India

Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Director General of National Investigation Agency

Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed Director General of National Investigation Agency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…
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World on Edge: Nuclear Arms Race Escalates as India Charts Bold BRICS Strategy

World on Edge: Nuclear Arms Race Escalates as India Charts Bold BRICS Strategy

Delhi (Gurpreet / Rajeev Sharma) : Global security and economic dynamics are at a critical juncture as major powers accelerate nuclear modernization while India asserts a strategic role within BRICS. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI 2025) reports over 12,000 nuclear warheads worldwide, with Russia and the United States controlling nearly 90%. Meanwhile, China’s arsenal is growing rapidly, with hundreds of warheads and new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos under development, raising global security stakes even as traditional arms control frameworks face strain. Amid this tense environment, India is leveraging its position in the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India,…
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Ayurvedic Herbal Brew Offers Hope for Fatty Liver Patients

Chandigarh ( Naval Kishor): Fatty liver disease has emerged as one of the most common but often overlooked health concerns in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Sedentary habits, irregular eating patterns, excessive consumption of sugary and fried foods, and stress contribute significantly to the buildup of fat in the liver. While the early stages of the disease often show no visible symptoms, neglecting it can lead to serious complications such as inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. Understanding Fatty LiverFatty liver occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver cells. Normally, the liver contains a small amount of fat, but when…
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