Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

10 Feb

ICC Confirms India vs Pakistan Clash as Bangladesh Gets Relief; PCB Pushes for Tri-Series

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, SportsBangladesh Cricket Board, ICC, India vs Pakistan match, Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan Cricket Board

Lahore/New Delhi, February 10, 2026: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match will go ahead as scheduled, while also granting relief to Bangladesh after its withdrawal from the tournament, easing concerns over possible penalties. During recent meetings in Dubai, the ICC decided that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would not face any financial, sporting or administrative sanctions for its decision not to travel to India. Bangladesh was subsequently replaced by Scotland in the tournament lineup. “It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in…

10 Feb

Air Canada Suspends Cuba Flights Amid Aviation Fuel Crisis; Focus Shifts to Bringing Travellers Home

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAir Canada Cuba flights, aviation fuel crisis, Canada travel advisory Cuba, Cuba fuel shortage

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Air Canada has temporarily suspended its flights to Cuba due to a worsening aviation fuel shortage on the island, as the airline prioritizes efforts to bring thousands of stranded passengers back to Canada. In a statement, the airline said it will operate empty southbound flights over the coming days to repatriate approximately 3,000 customers currently in Cuba. The decision follows official aviation notices warning that commercial jet fuel may no longer be available at Cuban airports from February 10. Air Canada added that for any remaining operations, aircraft would carry additional fuel and, if required, make technical…

10 Feb

Trump Threatens to Block Gordie Howe Bridge Opening, Seeks US Ownership Stake

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World NewsDonald Trump, Gordie Howe Bridge, Michigan Ontario bridge, US Canada relations, US Canada trade dispute

Washington/Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)— U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting the United States and Canada may not be allowed to open unless Washington receives compensation and a significant ownership share in the project. In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the United States would begin immediate negotiations with Canada over the cross-border infrastructure project, alleging that the country had treated the U.S. unfairly for decades. He asserted that the new bridge between Michigan and Ontario would not open unless the United States was adequately compensated and possibly granted at least a…

09 Feb

SC Calls Rs 54,000 Crore Digital Fraud ‘Dacoity’, Directs Centre to Frame SOP to Tackle Cyber Scams

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCBI Investigation, cyber security India, Cybercrime, digital arrest scam, digital fraud India, RBI, Supreme Court

New Delhi, February 9, 2026: Expressing serious concern over the rising menace of cybercrime, the Supreme Court on Monday described the siphoning off of nearly Rs 54,000 crore through digital frauds as nothing short of “robbery or dacoity” and directed the Centre to prepare a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to combat such offences. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the amount lost to digital fraud was larger than the annual budgets of several smaller states. The court noted that such large-scale frauds could be the result of either negligence or possible collusion by…

09 Feb

Supreme Court Warns States Against Disrupting Voter Roll Revision, Seeks Bengal DGP’s Affidavit on Violence Claims

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaElection Commission of India, Electoral Roll Revision, Special Intensive Revision, Supreme Court, West Bengal

New Delhi, February 9, 2026: The Supreme Court on Monday cautioned states against obstructing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and directed the West Bengal Director-General of Police (DGP) to submit a personal affidavit regarding allegations of violence and burning of Election Commission notices. A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, made it clear that the revision process must proceed without interference. “We will not allow anyone to create any impediment in the SIR exercise. This must be clear to the states,” the court said while hearing multiple…

09 Feb

Trump Criticizes Olympic Skier Hunter Hess After Athlete Voices Concerns About U.S. Climate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessDonald Trump, Hunter Hess, Team USA controversy, USOPC athlete safety, Winter Olympics 2026

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized Olympic freestyle skier Hunter Hess, calling him a “real loser” after the athlete spoke about having “mixed emotions” while representing the United States at the Winter Olympics. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Hess had suggested he did not fully represent his country during the Games and questioned his place on the national team. The president said it was “hard to root” for an athlete expressing such sentiments. Hess, a native of Bend, Oregon, told reporters last week that wearing the American flag did not mean…

09 Feb

Eddie Bauer Seeks Buyer as Bankruptcy Filing Puts Canadian Store Network at Risk

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian retail closures, Catalyst Brands, Eddie Bauer bankruptcy, retail industry Canada, store liquidation sales

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma|): — The future of Eddie Bauer’s retail presence in Canada is uncertain as the outdoor apparel brand looks for a buyer after filing for bankruptcy protection in the United States. The company announced Monday that it is seeking a purchaser for its network of roughly 220 stores across North America. A similar creditor protection filing is expected soon in Canada, where the retailer currently operates 31 locations, most of them in Ontario. Eddie Bauer LLC said stores in both countries will remain open for now, but clearance and liquidation sales will take place while court proceedings move…

09 Feb

Most Albertans favour staying in Canada despite sovereignty debate: Angus Reid survey

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta referendum, Alberta separatism, Angus Reid Institute, provincial sovereignty

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Amid renewed discussion around provincial sovereignty, a clear majority of Albertans would choose to remain part of Canada if a separation referendum were held today, according to a new survey released by the Angus Reid Institute. The survey found that only 29 per cent of Albertans would vote in favour of separation, with most of them describing their stance as a leaning rather than a firm commitment. In contrast, 65 per cent said they would vote to stay in Canada, and most respondents in this group said their decision was definite. The findings are part of the…

09 Feb

Opposition to move no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLok Sabha Speaker, no-confidence motion, Om Birla, opposition parties, Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, February 9, 2026: Opposition parties on Monday decided to submit a notice for a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of partisan conduct and curbing the rights of opposition members in the House. The decision was taken during a meeting of opposition leaders held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Confirming the development, senior Left Front MP N K Premchandran said the Speaker’s actions had compelled the opposition to unite against him. Premchandran alleged that the Speaker did not allow Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lok Sabha and…

09 Feb

Indian-origin IT professional shot dead in Toronto mall parking, police probe targeted attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaIndian IT professional, Indian-origin man killed in Canada, Toronto shooting, Woodbine Shopping Centre

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A 37-year-old Indian-origin man was killed after being shot by unidentified assailants in the parking lot of a busy shopping centre in Toronto, Canada, local authorities said. The Toronto Police Service confirmed that the victim was Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar, a resident of Brampton. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when police received a distress call at around 3.31 pm regarding a shooting at the Woodbine Shopping Centre near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27. On reaching the location, officers found Nandakumar suffering from multiple gunshot injuries. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition…