Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

11 Dec

Trump’s New “Gold Card” Visa Opens a High-Cost Fast Lane to U.S. Residency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The Trump administration has introduced a controversial immigration pathway that allows affluent foreign nationals to secure expedited U.S. residency—provided they are willing to pay a steep entry price. The programme, branded the “Trump Gold Card,” quietly went live this week, creating what critics describe as a pay-to-enter track alongside the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration. Hosted on the new government portal Trumpcard.gov, the programme invites applicants to begin the process by submitting a $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security. Once preliminary screenings and background checks are completed, candidates are required to make a $1…

10 Dec

DGCA Summons IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers Over Massive Operational Disruptions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaaviation safety regulator, DGCA, flight disruptions, IndiGo, Pieter Elbers

New Delhi, December 10, 2025— Aviation regulator DGCA has summoned IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to appear at its office on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into the airline’s severe operational breakdown, which led to thousands of flight cancellations, delays and rescheduling across the country.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said Elbers has been directed to present himself at 3 pm, accompanied by senior officials from all concerned departments. The regulator has sought a detailed report covering flight restoration progress, pilot and cabin crew recruitment plans, updated strength of personnel, the number of cancellations, and refunds processed.The…

10 Dec

Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi Clash in Lok Sabha Over ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations as Electoral Reforms Debate Heats Up

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAmit Shah, electoral reforms debate, Lok Sabha clash, Rahul Gandhi, vote chori allegations

New Delhi, December 10 — A sharp confrontation unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi exchanged barbs over allegations of “vote chori,” turning the debate on electoral reforms into a charged political face-off.Tensions rose when Rahul Gandhi interrupted Amit Shah mid-speech, prompting the Home Minister to accuse the Opposition of double standards and misinformation. Shah said Gandhi had raised questions in three separate press conferences about voter list manipulation, but insisted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process itself is designed to correct and sanitise electoral rolls.Shah argued…

10 Dec

SpiceJet to Add 100 Daily Flights as Winter Travel Demand Rises Amid IndiGo Turbulence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaaviation delays India, DGCA notice, IndiGo disruptions, SpiceJet winter schedule

New Delhi, December 10, 2025— SpiceJet has announced plans to introduce up to 100 additional daily flights during the ongoing winter schedule, stepping in to expand capacity as IndiGo’s operational disruptions continue to strain India’s aviation network. The airline said the surge in demand on major routes has prompted the decision, with new flights set to roll out once regulatory approval is secured.The carrier said it aims to ensure reliable connectivity and maintain stability during the peak travel season. Over the past two months, SpiceJet has strengthened its fleet by bringing 17 aircraft into active service through a mix of…

10 Dec

Deepavali Added to UNESCO Intangible Heritage List, Marking a Cultural Landmark for India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDeepavali UNESCO list, India cultural heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage

New Delhi, December 10, 2025— Deepavali, one of India’s most celebrated festivals, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking a significant cultural achievement for the country. The announcement was made by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who described it as a “joyous moment” in a post on X.Jaiswal said Deepavali reflects India’s rich cultural identity and is celebrated worldwide as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, commemorating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.UNESCO, in its official description, said Deepavali is observed every year by diverse communities across India. The festival…

10 Dec

Australia Imposes World’s First Nationwide Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAustralia social media ban, under-16 restriction

Canberra, December 10, 2025: Australia on Wednesday enforced a landmark nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16, becoming the first country to introduce restrictions of such scale. The decision, widely praised by parents and child-safety advocates, has triggered strong objections from major tech giants and free-speech groups.The new law took effect at midnight and directed ten major platforms, including TikTok, YouTube owned by Alphabet, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, to block underage users or face penalties reaching A$49.5 million (USD 33 million). The sweeping reform has quickly drawn global attention as other governments examine the growing risks…

10 Dec

Rohit Sharma Holds No. 1 Spot as Virat Kohli Climbs to Second in Latest ICC ODI Rankings

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessICC rankings update, Rohit Sharma No. 1 ranking, Virat Kohli ODI rankings

New Delhi, December 10, 2025— India’s ODI lineup dominated the latest ICC rankings update, with Rohit Sharma retaining his position as the world’s top-ranked batter while Virat Kohli closed in on the summit after a standout series against South Africa. Kohli, who last held the No. 1 position in April 2021 before being overtaken by Pakistan’s Babar Azam, delivered a commanding run tally of 302 across three matches, pushing him to second place.His unbeaten 65 in the Visakhapatnam ODI earned him the Player of the Series award and brought him within just eight rating points of Rohit. The Indian captain…

10 Dec

Amazon Pledges $35 Billion Investment in India, Eyes One Million Jobs by 2030

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, Trending, World NewsAmazon

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Amazon on Tuesday announced plans to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country’s digital economy, AI-driven growth, and employment generation. The announcement was made at the sixth Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, alongside the release of a report on Amazon’s economic impact in India by consulting firm Keystone Strategy. Expanding on Past Investments The fresh investment builds on nearly $40 billion Amazon has already invested in India over the past 15 years. According to the Keystone report, Amazon has become the largest foreign investor in the…

10 Dec

Experts Warn B.C. Is Falling Behind on Insomnia Care as Thousands Struggle Without Treatment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingInsomnia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Health professionals are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a widening gap in support for British Columbians living with chronic insomnia — a condition affecting hundreds of thousands across the province and significantly straining both personal well-being and the broader economy. Chronic insomnia is recognized as a neurological disorder that can intensify risks for heart disease, obesity, depression, anxiety and even suicide. While up to 15 per cent of adults in Canada are estimated to experience persistent sleep problems, clinicians say access to effective, evidence-based treatment in B.C. remains limited. High Personal and Economic Toll…

10 Dec

Toronto Police Probe Theft of Mezuzahs From Seniors’ Residence in Suspected Hate Crime

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Toronto’s Hate Crime Unit is investigating after a series of mezuzahs were forcibly removed from the doors of residents in a North York seniors’ building, an incident that has sparked anger and fear within the community. The thefts occurred sometime over the weekend at a Toronto Community Housing seniors’ residence in the Westminster area. Residents noticed the missing mezuzahs on Sunday and alerted authorities. Police have not yet established the exact timeframe of the vandalism. A mezuzah, a small case containing a handwritten prayer scroll, is traditionally mounted on the doorposts of Jewish homes and is considered…