Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Jan

New Excise Duty on Cigarettes to Take Effect From February 1, Prices Likely to Rise

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacigarette excise duty, cigarette price hike, finance ministry order, tobacco taxation India

New Delhi, January 1, 2026: The Centre has announced a fresh excise duty on cigarettes, a move that is set to increase retail prices from February 1 and impact smokers nationwide. An order issued by the finance ministry said the revised duty will be imposed based on the length of cigarettes, ranging between ₹2,050 and ₹8,500 per 1,000 sticks, in addition to the existing 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax. The new levy comes at a time when the overall tax burden on cigarettes in India is estimated at about 53 per cent, well below the 75 per cent…

01 Jan

ED Seizes Fresh Cash and Jewellery Worth Nearly Rs 10 Crore in Probe Against Absconding Criminal Inderjit Yadav

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaED raids Delhi, Enforcement Directorate, Inderjit Yadav, money laundering case

New Delhi, January 1, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday seized Rs 1.22 crore in cash and jewellery valued at Rs 8.5 crore during fresh searches linked to a money-laundering investigation against UAE-based absconding criminal Inderjit Yadav, officials said. The latest recovery was made from a farmhouse in Delhi owned by Sunil Gupta. According to officials, Gupta had earlier extended loans to Aman Kumar, an alleged associate of Yadav. The agency suspects that Kumar attempted to divert and conceal proceeds of crime by transferring funds to Gupta after the ED initiated its probe. A day earlier, the ED had…

01 Jan

India, Pakistan Exchange Nuclear Installations List for 35th Consecutive Year Despite Strained Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessconfidence building measures, India Pakistan relations, nuclear installations list

New Delhi, January 1, 2025: India and Pakistan on Thursday carried out their annual exchange of lists detailing nuclear installations and facilities, continuing a long-standing confidence-building measure even as bilateral relations remain tense following military hostilities last year. The exchange was conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in accordance with the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. Confirming the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said both countries shared the required information as mandated under the pact. Signed on December 31, 1988, and brought into force on January 27, 1991, the…

01 Jan

India to Launch First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on Kolkata–Guwahati Route, PM Modi to Flag Off Service

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndian Railways, Kolkata Guwahati train, PM Narendra Modi, Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

New Delhi, January 1, 2026: India is poised to achieve a significant milestone in railway travel with the launch of its first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train on the Kolkata–Guwahati corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the 16-coach semi-high-speed train in the coming days, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday. The new sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express has been designed to offer long-distance passengers a modern, comfortable, and affordable travel option. Capable of carrying more than 800 passengers, the train combines advanced technology with passenger-centric features aimed at enhancing overnight journeys between eastern and northeastern…

01 Jan

ATF Prices Cut by Over 7%, Commercial LPG Becomes Costlier as Oil Firms Revise Rates

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaATF price cut, aviation turbine fuel, commercial LPG price hike, oil marketing companies

New Delhi, January 1, 2026: State-owned oil marketing companies on Thursday revised fuel prices in line with global benchmarks, reducing the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by 7.3 per cent while increasing the rate of commercial LPG cylinders by Rs 111. According to official data, the price of ATF in the national capital was lowered by Rs 7,353.75 per kilolitre, bringing it down to Rs 92,323.02 per kl. The reduction is expected to provide some relief to airlines, for whom fuel accounts for a significant portion of operating costs.In contrast, commercial LPG prices saw an upward revision. The cost…

01 Jan

Historic Midnight Swearing-In: Mamdani Takes Oath as New York City’s 112th Mayor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsMamdani oath ceremony, New York City mayor, Old City Hall subway station, Quran swearing-in

New York (USA), January 1, 2025l6: New York City marked the start of the New Year with a moment of political significance as Mamdani was sworn in as the city’s 112th mayor during a private midnight ceremony at the abandoned Old City Hall subway station. The understated event, attended only by close family members and advisers, formally ushered in his tenure and set the tone for an administration he says will prioritise working New Yorkers. Mamdani took the oath of office on a Quran, administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, becoming the city’s second-youngest mayor. His wife,…

01 Jan

Hindu Trader Brutally Attacked in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur, Set Ablaze in Suspected Hate Crime

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBangladesh violence, communal violence, Hindu trader assaulted, Shariatpur attack

Dhaka (Bangladesh), January 1, 2026: A disturbing incident has once again highlighted rising communal tensions in Bangladesh after a Hindu trader was brutally assaulted and set on fire by unidentified attackers in Shariatpur district. The victim, identified as 50-year-old Khokan Chandra Das, is currently battling for his life after sustaining serious injuries. According to local sources, the incident took place late Wednesday night in the Kadamya area under the jurisdiction of the Damudya police station. Khokan Chandra Das, who runs a grocery and mobile banking business in Keraniganj market, was returning home on his motorcycle after closing his shop around…

01 Jan

California Pauses Mass Cancellation of Trucking Licences Amid Legal Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalifornia

California (Rajeev Sharma): California has temporarily halted plans to revoke nearly 17,000 commercial driving licences after a legal challenge from Sikh and immigrant rights organisations, offering short-term relief to thousands of truck and bus drivers across the state. The licences will now remain valid until March while authorities review eligibility and compliance issues. The decision follows a class-action lawsuit filed by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, which alleged that immigrant drivers were being disproportionately targeted despite holding valid qualifications. The groups argued that sudden licence cancellations threatened the livelihoods of drivers who depend on commercial driving for…

01 Jan

Explosion at Swiss Mountain Resort Bar Leaves Multiple Dead on New Year

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsSwitzerland

Switzerland (Rajeev Sharma): New Year celebrations turned tragic at a renowned Swiss ski destination after a powerful explosion ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The incident was reported in the early hours of Thursday, with police confirming casualties but withholding specific numbers. According to law enforcement officials, the blast took place around 1:30 am local time at a bar named Constellation. Emergency responders, including police, fire services and medical teams, were immediately dispatched to the scene following reports of an explosion heard in the area. Those injured in the incident were rushed to nearby…

01 Jan

New Year Ushers in Showers Across Tricity as Cold Wave Intensifies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Punjab, TrendingNew Year

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The first day of 2026 began on a cool and cloudy note in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, with light rain reported from several localities. The brief spells of drizzle, forecast in advance by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), further lowered temperatures and added to the winter chill in the region. Across Punjab, Haryana and other parts of northern India, similar weather conditions prevailed, with overcast skies and occasional showers observed through the day. Meteorologists said the ongoing weather activity has strengthened cold conditions, particularly in the plains where sunshine remained limited. Earlier forecasts from the IMD had…