Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

24 Dec

Ontario Turns to Defence Sector to Cushion Economic Shock from U.S. Trade Turmoil

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsOntarioAlgoma Steel, defence sector, Ontario economy, U.S. trade impact, Vic Fedeli

Toronto, December 24, 2025: As the United States continues to disrupt global trade dynamics, Ontario is increasingly looking to the defence sector to stabilise its economy and reduce reliance on its largest trading partner, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli has said. Speaking in a recent interview, Fedeli acknowledged that uncertainty stemming from Washington’s trade policies has forced countries worldwide to rethink their economic strategies. He said governments and businesses now begin each day wary of fresh developments from the U.S., prompting Ontario to diversify its global partnerships. Fedeli, who serves as Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade,…

24 Dec

Libyan Officials Killed in Plane Crash Near Ankara; Investigation Underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAnkara

Ankara (Rajeev Sharma): A tragic aviation accident near Ankara, Turkey, claimed the lives of several senior Libyan officials, along with the aircraft’s crew, on Tuesday night. The Falcon 50-type business jet crashed near the village of Kesikkavak in Haymana, roughly 70 kilometers south of the Turkish capital. Among the victims were some of Libya’s top military personnel, including Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, head of Libya’s ground forces; Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, leader of the military manufacturing authority; Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, an advisor to the chief of staff; and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, a military photographer attached to the chief of staff’s…

24 Dec

Toronto Woman of Indian Origin Killed; Police Seek Partner in Connection

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Toronto police are investigating the death of Himanshi Khurana, a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman, whose body was discovered in a local residence earlier this week. Authorities have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for a man believed to be linked to her death. The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed deep regret over the incident, extending condolences to the family and assuring that all possible support is being provided during this difficult time. Officials stated that they are working closely with local authorities as the investigation unfolds. According to police reports, Khurana was reported missing late on Friday, December 19.…

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…