Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Apr

Centre Playing Politics Over Waqf Issue, Says Kharge Amid SC Review

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsBJP, Mallikarjun Kharge, National Herald case, Supreme Court, Waqf by user

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the central government of stoking communal tension by bringing up the issue of “Waqf by user” just as the Supreme Court is hearing challenges related to the Waqf Act. He alleged that the move is an intentional attempt to provoke disputes over religious endowment properties, particularly those under Muslim custodianship.Addressing the press, Kharge claimed that the ruling BJP is targeting Waqf institutions to divide communities and shift attention from key national issues like unemployment, inflation, and corruption. “This is part of a larger agenda. By unnecessarily raking up…

19 Apr

Canadian Small Businesses Weather Trump Tariffs by Turning Inward, Backing Homegrown Products

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Tariffs, Made in Canada, Small Businesses, Trump Trade War

Ottawa, April 19, 2025: Canadian small businesses are recalibrating in the face of steep U.S. tariffs, as the economic strain from Washington’s latest trade retaliation forces firms to look inward. Once-reliable cross-border ties are now being tested, but a groundswell of national support is helping these businesses adapt.The U.S. tariff wave, sparked by ongoing disputes over agriculture and automotive trade, has led to rising import costs and disrupted supply chains. In response, Canadian businesses and consumers alike are increasingly prioritizing "Made in Canada" goods. A recent Angus Reid Institute poll found that 98% of Canadians now prefer domestic products, with…

19 Apr

24 Students Score 100 Percentile in JEE Main 2025 as NTA Declares Results; Rajasthan Leads with Seven Toppers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia100 percentile scorers, JEE Main 2025, NTA results, Rajasthan toppers

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results of JEE Main 2025 (Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech) on Saturday, revealing that 24 candidates have achieved the elusive 100 percentile, with Rajasthan emerging as the top-performing state, contributing seven of the perfect scorers. The high-stakes exam, which serves as the first gateway to India’s top engineering institutes, was held in two sessions – January and April – witnessing participation from 14.75 lakh candidates out of the 15.39 lakh who had registered. The exams were conducted in 13 languages across 300 cities, including 15 international centres like…

19 Apr

Canadians Flock to Advance Polls Ahead of Federal Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaadvance polls, Canada Election 2025, Elections Canada, Voter Turnout

National Times Bureau, April 19, 2025: Advance polls across Canada opened on April 18, drawing large crowds as the 2025 federal election campaign picks up momentum. With election day set for April 28, early voting is now underway and will continue until April 21, running daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.From Ottawa to Calgary and Edmonton, voters queued up early, signaling strong public engagement. Elections Canada reported a significant turnout, with some polling locations seeing long lines just hours after opening.Voters opting for mail-in ballots were reminded they are ineligible to vote at advance polls or on…

19 Apr

Indian Student Fatally Shot by Stray Bullet in Canada During Gang-Related Violence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 21-year-old Indian student lost her life in Hamilton, Ontario, after being struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident linked to suspected gang violence. The young woman, a student at Mohawk College, was waiting at a local bus stop on her way to work when she was caught in the crossfire. Authorities identified her as an innocent bystander who was tragically hit during the confrontation. Hamilton Police confirmed the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, during what they described as a targeted shooting between rival individuals. The…

18 Apr

Canada’s Retaliation Over Tariffs Leaves U.S. Wine Industry Facing $1 Billion Loss

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaU.S.-Canada trade war, wine industry loss

Ottawa, April 18, 2025: The American wine industry is reeling from a sharp economic blow as a result of escalating trade tensions with Canada. In retaliation to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Canadian provinces have removed American alcoholic beverages—including wine—from store shelves, triggering a projected $1 billion loss for U.S. wineries.California, the heart of the U.S. wine export business, has taken the biggest hit. Wineries in the state now face overstocked inventories and slumping export orders due to Canada’s sudden restrictions. Analysts say the financial damage will worsen the longer these trade barriers persist.This fallout is just one chapter…

18 Apr

20 Dead in U.S. Strikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa Oil Port, Houthis Claim Major Civilian Toll

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsHouthis, Ras Isa oil port, U.S. airstrikes, Yemen

Sanaa, April 18 — At least 20 people were killed in U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s western Ras Isa oil port, according to Houthi rebels. The group, which controls large parts of Yemen, accused the U.S. of targeting critical infrastructure and causing significant civilian casualties. The attacks reportedly hit fuel storage facilities and surrounding areas in the Hodeida province.Houthi media condemned the strikes as a war crime, asserting that civilians, including port workers and rescue responders, were among the dead. The group warned of retaliation and said the bombings would not go unanswered.This latest attack adds to a growing list of…

18 Apr

Shubhanshu Shukla to Become First Indian on ISS, 40 Years After Rakesh Sharma’s Space Flight

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndian astronaut, ISS mission, Shubhanshu Shukla, SpaceX Falcon 9

New Delhi, April 18, 2025: After a gap of four decades, India is ready to send one of its own into space again. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May this year. His mission will make him the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984.Shukla will be part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission and will lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew Dragon…

18 Apr

India a Strong Contender for Permanent Seat in Expanded UNSC: UN Panel Chief

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Security Council, United Nations, UNSC reform

New York, April 18, 2025: India has emerged as a “sure contender” for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) if the body is expanded, according to Philip Sibanda, Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reform. Speaking at an informal General Assembly meeting, Sibanda praised India’s consistent global leadership and its significant contributions to peacekeeping.Representing Zimbabwe as its Permanent Representative to the UN, Sibanda emphasized the growing support India enjoys among member states. He highlighted India’s democratic credentials and its leadership within the G4 group—comprising India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan—as key indicators of its suitability…

18 Apr

PM Modi, Elon Musk Explore New Frontiers in Tech and Innovation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaElon Musk, India, Narendra Modi, technology collaboration, X

New Delhi, April 18, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Thursday to explore avenues of collaboration in emerging technologies, space exploration, and innovation-driven development. The conversation reaffirmed growing ties between India and global tech pioneers.According to officials, both leaders discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas like sustainable development, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. The call follows their earlier in-person meeting in Washington, D.C., and comes amid India’s expanding efforts to position itself as a global hub for innovation.Elon Musk, who was joined by his family during the interaction, expressed admiration for…