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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: June 22, 2026

Odisha Police seize Maoist arms in Koraput, crack armed robbery case in Ganjam

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police registered two major successes in separate operations, recovering a large cache of Maoist arms and explosives from a forest area in Koraput district and solving an armed robbery case in Ganjam district within 24 hours of the crime.

In Koraput, police unearthed a Maoist dump in the Badalipahad forest under Baipariguda police station limits and seized a substantial quantity of weapons, explosives and other materials believed to belong to Maoist cadres operating in the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) area.

According to an official press note, the operation was launched by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) based on information gathered during the interrogation of surrendered Maoists. During a search operation in the forest area, security personnel located the concealed dump and recovered several incriminating items.

The seized materials included one INSAS rifle, six country-made guns, an 18-kg claymore mine, a 10-kg tiffin bomb improvised explosive device (IED), six tiffin bomb IEDs weighing around 4 kg each, a Maoist kit bag and various articles used in daily operations.

Police suspect that the recovered arms and explosives were stockpiled for use by Maoist cadres active in the Andhra-Odisha border region. The recovery is being viewed as a significant setback to the remnants of Maoist activity in the area.

In a separate operation, Ganjam Police solved a sensational armed robbery case reported from an farmhouse near Gokulpalli under Kabisuryanagar police station and arrested seven accused persons within 24 hours.

According to police, six armed miscreants entered the farmhouse of Rajanikant Mishra on the evening of June 19. The accused allegedly held family members at gunpoint, tied them up and fled with around 15 tolas of gold ornaments, Rs 12,000 in cash and two mobile phones.

Following the complaint, Kabisuryanagar Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act and launched an investigation.

Acting on the directions of the Ganjam Superintendent of Police, a special team comprising personnel from Kabisuryanagar Police Station, Polasara, Balipadar Outpost and Aska Police Station was formed. With the assistance of scientific and fingerprint experts, investigators collected evidence and carried out raids based on intelligence inputs.

The operation led to the arrest of seven accused identified as Santosh Mahapatra, Manoranjan Gouda, Rudranarayan Sethi, Shubham Raut, Jitendra Khatei alias Hina, Dutikrushna Nayak and Rajib Kumar Das.

Police recovered the looted articles, mobile phones, two motorcycles, a country-made pistol and three live rounds of ammunition allegedly used in the crime.

Two other accused, identified as Hitesh Swain and Sweta Khatei, are absconding. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them.

The arrested persons have been produced before the court, while further investigation into the case is continuing.

Tamil Nadu ammonia gas leak: CM Majhi announces Rs 4 lakh ex gratia

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Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic ammonia gas leak incident at a seafood factory in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, where five Odia workers lost their lives.

Upon learning about the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased workers. In a post on X, he also announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of every deceased Odia worker.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour & Employees State Insurance, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, stated that the untimely demise of five workers from Odisha – Jimani Jiwang, Geeta Jiwang, Bhumia Jiwang, Sibani, and Phulmani Juang – in the ammonia gas accident in the Kunnigapera area of Tamil Nadu is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.

In a post on X, he offered prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured workers.

Ram Singkhuntia further stated that, under the direction of Majhi, the Odisha government has been closely monitoring the situation from the beginning and has provided Rs 4 lakh ex gratia assistance to the families of each deceased worker.

He said the government is maintaining continuous coordination with the Labour Department and the Tamil Nadu administration to ensure the respectful return of mortal remains to their native villages, proper assistance and compensation for the affected families, and strict legal action against those responsible as per law.

He added that the government of Odisha remains fully committed to the safety and welfare of Odia workers working outside the state.

India becomes world’s top ship recycling nation

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New Delhi: India has emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving a key target under the Maritime India Vision 2030 well ahead of schedule.

According to the latest report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, India’s share of global ship recycling rose to 35.4% in 2025 from 30.1% in 2024. The country recycled 2.99 million Gross Tons (GT) of ships during the year, marking a nearly 60% increase from 1.86 million GT recorded in 2024.

The achievement highlights the impact of maritime sector reforms and ease-of-doing-business initiatives undertaken by the government of India.

Commenting on the development, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s rise to the top position reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry participation, and adherence to global environmental and safety standards.

He said the development strengthens India’s position as a global hub for responsible and sustainable ship recycling.

To boost the sector, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has implemented several measures in recent years. The government enacted the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which India ratified in 2019.

Financial assistance of Rs 53.5 crore has been provided to modernise ship recycling facilities, enabling 115 yards to become compliant with international standards.

The ministry has also introduced the Ship-breaking Credit Note Scheme. Under the scheme, ship owners receive a credit note equal to 40 per cent of the scrap value of a recycled vessel. The incentive can be used to pay up to 5 per cent of the value of a new ship built at an Indian shipyard, encouraging both ship recycling and domestic shipbuilding.

