Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

18 Jan

Modi Targets TMC Over National Security, Calls for Change in West Bengal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBJP, border fencing, Illegal Immigration, Narendra Modi, National Security, TMC, West Bengal

New Delhi, January 18, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, accusing it of compromising national security for vote-bank politics and asserting that a change in leadership was necessary to ensure development and effective governance in the state. Addressing a public rally in Singur in Hooghly district, Modi alleged that the TMC was shielding illegal infiltrators and failing to cooperate with the Centre on crucial security-related measures, including the fencing of international borders. He claimed that repeated requests by the central government for land required for border-fencing…

18 Jan

Calgary Lifts Water Restrictions After Successful Testing of Repaired Main

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaBearspaw South Feeder Main, Calgary infrastructure, Calgary water restrictions, water main repair

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The City of Calgary has lifted all water-use restrictions with immediate effect after tests on a ruptured and recently repaired water main were completed successfully, city officials confirmed. Mayor Jeromy Farkas welcomed the development, calling it a positive day for Calgary, while cautioning that significant work still lies ahead. He noted that although the repaired section is now functioning properly, the entire feeder main will need to be replaced to prevent future disruptions. For more than two weeks, Calgary’s 1.6 million residents, along with those in surrounding municipalities, had been urged to conserve water. The measures included…

18 Jan

Trump Calls for Leadership Change in Iran as Protests Intensify, Targets Supreme Leader Khamenei

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAyatollah Ali Khamenei, Donald Trump, Iran protests, regime change, US-Iran tensions

Washington DC [US]: US President Donald Trump on Saturday openly called for a change in Iran’s leadership, sharply criticising the long-standing rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid intensifying nationwide protests across the Islamic Republic. In an interview, Trump said Iran needs “new leadership,” holding the current regime responsible for the country’s economic collapse, rising inflation and growing public dissatisfaction. He accused Iran’s leadership of maintaining control through force and repression rather than effective governance. Trump alleged that the ruling establishment has inflicted severe damage on the nation, claiming that excessive violence has been used to suppress dissent. He…

18 Jan

School Destroyed in Early-Morning Fire at Blueberry River First Nation in Northeastern B.C.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBlueberry River First Nation, British Columbia fire, First Nation school fire, Fort St. John RCMP

Blueberry River First Nation, British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A school located within the Blueberry River First Nation in northeastern British Columbia was completely destroyed in a fire that broke out early Saturday morning, authorities said. According to the Fort St. John RCMP, officers were dispatched to the community at around 6:30 a.m. after reports of a blaze. When police and fire crews arrived at the scene, the school building was already fully engulfed in flames. No injuries have been reported in the incident. In a news release, RCMP officials stated that there is currently no indication the fire was suspicious…

18 Jan

Kashechewan First Nation Evacuated After Water and Sewage System Failures Leave Only Hundreds Behind

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaKashechewan First Nation, northern Ontario evacuation, sewage contamination, water system failure

Kashechewan First Nation (Ontario): Only a few hundred residents remain in Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario after widespread failures in the community’s water supply and sewage systems forced a large-scale evacuation, raising serious public health concerns. Kashechewan First Nation Executive Director Tyson Wesley said that by Sunday, only around 400 people would remain in the fly-in community, which has a population of approximately 2,200 and is located on the western shore of James Bay. The community declared a state of emergency on January 4 after critical infrastructure damage led to sewage backing up into homes and contaminating the local…

18 Jan

Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Murder of Brother of Lapu-Lapu Day Attack Accused

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaAlexander Lo killing, Dwight Kematch sentencing, Lapu-Lapu Day attack, Vancouver murder case

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced a Vancouver man to life imprisonment, with no possibility of parole for 11 years, for the 2024 killing of Alexander Lo, the brother of Kai-Ji Adam Lo, who is accused in the Lapu-Lapu Day car-ramming attack that claimed 11 lives. Forty-one-year-old Dwight Kematch pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder. During sentencing proceedings on Friday, Kematch acknowledged the “ripple effect” his actions had on Alexander Lo’s family, including his brother, who is currently in a forensic hospital facing separate criminal proceedings. Crown prosecutor Mark Myhre told the court that…

18 Jan

Canada Sets March 31 Deadline for Gun Buyback Declarations as National Program Enters Next Phase

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaassault-style weapons, banned firearms, Canada gun buyback program, Public Safety Canada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian federal government has announced the next phase of its national gun buyback program, giving firearm owners roughly two months to declare their intent to participate in order to receive compensation for turning in prohibited weapons. Under the program, which was first announced in 2020, the government has banned approximately 2,500 makes and models of what it classifies as “assault-style” firearms, arguing these weapons are designed for combat rather than hunting or sport shooting. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said participation in the compensation scheme is optional, but compliance…

18 Jan

IndiGo Flight Diverted to Lucknow After Bomb Threat, All 222 Passengers Safe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBomb Threat, IndiGo

National Times Bureau :- An IndiGo Airlines flight traveling from Delhi to Bagdogra was forced to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on the morning of 18 January 2026 after a bomb threat was reported. The aircraft, operating as flight 6E-6650, was carrying 222 passengers, including eight infants, along with two pilots and five cabin crew members. As a precaution, the plane was diverted from its original route and landed safely at Lucknow at around 9:17 am. Airport officials said Air Traffic Control received information about the threat at approximately 8:46 am. Immediately after landing, the aircraft was moved…

18 Jan

DGCA slaps fine of Rs 22 crore on Indigo over massive flights disruptions in December

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDGCA, IndiGo

National Times Bureau :- The civil aviation regulator DGCA has levied a penalty of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo and initiated strict action against its senior leadership after an investigation uncovered major planning, operational and regulatory failures that contributed to the widespread flight disruptions in December 2025. Between December 3 and 5, IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed another 1,852, leaving more than three lakh passengers stranded at airports nationwide. InterGlobe Aviation Ltd — IndiGo’s parent company — confirmed receiving the DGCA’s orders and said in a statement that the board and management would carefully review them and take appropriate steps.…

18 Jan

Dense Fog Prompts Safety Advisory Across Parts of Metro Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Motorists in southwestern Metro Vancouver have been urged to exercise caution as thick fog continues to blanket parts of the region, significantly reducing visibility on roads and bridges. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a fog advisory on Saturday afternoon, warning that conditions could deteriorate to near-zero visibility in areas including Richmond, Delta and Tsawwassen. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through Sunday afternoon. According to the weather agency, visibility may drop suddenly in some locations, creating hazardous driving conditions. Drivers have been advised to switch on their headlights, reduce speed and leave extra space…