evening even as tensions remain high over the possibility of renewed military action.

According to reports citing diplomatic sources, work is underway to finalise the language of a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran, with an announcement potentially expected soon. The talks are reportedly being facilitated through Pakistani mediation, amid growing international efforts to prevent a fresh escalation in West Asia.

US President Donald Trump said discussions with Iran had entered their “final stages”, while simultaneously warning Tehran of consequences if negotiations fail. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he preferred a negotiated settlement but signalled that military options remained on the table if an agreement could not be reached.

“We’re in the final stages of Iran,” Trump said, adding that Washington hoped for a deal but was prepared to respond if diplomacy collapsed. He also indicated that his administration was willing to give negotiations additional time to avoid further loss of life.

The latest push for diplomacy comes weeks after a pause in military operations under a ceasefire arrangement, with both sides attempting to avoid a return to open conflict. Trump had earlier suggested he came close to authorising additional strikes before choosing to extend room for negotiations.

Iran, however, struck a cautious and defiant tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said discussions with Washington were continuing through Pakistani mediators, stressing that Tehran’s priorities include the removal of US sanctions.

“Basically, what we want is not a demand but our rights,” Baghaei said in remarks reported by Iranian media, describing sanctions relief as an essential component of any future agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also suggested that Tehran had drawn lessons from previous confrontations and warned that any return to war could bring “many more surprises”, signalling Iran’s preparedness for a prolonged confrontation if diplomacy fails.

Meanwhile, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of seeking conditions that could reignite conflict in the region. In remarks carried by Iranian media, he alleged that despite economic and political pressure, the United States had not abandoned military objectives. He warned that Tehran would respond forcefully to any renewed hostilities.

The broader geopolitical developments have drawn international attention, with regional powers urging restraint. Saudi Arabia welcomed Trump’s decision to pause further military action and allow negotiations more time. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said diplomacy offered the best chance to end hostilities and restore maritime security, particularly around the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.

Amid the diplomatic uncertainty, instability across the wider region continues. Israeli military operations in Lebanon reportedly killed multiple people despite an existing ceasefire framework, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened as Israeli forces intercepted another vessel attempting to deliver aid to the besieged territory.

The coming days are expected to prove critical for US-Iran relations, with diplomatic efforts focused on preventing a renewed military confrontation that could have major consequences for regional security, energy markets and global trade routes.

CHSE declares plus two results; Science records highest pass percentage among streams

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Bhubaneswar: The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Wednesday announced the results of the Plus Two examinations for Arts, Science, Commerce, and Vocational Education streams across Odisha.

According to the official data, the Science stream recorded a pass percentage of 88.82%, while Commerce registered 88.07%. The pass percentage in Arts stood at 84.50%, and Vocational Education recorded 77.62%.

A total of 3,98,090 students appeared for the examinations, out of which 3,41,781 students successfully cleared the exams.

Among districts, Sambalpur recorded the highest pass percentage in the Arts stream with 89.48%, while Balasore topped the Science stream with a pass rate of 96.63%. Boudh achieved a 100% result in Commerce, while Nabarangpur registered a 100% pass percentage in Vocational Education.

The CHSE also announced that students will be allowed to appear for an Improvement Examination in one subject for the first time. Applications for the Instant Examination and Improvement Examination can be submitted during the first week of July, while a detailed notification will be issued on May 27.

Students can download their marksheets through the official websites using their roll number and registration number. Digital marksheets will be available on DigiLocker from May 21, while hard copies can be collected from respective institutions from June 15.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated students who cleared the examinations. In his message, he said students would become the driving force behind a prosperous Odisha and encouraged them to move ahead in life with positivity and determination, irrespective of their examination results.

Taiwan clarifies stance on Indian migrant workers, condemns discriminatory remarks

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New Delhi: The government of Taiwan on Wednesday issued a clarification, reaffirming its position on the proposed engagement with Indian migrant workers, while strongly condemning recent discriminatory remarks circulating in public discussions.

The clarification came after controversy linked to comments and online discourse in Taiwan regarding the potential recruitment of workers from India, which triggered criticism over perceived racial bias and stereotyping.

