May 30, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Nine arrested for terror plot targeting Delhi, Mumbai; probe points to ISI, Dawood links

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Saturday arrested nine men allegedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim for planning coordinated terror attacks in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country.

The arrests were made by the Delhi Police Special Cell following what officials described as a prolonged surveillance operation on the suspected module. Police said the accused include residents of Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab, while some are believed to be foreign nationals. A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered during the operation.

According to officials, the group had allegedly been tasked with targeting “vital installations and security personnel” in multiple locations across India.

Preliminary investigations indicate that sensitive infrastructure, including airports, railway stations, power plants and nuclear facilities, may have been among the intended targets, according to media reports citing sources familiar with the investigation.

Authorities said the module had been under watch for some time before coordinated action led to the arrests. Investigators are now examining possible cross-border connections, financial networks and the involvement of overseas handlers suspected of directing the activities of the accused.

The arrests come at a time when Delhi remains on heightened security alert following intelligence inputs suggesting possible terror threats in the national capital. Security agencies had recently warned of potential attempts to target crowded locations and prominent government offices in central Delhi through methods including suicide attacks, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), shootings and coordinated strikes.

In response, district police units have been directed to maintain high vigilance and strengthen coordination with intelligence agencies and central security forces.

The latest development also revives memories of last year’s deadly vehicle-borne IED blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that left 15 people dead and several others injured. Investigators had then uncovered an alleged “white-collar” terror network linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, with several accused reportedly connected to an educational institution in the Delhi-NCR region.

According to officials, further investigation into the newly busted module is underway to determine the full scale of the alleged conspiracy and identify any additional operatives

Odisha begins SIR drive, over 2.59 lakh forms distributed on day one

May 30, 2026 by IndiaVerve Staff

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has formally launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across all Assembly constituencies today, with more than 2.59 lakh voters receiving enumeration forms on the first day of the statewide exercise.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have begun door-to-door visits to verify voter information and distribute special enumeration forms aimed at updating electoral rolls.

The exercise seeks to identify eligible voters, facilitate registration of new electors, remove names of deceased or shifted voters and correct errors in voter identity details. Officials said 2,59,166 voters were provided with pre-printed enumeration forms by BLOs on the opening day of the drive.

As part of the process, each voter is being provided with two pre-printed copies of the enumeration form during house-to-house verification. After receiving the completed form, BLOs will retain one copy while returning the second copy, duly signed, to the voter as an acknowledgement receipt for future reference.

The revision process has been intensified across all constituencies to ensure preparation of a more accurate and transparent electoral roll in the state. Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R.S. Gopalan told media that the entire SIR exercise will continue till June 28, and the final voters’ list will be published on September 6.

Recognised political parties have also deployed Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to assist with the exercise. A total of 33,026 BLAs have reportedly been appointed across Odisha. Of them, the BJP has appointed the highest number at 19,380, followed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with 8,881 representatives and the Congress with 4,658. The CPI(M) has deployed 60 BLAs, while the BSP has appointed 47.

Voters who wish to complete the process independently can also download the required forms from the Election Commission of India’s official voter services portal and submit the completed documents to their respective BLOs.

The Election Commission has appealed to citizens to cooperate with field officials during the survey process to help ensure preparation of an error-free voter list.

The state government had earlier announced that the SIR drive would focus on simplifying voter registration, correcting errors and preventing misinformation related to electoral roll revision

Satwik-Chirag enter Singapore Open final after beating world champions

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the final of the Singapore Open 2026 after defeating reigning world champions Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in straight games on Saturday.

The Indian duo, ranked world No. 4, registered a 21-19, 21-18 victory over the top-seeded South Korean pair, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, in a semifinal that lasted 52 minutes, according to olympics.com.

The win ended Kim and Seo’s 35-match unbeaten streak, which had stretched back to the Denmark Open last year. It was also the first time the Indian pair defeated the South Koreans after losses against them at the Malaysia Open and China Masters in 2025.

