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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: September 10, 2026

Odisha CM Majhi holds talks with UAE minister on investment opportunities

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday held a meeting with UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri on the second day of Odisha’s investment outreach mission in the UAE.

Majhi, who is also leading the state’s investment outreach, highlighted Odisha’s favourable business environment, strong industrial ecosystem and investment potential across key sectors.

He invited UAE-based investors to explore new investment opportunities and invest in Odisha.

The meeting with Al Marri, who is also Chairman of the Council of International Investments, focused on investment and economic cooperation between Odisha and the UAE.

The second day of the outreach mission includes a series of high-level government meetings, investor interactions and sector-specific business discussions aimed at exploring industrial partnerships and investment opportunities in Odisha.

As part of the programme, the Odisha delegation is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with representatives of various industries to discuss investment opportunities and potential industrial partnerships in the state.

A roundtable meeting with the aluminium downstream industry will focus on Odisha’s aluminium industrial ecosystem and opportunities for investment in the downstream sector.

The delegation will also meet the Indian Business and Professional Council to discuss ways to further strengthen India-UAE business relations and explore investment opportunities in Odisha.

The programme also includes a visit to Emirates Global Aluminium to explore potential cooperation in the aluminium and downstream industrial sectors.

An industry roundtable with the Bureau of Middle East Recycling will focus on opportunities in recycling, the circular economy and sustainable industrial development.

The day will conclude with an interactive session with the Odisha business delegation, focusing on business opportunities, market linkages and further strengthening Odisha-UAE economic relations.

Modi calls for global cooperation to ensure a safe, sustainable space domain

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the first International Space Summit in Paris, France, through a video conference, calling for greater global cooperation to ensure a safe, secure, peaceful, and sustainable space domain.

Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for taking the initiative to organise the landmark gathering and for inviting him to participate in the summit, according to an official statement.

Reflecting on humanity’s longstanding fascination with space, Modi said the cosmos has inspired human imagination for centuries, while space technology now plays an important role in everyday life on Earth, including climate monitoring, agriculture, oceans and communities.

He stressed that the growing complexity of the space environment requires countries to work together with a focus on long-term sustainability.

According to Modi, increasingly crowded orbits, more powerful technologies and a growing number of space actors make international cooperation more important. He called for cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term gains and inclusion over exclusion.

Linking India’s approach to space with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, Modi advocated a secure and peaceful space domain anchored in international law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

The PM also emphasised the importance of transparency and responsible sharing of scientific information. He said scientific data should serve the common good through openness and integrity.

Highlighting India’s space journey, Modi pointed to the practical benefits of satellite technology in areas such as weather forecasting, disaster management and navigation.

He noted that these capabilities directly benefit communities, including farmers and fishermen.

He praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its global reputation for excellence and cost-effective missions, while highlighting India’s international cooperation in launch services.

More than 430 payloads from 34 countries have been deployed aboard Indian rockets, Modi said, underlining the wider global utility of India’s space capabilities and partnerships.

The PM also paid tribute to generations of Indian scientists, engineers and technicians whose dedication and hard work have contributed to ISRO’s global reputation and India’s standing among spacefaring nations.

Recalling major milestones in India’s space programme, Modi said Aditya-L1 is currently studying the Sun and referred to the visit of an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station last year.

He also highlighted Chandrayaan-3’s historic lunar landing, noting that India became the first nation to land near the lunar south pole.

Looking ahead, Modi outlined India’s long-term space ambitions, including plans to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

He said the guiding principle behind these efforts remains ensuring that the benefits of space exploration reach all of humanity.

Modi also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s private space sector, noting the emerging synergy between startups and established organisations alongside institutional agencies. He described this development as the energy of enterprise joining the excellence of ISRO.

Highlighting Indo-France space cooperation, Modi recalled that France has been a trusted partner since the inception of India’s space programme at Thumba in the 1960s.

He said current cooperation between the two countries spans Earth observation and advanced technologies, combining scientific research with societal benefits.

Inviting France and other international partners to participate in India’s upcoming exploratory missions, Modi called for global collaboration in the next phase of space exploration.

Concluding his address, the PM urged the international community to work together to explore, innovate and protect the space environment for humanity and future generations.

Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue 2027 launched in Bhubaneswar

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Wednesday inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue (VBYLD)-2027 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, providing young people across the state a platform to contribute ideas towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The initiative is being implemented by MY Bharat under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It seeks to encourage young people to develop and present ideas that can contribute to India’s development journey.

