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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: January 18, 2026

Trump’s 10% tariff plan on Europe triggers backlash

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Washington: In a sweeping move affecting major transatlantic trade, US President Donald Trump has declared that, beginning February 1, a 10% tariff will be imposed on all goods imported from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. Trump added that the tariff rate could rise to 25% as early as June 1 unless the countries agree to concessions sought by the US.

In a post on X, which was shared by the White House, Trump tied this tariff decision to his long-standing effort to highlight Greenland’s strategic importance – a Danish territory whose future he has repeatedly discussed – even as Greenland’s local government has firmly stated it is not for sale. By linking trade restrictions to geopolitical demands, Trump’s move departed from traditional trade policy practices and quickly drew global attention.

Meanwhile, European leaders reacted firmly to the announcement, defending sovereignty and long-standing alliances:

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the tariff threat as unacceptable, stressing that economic pressure should not be used to influence matters of territorial governance or international relations. In a post on X, Macron emphasised that cooperation among democratic nations must be rooted in respect and shared values.

In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the tariff plan as completely unjustified and urged that disputes be resolved through diplomacy rather than economic coercion. Starmer reaffirmed that decisions regarding Greenland and its people lie solely with Denmark and Greenland, not external economic pressures.

Political leaders from the Netherlands condemned the tariffs as destabilising, arguing that linking trade with unrelated geopolitical demands undermines trust among long-standing allies. Other affected nations echoed calls for dialogue within established international frameworks and reaffirmed their commitment to fair trade practices.

Separately, across northern Europe, citizens took to the streets in protest, according to reports. Demonstrators in Copenhagen and elsewhere in Denmark carried signs opposing the idea that Greenland could be treated as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Speakers at rallies emphasised respect for national sovereignty and the right of Greenlanders to determine their own path.

In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, many residents expressed strong opposition to the notion that their homeland’s future could be influenced by external economic policy. “Greenland is not for sale,” became a unifying message among local leaders and grassroots groups.

Protesters in major European capitals also voiced broader concerns about economic coercion and the implications of using trade policy to influence political outcomes among allied nations.

India launches first open-sea marine fish farming project in Andaman sea

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Port Blair: India marked a major step toward an ocean-driven economy on Sunday as Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, formally unveiled the country’s first open-sea marine fish farming project directly from the waters of the Andaman Sea.

Launching the initiative in North Bay, Vijaya Puram, Dr. Singh said the project reflects a new national imagination – one that sees India’s oceans not just as borders, but as engines of growth and opportunity. He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to fully tap the “Blue Economy,” noting that this project is the first of many expected across the country’s coastline.

Speaking to scientists, officials, and members of the local fishing community, the minister pointed out that India had long overlooked the economic potential of its maritime domain. For decades since Independence, he said, the seas remained underutilised, even though they hold resources as rich and varied as those in the Himalayas or the mainland. He added that since 2014, policy direction has shifted, recognising the equal importance of ocean-based industries, research, and livelihoods.

The pilot project brings together the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration, according to an official statement. Unlike traditional coastal aquaculture, the initiative moves fish farming into deep natural waters, opening the door to larger-scale cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed.

On-site, the launch kicked off two parallel livelihood programmes. Seaweed seeds were distributed to local fisher groups to begin deep-water farm plots, while finfish seeds were placed into specially designed open-ocean cages developed by NIOT to withstand real sea conditions. Dr. Singh said this hands-on model ensures that island communities stand to benefit first from new marine technologies.

He added that once field-tested, the concept could expand beyond government support to public–private partnerships, opening new avenues for investment, innovation, and jobs in coastal and island economies.

During his Andaman visit, the minister also toured the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor. Spread over 15 islands, the park is known for its coral reefs, mangroves, and marine species that underpin the region’s ecological wealth. Dr. Singh highlighted that science, sustainability, and livelihoods must advance together, especially in regions whose daily life depends on the sea.

