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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 19, 2026

India, UAE set ambitious roadmap to double trade, deepen strategic ties

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New Delhi: India and the United Arab Emirates on Monday unveiled an expansive roadmap to elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting an ambitious target to double bilateral trade to USD 200 billion by 2032 while broadening cooperation across energy, technology, defence and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who paid his fifth visit to India in a decade, reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and noted the rapid growth in trade since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022, with commerce touching USD 100 billion in FY 2024-25.

The two leaders agreed to fast-track initiatives such as Bharat Mart, the Virtual Trade Corridor and Bharat-Africa Setu to connect MSMEs and expand market access across West Asia, Africa and Eurasia, according to an official joint statement.

They welcomed expanding investment flows following the Bilateral Investment Treaty and explored a potential UAE partnership in developing Gujarat’s Dholera Special Investment Region, including strategic infrastructure such as an international airport, port, smart township and energy facilities. Highlighting the success of the first NIIF Infrastructure Fund, Prime Minister Modi invited UAE sovereign wealth funds to consider participation in the second Infrastructure Fund, scheduled for launch in 2026.

Cooperation in emerging areas featured prominently, with both sides agreeing to deepen collaboration in space, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, including exploring “Digital Embassies” and setting up supercomputing and data centre facilities in India. Energy ties were further strengthened with the signing of a 10-year LNG supply agreement between HPCL and ADNOC Gas, and both sides agreed to explore partnerships in advanced nuclear technologies.

The leaders reaffirmed strong defence and security cooperation, condemned terrorism in all forms, and underlined respect for sovereignty and strategic autonomy. They also announced cultural and educational initiatives, including establishing a “House of India” in Abu Dhabi and expanding academic exchanges, reinforcing the people-centric character of the partnership.

BJD seeks sacking of mines minister over sand theft link

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Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Monday alleged that sand, morrum, and stone theft have become rampant across the State and claimed that leaders and workers of the ruling BJP were directly involved. Following recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Ganjam district – where the involvement of a representative of the mines minister reportedly surfaced – the BJD demanded the immediate dismissal of Minister of Commerce, Transport, Steel & Mines Bibhuti Bhushan Jena from the Cabinet.

Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, party spokesperson and Media Coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty said that since the BJP came to power, illegal extraction of sand and other minor minerals has risen sharply. The party alleged that the illegal activities are flourishing with the tacit encouragement of the ruling establishment.

According to the BJD, the State’s minor mineral revenue, which stood at Rs1,485 crore in 2023–24, has fallen drastically to Rs600 crore in 2024–25. Revenue from major minerals has also dropped from Rs50,000 crore to Rs34,000 crore during the same period – an alarming decline the party termed a serious blow to Odisha’s financial health.

Dr. Mohanty further claimed that the widespread theft has triggered steep increases in sand prices and worsened road safety, law and order, and public welfare.

The party in a press release said it had repeatedly raised the issue and demanded decisive action, but the government ignored the warnings. The ED raids, Mohanty said, confirmed irregularities and exposed the involvement of the mines minister’s representative.
A letter from Jena to the Ganjam District Collector reportedly authorized Sunil Patra as his point person for Mining, Police, and Court matters. Once the ED linked Patra to sand theft, the BJD alleged, the minister’s role became evident.

On the minister’s remark that “whoever is involved in sand theft will face ED raids,” the BJD said the comment was an attempt to deflect attention, comparing it to “a thief shouting thief.”

Stating that the minister’s resignation was the only acceptable step, the BJD said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who speaks of “good governance” and calls himself a “people’s CM,” must prove it by removing Shri Bibhuti Jena from the Cabinet.

PM’s North-East push boosts youth confidence: Jayant Chaudhary

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Guwahati: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, on Monday highlighted that the prime minister’s sustained focus on the North-East – reflected through regular visits and policy attention – has created renewed confidence and opportunity for the region’s young population.

During the inauguration of the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025–26 for the North-East at Gauhati University, Guwahati, Chaudhary said that taking India’s premier skills platform to the region demonstrates a firm belief in the abilities of its youth and removes barriers that once prevented many from participating at a national level.

He described IndiaSkills as more than a contest, calling it a celebration of commitment, discipline, and the dignity of work. Chaudhary expressed confidence that competitors from the North-East are ready to take their place in India’s skilled workforce and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth story.

