Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

20 Apr

Zelenskyy Slams Putin Over Easter Truce Violations, Calls for Real Ceasefire Effort

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsEaster ceasefire, Putin, Russia violations, Ukraine war, Zelenskyy

Kyiv, Ukraine | April 20, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he called deliberate violations of a promised Easter ceasefire, accusing Moscow of using the 30-hour truce for public relations rather than peace.Despite Russia’s announcement of a temporary halt to hostilities from Saturday evening to Sunday midnight for humanitarian reasons, Ukrainian authorities reported a sharp increase in attacks across key frontlines. Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched 26 assaults between midnight and noon on Easter Day, with heavy shelling and kamikaze drone strikes targeting Pokrovsk and Siversk. FPV drone usage reportedly doubled by…

20 Apr

Nationwide Protests Rock U.S. Over President Trump’s Policies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, US protests 2025

Washington, D.C. | April 20, 2025: Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets across the United States on Saturday, staging one of the largest nationwide protests of President Donald Trump’s second term. Organized under the banner of the “50501” movement, more than 700 events took place in all 50 states, highlighting deep public unrest over issues ranging from immigration and foreign policy to democratic accountability.Massive crowds gathered in cities like Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, and Boston. Protesters held signs with messages like “No Kingship,” “Stop Arming Israel,” and “Workers Should Have the Power,” targeting both domestic and international…

20 Apr

Cloudburst Triggers Deadly Landslide in Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir; 3 Dead, Hundreds of Homes Damaged

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacloudburst, Jammu and Kashmir flash floods, Ramban landslide

Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, April 20, 2025: Three people, including two children, lost their lives after a cloudburst triggered a massive landslide and flash floods in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir early Sunday. The calamity caused widespread destruction across Ramban town and surrounding villages, damaging over 200 houses.Local authorities confirmed that at least 40 homes in Dharamkund village were hit, with 10 of them completely washed away by the floodwaters. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), a critical lifeline for the region, was blocked at multiple locations due to the landslide, stranding traffic and cutting off access to several…

20 Apr

Akhilesh Yadav Confirms INDIA Bloc’s Strategy for 2027 UP Assembly Elections

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia2027 UP elections, Akhilesh Yadav, INDIA bloc

Prayagraj, April 20, 2025 — Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced that the opposition INDIA bloc will contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections together, signaling a united front against the ruling BJP. Speaking at a press conference in Prayagraj, Yadav reinforced the alliance’s commitment to ousting the BJP, asserting that public anger was rising over issues of governance, reservation dilution, and corruption.Yadav accused the BJP of economic mismanagement, referring to demonetization and GST as tactics that "snatched" money from the people. He further criticized the handling of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, vowing to launch a probe if…

20 Apr

Carney’s $130 Billion Pledge Shakes Up Canada’s Election Scene

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada$130 billion spending, Canada 2025 elections, Liberal platform, Mark Carney

Ottawa, April 20, 2025 — Liberal leader Mark Carney has set the stage for a high-stakes fiscal debate by unveiling a bold platform promising $130 billion in new spending. The plan, stretching over four years, outlines significant investments in defense, healthcare, infrastructure, and climate action, but it also confirms federal deficits will persist until at least 2029.Carney’s pitch aims to modernize the Canadian economy while strengthening national security. He pledged to meet NATO’s target of 2% defense spending by 2030. This includes funding for Arctic operations, advanced drone and submarine capabilities, and investments in AI and quantum computing to bolster…

20 Apr

Record Turnout Marks Start of Canada’s 2025 Federal Election Advance Voting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAdvance Voting, Canada Election 2025, Mark Carney, Voter Turnout

Toronto, April 20, 2025 — Canada’s 2025 federal election kicked off in earnest with a historic start to advance polling, as nearly two million citizens cast their ballots on the first day. According to Elections Canada, Friday’s voter turnout set a new record, signaling strong public engagement ahead of the April 28 general election.Polling stations experienced long queues, with some voters waiting over two hours to cast their votes. In response, Elections Canada said it would make operational changes to better handle the influx over the next three days of advance voting, which continues through April 21 from 9 a.m.…

19 Apr

Nishikant Dubey Slams Supreme Court’s Law-Making Role, Sparks Political Clash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJudicial Overreach, Nishikant Dubey, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act

New Delhi, April 19: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has reignited the debate over the separation of powers by stating that Parliament might as well be shut down if the Supreme Court continues to make laws. His remarks followed the apex court's decision to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Act, prompting the Centre to put parts of it on hold. Dubey expressed concern that the judiciary is increasingly stepping into the legislature's domain, citing examples where the court nullified key laws passed by Parliament.He pointed to cases like the scrapping of Section 66A of the IT Act and the decriminalization of homosexuality…

19 Apr

Elon Musk Set to Visit India Later This Year After Chat with PM Modi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaelectric vehicles, Elon Musk, PM Modi, Tesla India

National Times Bureau April 19, 2025: Elon Musk has confirmed that he will visit India later this year, following a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing the news on his social media platform X, Musk called the discussion with Modi "an honor" and expressed his excitement for the upcoming trip.Their talk reportedly focused on India's growing tech sector and the potential for future collaboration. This isn't their first interaction—last year in Washington D.C., they had also discussed Tesla’s India plans, space tech, and investment opportunities.Musk’s announcement comes at a time when Tesla is ramping up its hiring in India,…

19 Apr

Delhi Building Collapse Claims 11 Lives, Probe Ordered by CM Rekha Gupta

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDelhi building collapse, Mustafabad Tragedy, NDRF rescue, Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — The death toll from the tragic building collapse in Delhi’s Mustafabad area rose to 11 by Saturday evening, according to the Delhi Police. The early morning incident shocked the densely populated neighborhood, prompting a swift and sustained rescue response.The four-storey residential structure caved in unexpectedly, trapping several residents under the debris. Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with Delhi Fire Services and police, helped retrieve 11 people alive. However, four of the initially rescued victims succumbed to their injuries later.Out of the 11 injured, six have been discharged from…

19 Apr

Putin Announces Brief Easter Ceasefire Amid Continued Attacks in Ukraine

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsCeasefire, Easter Truce, Putin, Russia-Ukraine war

Moscow/Kyiv, April 19, 2025 — In a symbolic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a 30-hour Easter truce in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Set to begin at 6 PM Moscow time on Saturday and end at midnight on Sunday, the unilateral ceasefire was framed as a gesture of respect for Orthodox Easter. However, the announcement has sparked skepticism amid continued hostilities on the ground.The Kremlin claims the temporary pause is a humanitarian measure, allowing space for religious observances. Yet, even as the ceasefire was declared, Ukrainian regions like Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa reported new drone attacks and casualties.…