Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

13 Oct

Calgary Mayoral Race Tightens Ahead of October 20 Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): With only days remaining until the October 20, 2025 municipal election, the competition for Calgary's next mayor has intensified. Recent polls reveal a notable shift in voter support, with Jeromy Farkas now holding the lead. According to a ThinkHQ Public Affairs poll, Farkas maintains a 20% support rate, surpassing Sonya Sharp at 17% and Jyoti Gondek at 16%. Other contenders include Jeff Davison at 9% and Brian Thiessen at 6%, with 27% of voters still undecided. As reported by some media outlets, the Leger poll also indicates Farkas in the lead with 16%, closely followed by Gondek…

13 Oct

Gaza war is over: Donald Trump declares as Israel, Hamas set for hostage, prisoner exchange

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Gaza, Israel, War

National Times Bureau :- US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the war in Gaza is over as he departed for Israel, marking his first visit since brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He is expected to address Knesset before co-chairing a high-level peace summit in Egypt. "The war is over, you understand that," Trump told reporters as quoted by Reuters. Asked about the region’s future, he added, "I think it’s going to normalise." Meanwhile, he also underscored the role of Qatar in helping mediating the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. He said some hostages might be released earlier than expected…

13 Oct

Karur stampede: Supreme Court orders CBI probe, retired apex court judge to monitor probe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaKarur Stampede, Supreme Court

National Times Bureau :- The Supreme Court has ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives. The incident unfolded on September 27, during the rally of actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam(TVK). A bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice NV Anjaria while pronouncing the order said that the incident shook the entire nation and deserves a fair and impartial investigation. "The issues have a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens and the incident which has shaken the national conscience, deserves a fair and impartial investigation," the…

13 Oct

Trump Claims Peace-Brokering Track Record, Cites Resolution of India-Pakistan Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has reignited discussion about his international diplomacy efforts, stating that he has successfully ended eight major global conflicts, including longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan. While speaking to members of the press aboard Air Force One during a stopover en route to the Middle East, Trump portrayed himself as a key player in recent global peace initiatives, and hinted that further diplomatic involvement could be on the horizon. “There’s reportedly a conflict heating up between Pakistan and Afghanistan right now,” Trump said. “I told them I’ll look into it when I return. That…

13 Oct

India Introduces Digital Disembarkation Card for Foreign Visitors

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India, Trending

Toronto/New Delhi (Rajeev / Gurpreet): The Government of India has announced the introduction of a digital Disembarkation Card for all foreign nationals, including Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), visiting the country. This move aims to modernize travel processes, and foreign visitors must now complete their Disembarkation Card digitally prior to arrival. The digital Disembarkation Card can be completed online via https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or through the "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam" mobile application. Travelers are required to submit the form up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in India. The physical form will remain temporarily in use for up to six months or…

13 Oct

Calgary’s Advanced Voting Closes Strong, But Overall Turnout Dips Sharply, Key Battlegrounds : Ward 5-3 & 10 for South Asian candidates

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCalgary

CALGARY ( Rajeev Sharma): The final day of Calgary’s 2025 municipal election advanced voting ended on a strong note Saturday, with a surge of ballots cast across the city. However, overall turnout remains well below 2021 levels, raising concerns about voter engagement , particularly in competitive areas such as Wards 3, 5, and 10. According to Elections Calgary, 22,144 ballots were cast on the last day of advanced voting surpassing the highest single-day turnout from 2021. Yet across all six days, only 96,549 voters participated, a significant drop from more than 124,000 advanced votes recorded during the previous election’s seven-day…

12 Oct

Artisans from Across India and Abroad to Showcase Craft at International Geeta Festival 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaIndian artisans, International Geeta Festival 2025, Kurukshetra

Chandigarh, October 12 – The International Geeta Festival 2025 is set to light up Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5, with artisans from multiple Indian states adding vibrant hues of traditional craftsmanship. The festival will also feature folk art from several countries, celebrating and preserving global and regional cultural heritage.A government spokesperson said the festival will span 21 days, with the main events scheduled from November 24 to December 1. The Ministry of External Affairs has facilitated participation from over 25 scholars representing more than 15 countries, whose performances and discussions will enrich the festival’s atmosphere.Pre-festival activities include an…

12 Oct

Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi Clarifies No Intent to Exclude Women Journalists During Press Interaction in New Delhi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsAfghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, New Delhi press conference, Taliban, women journalists

New Delhi, October 12, 2025: Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed the controversy over the absence of women journalists at his media interaction on Friday, saying the exclusion was unintentional and the result of technical issues. Speaking at a second press conference in New Delhi attended by several women journalists, Muttaqi emphasized that there was no deliberate attempt to violate anyone’s rights.“Regarding the previous press conference, it was organized on short notice. A small list of journalists was finalized. It was more of a technical issue,” Muttaqi explained. “Our colleagues had decided to send invitations to specific journalists and…

12 Oct

Pakistan’s Top Javelin Coach Salman Iqbal Receives Lifetime Ban Over Punjab Athletics Violations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsArshad Nadeem, Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation, Punjab Athletics Association, Salman Iqbal

Islamabad, October 12, 2025: Salman Iqbal, the long-serving coach of Pakistan’s premier javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, has been banned for life by the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation (PAAF) for allegedly violating the constitution of the Punjab Athletics Association, where he holds the position of President.The lifetime ban bars Iqbal from participating in any athletics activities, including coaching or holding office at any level. The PAAF cited procedural violations during the August elections of the Punjab body as the reason for the action.An inquiry committee, formed in mid-September, recommended the ban on October 10, a day after Iqbal submitted his response…

12 Oct

Durgapur Medical Student Gangrape: Fortis Responds Amid Row Over Mamata Banerjee’s “Girls Shouldn’t Go Out at Night” Remark

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDurgapur gangrape case, Mamata Banerjee statement, West Bengal women safety

Kolkata, October 12, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee triggered widespread debate after she advised colleges not to allow girls to go outside at night following the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur.Expressing shock at the incident, Banerjee said, “I’m deeply saddened by what happened, but private medical colleges must also take care of their students, especially girls. They should not be allowed to go out at night. They have to protect themselves too. There is a forest area nearby, and police are searching everyone.”The victim, a second-year medical student from Jaleswar in Odisha, was reportedly attacked…