Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

22 May

Protecting Albertans from future floods

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (National Times): The Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) is now in operation, protecting lives and critical infrastructure in southern Alberta from floods. In June 2013, southern Alberta experienced the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history, causing five deaths, displacing more than 80,000 Albertans, and resulting in more than $5 billion in damages. In response, Alberta’s government committed to building SR1 to strengthen flood protection for Calgary and nearby communities. Construction of the SR1 began in 2022, following robust engagements with the public and First Nations, and a comprehensive regulatory process. Following three years of construction, the SR1 is now complete…

21 May

Canada Post to Present New Contract Offers Ahead of Imminent Strike Deadline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Post, CUPW, postal workers, strike notice

Ottawa, May 21, 2025: Canada Post is set to present new contract proposals to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) today, just days before a potential nationwide strike scheduled to commence at midnight on Friday. The union, representing over 55,000 postal workers, had issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week, citing concerns over working conditions and benefits.The Crown corporation's spokesperson, Jon Hamilton, expressed hope that the forthcoming offers would facilitate a resolution and avert service disruptions. "Hopefully we can get talks going again and get a deal," Hamilton stated, emphasizing the organization's commitment to reaching an agreement that…

21 May

Canada Leads G7 Economic Stability Talks in Banff Amid Tariff Tensions, Ukraine Focus

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Tariffs, François-Philippe Champagne, G7 Banff Summit

Banff, Alberta, May 21, 2025: As global economic challenges intensify, G7 finance ministers have gathered in Banff, Alberta, for high-level talks focused on restoring economic stability and reinforcing global trade systems. Canada, represented by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, is leading the discussions, which are centered on "getting back to basics" in global finance.A major point of contention at the summit stems from recent trade policies by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian exports and a 10% levy on goods from the European Union. These sweeping tariffs have strained traditional G7 unity, prompting urgent diplomatic…

21 May

Centre Tells SC: Waqf Not an Essential Part of Islam; Defends Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEssential Religious Practice, Supreme Court, Waqf Act

New Delhi, May 21, 2025 – In a significant legal and constitutional development, the Central Government informed the Supreme Court that waqf, while rooted in Islamic practice, is not an essential part of Islam and thus not protected under the fundamental right to religious freedom. The submission came during hearings on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, clarified that waqf boards discharge secular functions, such as property management and financial administration, and therefore the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards does not violate religious freedom or disrupt religious practices.The…

21 May

Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Population Rises 32% to 891, Expands Beyond Protected Sanctuaries

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAsiatic Lion Census 2025, Gir sanctuary, Gujarat lions

Gandhinagar, May 21, 2025 — Gujarat’s lion conservation efforts have borne fruit, with the state’s Asiatic lion population rising from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025 — a 32% increase over five years, according to the latest 16th Asiatic Lion Census.The census revealed a remarkable shift, with nearly half the lion population now living outside traditional sanctuaries such as Gir, Mitiyala, Girnar, and Pania. While around 430 lions remain within protected areas, others have spread across the broader Saurashtra landscape, including Bhavnagar and the Union Territory of Diu.Conducted between May 10 and 13, the survey covered 35,000 square kilometers…

21 May

Centre Slashes Punjab’s Borrowing Limit by ₹16,676 Crore, Citing Unpaid Power Subsidies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabcentral government, power subsidies, Punjab borrowing limit

Chandigarh, May 21, 2025: The Central Government has dealt a serious financial blow to Punjab by slashing its borrowing limit for the fiscal year 2025–26 by ₹16,676 crore. Against a requested borrowing of ₹47,076.40 crore, the Centre has approved only ₹30,400.40 crore.For the April–December period alone, Punjab had sought ₹35,307 crore but was allotted only ₹21,905 crore. The total proposed borrowing ceiling for the full year was ₹51,117 crore.The Centre cited Punjab’s non-payment of power subsidies ₹5,444 crore already overdue and ₹4,107 crore still pending as the key reason for the cut. Additionally, the state’s recent loans worth ₹4,151.07 crore…

21 May

Suicide Car Bomb Targets School Bus in Balochistan, 4 Children Killed, Dozens Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBalochistan, Pakistan

Khuzdar, Pakistan (National Times): A suicide car bomber rammed into a school bus in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday morning, killing at least four schoolchildren and injuring 38 others, according to officials. The tragedy occurred in Khuzdar district as the bus was en route to a military-run school. Deputy Commissioner Yasir Iqbal confirmed the attack and said the blast caused widespread panic and devastation. “The children were on their way to school when the suicide bomber struck. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals,” Iqbal told reporters. The area…

20 May

Mukesh and Nita Ambani Named in TIME’s 100 Most Influential in Philanthropy for 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, TIME 100 Philanthropy

New Delhi, May 20, 2025: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani have been featured in TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in philanthropy.The prestigious list, unveiled on Tuesday, recognizes individuals from across the globe who have made a significant impact through charitable and developmental work. Alongside the Ambanis, figures such as David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton, and Darren Walker also appear in this year’s edition.TIME cited the Ambanis’ extensive philanthropic contributions, which reached ₹407 crore (approximately USD 48 million) in 2024, placing them among India’s top donors. Their initiatives span…

20 May

President Trump Unveils $100 Billion ‘Golden Dome’ Space Missile Defense Plan

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsGolden Dome, President Donald Trump, Space Missile Defense

National Times Bureau, May 20, 2025: President Donald Trump is set to announce a groundbreaking missile defense initiative called the “Golden Dome,” designed to protect the United States from modern missile threats, including hypersonic and ballistic missiles. The ambitious plan marks a historic step in U.S. defense policy, as it would deploy missile interceptors in space for the first time, enabling midcourse interception of incoming threats.The initial cost of the Golden Dome project is estimated between $30 billion and $100 billion, with potential long-term expenses climbing to $542 billion over 20 years. The system will integrate ground-based and space-based interceptors…

20 May

Foreign Secretary Misri Briefs Parliamentarians on Key Foreign Policy Issues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia foreign policy, Indo-Pak ceasefire, Vikram Misri

New Delhi – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has conducted a series of detailed briefings with various parliamentary delegations ahead of their upcoming visits abroad, shedding light on several critical foreign policy matters. His discussions spanned tensions with neighboring countries, international operations, and evolving diplomatic challenges with Western powers.Clarifying the situation on the India-Pakistan border, Misri told the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs that the recent ceasefire was a purely bilateral decision. He emphasized it was achieved through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations, firmly denying claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump…