India

Chandigarh Launches Unique Drive: Drumbeats at Doorsteps for Public Littering

Chandigarh Launches Unique Drive: Drumbeats at Doorsteps for Public Littering

National Times Bureau :- Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has rolled out an unusual yet impactful campaign to curb public littering. Starting today, anyone caught throwing garbage in public spaces will be confronted with a symbolic act of public awareness: officials will visit their homes with drumbeats, drawing attention to the violation before handing over a formal challan. The Corporation’s teams, after verification by area inspectors, will return the litter to the offenders and impose fines. Residents have also been urged to upload photos of littering incidents on the Municipal Corporation’s mobile app to strengthen community participation in maintaining cleanliness. On Monday…
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Election Commission Turns to AI in Bengal to Strengthen Voter Roll Scrutiny

Election Commission Turns to AI in Bengal to Strengthen Voter Roll Scrutiny

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Election Commission (EC) is introducing artificial intelligence tools to bolster its verification efforts during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, senior officials said on Tuesday. The move is aimed at detecting duplicate, fake, or deceased voters more effectively at a time when complaints over misuse of voter photographs are on the rise. According to officials, the AI system will scan and compare voter images across the statewide database, flagging instances where the same photograph appears under multiple entries. Complaints involving the photographs of migrant workers—often used without consent—have prompted…
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Iran ends visa-free entry for Indians, new rules to take effect from November 22

Iran ends visa-free entry for Indians, new rules to take effect from November 22

National Times Bureau :- The Iranian government has announced that it will end visa-free entry for Indian citizens starting November 22. From that date, Indians must have a visa not only to enter Iran but also to use Iranian airports for transit. Following this change, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued new advisories warning travellers about risks such as kidnapping and job scams. "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has accordingly suspended the visa waiver facility available to ordinary Indian passport holders visiting Iran with effect from 22 November 2025. This measure is intended to prevent further…
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ED raid Al-Falah University amid probe into Delhi blast case

ED raid Al-Falah University amid probe into Delhi blast case

National Times Bureau :- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is raiding 25 locations in Delhi and Faridabad connected to the controversial Al-Falah University and people linked to it, as part of its investigation into the November 10 Red Fort blast. The agency has also filed a PMLA case over suspected financial wrongdoing at the university. Some of those involved in the Red Fort blast case — including bomber Dr. Umar un Nabi and others tied to the Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked Faridabad terror module — had worked at this university, along with its owners. The ED’s action follows two summonses issued by Delhi Police…
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Suicide bombing a misunderstood concept: Delhi bomber Umar Nabi’s chilling video, calls it ‘martyrdom operation’

Suicide bombing a misunderstood concept: Delhi bomber Umar Nabi’s chilling video, calls it ‘martyrdom operation’

National Times Bureau :- A disturbing video has surfaced showing Dr. Umar un Nabi — the man behind the recent Red Fort car blast that killed 15 people — talking about how suicide bombing is “misunderstood”.  Speaking calmly in clear English, he claims that what people call a “suicide bombing” is actually a “martyrdom operation”. His words give insight into how he thought, showing that he had become fully radicalised. "One of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of what has been labelled as suicide bombing. It is a martyrdom operation... known in Islam. Now, there are multiple contradictions;…
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ED Conducts Raids on Multiple Al Falah University-Linked Properties in Delhi-NCR Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

ED Conducts Raids on Multiple Al Falah University-Linked Properties in Delhi-NCR Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a significant early-morning operation on Tuesday, conducting raids across 25 locations connected to Al Falah University in the Delhi-NCR region. The search operation, which began at 5:15 AM, forms part of an ongoing investigation into possible financial irregularities and violations of money laundering laws, officials revealed. The targeted locations include properties tied to Al Falah University and its governing body, the Al Falah Trust. The raids are focused on unearthing links to shell companies, fraudulent financial activities, and other irregularities within the university’s administrative and financial structure. Sources indicate that the…
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Iran Ends Visa-Free Entry for Indians After Trafficking Scams Expose Major Safety Threat

Iran Ends Visa-Free Entry for Indians After Trafficking Scams Expose Major Safety Threat

New Delhi, November 18, 2025 — Iran has withdrawn its visa-waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders after a surge in trafficking, kidnapping and extortion cases involving Indian nationals who were lured into the country on false promises of jobs or onward travel.The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday issued a strong advisory revealing that multiple Indians had been trapped by organised criminal networks that exploited Iran’s visa-free entry. Agents allegedly targeted vulnerable job-seekers with fake offers, encouraging them to travel through Iran for easy access to other destinations.According to the advisory, several Indians were kidnapped soon after landing in…
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India Signs First Long-Term LPG Import Deal with US for 2026 to Boost Energy Security

India Signs First Long-Term LPG Import Deal with US for 2026 to Boost Energy Security

New Delhi, November 17, 2025 — In a landmark agreement, Indian state-run oil companies have inked a one-year contract to import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG from the United States in 2026, diversifying the country’s energy sources and strengthening ties with Washington.Under the deal, IOC, BPCL and HPCL will bring the LPG from the US Gulf Coast, accounting for nearly 10% of India’s LPG import needs. Prices will be linked to Mount Belvieu, a benchmark hub for LPG in the United States.According to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the agreement ensures more stable and affordable LPG supplies for India, reducing…
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Government Raises Print Media Ad Rates by 26% to Support Newspapers

Government Raises Print Media Ad Rates by 26% to Support Newspapers

New Delhi, November 17, 2025: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has approved a 26% hike in government advertisement rates for print media, marking a significant move to bolster traditional news outlets. Under the revised rates, black-and-white advertisements in daily newspapers with a circulation of 1 lakh will now be billed at ₹59.68 per sq cm, up from ₹47.40.The ministry also accepted recommendations to charge premium rates for colour advertisements and offer preferential placements, aiming to improve revenue streams for print publications. The rise in advertisement rates comes as a response to increased competition from digital media and the rising…
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Bihar Government Formation Accelerates as Outgoing Cabinet Meets Today

Bihar Government Formation Accelerates as Outgoing Cabinet Meets Today

National Times Bureau :- With the declaration of the Bihar Assembly election results, the process of forming a new government has gained momentum. The outgoing state cabinet is set to hold its final meeting today (Monday), where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to be authorised to take the necessary steps toward government formation, including recommending the dissolution of the current Assembly. According to officials, the Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjyal has already submitted the list of newly elected MLAs to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. The NDA secured a decisive victory, winning over 200 seats in the 243-member Assembly.…
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