Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

13 Jun

Mark Carney, Emmanuel Macron Strengthen Canada-France Ties, Boost Defence and Trade Cooperation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsEmmanuel Macron, Mark Carney

Paris (International Bureau NT): Prime Minister Mark Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron during his bilateral visit to France, reaffirming the strong partnership between Canada and France and their shared commitment to economic growth, security, and innovation. The two leaders discussed expanding trade and investment in key sectors, including energy, critical minerals, advanced technologies, and aerospace. They highlighted France’s recent purchase of two additional DHC-515 water bomber aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada in Calgary, underscoring growing industrial cooperation between the two countries. Carney and Macron also agreed to advance defence and security priorities, welcoming the signing…

13 Jun

Amritsar Set to Witness Cockroach Janata Party Protest as Student Issues Take Centre Stage

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingCockroach Janata Party, Punjab News

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is extending its nationwide campaign to Punjab, with a protest scheduled in Amritsar today. Party founder Abhijit Deepke is expected to lead the gathering, calling upon students and young citizens to participate in what he describes as a peaceful movement demanding accountability in the education system. According to the organisers, supporters have been asked to assemble near the Golden Gate in the evening, where concerns related to the NEET and CBSE examinations will be highlighted. The protest will also reiterate the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with…

12 Jun

Royal Indian Supermarket Calgary Launches Grand Summer Mela with Multiple $100 Grocery Giveaways Daily

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

CALGARY ( Rajeev Sharma): Calgary's South Asian community has a new reason to celebrate as Royal Indian Supermarket & Kitchen hosts its first-ever Desi-Style Summer Mela, a three-day festival packed with entertainment, food, prizes, and special shopping rewards.One of the biggest highlights of the Summer Mela is the Lucky Draw Giveaway, where visitors will have the opportunity to win $100 worth of groceries multiple times each day. Throughout the event, lucky shoppers will be selected through special draws, giving families extra savings on their grocery purchases while adding excitement to the festive atmosphere. In addition to the grocery giveaways, visitors…

12 Jun

CBSA Seizes Undeclared Cash and Jewellery Worth Over $100,000 at Ottawa Airport; Travellers Fined More Than $17,000

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCBSA

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Two travellers arriving at Ottawa International Airport are facing hefty penalties after failing to declare a large amount of cash and expensive jewellery while entering Canada. According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), officers discovered more than US$33,000 in currency and approximately C$57,000 worth of jewellery that had not been reported to border officials as required under Canadian law. Following the inspection, CBSA officers seized the undeclared goods and issued penalties exceeding C$17,000 for attempting to evade the payment of applicable duties and taxes. The agency said that declaring goods and monetary instruments is a legal…

12 Jun

Landmark Convictions in Canada’s Extortion Cases Signal Tougher Action Against Criminal Networks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCanada

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian authorities have secured convictions against three Punjabi-origin men in an extortion case, a development being viewed as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime targeting businesses and community members. The convicted individuals—Harjot Singh, Taranveer Singh and Dayajeet Singh Billing—pleaded guilty to their roles in the extortion-related offences, making this one of the first successful prosecutions of its kind in the region. Law enforcement officials described the verdict as an important milestone in ongoing efforts to dismantle extortion networks that have become a growing concern across parts of British Columbia. Investigators believe the convictions will…

12 Jun

Conflicting Signals Emerge as US Claims Iran Deal Progress, Tehran Says Approval Still Pending

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending, World NewsIndia, Iran, Tehran, US

Washington/Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran remain uncertain after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of planned military action, while Iranian officials maintained that negotiations have not yet reached a final stage. Speaking from the White House and later through social media, Trump said he had ordered a halt to scheduled strikes after receiving indications that Iran's top leadership had endorsed a proposed framework aimed at reducing tensions. He described the negotiations as being in an advanced phase and expressed confidence that a broader understanding could soon be reached. The proposed arrangement…

12 Jun

Second Merchant Ship With Indian Crew Targeted Near Oman as Gulf Tensions Deepen

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending, World NewsIndia, Oman

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The security situation in the Gulf region has become increasingly fragile after another merchant vessel carrying Indian nationals came under attack off the coast of Oman, triggering renewed concerns over the safety of seafarers navigating one of the world's busiest maritime routes. The latest vessel, MT Jalveer, had 20 Indian crew members onboard when it was struck during a US military operation. Indian diplomatic officials in Oman confirmed that every crew member was rescued safely and no injuries were reported. The incident occurred less than a day after India formally lodged a diplomatic protest over an…

11 Jun

RCMP Ask Court for More Time to Examine Former Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s Cellphone

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

CALGARY (Rajeev Sharma): Police are seeking a court-approved extension on a warrant related to the search and forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to former Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, as part of an ongoing investigation connected to alleged irregularities involving municipal dealings. According to court filings, investigators have requested additional time to complete the digital forensic analysis of the seized cellphone, citing the complexity and volume of data involved. The request does not introduce new allegations but is procedural in nature, allowing law enforcement more time to continue examining already-collected evidence. The search of Gondek’s device was carried out earlier…

11 Jun

Canadian Police Officer of Punjabi Heritage Killed While Attempting to Stop Escaping Suspect

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A tragic incident in Canada has claimed the life of a young police officer of Punjabi origin after he was allegedly struck by a fleeing suspect during an attempted arrest, sending shockwaves through the law enforcement community and the Indian diaspora. The officer, identified as Tarun Bali, 29, was part of a police team attempting to intercept 18-year-old Zonathan Mignalt, who had reportedly escaped from custody while receiving treatment at a hospital. Authorities said officers moved quickly to stop the suspect before he could flee the area. Investigators stated that spike strips were deployed in an effort…

11 Jun

Government Grants Excise Duty Exemption on Additional Ethanol-Petrol Blends to Promote Biofuel Adoption

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingEthanol

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a significant policy step aimed at strengthening India's biofuel programme, the Central Government has announced central excise duty exemptions for several higher ethanol-petrol blends, paving the way for wider use of cleaner transportation fuels. As per a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, petrol blended with 22 per cent, 25 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent ethanol will now attract nil central excise duty, subject to compliance with the quality standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The notification expands the existing framework for ethanol-blended fuels by adding new…