Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

20 Apr

Record Turnout Marks Start of Canada’s 2025 Federal Election Advance Voting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAdvance Voting, Canada Election 2025, Mark Carney, Voter Turnout

Toronto, April 20, 2025 — Canada’s 2025 federal election kicked off in earnest with a historic start to advance polling, as nearly two million citizens cast their ballots on the first day. According to Elections Canada, Friday’s voter turnout set a new record, signaling strong public engagement ahead of the April 28 general election.Polling stations experienced long queues, with some voters waiting over two hours to cast their votes. In response, Elections Canada said it would make operational changes to better handle the influx over the next three days of advance voting, which continues through April 21 from 9 a.m.…

19 Apr

Nishikant Dubey Slams Supreme Court’s Law-Making Role, Sparks Political Clash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJudicial Overreach, Nishikant Dubey, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act

New Delhi, April 19: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has reignited the debate over the separation of powers by stating that Parliament might as well be shut down if the Supreme Court continues to make laws. His remarks followed the apex court's decision to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Act, prompting the Centre to put parts of it on hold. Dubey expressed concern that the judiciary is increasingly stepping into the legislature's domain, citing examples where the court nullified key laws passed by Parliament.He pointed to cases like the scrapping of Section 66A of the IT Act and the decriminalization of homosexuality…

19 Apr

Elon Musk Set to Visit India Later This Year After Chat with PM Modi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaelectric vehicles, Elon Musk, PM Modi, Tesla India

National Times Bureau April 19, 2025: Elon Musk has confirmed that he will visit India later this year, following a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing the news on his social media platform X, Musk called the discussion with Modi "an honor" and expressed his excitement for the upcoming trip.Their talk reportedly focused on India's growing tech sector and the potential for future collaboration. This isn't their first interaction—last year in Washington D.C., they had also discussed Tesla’s India plans, space tech, and investment opportunities.Musk’s announcement comes at a time when Tesla is ramping up its hiring in India,…

19 Apr

Delhi Building Collapse Claims 11 Lives, Probe Ordered by CM Rekha Gupta

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDelhi building collapse, Mustafabad Tragedy, NDRF rescue, Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — The death toll from the tragic building collapse in Delhi’s Mustafabad area rose to 11 by Saturday evening, according to the Delhi Police. The early morning incident shocked the densely populated neighborhood, prompting a swift and sustained rescue response.The four-storey residential structure caved in unexpectedly, trapping several residents under the debris. Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with Delhi Fire Services and police, helped retrieve 11 people alive. However, four of the initially rescued victims succumbed to their injuries later.Out of the 11 injured, six have been discharged from…

19 Apr

Putin Announces Brief Easter Ceasefire Amid Continued Attacks in Ukraine

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsCeasefire, Easter Truce, Putin, Russia-Ukraine war

Moscow/Kyiv, April 19, 2025 — In a symbolic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a 30-hour Easter truce in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Set to begin at 6 PM Moscow time on Saturday and end at midnight on Sunday, the unilateral ceasefire was framed as a gesture of respect for Orthodox Easter. However, the announcement has sparked skepticism amid continued hostilities on the ground.The Kremlin claims the temporary pause is a humanitarian measure, allowing space for religious observances. Yet, even as the ceasefire was declared, Ukrainian regions like Kharkiv, Sumy, and Odesa reported new drone attacks and casualties.…

19 Apr

Centre Playing Politics Over Waqf Issue, Says Kharge Amid SC Review

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsBJP, Mallikarjun Kharge, National Herald case, Supreme Court, Waqf by user

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the central government of stoking communal tension by bringing up the issue of “Waqf by user” just as the Supreme Court is hearing challenges related to the Waqf Act. He alleged that the move is an intentional attempt to provoke disputes over religious endowment properties, particularly those under Muslim custodianship.Addressing the press, Kharge claimed that the ruling BJP is targeting Waqf institutions to divide communities and shift attention from key national issues like unemployment, inflation, and corruption. “This is part of a larger agenda. By unnecessarily raking up…

19 Apr

Canadian Small Businesses Weather Trump Tariffs by Turning Inward, Backing Homegrown Products

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Tariffs, Made in Canada, Small Businesses, Trump Trade War

Ottawa, April 19, 2025: Canadian small businesses are recalibrating in the face of steep U.S. tariffs, as the economic strain from Washington’s latest trade retaliation forces firms to look inward. Once-reliable cross-border ties are now being tested, but a groundswell of national support is helping these businesses adapt.The U.S. tariff wave, sparked by ongoing disputes over agriculture and automotive trade, has led to rising import costs and disrupted supply chains. In response, Canadian businesses and consumers alike are increasingly prioritizing "Made in Canada" goods. A recent Angus Reid Institute poll found that 98% of Canadians now prefer domestic products, with…

19 Apr

24 Students Score 100 Percentile in JEE Main 2025 as NTA Declares Results; Rajasthan Leads with Seven Toppers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia100 percentile scorers, JEE Main 2025, NTA results, Rajasthan toppers

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results of JEE Main 2025 (Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech) on Saturday, revealing that 24 candidates have achieved the elusive 100 percentile, with Rajasthan emerging as the top-performing state, contributing seven of the perfect scorers. The high-stakes exam, which serves as the first gateway to India’s top engineering institutes, was held in two sessions – January and April – witnessing participation from 14.75 lakh candidates out of the 15.39 lakh who had registered. The exams were conducted in 13 languages across 300 cities, including 15 international centres like…

19 Apr

Canadians Flock to Advance Polls Ahead of Federal Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaadvance polls, Canada Election 2025, Elections Canada, Voter Turnout

National Times Bureau, April 19, 2025: Advance polls across Canada opened on April 18, drawing large crowds as the 2025 federal election campaign picks up momentum. With election day set for April 28, early voting is now underway and will continue until April 21, running daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.From Ottawa to Calgary and Edmonton, voters queued up early, signaling strong public engagement. Elections Canada reported a significant turnout, with some polling locations seeing long lines just hours after opening.Voters opting for mail-in ballots were reminded they are ineligible to vote at advance polls or on…

19 Apr

Indian Student Fatally Shot by Stray Bullet in Canada During Gang-Related Violence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 21-year-old Indian student lost her life in Hamilton, Ontario, after being struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident linked to suspected gang violence. The young woman, a student at Mohawk College, was waiting at a local bus stop on her way to work when she was caught in the crossfire. Authorities identified her as an innocent bystander who was tragically hit during the confrontation. Hamilton Police confirmed the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, during what they described as a targeted shooting between rival individuals. The…