Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

28 Jul

US-EU Strike Major Trade Deal, Sidestep Full-Blown Tariff War

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, World News15% import tariff, EU investments, global trade, US tariffs, US-EU trade deal

National Times Bureau, July 28, 2025: The United States and the European Union on Sunday reached a sweeping framework trade deal, calming tensions between two of the world’s largest economies and averting a high-stakes tariff escalation that threatened nearly a third of global trade.The agreement imposes a uniform 15% US import tariff on most European goods, replacing the possibility of steeper duties that had alarmed businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. It also includes major EU investments in American infrastructure and commitments to purchase US energy and military equipment.Both sides hailed the deal as a stabilizing force in a…

28 Jul

Offline and Unbothered: Why Digital Detox Vacations Are Becoming the New Luxury

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsLifestyleconscious travel, digital detox India, lifestyle trends, offline travel, screen-free retreats, tech-free holidays

More Indians are escaping screens and rediscovering silence, nature, and themselves one offline getaway at a time.National Times Bureau, July 21, 2025 — Amid buzzing notifications, endless scrolls, and work emails that chase us even into our dreams, a quiet rebellion is brewing. A new tribe of urban Indians is trading WiFi for waterfalls, and blue light for bonfires, by signing up for digital detox retreats.These aren’t just vacations they're conscious pauses. The kind where phones are locked away, social media is off-limits, and conversations happen face-to-face under starlit skies, not in comment threads.Nestled in places like the Sahyadris, the…

28 Jul

BSNL to Prioritise Operational Cash Flows Over Profits, Says Union Minister Scindia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessARPU, BSNL, customer satisfaction, Jyotiraditya Scindia, operating cash flow, telecom sector

New Delhi, July 28, 2025: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will now focus on generating healthy operational cash flows on a quarterly basis, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced, shifting the spotlight away from traditional net profit margins. Addressing BSNL’s Strategic Review and Planning Meeting for 2025–26, the minister asserted that operational performance would define the public sector telecom’s new success framework.Scindia clarified that stakeholders should focus on operating margins and actual cash flows rather than bottom-line numbers, which are often influenced by non-cash adjustments like depreciation due to heavy capital expenditure. He said the company was committed to…

28 Jul

Jaishankar Clarifies: No Trade Linkage in Operation Sindoor Talks, Pakistan Requested Ceasefire via DGMO Channel

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCeasefire, DGMO, Donald Trump, India-Pakistan, Jaishankar, Operation Sindoor, Pahalgam attack

New Delhi, July 28, 2025: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly stated in the Lok Sabha that there was never any trade-related linkage discussed with the United States concerning Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. He emphasized that the request for a halt in military action came directly from Pakistan via the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) communication channel, not as a result of any external pressure.Intervening during a special parliamentary discussion on India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar underscored that India's diplomatic outreach was key in securing global support after the Pahalgam attack. According to…

28 Jul

Divya Deshmukh Makes History, Becomes First Indian to Win FIDE Women’s World Cup

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsDivya Deshmukh, FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, Indian Grandmaster, Koneru Humpy

Batumi (Georgia), July 28 — Divya Deshmukh scripted history on Monday by becoming the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. She triumphed over compatriot Koneru Humpy with a 2.5-1.5 victory in the tie-breaks held in Batumi, Georgia.This monumental win not only earned Divya the coveted World Cup crown but also secured her final Grandmaster (GM) norm, making her India’s 88th Grandmaster and only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the GM title. The other three are Koneru Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.The final clash saw both Indian stars tied 1-1 after two classical games, pushing…

28 Jul

Canada Condemns Hong Kong’s Global Arrest Warrants for Pro-Democracy Activists, Including Canadians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Hong Kong

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian government has strongly condemned Hong Kong authorities after they issued international arrest warrants for 19 overseas pro-democracy activists, including several Canadian citizens and individuals with close ties to Canada. In a statement released, Global Affairs Canada criticized the move as a clear case of transnational repression, warning that threats, intimidation, or coercion targeting Canadians will not be tolerated. “The individuals targeted yesterday under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in Hong Kong include Canadians and people with close ties to Canada,” the statement read. “This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad will…

28 Jul

N.W.T. Public Health Warns of Measles Risk Amid Surge in Alberta Cases

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta, Measles

Yellowknife (Rajeev Sharma): With measles cases on the rise in Alberta, health authorities in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) are warning residents about a potential risk of exposure, especially for those traveling through the neighbouring province during the summer. Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory’s Chief Public Health Officer, emphasized the importance of checking vaccination records, noting that the virus’s resurgence in Alberta could impact northern travelers. “We're keeping a close eye on the situation,” Dr. Kandola said. “There’s concern that the infection could make its way north with returning travelers.” According to Alberta’s latest health data (as of July 24), 1,511…

28 Jul

Mastermind Behind Pahalgam Attack Killed in ‘Operation Mahadev’; Two Others Also Eliminated

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingOperation Mahadev, Pahalgam attack

Srinagar (National Times): In a major breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack was gunned down along with two other Pakistani terrorists during a high-intensity encounter in Srinagar’s Dachigam region, officials confirmed. The mission, dubbed ‘Operation Mahadev’, was led jointly by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police. The primary target, identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Suleiman Shah, also known by his alias Hashim Musa, was reportedly the brains behind the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. Intelligence agencies had been tracking Musa’s movement for weeks. Sources also linked him to…

28 Jul

Rajnath Singh Opens Lok Sabha Debate on Operation Sindoor, Declares: “Not a War, But a Just Retaliation”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingOperation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh

New Delhi (National Times): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh kick-started a high-voltage debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday with a powerful and detailed account of Operation Sindoor, India's strategic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Singh praised the valour of Indian soldiers, outlined the precision of the strikes, and asserted that India’s actions were aimed at neutralizing terror infrastructure, not escalating war. “I begin by paying heartfelt tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country,” said Singh, addressing the House. “Operation Sindoor was a calibrated, well-planned military initiative. Within just 22 minutes, nine terror…

28 Jul

Uttarakhand CM Orders Stricter Law Against Unlawful Religious Conversions, Announces SIT for Operation Kalanemi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trendingoperation Kalanemi, Pushkal Dhami, Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Rajeev Sharma): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to strengthen the state’s existing law against unlawful religious conversions. The move, he said, aims to curb any activities that could potentially alter the demographic structure of the state. In a high-level meeting held on Monday, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and legal provisions to prevent forced or fraudulent conversions. “Any attempt to change the demography of Uttarakhand will be dealt with sternly,” he stated, according to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). To intensify surveillance and enforcement, the government will…