The result secured a second consecutive BWF World Tour final appearance this season for the Indian duo. They finished runners-up at the Thailand Open earlier this month after losing the title clash to Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin.

Satwik and Chirag will now take on Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in Sunday’s final of the BWF Super 750 tournament.

They are the only Indian representatives remaining in the competition.

Earlier, India’s mixed doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila exited the tournament after a 16-21, 21-17, 13-21 defeat to Japan’s Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara in the semifinals.

India’s challenge in the singles events had ended on Friday. PV Sindhu lost to world No. 1 An Se-young in the women’s quarter-finals, while Lakshya Sen bowed out after a defeat against Koki Watanabe in the men’s competition.

Odisha directs private hospitals to strengthen support for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday directed major private hospitals across the state to establish dedicated help desks for beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana to improve access to healthcare services and ensure smoother patient assistance.

The directions were issued during a high-level meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan, where officials reviewed the implementation of the two health insurance schemes and discussed measures to enhance patient care and service delivery, Cabinet Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Mukesh Mahaling said in a post X.

Hospitals were instructed to ensure that all diagnostic tests conducted up to three days before a patient’s admission are provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat package. The government also urged healthcare institutions to maintain a patient-centric approach and treat beneficiaries with dignity, respect, and compassion.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that patients visit hospitals with the expectation of recovery and quality treatment. Authorities stressed that providing advanced medical care must be complemented by empathetic and respectful behaviour towards patients and their families.

The government called upon hospitals and concerned authorities to remain vigilant in ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive the full benefits of the health schemes without inconvenience.

The meeting was attended by the health secretary, the State NHM Director, senior officials of the Health Department, and representatives of leading private hospitals in Odisha.

India remains resilient despite global headwinds, says Finance Ministry review

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s economy continued to show resilience amid a challenging global environment, although some early signs of stress emerged in March 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Monthly Economic Review for May 2026.

The review noted that high-frequency economic indicators largely reflected steady economic activity despite continuing global uncertainty. However, it flagged emerging pressures from elevated crude oil prices, tighter global financial conditions, and slowing growth across major economies.

The ministry published the detailed report on its X account.

Industrial activity presented a mixed picture during the period. The Index of Core Industries contracted marginally by 0.4% in March 2026. Despite the decline, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors maintained underlying momentum, supported by strong performances in cement, steel, and electricity generation, which continued to drive infrastructure and construction-related demand.

Inflation remained broadly under control, with retail inflation easing to 3.4% in March 2026. At the same time, wholesale inflation increased during the month, indicating the emergence of cost-push pressures in parts of the economy.

The review said liquidity conditions remained comfortable, while bank credit growth continued to be broad-based and steady. Credit expanded by 17.1% year-on-year as of March 2026, reflecting sustained lending activity across sectors.

To support sectors affected by spillover effects from the West Asia conflict, the government introduced several measures. These included approval of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0, which provides Rs 2.55 lakh crore in support for micro, small, and medium enterprises and airlines.

The government also launched the Coal/Lignite Gasification Scheme with an outlay of Rs 37,500 crore. The scheme aims to reduce dependence on imported industrial inputs by promoting domestic production of synthesis gas and downstream products such as ammonia, urea, and methanol.

India’s external sector remained resilient during the period. Strong growth in merchandise and services exports helped narrow the country’s trade deficit in April 2026, according to the review.

Foreign direct investment inflows reached a record USD 94.5 billion in FY26, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the Indian economy. The review also noted that foreign exchange reserves remained at comfortable levels.

Labour market indicators pointed to a stable employment environment, with steady labour force participation and employment levels. Hiring activity across the manufacturing and services sectors also remained robust.

The ministry said India’s near-term economic outlook remains cautiously resilient. It highlighted strong services exports, adequate foreign exchange reserves, and a stable labour market as key factors supporting growth.

