Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

06 Jan

Canada Joins High-Stakes Paris Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire, Carney Signals Expanded Security Role

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Ceasefire Talks, Mark Carney, Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine war

PARIS, January 6: Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris on Tuesday to join key international partners in discussions on securing a potential ceasefire in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, with Canada expected to outline how it could contribute to future security arrangements. The meeting brings together the so-called “coalition of the willing,” a group of more than 30 countries that have pledged continued political, military, and strategic support to Ukraine. The talks are taking place at a critical moment, as ceasefire negotiations are believed to be entering a decisive phase. During his visit, Carney is scheduled to…

06 Jan

Chrystia Freeland to Resign as Member of Parliament, Join Zelenskyy as Economic Adviser

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingChrystia Freeland

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament Chrystia Freeland has announced her intention to vacate her seat in the House of Commons to assume the role of economic development adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On January 5, 2026, Zelenskyy appointed Freeland, citing her extensive experience in implementing economic reforms and attracting investment as crucial for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Freeland, who represents the University-Rosedale constituency in central Toronto, will also relinquish her position as Canada’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction. She characterized the advisory role as voluntary, aimed at supporting Ukraine’s economic…

06 Jan

Delcy Rodríguez Sworn In as Venezuela’s Interim President Following U.S. Capture of Maduro

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World News

Caracas (Rajeev Sharma) — Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former vice president, was officially sworn in as interim president on January 5, 2026, after President Nicolás Maduro was captured by United States forces and flown to New York to face federal charges. The Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that Rodríguez would assume the presidency to ensure continuity of government and national security. The swearing-in took place before the National Assembly in Caracas, presided over by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, head of the legislature. In her address, Rodríguez condemned the U.S. operation as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty, expressed concern for Maduro and…

06 Jan

Devinder Shory Appointed King’s Counsel for Distinguished Legal and Public Service

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaDevinder Shory

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) — Devinder Shory, founder of Shory Law LLP, has been appointed King’s Counsel (KC), a distinction recognizing excellence, integrity, and sustained contribution within the Canadian legal profession. The King’s Counsel designation is awarded to senior lawyers following a formal review process and acknowledges long-standing professional achievement and public service. Shory immigrated to Canada at 30 and later resumed his legal career at 40 while raising three children. He went on to establish a successful legal practice and serve two terms as Member of Parliament for Northeast Calgary.He also played a key role in community development, serving as…

05 Jan

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Visit India Next Week, Focus on Trade, Defence and Technology Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsFriedrich Merz India visit, India-Germany relations, Narendra Modi Germany talks

New Delhi, January 5, 2026 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake a two-day official visit to India from January 12 to 13, with the trip expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation across key sectors such as trade, investment, defence, technology and clean energy. This will be Merz’s first visit to India since assuming office and comes at a time when New Delhi is working to deepen economic engagement with Europe amid evolving global trade dynamics, including recent tariff-related challenges with the United States. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the German Chancellor will arrive in…

05 Jan

Delhi High Court Refuses to Stay Trial Against Lalu Prasad Yadav in IRCTC Scam Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCBI, Delhi High Court, IRCTC Scam, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, RJD, Tejashwi Yadav

New Delhi, January 6, 2026— The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to put a hold on the ongoing trial against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Union railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam case, while seeking a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on his plea challenging the framing of charges. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that no interim relief could be granted without hearing the investigating agency. The court issued notice to the CBI on Yadav’s petition as well as his application seeking a stay on the trial proceedings and…

05 Jan

GRG Act Introduced to Reform MGNREGA for a Developed India: Haryana Chief Minister

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaDeveloped India mission, GRG Act, MGNREGA reforms, Nayab Singh Saini, rural employment

Chandigarh, January 5 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said that the Developed India–Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Rural) Act, 2025, also known as the GRG Act, has been introduced to ensure corruption-free rural employment. He stated that the new legislation strengthens rural livelihoods by providing more guaranteed workdays, higher wages, transparent payments, and the creation of sustainable assets. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said the GRG Act corrects long-standing shortcomings and corruption issues associated with the earlier MGNREGA framework. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken another major step towards…

05 Jan

Sarbjeet Kaur (Noor Hussain) and Pakistani Husband Arrested in Nankana Sahib; Deportation Process Initiated-Pak Media Report

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsPakistan, Sarabjeet Kaur Case

National Times Bureau :- In a significant development in the long-running and sensitive case involving Indian Sikh pilgrim Sarbjeet Kaur, who later adopted the name Noor Hussain after embracing Islam and marrying a Pakistani national, both she and her husband Nasir Hussain have been arrested in Pakistan’s Nankana Sahib district. Official sources indicate that deportation proceedings have now been initiated. The development has been reported by senior Lahore-based journalist Ali Imran Chatha in the Pakistani newspaper Nazarana Times. According to an official statement attributed to Ramesh Singh Arora, President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Punjab Provincial…

05 Jan

Top Court Turns Down Bail for Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUmar Khalid

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Supreme Court on Monday declined to release activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam on bail in the case linked to the 2020 communal violence in Delhi, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured. A two-judge bench led by Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria announced the decision after having reserved its order earlier this month. The ruling applies to bail petitions filed by seven accused persons who are alleged to have been involved in a broader conspiracy behind the violence. Apart from Khalid and Imam, those named in the case include Gulfisha Fatima, Meera…

05 Jan

Missing Indian Woman in Maryland Found Killed; Police Say Former Partner Left US After Crime

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsMaryland

Maryland (Rajeev Sharma): US authorities are searching for a 26-year-old man suspected of killing his former girlfriend, an Indian woman whose disappearance earlier this month had triggered a police search in Maryland. Investigators believe the suspect fled to India shortly after the crime. The victim, 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City, was reported missing on January 2. Howard County Police confirmed on Sunday that her body was discovered inside an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, linked to her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma. Officials said she had suffered multiple stab injuries. Following the discovery, police obtained an arrest warrant against Sharma on charges…