The minister stressed the growing integration of vocational training with mainstream education under the National Education Policy 2020, stating that alignment between classrooms and skill-building institutions expands pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

This regional competition marks the first time IndiaSkills has travelled to the North-East and is being organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with the National Skill Development Corporation as implementation partner, according to an official statement.

A total of 162 participants from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are competing across 26 skill categories, including cloud computing, mobile app development, welding, CNC milling and turning, automotive technology, electronics, fashion technology, bakery and patisserie, hospitality services, retail sales, digital media, visual merchandising and social care.

Officials noted that this year’s participation reflects a notable rise in women entering technical skill areas such as electronics, welding, CNC, and electrical installation, fields traditionally dominated by men. The competition also highlights how digital and Industry 4.0 skills are increasingly intersecting with manufacturing, hospitality, and service sectors – areas of growing economic importance in the North-East.

Candidates progress through district and state-level stages before advancing to regional rounds. Winners from Guwahati will move on to the IndiaSkills National Competition, where top performers may earn a place in the Indian contingent for WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai, scheduled for September 22–27.

State NSD branch to come up in Keonjhar: CM

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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of a State branch of the National School of Drama (NSD) in Keonjhar, underscoring the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of a theatre workshop jointly organised by the NSD and the dance academy Spiraja in Keonjhar town.
The CM stated that the institute would be set up in collaboration with the Central government and assured that the State government would provide full support for its development. Emphasising the importance of art and culture, he said they form the soul of any society, reflecting its collective thoughts, struggles, hopes, and dreams.
Highlighting Odisha’s diverse performing arts traditions, Majhi referred to the jatra culture of Ganjam, Danda Nata or Jhamu Jatra, and the Chhau dance of Mayurbhanj. He said the proposed NSD branch would play a vital role in strengthening theatre education, nurturing local talent, and transforming Keonjhar into an emerging cultural hub of the State.

India, Poland review strategic partnership in New Delhi

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New Delhi: India and Poland on Monday underscored the strength of their strategic partnership as Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski was welcomed to New Delhi amid global uncertainty. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of continued engagement between the two nations, noting that despite differing regional contexts, shared challenges make regular dialogue valuable.

Jaishankar pointed to the historically warm relationship between India and Poland, emphasising recent momentum in political, economic, and cultural cooperation, according to a statement from the External Affairs Ministry. The elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024 was described as a significant milestone, setting the stage for deeper collaboration.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to review the India-Poland Action Plan for 2024–28, aimed at unlocking the full potential of strategic cooperation. Key areas of focus include expanding trade and investment links, strengthening defence and security collaboration, and advancing joint work in clean technologies and digital innovation.

Poland was noted as one of India’s major trading partners in Central Europe, with bilateral trade estimated at around USD 7 billion – nearly triple its size over the past decade. Indian investments of more than USD 3 billion in Poland were highlighted for creating employment opportunities and reinforcing economic ties.

Cultural connections also featured on the agenda, with both sides expressing interest in fostering deeper people-to-people exchanges. The revival of cultural links and continued interest in Indian traditions, such as yoga, were cited as positive indicators of mutual engagement.

The discussions extended to regional and global developments. The external affairs minister, in a post on X, reiterated India’s longstanding position on security issues, emphasising the importance of cooperative approaches to cross-border terrorism.

He underlined the need for collective efforts against terrorism and reiterated expectations of Poland’s support on related matters.

The visit reflects India’s intent to fortify its strategic partnership with Poland and enhance cooperation across a range of sectors, even as both nations navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.

Praggnanandhaa suffers second loss at Tata Steel Masters

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Wijk aan Zee: Defending champion R. Praggnanandhaa slipped to a second straight defeat at the Tata Steel Masters Chess, losing to Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, on Sunday. The Indian youngster was unable to hold a balanced endgame and now finds himself at the bottom of the standings without a point from two outings, leaving him with a steep climb over the next 11 rounds.

World champion D. Gukesh shared the points with Dutch player Jorden van Foreest, taking his tally to one point after back-to-back draws, according to reports.

Arjun Erigaisi, who began the tournament by beating Praggnanandhaa, pressed hard against Thai Dai Van Nguyen of the Czech Republic but was unable to break through. The game steered into a rook-and-pawns ending and ended level, keeping Arjun in a joint lead on 1.5 points alongside Hans Moke Niemann and Abdusattorov.