The government continues to engage with stakeholders, including the Gujarat Maritime Board, industry associations, global shipping companies, classification societies, and international organisations, to address challenges and improve the sector’s competitiveness.

Efforts are also underway to secure the inclusion of Indian ship recycling yards in the EU’s approved list of recycling facilities under the EU Ship Recycling Regulations.

To meet future demand, the Gujarat government has prepared a master plan for expanding the Alang ship recycling yard. The expansion is expected to nearly double India’s ship recycling capacity to around 9 million light displacement tons.

Industry projections remain strong. According to the Baltic and International Maritime Council, more than 16,000 vessels are expected to be recycled globally over the next decade. With a global market share of 35.4%, India is well-positioned to recycle between 500 and 600 vessels annually while continuing to expand its capacity.

Odisha government reviews monsoon preparedness

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday reviewed its preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season and directed all departments to remain on high alert to safeguard lives and livelihoods across the state.

Chairing the State-Level Natural Disaster Committee Meeting 2026, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said protecting the lives and livelihoods of Odisha’s people remains the government’s top priority.

He reviewed the overall administrative readiness for the monsoon and instructed departments to ensure coordinated and timely response mechanisms.

In a detailed post on X, the CM noted that Odisha continues to face multiple natural disaster risks because of its geographical location and the growing impact of climate change. However, he said the state’s proactive disaster management strategy and its “Zero Casualty” policy have emerged as a globally recognised model.

According to him, Odisha’s disaster preparedness efforts were recently appreciated by member nations during the BRICS Summit held in Puri.

Highlighting the government’s response to recent floods, unseasonal rainfall, and Cyclone Montha, Majhi said the administration acted swiftly to mitigate the impact of the disasters. He added that financial assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund was provided to affected residents and farmers on a war footing.

With concerns over possible El Niño conditions this year, the state government has intensified efforts to protect Kharif crops. A state-level monitoring mechanism has been put in place, while monitoring committees will be formed at the panchayat level. District collectors have been assigned direct responsibility to prevent black marketing of fertilisers and seeds and to ensure adequate availability of agricultural inputs.

The government is also focusing on the maintenance and upkeep of multipurpose cyclone shelters, the timely dissemination of alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol-based SMS system, and strengthening the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Services.

To counter misinformation during emergencies, Majhi stressed the need for disseminating accurate and timely information through social media platforms. He also called for stronger inter-departmental coordination under a “Whole of Government” approach to ensure effective disaster response and management.

14 killed in devastating fire at Lucknow commercial building

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Lucknow: At least 14 people were killed after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving firefighters, police personnel, NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams.

The blaze broke out at a building located on Usha Mehta Marg in the Purania locality, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and causing panic among residents and occupants. Rescue operations continued for several hours before the fire was brought under control.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed that 14 people had lost their lives in the incident. Most of the victims are believed to have been young people who were inside the building when the fire broke out.

Earlier in the day, officials had expressed concern that several people might still be trapped inside the smoke-filled structure. Rescue teams carried out room-by-room searches following reports that some occupants had taken shelter inside washrooms while trying to escape the flames.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families.

“Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance,” the Prime Minister posted on X.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.

The rescue effort was marked by confusion over the number of people inside the building. Earlier, Brajesh Pathak told media that children who had escaped informed authorities that some students could still be trapped inside washrooms.

Initial reports suggested that a coaching institute operated from the building. However, senior police officials later clarified that the premises housed a pet shop on the ground floor, while the upper floors were being used as an animation and gaming-related centre. Animals trapped inside the pet shop were rescued during the operation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short a programme in Aligarh after receiving information about the fire and announced a high-level inquiry.

“I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I have asked the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to reach the spot and present a report. I am also proceeding there myself so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated, those responsible can be punished and condolences can be conveyed to the affected families,” he said.

According to reports, the fire department received information about the blaze around 3 pm and deployed 14 fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Explosion at Qatar gas hub leaves 54 injured, 18 missing

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Blast at Ras Laffan industrial area occurs during efforts to restart operations, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies and regional stability.

At least 54 people were injured and 18 others reported missing after an explosion and fire struck a facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the country’s most important energy hubs, authorities said.

The incident occurred late Sunday night at the Barzan gas supply facility while work was underway to resume operations following disruptions linked to the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

According to Qatar’s Interior Ministry, the explosion was caused by a “technical malfunction” and was described as an “internal explosion”. Authorities said emergency teams were continuing search and rescue operations for the 18 missing persons.

“A total of 54 people were injured in the incident that occurred at a factory in the Ras Laffan Industrial City,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

The ministry also sought to reassure residents, stating that there had been no hazardous leak or release of substances that could threaten public safety, The Peninsula reported.