However, the review cautioned that rising crude oil prices, tighter financial conditions, and weakening growth momentum in major global economies could pose challenges to India’s growth prospects in the coming months.

SAIL RSP signs MoU with ITI Rourkela for dual training programme

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government ITI, Rourkela, to implement the Dual System of Training (DST) for the financial year 2026-27, aimed at strengthening industry-linked skill development.

The programme is expected to train around 600 ITI students in trades aligned with industry requirements. The MoU was signed at the RSP Learning and Development Centre by CGM (HR-L&D) P K Sahu and Government ITI Rourkela Principal Uttam Kumar Pattnaik, SAIL RSP said in a media release.

Under the DST, classroom teaching will be conducted at the Government ITI, while practical training will be provided at various departments and operational units of RSP. The on-the-job training will be conducted for a period of six to nine months.

Students from trades including fitter, electrician, welder, machinist/turner, instrument mechanic, and diesel mechanic will benefit from the programme.

The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Steel’s directive to expand employability-focused skilling across central public sector enterprises by increasing industrial exposure for trainees.

RSP is already conducting short-term training programmes for 167 students and plans to expand such initiatives further in the coming months.

The programme aims to provide hands-on industrial experience, develop job-ready manpower, and strengthen collaboration between industry and academia, in support of the national skilling mission.

Eucalyptus bark waste could be converted into material for water and air purification: Study

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Researchers from RMIT University, Australia, have found that eucalyptus bark, usually treated as forestry waste, can be converted into a highly porous form of carbon that may help clean polluted water, filter air, and support carbon dioxide capture.

The new study shows that the bark can be processed into a sponge-like carbon material with a network of microscopic pores. These pores trap unwanted particles as water or air passes through the material, making it useful for filtration and pollution control applications.

Researchers said the process uses a simple one-step activation method. They noted that this approach avoids the need for complex, multi-stage production methods that are commonly used for similar porous carbon materials.

PhD researcher Pallavi Saini, who worked on the study, said in indirect terms that eucalyptus bark is often considered low-value waste. She added that the team found it could be transformed into a highly porous material with strong adsorption properties through a simple process. She highlighted that this shows how overlooked biomass can be converted into useful materials.

The researchers compared the method with other plant-based carbon materials made from agricultural and forestry waste. They said eucalyptus bark performed well because it is widely available and requires simpler processing.

Dr Deshetti Jampaiah said in indirect terms that the strength of the approach lies in its simplicity. He added that the team is converting a commonly available waste material into a functional carbon without relying on complex steps, which makes it suitable for real-world environmental use.

Australia has more than 900 species of eucalyptus and related trees. As a next step, the research team plans to work with Indigenous communities and organisations to identify species that may be best suited for future applications.

The researchers said species-specific chemical and structural differences could help improve the material further. They also said future work will combine scientific analysis with traditional ecological knowledge.

The team noted that eucalyptus bark comes from existing forestry operations and does not compete with food production. They said this supports circular economy and waste reduction goals.

The material is being studied for multiple applications, including water purification, wastewater treatment, air and industrial gas filtration, community-level filtration systems, and carbon dioxide capture. Researchers said further testing is needed to assess durability, regeneration ability, and large-scale performance.

Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava, Director of the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry at RMIT, said in indirect terms that the study shows how waste materials can be reimagined for environmental solutions. He added that the work focuses on converting eucalyptus bark into materials that support cleaner water, cleaner air, and carbon capture, while also training future researchers to ensure practical impact.

Team India shines at Taipei Capital Cup 2026 with two silver medals and three merit awards

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Team India delivered a strong performance at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026, an international skilling competition held in Taipei, Taiwan, from May 26 to 28, securing two silver medals and three merit awards across multiple skill categories.

The Indian contingent competed against participants from 15 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, showcasing technical proficiency in emerging and industry-relevant domains, according to an official statement.

The team participated under the support of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the National Skill Development Corporation, which provides training, industry exposure, and international benchmarking opportunities to Indian youth.

