India Archives - Page 136 of 319

17 Jan

Chandigarh firing: Shots fired at builder’s house in Sector 21, hours after Sector 32 firing

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChandigarh Firing

National Times Bureau :- Gangsters allegedly opened fire outside the residence of builder Ankit Sidana, who had recently returned from Dubai. The shooting took place around 2:30 am, causing panic among nearby residents who woke up to the sound of gunfire. Around six shots were reportedly fired, and one of the bullets struck Sidana’s parked car. Initial investigation suggests that five to six rounds were discharged by unknown attackers. “A bullet was found lodged in Ankit’s car outside the house. The shooters also threw nearly 10 handwritten notes before escaping on a motorcycle,” a source said. Some of the notes…

16 Jan

silver prices slip after three-day rally as investors book profits

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

National Times Bureau :- After registering strong gains for three consecutive sessions, gold and silver prices witnessed a sudden decline on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), mainly due to profit booking by investors. The correction led to a drop ranging from nearly Rs 1,000 in gold to around Rs 10,000 in silver, even as prices in the physical bullion market remained largely stable. On Thursday, January 15, gold prices on MCX fell by nearly Rs 1,000 per 10 gram, while silver prices declined by close to Rs 10,000 per kg. Market experts attributed the fall to investors locking in profits…

16 Jan

Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Director General of National Investigation Agency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingRakesh Aggarwal

New Delhi ( Rajeev Sharma): In a major boost to India’s internal security and counter-terrorism framework, senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the premature repatriation of outgoing NIA DG Sadanand Vasant Date to his parent cadre, Maharashtra. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will hold the top post at the NIA until August 31, 2028, or…

15 Jan

Drone Sightings Reported in Jammu Sector; Indian Army Activates Counter-Measures

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBorder Security, counter-UAS, defence sources, drone sightings, Indian Army, Jammu sector

Jammu, January 15, 2025: Two separate incidents of drone sightings were reported in the Jammu sector, prompting the Indian Army to activate counter unmanned aerial systems (Counter-UAS) measures, defence sources said on Thursday. According to the sources, unidentified drones were detected in sensitive areas of the sector, following which troops deployed electronic and tactical counter-measures to neutralise any potential threat. The situation was brought under control without any reported damage or casualties. Security agencies are maintaining heightened vigilance in the region, and surveillance has been intensified to prevent any cross-border infiltration or aerial intrusion. Officials said such incidents are being…

15 Jan

US freezes immigrant visas processing for 75 countries; Pak, Bangladesh hit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World News

National Times Bureau :- The Trump administration has suspended visa processing for visitors from 75 countries—including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, Egypt, and Yemen—starting January 21. A senior U.S. official confirmed that the U.S. State Department issued an internal memo instructing embassies and consulates to pause all visa issuance indefinitely while screening and vetting procedures are reassessed. Key Points The suspension is tied to concerns that applicants from these countries might become a “public charge”—a term used in U.S. immigration law for people likely to rely on government assistance. Consular officers have been directed to…

15 Jan

Maharashtra civic polls: Voting underway for high-stakes battle in Mumbai, Pune

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaMaharashtra

National Times Bureau :- Voting began on Thursday morning for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. All eyes are on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti and the reunited Thackeray cousins are fighting for control of the city’s wealthy civic body. Polling for 2,869 seats in 893 wards started at 7.30 am and will continue till 5.30 pm. A total of 3.48 crore people can vote to choose from 15,931 candidates. In Mumbai’s BMC, elections are happening after nine years because they were delayed for four years. The BMC, which has a huge annual budget of over ₹74,400 crore, has…

15 Jan

IndiGo plane last to cross Iran before sudden airspace shutdown; Indian airlines warn of disruptions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndiGo

National Times Bureau :- An IndiGo aircraft flying from Tbilisi in Georgia to Delhi is believed to have been the final non-Iranian commercial flight to transit Iranian airspace before Tehran abruptly suspended civilian aviation operations early Thursday, triggering widespread disruptions across international routes. According to flight-tracking data, IndiGo flight 6E 1808 departed Tbilisi at 11.29 am on Wednesday and arrived in Delhi at 7.03 am on Thursday. The aircraft crossed Iranian airspace at around 2.35 am, shortly before Iran issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) announcing the closure of its skies. Following the sudden decision, major Indian carriers, including IndiGo,…

14 Jan

Mass dog killings in Telangana: 500 canines poisoned to death to fulfil poll promise

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDog Killing, Telangana

National Times Bureau :- Serious allegations of mass killing of street dogs have emerged in Telangana, where around 500 dogs were reportedly poisoned in the last week across several villages. According to media reports, the killings were allegedly done to fulfil promises made during recent gram panchayat elections. Animal welfare activist Adulapuram Goutham (35) filed a complaint on January 12, saying that dogs were being killed in villages like Bhavanipet, Palwancha, Faridpet, Wadi, and Bandarameshwarapally in Kamareddy district. He said about 200 dogs had been killed in just the last two or three days. Goutham claimed he got reliable information…

14 Jan

Makar Sankranti begins on chilly note as cold wave, dense fog prevail; IMD issues orange alert

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Weather

National Times Bureau :- As India celebrates Makar Sankranti on Wednesday, the festival will take place during an ongoing cold wave and widespread fog across northern India. However, weather experts say winter will now slowly start to weaken. Makar Sankranti traditionally marks the end of the coldest part of winter as the Sun begins moving north. This year, the change will be gradual. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly after the next two nights, giving slow relief from the cold, but fog will continue to appear in the mornings. In the mountains of North India, including the Western Himalayas, some…

13 Jan

India’s Harvest Festivals Celebrate Unity in Diversity and Spirit of Gratitude

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaand Bhogi, Harvesting Festival, India, Lohri, Magh Bihu, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan

Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Celebrated across different regions during the harvest season, festivals such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu, and Bhogi beautifully reflect the richness of India’s traditions, cultural heritage, and unity in diversity. Though known by different names and observed with unique rituals, these festivals share a common essence—gratitude to nature, farmers, and the harvest that sustains life.From the warmth of Lohri bonfires in North India to the sacred sun worship of Makar Sankranti, the thanksgiving celebrations of Pongal in the South, the vibrant kite-flying festivities of Uttarayan in the West, and the joyful observance of Magh…