India Archives - National Times

16 Jul

Centre revises fuel export duties as global crude prices climb amid West Asia tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingDiesel, Petrol

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Amid a fresh spike in global crude oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia, the Central Government has announced a revision in windfall taxes on petroleum exports. While export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) have been increased significantly, the levy on petrol exports has been reduced. The revised rates will take effect from July 16. As per the latest notification, the export duty on diesel has been raised by ₹7 per litre, taking it from ₹8.5 per litre to ₹15.5 per litre. A similar increase has been made for aviation turbine…

16 Jul

‘Don’t Ask Me to End My Fast, Walk With Me Instead’: Sonam Wangchuk Calls for Peaceful Parliament March

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, Trending

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Environmental activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has intensified his ongoing protest by urging citizens from across the country to participate in a peaceful march to Parliament on July 20, saying public participation is more important than appeals for him to end his hunger strike. In a post on X, Wangchuk responded to growing concern over his health, stating that while he was feeling physically weak, his resolve remained firm. "I'm not in good shape but not so bad either," he wrote, asking supporters to stand with the movement rather than persuade him to call off…

16 Jul

Himachal Braces for Wet Spell as Weather System Returns; IMD Warns of Heavy Showers from July 18

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): After enjoying nearly a week of largely dry weather, Himachal Pradesh is preparing for another active phase of the monsoon, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rainfall from July 18 onward. Officials have cautioned that the fresh spell could bring intense showers, increasing the possibility of flash floods, landslides and overflowing seasonal streams in vulnerable regions. According to meteorologists, a new Western Disturbance is expected to influence the state from Thursday afternoon, gradually strengthening rainfall activity over the following days. While the weather is likely to remain mostly clear until then, cloud cover is expected…

15 Jul

Rising Temperatures Replace Rain in Himachal, Weather Shift Expected Later This Week

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): A temporary pause in monsoon activity has brought warmer and more humid conditions back to Himachal Pradesh, with daytime temperatures climbing noticeably across several districts. While residents continue to experience clear skies, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rainfall will return towards the end of the week. Meteorological officials said the state is currently witnessing a weak phase of the southwest monsoon, resulting in limited rainfall over the past few days. As a result, temperatures have risen steadily, particularly in the lower hills and plains. Una recorded the highest maximum temperature at 36.2 degrees Celsius,…

14 Jul

Supreme Court Fines Comedian Samay Raina and Influencers Rs 3 Lakh Each Over Offensive Disability Remarks

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAshish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, SMA Foundation, Supreme Court

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court of India has taken a severe stance against popular content creators, imposing a penalty of 3 lakh rupees each on comedian Samay Raina and prominent YouTubers Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, reprimanded the influencers for showing arrogance and acting in brazen violation of the court's directives. The bench noted that despite claims of filing a compliance affidavit, no documentation had actually been submitted, emphasizing that operating from outside the country does not place these…

14 Jul

Supreme Court Refuses to Stay CBSE Three-Language Policy for Class 9 Students

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaCBSE policy, Class 9 curriculum, NCERT textbooks, Supreme Court, Surya Kant, three-language formula

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court of India has declined to grant an interim stay on the Central Board of Secondary Education's newly implemented three-language policy. The controversial mandate requires Class 9 students to study three languages, which must include at least two native Indian languages, starting from the current 2026-27 academic session. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued fresh notices to the Central Government, the CBSE, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training. While refusing to pause the rollout, Chief Justice Surya…

14 Jul

PM Narendra Modi’s Influence Dissuaded Vladimir Putin from Tactical Nuclear Threat, Says Polish Deputy Foreign Minister

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, World Newsdefence cooperation, India Poland, Narendra Modi, nuclear weapons, Ukraine war, Vladimir Putin

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a pivotal role in dissuading Russian President Vladimir Putin from deploying tactical nuclear weapons during a critical juncture of the Ukraine conflict in late 2022, according to Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski. Speaking at a joint press briefing following the India-Poland Joint Economic Commission meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Bartoszewski described the Indian leader as one of the very few global statesmen capable of exerting meaningful diplomatic pressure on the Russian President. He highlighted that New Delhi possesses unique leverage in international efforts to resolve the European conflict…

14 Jul

‘Everything Happened Within Minutes’: Vietnam Boat Crash Survivor Recalls Terrifying Moments Before Tragedy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending, World News

Chennai (Rajeev Sharma): A survivor of the Vietnam speedboat accident that claimed the lives of 15 Indian tourists has described the terrifying moments when a routine island transfer turned into a disaster within minutes. Nirmal Kumar, who returned to Chennai on July 13 night, said the boat overturned shortly after beginning its journey near Hon May Rut Ngoai off Phu Quoc Island. He recalled that a sudden, powerful wave caused the vessel to lose balance, leaving several passengers trapped inside. The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it capsized on July 11. While 16…

14 Jul

Himachal Weather Update: Monsoon Takes a Break, Heavy Rain Spell Likely After July 18

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a temporary pause in monsoon activity, with clear skies dominating several parts of the state and temperatures gradually climbing. Weather officials have predicted that the dry spell will continue for a few more days before rainfall intensity increases from July 18 under the influence of a new weather system. The state capital Shimla and several other regions experienced sunny conditions on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive day of relatively clear weather. The reduction in rain has led to warmer conditions, especially in the plains, where humidity levels have also increased. The Meteorological Department…

13 Jul

Red Fort Temporary Closure Announced for Independence Day Security Preparations

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaASI, closure notice, Delhi tourism, Independence day, Red Fort, security protocol

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh) — The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced that the Red Fort complex will be temporarily closed to all public visitors from July 15 until the afternoon of August 15. The month-long closure has been implemented to facilitate comprehensive security arrangements and extensive groundwork ahead of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. According to the official administrative notification, standard entry restrictions will be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the national ceremony on August 15. The annual closure comes as government agencies intensify on-site preparations, including structural repair work, campus beautification, security deployments, and stage construction.…