Team India’s achievements at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026 included strong performances across multiple skill categories. Muskan secured the silver medal in Painting and Decorating, while Arjun Sumathi Vijayabashkar also won a silver medal in Mobile Applications Development.

In the merit category, Mohamed Mafaz Poonaikannan Rabi Ahamed received a Merit Award in Software Applications Development. Suresh Kumar Ganesan Meena was awarded a Merit Award in Digital Construction, and Md Seraj earned a Merit Award in Automobile Technology.

The silver medal winners received a cash prize of TWD 8,000 each, while the Merit Award recipients were awarded TWD 5,000 each.

Congratulating the winners, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Education, Jayant Chaudhary, said the performance reflects the confidence, capability, and determination of India’s youth.

He said the participants demonstrated that Indian skills can match global standards and noted that such competitions serve as training platforms ahead of events such as WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Debashree Mukherjee, said the achievement reflects the growing strength of India’s skilling ecosystem and highlighted the role of mentors, industry partners, and training institutions in supporting globally competitive talent.

The Indian contingent was guided by experts, including Ankur Sharma (Mobile Applications Development), Aniket Kumar Pathak (Software Applications Development), Saumya Dwivedi (Painting and Decorating), Prasanna Prakash Samel (Automobile Technology), and Shiju Sasidharan (Digital Construction).

The ministry said the performance marks another milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen vocational education and build a future-ready workforce aligned with global standards.

NHRC seeks report from Odisha government over Kalahandi septic tank deaths

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the death of six persons and injuries to another following inhalation of toxic gases inside an under-construction septic tank in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.

According to the report, the incident took place in Gaud Karlakhunta village in the Kalahandi district, where six people lost their lives while working on an under-construction septic tank.

According to police, the group was engaged in removing centering materials from a 10-foot-deep tank when the situation turned fatal. The victims included the house owner, identified as Nimai Pal (40), and his son Akash (20), along with several workers at the site.

Preliminary inputs suggest the crisis began when a mason entered the tank and did not respond after going inside. In an attempt to rescue him, others reportedly entered the confined space one after another, but were overcome by suspected toxic gases.

One worker, Pankaj Jani, was pulled out alive in an unconscious state and shifted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment.

ALSO READ: https://indiaverve.com/odisha/six-killed-after-entering-septic-tank-at-construction-site-in-kalahandi/

The NHRC observed that if the contents of the report are confirmed, the incident raises a serious concern of human rights violations, according to an official statement.

The Commission has issued notices to the chief secretary of Odisha and the superintendent of police, Kalahandi, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

The NHRC has asked the authorities to include details on the status of the investigation, the health condition of the injured person, and the compensation provided to the victims’ families.

India dominates 10m air pistol as Suruchi Inder Singh strikes gold in Munich

May 30, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India has delivered a standout performance at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol Munich 2026, sweeping the top two positions in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol final at the Olympiaschießanlage, as Suruchi Inder Singh clinched gold ahead of compatriot Esha Singh in a tightly contested finish.

With this result, India moved to the top of the medal standings in Munich with two gold and one silver medal, marking a strong campaign so far at the ISSF World Cup.

Inder Singh secured the gold medal with a total score of 242.1 points, maintaining composure throughout a high-pressure final. The Indian shooter stayed among the top contenders from the early stages and held her nerve during the elimination rounds to secure one of the most significant wins of her international career, according to an ISSF statement.

Esha Singh finished with the silver medal, scoring 241.2 points, narrowly missing gold by less than a point. Already in fine form in Munich following her world record performance in the 25m Pistol Women event earlier in the competition, Esha once again showcased consistency and control to secure a second podium finish.

Korea’s Choo Gaeun took the bronze medal with 220.2 points, holding steady through the final stages to secure a place on the podium after a competitive contest.

Bulgaria’s Miroslava Mincheva finished fourth, continuing a strong run at the World Cup after earlier success in the 25m Pistol Women event.