The blast occurred at the Barzan gas facility, which has a production capacity of nearly 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day. The facility plays a crucial role in supplying natural gas for electricity generation and powering Qatar’s desalination plants. The project is largely owned by QatarEnergy, with a minority stake held by ExxonMobil.

The explosion comes as Qatar was attempting to restore normal operations after disruptions caused by tensions in the Gulf region. Energy exports from the country had been affected by restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during the recent conflict.

FIFA World Cup: Spain drub Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Oyarzabal scores brace

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Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace as Spain thrashed a hapless Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their Group H clash of the FIFA World Cup.

Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead in the 10th minute, and Oyarzabal doubled the advantage in the 21st minute.

Three minutes later, Oyarzabal completed his brace with a slick finish.

An own goal from Hassan Al-Tambakti in the 49th minute further extended Spain’s lead and sent the Spanish side to the top of the group.

In another Group H match, a spirited Cabo Verde held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw.

Cabo Verde, which had frustrated the Spanish side in their opening game, took the lead in the 21st minute courtesy of Kevin Pina’s goal.

However, Maxi Araujo levelled the score for Uruguay with a fine strike, and Agustín Canobbio’s goal gave the South American side a 2-1 lead.

Hélio Varela emerged as the hero for the African side as he made it 2-2 in the 61st minute following a defensive mix-up.

Meanwhile, Belgium were held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in their Group G match in Los Angeles. Belgium were reduced to 10 men in the second half after centre-back Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card. Belgium are yet to register their first win in the tournament.

Other Result: Group G: New Zealand 1, Egypt 3

India women win Nations Cup title, men beat Netherlands in FIH Pro League

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New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team clinched the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 title with a 2-0 victory over hosts New Zealand in the final at Auckland on Sunday, securing promotion back to the FIH Pro League for the 2026-27 season.

Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo scored in the opening quarter as India, ranked ninth in the world, defeated world No. 10 New Zealand at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre. Navneet opened the scoring in the fourth minute by converting a penalty corner, while Sunelita doubled the lead in the 15th minute with a deflection from a drag-flick.

India dominated the early stages of the match, creating several scoring opportunities and winning five penalty corners in the first quarter. Despite New Zealand increasing the pressure after the break, the Indian defence remained solid, ensuring goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam was rarely tested.

The victory earned India its second FIH Nations Cup crown, following its inaugural edition in 2022. Lalremsiami Hmarzote was named Player of the Match in the final, while Deepika finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer with six goals.

The title also secured India’s return to the FIH Pro League after the team was relegated following a bottom-place finish in the 2024-25 season.

Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team ended its Rotterdam leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Olympic champions Netherlands on Sunday.

Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, and Rajinder Singh scored for India, while Pepijn van der Heijden and Koen Bijen found the net for the hosts.

After a goalless opening quarter, Jugraj put India ahead in the 18th minute through a penalty corner. The Netherlands equalised moments later through van der Heijden, but Abhishek restored India’s lead before half-time with a well-taken backhand strike.

India maintained its advantage through a disciplined defensive display in the second half before Rajinder Singh converted a penalty corner in the 56th minute to make it 3-1. Koen Bijen pulled one back late for the Netherlands, but India held on for the victory.

Stand-in Captain Hardik Singh was named Player of the Match. India remained eighth in the FIH Pro League standings with 10 points from 12 matches.

The Indian men’s team will next face Pakistan in London, while the women’s side will return to the FIH Pro League in the 2026-27 season.

Odisha deputy CM reviews Kharif preparedness in Keonjhar

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has reviewed agricultural activities and assessed the district’s preparedness for the upcoming Kharif 2026 season during a visit to Keonjhar.

During the tour, Singh Deo interacted with farmers and reviewed the progress of paddy nursery raising and transplanting operations. He also discussed measures being taken to tackle any adverse impact of a possible El Niño-induced monsoon situation and examined the preparedness of the district administration and the Agriculture Department.

The deputy CM directed agriculture officials to remain fully prepared for any contingency and ensure effective implementation of the District Agriculture Contingency Plan.

He stressed the importance of issuing timely advisories, maintaining adequate stocks of agricultural inputs, and closely monitoring field conditions to protect farmers’ interests during the cropping season.

Singh Deo also visited a proposed site identified for the establishment of model farms in the district. The farms are planned as centres for agricultural demonstrations, research, technology dissemination, and the promotion of modern farming practices among farmers.

Expressing satisfaction with the preparations made by the district administration and line departments, the deputy CM said Keonjhar was well prepared for Kharif 2026. He expressed confidence that timely interventions and coordinated efforts would help ensure a successful cropping season despite forecasts of below-normal monsoon rainfall.

Telkoi MLA and District Planning Committee Chairperson Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik and Patna MLA Akhil Chandra Nayak accompanied Singh Deo during the visit. Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Keonjhar Collector and District Magistrate, along with other senior officials, were also present.