Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

16 Mar

Amit Shah Pledges Full Implementation of Bodoland Peace Accord by 2027

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaABSU, AFSPA, Amit Shah, Bodoland Peace Accord, BTR Agreement

Kokrajhar (Assam), March 16, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the Central government's commitment to fully implementing the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Peace Agreement by 2027. Speaking at the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) at Bodofa Fwthar, Dotma in Assam’s Kokrajhar, Shah highlighted the significant progress made since the accord was signed in 2020 and promised that all terms would be fulfilled within the next two years. Peace and Progress Since the BTR Accord Shah noted that despite initial skepticism from the Congress party, nearly 82% of the agreement's terms have already been…

16 Mar

Canada Reconsiders F-35 Fighter Jet Deal with US, PM Mark Carney Explores ‘Other Options’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney, US

Calgary (National Times): In a significant policy move, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair to review the country's planned purchase of America’s F-35 fighter jets. The directive comes with a call to explore alternative options “given the changing environment,” according to Blair’s spokesperson on Saturday. Canada’s Original F-35 Purchase Plan Two years ago, Canada agreed to acquire 88 F-35 jets, legally committing funds for the first 16 aircraft as part of its long-term defense strategy. The planned acquisition was set to be the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over…

16 Mar

Premier Danielle Smith calls for federal election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Premier Danielle Smith

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a major development, Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the swearing-in of Canada’s 24th Prime Minister and his new federal cabinet. “Now that Prime Minister Mark Carney has been officially sworn in, his first item of business should be to call a general election. “I am extremely concerned that this cabinet includes most of same ministers responsible for the most damaging government policies levelled by Ottawa against Alberta in our over 100-year history. We are gravely concerned that plans to significantly increase the industrial carbon tax will be just as damaging to Alberta’s economy…

16 Mar

Eighteen new schools are on the way for Calgary and area

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): More people are calling Alberta home, which means more students are enrolling in schools across the province, leading to increasing enrolment pressures. Since 2020, student enrolment in Alberta has grown by almost 89,000 students, with much of this growth concentrated in the Calgary metro region. To ensure every student has the space to grow and thrive, Alberta’s government is making more investments in new and ongoing school projects across the province. Budget 2025, if passed, will kick-start 18 new school projects in the Calgary metro area, adding 14,400 new and updated student spaces. In total, there are…

15 Mar

Tej Pratap Yadav Sparks Row Over Holi Antics, Orders Policeman to Dance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar politics, BJP criticism, Holi controversy, Nitish Kumar, RJD, Tej Pratap Yadav

Patna, March 15, 2025 – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav has stirred fresh controversy after allegedly forcing a policeman to dance during Holi celebrations at his residence in Patna. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Holi Celebrations Turn Controversial The drama unfolded at Yadav’s official residence, where the former Bihar minister hosted a Holi event reminiscent of his father Lalu Prasad Yadav’s infamous "kapda faad Holi" celebrations. Yadav was seen tearing the clothes of some supporters and driving a scooter around the neighborhood while chanting…

15 Mar

ISIS Leader Killed in Iraq in Joint Iraqi-US Operation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAbu Khadija, Anbar operation, Iraq, ISIS leader killed, Syria, US coalition

Baghdad, March 15, 2025 – The head of the Islamic State in Iraq, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in a successful operation by the Iraqi national intelligence service and US-led coalition forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday."The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism," al-Sudani said in a statement on X. He described al-Rifai as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world" and confirmed that he was the group's deputy caliph.US President Donald Trump praised the operation on his Truth Social…

15 Mar

Punjab Police Arrest Three More BKI Operatives in Nanded Murder Case; Total Arrests Reach Six

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabArrested, Nanded Murder Case, Punjab Police

Chandigarh, March 15, 2025: In yet another major breakthrough in the ongoing Nanded murder case, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar has arrested three more operatives of Pakistan based Babbar Khalsa International ( BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda backed by Pakistan’s ISI, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday. Those arrested have been identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jaggi and Shubham Khelbude, both residents of Nanded in Maharashtra and Gurdeep Singh alias Deepa, a resident of Raipur in Ropar. Police teams have also recovered two weapons including one 12 bore pump-action…

15 Mar

India Hits Back at Pakistan Over Kashmir Remarks at UN General Assembly

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-Pakistan tensions, Jammu and Kashmir, UN General Assembly

New York, March 15, 2025 – India has slammed Pakistan for its "unjustified" reference to Jammu and Kashmir during a United Nations General Assembly session, asserting that such remarks will not validate Pakistan's claims or justify its support for cross-border terrorism.India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, delivered a strong response on Friday during an informal General Assembly meeting held to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia."As is their habit, the former foreign secretary of Pakistan today made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," Harish said. "Such references will neither validate…

15 Mar

Rachel Bendayan replaces Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Marc Miller, Rachel Bendayan

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Mark Carney, Canada’s new Prime Minister, has announced his cabinet in anticipation of the coming 2025 federal election, shuffling immigration ministers in the process. Canada’s new minister of immigration is Rachel Bendayan, a Member of Parliament from Outremont, Quebec. She will serve as the head of Canada’s immigration department, taking over from previous Immigration Minister Marc Miller. Cabinet reshuffles are a common occurrence in Canadian politics and allow Prime Ministers the opportunity to reappoint ministers to different government departments or remove them from office entirely. This may be done for a variety of reasons, including to award…

15 Mar

Mark Carney Sworn in as Canada’s Prime Minister, Unveils New Cabinet

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Mark Carney has officially taken office as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, marking the end of Justin Trudeau’s nine-year tenure. In his inaugural speech, Carney emphasized the gravity of his new role, stating, “It is a solemn duty to serve as Prime Minister at this time of great consequence.” One of Carney’s first major moves was unveiling a smaller, 24-member transition cabinet, signaling a shift in leadership while maintaining some continuity in key areas. Key Cabinet Appointments and Changes• François-Philippe Champagne is promoted to Finance Minister, replacing Chrystia Freeland.• Chrystia Freeland moves to Minister of Transport and Internal…