INS Sagardhwani begins Sagar Maitri mission

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Kochi: INS Sagardhwani, the country’s dedicated oceanographic research ship operated by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) under DRDO, sailed out from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on Saturday to begin the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative.

The mission was flagged off by Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. Members of the parliamentary committee attended the ceremony, along with Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO; Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command; Dr R. V. Hara Prasad, Director General (Naval Systems & Materials); and Dr Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director, NPOL, among senior officers from DRDO and the Indian Navy.

Sagar Maitri is a key collaborative effort between DRDO and the Indian Navy, supporting the government’s vision of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The programme promotes stronger scientific cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim countries and supports broader socio-economic engagement through shared marine research.

NPOL has been conducting ocean observation missions under Sagar Maitri to enhance scientific partnerships and training with nations across the region. Its dedicated scientific component, the Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative (MAITRI), seeks to deepen collaboration in ocean science, technology development, and capacity building.

During the current deployment, INS Sagardhwani will retrace parts of the historic route undertaken by INS Kistna during the International Indian Ocean Expedition from 1962 to 1965. The ship will engage with eight partner countries – Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar – with the mission marking the start of a specific collaborative research effort with the Maldives, according to an official statement.

The initiative forms a central pillar in DRDO’s work to improve Underwater Domain Awareness for the Indian Navy. The voyage will map and collect oceanographic and acoustic datasets along planned observational tracks, providing long-term insights into the region’s maritime environment.

INS Sagardhwani, designed by NPOL and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, has been in service since July 1994. Over more than three decades of deployment, the specialised acoustic research platform has significantly advanced India’s marine science capabilities, supporting naval readiness, environmental study, and regional cooperation.

PM launches Kaziranga elevated corridor in Assam

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Kaliabor: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project – a Rs6,950 crore initiative to expand the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-715 into a four-lane highway, including a landmark 35-km wildlife corridor designed to protect Kaziranga’s famed biodiversity.

Addressing a large gathering in Kaliabor, the PM said the project marked “a new phase of connectivity, conservation and confidence” for Assam, enabling economic growth while safeguarding the Kaziranga National Park ecosystem. The PM further said the development would ease access to Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, lift tourism and livelihoods, and allow animals to move freely during floods – a recurring challenge in the world heritage site.

Reflecting on his earlier stay inside Kaziranga, Modi said the landscape had left a “deep imprint”, and praised the state’s successful battle against wildlife crime, noting that 2025 recorded zero rhino poaching cases, compared to dozens a decade ago.

He highlighted cultural vibrancy as an equally integral part of Assam’s identity. Referencing his visit to the Bagurumba Dwhou festival in Guwahati, he lauded the 10,000 Bodo artists who took part, calling the spectacle a celebration that “touched the eyes and reached the heart.” He similarly recalled attending the Jhumoir Mahotsav and Magh Bihu festivities during past visits, saying such moments reflected the government’s mantra, “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” (Development and Heritage Together).

Modi stressed that Kaliabor’s significance is rooted in history, citing the decisive role played by Lachit Borphukan in defeating Mughal forces, according to an official statement. “Assam’s courage, unity and pride travel through this soil,” he noted, adding that his government was determined to transform the region into a modern connectivity hub.

At the event, the PM also flagged off three major rail services from Kaliabor, including the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train connecting Guwahati to Kolkata, and two Amrit Bharat Express trains linking Assam with West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The expanded rail network, he said, would create new opportunities for students, traders, and travellers.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the North East, the PM said the region had moved from “feelings of neglect” to being “central to India’s development journey.” He contrasted the earlier Rs2,000 crore railway allocation to Assam with the nearly Rs10,000 crore now being invested annually, supporting doubling, electrification, new lines, and upgraded passenger facilities.

On environmental stewardship, Modi defended the government’s record, pointing to increased forest cover, 260 crore saplings planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, the expansion of tiger and elephant reserves, restored wetlands, and the reintroduction of cheetahs. He said Kaziranga now mirrored a national shift proving “economy and ecology can advance together.”

