Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

16 Mar

Tamil Nadu Replaces ₹ with ‘Ru’ in Budget, Stalin Defends Language Stand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLanguage Issue, MK Stalin, Rupee Symbol, Tamil Nadu Budget

Chennai, March 16, 2025 – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has defended his government’s decision to replace the rupee symbol (₹) with "Ru" in the state’s 2025-26 budget, calling it a statement of the DMK’s commitment to protecting Tamil identity. Stalin accused the Central government of trying to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu through the National Education Policy (NEP) and framed the change as a response to that pressure.Language Commitment Behind 'Ru' Change"I had released the budget logo with 'Ru' to show how committed we are to the language policy. That’s all," Stalin said in his regular “Ungalil Oruvan”…

16 Mar

Modi Defends Handling of 2002 Gujarat Riots, Talks Pakistan, and RSS in Lex Fridman Podcast

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGodhra, Gujarat Riots, Narendra Modi, Pakistan, Podcast, RSS

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended his handling of the 2002 Gujarat riots, calling the narrative around the incident a "false campaign" driven by political opponents. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, Modi said attempts to hold him responsible for the violence were politically motivated, but the courts had thoroughly investigated the matter and cleared his name.On 2002 Gujarat RiotsModi dismissed the perception that the 2002 riots were Gujarat’s worst, pointing out that communal violence had been common in the state for decades. "Before 2002, Gujarat faced frequent riots over trivial issues like kite-flying contests or bicycle…

16 Mar

India, New Zealand Begin FTA Negotiations as Kiwi PM Visits Delhi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChristopher Luxon, India-New Zealand FTA, Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, March 16, 2025 – India and New Zealand have officially launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting bilateral trade and strengthening economic ties. The announcement came shortly after New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in New Delhi on a five-day official visit. Unlocking New Trade Opportunities Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the FTA negotiations aim to create a "comprehensive and mutually beneficial" agreement that enhances supply chain integration and market access. Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand crossed $1 billion between April 2024 and January 2025, reflecting steady growth."This milestone reflects…

16 Mar

Top LeT Commander Zia-ur-Rehman Killed in Pakistan Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-e-Taiba, NIA, Poonch-Rajouri, Zia-ur-Rehman

New Delhi, March 16, 2025 – Zia-ur-Rehman, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander wanted for multiple deadly terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, was shot dead by gunmen in Pakistan's Jhelum area on Saturday evening, officials confirmed on Sunday. Rehman’s security guard was also killed in the attack. Key Handler of Major Terror Attacks Rehman, 43, was considered the most trusted handler of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He was responsible for planning multiple attacks in the Poonch-Rajouri region of Jammu and Kashmir. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) linked him to the…

16 Mar

Amit Shah Pledges Full Implementation of Bodoland Peace Accord by 2027

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaABSU, AFSPA, Amit Shah, Bodoland Peace Accord, BTR Agreement

Kokrajhar (Assam), March 16, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the Central government's commitment to fully implementing the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Peace Agreement by 2027. Speaking at the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) at Bodofa Fwthar, Dotma in Assam’s Kokrajhar, Shah highlighted the significant progress made since the accord was signed in 2020 and promised that all terms would be fulfilled within the next two years. Peace and Progress Since the BTR Accord Shah noted that despite initial skepticism from the Congress party, nearly 82% of the agreement's terms have already been…

16 Mar

Canada Reconsiders F-35 Fighter Jet Deal with US, PM Mark Carney Explores ‘Other Options’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney, US

Calgary (National Times): In a significant policy move, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair to review the country's planned purchase of America’s F-35 fighter jets. The directive comes with a call to explore alternative options “given the changing environment,” according to Blair’s spokesperson on Saturday. Canada’s Original F-35 Purchase Plan Two years ago, Canada agreed to acquire 88 F-35 jets, legally committing funds for the first 16 aircraft as part of its long-term defense strategy. The planned acquisition was set to be the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over…

16 Mar

Premier Danielle Smith calls for federal election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Premier Danielle Smith

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a major development, Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the swearing-in of Canada’s 24th Prime Minister and his new federal cabinet. “Now that Prime Minister Mark Carney has been officially sworn in, his first item of business should be to call a general election. “I am extremely concerned that this cabinet includes most of same ministers responsible for the most damaging government policies levelled by Ottawa against Alberta in our over 100-year history. We are gravely concerned that plans to significantly increase the industrial carbon tax will be just as damaging to Alberta’s economy…

16 Mar

Eighteen new schools are on the way for Calgary and area

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): More people are calling Alberta home, which means more students are enrolling in schools across the province, leading to increasing enrolment pressures. Since 2020, student enrolment in Alberta has grown by almost 89,000 students, with much of this growth concentrated in the Calgary metro region. To ensure every student has the space to grow and thrive, Alberta’s government is making more investments in new and ongoing school projects across the province. Budget 2025, if passed, will kick-start 18 new school projects in the Calgary metro area, adding 14,400 new and updated student spaces. In total, there are…

15 Mar

Tej Pratap Yadav Sparks Row Over Holi Antics, Orders Policeman to Dance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar politics, BJP criticism, Holi controversy, Nitish Kumar, RJD, Tej Pratap Yadav

Patna, March 15, 2025 – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav has stirred fresh controversy after allegedly forcing a policeman to dance during Holi celebrations at his residence in Patna. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Holi Celebrations Turn Controversial The drama unfolded at Yadav’s official residence, where the former Bihar minister hosted a Holi event reminiscent of his father Lalu Prasad Yadav’s infamous "kapda faad Holi" celebrations. Yadav was seen tearing the clothes of some supporters and driving a scooter around the neighborhood while chanting…

15 Mar

ISIS Leader Killed in Iraq in Joint Iraqi-US Operation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAbu Khadija, Anbar operation, Iraq, ISIS leader killed, Syria, US coalition

Baghdad, March 15, 2025 – The head of the Islamic State in Iraq, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in a successful operation by the Iraqi national intelligence service and US-led coalition forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday."The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism," al-Sudani said in a statement on X. He described al-Rifai as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world" and confirmed that he was the group's deputy caliph.US President Donald Trump praised the operation on his Truth Social…