Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

12 Dec

Early-Morning Bus Mishap in Andhra Pradesh Leaves 9 Dead, Several Hospitalised

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAndhra Pradesh

ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU DISTRICT (Rajeev Sharma): A pilgrimage trip turned tragic on Friday when a passenger bus veered off a ghat stretch in the Chintoor region, resulting in nine fatalities and injuries to 22 others, according to district police. The vehicle, travelling from Chittoor to Bhadrachalam in Telangana, was carrying 37 people including staff. Officials said six passengers escaped the crash without major injuries. Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the accident unfolded at about 4:30 a.m. on the Chintoor–Maredumilli hill route, not far from a local Durga temple. The bus is believed to have lost control on a steep…

11 Dec

Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Delayed Trade Deal and Global Market Turmoil

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaforex market, global cues, India-US trade deal delay, Rupee record low

New Delhi, December 11, 2025— The Indian rupee crashed to a historic low of 90.48 against the US dollar in intra-day trade on Thursday as uncertainty over the India-US trade agreement and sharp global market swings triggered heavy selling pressure. The currency, which opened at 89.95 at the interbank foreign exchange market, slipped quickly and marked its steepest fall from Wednesday’s close of 89.87.Forex traders said renewed doubts over the trade deal’s timeline intensified market anxiety after reports suggested that the agreement may only be completed by March 2026, a date attributed to Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran. The…

11 Dec

US Approves USD 686 Million Upgrade Package for Pakistan’s F-16 Fleet

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDSCA approval, F-16 upgrade, US-Pakistan defence ties, USD 686 million deal

Washington DC, December 11, 2025: The United States has approved the sale of advanced equipment and support services worth USD 686 million to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet, according to a letter sent to Congress by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), as reported by Dawn.The package includes Link-16 data systems, upgraded avionics, cryptographic equipment, training modules and broad logistical support. The DSCA stated that the sale aligns with Washington’s foreign policy and national security priorities, ensuring Pakistan remains interoperable with US and allied forces in counterterrorism operations and future contingency missions.According to the agency, the upgrades will…

11 Dec

Chandigarh Authorities Restrict Stray Dog Feeding to 200 Fixed Points Amid Rise in Rabies Cases

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabChandigarh stray dogs, CMC feeding rules, designated dog feeding, rabies cases

Chandigarh, December 11, 2025: The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has announced strict new rules regulating the feeding of stray dogs in the city, following a rise in rabies cases and clear directives from the Supreme Court. Under the updated guidelines, residents are no longer permitted to feed stray dogs outside their homes, on streets, or at any unauthorized place. Anyone violating these rules will face heavy penalties.The municipal body has designated 200 fixed feeding points across the city under the ‘Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Pet and Community Dog Bylaws–2025’. Each sector will now contain around four to five approved feeding locations. These…

11 Dec

Goa Nightclub Fire: Owners Detained in Phuket After Interpol Notice; India Begins Process to Bring Them Back

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBirch by Romeo Lane, Goa nightclub fire, Luthra brothers detained, Phuket arrest

New Delhi, December 11, 2025— Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a suspected cylinder blast led to a massive fire that killed 25 people on Saturday, have been detained in Phuket, Thailand. Senior officials confirmed that the detention was made at the request of the Indian government, and the process to bring the brothers back to India is now underway. A Goa Police team will soon travel to Thailand to take custody of the duo so they can face trial.The brothers were the subject of an Interpol Blue Corner Notice issued…

11 Dec

ECI Extends Electoral Roll Revision Deadlines Across Multiple States and UT

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaElection Commission of India, Electoral Rolls, Special Intensive Revision

New Delhi, December 11, 2025: The Election Commission of India on Thursday extended the deadlines for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across five states and one Union Territory, aiming to ensure that all eligible voters are included before the final rolls are published in February 2026.As per the revised schedule, the enumeration process in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will now continue until December 14, with draft rolls to be released on December 19. In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the revised enumeration period will conclude on December 18, followed by the publication of…

11 Dec

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Meets State MPs to Review Ongoing Development Projects

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana MPs meeting, Manohar Lal, Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, December 11 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with the state’s Members of Parliament at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday to review development works across their constituencies. Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal was also present during the discussion.The Chief Minister examined ongoing projects in each Lok Sabha constituency and said that the state government is committed to accelerating development in every region. He noted that continuous work is underway across all parliamentary areas and urged MPs to share issues and demands related to their constituencies so that projects…

11 Dec

Indian-Origin Man Flees Canada After Torching AP Dhillon’s Vehicle, Court Reveals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, Entertainment, TrendingAP Dhillon

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): Details emerged in a recent court hearing about Vikram Sharma, the 23-year-old Indian-origin man accused of setting fire to Punjabi musician AP Dhillon’s vehicles at his home in British Columbia. Prosecutors revealed that Sharma, who fled to India after the incident, was living in Canada illegally at the time. His student visa had expired in April 2024, and he committed the arson in September 2024. According to court documents, Sharma had previously attempted to renew his student visa using fraudulent documents submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Authorities flagged the documents, requiring him to…

11 Dec

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Faces Recall Petitions Amid Local Dissatisfaction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingDanielle Smith

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta is confronting a growing political challenge as recall petitions targeting her and other United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs gain momentum. Elections Alberta approved the petitions on Wednesday, marking Smith as one of 20 UCP members facing potential removal. Among others under scrutiny are Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish. The petitions follow complaints from constituents who allege that Smith has not adequately represented her Brooks-Medicine Hat riding. Lead petitioner Heather VanSnick claimed that Smith is frequently absent from the community and disconnected from local concerns. “She isn’t…

11 Dec

IndiGo Faces Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny as Pilot Shortages Deepen Operational Strain

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndiGo

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India’s civil aviation regulator has expanded its on-site monitoring of IndiGo as the airline continues to cancel large numbers of flights, raising concerns about staffing levels and long-term planning at the country’s biggest carrier. IndiGo executives have attributed the wave of disruptions to a mix of technical issues, seasonal schedule shifts tied to winter operations, weather delays, growing congestion across the aviation network, and the airline’s adjustment to new crew-rostering rules. While these challenges affect all airlines to some degree, other carriers have largely maintained normal operations. The situation has placed IndiGo’s pilot workforce under the…