June 15, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Week-long yoga festival ahead of International Yoga Day launched in Odisha

June 15, 2026 by IndiaVerve Staff

Bhubaneswar: A week-long Yoga festival has been launched at the Kalinga Stadium here on Monday, marking the official countdown to the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations scheduled for June 21. The initiative aims to promote yoga as a daily wellness practice while strengthening public participation in health and community well-being.

The festival, jointly organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department and the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, was inaugurated at the Indoor Athletics Centre of Kalinga Stadium by Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department Bhupendra Singh Poonia.

Daily yoga camps will be conducted from June 15 to June 20, culminating in a large-scale state-level celebration at Kalinga Stadium on International Yoga Day.

The initiative is being organised under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and coordinated by officials of the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, including Alok Das, Dr Debakanta Behera and Premananda Nath.

Addressing participants at the inaugural event, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stressed the importance of incorporating yoga into everyday life rather than limiting it to annual observances.

“Today, we practised yoga and pranayama for an hour. However, yoga should not remain confined to a single occasion. It must become a daily habit. Individual health forms the foundation of a healthy society, and yoga remains one of the best paths to physical and mental well-being,” he said.

The minister highlighted that International Yoga Day, observed globally on June 21, has evolved into a worldwide movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the broader objective behind the campaign is to promote collective wellness and strengthen the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the belief that the world is one family.

According to an official release, Odisha is making special efforts this year to expand yoga outreach and participation across urban, rural and border areas of the state. The programme also seeks to integrate modern technology into wellness initiatives by encouraging the use of digital platforms, mobile applications and Artificial Intelligence-based tools to make yoga more accessible to citizens.

The government believes technology-driven participation will help cultivate greater awareness among young people and encourage them to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Last year, Odisha had witnessed participation from more than 10,000 people during International Yoga Day celebrations organised under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Authorities expect significantly higher participation this year through grassroots campaigns and digital engagement initiatives.

The Union Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Odisha government, is also working to popularise standard yoga protocols among people living in remote and underserved regions. Officials indicated that a larger nationwide digital participation effort may also contribute towards creating a new Guinness World Record through simultaneous online engagement.

Senior officials, including Special Secretary Ashok Kumar Panda, Additional Secretaries Bijay Kumar Swain and Sudhakar Nayak, along with other departmental officers, were present at the inaugural programme.

India, Slovakia elevate ties to Comprehensive Partnership

June 15, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, marking a major milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the Slovak Republic – the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the historic Bratislava Castle, where he held both one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and agreed on a roadmap to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and cultural sectors, according to an official statement.

The leaders described the elevation of ties as the beginning of a new chapter in India-Slovakia relations, built on shared values, mutual trust, and a long-standing friendship. They agreed that the Comprehensive Partnership would strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms while opening new avenues for collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

During the talks, the two sides discussed cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, space, civil nuclear energy, renewable energy, digital innovation, education, culture, and talent mobility. They also explored collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors, start-ups, and advanced technologies.

The leaders acknowledged the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region. They underlined the value of stronger India-Slovakia cooperation in promoting regional connectivity, open trade, freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and a rules-based international order.

On global issues, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for reforms of international governance institutions, including the UN Security Council (UNSC). India welcomed Slovakia’s continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UNSC, while Slovakia reiterated its constructive approach towards India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The two leaders also exchanged views on terrorism and strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April 2025. Modi expressed appreciation for Slovakia’s solidarity and support following the attack. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

Defence and security cooperation emerged as a key area of focus during the discussions. The two sides agreed to encourage regular consultations between their defence authorities and explore opportunities in defence technologies, research and development, capacity building, and industrial cooperation. A Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation was exchanged during the visit.

India and Slovakia also agreed to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, critical information infrastructure protection, and preparedness against emerging quantum threats. A Memorandum of Cooperation signed in the field of critical infrastructure protection and post-quantum cryptography is expected to provide a framework for future collaboration.

Economic ties figured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders expressing satisfaction over the outcomes of the recent India-EU Summit. They welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the adoption of the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, noting that these developments would create new opportunities for trade, investment, and value chain diversification.

