Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

20 Mar

Child Poverty on the Rise in Canada After Years of Decline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Child Poverty

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): After years of steady decline, child poverty in Canada is once again on the rise. Recent data reveals that nearly 1.4 million children were living in poverty in 2022, marking a troubling reversal of progress made between 2015 and 2022. During that period, government initiatives such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) played a key role in reducing child poverty rates. However, economic pressures—including inflation, rising living costs, and the expiration of pandemic-era financial support programs—have led to an increase in financial hardship for many families. Advocacy groups are calling for stronger action to address the issue,…

20 Mar

Calgary Marathi Association Hosts International Women’s Day Celebration

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Calgary Marathi Association

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary Marathi Association (CMA) recently celebrated International Women’s Day at the Phoenix Room of the Dalhousie Community Association. The inaugural event, organized by CMA’s all-female management committee, aimed to celebrate the strength, achievements, and contributions of women. The event featured inspiring sessions where female entrepreneurs shared their success stories and the challenges they faced along their journeys. These narratives motivated other women to pursue their dreams, even those that had been put aside due to family obligations. Attendees also enjoyed informative sessions, such as “Winter Essentials,” and participated in engaging activities designed to foster connection and…

19 Mar

JFK Assassination Files Reveal CIA’s Secret Bases in India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCIA secret bases, JFK assassination files, Kolkata, New Delhi

New Delhi, March 19, 2025 – Recently declassified files related to the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy in 1963 have revealed the existence of CIA-operated secret bases in two of India's major cities—New Delhi and Kolkata—during the Cold War era. The files, released by the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), have shed new light on the covert operations of the CIA in South Asia.The revelation came to light after Russian-backed international news outlet RT shared details of the documents on social media platform X. The files confirm that the CIA maintained “black sites” in New Delhi…

19 Mar

Merchant Navy Officer Murdered by Wife and Her Lover, Body Found in Cement-Sealed Drum

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMerchant Navy Officer, Murder, Saurabh Rajput

Lucknow, March 19, 2025 – A shocking case of betrayal and murder has surfaced in the Indira Nagar area, where a 29-year-old merchant navy officer, Saurabh Rajput, was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife and her lover. The accused then dismembered his body, sealed it inside a drum with cement, and tried to cover up the crime. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ayush Vikram Singh, Rajput, a resident of Brahmpuri's Indira Nagar Phase 2, had been missing since March 4. His family reported his disappearance, prompting the police to launch an investigation. Suspicion soon fell on Rajput's…

19 Mar

Alberta Investing nearly $5B in North

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Through Budget 2025, if passed, Alberta’s government is investing $4.9 billion in 2025-26 to strengthen Alberta’s northern communities. Alberta’s government is committed to supporting and strengthening the vital communities across the province’s north with strategic investments that ensure long-term prosperity. In the province’s latest budget, $4.4 billion is being allocated in operating expenses and $475 million for capital expenses to Alberta’s north region. Alberta’s northern communities are vital to the province’s identity, prosperity and success. There is no question, Alberta’s northern communities face unique opportunities and challenges that must be addressed today. Budget 2025, if passed, is…

19 Mar

Alberta introduces legislation to help grow and diversify agriculture, supporting emerging biogas industry

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Updates to the Agricultural Operation Practices Act, if passed, would help reduce waste, allow farmers to supplement fertilizer with organic materials and help the province attract job-creating investment. The act and its regulations provide rules and standards for all agricultural operations that handle manure and organic materials. Biodigesters are already operating in the province, and this change will provide certainty for those who store and use biogas production byproducts as a nutrient source to grow crops and encourage investment in biodigester facilities. “Alberta farmers and ranchers work hard to put good food on tables here at home and…

19 Mar

Alberta providing over $85 million to build strong communities across province

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Each year, Alberta’s government provides support to hundreds of non-profit projects and programs to continue delivering vital services to communities across the province. This includes investing in initiatives like Alberta’s Crowdfunding platform, capital grant funding, and funding for community grant programs.If passed, Budget 2025 will continue to build strong and vibrant communities by supporting community grant programs, including $64 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) and Community Initiative Program (CIP) grants that stimulate economic growth, enhance gathering places and provide opportunities for Albertans to build community and connect with one another. “I am proud that…

19 Mar

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Touch Down After Extended Mission in Space

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessNASA, Sunita Williams

Florida (National Times): Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have completed an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their mission, which began on June 5 of the previous year with a planned eight-day duration, was extended after issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them back. The astronauts returned this morning aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The spacecraft successfully deployed its parachutes before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Florida. Alongside Williams and Wilmore, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov were also on board for the…

18 Mar

PM Modi Congratulates Sunita Williams on Her Return from Space

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBoeing Starliner, ISS, NASA astronaut, PM Modi, space mission, Sunita Williams

Delhi, March 18, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his greetings to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams as she prepares to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) after over nine months. Calling her India’s "most illustrious daughter," Modi said the country is eager to welcome her home soon.Williams, whose ancestors hail from Jhulasan village in Gujarat, was stranded in space with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. They had initially gone to the ISS in June 2024 for an eight-day mission, which was extended due to the complications. Now, they…

18 Mar

Israel Resumes Strikes on Gaza After Ceasefire Breakdown; Over 100 Reported Dead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAirstrikes, Ceasefire, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Netanyahu

(National Times Bureau), March 18, 2025 : Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, ending weeks of ceasefire negotiations that had stalled since January. The Palestinian health ministry reported at least 100 dead, including children, after strikes in Gaza City, northern Gaza, and the Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah areas.The Israeli military said it hit dozens of Hamas targets and warned that operations would continue beyond airstrikes for as long as necessary. The strikes follow failed attempts to extend the January 19 ceasefire, with Israel accusing Hamas of refusing to release 59 hostages.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office blamed…