Aravindh Chithambaram also settled for a draw, sharing the point with Turkish youngster Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus to move to one point after two rounds.

Behind the leaders, nine players sit half a point back, creating a tightly packed chase group. Dutch favourite Anish Giri is on 0.5 and remains just ahead of Praggnanandhaa in the standings.

In Praggnanandhaa’s encounter, a Queen’s Gambit Declined saw him reach an equal position with Black until an inaccuracy on move 31 cost him a pawn in a rook ending – an outcome analysts believe still held defensive resources. The Indian, however, failed to rescue the position and resigned after sixty moves.

Arjun followed a similar opening choice and briefly came under pressure in the middlegame before steering the game safely to another rook-and-pawns finish.

Gukesh worked with the initiative using the white pieces in a sharp and imbalanced middlegame. Both sides created complications, and the Indian eventually forced a perpetual check to divide the point.

Aravindh escaped with a half-point after being pushed to the edge in a Sicilian Defence battle by Erdogmus, while Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev rebounded from his opening-round defeat with a win over Germany’s Vincent Keymer.

Ethiopians sweep Tata Mumbai Marathon

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Mumbai: Ethiopian runners dominated the 21st Tata Mumbai Marathon as Tadu Abate Deme and Yeshi Kalayu Chekole clinched the elite men’s and women’s titles at the World Athletics Gold Label event on Sunday. The podium finishers earned USD50,000, USD25,000, and USD15,000 respectively.

Men’s Elite Race: The men’s contest unfolded as a tactical battle involving Kenya’s Leonard Kiprotich Langat, Eritrea’s Merhawi Kesete – runner-up last year – and Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate. World champion Victor Kiplangat of Uganda and Ethiopian Gada Gemsisa were also in contention until midway.

Langat and Abate exchanged the lead repeatedly until the 40 km point. Kesete stayed close, trailing by roughly 50 metres, but was unable to close the gap when the pace surged late. In the closing kilometre, Abate accelerated smoothly to build a decisive margin and crossed the line in 2:09:55.
Langat followed 15 seconds later for second, with Kesete securing third in 2:10:22.

With victories in both elite races, Ethiopia completed a double sweep in Mumbai for the seventh time.

Women’s Elite Race: Yeshi Kalayu Chekole secured her maiden major marathon victory, delivering a well-planned effort over the 42.195 km course. The 28-year-old paced herself intelligently, staying composed through the opening stages before accelerating decisively in the final kilometres.

The early part of the race saw a large Ethiopian group push together, featuring familiar names such as Medina Deme Armino – third last year – and experienced performer Shure Demise. Armino made the initial move and used her knowledge of the Mumbai streets to take charge through halfway, but she gradually slipped behind as the pace lifted.

From that point, Yeshi stayed with leading contenders Kidsan Alema, Gojjam Tesgaye and Birke Debele. When the race passed the 30 km mark, she controlled the tempo, eased away from her rivals and finished unchallenged in 2:25:13 – the fifth-fastest winning time in the event’s history.
Kidsan Alema followed her home, while the remaining Ethiopian contenders filled out the lead positions, according to reports.

Indian Elite – Women: Sanjivani Jadhav marked her marathon debut with a memorable win, finishing 10th overall in the women’s field and first among Indian runners. She completed the race in 2:49:02, showing strength through the final stretch.

Nirmaben Thakor, chasing a third consecutive Mumbai crown, settled for second in 2:49:13 after a resilient run.
Sonam clocked 2:49:24 for third, gaining valuable experience while staying close to the frontrunners.

Indian Elite – Men: Kartik Karkera, based in Russia for training, produced a breakthrough performance to claim top honours among Indian men. Competing in only his second marathon, he cut a large chunk off his previous best and finished in 2:19:55, surprising several seasoned distance runners.

Defending champion Anish Thapa placed second with a steady 2:20:08, maintaining his strong record in Mumbai.
Pradeep Chaudhary completed the top three in 2:20:49 despite struggling with mid-race physical issues.

Prize Money: The top three finishers in the Indian elite categories received INR 5 lakh, INR 4 lakh, and INR 3 lak,h respectively.

CM Majhi launches 3,612 projects in Kalahandi

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Bhawanipatna: Kalahandi witnessed a landmark day on Sunday in its development journey as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for thousands of projects across the district, signalling a renewed commitment to rapid growth, infrastructure strengthening, and inclusive progress.

