Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

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…

12 Oct

Uttarakhand GST Department Busts ₹20 Lakh Tax Evasion Racket in Haldwani; Senior Officer Under Probe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGST fraud, Haldwani tax evasion, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand GST raid

Dehradun, October 12, 2025: The Uttarakhand GST headquarters has uncovered a major tax evasion racket worth over ₹20 lakh in Haldwani, Kumaon, allegedly involving collusion with senior officials at the joint commissioner level.According to officials, multiple complaints had surfaced about transporters bringing goods into Haldwani while evading taxes. One transporter reportedly received protection from a senior departmental officer, which hindered local enforcement actions.In a confidential operation earlier this week, GST teams from Rudrapur conducted surprise raids on two transport companies in Haldwani under tight police security. Authorities seized a large quantity of goods transported without proper documentation or using falsified…

12 Oct

NDA Finalizes Seat Distribution for Bihar Assembly Polls 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar elections 2025, BJP, HAM, JD(U), LJP(R), NDA Alliance, RLM

Patna, October 12, 2025: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced the distribution of seats among its allies for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. As per the agreement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 constituencies each. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP (R)] led by Chirag Paswan has been allotted 29 seats, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) will each field candidates in six constituencies.In the 2020 Bihar elections, BJP had contested 110 seats and won 74, while JD(U) fought on 115 and secured…

12 Oct

Afghanistan Claims Killing 58 Pakistani Troops in Overnight Counter Operations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAfghanistan, Pakistan

KABUL (Rajeev Sharma): The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Sunday claimed that its forces launched retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan border, resulting in the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of several outposts. Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the overnight operation was carried out in response to repeated cross-border incursions and airspace violations allegedly committed by Pakistani forces. “Our troops have taken control of 25 enemy posts. Fifty-eight Pakistani soldiers have been killed and around 30 others injured,” Mujahid announced in a statement. The claim follows recent allegations by Kabul that Pakistan had carried out aerial attacks…