Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

21 Feb

Punjab to Regulate Dog Breeders, Pet Shops for Animal Welfare

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabAnimal welfare, Dog breeders, Pet shops, Punjab government

Chandigarh, February 21, 2025 – In a major step towards preventing animal cruelty, the Punjab government has made it mandatory for all dog breeders and pet shops to register under the Pashu Bhalai Board Punjab.The decision was announced during a board meeting chaired by Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian at the Livestock Complex in SAS Nagar (Mohali). Ensuring Humane Treatment of Animals Khudian stated that all breeders and pet shops must comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2016. The aim is to eliminate unethical breeding practices, regulate pet sales, and ensure animal…

21 Feb

Maharashtra Politics Heats Up as Eknath Shinde Warns Rivals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsCM Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Government

Mumbai, February 21, 2025 – Signs of growing tension within Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government surfaced again on Friday as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued a strong warning to his political opponents.Shinde, who had expected to become chief minister after the alliance’s sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, made it clear that he should not be taken lightly. "I Toppled a Government Before" – Shinde Addressing reporters, the Shiv Sena chief reminded everyone of his 2022 rebellion, which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.“In 2022, I toppled those who underestimated me…

21 Feb

Mount Everest Snow Cover Shrinks by 150 Metres, Indicating Warmer Winters

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsFalling Snowline, Mt Everest, Nepal

Kathmandu, February 21, 2025 – Snow cover atop Mount Everest has retreated by 150 metres, signaling a lack of snow accumulation during the winter of 2024-25, researchers have observed. Rising Snow Line Signals Climate Shift NASA satellite images from October 2023 to early January 2025 reveal a steady rise in the snow line, glaciologist Mauri Pelto wrote in a blog post on February 2. This trend, seen in both 2024 and 2025, suggests that snowfall is failing to persist, even at high elevations.Mount Everest, at 8,849 metres, is the highest point on Earth, straddling Nepal and Tibet. The snow line…

21 Feb

Trudeau Fires Back at Trump After Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off Victory Over Team USA

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Justin Trudeau, USA

Calgary (National Times): Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at US President Donald Trump on Thursday after Team Canada secured a 3-2 overtime victory against Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game held in Boston, Massachusetts. Following the win, Trudeau posted on X: "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game." His remark was seen as a direct response to Trump’s repeated comments referring to Canada as the “51st state”, calling Trudeau its “governor,” and even suggesting that hockey icon Wayne Gretzky should run for Prime Minister. Trade Tensions Mount Between Canada and…

21 Feb

Fact Check: No USAID Funds Were Sent to India for ‘Voter Turnout’; $21 Million Was for Bangladesh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBangladesh, USAID

Chandigarh: A recent claim by former US President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) regarding $21 million in USAID funds allegedly allocated for voter turnout in India has sparked controversy, particularly within India's political landscape. However, official records confirm that the funding was actually designated for Bangladesh, not India. What Was Claimed? On February 16, DOGE announced the cancellation of several USAID-funded projects, including "$21 million for voter turnout in India." This claim was amplified by Trump himself during a speech in Miami, where he questioned, “Why do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout…

21 Feb

ED Raids Mohali Residence of Simran Preet Panesar, Accused in Canada’s Largest Gold Heist

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaSimran Preet Panesar

Chandigarh (National Times): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the residence of Simran Preet Panesar, a former Air Canada manager, who is wanted in connection with Canada’s biggest gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport in April 2023. Panesar, who is facing a Canada-wide arrest warrant, was also questioned by ED officials at his home in Sector 79, Mohali, Punjab. ED Investigates Money Laundering Angle The ED, which probes financial crimes, has taken up the case to determine whether the stolen gold or its proceeds have entered India. A senior official confirmed, “Our teams are currently questioning him.” Previously, reports indicated…

21 Feb

Kharge Accuses Modi of Endangering Security with “Soft Policy” on China

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsChina, Mallikarjun Kharge, Modi government

New Delhi, February 21, 2025 – Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of jeopardizing national security by taking a "soft approach" towards China. He claimed that as a result, China was actively constructing 90 new villages along the Arunachal Pradesh border. “Red Salute” Instead of “Red Eye” Kharge criticized the government’s stance, alleging that Modi was offering a “red salute” to China instead of showing a firm “red eye.” He pointed to a report published in The Tribune that detailed China’s construction of 90 new villages along Arunachal’s border, adding to…

21 Feb

Sonia Gandhi Admitted to Delhi Hospital for Stomach-Related Issues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsCensus Delay, Health Concerns, Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, February 21, 2025 – Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Thursday morning due to stomach-related issues. The hospital confirmed that she was admitted at 8:30 AM and underwent a routine check-up. Stable and Under Observation A statement from the hospital assured that Gandhi is now stable and remains under observation. The 78-year-old leader, who celebrated her birthday in December 2024, was last seen in public during the Rajya Sabha Budget session last week. Concerns Over Census Delay During the session, Sonia Gandhi raised concerns over the four-year delay…

21 Feb

Kash Patel Confirmed as FBI Director in Narrow Senate Vote

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, FBI Director, Kash Patel, USA

Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – Kash Patel, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was confirmed as the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday. The Senate vote passed by a slim margin of 51-49, with Patel securing support from most Republicans despite opposition from all Senate Democrats. A Contentious Confirmation Process Patel's confirmation faced resistance from Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. However, he received backing from the rest of the Republican Party, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had previously opposed other Trump nominees.Following the confirmation,…

20 Feb

Shubman Gill’s Century Guides India to Victory Over Bangladesh in Champions Trophy Opener

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsChampions Trophy 2025, India vs Bangladesh, Mohammed Shami, Shubman Gill century

India kicked off their Champions Trophy campaign in style with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, powered by a brilliant century from Shubman Gill and a sensational five-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami. Shami Shines as Bangladesh Crumbles Early Opting to bat first, Bangladesh endured a horrendous start, slipping to 35 for five as Shami and Axar Patel ripped through their top order. Shami, playing in his first ICC tournament match since his return, was lethal with the ball, not only bagging a five-wicket haul but also reaching a personal milestone—his 200th ODI wicket.Axar Patel (2/43) also played a crucial role and…