Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

22 Feb

Nestlé Enters Advanced Talks to Sell Remaining Ice Cream Business to Froneri

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsOntarioFroneri Acquisition 2026, Nestlé Ice Cream Sale, Nestlé London Ontario Plant, Philipp Navratil, Teamsters Local 647

London, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): In a strategic shift to simplify its global portfolio, Nestlé has announced it is in advanced negotiations to sell the remainder of its ice cream business to Froneri, its long-standing joint venture partner. The deal, which includes operations in Canada, Asia, and parts of Latin America, marks a definitive move by the Swiss food giant to exit the direct management of a category it now deems a "distraction." The potential sale specifically impacts the Canadian market, including the significant production facility in London, Ontario. Employing over 750 people, the London plant on Wilton Grove Road has…

22 Feb

“Alberta is Canada” Rallies Draw Hundreds Amid Resurgent Separatist Debate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta Is Canada Rally, Alberta separatist movement, Danielle Smith Sovereignty, Indigenous Treaties Alberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharama): In defiance of freezing -20°C temperatures, hundreds of Albertans gathered on Saturday at city halls in Calgary, Edmonton, and Medicine Hat to voice their opposition to the province's burgeoning sovereignty movement. The "Alberta is Canada" rallies served as a grassroots counter-response to the Alberta Prosperity Project and the "Stay Free Alberta" petition, which is currently seeking signatures to trigger a referendum on independence. The demonstrations featured a diverse coalition of voices, ranging from Indigenous advocates to queer community organizers. Nicole Johnston, an Indigenous advocate and event organizer, emphasized that any path toward separation is profoundly complicated by…

22 Feb

Trump Defies Supreme Court with 15% Global Tariff Hike, Reversing India Trade Gains

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): In a swift escalation of transatlantic and transpacific trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has increased his newly proposed global tariff to 15%, just 24 hours after initially setting it at 10%. This defiant move follows a landmark 6-3 Supreme Court ruling on Friday, February 20, which struck down the administration’s previous emergency-based tariff regime as unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the President exceeded his authority by using national emergency laws to impose broad taxes on imports—a power that belongs exclusively to Congress. President Trump sharply criticized the judicial decision as "ridiculous" and "anti-American," immediately pivoting…

22 Feb

California Authorities Probe Death of Indian-Origin Gurdwara Worker After Abduction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalifornia

California (Rajeev Sharma): Law enforcement officials in California are investigating the death of a Sikh man who was allegedly abducted from a gurdwara complex in Tracy earlier this month. The victim, 57-year-old Avtar Singh, had roots in Ludhiana, Punjab, and had been residing in the United States with his family for several years. According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, Singh was reported missing on the evening of February 17 after family members and associates raised concerns about his sudden disappearance. Deputies were dispatched to the 16000 block of West Grant Line Road at approximately 8:52 p.m. to begin…

22 Feb

Danielle Smith Pushes for Quebec-Style Immigration Powers as Referendum Debate Intensifies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingDanielle Smith

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Premier Danielle Smith is standing firm on her call for Alberta to gain greater authority over immigration, drawing both support and sharp criticism as the province prepares for a fall referendum that includes several immigration-related questions. Speaking during her weekend radio program, Smith defended proposals that would significantly alter how newcomers access provincial services. The measures form part of a broader nine-question referendum scheduled for October, which the government says will give Albertans direct input on key policy directions. Proposed Changes to Services and Voting Rules Among the questions voters will consider is whether individuals with temporary…

22 Feb

Alberta Unveils Sweeping Nine-Question Referendum, Stirring Debate Over Scope and Intent

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta is heading into unfamiliar political territory after Premier Danielle Smith announced a wide-ranging referendum that will place nine separate questions before voters this fall — a move rarely seen in Canadian history. Set for Oct. 19, the ballot will ask Albertans to weigh in on issues spanning immigration policy, provincial autonomy and potential constitutional reforms. The governing United Conservative Party (UCP) says the initiative is designed to give residents a stronger voice in shaping how the province responds to federal decisions. During a televised address, Smith framed the referendum as a safeguard against what she described…

22 Feb

New U.K. Passport Rule Leaves Dual Canadian-British Citizens Racing to Update Documents

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsBritain, UK Passport

Britain (Rajeev Sharma): A recent shift in British entry regulations has caught many dual Canadian-British nationals off guard, forcing them to urgently renew expired documents or seek alternative paperwork ahead of upcoming trips. Beginning February 25, individuals who hold British citizenship alongside another nationality will be required to present a valid U.K. or Irish passport when entering the United Kingdom. Previously, many dual citizens were able to travel using their Canadian passports without issue. For Montreal resident Sarah Byron, who emigrated from England to Canada decades ago, the news came as an unpleasant surprise. Having allowed her British passport to…

22 Feb

Islamabad Claims Major Blow to Militants in Border Airstrikes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIslamabad

Karachi (Rajeev Sharma): Pakistan’s government has announced a series of overnight military strikes targeting alleged militant strongholds near the Afghan border, saying multiple insurgent camps were destroyed and dozens of fighters killed. In remarks issued early Sunday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the armed forces conducted “carefully planned, intelligence-led operations” against seven locations believed to be used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated networks. He also indicated that an Islamic State-linked faction operating in the frontier belt was among those hit. Officials stopped short of naming the precise areas targeted. However, regional observers and social media reports suggested the…

21 Feb

India and Brazil Target $20 Billion Trade Milestone Following Modi-Lula Summit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, World NewsDigital Public Infrastructure, Global Biofuel Alliance, India Brazil Bilateral Trade, MERCOSUR Trade Expansion, Modi-Lula Summit 2026

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have charted an ambitious economic roadmap, setting a bilateral trade target of $20 billion over the next five years. During a high-level summit in New Delhi on Saturday, the two leaders held extensive discussions aimed at elevating their strategic partnership. Highlighting Brazil’s status as India’s primary trading partner in Latin America, Prime Minister Modi characterized the burgeoning economic ties as a "reflection of trust" between the two emerging global powers. The bilateral talks focused heavily on technological integration and the expansion of the MERCOSUR…

21 Feb

Ontario and Western Provinces Fast-Track Early Alcohol Sales for Olympic Gold Medal Final

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioAGCO Liquor License Extension, Doug Ford 6am Alcohol, Ontario Olympic Alcohol Hours, Team Canada Gold Medal Game

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): In a rare move to accommodate sports fans across the country, the Ontario government has announced that bars and restaurants may begin serving alcohol as early as 6:00 a.m. ET this Sunday. The temporary policy shift, announced by Premier Doug Ford, comes just in time for the Canadian men’s hockey team’s gold medal showdown against the United States at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The decision followed a dramatic 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland, secured by a late-game goal from star forward Nathan MacKinnon. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) clarified that this provincial edict applies…