Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

15 Jul

PM Mark Carney and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Discuss Strengthening Canada-EU Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingMark Carney, Ursula Von Der Leyen

Ottawa/Brussels (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney held a high-level call today with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to reaffirm and expand the strategic relationship between Canada and the European Union in the face of shifting global trade dynamics and economic uncertainty. The conversation focused on enhancing cooperation between the two allies across key sectors such as industrial policy, digital trade, clean technologies, and critical raw materials. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and discussed ways to deepen joint efforts in promoting sustainable economic growth.…

14 Jul

Matthew Good Cancels U.S. Tour Over Trump Policies, Digital Tax Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada digital tax, Donald Trump, Matthew Good, Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. tour cancellation

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian musician Matthew Good has cancelled his upcoming U.S. tour dates, citing political tensions and concerns over President Donald Trump’s administration as key reasons behind his decision.The Vancouver-born rocker, best known for hits like Load Me Up, announced on social media that he would not proceed with shows scheduled in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo this week.Good pointed to Ottawa’s recent decision to scrap its proposed digital services tax as a major factor. Late last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Canada would drop plans for the tax as part of renewed trade negotiations with the U.S.In his…

14 Jul

Grand Mufti Kanthapuram Steps In to Save Indian Nurse Facing Execution in Yemen

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiablood money, Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar, Nimisha Priya, Yemen execution

New Delhi, July 14, 2025 : Influential Sunni cleric and Grand Mufti of India, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, is making urgent efforts to save Indian nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen, as her scheduled hanging on July 16 draws closer.Sources confirmed on Monday that the 94-year-old cleric, also known as Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, has initiated discussions with Yemen’s religious authorities, who are liaising with the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the Yemeni businessman Priya allegedly murdered in 2017.Negotiations have reportedly touched upon the possibility of blood money a financial compensation under Shariah law that could spare Priya’s life. Details…

14 Jul

England Clinch Thriller at Lord’s, Beat India by 22 Runs to Lead Series 2-1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBen Stokes, England vs India, Jofra Archer, Lord’s Test, Ravindra Jadeja

London, July 14, 2025: Ravindra Jadeja’s valiant unbeaten 61 proved insufficient as England sealed a nerve-jangling 22-run win over India on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 193 for victory, India were bowled out for 170 despite a spirited lower-order resistance. England’s pace duo of Jofra Archer (3/55) and captain Ben Stokes (3/48) led the charge, dismantling India’s batting order in crucial spells. Starting Day 5 needing 135 runs with six wickets in hand, India lost momentum early. Jofra Archer set the tone, producing a peach that knocked…

14 Jul

Heat Wave and Wildfire Smoke Trigger Widespread Alerts Across Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaair quality advisories, Canada heat wave, Environment Canada warnings, wildfire smoke

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for large swathes of the country today, spanning parts of Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario, as blistering temperatures combine with stifling humidity.The agency also released numerous air quality advisories for several provinces due to thick wildfire smoke drifting across parts of Alberta, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario.In Ontario, hot and humid conditions are forecast to persist through much of the week, with daytime highs between 29 and 32°C. Quebec’s Greater Montreal region and surrounding areas including Lachute, Lanaudière, Montérégie, and Drummondville could see highs reaching 33°C, with humidex values making…

14 Jul

India, US Begin Key Bilateral Trade Talks in Washington DC

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaBilateral Trade Agreement, India-US trade talks, Rajesh Aggarwal

Washington DC [US], July 14, 2025: A high-level delegation from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has arrived in Washington DC to advance negotiations on a much-anticipated Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States, officials confirmed on Sunday. The new round of talks, scheduled to begin Monday morning (US time), will continue over four days and aims to narrow gaps on key issues, including agriculture and automobiles, which have posed hurdles in previous discussions. Rajesh Aggarwal, India’s Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary in the Commerce Ministry, is expected to join the discussions on Wednesday. The advance arrival of the…

14 Jul

PM Mark Carney Thanks First Responders Amid Intensifying Wildfires Across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingMark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement on Monday acknowledging the escalating crisis and expressing deep gratitude to the emergency crews working tirelessly on the front lines. "Wildfires have been worsening, especially across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario," said Prime Minister Carney. "On behalf of Canadians, my ongoing gratitude to all the first responders on the front lines of this crisis." In recent weeks, several regions in central and eastern Canada have witnessed a surge in wildfire activity due to high temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and…

14 Jul

Out-of-Control Princeton Wildfire Triggers Evacuation Order in British Columbia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBritish Columbia

Princeton, BC (Richa Walia): A rapidly spreading wildfire near Princeton has been declared "out-of-control" by the BC Wildfire Service, prompting an evacuation order for residents in the surrounding area. Dubbed the August Lake wildfire, the blaze has grown to approximately 14 hectares and is burning dangerously close to the Princeton Golf Club. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has issued an evacuation order for select areas, while others have been placed on evacuation alert. The BC Wildfire Service reports that around 40 firefighters and three helicopters are actively working to contain the fire, which is currently exhibiting rank one to…

14 Jul

Saina Nehwal Announces Separation from Parupalli Kashyap After Nearly Seven Years of Marriage

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Sports, TrendingSaina Nehwal

New Delhi (National Times): Indian badminton icon and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal has confirmed her separation from husband and fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, bringing an end to their nearly seven-year-long marriage. The announcement came via Saina’s official Instagram account, where she posted a heartfelt note acknowledging the mutual decision. “Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We're choosing peace, growth, and healing—for ourselves and each other. I'm grateful for the memories and wish nothing but the best moving forward. Thank you for understanding and respecting our…

14 Jul

Veteran Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87, Leaves Behind a Timeless Legacy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, India, TrendingB Saroja

Chennai (National Times): Indian cinema has lost one of its most iconic stars. Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, affectionately known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi,” breathed her last on Monday morning at the age of 87. A legendary presence in the South Indian film industry, Saroja Devi’s illustrious career spanned over seven decades, with more than 200 films to her credit across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi languages. Saroja Devi made her debut at the age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. Her rise to fame was meteoric, especially after her role opposite M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in the…