He also hailed Assam’s crackdown on encroachment and infiltration, asserting that protecting land, forests, and cultural heritage remained essential for long-term stability.

Concluding his address, the PM said the Kaziranga corridor and the new rail links would open fresh economic horizons, strengthen tourism and transport, and bring the North East “closer to the heart of the nation.”

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita were among the dignitaries present.

Odisha pitches Rs1 lakh crore+ investment potential at Kolkata roadshow

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Kolkata: Odisha made a decisive pitch for large-scale industrial growth in eastern India as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led a two-day investors’ engagement in Kolkata on Friday and Saturday. The roadshow, designed to position the state as a key destination for manufacturing and enterprise, opened discussions on over Rs1 lakh crore in potential investments across priority sectors.

The event brought together more than 500 industry leaders, alongside CEOs, sector representatives, and policy stakeholders. Over the two days, the delegation conducted 130 business interactions and hosted four focused roundtables showcasing opportunities in metals and minerals, chemicals and petrochemicals, food processing, apparel, and emerging sectors, according to reports.

A total of 27 Memorandums of Understanding amounting to Rs81,864 crore were announced, carrying the promise of 63,161 new jobs. In addition, 19 investment intent proposals worth Rs 18,453 crore, which will create 27,591 jobs, were logged, increasing the combined employment potential to nearly 90,000 opportunities.

The CM underlined Odisha’s shift towards value-added manufacturing, backed by stable governance, an industry-ready workforce, and expanding port-led connectivity. He pointed to the state’s transition from resource supplier to processed and advanced manufacturing hub, positioning Odisha as a co-driver of the Purvodaya vision for eastern India’s industrial rise.

Industries and Skill Development Minister Sampad Swain, who was part of the delegation, reiterated the state’s focus on accelerating approvals, sector-specific facilitation, and capacity building to meet the needs of new investment.

Officials said the engagements contribute to the government’s long-term vision for 2036–2047, converting intent into projects and reinforcing Odisha’s aim to anchor the next wave of industrial expansion in the region.

Culture-based mental wellness meet held at RIE Bhubaneswar

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Bhubaneswar: A renewed focus on student well-being took centre stage on Friday as the Manodarpan Cell of NCERT and the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Bhubaneswar, convened a consultative gathering on “Bhartiya Wisdom/Traditions with Mental Health Practices in School Education.”

The meeting, which brought together participants and resource persons from Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, explored how schools could move beyond academic achievement and engage with learners’ emotional and behavioural needs by drawing from India’s cultural heritage, according to an official statement.

Speakers noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 clearly places mental and emotional development on par with cognitive learning. The discussion revolved around identifying classroom-friendly practices aligned with this vision – ranging from breathing routines and food habits to values-oriented upbringing and traditional healing knowledge.

Opening the programme, RIE Principal Prof. Manasi Goswami observed that students today navigate pressures that stem from both their surroundings and circumstances – whether family challenges, interrupted schooling, or disruptions caused by disasters. She noted that schools must actively cultivate coping skills and emotional resilience.

Prof. Vinod Kumar Shanwal, who leads Manodarpan activities at NCERT, shared how the initiative is building a support ecosystem through platforms such as Paricharcha and Sahayog. He underscored that counselling and support should be viewed as accessible resources rather than interventions reserved for crisis.

Highlighting practical pathways, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera pointed to the role of homegrown approaches – from local health traditions to region-specific practices – in reducing student stress when properly contextualised.

Welcoming delegates, Prof. Sankar Prasad Mohanty remarked that adolescence continues to be the most psychologically vulnerable phase in school life, and teacher preparedness is essential for early identification of distress.

Programme coordinator Dr. Shalini Dixit reiterated that traditional knowledge is not separate from modern mental health frameworks but can complement them when evaluated and adapted responsibly.

The meeting concluded that insights gathered would feed into broader national work underway through NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023. Participants expressed confidence that the proceedings would guide curriculum refinement, resource development, and policy suggestions for making emotional well-being an embedded dimension of school education.