Addressing a press conference during the launch, Minister Suraj said the campaign aims to help bridge the gap from classrooms to boardrooms and from playgrounds to parliament.

The government is also working with premier institutions, including the IITs, to help convert innovative ideas emerging from the initiative into practical products and services.

The Sports and Youth Services Department is partnering with MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme to create widespread awareness about the programme across the state.

Recalling Swami Vivekananda’s message on the power of youth, the minister encouraged young people from across Odisha to participate actively in the initiative and make their ideas count.

The selection process has already begun with the online Viksit Bharat Quiz, which is being conducted from August 17 to September 30, 2026. Individuals aged between 15 and 29 years are eligible to participate.

Those who successfully clear the quiz will move on to a 500-word essay writing competition, followed by district-level and state-level rounds. The final state delegates will travel to New Delhi, where they will have an opportunity to present their vision before Union Ministers, senior officials, and the prime minister.

The Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue-2027 features six core tracks: Viksit Bharat Challenge, Cultural Track, Design for Bharat, Hack for Social Cause, Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge and Youth Parliament.

Students from schools, colleges and universities across Odisha can register through the MY Bharat portal for the programme.

Sports Director Dr Yeddula Vijay, Additional Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Sudhakar Naik, and State Directors from MY Bharat and NSS were among those present at the launch event.

Finding of orangutans: STF, WCCB probe deepens into how they reached Odisha

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Bhubaneswar: The investigation into the mysterious arrival of five baby orangutans in Odisha has intensified, with the Special Task Force (STF) and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) examining CCTV footage and possible road, air and sea routes used to transport the animals.

The five orangutans, rescued from a casuarina plantation near the Udayapur-Talsari area of Balasore district on September 9, have been shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, where they are being kept under quarantine and round-the-clock veterinary observation.

The animals are believed to be around six to eight months old. The group comprises three males and two females. Forest officials said the juveniles are in good health and have shown little fear of humans, raising questions about whether they had spent considerable time in captivity before being abandoned.

Forest officials are also examining how five infants came to be together. Female orangutans normally give birth to a single infant, making the presence of five young animals at the same location particularly unusual.

A black SUV seen in CCTV footage from the area has emerged as one of the leads being examined by investigators. The agencies are also checking footage from possible transit points and questioning people who may have information about how the animals reached Balasore. However, no trafficking network or suspect has been conclusively identified so far.

Odisha Forest Department officials have ruled out the possibility of the orangutans naturally reaching the state, as the species is native to Southeast Asian islands, particularly Borneo and Sumatra. Regional Chief Conservator of Forests Prakash Chand Gogineni has said it is not yet clear whether the animals were wild-caught or captive-bred. Their apparent familiarity with humans, however, indicates possible prior human contact.

“Their behaviour with humans and their ability to clearly respond to human behaviour suggest they are used to humans and have spent a bit of time with them,” Gogineni was quoted as saying by The Down To Earth.

The state government has also expressed concern over possible wildlife trafficking. Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia has said investigators are looking into the possibility of an international network being involved. The commercial international trade in orangutans is prohibited under CITES.

At Nandankanan, the rescued animals are being kept in a temperature-controlled quarantine facility. They are being monitored round the clock and provided a specialised diet, including bananas and apples at regular intervals. Zoo authorities are also using toys and slings as part of their care.

The immediate priority remains the health and safety of the five juveniles, while the investigation seeks to establish where they came from, how they entered India and who abandoned them in the Balasore forest

CM Majhi steps up Odisha’s investment outreach in Dubai

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Bhubaneswar/Dubai: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s UAE investment outreach entered its second day on Thursday with a series of high-level meetings with government representatives, investors and industry leaders, following a major investment push in Abu Dhabi on the first day of his visit.

Majhi arrived in Dubai on Wednesday night, where he was welcomed by members of the Odia community and business representatives. The Chief Minister’s UAE visit, which runs from September 8 to 12, is aimed at attracting global investment and strengthening Odisha’s economic and business ties with the UAE.

The second day’s programme includes a meeting with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri to discuss investment and economic cooperation. Majhi is also scheduled to hold one-to-one meetings with industry representatives to showcase investment opportunities in Odisha.

A key focus of the day is the aluminium sector, with a roundtable discussion planned with downstream aluminium industry representatives. The discussions will explore opportunities arising from Odisha’s established aluminium ecosystem and the potential for greater investment in downstream manufacturing.