In a statement shared via X, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India said that certain recent publications and individual comments do not represent its official stance.

TECC said Taiwan remains committed to democratic values, inclusivity, and diversity, and continues to support people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and India.

The statement also expressed regret over the remarks and said it strongly condemns all forms of prejudice, racism, and discrimination.

It added that Taiwan will continue efforts to promote bilateral exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between the two sides, particularly in areas of workforce cooperation and cultural engagement.

JPC reviews ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, cites economic, governance benefits

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New Delhi: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the proposal of ‘One Nation, One Election’ has stated that holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies could lead to significant economic and administrative benefits.

JPC Chairperson and Lok Sabha MP P. P. Chaudhary said in Gandhinagar that the exercise could potentially save nearly Rs 7 lakh crore, improve governance efficiency, and contribute up to 1.6% growth in India’s GDP.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier set up an eight-member committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind to study the feasibility of the proposal, which spent around 186 days preparing its report before being placed before the JPC.

According to the committee’s recommendations, elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies could be synchronised initially, followed by Panchayat and municipal polls within a 100-day window.

Members of the JPC on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, are currently on a three-day visit to Gujarat, according to reports.

During the visit, the committee also held discussions with senior officials, including Chief Secretary M. K. Das and DGP K. L. N. Rao at the GIFT City Club in Gandhinagar.

The committee comprises 39 members, including MPs from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and continues its consultations on the constitutional and administrative aspects of the proposal.

Odisha, Japan discuss stronger ties in trade, tourism and technology

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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday held discussions with Ishikawa Yoshihisa, Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, to further strengthen Odisha’s partnership with Japan across trade, investment, tourism, technology, and academic collaboration.

The meeting focused on expanding institutional cooperation and exploring new opportunities for economic and cultural engagement between Odisha and Japan. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties through a proposed “Sister State” partnership between Odisha and Tottori Prefecture, with high-level exchanges expected in the future, Majhi said in a post on X.

Discussions also centred on boosting tourism prospects, particularly through Odisha’s Buddhist circuit, while exploring avenues to create greater employment opportunities for Odia youth in Japan.

During the meeting, the CM appreciated Japan’s continued support towards Odisha’s development journey and welcomed the proposed collaboration with Tottori Prefecture as a step towards stronger people-to-people and institutional ties.

The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in skill development and technology sectors while enhancing tourism linkages between Odisha and Japan.

Officials said the interaction reflected the growing strategic and economic engagement between Odisha and Japan as the state continues to attract global partnerships in investment, tourism, and human resource development.


India hosts multinational military exercise ‘PRAGATI 2026’ in Meghalaya with 12 nations

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New Delhi: The Indian Army on Wednesday launched the multinational military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, bringing together armed forces from 12 countries for a two-week joint training programme focused on counter-terrorism operations and regional security cooperation.

The exercise, officially titled Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region (PRAGATI), has drawn participation from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Participating contingents received a traditional welcome from the Indian Army upon their arrival, reflecting India’s emphasis on cultural diplomacy alongside defence engagement, according to an official statement.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening military-to-military cooperation among regional partners while improving interoperability during multinational operations. Officials said the programme has been designed around equality, friendship, and mutual respect, with participating armies expected to exchange operational experiences and develop closer professional ties.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, Major General Sunil Sheoran, Additional Director General of Infantry, highlighted the importance of collective engagement in tackling evolving security challenges and encouraged participating contingents to learn from one another’s operational experiences and perspectives.

According to the Indian Army, the exercise will focus heavily on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain. Troops will undergo joint planning exercises, tactical drills, and coordinated field operations aimed at enhancing endurance, adaptability, and tactical efficiency in difficult combat environments.

The exercise will also seek to establish common mechanisms for intelligence sharing, identify new areas of defence cooperation, and institutionalise the exchange of operational best practices among participating nations.

Melody Toffees add sweet twist to Modi-Meloni viral moment

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a light-hearted moment in Italy that quickly turned into a social media sensation, with a playful exchange involving India’s iconic Melody toffees reigniting the internet-famous “#Melodi” trend.

