Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

24 Dec

India’s LVM3 Rocket Delivers Record-Breaking Commercial Satellite to Orbit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Technology, TrendingISRO

Sriharikota (Rajeev Sharma): In a major boost to India’s commercial space launch profile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday successfully placed the heaviest foreign satellite ever launched from Indian territory into orbit using its LVM3 rocket. The payload, BlueBird Block-2, tipped the scales at around 6,100 kilograms and was carried into Low Earth Orbit during the LVM3-M6 mission. Built by US-based AST SpaceMobile, the satellite is designed to provide direct space-based cellular broadband services to conventional mobile phones, a technology aimed at expanding connectivity beyond traditional ground networks. This mission was undertaken as a fully commercial launch, highlighting…

23 Dec

13 Convicted, Sentenced to Life for Murshidabad Lynching During Waqf Act Protests

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiamob violence, Murshidabad lynching, Waqf Amendment Act protests

Murshidabad (West Bengal), December 23, 2025: A fast-track court in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday sentenced 13 people to life imprisonment for the lynching of a man and his son during violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act earlier this year. Special Public Prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee said the ruling marks the second conviction in a mob lynching case in the country and the first such verdict in West Bengal. The court also directed the state government to pay ₹15 lakh as compensation to the victims’ family. The victims, 72-year-old Haragobinda Das and his 42-year-old son Chandan Das, were attacked…

23 Dec

VHP, Bajrang Dal Protest Near Bangladesh High Commission Over Lynching of Hindu Man

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBajrang Dal, Bangladesh High Commission, lynching in Bangladesh, VHP protest

New Delhi, December 23: Tension prevailed near the heavily guarded Bangladesh High Commission on Tuesday as hundreds of activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest against the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, leading to clashes with police and disruption in the high-security zone. Carrying saffron flags and chanting slogans, the protesters attempted to march towards the High Commission, breaking through multiple layers of barricades. Several barricades were damaged as police struggled to control the crowd amid heightened security arrangements. Anticipating the demonstration, authorities had deployed a strong police and paramilitary presence in…

23 Dec

India Announces $450 Million Aid Package for Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCyclone Ditwah, India–Sri Lanka relations, S Jaishankar, USD 450 million aid

New Delhi/Colombo, December 23, 2025:India has extended strong support to Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday announcing a proposed assistance package worth USD 450 million to help the island nation recover from the devastation caused by the storm. Jaishankar, who is visiting Sri Lanka as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, made the announcement during discussions with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He said the cyclone struck at a particularly difficult time for Sri Lanka, which was still in the process of rebuilding its economy after the severe financial…

23 Dec

Elections Alberta Clears Path for Petition Seeking Vote on Alberta’s Independence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Elections Alberta has approved a proposed referendum question that asks voters whether Alberta should separate from Canada, allowing a citizen-led campaign to begin gathering signatures in support of the idea. With the approval in place, the Alberta Prosperity Project — the group behind the initiative — is now authorized to launch its petition drive once it appoints a financial officer, a step that must be completed by early January. Signature collection can begin immediately afterward. The question approved for circulation asks Albertans whether they agree that the province should leave Canada and form an independent country. This…

23 Dec

Halford Says B.C. Conservative Leadership Contest Will Reset Party and Bring Unity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia

Victoria (Rajeev Sharma): Trevor Halford says the upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of British Columbia will be an opportunity to clarify the party’s direction and restore cohesion after weeks of internal turmoil that briefly left the party with competing claims to its top job. Halford stepped into the role of interim leader on December 3 after the party’s board appointed him amid mounting tensions within caucus. Earlier that day, a majority of Conservative MLAs publicly withdrew their support from then-leader John Rustad, citing ongoing disputes that had affected fundraising and damaged the party’s public standing. The board later…

23 Dec

Extended Waits for Tests and Specialists Common in Ontario, Survey Finds

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A majority of Ontarians are facing prolonged delays when seeking diagnostic tests or specialist care, according to a new public opinion survey that highlights growing pressure on the province’s health-care system. The poll, conducted by Abacus Data and released on Tuesday, found that long wait times are the norm rather than the exception. About one-third of respondents said they waited longer than six months to see a specialist or undergo a diagnostic procedure, while another 37 per cent reported delays ranging from three to six months. These timelines stand in sharp contrast to provincial benchmarks. Ontario Health…

23 Dec

Thick smog engulfs Delhi as air quality turns ‘severe’, AQI soared to 413

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaair pollution, New Delhi

National Times Bureau :- Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded 'hazardous' on Tuesday morning, significantly impairing visibility and affecting residents. The AQI reading soared to 413 at around 8 am.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality spiked to 'severe' levels in certain areas of the National Capital Region (NCR). Multiple parts of the city continued to witness alarmingly high pollution levels.CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR.Several pollution hotspots included Anand Vihar (466), Chandni Chowk (425), and Ashok Vihar (444), also falling under the 'severe' category across…

23 Dec

US enhances online vetting for H-1B visas; delayed interviews likely to impact Indian techies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World News

National Times Bureau :- The United States has announced an expansion of online and social media reviews as part of routine visa screening for all H-1B and H-4 applicants worldwide, regardless of nationality. In a short statement, the US Embassy in India advised applicants to submit their visa applications as early as possible and to be prepared for longer processing times for these categories. "WORLDWIDE ALERT FOR H-1B AND H-4 VISA APPLICANTS. Beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to ALL H-1B and H-4 applicants as part of standard visa screening. This vetting is being conducted…

23 Dec

Five killed, one missing as Mexican Navy plane crashes near Galveston, Texas

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAirplane Crash, Mexican

National Times Bureau :- Five people were killed on Monday when a small aircraft operated by the Mexican Navy crashed into the waters off the coast of Galveston, Texas, officials said. The plane was carrying eight people at the time of the accident—five fatalities have been confirmed, two occupants survived, and one individual remains missing, according to the Mexican Navy. The aircraft was on a humanitarian mission involving specialized medical transport when it went down shortly after 3 pm near Galveston, along the Texas coastline, about 50 miles southeast of Houston. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker confirmed the…