Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Feb

New Rules, New Rates: Key Financial and Regulatory Changes Take Effect Nationwide

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaAadhaar property registration, cigarette prices, Fastag rules, GST changes, LPG price hike

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Several financial, regulatory and pricing revisions came into force across India on Sunday, bringing a combination of relief and added burden for consumers, businesses and commuters. While some measures are expected to ease costs for motorists and air travelers, others will tighten household and commercial budgets through higher taxes and price increases. One of the most noticeable changes is the steep rise in cigarette and tobacco prices. As per the revised tax framework notified earlier, products such as pan masala, gutkha and khaini are now taxed at a flat 40 per cent under the Goods and…

01 Feb

Union Budget 2026 to Be Tabled Today as Government Eyes Growth and Fiscal Balance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaEconomic Survey, fiscal deficit target, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget 2026

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, becoming only the second finance minister in India’s history to deliver the budget on a Sunday. The last such instance was in 1999, when Yashwant Sinha presented the budget under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. The presentation also marks Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The budget is being unveiled amid a relatively strong economic outlook. The Economic Survey 2026, presented in Parliament on Thursday, has projected India’s economy to grow by 7.4 per…

31 Jan

Pat Cummins Ruled Out of T20 World Cup 2026 as Australia Name Squad Led by Mitchell Marsh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Sydney (Rajeev Sharma): Australia have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with star fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament due to a persistent back injury. Cricket Australia confirmed Cummins’ unavailability while announcing its 15-member squad for the global event, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Cummins has not fully recovered from his injury and requires additional rehabilitation time, according to officials. His absence is a major setback for Australia, given his role as a frontline pacer and proven performer in…

31 Jan

Gautam Adani, Nephew Agree to Accept SEC Legal Notice in US Civil Fraud Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, World NewsAdani Green Energy, bribery allegations, Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, SEC lawsuit, US civil fraud case

New Delhi/New York (Rajeev Sharma): Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani have agreed to accept service of a legal notice issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a civil fraud lawsuit, according to a court filing in the United States. The move, described as procedural in nature, is subject to approval by the court. In a joint filing submitted to a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, the SEC and US-based lawyers representing the Adanis confirmed that the defendants’ counsel has agreed to receive the regulator’s legal papers. This agreement removes the need for…

31 Jan

India Dismisses Reference to PM Modi in Jeffrey Epstein Files as Baseless

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaExternal Affairs Ministry, India, Jeffrey Epstein files, Narendra Modi, Randhir Jaiswal

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India on Saturday firmly rejected a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi contained in investigative documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling it unfounded and contemptible. Responding to reports about the mention, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government had taken note of an email cited in the recently released “Epstein files,” which alluded to the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel. “We have seen reports of an email message from the so-called Epstein files that makes a reference to the Prime Minister and his visit to Israel,” Jaiswal said in an official…

31 Jan

Sunetra Pawar Sworn In as Maharashtra’s First Woman Deputy Chief Minister

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAjit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mahayuti government, NCP, Sunetra Pawar

Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on Saturday as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, marking a landmark moment in the state’s political history. The oath-taking ceremony was held in Mumbai, just days after the tragic death of her husband, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash near Baramati. Following Ajit Pawar’s death on January 28, the NCP — a key ally in the BJP-led Mahayuti government — unanimously chose Sunetra Pawar to lead its legislature wing. The party’s decision was formally conveyed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who forwarded…

31 Jan

Canada Computers Confirms Customer Data Breach, Faces Calls for Greater Transparency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Computers, credit card data, customer information leak, data breach

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Canada Computers & Electronics has acknowledged a data breach involving the personal information of some online customers, but the retailer is drawing criticism for providing limited details about the incident, including how many people were affected and when the breach occurred. In a statement to CBC News, the company said it became aware of the breach on Friday and confirmed that customer data — including credit card information — had been compromised. Affected customers were notified on Monday, advised on precautionary steps, and the incident was reported to authorities. However, neither the company’s public statement nor customer…

31 Jan

IMD Forecasts Fresh Spell of Rain and Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh From February 1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaHimachal Pradesh weather, IMD forecast, rain prediction, snowfall alert, western disturbance

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another round of rain and snowfall across Himachal Pradesh starting February 1, with temperatures expected to fall sharply over the coming days. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla reported that the state witnessed dry weather during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Minimum temperatures largely hovered around normal levels, while maximum temperatures in several areas were recorded 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Among the recorded extremes, Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest location with a minimum temperature of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius,…

31 Jan

B.C. Introduces Competitive Power Allocation for AI and Data Centres to Manage Rising Demand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canadaartificial intelligence, B.C. Hydro, British Columbia, data centres, electricity supply

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The British Columbia government has rolled out a new electricity allocation system requiring data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) companies to compete for power as demand from energy-intensive industries continues to grow. Under the new framework, B.C. Hydro will distribute electricity to high-load sectors through a competitive bidding process. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the move is aimed at ensuring the stability of the provincial power grid while supporting sustainable economic growth. B.C. Hydro president and CEO Charlotte Mitha said a structured process is essential to manage the surge in large power requests from AI firms and…

31 Jan

Canada Denied Entry to Jeffrey Epstein in 2018 Over Criminal Conviction: U.S. Records

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada entry denial, Canadian consulate, Jeffrey Epstein, U.S. Justice Department documents

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Newly released documents from the United States Justice Department reveal that the Canadian government denied convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein permission to enter the country in 2018 because of his criminal record. The documents, part of a massive release of around 3.5 million pages made public on Friday, include email correspondence between Epstein and Canadian officials. Epstein had approached the Canadian consulate in Los Angeles seeking a temporary resident permit for a visit to Vancouver from April 11 to 13, 2018, where he planned to attend a TED conference. According to the records, the Consulate General of…