During Modi’s ongoing visit to Italy, a video posted online showed the Indian Prime Minister gifting Meloni a packet of Melody candies, seemingly referencing the widely popular online nickname “Melodi” — a blend of Modi and Meloni’s surnames. The Italian leader later shared the clip on X, thanking Modi for the gift.

In the video, Modi, dressed in a blue bandhgala suit, is seen handing over the sweets to Meloni, who appears amused by the gesture.

Laughing during the interaction, Meloni can be heard saying, “Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift… very, very good toffee,” before both leaders share a cheerful moment.

The video drew significant attention online within a short span, attracting lakhs of views and thousands of reactions and comments.

Social media users rapidly flooded platforms with memes, screenshots and humorous posts, describing the exchange as another memorable “#Melodi” moment.

Sharing details of his Italy visit on X, Modi said he had an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni for dinner soon after arriving in Rome, followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum.

“We exchanged views on a wide range of topics,” the Prime Minister wrote, adding that he looked forward to further discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and “continue the conversation on how to strengthen the friendship between India and Italy.”

In another post, Modi highlighted the growing strategic significance of bilateral relations, saying he had co-authored an opinion piece with Meloni on the evolving partnership between the two countries.

Describing the relationship as a “Special Strategic Partnership,” he said India-Italy ties have reached a “decisive stage,” driven by innovation, shared democratic values and a common vision for the future.

The “#Melodi” phrase has evolved into a recurring internet trend over the last few years, often resurfacing whenever the two leaders meet at international events. The term gained major popularity during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023 after Meloni posted a selfie with Modi and used the hashtag “#Melodi”, sparking widespread reactions online.

Since then, interactions between the two leaders at multilateral forums, bilateral meetings and global summits have repeatedly triggered online conversations, with users often creating memes and edited videos celebrating their diplomatic camaraderie.

The latest viral moment also struck a nostalgic chord among many Indians due to the cultural popularity of Melody candies. Produced by Parle Products, the caramel-and-chocolate confection has been a familiar name across generations and remains closely associated with one of Indian advertising’s most memorable taglines.

Modi’s interaction with Meloni came during his visit to Italy as part of the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic outreach. During the visit, the Prime Minister held discussions with the Italian leadership and engaged with members of the Indian diaspora in Rome.

Beyond the viral online buzz, the India-Italy engagement is expected to focus on expanding cooperation across sectors such as trade, defence, maritime security, connectivity and strategic partnerships.

Minister Prithviraj Harichandan launches two key road projects in Bhubaneswar’s unit-6 area

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Bhubaneswar: Minister of Law, Works & Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has laid the foundation stones for two major road infrastructure projects in the Unit-6 area of Bhubaneswar, as the Odisha government intensified efforts to improve urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion in the state capital.

Addressing a public gathering after the groundbreaking ceremony, the minister said the state government remains committed to strengthening Bhubaneswar’s urban infrastructure and enhancing road connectivity across rapidly expanding city zones.

Harichandan said expenditure estimates worth nearly Rs 7,826.15 crore have already been approved for 37 road projects during the 2025-26 financial year, adding that the government’s larger plan to make the capital city congestion-free is gradually moving towards implementation.

The minister also said one of the projects launched includes widening and strengthening the road stretch from the Governor’s House Petrol Pump to Gangnagar Square, covering 0.866 km. The project has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 5.96 crore.

The second project involves the improvement of the internal road in Unit-6 from Capital Hospital to Banadurga Temple, covering 0.946 km, with an estimated project cost of Rs 3.93 crore.

According to the minister, the projects are expected to ease traffic congestion in the busy LIC Square-Gangnagar corridor and improve vehicular movement near the Capital Hospital area, which frequently witnesses heavy traffic flow.

MP Aparajita Sarangi, who attended the programme, underlined the need for modern and sustainable road infrastructure to meet the city’s growing transportation demands. She appreciated the initiative taken by the chief minister and the Works Department and expressed confidence that residents of the area would benefit significantly from the projects.