India’s exports rise 14.66% to USD162.69 billion in April-May

June 15, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: India’s cumulative exports of merchandise and services grew by 14.66% to an estimated USD 162.69 billion during April-May of 2026-27, compared with USD 141.89 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, according to official data.

The country’s merchandise exports registered a strong performance during the first two months of the financial year, rising 16.09% to USD 88.91 billion from USD 76.59 billion recorded during April-May 2025-26, according to an official statement.

Non-petroleum exports also maintained positive momentum, increasing by 10.49% to USD 70.74 billion during the period, compared with USD 64.03 billion a year earlier.

Several key sectors contributed to the growth in merchandise exports during May 2026. Petroleum products emerged as the leading driver, with exports surging 54.89% to USD 8.42 billion from USD 5.44 billion in May 2025.

Engineering goods exports rose by 24.48% to USD 12.31 billion, up from USD 9.89 billion in the corresponding month last year.

Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals increased by 12.71% to USD 2.72 billion, while electronic goods exports grew by 11.62% to USD 5.10 billion.

The gems and jewellery sector also recorded positive growth, with exports rising 6.66% to USD 2.53 billion in May 2026 from USD 2.38 billion in May 2025.

Major drivers of merchandise export growth in May 2026 included petroleum products, engineering goods, organic and inorganic chemicals, electronic goods, and gems and jewellery.

DRDO tests indigenous long-range cruise missile

June 15, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully conducted the flight-test of the indigenously developed Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

According to DRDO, all mission objectives were successfully achieved during the test. Data captured by various tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, confirmed the missile’s performance and validated the test parameters.

The LRLACM has been developed indigenously, with its sub-systems designed and produced by various DRDO laboratories in collaboration with Indian industry partners, according to an official statement.

The Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, served as the nodal laboratory for the project.

The launch was witnessed by senior DRDO officials as well as representatives of the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO team and industry partners on the successful flight-test, describing it as a significant achievement for the country’s indigenous defence capabilities.

Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, Rajesh Kumar Singh, who also serves as Chairman of DRDO, monitored the launch activities and lauded the efforts of all personnel involved in the successful test.

The successful trial marks another milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous missile development programme and enhance long-range precision strike capabilities.

US-Iran tentative peace deal draws global backing, Israel voices concerns

June 15, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UN welcome breakthrough as Iran and US move towards a ceasefire pact; Israel remains wary.

New Delhi: A tentative agreement between the United States and Iran to end months of military confrontation has triggered cautious optimism across the world, with several countries and international bodies welcoming the development as a potential pathway to regional stability, even as Israel expressed reservations over the deal.

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Washington and Tehran had reached a preliminary understanding aimed at ending the US-Israel conflict with Iran and halting hostilities linked to Lebanon.

Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! pic.twitter.com/ImyZeQyxl3
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 14, 2026

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” while signalling a reopening of global maritime trade routes and energy flows.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that broader negotiations, including sanctions relief, would continue during a proposed 60-day ceasefire period. According to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the tentative understanding includes the immediate suspension of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

However, Gharibabadi cautioned, according to the Tasnim news agency, that Iran would closely monitor Washington’s adherence to commitments and stressed that the memorandum did not amount to “trusting the enemy”.

The official signing ceremony of the proposed agreement is expected to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 19. According to reports by Al Jazeera, the deal is being viewed internationally as a significant diplomatic breakthrough after months of violence that disrupted regional security and pushed global oil prices higher.

Among the first countries to respond positively was Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated both Washington and Tehran for their commitment to diplomacy and acknowledged the role played by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in facilitating negotiations.

Qatar also welcomed the development. According to Al Jazeera, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised both sides for pursuing negotiations and peaceful engagement. Minister of State Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi expressed hope that the agreement would encourage broader regional stability and constructive dialogue.

Saudi Arabia described the understanding as an important step towards ending military operations and initiating detailed negotiations over a 60-day period aimed at reaching a permanent settlement. The United Arab Emirates similarly underlined the importance of diplomacy, urging all sides to fully comply with the terms of the agreement and immediately halt hostile actions.

Kuwait issued a warm welcome to the memorandum of understanding, while acknowledging the diplomatic contributions of Pakistan and Qatar in helping bridge differences between the two sides.

Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the deal an important development for peace and tranquillity in the region and reiterated Ankara’s commitment to supporting diplomatic solutions grounded in international law.

