Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

04 Jan

Trump Says US Will Oversee Venezuela After Maduro’s Ouster, Eyes Oil Exports

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsVenezuela

Washington/Caracas (Rajeev Sharma): In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves across the region, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States would temporarily assume control of Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, with plans to revive and utilise the country’s vast oil resources. The announcement came hours after a covert military operation led to Maduro and his wife being taken into US custody and flown out of Venezuela. Trump described the action as part of a broader effort to stabilise the country, combat drug trafficking and restructure its collapsing energy sector. He said Washington…

03 Jan

Russia Condemns US Military Action in Venezuela, Calls Maduro’s Capture an Act of Armed Aggression

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNicolas Maduro capture, Russia US Venezuela crisis, Russian Foreign Ministry statement, US strike Venezuela

Moscow, January 3, 2026: Russia has strongly criticised the United States for launching a military strike in Venezuela and detaining incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, terming the operation an act of armed aggression and warning that it threatens regional stability. In a sharply worded statement issued on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the US action had raised serious concerns and deserved outright condemnation. Moscow rejected the justification offered by Washington, saying ideological hostility had overridden diplomatic engagement and any attempt to build relations based on trust and predictability. The ministry emphasised that the immediate priority should be to prevent further…

03 Jan

KKR Releases Mustafizur Rahman Following BCCI Directive Amid India-Bangladesh Strain

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, SportsBCCI directive, IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mustafizur Rahman

Kolkata, January 3: Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released by Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders after the Board of Control for Cricket in India directed the team to do so in view of escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh. The three-time IPL champions had secured the services of the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for ₹9.20 crore at last month’s auction, following a competitive bidding process involving Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Rahman had entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore and was set to feature for KKR for the first time in…

03 Jan

Buddha Relics Are Part of India’s Living Civilisation, Says PM Modi at Delhi Exhibition

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBuddha relics, Buddhist heritage, Light and the Lotus exhibition, Piprahwa Relics, PM Modi

New Delhi, January 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated an exhibition of ancient sacred gems and bone relics associated with Lord Buddha, describing them as a vital part of India’s civilisational and spiritual legacy rather than historical artefacts confined to museums. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at the Qila Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in south Delhi, Modi said the relics symbolise India’s deep-rooted spiritual connection with Buddhist communities across the world. He noted that the Piprahwa Relics had previously travelled to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand…

03 Jan

Tensions Soar as Trump Claims Maduro Captured Following Caracas Explosions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCaracas

Caracas/Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The political crisis in Venezuela escalated sharply on Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country, following a series of explosions in the capital and nearby states. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the United States had conducted a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, successfully apprehending Maduro and his spouse. The announcement immediately drew global attention, though independent verification of the claims has not yet been confirmed. Venezuelan authorities reported that attacks occurred in Caracas as well as in the…

03 Jan

Venezuela Imposes Emergency Status After Pre-Dawn Disturbances in Capital

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsVenezuela

Caracas (Rajeev Sharma): The Venezuelan government moved swiftly to impose emergency measures early Saturday after a series of loud explosions and reports of aircraft flying at low altitude unsettled large parts of Caracas, sharply escalating tensions with the United States. Officials said the incidents occurred around 2 am, when multiple blasts were heard across the capital. Witnesses described seeing smoke billowing from a hangar at a military air facility, while another defence-related site in the city experienced a sudden loss of electricity. In several districts, residents poured into the streets amid confusion and fear. In an official communiqué, authorities accused…

03 Jan

Calgary Flooded and Parched: Smith Blames Nenshi for City’s Water Disaster

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly blamed former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi for the city’s ongoing water system failures, saying years of neglect under his leadership contributed to the latest crisis. The Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which delivers about 60% of Calgary’s treated water, ruptured for the second time in less than two years, flooding streets and forcing thousands of residents to adhere to water restrictions. Some areas remain under boil-water advisories, and city officials are urging continued conservation. “This is not just an accident, it’s the result of years of insufficient maintenance and inspections under the…

03 Jan

Alberta Advances New Public Safety and Regulatory Reforms

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlbertaAlberta News

EDMONTON ( Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has enacted and advanced a series of legislative measures aimed at strengthening public safety and modernizing regulatory frameworks across the province. Among the key developments is the advancement of the Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2). The legislation includes provisions to enhance policing authorities, improve information sharing in cases involving domestic violence, and update prisoner transfer rules. Government officials have stated that these changes are intended to improve coordination among public safety agencies and better protect Albertans. In November 2025, the provincial government also invoked the notwithstanding clause…

03 Jan

BCCI asks KKR to drop Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026 amid rising controversy: Report

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBCCI, Mustafizur Rahman

National Times Bureau :- According to a report by India Today, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The decision puts an end to speculation surrounding the pacer’s future with the franchise. The development was confirmed to India Today by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who stated that the board had formally communicated its decision to the IPL franchise in view of the prevailing situation. “Considering the recent developments and sensitivities involved, the BCCI…

02 Jan

Dense Fog, Cold Wave Alert Issued for Delhi as Temperatures Dip

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacold wave alert, Delhi AQI, Delhi weather, Dense fog, IMD forecast

New Delhi, January 2, 2026: A ‘yellow’ alert has been issued for Delhi with dense fog likely to reduce visibility across the national capital on Saturday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, warning of challenging weather conditions over the next few days. The weather office has also predicted a cold wave in isolated areas of Delhi and Haryana between January 3 and January 6. According to IMD norms, a cold wave is declared when minimum temperatures fall 4.5 to 6.5 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average. On Friday, Delhi recorded a notable improvement in air quality, with the 24-hour…