Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

05 Jan

Trump Hints at Swift Trade Action as India’s Russian Oil Ties Draw US Attention

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, Trending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Former US President Donald Trump has again signalled that India’s growing energy trade with Russia could invite economic consequences, warning that higher tariffs remain an option if New Delhi continues importing Russian crude. Trump suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully aware of his concerns on the issue. Speaking to the media while returning to Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump said he shared a cordial relationship with the Indian leader but made it clear that displeasure over Russia-related trade had been communicated. He remarked that trade policies could be adjusted quickly, indicating that tariff measures…

04 Jan

Film Director Vinod Tiwari, Associate of National Times Media Group, Allegedly Attacked on Punjab Mail Express

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessAttacked, Film Director, National Times media, Vinod Tiwari

Mumbai ( National Times Bureau): A serious incident of alleged assault on film director Vinod Tiwari (50), an associate of the National Times Media Group, has been reported during his journey on the Punjab Mail Express (Train No. 12138), raising concerns over passenger safety on long-distance trains. Following the incident, an FIR has been registered at the Dadar Railway Police Station based on Vinod Tiwari’s statement.According to the complaint, the incident occurred on January 2, 2026, when Vinod Tiwari was travelling from Bhopal to Mumbai in Coach B-6, Seat No. 50. Shortly after departure from Bhopal, a co-passenger seated opposite…

04 Jan

India Voices Deep Concern Over Venezuela Crisis, Urges Peaceful Dialogue

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsIndia Venezuela crisis, MEA statement, Nicolás Maduro detained, US military action Venezuela

New Delhi: India on Sunday expressed deep concern over the rapidly unfolding situation in Venezuela, following the United States’ military action that resulted in the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, while stopping short of directly criticising Washington’s operation. In a carefully worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi is closely watching developments in the South American nation and reiterated its long-standing position that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means. The MEA called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue to maintain regional peace and stability. “Recent developments in Venezuela are…

04 Jan

UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting Over US Operation in Venezuela

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNicolas Maduro detention, UNSC emergency meeting, US military operation, Venezuela crisis

New York, January 4: The United Nations Security Council will meet in emergency session on Monday to discuss the recent United States military action in Venezuela and the detention of former leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to officials familiar with the matter. The meeting is scheduled for 10 am local time and will be held under the agenda item “Threats to international peace and security.” Somalia, which is serving as the rotating president of the 15-member Security Council for January, confirmed the timing through its permanent mission to the United Nations. Calls for an urgent discussion at the…

04 Jan

Three Arrested in Brutal Killing of Hindu Businessman in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsBangladesh, Hindu businessman killing, religious minorities, Shariatpur violence

Dhaka, January 4 — Bangladeshi authorities on Sunday arrested three men in connection with the brutal attack and burning to death of a Hindu businessman in Shariatpur district, an incident that has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country. The victim, 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das, was assaulted near Keurbhanga Bazar in the Damudya area of Shariatpur, around 100 kilometres south of Dhaka, on Wednesday night. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday after battling for life for several days. According to reports by leading daily Prothom Alo, a team of the Rapid…

04 Jan

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Appointed Congress Screening Committee Chair for Assam Assembly Polls

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAssam Assembly elections, Congress screening committee, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

New Delhi, January 4— Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed chairperson of the party’s screening committee for the selection of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, as the Congress steps up preparations to challenge the ruling BJP in the state. The All India Congress Committee announced late Saturday night the formation of screening committees for five states and Union territories scheduled to go to polls in the first half of the year. The four-member committees will finalise candidates for Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AICC general secretary and Member of Parliament, will…

04 Jan

Who Is Delcy Rodríguez, Appointed Acting President of Venezuela?

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDelcy Rodríguez

National Times Bureau :- Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Sunday ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take over as Interim President. This decision came a day after the United States carried out a rare military operation in Caracas and captured President Nicolas Maduro. In its ruling, the court said Rodriguez would take charge to keep the government running smoothly and to protect the country’s defence. The court added that it would continue discussions to decide the legal steps needed to manage the government and protect Venezuela’s sovereignty during the president’s forced absence. Delcy Rodriguez, 56, is one of the most powerful…

04 Jan

Pollution Levels Rise Again in Capital as Winter Conditions Snarl Air and Air Travel

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The national capital woke up on Sunday to another slide in air quality, as pollution levels edged closer to the “very poor” category after a short-lived improvement earlier in the week. Monitoring stations recorded the Air Quality Index close to 300 during the morning hours, reflecting a steady build-up of pollutants across the city. According to official data, the AQI was significantly higher than Saturday’s average, indicating that favourable winds which had earlier cleared the air had weakened. Environmental experts attribute the decline to stagnant atmospheric conditions, common during winter, which prevent pollutants from dispersing. The…

04 Jan

India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to Be Launched in January 2026

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingVande Bharat

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Indian Railways is set to begin a new chapter in long-distance rail travel with the launch of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train later this month. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the much-awaited sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train will be introduced as part of the New Year initiatives for passengers. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is expected to flag off the inaugural service in the second half of January 2026. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train will operate on the Guwahati–Howrah route, strengthening rail connectivity between the Northeast and eastern India. Designed specifically…

04 Jan

US Shares Arrest Footage of Maduro as Venezuela Enters Uncertain Transition

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsVenezuela

Washington/Caracas/New York (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has made public a video showing detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro being escorted in handcuffs by federal agents, a move that has amplified global attention on the dramatic turn of events following his capture. The footage, released by US authorities, shows Maduro under tight security as he is taken into custody, marking the first visual confirmation of his detention. American officials confirmed that Maduro is expected to be moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in New York, a federal facility known for severe conditions and long-standing criticism over safety, staffing shortages, and…