At the global level, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the tentative deal as a “critical step” towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the need for swift and complete implementation of the agreement and restoration of unhindered maritime navigation.

Israel, however, responded cautiously. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not withdraw from territories it currently controls in Lebanon and warned of a forceful response if Iran resumed attacks linked to Lebanon. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticised the agreement, describing it as detrimental to Israel’s security and asserting that pressure on Iran must continue.

The content and durability of the understanding remain under scrutiny, but the announcement has raised hopes that one of West Asia’s most volatile confrontations may be moving towards de-escalation.

CM Majhi flags off Somnath Swabhiman Yatra

June 15, 2026 by India Verve Desk

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha on Monday added a new chapter to its cultural and spiritual history with the launch of the historic Somnath Swabhiman Yatra-2026, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off a special pilgrimage train carrying more than 1,100 devotees to the revered Somnath Jyotirlinga shrine in Gujarat.

The special train was flagged off from Bhubaneswar Railway Station and will take pilgrims to Prabhas Patan, home to the sacred Somnath Temple. The initiative forms part of a nationwide mass pilgrimage programme being organised under the Somnath Swabhiman Parva, a year-long cultural and spiritual observance commemorating key milestones associated with the temple’s rich legacy.

Addressing the gathering, the CM said the yatra was much more than a railway journey and represented a collective expression of faith, devotion, and cultural pride. He noted that Lord Jagannath in the east and Lord Somnath in the west symbolise the spiritual unity of India and continue to bind the nation through a shared civilisational consciousness.

Majhi said the pilgrimage forms a significant part of the nationwide Somnath Swabhiman Parva, which commemorates two important milestones in Indian history. The programme marks 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 and the 75th anniversary of the temple’s reconstruction and re-consecration after Independence, inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

He said the Union Ministry of Culture has organised a large-scale nationwide pilgrimage programme under the observance, with devotees from different parts of the country travelling to Somnath. Alongside Odisha’s special train, 1,008 pilgrims from Lucknow and nearly 1,300 from Delhi are also undertaking the sacred journey.

Majhi also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” has found expression at Somnath through the development of modern pilgrim infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery, museum, sea-view promenade, and facilities created under the PRASHAD scheme.

In a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening the spiritual connection between Odisha and Somnath, sacred water from Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar’s Ekamra Kshetra and holy soil from the historic Kedar Gouri Temple have been sent on the special train as offerings to Lord Somnath.

During their visit, devotees will have the opportunity to offer prayers at the temple, witness the grand Maha Aarti, participate in Rudrabhishek rituals and devotional programmes, and experience a modern light-and-sound show depicting the temple’s glorious history.

Speaking on the occasion, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said Odisha was sending sacred symbols of its spiritual heritage to Somnath through the pilgrimage. He noted that the holy water of Bindusagar would carry Odisha’s message of devotion to the sacred shrine.

FIFA World Cup: Germany thrash Curaçao; Netherlands held by Japan

June 15, 2026 by Deepak Acharya

NEW DELHI: Germany thrashed a hapless Curaçao 7-1 in their Group E clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Germany, four-time world champions, took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute thanks to a goal from Felix Nmecha.

Debutants Curaçao pulled one back at Houston Stadium in the 21st minute through Livano Comenencia’s goal, but their joy was short-lived as Nico Schlotterbeck’s slick header restored Germany’s lead at 2-1.

Kai Havertz made it 3-1 from the penalty spot in the 50th minute. Germany’s onslaught continued in the second half as Jamal Musiala made it 4-1 in the 57th minute, while Nathaniel Brown’s composed volley gave the European side a commanding position.

Substitute Deniz Undav netted Germany’s sixth goal before Havertz wrapped up the victory.

In another Group E match, Ivory Coast registered a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador. Amad Diallo scored the only goal of the match in the 90th minute.

A Group F clash between the Netherlands and Japan ended in a 2-2 draw.

Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 51st minute with a header, but Keito Nakamura equalised for Japan in the 57th minute.

Crysencio Summerville’s 64th-minute goal gave the Dutch side a 2-1 lead, but Daichi Kamada’s strike in the 89th minute ensured Japan secured a point from the match.

Other Result: Group F: Sweden 5, Tunisia 1.