Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

26 Feb

DGCA Mandates 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window and Reforms Name Correction Rules

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Lifestyle48-hour free flight cancellation, DGCA name correction policy, DGCA ticket refund rules 2026, India aviation passenger rights

NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma) — In a landmark decision to bolster passenger rights, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has officially revised its ticket refund and amendment norms. The updated Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), issued on February 24, 2026, introduce a "Look-in option" that allows travellers to cancel or modify their flight bookings without incurring any additional charges for the first 48 hours. This reform is a direct response to a massive surge in consumer grievances recorded in late 2025 following widespread industry disruptions. The new policy provides a significant 48-hour safety net for passengers immediately…

26 Feb

Kerala High Court Stays Release of ‘The Kerala Story 2’ Over Concerns of Social Harmony

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment

KOCHI (Rajeev Sharma) — In a significant legal intervention, the Kerala High Court on Thursday, February 26, 2026, issued an interim stay on the release of the highly controversial film The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond. The order comes just 24 hours before the movie's scheduled nationwide premiere. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while presiding over two petitions challenging the film, remarked that there appeared to be a "non-application of mind" by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during its certification process. The court observed that the CBFC seemed to have disregarded specific guidelines intended to prevent cinematic content from disrupting…

26 Feb

India and Israel Conclude First Round of FTA Talks; Launch Strategic Financial Dialogue

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsIndia-Israel Financial Dialogue, India-Israel FTA negotiations 2026, PM Modi Israel visit, UPI Israel payment linkage

NEW DELHI / TEL AVIV (Rajeev Sharma) — Marking a transformative chapter in bilateral relations, India and Israel successfully concluded the first round of negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The four-day session in New Delhi follows the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) in November 2025, providing a structured roadmap to dismantle trade barriers and deepen economic integration between the two strategic partners. Coinciding with the conclusion of the talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a high-profile state visit to Israel, issued a joint statement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.…

26 Feb

Canada Softens Stance on India Allegations Ahead of PM Carney’s Landmark Visit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

OTTAWA (Rajeev Sharma) — In a major shift in diplomatic posture, the Canadian federal government has officially stated its belief that India is no longer linked to violent criminal activities within Canada. This announcement, first reported by the Toronto Star, came during a high-level media briefing on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, just ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s scheduled departure for his first state visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. Senior government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the decision to proceed with the visit is a direct result of increased confidence that foreign interference and "repressive activities"…

26 Feb

Hamilton Police Veteran Charged with Possession and Transmission of Child Sexual Exploitation Material

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontariochild sexual exploitation charges Ontario, Constable Dave Hamilton arrest, Halton Regional Police investigation, Hamilton police officer charged 2026

HAMILTON, ON (Rajeev Sharma) — A veteran officer with the Hamilton Police Service has been arrested and charged with multiple offences involving the possession and transmission of child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Constable Dave Hamilton, 43, a 19-year veteran of the force, was taken into custody on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, following an investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service. The charges relate to alleged offences that occurred in Burlington between January 3 and January 4 of this year. In an immediate administrative response, the Hamilton Police Service confirmed that Constable Hamilton has been suspended without pay. This action…

26 Feb

One Fatality and Four Injured After Vehicle Crashes into Ottawa Drop-In Centre

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCapital City Mission vehicle collision, downtown Ottawa accident today, Ottawa pedestrian fatality, Ottawa Rideau Street crash 2026

OTTAWA (Rajeev Sharma) — A tragic incident in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, has left one man dead and four others injured after a vehicle crashed into a local drop-in centre. The collision occurred around 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Rideau and Cobourg streets, precisely as the Capital City Mission was opening its doors to provide food and warm clothing to the city’s vulnerable population. Ottawa Police confirmed that four pedestrians were struck in the crash, including a man in his 70s who was initially transported to the hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Authorities later…

26 Feb

Charges Dropped Against Ontario Man Who Confronted Armed Intruder in Lindsay Apartment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioJeremy David McDonald charges withdrawn, Jeremy McDonald Michael Kyle Breen, Kawartha Lakes police intruder assault, Lindsay Ontario self-defence case

LINDSAY, ON (Rajeev Sharma) — The Crown has officially withdrawn all charges against an Ontario man who was accused of assaulting an intruder inside his residence last summer. Jeremy David McDonald, a resident of Lindsay, had been facing counts of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following a high-profile incident on August 18, 2025. The case, which drew intense public scrutiny and comments from provincial leadership, concluded in a Lindsay courtroom on Thursday morning, February 26, 2026, after prosecutors determined there was no longer a reasonable prospect of conviction. The incident began in the middle of the night when…

26 Feb

India stands with Israel with full conviction: PM Modi address Israel’s Knesset, condemns terrorism

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIsrael, PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Rajeev Sharma :- Prime Minister on Wednesday reaffirmed India's unwavering support for Israel, underscoring the depth of bilateral ties, a shared zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, and expanding cooperation in trade, defence and technology. During his official visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Knesset and said that the partnership between India and Israel is historic, important, and very strong, especially during uncertain global times. He also stressed the need for lasting peace and stability in West Asia. ???? PM Modi expressed sympathy for the victims of the October 7 attacks, when Hamas attacked Israeli civilians, killing more than…

26 Feb

PM Modi becomes world’s most followed political leader on Instagram, crosses 100 million followers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPM Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Rajeev Sharma :- Narendra Modi has become the world’s most followed political leader on Instagram, surpassing the historic milestone of 100 million (10 crore) followers on the platform. The Prime Minister, who joined Instagram in 2014, has now established a commanding lead over other global leaders in terms of social media presence. According to available figures, Modi’s follower count is more than double that of US President Donald Trump, who currently has 43.2 million followers and ranks second globally among political leaders on Instagram. Other prominent world leaders trail significantly behind. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has 15 million…

26 Feb

NCERT withdraws textbook over ‘corruption in judiciary’ chapter backlash, issue apology

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaNCERT, Supreme Court

New Delhi, Rajeev Sharma :- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an apology and withdrawn the distribution of its newly released class 8 Social Science textbook after inappropriate textual material and error of judgment were found in a chapter on the judiciary. In a press statement, NCERT said that the Social Science textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II" for Class 8, was released on February 24, 2026. However, upon receiving the textbook, it was observed that certain inappropriate textual material and error of judgement had inadvertently crept into Chapter No 4, entitled "The…