India Archives - Page 96 of 268

24 Dec

India’s LVM3 Rocket Delivers Record-Breaking Commercial Satellite to Orbit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Technology, TrendingISRO

Sriharikota (Rajeev Sharma): In a major boost to India’s commercial space launch profile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday successfully placed the heaviest foreign satellite ever launched from Indian territory into orbit using its LVM3 rocket. The payload, BlueBird Block-2, tipped the scales at around 6,100 kilograms and was carried into Low Earth Orbit during the LVM3-M6 mission. Built by US-based AST SpaceMobile, the satellite is designed to provide direct space-based cellular broadband services to conventional mobile phones, a technology aimed at expanding connectivity beyond traditional ground networks. This mission was undertaken as a fully commercial launch, highlighting…

23 Dec

13 Convicted, Sentenced to Life for Murshidabad Lynching During Waqf Act Protests

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiamob violence, Murshidabad lynching, Waqf Amendment Act protests

Murshidabad (West Bengal), December 23, 2025: A fast-track court in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday sentenced 13 people to life imprisonment for the lynching of a man and his son during violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act earlier this year. Special Public Prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee said the ruling marks the second conviction in a mob lynching case in the country and the first such verdict in West Bengal. The court also directed the state government to pay ₹15 lakh as compensation to the victims’ family. The victims, 72-year-old Haragobinda Das and his 42-year-old son Chandan Das, were attacked…

23 Dec

VHP, Bajrang Dal Protest Near Bangladesh High Commission Over Lynching of Hindu Man

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBajrang Dal, Bangladesh High Commission, lynching in Bangladesh, VHP protest

New Delhi, December 23: Tension prevailed near the heavily guarded Bangladesh High Commission on Tuesday as hundreds of activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest against the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, leading to clashes with police and disruption in the high-security zone. Carrying saffron flags and chanting slogans, the protesters attempted to march towards the High Commission, breaking through multiple layers of barricades. Several barricades were damaged as police struggled to control the crowd amid heightened security arrangements. Anticipating the demonstration, authorities had deployed a strong police and paramilitary presence in…

23 Dec

India Announces $450 Million Aid Package for Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCyclone Ditwah, India–Sri Lanka relations, S Jaishankar, USD 450 million aid

New Delhi/Colombo, December 23, 2025:India has extended strong support to Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday announcing a proposed assistance package worth USD 450 million to help the island nation recover from the devastation caused by the storm. Jaishankar, who is visiting Sri Lanka as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, made the announcement during discussions with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He said the cyclone struck at a particularly difficult time for Sri Lanka, which was still in the process of rebuilding its economy after the severe financial…

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

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…