Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

05 Apr

Modi Gets Historic Welcome in Sri Lanka, Talks Focus on Defence and Economic Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndependence Square, Narendra Modi, Sri Lanka visit

Colombo, April 5, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at Sri Lanka’s historic Independence Square on Saturday — the first time any foreign leader has received such an honour at the iconic venue. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally welcomed Modi, marking a new high in bilateral ties.Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening after attending the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. The ceremonial reception was followed by high-level delegation talks between the two leaders.India and Sri Lanka are expected to unveil nearly 10 major agreements, with a landmark defence cooperation pact likely to…

04 Apr

Naxal IED Blast Kills One, Injures Another in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBastar, Chhattisgarh, IED blast, Naxal attack

Narayanpur, April 4, 2025 — A man was killed and another injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Friday, police said. The blast occurred in the afternoon on a dirt track between Jadda and Markud villages when the victims were gathering sticks to make brooms.Rajesh Usendi and Ramlal Korram, both 25 and residents of Kanagoan, triggered the pressure IED, causing an explosion that killed Usendi on the spot. Korram was rushed to Narayanpur district hospital, where he is receiving treatment.Police officials said such incidents are increasing in the Bastar region, as…

04 Apr

Waqf Bill Faces Legal Challenge as Owaisi, Congress MP Move Supreme Court

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAsaduddin Owaisi, Mohammad Jawed, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Bill

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 — Hours after Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi moved the Supreme Court, calling it unconstitutional. They argued that the law undermines religious autonomy and discriminates against the Muslim community.The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, following its approval in the Lok Sabha with a 288-232 margin. The Bill now awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become law. It mandates that only self-owned properties can be declared as Waqf after verifying ownership and ensuring inheritance rights…

04 Apr

EU Plans Billion-Dollar Fine Against Elon Musk’s X for Disinformation, Illegal Content Violations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDigital Services Act, Disinformation, Elon Musk, European Union

Brussels, April 4, 2025 — European Union regulators are preparing to impose major penalties on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, citing violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), according to a report by The New York Times. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the penalties could include a hefty fine — possibly exceeding $1 billion — and mandates for significant platform reforms.The EU’s forthcoming action would mark the first enforcement under the DSA, which obliges tech giants to more aggressively moderate illegal content and disinformation. Official announcements are expected this summer. The penalties come amid rising tensions with…

04 Apr

China hits back against Donald Trump’s tariffs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina, US President, US-China Relations

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma), April 4, 2025: US President Donald Trump has imposed import tariffs on China totalling 54%, but that figure didn’t come all at once. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. Then earlier this week, Washington brought in a new set of "reciprocal" tariffs for countries around the world and the rate for China is 34%. It means China's retaliatory tariff matches the one Trump introduced earlier this week. China files lawsuit against US tariffs with WTO and China’s response to US tariffs, after Beijing says it’s…

04 Apr

My policies will never change: Trump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNew Policies, President Donald Trump, USA

Washington, April 4, 2025 – US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration’s stance on tariffs, stating that his policies will remain unchanged. Posting on his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "To the many investors coming into the United States and investing massive amounts of money, my policies will never change."He declared this to be a prime moment for financial growth, adding, "This is a great time to get rich, richer than ever before.”The president’s statement comes amid global economic shifts and ongoing trade tensions. Trump’s administration has consistently maintained a protectionist economic agenda, focusing on high tariffs and strategic decoupling…

04 Apr

PM Mark Carney Praises Sikh Community’s Role in Building Canada During Sikh Heritage Month

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaMark Carney, Sikh Canadians, Sikh Heritage Month

Ottawa, April 4, 2025 – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to the Sikh community’s enduring contributions to the nation during Sikh Heritage Month, acknowledging nearly 130 years of their impactful presence.“Sikh Canadians have helped build a more compassionate, equal, and just Canada,” Carney said in a statement. He emphasized that Sikh Heritage Month is not just a time to reflect on the past but also to recognize how Sikh values continue to shape the country’s future.Carney’s message underlined the deep-rooted influence of Sikh Canadians in various spheres of national life—from economic development to public service and social justice.…

04 Apr

Rajya Sabha Backs President’s Rule in Manipur Amid Fierce Criticism of Centre’s Handling of Violence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEthnic Violence, Manipur President’s Rule, Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 – The Rajya Sabha early Friday approved the statutory resolution confirming President’s Rule in Manipur, drawing rare cross-party support but also sparking fierce criticism of the Centre’s failure to control the prolonged ethnic violence in the state.Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the decision, stating that violence in the state has ceased since November 2024. He also noted that two meetings between Kuki and Meitei communities have taken place, with a third likely soon in Delhi.Shah acknowledged the loss of 260 lives, stating that 70% of the deaths occurred within the first 15 days of…

04 Apr

Liberal Party Drops Edmonton Gateway Candidate Rod Loyola

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessEdmonton, Liberal Party, Rod Loyola

Alberta ( Rajeev Sharma): The revocation of Rod Loyola’s candidacy certainly adds another layer of controversy and complexity to the federal race in Edmonton Gateway. The resurfacing of that 2009 video and Trudeau's past ideological stances have triggered a rapid response from the Liberal Party, especially given the sensitivities around Hamas and Hezbollah—both of which are officially listed as terrorist entities by the Government of Canada. This decision also leaves the Liberals scrambling in a key riding, especially as they gear up for a heated contest against seasoned Conservative candidate Tim Uppal. Given the proximity to the election date (April…

03 Apr

Rahul Kanwal Resigns from India Today Group After 22 Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAaj Tak, India Today Group, Rahul Kanwal resignation

National Times, April 3, 2025: Senior journalist and television anchor Rahul Kanwal has resigned from the India Today Group after a 22-year association with the media conglomerate.Kanwal, who served as news director for India Today and Aaj Tak, as well as executive director of Business Today, submitted his resignation to Kalli Purie, vice chairperson and executive editor-in-chief of TV Today Network."After more than 22 years with us, Rahul Kanwal will be moving on to explore new opportunities," Purie said in a statement.In his resignation letter, Kanwal expressed gratitude, calling his leadership of the India Today and Aaj Tak newsrooms the…