Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

23 Dec

Thick smog engulfs Delhi as air quality turns ‘severe’, AQI soared to 413

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaair pollution, New Delhi

National Times Bureau :- Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded 'hazardous' on Tuesday morning, significantly impairing visibility and affecting residents. The AQI reading soared to 413 at around 8 am.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality spiked to 'severe' levels in certain areas of the National Capital Region (NCR). Multiple parts of the city continued to witness alarmingly high pollution levels.CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR.Several pollution hotspots included Anand Vihar (466), Chandni Chowk (425), and Ashok Vihar (444), also falling under the 'severe' category across…

23 Dec

US enhances online vetting for H-1B visas; delayed interviews likely to impact Indian techies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World News

National Times Bureau :- The United States has announced an expansion of online and social media reviews as part of routine visa screening for all H-1B and H-4 applicants worldwide, regardless of nationality. In a short statement, the US Embassy in India advised applicants to submit their visa applications as early as possible and to be prepared for longer processing times for these categories. "WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS. Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted…

23 Dec

Five killed, one missing as Mexican Navy plane crashes near Galveston, Texas

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAirplane Crash, Mexican

National Times Bureau :- Five people were killed on Monday when a small aircraft operated by the Mexican Navy crashed into the waters off the coast of Galveston, Texas, officials said. The plane was carrying eight people at the time of the accident—five fatalities have been confirmed, two occupants survived, and one individual remains missing, according to the Mexican Navy. The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission involving specialized medical transport when it went down shortly after 3 pm near Galveston, along the Texas coastline, about 50 miles southeast of Houston. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker confirmed the…

23 Dec

Mexican Navy Aircraft Crashes Near Galveston, Leaving Five Dead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsMexican

Texas (Rajeev Sharma): A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical support mission crashed near the Texas coastline close to Galveston on Monday, resulting in at least five fatalities, authorities confirmed. The incident prompted an extensive response from US and Mexican agencies, with search operations carried out in nearby waters. The plane was carrying eight people at the time of the crash, including a minor who was reportedly being transported for medical treatment. Mexico’s Navy said the group comprised four naval officers and four civilians, though officials have not yet clarified which passengers were among those killed. Two individuals on board…

23 Dec

Border Vigil Intensified Along Eastern Sector Following Developments in Bangladesh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingBangladesh

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Indian security agencies have tightened surveillance along the eastern border in response to renewed disturbances in Bangladesh, officials said, stressing that the move is preventive in nature. While there has been no major disruption reported along the frontier, forces have been asked to remain prepared for any unforeseen situation. Sources indicated that border formations, particularly in West Bengal, have increased monitoring amid concerns that instability across the border could lead to attempts at illegal crossings or smuggling. The alertness follows reports of an incident earlier this week in Cooch Behar district, where a Border Security Force…

23 Dec

Air India Boeing 777 Safely Returns to Delhi After Engine Shutdown, Passengers Reboarded on Alternate Aircraft

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAir India, Delhi, Engine Shutdown, Safety

New Delhi, ( Rajeev Sharma): An Air India Boeing 777, flight AI 887, safely returned to Delhi on Monday morning after experiencing an engine shutdown shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, which had departed at 6:10 AM for Mumbai, encountered an issue with its right engine, prompting a return to Delhi. The plane was back on the ground by 6:52 AM, according to flight tracking sites.Although the aircraft experienced a mechanical issue, twin-engine aircraft like the Boeing 777 are designed to land safely even with one engine in operation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into…

22 Dec

Delhi High Court Issues Notice to Sonia, Rahul Gandhi on ED Appeal in National Herald Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDelhi High Court, Enforcement Directorate, National Herald case, Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, December 22, 2025: The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notices to all respondents, including senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, on an appeal filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order in the National Herald money-laundering case. Justice Ravinder Dudeja heard the matter and fixed March 12, 2026, for further hearing after considering detailed arguments presented by the ED. The central agency was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and R.S. Cheema appeared for the Gandhi family. During the proceedings, the Solicitor General argued that the…

22 Dec

India, New Zealand Seal Historic Free Trade Pact, Aim to Double Trade in Five Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiabilateral trade, Christopher Luxon, India-New Zealand FTA, Narendra Modi

New Delhi, December 22, 2025— India and New Zealand on Monday formally announced the conclusion of a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a major step forward in bilateral economic and strategic relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon unveiled the agreement during a telephone conversation, underscoring the growing momentum in ties between the two countries. Officials from both sides described the pact as historic, ambitious and mutually advantageous. The agreement was finalised in just nine months after negotiations were launched during Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, reflecting strong political commitment…

22 Dec

Humayun Kabir Launches Janata Unnayan Party, Vows to Unseat Mamata Banerjee in 2026

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaHumayun Kabir, Janata Unnayan Party, Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal politics

Kolkata, December 22, 2025: Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday announced the formation of a new political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party, intensifying political churn in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.Addressing a public rally in Beladanga, the Bharatpur legislator said his newly floated party would work for the welfare of the “aam aadmi” and asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would not return to power in the next polls, which are due in less than six months. Kabir claimed that the chief minister had become increasingly disconnected from ordinary citizens.The announcement comes days after…

22 Dec

Gujarat Youth Captured in Ukraine Appeals to PM Modi for Help in Emotional Video

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGujarat youth, PM Modi appeal, Russian military, Sahil Majothi, Ukraine captivity

New Delhi/Moscow, December 22, 2025— A 22-year-old man from Gujarat’s Morbi town, who was captured by Ukrainian forces while allegedly fighting for the Russian military, has sent an emotional video message to his family, seeking urgent help from the Indian government for his release. The youth, identified as Sahil Mohamed Hussein Majothi, appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government, urging them to intervene and facilitate his return to India. In the video, which his mother received on her mobile phone, Majothi claimed he was deceived into joining the Russian military and later surrendered to Ukrainian forces…