Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Apr

Yogi Adityanath: ‘Politics Not a Full-Time Job, I Remain a Yogi at Heart’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAdityanath future as PM, BJP leadership, Yogi Adityanath politics

Lucknow, April 1, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed speculation about his potential rise to the post of Prime Minister, emphasizing that politics is not his life’s purpose. Instead, he describes himself as a Yogi at heart, driven by service and duty rather than ambition.In an interview with PTI, Adityanath reaffirmed his commitment to Uttar Pradesh, stating, “I am the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and the party has placed me here to serve the people of the state.” His comments come amid increasing speculation about his growing national influence within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)…

01 Apr

INDIA Bloc Gears Up to Oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia Waqf Bill, Lok Sabha debate, Opposition protests, Waqf Board Amendment

New Delhi, April 1, 2025 – The INDIA opposition alliance has united to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is set to be debated and passed in the Lok Sabha. A meeting in Parliament House brought together leaders from multiple parties to discuss their joint strategy against the bill, which they believe could have significant implications for Waqf properties and minority rights.What is the Waqf Board?A Waqf is an endowment made by Muslims for religious, charitable, or educational purposes. It is governed by state Waqf boards, which manage and oversee properties donated for religious or social welfare purposes. These properties…

01 Apr

Massive Gas Pipeline Fire in Malaysia Injures Over 100

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsMalaysia gas explosion, Petronas pipeline fire, Putra Heights fire

Putra Heights, April 1, 2025 – A gas pipeline explosion near a Petronas station in Putra Heights, outside Kuala Lumpur, triggered a fireball that spread to multiple homes, leaving at least 112 people injured on Tuesday. The towering inferno, visible for kilometers, broke out on the second day of Eid, a public holiday in Malaysia.The fire started at 8:10 AM due to a burst gas pipe. Authorities isolated the affected pipeline, but shutting the valves took several hours. Flames reached up to 20 stories high, only allowing firefighters to approach the site by 2:45 PM.At least 49 houses sustained damage,…

01 Apr

Supreme Court Overturns High Court’s Order on Liquor Shop Closure in Chandigarh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabChandigarh liquor shop closure, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Supreme Court liquor ruling

Chandigarh, April 1, 2025 – The Supreme Court has overturned the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order that had directed liquor shops in Chandigarh to remain closed from April 1 to 3. The High Court's decision, based on petitions challenging the liquor vend tender process, was revoked as the Supreme Court found no clear justification for the stay.However, despite the ruling, liquor shops will still remain closed due to administrative orders. The High Court is set to hear the case on April 3, with the next hearing scheduled for April 4.The controversy erupted over allegations of unfair liquor concession allocation.…

01 Apr

Calgary councillor, Sonya Sharp announces run for mayor’s chair

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary Councellor, Run For Mayor, Somya Sharp

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): Sonya Sharp, Calgary city councillor in Ward 1, announced on Monday night she is running for the mayor’s chair in the City of Calgary's civic election on October 20. Sharp joins incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek, former mayoral candidate and city councillor Jeff Davison, former city councillor, and mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas and former Calgary police commissioner Brian Thiesen as mayoral candidates in the fall election. Sonya sharp said many Calgarians feel that city hall is increasingly out of touch and on the wrong track, people feel the majority of this council doesn’t listen or care about…

01 Apr

The Federal Consumer Carbon Tax is over April 1st

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCarbon Tax, Mark Carney, The Federal Consumer

Calgary: ( Rajeev Sharma): The federal carbon price for consumers will disappear today in all provinces except Quebec, where a provincial price on carbon meant the federal price didn't apply. B.C. also had its own consumer carbon tax, but it hurried Monday to get rid of it for April 1, as well. Mark Carney cancelled the fee on his first day as prime minister last month, signing a directive for the fuel charge to be removed on April 1. The levy had been added to the sale price of carbon-emitting products by fuel type. For gasoline, it was 17.6 cents…

01 Apr

U.S. tariffs on Canadian drugs could impact supply of antibiotics

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian Drugs, US Tarrifs

Toronto (Bhreau): U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals will likely drive up costs and cause shortages of critical Canadian-made drugs, including antibiotics, antidepressants and HIV treatment, according to a new study.Published Monday in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the effort was led by University of Toronto drug policy researcher Mina Tadrous. Tariffs could disrupt access to essential drugs in the U.S., especially drugs where the Canadian is the only or the most commonly used product,” said Tadrous, who is also a licensed pharmacist. “This is across the board for treatments for infections and chronic diseases.”Some medications that are sole sourced…

01 Apr

Self-Proclaimed Pastor Bajinder Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 2018 Rape Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabBajinder Singh rape case, Mohali pastor rape case, Punjab crime news

Mohali, April 1, 2025 – A Punjab court on Tuesday sentenced Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed Christian pastor, to life imprisonment for the 2018 rape case. The Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar convicted 42-year-old Bajinder under Sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).The victim alleged that Bajinder lured her to his residence in Sector 63, Mohali, under the pretext of helping her settle abroad. He then raped her and recorded the act, later threatening to upload the video on social media if she did not comply with his demands.The…

31 Mar

Odisha MLA Loses ₹1.4 Crore to Cyber Fraud; Seven Arrested

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMLA scam, Odisha cyber fraud, Tusharkanti Behera fraud

Bhubaneswar, March 31, 2025 – A sitting Odisha MLA and former IT minister lost ₹1.4 crore to cyber fraud over one-and-a-half months, prompting a police crackdown that led to the arrest of seven suspects from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.The Crime Branch cyber unit found that the accused posed as trade analysts, luring victims into investing in IPOs, shares, and trading schemes with promises of high returns. The fraudsters siphoned the money between November 13, 2024, and January 1, 2025, through a mobile app, said Crime Branch IG Sarthak Sarangi.The complainant, BJD MLA and former IT minister Tusharkanti Behera, claimed a…

31 Mar

Myanmar Earthquake: Woman Rescued After 60 Hours as Death Toll Nears 2,000

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsMandalay disaster, Myanmar earthquake, Thailand rescue

Mandalay, March 31, 2025 – Rescuers pulled a woman alive from the rubble of the Great Wall Hotel in Mandalay after 60 hours, bringing a glimmer of hope following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that devastated Myanmar and parts of Thailand, killing nearly 2,000 people.A joint team of Chinese, Russian, and local rescuers worked for five hours to free the woman, who is in stable condition, according to the Chinese embassy. The earthquake struck on Friday, causing mass destruction near Mandalay, the epicenter.Rescue Efforts Continue in ThailandIn Bangkok, emergency crews are desperately searching for 76 people trapped under a collapsed under-construction skyscraper.…