Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

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…

18 Feb

Director Sanoj Mishra Hits Back at Producer’s Allegations, Calls Accuser a Criminal; Monalisa Supports Him in Video Statement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainmentBollywood controversy, Monalisa, Sanoj Mishra, Wasim Rizvi

Mumbai, February 18 – A heated controversy has erupted in the film industry as director Sanoj Mishra fiercely defended himself against allegations made by film producer Jitendra Narayan Singh, also known as Wasim Rizvi. Rizvi claimed that viral sensation Monalisa, who gained fame at the Mahakumbh, has fallen into a trap orchestrated by Mishra. He accused the director of misleading Monalisa and her family. In response, both Sanoj Mishra and Monalisa have addressed these claims, dismissing them as baseless.Sanoj Mishra did not hold back, stating that Wasim Rizvi is trying to malign his reputation with false accusations. He recalled an…

18 Feb

Costa Rica agrees to accept Indian migrants deported from US, first batch arrives Wednesday

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCentral Asia, Costa Rica, India, Indian migrants

San Jose, Feb 18 (PTI): Costa Rica has agreed to serve as a "bridge" to repatriate illegal immigrants in the US, including from India and Central Asia, according to an official release on Tuesday.The first group of 200 migrants will arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport on a commercial flight on Wednesday, according to a statement by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles' office."The Government of Costa Rica agreed to collaborate with the United States in the repatriation of 200 illegal immigrants to their country. These are people originating from countries in central Asia and India," said the statement.The…

18 Feb

Plane Carrying 80 Passengers Overturns at Toronto Airport, 18 Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A Delta Air Lines aircraft carrying 80 people flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, leaving at least 18 passengers injured but resulting in no fatalities. Officials confirmed that the incident involved Endeavor Air Flight 4819, which had departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was attempting to land in Canada’s largest city. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident or how the CRJ-900 aircraft ended up overturned with its wings clipped. However, Todd Aitken, the airport’s fire chief, ruled out adverse weather conditions as a contributing factor, stating, "It's very…

18 Feb

Communal Clash in Bihar’s Jamui; Internet Suspended, Nine Arrested

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar Communal Clash, Internet suspended, Jamui violence, Jhajha religious procession

Jamui (Bihar), February 18, 2025: A violent clash erupted between two communities during a religious procession in Jhajha, Bihar, leading the state government to suspend internet services in the district. Officials confirmed that three people were injured in the incident on Sunday, and nine individuals have been arrested so far.Jamui District Magistrate Abhilasha Sharma stated that the clash began when members of both communities engaged in stone-pelting, prompting swift police intervention. “The situation was brought under control, and all injured individuals were taken to the nearest government hospital,” she said.In response to the violence, a local police officer was suspended…

18 Feb

Delta Airlines Plane Crashes in Toronto; 18 Injured, No Fatalities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaDelta Airlines crash, Plane Accident, Toronto Pearson Airport

Ontario [Canada], February 18, 2025: A Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, flipping upside down on the snowy runway. Authorities confirmed that at least 18 passengers sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals, though no fatalities were reported.In a statement, Delta Airlines assured that their "primary focus is taking care of those impacted." The flight, which had 80 people on board, was attempting to land when the incident occurred. Emergency responders were quick to arrive, and all passengers and crew were accounted for.Toronto Pearson International Airport acknowledged the incident, confirming that emergency…

17 Feb

Jaishankar Warns of Global Shake-Up: ‘Something Big Is Coming’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGlobal Politics, Indian Ocean Conference, S. Jaishankar

Muscat, Oman, February 17, 2025 – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference, addressed growing anxieties about global political shifts, particularly in the United States. He urged nations to assess these changes pragmatically rather than reacting emotionally. Uncertainty in the U.S. and Global Anxiety Jaishankar acknowledged that recent developments in the U.S. had caused concern worldwide. However, he stressed the need for a calm and rational approach to assess the situation. "Change is upon us whether we like it or not," he said, adding that while some aspects may cause anxiety, others present new opportunities.…