Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Apr

NIA Mulls Voice Analysis of Tahawwur Rana, Explores Dubai Connection in 26/11 Probe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaTahawwur Rana

New Delhi (National Times): Investigators at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are intensifying their probe into Tahawwur Rana’s alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans now underway to collect the 64-year-old’s voice samples, according to sources familiar with the matter. Rana, a Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, is undergoing sustained interrogation at the NIA’s Delhi headquarters after being extradited from the United States last week. Monday marked the fourth day of continuous questioning, as officials pressed him for details about his suspected links to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group held…

14 Apr

Mehul Choksi’s Lawyers to Seek Bail in Belgium Over Health Concerns

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMehul Choksi

Brussels/New Delhi (National Times): Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi, recently arrested in Belgium, is preparing to challenge his custody through legal means. His legal counsel, Vijay Aggarwal, confirmed plans to file an appeal for Choksi’s release, citing deteriorating health and ongoing cancer treatment as the primary reasons. Choksi was apprehended over the weekend after Belgian authorities tracked him down. Sources stated that preparations are underway for a possible extradition to India. However, his defense team is pushing back, emphasizing that his medical condition makes incarceration unsuitable. “My client is currently being held in Belgium. We will be filing an appeal…

14 Apr

Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium While Plotting Escape to Switzerland, Tracked by Indian Agencies for Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBelgium, Mehul Choksi

Belgium (National Times): Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium while allegedly planning an escape to Switzerland, marking a major breakthrough for Indian investigative agencies after a seven-year international manhunt. Choksi, wanted in connection with the Rs 12,636 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, had fled India in 2018 just before the scam surfaced. The CBI and Enforcement Directorate had been tracking his movements across multiple countries ever since. A key figure in the PNB case, Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, and his brother Neeshal Modi, is accused of defrauding the state-run…

14 Apr

Air Passenger Traffic Between India and Singapore Hits Record 5.5 Million in 2024

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia, Singapore

New Delhi (National Times): In a landmark development, air passenger traffic between India and Singapore has soared to an all-time high, crossing the 5 million mark in 2024, according to data released by Singapore Changi Airport. The total traffic reached 5.5 million passengers, representing a 12% year-on-year increase and a 15% rise over pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. India now ranks as Changi Airport’s sixth-largest market. Currently, six airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, DrukAir, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines, operate approximately 280 weekly flights connecting 16 Indian cities to Singapore. Major Indian metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru,…

14 Apr

Wisconsin Teen Allegedly Killed Parents in Plot to Assassinate President Donald Trump, Says FBI

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Wisconsin

Wisconsin (Rajeev Sharma): A 17-year-old high school student from Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been accused of murdering his parents as part of a broader plan to assassinate former US President Donald Trump, according to recently unsealed FBI documents. The teenager, identified as Nikita Casap, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide following the discovery of his mother, Tatiana Casap (35), and stepfather, Donald Mayer (51), dead in their home on February 28. Authorities believe the killings occurred around February 11. Court documents indicate Casap's digital devices contained disturbing material, including affiliations with the neo-Nazi group Order of Nine Angles, antisemitic writings, and…

14 Apr

Canadian PM Mark Carney Celebrates Baisakhi at Ottawa Gurdwara, Performs Seva with Wife

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBaisakhi, Mark Carney, Ottawa

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): In a heartfelt gesture of unity and respect, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Gurdwara Sahib Ottawa on the occasion of Baisakhi, accompanied by his wife, Diana Carney. The couple participated in traditional seva (selfless service) by helping prepare and serve Langar, the community meal, to mark the auspicious day. The visit was part of the celebrations of Baisakhi, which also commemorates Khalsa Sajna Diwas, the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699, a significant day in Sikh history. Carney and his wife were seen donning traditional head coverings and humbly engaging in…

13 Apr

India Likely to Ditch ‘Zero-for-Zero’ Tariff Model in Trade Talks with US

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiabilateral trade, India-US trade pact, zero-for-zero tariff

National Times Bureau: India is expected to avoid adopting the “zero-for-zero” tariff strategy in its trade negotiations with the United States, according to senior government officials. This strategy, where both nations eliminate tariffs on select categories of goods, is typically suited for economies with similar development levels—something India and the US don’t share.Instead, India is leaning toward a broader trade package that balances reductions in tariffs with discussions on non-tariff barriers, investment flows, and services. The country is particularly cautious about giving up agricultural protections due to the sector's critical role in rural livelihoods.The trade negotiations aim to significantly boost…

13 Apr

Hanumankind Blends Indian Traditions with Hip-Hop in Historic Coachella Debut

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainmentChenda Melam, Coachella 2025, Hanumankind, Indian hip-hop

National Times Bureau: Indian rapper Hanumankind made history at Coachella 2025, delivering an electrifying performance that seamlessly merged hip-hop with traditional Indian percussion. The Bengaluru-based artist stunned the international audience by taking the stage accompanied by a Chenda Melam ensemble an iconic Kerala temple percussion group.Dressed in a fusion outfit blending streetwear with Indian motifs, Hanumankind opened his set with high-octane bars and heavy beats, but it was the unexpected burst of synchronized Chenda drums that truly lit up the desert night. The rhythm section added a raw, powerful pulse to his music, creating a cultural moment that resonated far…

13 Apr

Actor Vijay Moves Supreme Court, Challenges Constitutional Validity of Waqf Act

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSupreme Court, Vijay, Waqf Act, Waqf Board

National Times Bureau; Tamil superstar Vijay has approached the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act, stirring a new legal and political debate nationwide. The actor, known for his outspoken views and growing influence beyond cinema, filed a petition arguing that the Waqf Act gives "arbitrary and unchecked powers" to Waqf Boards, allowing them to claim properties without due process.Vijay’s petition states that the current provisions violate citizens’ fundamental rights, especially the right to equality and property. He specifically questions how Waqf Boards are able to list lands as Waqf properties without informing or hearing the actual…

13 Apr

Palm Sunday Horror: Russian Missile Strike Kills 32 in Ukraine’s Sumy City Center

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld Newscluster munitions, Russia, Sumy missile strike, Volodymyr Zelensky

National Times Bureau, April 13, 2025: A deadly Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy turned Palm Sunday into a scene of horror, killing at least 32 civilians and injuring over 80 others. Among the dead were two children. The strike occurred at 10:15 a.m. local time, just as residents were gathering for the morning celebrations.According to Ukrainian officials, two ballistic missiles carrying cluster munitions slammed into the city center, triggering widespread devastation. Witnesses described burning buildings, shattered windows, and panic in the streets.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as a deliberate act of terror against civilians.…