At a public gathering in Bhawanipatna, the CM officially launched a total of 3,612 development projects with a combined value of Rs891.39 crore. Out of these, 971 completed projects amounting to Rs193.36 crore were formally inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for another 2,641 projects worth Rs698.03 crore. These works cover a diverse range of sectors, including rural roads, piped drinking water systems, school infrastructure, community facilities, healthcare buildings, and livelihood improvement initiatives, all aimed at addressing long-standing needs across Kalahandi’s urban and rural areas.

The CM also announced several major commitments that are expected to transform the region over the coming years. He confirmed that work on the eagerly awaited Utei Raul Irrigation Project will begin very soon, with an estimated cost of Rs3,325 crore. Once completed, this project is expected to provide assured irrigation to vast agricultural tracts, dramatically reducing the dependence of farmers on erratic monsoon rainfall and enabling higher crop yields and farm income.

In another significant announcement, Majhi declared that the stretch from Kalahandi to Nabarangpur will be developed as a dedicated Cotton Production Cluster. This initiative is expected to bolster the cotton farming ecosystem, draw investment in ginning and value-addition units, and open up new employment opportunities linked to the textile and agricultural sectors.

To further strengthen grassroots governance, the CM, in a post on X, stated that a public grievance hearing programme will be organised in Bhawanipatna, ensuring citizens have a direct channel to raise issues, seek solutions, and engage with the administration.

The scale and ambition of the initiatives launched mark one of the largest single-day interventions in Kalahandi in recent times, reflecting the government’s long-term vision for balanced regional progress. With thousands of new projects underway, a large irrigation programme set to reshape farming prospects, and renewed focus on agro-industrial growth, Kalahandi is poised to step into a new phase of development and opportunity.

Tragic high-speed train crash in Spain leaves dozens dead

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Madrid: A serious rail disaster struck southern Spain on the evening of Sunday, when two high-speed passenger trains derailed and crashed near the town of Adamuz in Córdoba province. The collision occurred on a section of track that forms a key part of the country’s high-speed rail network.

Early media reports indicate that one of the trains, travelling on a route connecting southern cities with Madrid, left its track unexpectedly and veered onto a neighbouring line. Almost immediately, it collided with another high-speed service heading in the opposite direction. The impact was severe, with several carriages from both trains derailed or crumpled.

Emergency workers were on the scene within minutes, with firefighters, medical teams and rescue units combing through the wreckage. Many passengers were pulled from inside the trains and taken to hospitals, while others were treated on site for injuries ranging from broken bones to shock and cuts. Authorities confirmed that dozens of people were injured and that at least 20 lives were lost, though the number of casualties could rise as operations continue.

Trains on the high-speed lines running between Madrid and major Andalusian cities such as Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Granada and Huelva were halted immediately. Rail officials announced that services would remain suspended through Monday, as the site remains an active emergency zone and investigations begin.

Meanwhile, ADIF, the Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager, said that it is working in coordination with emergency services and railway companies following the accident.

In a post on X, it said: “High-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Granada and Huelva will remain suspended, at least, throughout Monday. Services between Madrid and Cádiz, Algeciras and Granada will also be affected.”

Trump invites PM Modi to join new global peace initiative

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Washington: The White House has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in a newly proposed international peace initiative aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict and addressing broader global instability.

In a letter dated January 16, addressed to the PM, US President  Donald Trump extended what he described as “a critically Historic and Magnificent effort” aimed at solidifying peace in the Middle East. The invitation forms part of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, a roadmap announced by the US on September 29, 2025.

According to the communication, the 20-point plan has received early support from world leaders across the Arab region, Israel, and Europe. The US president also referenced a major diplomatic milestone achieved on November 17, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803, calling it a collective endorsement of the initiative.

The letter outlines the next phase of the proposal – the establishment of the Board of Peace, described as a new international governing mechanism and transitional administrative body. The United States expects a group of nations to participate, with invitations extended to what the letter refers to as “Highly Respected World Leaders.”

The document states that the grouping’s mission will include strengthening peace efforts, leading by example, and investing in long-term regional and global stability. It also emphasises collaboration and partnership among participating countries, to deliver a “secure and prosperous future for generations to come.”

In a post on X, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that the Board would support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity.

Further details on the composition of the Board of Peace and India’s response to the invitation are awaited.