Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

10 Dec

Provincial Pushback Escalates: Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Major Police Forces Refuse to Enforce Federal Gun Buyback Program

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Saskatchewan

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The debate over firearms in Canada has intensified as Alberta has formally invoked the Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, declining to participate in the federal gun-seizure and buyback program. It has become evident that Alberta is not alone in its stance. Saskatchewan, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), several major municipal police services, and numerous frontline police associations nationwide have also expressed their intention not to assist Ottawa in confiscating legally owned firearms.Alberta’s motion instructs all police forces within the province, including the RCMP, to refrain from making arrests under the federal ban and directs Crown prosecutors…

09 Dec

Mamata Banerjee Demands PM Modi’s Apology for ‘Bankim da’ Remark, Says Bengal’s Icons Being Insulted

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Mamata Banerjee, Narendra Modi, Vande Mataram controversy

Kolkata, December 9, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of insulting renowned novelist and Vande Mataram author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by referring to him as “Bankim da” during a discussion in Parliament. She said the remark amounted to disrespect toward one of India’s most revered cultural figures.Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar, Banerjee said national icons must be treated with dignity, especially individuals who shaped India’s intellectual and freedom movement legacy. She criticised the Prime Minister’s informal phrasing, saying it trivialised the stature of the Vande Mataram…

09 Dec

Scindia Reviews Bharat 6G Mission, Sets Fresh Targets for India’s Push Toward 2030 Leadership

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia6G India 2030, Bharat 6G Mission, Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Jyotiraditya Scindia

New Delhi, December 9, 2025: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia chaired a meeting of the Apex Council under the Bharat 6G Mission on Tuesday, reiterating the government’s ambition to position India as a global leader in sixth-generation telecom technology by 2030. The session brought together senior officials, researchers, telecom operators, industry leaders, and members of the Bharat 6G Alliance to assess the country’s current progress and outline expectations for the next phase of development.Scindia urged the seven working groups under the Alliance to increase coordination, meet more frequently, and adopt measurable quarterly targets. He emphasised that India must transition…

09 Dec

Centre Cuts IndiGo’s Flight Schedule by 10% to Stabilise Operations Amid Ongoing Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaaviation ministry, flight cancellations, IndiGo flight cuts, pilot duty norms

New Delhi, December 9, 2025— The civil aviation ministry on Tuesday directed IndiGo to reduce its flight schedule by 10 per cent, aiming to stabilise the airline’s operations after days of widespread disruptions caused by the transition to the second phase of new flight duty norms for pilots. The decision comes amid thousands of cancellations this month that left lakhs of passengers facing severe delays and confusion at airports across the country.Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers was called to the ministry to provide an update on the situation. According to the minister, the airline…

09 Dec

India Crushes South Africa by 101 Runs in Dominant T20I Win

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports1st T20I, Hardik Pandya, India vs South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah

Cuttack, December 9, 2025: India delivered a commanding performance in Cuttack as the team defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the opening T20I of the series. The hosts posted 175 for six after a late surge led by Hardik Pandya, and then bowled out the visitors for a mere 74 in just 12.3 overs.Hardik Pandya powered India’s innings with an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, shifting the momentum decisively in the final overs. His aggressive stroke-play pushed India to a competitive total after a steady start from the top order. South Africa struggled to contain India’s acceleration despite brief…

09 Dec

IPL 2026 Auction Set to Feature 350 Players; Quinton de Kock Joins Lineup

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, TrendingIPL 2026, Quinton de Kock

Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Premier League 2026 auction is gearing up to be a major event with 350 players shortlisted to compete for 77 spots across the 10 franchises. The auction is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, featuring a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging Indian talent. South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, who recently returned from ODI retirement, has been added to the final list at a base price of ₹1 crore, making him one of the most talked-about names in this year’s pool. Australia’s Steve Smith, returning to the IPL after last…

09 Dec

Lok Sabha to Debate Election Reforms as Opposition Targets SIR Exercise

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaRahul Gandhi

National Times Bureau :- The Lok Sabha is scheduled to hold a detailed discussion on election reforms today, with a major focus on the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The exercise has triggered strong objections from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which alleges large-scale discrepancies and the removal of genuine voters. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to open the debate, continuing his criticism of the SIR process. Gandhi has accused the government and the ECI of creating confusion through outdated systems and putting heavy pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs). He earlier…

09 Dec

Northern Japan Shaken by Major Offshore Quake; Tsunami Reaches Coastal Towns

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsJapan

Japan (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night earthquake off Japan’s northern coastline sent shockwaves across multiple prefectures on Monday, injuring dozens and prompting urgent tsunami advisories that remained in place for several hours. The magnitude 7.5 tremor, which hit shortly after 11 p.m., caused widespread alarm as residents fled homes, hotels and coastal areas in the dark. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the quake originated beneath the Pacific seabed roughly 80 kilometers northeast of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture. Although the tsunami that followed was relatively small—reaching about 70 centimeters in Kuji, Iwate Prefecture—authorities stressed that even low-level surges can pose risks…

09 Dec

IndiGo’s Flight Disruptions Worsen as Nearly 180 Services Axed from Southern Hubs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingIndiGo

New Delhi: (Rajeev Sharma): IndiGo’s ongoing operational troubles intensified on Tuesday, with the airline pulling close to 180 flights from its schedules at Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports. The cancellations extend a week-long stretch of disruptions that has rattled passengers and raised concerns within the aviation ministry. Data from airport authorities shows that Bengaluru bore the brunt of the turbulence, with 121 flights cancelled throughout the day—63 outbound and 58 inbound. Hyderabad saw 58 services grounded, including 14 arrivals and 44 departures, marking one of the most significant single-day cuts since the crisis began. The recurring cancellations come as the Union…

09 Dec

Trump warns of new tariffs on India after farmers allege unfair dumping

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDonald Trump

National Times Bureau :- According to Bloomberg, US President Donald Trump indicated that his administration may introduce new tariffs on agricultural imports, such as Canadian fertiliser and Indian rice, after American farmers complained that cheap foreign products are hurting them. At a White House roundtable held to announce a $12-billion support package for US farmers, Trump said the government would look into accusations that some countries are selling rice in the US at unfairly low prices. Farmers at the meeting urged him to take tougher action, saying subsidised foreign rice is damaging the US market and lowering local prices. Trump…