Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Dec

Flood Threat Persists Across Parts of B.C. as Communities Remain on High Alert

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): While floodwaters have begun to ease in some areas of Abbotsford, authorities say the danger is far from over for many communities in British Columbia, with more rain expected to fall on already waterlogged ground in the coming days. City officials in Abbotsford confirmed on Saturday that conditions have improved in certain neighbourhoods. However, water continues to flow north from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which breached its banks earlier in the week, keeping pressure on low-lying areas of the Fraser Valley. Major transportation routes remain severely disrupted. The Trans-Canada Highway is still closed through…

14 Dec

Ontario Unveils $500 Million Program to Expand In-Province Critical Minerals Processing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario has formally rolled out a $500 million initiative aimed at strengthening the province’s critical minerals processing sector, marking a major step toward building a fully domestic supply chain. The Critical Minerals Processing Fund was officially launched Friday at Science North in Greater Sudbury, following its introduction in the 2025 provincial budget. Senior cabinet ministers joined Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre at the event, highlighting the strategic importance of keeping mineral processing and value-added manufacturing within Ontario rather than exporting raw materials for refinement elsewhere. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the new fund signals a…

14 Dec

Two Men Shot Dead in Southeast Edmonton; Police Investigate Targeted Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingEdmonton

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Edmonton police are investigating the deaths of two men in their 20s who were fatally shot in southeast Edmonton early Friday morning. The victims have been identified as 27-year-old Gurdeep Singh of Barah, Punjab, and 18-year-old Ranveer Singh of Uddat Saidewala, Punjab. Both had come to Canada as students. Officers responded to reports of gunfire near 32 Street and 26 Avenue in the Silver Berry neighbourhood at approximately 1:43 a.m. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has taken the lead in the investigation. Autopsies are…

14 Dec

Devotional Upliftment Through Kirtan: Two-Day Special Classes by HH Bhakti Marga Swami at ISKCON

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Radha Madhav Society at ISKCON is delighted to announce a special spiritual program featuring HH Bhakti Marga Swami, who will conduct an inspiring two-day session focusing on the proper mood, etiquette, and principles of performing kirtan. The initiative aims to enrich the devotional lives of participants by deepening their understanding of congregational chanting and encouraging a more sincere, disciplined spiritual practice. The sessions are scheduled to be held in the serene and divine atmosphere of ISKCON on December 14 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM and December 15 (Monday) at 6:00 PM. Members of the Radha Madhav Society, along…

13 Dec

ICC, JioStar Dismiss Exit Reports, Say India Broadcast Partnership Remains Intact

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacricket broadcast rights, ICC, ICC media rights India, JioStar, T20 World Cup

New Delhi, December 13, 2025: The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar on Saturday jointly rejected reports suggesting that the Indian broadcaster had withdrawn from its media rights agreement, asserting that their partnership remains fully intact and operational.In a clarification, the two organisations said the existing contract continues without any change, with JioStar retaining its position as the ICC’s authorised broadcast and media rights holder in India. The statement was issued in response to recent media reports that claimed the broadcaster was reconsidering the agreement amid alleged financial pressures.The ICC and JioStar emphasised that there has been no disruption to…

13 Dec

Messi Event Turns Chaotic in Kolkata, Prime Organiser Detained; Ticket Refunds Ordered

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLionel Messi Kolkata event, organiser detained, Salt Lake Stadium chaos, ticket refund ordered

Kolkata, December 13, 2025: The main organiser of Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s high-profile appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was detained on Sunday after the event descended into chaos, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said. He confirmed that the organiser has been instructed to refund ticket money to spectators who were left disappointed.What was projected as a historic football celebration at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan unraveled on Saturday as thousands of fans protested over poor visibility and alleged mismanagement. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing police to resort to a baton charge, while Chief Minister Mamata…

13 Dec

Abbotsford Declares State of Emergency as Atmospheric River Hits Southern B.C.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingAbbotsford

Abbotsford ( Richa Walia): Southern British Columbia is grappling with severe weather as an atmospheric river swept across the region on Wednesday, prompting Abbotsford officials to declare a state of local emergency. The extreme rainfall has forced authorities to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes as flooding, landslides, and other hazards threaten communities. The B.C. government has closed major highways between the Lower Mainland and the Interior due to rising waters, falling rocks, debris, and high avalanche risks in mountain areas. Travelers are urged to avoid non-essential trips and adhere to all official road closures. Rivers and streams in…

13 Dec

House Democrats Introduce Measure to Repeal High Import Duties on India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsUS

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): A group of US lawmakers has moved to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to sharply raise tariffs on goods imported from India, introducing a House resolution that would cancel the emergency order behind the levies. The proposal, led by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey and Raja Krishnamoorthi, targets trade duties that climbed to 50 per cent on a range of Indian products. The lawmakers argue that the action, taken under emergency powers, exceeds presidential authority and is hurting American businesses, workers and consumers. The resolution seeks to reverse an additional 25 per cent surcharge imposed in late…

13 Dec

Ontario Unveils $500M Program to Expand Critical Minerals Processing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

SUDBURY (Rajeev Sharma): The Ontario government has rolled out a new $500 million funding initiative aimed at expanding the province’s ability to process and refine critical minerals, a move officials say will help secure supply chains and create long-term economic benefits for Ontario workers. The Critical Minerals Processing Fund, first outlined in the 2025 provincial budget, is designed to support projects that boost processing capacity within Ontario. The goal is to ensure that minerals extracted in the province are also refined locally, rather than being shipped elsewhere for processing. The program will be administered through Invest Ontario, the government’s investment…

13 Dec

Junior Hockey Team Escapes Serious Harm After Bus Slides Off Alberta Highway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): A bus transporting a junior hockey team from Athabasca veered off a northern Alberta highway and ended up in a wooded ditch early Friday, leaving several passengers injured but sparing the group from any fatalities. According to the RCMP, the single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 2, south of Athabasca, during the early morning hours. Emergency crews arriving at the scene found multiple occupants of the bus hurt as a result of the incident. Two teenage players were taken to hospital for treatment, though their injuries were described as not life-threatening. Others on board also suffered minor injuries.…