The Odisha delegation will also visit Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to explore possible cooperation in aluminium and downstream industries. Another roundtable with the Bureau of Middle East Recycling will focus on recycling, the circular economy and sustainable industrial development.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet representatives of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) and interact with members of the Odisha business delegation on market linkages, investment opportunities and ways to strengthen Odisha-UAE economic relations.

The second day follows a significant investment push in Abu Dhabi, where Odisha announced MoUs and cooperation agreements covering 14 proposed projects involving the International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group.

According to the Odisha government, the projects represent an estimated investment of ₹2,10,500 crore and have the potential to create employment opportunities for around 8,68,200 people. The proposed investments span metal downstream industries, slurry pipelines, critical minerals and rare earths, chemicals and petrochemicals, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and sports infrastructure.

Discussions also advanced plans for an integrated aluminium project. The state government has proposed land for an alumina refinery in Kalyansinghpur tehsil of Rayagada district and an aluminium smelter in Sadar Sundargarh tehsil.

The first day also saw Odisha and the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG) sign a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting trade and investment. Discussions included expanding exports of Odisha products such as turmeric, ginger and seafood, promoting contract manufacturing for UAE brands and creating opportunities for skilled manpower from the state.

Majhi also invited Borouge CEO Hazim Sultan Al Suwaidi to explore setting up a large petrochemicals downstream complex in Odisha, leveraging the proposed naphtha cracker project of Indian Oil Corporation at Paradip.

Separately, the Chief Minister held discussions with UAE-based investment institutions on potential public-private partnership opportunities in Odisha’s infrastructure sector, including institutional investment and long-term project financing.

The investment outreach will continue with the Odisha Investors’ Meet in Dubai, as the state seeks to convert growing international investor interest into projects, employment and long-term economic partnerships.

Brazil’s star power set for historic India clash as Ancelotti names 26-man squad

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New Delhi: India are set for a rare footballing spectacle on October 3, with Brazil bringing a formidable 26-member squad for their senior men’s international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

The five-time world champions have included some of their biggest names for the India fixture, with Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Endrick and Bruno Guimaraes among the prominent players selected by head Coach Carlo Ancelotti. The squad also features three Ballon d’Or nominees.

Brazil will first take on Australia on September 25 and 29 before travelling to Kolkata for the October 3 encounter.

Ancelotti has plenty of attacking options at his disposal. Alongside Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Endrick, the forward line includes Estevao, Joao Pedro, Pedro, Rayan and Samuel Lino.

The midfield group features Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luiz, with Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Danilo Santos and Gabriel Bontempo also included.

Brazil have also packed considerable experience into their defensive unit. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and experienced international Marquinhos are part of the squad, alongside Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Jair, Matheuzinho, Mauro Jr., Vitor Reis and Wesley.

Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otavio have been named as the three goalkeepers.

For India, the match will provide Khalid Jamil’s side with an opportunity to test itself against one of international football’s most successful teams. The Kolkata fixture will also mark Brazil’s first senior men’s international appearance on Indian soil.

Brazil squad: Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otavio.

Defenders: Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Jr., Vitor Reis, Wesley.

Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Bontempo.

Forwards: Endrick, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Pedro, Raphinha, Rayan, Samuel Lino, Vinicius Jr.

APSEZ wins bid to develop two dry bulk berths at Paradip Port

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Bhubaneswar: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has emerged as the highest bidder and received the Letter of Award for the development and operation of two dry bulk berths at Paradip Port in Odisha.

The project will add 18 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of new cargo handling capacity to APSEZ’s total domestic portfolio, taking it to 671 MMTPA.

In a press release, the company said the addition will support its target of achieving 1 billion tonnes of cargo throughput by 2030.

The project will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership model with a 30-year concession. APSEZ will develop the CQ-I and CQ-II berths with state-of-the-art mechanised cargo handling systems, deep-draft berths and large-scale storage infrastructure.

APSEZ Whole-time Director and CEO Ashwani Gupta said the Paradip concession would strengthen the company’s presence on India’s East Coast and expand its access to one of the country’s most important industrial and mineral-rich hinterlands.

He said the addition of Paradip would take APSEZ’s network to 16 ports and terminals across India’s 11,000-km coastline and strengthen its ability to provide integrated port, logistics and marine solutions.

