Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Dec

Alberta Court Clears Way for Gender Care Law After Province Invokes Notwithstanding Clause

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): An Alberta judge has lifted a court injunction that had temporarily blocked the province’s controversial legislation restricting access to gender-affirming health care for minors, following the government’s decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause. The ruling comes after the Alberta government appealed an earlier decision that paused the law’s enforcement. With the injunction now removed, the legislation — which bars physicians from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to youth under the age of 16 — is allowed to proceed. The law has been strongly contested by advocacy organizations. Earlier this year, Egale Canada and Calgary-based group Skipping…

19 Dec

Mandatory Air Conditioning in Ontario Nursing Homes Linked to Fewer Heat-Related Deaths

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A province-wide requirement for air conditioning in Ontario’s long-term care homes has prevented dozens of deaths, according to new research that underscores the growing health risks posed by extreme heat. The study, published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, examined more than 73,000 resident deaths recorded in Ontario nursing homes between 2010 and 2023. Researchers found that residents living in facilities without air conditioning in their individual rooms faced a significantly higher risk during heat waves. On days of extreme heat, the likelihood of death was about eight per cent higher compared to residents in rooms with…

19 Dec

Bangladesh Sees Escalating Protests After Student Figure’s Killing Ahead of February Vote

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsBangladesh

Dhaka (Rajeev Sharma): Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp rise in political unrest following the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a student activist whose killing has triggered demonstrations, vandalism and arson in multiple cities, further complicating the country’s already fragile pre-election environment. Hadi, who played a key role in the youth-led platform Inquilab Moncho, died amid clashes that quickly spiralled into wider violence. Several media organisations were targeted during the unrest, with protesters setting fire to offices and vehicles, prompting condemnation from journalists’ groups and civil society leaders. The turmoil comes as the nation prepares for parliamentary elections slated for…

18 Dec

Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Five Judges for Chief Justice Posts Across High Courts

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice appointments, High Court judges elevation, Supreme Court Collegium

New Delhi, December 18, 2025: The Supreme Court collegium on Thursday recommended the elevation of five judges as Chief Justices of different High Courts across the country, according to sources familiar with the decision.The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, took the decision during a meeting held earlier in the day. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Centre for further action.Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta of the Allahabad High Court has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on January 9.Justice Revati P.…

18 Dec

Legendary Sculptor Ram Sutar, Creator of Statue of Unity, Passes Away at 100

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndian sculptor Ram Sutar, Padma Bhushan awardee, Ram Sutar death, Statue of Unity sculptor

New Delhi, December 18, 2025: Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, the visionary artist behind the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, passed away late Wednesday night at his residence in Noida. He was 100 and had been battling age-related health issues, his family confirmed.Announcing the veteran sculptor’s demise, his son Anil Sutar said Ram Sutar breathed his last around midnight on December 17. Expressing grief in a statement issued on Thursday, the family said the country had lost one of its greatest artistic minds.Born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Sutar grew…

18 Dec

Oman Honours PM Modi With Highest Civilian Award, Marking 70 Years of Diplomatic Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-Oman relations, Narendra Modi international honours, Oman national honour, Order of Oman, PM Modi

Muscat, December 18, 2025: Oman on Thursday conferred its highest national honour, the First Class of the Order of Oman, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.The prestigious decoration has earlier been awarded to eminent global figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, former Japanese Emperor Akihito, Nelson Mandela and King Abdullah II of Jordan, underscoring its international significance.With this recognition, Prime Minister Modi has now received 29 international honours. The award follows closely on the heels of Ethiopia conferring its highest civilian distinction, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia,…

18 Dec

Federal Investment Vital to Protect B.C. Trade Corridors, Says Premier David Eby

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia, David Eby, federal infrastructure funding, Highway 1

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby has stressed that sustained federal investment in provincial transportation infrastructure is critical to preventing long-term disruptions to cross-Canada trade and maintaining business confidence in the province.Eby said he raised concerns over “trade-enabling infrastructure” during a meeting with the federal government’s major projects office, pointing specifically to Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and the Massey Tunnel, both of which are crucial for commuters and freight movement to coastal ports. His remarks come days after severe flooding forced the closure of sections of Highway 1, exposing vulnerabilities in one of the country’s most…

18 Dec

Powerful Winter Storm Triggers Massive Multi-Vehicle Pileup on QE2 Near Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): A powerful winter storm and sudden blizzard conditions turned a stretch of Highway QE2 between Airdrie and Calgary into a scene of devastation, as a massive chain-reaction collision involving an estimated 80 to 100 vehicles left motorists fighting for their lives. The intense snow blizzard brought near-zero visibility, fierce winds, and ice-covered pavement, creating extremely dangerous driving conditions. Many drivers reported being unable to see more than a few metres ahead before traffic abruptly came to a halt. Vehicles began sliding uncontrollably, crashing into one another in rapid succession, leaving people trapped inside crushed cars and…

18 Dec

Air India Express Jet Makes Precautionary Touchdown in Kochi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAir India Express

Kochi (Rajeev Sharma): An Air India Express flight en route from Saudi Arabia to Kerala was forced to change course on Thursday after a mechanical concern was reported during the final phase of the journey. The aircraft, which had departed Jeddah for Kozhikode with about 160 passengers on board, was redirected to Kochi as a safety measure. Officials at Cochin International Airport confirmed that the diversion was prompted by a suspected malfunction involving the aircraft’s landing gear. Anticipating the arrival, airport authorities activated emergency response systems and positioned fire and medical teams along the runway. The aircraft landed without incident…

18 Dec

Older Vehicles Stopped at Delhi Borders as Pollution Curbs Intensify

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Delhi’s entry points saw heightened enforcement on Thursday morning as dense smog blanketed the region and air quality slipped to dangerous levels. At the DND Flyway near the Chilla border, visibility dropped sharply, with pollution readings touching the upper end of the “hazardous” scale. In response, authorities activated strict checks under the highest stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Teams from the Delhi Transport Department and Traffic Police were deployed along border crossings to screen vehicles entering the capital. Officials said privately owned and commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI…