Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

09 Mar

Indian Equities Tumble at Open as Oil Rally Triggers Widespread Sell-Off

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIran

Mumbai (Gurpreet Singh): Domestic stock markets started the week on a weak note, with benchmark indices witnessing a steep decline during Monday’s opening session. The fall followed a sharp surge in global crude oil prices and negative cues from international markets, which triggered heavy selling across sectors. The Nifty 50 dropped significantly at the opening bell, falling 582.40 points, or 2.38 percent, to begin trading at 23,868.05. Similarly, the BSE Sensex slipped 1,862.15 points, or 2.36 percent, opening at 77,056.75, reflecting a cautious mood among investors. The market downturn came as crude oil prices climbed sharply, rising nearly 25 percent…

09 Mar

Asha Circle Association to Host Hanuman Jayanti Community Celebration in Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The Asha Circle Association is organizing a special community gathering to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Sangam Mandir. The event aims to bring together members of the community for an evening of devotion, unity, and cultural celebration. Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Lord Hanuman, who is widely revered as a symbol of devotion, strength, humility, and selfless service. Organizers say the celebration will provide an opportunity for families, elders, youth, and newcomers to gather and reflect on the spiritual values associated with Lord Hanuman. The…

09 Mar

Indian Citizen Injured, No Casualties Reported Among Indians After Al-Kharj Strike

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAl Kharj, Iran

Riyadh (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has confirmed that no Indian nationals were killed in the projectile strike that hit a residential facility in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday evening. The diplomatic mission shared the update on Monday, bringing relief to the Indian community in the Kingdom. In a statement posted online, the embassy said that although one Indian citizen was injured during the incident, there have been no reports of any Indian fatalities. The injured individual is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Al-Kharj and is said to be receiving proper medical care. Officials from…

09 Mar

Iran’s Leadership Shift and Regional Strikes Deepen Middle East Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran

Dubai (Rajeev Sharma): The conflict spreading across West Asia intensified on Monday as Iran confirmed a new supreme leader and expanded military operations across several parts of the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional crisis. Authorities in Iran announced that cleric Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the country’s next supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the opening phase of the ongoing war on February 28. The appointment was confirmed by the powerful Assembly of Experts, which oversees the selection of Iran’s highest authority. Mojtaba Khamenei, who has largely remained out of the…

08 Mar

Lakshya Sen Falls Short of Historic All England Crown; Lin Chun-Yi Claims First Title for Chinese Taipei

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsAll England Open, badminton, India Sports, Lakshya Sen, Lin Chun-Yi

Birmingham (Rajeev Sharma) — India's long wait for an All-England men's singles title will continue as Lakshya Sen fell agonizingly short in a high-octane final on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The 24-year-old from Almora, playing his second final at the prestigious tournament, was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in straight sets, 15-21, 20-22. The 57-minute encounter was a masterclass in modern badminton, defined by blistering rallies and relentless offensive play. The physical toll of a grueling week appeared to be a decisive factor. Sen entered the final having spent over five hours on court, including a marathon 97-minute semifinal…

08 Mar

“Relentless” Investigation Launched as Gunfire Strikes Two GTA Synagogues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAntisemitism, GTA, Gunfire, Police, Synagogues

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Police and political leaders gathered outside a North York synagogue on Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, to vow a "relentless" investigation and demand stronger protections for Jewish communities following a pair of weekend shootings. The update came just over 24 hours after bullets tore through the front doors of the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue. The incident was one of two synagogue shootings in the Greater Toronto Area within about an hour late Friday night and early Saturday morning, heightening fears in the Jewish community and prompting an immediate surge in police…

08 Mar

Bomb Threats Target 11 Schools in Ontario’s Kenora District; OPP Launch Criminal Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada2026. The threats, and Sioux Lookout, March 6, Red Lake, The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched a major investigation after nearly a dozen schools across the Kenora District were targeted by bomb threats early Friday morning, triggered immediate emergency protocols across the communities of Dryden, which began surfacing around 7:00 a.m. local time

Kenora (Rajeev Sharma) — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched a major investigation after nearly a dozen schools across the Kenora District were targeted by bomb threats early Friday morning, March 6, 2026. The threats, which began surfacing around 7:00 a.m. local time, triggered immediate emergency protocols across the communities of Dryden, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, forcing several campuses to close as a precautionary measure before students arrived for the day. The North West Region OPP confirmed that 11 separate schools received the warnings, prompting a coordinated sweep of the affected properties. School staff, supported by OPP detachment…

08 Mar

Gulf Nations on High Alert After Fresh Iranian Strikes Target Key Sites

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran

Dubai (Rajeev Sharma): Several Gulf countries remained on heightened alert after a fresh round of missile and drone attacks linked to Iran targeted strategic locations across the region, including airports, oil facilities and military bases. Authorities in Kuwait confirmed that fuel storage facilities near Kuwait International Airport were struck during the latest escalation. The country’s oil sector responded by temporarily reducing crude production as a safety measure while security forces dealt with what officials described as a wave of hostile drones entering national airspace. Some civilian structures were also damaged after fragments from intercepted drones fell to the ground. In…

08 Mar

Mixed Reactions to Gurdas Maan’s Canada Tour 2026 After Vancouver Remarks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCanada, Gurdas Maan

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): After many years, the upcoming 2026 Canada tour of Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan is facing unusual resistance from sections of the Punjabi community. The controversy began after remarks he reportedly made something wrong words during an event in Vancouver, which some community members say hurt their sentiments. Following the backlash, Gurdas Maan issued a public apology for his comments, expressing regret and clarifying that he did not intend to offend anyone. However, despite the apology, discussions across Canada including cities like Calgary show that some people still do not agree with or support his shows this time.…

08 Mar

Canada Introduces New TR-to-PR Pathway, Offering 33,000 Temporary Workers a Chance at Permanent Residency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCanada

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The government of Canada has announced a new Temporary Resident-to-Permanent Resident (TR-to-PR) pathway for 2026–2027, creating an opportunity for 33,000 foreign workers already living and working in the country to apply for permanent residency. The initiative is aimed at supporting the Canadian labour market by allowing temporary residents who already have valuable Canadian work experience to transition into permanent residents. Officials say the program will help fill ongoing labour shortages while also providing stability for workers who have already contributed to the country’s economy. A significant number of eligible applicants are expected to be international workers…