Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Feb

Panama Holds Indian Deportees in Hotel Under US Migration Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Panama, United States

Panama (National Times): Panama is currently housing nearly 300 deported migrants, including 30 Indian nationals, in a guarded hotel in Panama City, following an agreement with the United States. The detainees, originating from India, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and other nations, were deported from the US but face diplomatic and logistical barriers preventing their direct return. Hotel Detention and Security Measures The migrants, including women and children, are confined to their rooms at the Decapolis Hotel Panama, where authorities have placed guards around the premises. While they are receiving food and medical assistance, they cannot leave the…

19 Feb

Elon Musk Warns of U.S. Bankruptcy, Criticizes Government Spending and Trade Deficit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Elon Musk, United States, US

Washington, D.C. (National Times): Tesla CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns over the United States' rising trade deficit and government spending, warning that if corrective measures are not taken, “America will go bankrupt.” In a recent Fox News interview, Musk said that the $2 trillion trade deficit inherited by U.S. President Donald Trump has put the country in a dangerous economic situation. He criticized how taxpayer money is being misused, stating that every American should be “mad as hell” over the reckless spending by the government. Elon Musk on the U.S. Deficit: “It’s Insane” Musk expressed deep concerns about the…

19 Feb

Canada launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Rural and Francophone minority communities make vital contributions to Canada’s economy and culture, but they frequently face unique labour market and demographic challenges as the majority of Canadians and newcomers settle in Canada’s urban centres. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) was successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.That is why the Government of Canada is introducing two new pilots—as committed to in March 2024—to help rural and Francophone minority communities attract and retain newcomers with the right skills to help their regions succeed…

19 Feb

Supreme Court Directs States to File Jail Reform Reports, Sets March 4 Deadline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCaste Discrimination, Jail Reforms, NCRB, Supreme Court

New Delhi, February 19, 2025: The Supreme Court has granted two more weeks to states and Union Territories (UTs) to submit compliance reports on the removal of discriminatory provisions in their jail manuals, ensuring equal treatment for all prisoners regardless of caste, gender, or disability. SC Pushes for Prison Reforms A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala, while hearing a suo motu petition, emphasized the need to eradicate caste-based discrimination inside prisons. The petition stems from an October 2024 judgment, which directed the removal of discriminatory provisions from prison manuals across India.Senior advocate S. Muralidhar, acting as amicus curiae, informed…

18 Feb

Qatar Announces $10 Billion Investment in India, Explores Free Trade Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia$10 billion investment, Free Trade Agreement, India-Qatar trade, UPI in Qatar

New Delhi, February 18, 2025: Qatar has pledged an investment of $10 billion (approximately ₹85,000 crore) in India, marking a significant boost in economic ties between the two nations. The announcement came following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in New Delhi on Tuesday.The two sides also agreed to explore the possibility of an India-Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to strengthen economic cooperation. As part of its investment strategy, Qatar aims to expand its presence in India’s infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, and hospitality sectors. To facilitate this, the…

18 Feb

Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over Maha Kumbh Stampede, Calls It ‘Mrityu Kumbh’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBJP Government, Maha Kumbh Stampede, Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, February 18, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that the Maha Kumbh had turned into a "Mrityu Kumbh" due to multiple stampede incidents. She accused authorities of suppressing the actual death toll and failing to ensure public safety. Allegations of Cover-Up At least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede in Prayagraj last month. Another 18 people died in a similar tragedy at an overcrowded railway station in New Delhi. However, Banerjee claimed that the actual numbers were much higher.“They have hidden hundreds of bodies to…

18 Feb

Dr. Vivek Joshi Appointed as India’s New Election Commissioner

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDr. Vivek Joshi, Election Commission of India, Election Commissioner, IAS Officer

Chandigarh, February 18, 2025: Dr. Vivek Joshi, a senior IAS officer from the 1989 Haryana cadre, has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner of India. His selection was approved by a committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A Seasoned Administrator Joins the Election Commission Dr. Joshi will join Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Prakash and Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu in overseeing the country’s electoral process.Before this appointment, he served as Haryana’s Chief Secretary since November 2024, following the retirement of TVSN Prasad. His leadership in governance and administration spans decades, including significant roles at both state and…

18 Feb

Director Sanoj Mishra Hits Back at Producer’s Allegations, Calls Accuser a Criminal; Monalisa Supports Him in Video Statement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainmentBollywood controversy, Monalisa, Sanoj Mishra, Wasim Rizvi

Mumbai, February 18 – A heated controversy has erupted in the film industry as director Sanoj Mishra fiercely defended himself against allegations made by film producer Jitendra Narayan Singh, also known as Wasim Rizvi. Rizvi claimed that viral sensation Monalisa, who gained fame at the Mahakumbh, has fallen into a trap orchestrated by Mishra. He accused the director of misleading Monalisa and her family. In response, both Sanoj Mishra and Monalisa have addressed these claims, dismissing them as baseless.Sanoj Mishra did not hold back, stating that Wasim Rizvi is trying to malign his reputation with false accusations. He recalled an…

18 Feb

Costa Rica agrees to accept Indian migrants deported from US, first batch arrives Wednesday

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCentral Asia, Costa Rica, India, Indian migrants

San Jose, Feb 18 (PTI): Costa Rica has agreed to serve as a "bridge" to repatriate illegal immigrants in the US, including from India and Central Asia, according to an official release on Tuesday.The first group of 200 migrants will arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport on a commercial flight on Wednesday, according to a statement by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles' office."The Government of Costa Rica agreed to collaborate with the United States in the repatriation of 200 illegal immigrants to their country. These are people originating from countries in central Asia and India," said the statement.The…

18 Feb

Plane Carrying 80 Passengers Overturns at Toronto Airport, 18 Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A Delta Air Lines aircraft carrying 80 people flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, leaving at least 18 passengers injured but resulting in no fatalities. Officials confirmed that the incident involved Endeavor Air Flight 4819, which had departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was attempting to land in Canada’s largest city. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident or how the CRJ-900 aircraft ended up overturned with its wings clipped. However, Todd Aitken, the airport’s fire chief, ruled out adverse weather conditions as a contributing factor, stating, "It's very…