Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Feb

Zelenskyy Dismisses Trump’s Claims, Says US-President is in “Russian Disinformation Space”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Russia- Ukraine War, Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Kyiv, February 19, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed back against former US President Donald Trump's recent remarks about his approval rating, saying Trump is influenced by Russian disinformation.During an event at Mar-a-Lago, Trump claimed that Zelenskyy's approval rating had dropped to 4%. Responding at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy dismissed the claim, stating, “We have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia.”Zelenskyy further suggested that Trump “lives in this disinformation space,” implying that the former US president is echoing Russian propaganda. The comments come amid growing global tensions and ongoing US support for Ukraine…

19 Feb

Government to Hold Meeting with Farmer Unions on February 22

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaFarmer protests, Government meeting, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Punjab farmers, Samyukt Kisan Morcha

New Delhi, February 19, 2025 – The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has invited leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha for a meeting on February 22, 2025, at 6 PM in Chandigarh. The meeting will take place at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab (MGSIPA), Sector 26.The invitation, issued by Joint Secretary Purna Chandra Kishan, follows a previous meeting held in Chandigarh on February 14, 2025. The agenda will focus on farmers’ demands and will include representatives from both the Indian government and the Punjab government.Leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal (Samyukt Kisan…

19 Feb

Delhi CM-elect Rekha Gupta, BJP leaders to meet LG Saxena to form government

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDelhi, Rekha Gupta

New Delhi (National Times): Delhi's Chief Minister-elect, Rekha Gupta, along with senior BJP leaders, is set to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 8:50 PM today to formally claim the mandate to form the next government in the national capital. Rekha Gupta, representing Shalimar Bagh, was appointed the Leader of the House during a BJP legislature party meeting. After a gap of 26 years, the BJP has secured power in Delhi once again, and Gupta will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister at Ramlila Ground this Thursday. Who is Rekha Gupta?Rekha Gupta is a prominent BJP leader who…

19 Feb

Panama Holds Indian Deportees in Hotel Under US Migration Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Panama, United States

Panama (National Times): Panama is currently housing nearly 300 deported migrants, including 30 Indian nationals, in a guarded hotel in Panama City, following an agreement with the United States. The detainees, originating from India, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and other nations, were deported from the US but face diplomatic and logistical barriers preventing their direct return. Hotel Detention and Security Measures The migrants, including women and children, are confined to their rooms at the Decapolis Hotel Panama, where authorities have placed guards around the premises. While they are receiving food and medical assistance, they cannot leave the…

19 Feb

Elon Musk Warns of U.S. Bankruptcy, Criticizes Government Spending and Trade Deficit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Elon Musk, United States, US

Washington, D.C. (National Times): Tesla CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns over the United States' rising trade deficit and government spending, warning that if corrective measures are not taken, “America will go bankrupt.” In a recent Fox News interview, Musk said that the $2 trillion trade deficit inherited by U.S. President Donald Trump has put the country in a dangerous economic situation. He criticized how taxpayer money is being misused, stating that every American should be “mad as hell” over the reckless spending by the government. Elon Musk on the U.S. Deficit: “It’s Insane” Musk expressed deep concerns about the…

19 Feb

Canada launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Rural and Francophone minority communities make vital contributions to Canada’s economy and culture, but they frequently face unique labour market and demographic challenges as the majority of Canadians and newcomers settle in Canada’s urban centres. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.That is why the Government of Canada is introducing two new pilots—as committed to in March 2024—to help rural and Francophone minority communities attract and retain newcomers with the right skills to help their regions succeed…

19 Feb

Supreme Court Directs States to File Jail Reform Reports, Sets March 4 Deadline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCaste Discrimination, Jail Reforms, NCRB, Supreme Court

New Delhi, February 19, 2025: The Supreme Court has granted two more weeks to states and Union Territories (UTs) to submit compliance reports on the removal of discriminatory provisions in their jail manuals, ensuring equal treatment for all prisoners regardless of caste, gender, or disability. SC Pushes for Prison Reforms A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala, while hearing a suo motu petition, emphasized the need to eradicate caste-based discrimination inside prisons. The petition stems from an October 2024 judgment, which directed the removal of discriminatory provisions from prison manuals across India.Senior advocate S. Muralidhar, acting as amicus curiae, informed…

18 Feb

Qatar Announces $10 Billion Investment in India, Explores Free Trade Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia$10 billion investment, Free Trade Agreement, India-Qatar trade, UPI in Qatar

New Delhi, February 18, 2025: Qatar has pledged an investment of $10 billion (approximately ₹85,000 crore) in India, marking a significant boost in economic ties between the two nations. The announcement came following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in New Delhi on Tuesday.The two sides also agreed to explore the possibility of an India-Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to strengthen economic cooperation. As part of its investment strategy, Qatar aims to expand its presence in India’s infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, and hospitality sectors. To facilitate this, the…

18 Feb

Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over Maha Kumbh Stampede, Calls It ‘Mrityu Kumbh’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBJP Government, Maha Kumbh Stampede, Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, February 18, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that the Maha Kumbh had turned into a "Mrityu Kumbh" due to multiple stampede incidents. She accused authorities of suppressing the actual death toll and failing to ensure public safety. Allegations of Cover-Up At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede in Prayagraj last month. Another 18 people died in a similar tragedy at an overcrowded railway station in New Delhi. However, Banerjee claimed that the actual numbers were much higher.“They have hidden hundreds of bodies to…

18 Feb

Dr. Vivek Joshi Appointed as India’s New Election Commissioner

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDr. Vivek Joshi, Election Commission of India, Election Commissioner, IAS Officer

Chandigarh, February 18, 2025: Dr. Vivek Joshi, a senior IAS officer from the 1989 Haryana cadre, has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner of India. His selection was approved by a committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A Seasoned Administrator Joins the Election Commission Dr. Joshi will join Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Prakash and Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu in overseeing the country’s electoral process.Before this appointment, he served as Haryana’s Chief Secretary since November 2024, following the retirement of TVSN Prasad. His leadership in governance and administration spans decades, including significant roles at both state and…