Nation

New Delhi: The Central Government has opened a new avenue for underprivileged artisans with the inauguration of PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026, a unique platform designed to showcase the skills and craftsmanship of rural and marginalized artisans. The exhibition, inaugurated by Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, will run from 18 to 31 January, offering participants a range of benefits including skill training, toolkits, loans, and marketing support. Speaking at the event, Minister Manjhi described the Haat as an opportunity for artisans to display their talents and promote their handicraft products to a wider audience. The inauguration saw the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, representatives from various states and Union Territories, as well as ambassadors from Iraq ...

Large parts of North India continue to reel under severe cold conditions, with dense fog, icy winds and cold wave conditions disrupting daily life. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the harsh winter spell is set to persist on Sunday, January 18, particularly across Delhi-NCR and adjoining regions. Delhi-NCR: Bitter Cold and Dense Fog to Continue Delhi and the National Capital Region are expected to witness intense cold accompanied by fog during the morning and late evening hours. While daytime temperatures may rise slightly, chilling winds will maintain a biting cold feel. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for fog, warning of reduced visibility, especially during early hours. Cold Wave Alert Across Northern States Due to the impact of an active western dis...

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the move by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to personally hand over her Nobel Peace Prize to former US President Donald Trump, calling it “a collision of Venezuela’s desperation and American ego.” Tharoor described the act as a display of shameless politics, while using strong language to highlight Trump’s handling of the episode. ‘Machado’s Shameless Political Act’ Writing for NDTV, Tharoor remarked that Machado’s decision to present her Nobel medal at the White House was “a political performance so shameless it resembled performance art.” He emphasized that the gesture was aimed at winning attention in Washington, adding that it reflected Venezuela’s desperation and an attempt to curry favor with the global stage ...

India did not take part in the recent BRICS naval exercise, prompting questions in diplomatic and defense circles. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the exercise was an initiative by South Africa, rather than a regular or institutional BRICS activity. India has historically not participated in such exercises, and its regular engagement is with the IBSAMAR naval exercise involving India, Brazil, and South Africa. MEA Clarifies India’s Stand Official spokesperson Randeep Jaswal explained that the exercise under discussion was completely initiated by South Africa, with participation from selected BRICS member countries. He emphasized that not all BRICS countries took part and that it was not a regular BRICS institutional activity. India’s standard naval collabora...

Ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States have yet to reach a conclusion, and tensions have risen over agricultural tariffs. India had imposed a 30% tariff on US pulses, prompting American senators to appeal to President Donald Trump to address the issue in ongoing trade talks. US Senators Advocate for Farmers Senators Steve Daines and Kevin Cramer wrote to President Trump on January 16, urging him to include provisions in the trade deal that would benefit US pulse farmers. The letter highlighted concerns for farmers in North Dakota and Montana, who are among the top producers of pulses such as peas and lentils. India, on the other hand, is the largest consumer of pulses in the world, accounting for approximately 27% of global consumption. India’s Tariffs Impa...

Following the devastating Cyclone Dithwah in Sri Lanka, India has stepped in to provide assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The Indian Army has successfully constructed three critical Bailey bridges in Jaffna, Kandy, and the Central Province. The third bridge, measuring 120 feet in length, connects Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, reopening a route that had been blocked for over a month and restoring movement and supply lines. The Engineer Task Force B-492 of the Indian Army has been working tirelessly on restoration efforts. Two Bailey bridges in Jaffna and Kandy were completed earlier, and the third bridge, located near KM 15 on the B-492 Highway in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, has now been successfully installed. This bridge is particularly significant as it links the Kandy and Nuwara...

In a worrying development along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistani drones have been repeatedly spotted over the past few days. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi reacted strongly to the incidents, calling Pakistan’s actions a deliberate provocation and asserting that India will respond. Singhvi’s Statement on Pakistani Drones Posting on X, Singhvi said, “Pakistan has returned to its old tactics. Just days after Operation Sindoor, drones have been sighted again in Jammu and Kashmir. This is not a mistake, but a deliberate act of hostility. India is watching and will respond!” Repeated Drone Sightings Along the LOC Reports indicate that in the last five days alone, drones have been observed three times near the LOC. On 15 January, drones were spotted n...

Written By: Anjan Kumar | Navbharat Times | 17 Jan 2026, 1:13 PM IST Significant progress has been made in India’s ongoing negotiations with France for additional Rafale fighter jets. The focus of the deal is to ensure that the Indian Air Force (IAF) receives jets with maximum indigenisation and integration of domestic systems. Deal Advances Further The Defence Ministry has granted a key approval for the acquisition of 114 additional Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MMRFA). The proposal will now be considered by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the top decision-making body for defence procurement. The IAF faces a critical shortage of medium multi-role fighter jets, and until the domestically developed 4.5th and 5th generation stealth aircraft are operational, acquiring th...