Located in a mineral-rich hinterland with major steel plants, Paradip is India’s second-largest major port and a vital bulk cargo gateway. The new terminal will strengthen APSEZ’s capacity to handle rising volumes of coal, limestone and other dry bulk commodities, while expanding its reach across core industrial and manufacturing clusters in eastern and central India.

The capacity addition comes amid high utilisation across India’s East Coast ports and growing cargo demand. Supported by hinterland steel expansions and the government’s push for domestic coal, the project is expected to ease regional capacity bottlenecks and support industrial growth.

APSEZ is part of the Adani Group and operates as an integrated transport operator, with activities spanning cargo origination through an international freight network, port handling, rail transport, multi-modal logistics parks, warehousing, and final delivery through road transport to customer gates.

Odisha braces for extremely heavy rain as low-pressure area forms over Bay of Bengal

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to witness another spell of intense rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain across the state from September 9 to 11, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall likely on September 10.

The IMD has issued a red colour warning for extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha on September 10 as a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.

According to the weather department, an upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently prevailing over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coast in the lower and middle tropospheric levels. Under its influence, the low-pressure area is expected to form on September 10.

The developing system is likely to enhance rainfall activity across Odisha. The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the state from September 9 to 12, followed by isolated to scattered rainfall from September 13 to 15.

Along with heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning are likely over Odisha during September 9-11. Gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph, are also expected over the state during September 12-13.

The IMD has also issued a fishermen warning for the Odisha coast. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Odisha, West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh coasts and adjoining parts of the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal until September 12. A warning is also in place over the north Bay of Bengal on September 9.

The weather system is expected to affect several neighbouring states. Gangetic West Bengal is likely to receive heavy rainfall during September 9-11, while Chhattisgarh is forecast to receive heavy rain from September 10-13. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to experience heavy rainfall on September 10 and 11, while Telangana may receive heavy rain during September 10-13.

The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha during September 9-12. Chhattisgarh is likely to see widespread rainfall from September 10-15.

During the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on September 9, very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm was recorded over Tripura. Heavy rainfall was also reported from parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, West Bengal and Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam.

With extremely heavy rainfall forecast over Odisha on September 10, residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas are advised to remain alert as intense rain could lead to localised waterlogging and disruption.

Trump predicts Iran war will end immediately after US midterm polls

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US President Donald Trump says Iran will no longer be able to sustain the conflict after November’s midterm elections, even as his advisers reportedly fear the war could continue through the rest of his presidency.

US President Donald Trump has predicted that the war with Iran will end “immediately after” the country’s midterm elections in November, arguing that Tehran will not be able to withstand continued US economic and military pressure.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said Iran was “desperate” to influence the US election and suggested that Tehran was hoping for a change in the political balance in Washington.

“I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” Trump was quoted as saying by media reports. He also indicated that a negotiated settlement remained possible, although he said diplomacy was not currently the preferred course.

Trump’s prediction comes as the conflict enters its seventh month and tensions have intensified around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near the waterway after US forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. The escalation pushed Brent crude prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July.

Trump’s confident prediction contrasts with assessments reportedly being discussed privately by senior members of his administration.

According to The Wall Street Journal, senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have warned that the conflict could continue for the remainder of Trump’s presidency, potentially extending until January 2029.

The concern comes amid growing economic and military pressure from the prolonged conflict. The war has already resulted in the deaths of 18 US service members, while disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to rising energy prices.

The upcoming US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3 and will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s current term.

The military escalation was accompanied by a major diplomatic development on Wednesday, when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its failure to comply with nuclear safeguards obligations.

The resolution was approved by 23 votes to three, with eight countries abstaining. Russia, China and Niger voted against the measure. It marks the first time in two decades that the IAEA Board has referred Iran to the Security Council over the issue.

The move follows a prolonged dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme and the IAEA’s access to nuclear facilities. The agency has been unable to fully inspect key sites since earlier military strikes damaged Iranian nuclear facilities.

The United States, Britain, France and Germany had pushed for the referral, arguing that Iran had failed to provide adequate cooperation and assurances concerning its nuclear activities. The IAEA has previously expressed concern over Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60%, although Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Iran rejected the latest resolution. Its representative to the nuclear watchdog described the decision as politically motivated and said it would not produce results.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his claim that Iran’s government is close to collapse.

During a visit to Israeli troops in southern Syria, where Israel has established what it describes as a security zone, Netanyahu said the principal objective was to bring down what he called Iran’s “terror regime”.

His comments came as Israel’s military activity and the wider US-Iran conflict continued to affect several parts of the region.