Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

03 Dec

UCP Delegates Reject Key Parts of Smith‑Carney Pipeline Deal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Canada

Edmonton ( Rajeev Sharma): Delegates at the United Conservative Party (UCP) convention in Edmonton have overwhelmingly rejected major aspects of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s recent agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The resolution opposes federal regulation of industrial carbon emissions in Alberta, arguing that nationwide policies do not reflect the province’s unique economy. The November 27 agreement had aimed to support a new pipeline to northwestern British Columbia, abandon the proposed oil-and-gas emissions cap, exempt Alberta from certain clean electricity rules, and negotiate an increased industrial carbon price. It also endorsed a northern Alberta carbon capture and storage project. Despite…

03 Dec

Early trends in Delhi MCD bypolls show BJP ahead, AAP and Congress notch first wins

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingDelhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The counting of votes for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections began with a strong start for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which swiftly captured two prominent wards—Shalimar Bagh B and Chandni Chowk—setting the tone for a closely watched electoral battle. Strong show by BJP in key wards In Shalimar Bagh B, a ward with significant political weight and previously represented by Mayor Rekha Gupta during her councillor tenure, the BJP secured a one-sided victory. Party nominee Anita Jain registered a lead of more than 10,000 votes, underscoring the party’s entrenched support in the constituency. The…

02 Dec

Alberta Set to Unveil Plan to Resist Ottawa’s Gun Buyback Program Today

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta gun buyback, Alberta Sovereignty Act, Danielle Smith

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma)— Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will release further details today on its proposed strategy to counter Ottawa’s gun buyback program. The announcement is expected at an afternoon news conference led by Justice Minister Mickey Amery.Smith told delegates at the United Conservative Party’s annual convention over the weekend that her government would introduce a motion to prevent provincial authorities from enforcing or prosecuting individuals under the federal gun rules. The move is set to be brought forward under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, a legislation that Smith says allows the province to push…

02 Dec

Central Government Reportedly Approves Major Renaming of Key Institutions: Raj Bhavans to Lok Bhavans, PMO Becomes Seva Teerth

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaGovernment renaming, Kartavya Bhavan, Lok Bhavan, Raj Bhavan, Seva Teerth

New Delhi, December 2, 2025 — According to a government announcement early Tuesday, several of India's important constitutional and administrative institutions are being renamed, reflecting a shift toward a more people-centric and service-oriented governance model.Under the plan, all Raj Bhavans, the official residences of state Governors, will now be called Lok Bhavans. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been renamed Seva Teerth, underscoring the government’s emphasis on service and public welfare. The Central Secretariat, long the nerve-centre of the government’s administrative apparatus, will now be known as Kartavya Bhavan, highlighting a renewed focus on duty, responsibility, and public service.According to…

02 Dec

Pakistan Faces Criticism for Sending Expired Relief Supplies to Flood-Hit Sri Lanka

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld Newsexpired relief supplies, flood aid controversy, humanitarian crisis, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Islamabad/Colombo, December 2, 2025: Pakistan is under fire after a shipment of relief material sent to Sri Lanka was found to contain expired food and medical items, sparking anger among citizens and humanitarian groups. The aid, meant for communities devastated by recent floods and cyclone-related damage, drew backlash when images of the packages revealed labels showing lapsed expiry dates.The consignment had been sent as a gesture of support during Sri Lanka’s ongoing crisis. However, the discovery of outdated supplies has turned the move into a diplomatic embarrassment, with many critics describing it as careless and disrespectful to victims struggling to…

02 Dec

DGCA Probes Air India for Operating A320-neo Without Valid Safety Certificate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaA320-neo, Air India, Airworthiness Review Certificate, DGCA

New Delhi, December 2, 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun a formal investigation after Air India disclosed that one of its A320-neo aircraft operated eight flights despite an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate. The airline informed the regulator on November 26 that the plane flew several commercial routes on November 24 and 25 without the mandatory safety clearance.An ARC must be renewed every year after a detailed examination of maintenance records and physical inspections. Operating an aircraft without this approval is considered a serious violation of aviation safety rules. The DGCA has grounded the aircraft and taken the…

02 Dec

Sanchar Saathi Row Deepens as Government Defends Move, Critics Warn of Privacy Intrusion

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Technology, TrendingSanchar Saathi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The dispute surrounding the Centre’s decision to have the Sanchar Saathi application pre-loaded on new smartphones sold in India showed no signs of easing, even after Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attempted to reassure users that they will not be compelled to keep or use the app. Addressing the media, Scindia maintained that the directive issued to device manufacturers had been misunderstood. He stressed that the app poses no threat to personal data and can be removed by users if they prefer not to engage with it.“Just like other pre-bundled apps, you may retain it or delete…

02 Dec

India–Canada Diplomacy Gains Momentum as High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik Meets Stakeholders in Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancuover

VANCOUVER ( Rajeev Sharma): India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, joined the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) on Thursday for a closed-door roundtable focused on the ongoing diplomatic reset between Canada and India. Hosted at APF Canada’s Vancouver office, the discussion brought together senior policy experts to examine opportunities and challenges emerging from renewed bilateral engagement. The dialogue comes shortly after Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Indira Anand’s visit to New Delhi, during which both countries issued a joint statement outlining a path forward in rebuilding trust and cooperation. Participants also reflected on next steps for trade and…

01 Dec

Experts Warn Alberta’s Shift Toward Private Practice Could Undermine Public Health System

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta, Public Health System

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) : Alberta’s plan to allow doctors to work in both the public system and private clinics is drawing mixed reactions, with supporters calling it a strategy to reduce wait times and critics warning it could undermine the province’s public health-care foundation.The proposal part of the government’s effort to modernize health-care delivery would permit physicians to bill privately for some elective procedures while still treating patients within the public system. Government officials argue the change will increase flexibility, expand surgical capacity, and help attract more doctors to Alberta. However, health-care analysts caution that a dual practice model could…

01 Dec

IMD Predicts Colder-Than-Usual Winter for Large Parts of India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiabelow-normal, cold wave India, IMD winter forecast, La Niña, polar vortex

New Delhi, December 1, 2025: Large parts of central, northwest and northeast India are likely to face a colder-than-normal winter, with higher cold wave days expected between December and February, according to a new forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials said the polar vortex will drive temperatures further down, increasing the intensity of cold conditions across these regions.Spatial maps released by the IMD show parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat heading for below-normal temperatures. The department said these regions could witness one to four or more cold wave days above the usual average. Typically, northwest India records…