Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

24 Nov

Alberta Explores Using AI to Draft ‘Alberta Whisky Act’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAI legislation, Alberta Whisky Act, artificial intelligence, Dale Nally, Nate Glubish

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government is planning to experiment with artificial intelligence to help draft a new law defining “Alberta whisky,” officials confirmed. The initiative would make Alberta one of the first jurisdictions to incorporate AI in the legislative process.The proposed Alberta Whisky Act aims to establish clear standards for what qualifies as Alberta whisky, covering aspects from grain selection to distillation techniques. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally emphasized that the pilot project is low-risk and manageable. “If an error occurs, it can be corrected,” he said, highlighting that human oversight will remain central to the process.Technology Minister Nate…

24 Nov

Indian National Convicted for Harassing Teen Girls in Canada, Faces Deportation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India, Ontariocriminal harassment, Jagjit Singh, Sarnia high school, teen harassment

Sarnia, Canada (Rajeev Sharma): Jagjit Singh, a 51-year-old Indian visiting Canada on a six-month visa to see his newborn grandchild, has been found guilty of criminal harassment for targeting two teenage girls outside a high school in Sarnia, Ontario. Following the conviction, he has been ordered to leave the country and is permanently banned from returning.Court records show that between September 8 and 11, Singh repeatedly approached students in the school’s smoking area, attempting to take photos and discussing drugs and alcohol, despite not speaking English. One of the victims recalled agreeing to a photograph, only for Singh to invade…

24 Nov

Al Falah University Students Demand Rebranding Amid Red Fort Blast Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAl Falah University, Red Fort blast, student protest, university rebranding

Faridabad, November 24, 2025: Students at Al Falah University have called for a rebranding of their institution following the arrests of several doctors teaching at the university for allegedly orchestrating the Red Fort blast. On Sunday, students gathered on campus to voice their concerns, a day after anxious parents met university authorities seeking clarity.The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has already issued a show-cause notice to Al Falah University, placing its accreditation under scrutiny. Despite this, students say they have received no further guidance and fear their academic and professional futures are at risk.With the university continuing its operations,…

24 Nov

Justice Surya Kant Takes Charge as CJI, Outlines Priorities for Supreme Court

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacase backlog, Chief Justice of India, CJI, Judicial Appointments, Justice Surya Kant, Supreme Court

New Delhi, November 24, 2025: Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, was on Monday sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath in Hindi during a brief ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 10 am.Justice Kant succeeds Justice BR Gavai, who retired on November 23 after serving just over six months. Justice Gavai had recommended Justice Kant as his successor on October 27, and the President appointed him on October 30. Elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will hold the position of CJI for…

23 Nov

Canadian MPs Propose Declaring 2025 as “Year of Compassion” to Honor Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian MPs, Dalai Lama 90th birthday, Year of Compassion 2025

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma): In a special session on November 17, 2025, three Canadian Members of Parliament—Karim Bardeesy, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, and James Maloney—called for 2025 to be officially recognized as the “Year of Compassion” in honour of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. The MPs delivered powerful speeches in the House of Commons, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to Tibetan rights and the Dalai Lama’s long-standing message of peace, non-violence, and interfaith harmony. During the session, more than 60 Tibetan delegates from regions including Toronto, Alberta, Belleville, and Ottawa gathered at Parliament Hill. The delegates, along with MPs, urged…

23 Nov

Lakshya Sen Ends Title Drought, Wins Australian Open Super 500

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsAustralian Open Super 500, badminton title drought ends, Lakshya Sen

Mumbai, November 23, 2025 — India’s Lakshya Sen clinched his first title of the season by convincingly defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka 21-15 21-11 in 38 minutes to win the Australian Open Super 500.The 24-year-old hailing from Almora, who had a difficult stretch following his fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, showcased sharp control and crisp execution to dominate the match. This win marks his first major title since his Super 300 victory at the Syed Modi International in 2024.Facing world No. 26 Tanaka, Lakshya delivered a performance full of authority, making minimal errors and dictating play from the start. His…

23 Nov

Alberta nurses reach last-minute tentative deal to avoid strike

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Strike, Tentative Deal

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): A province-wide strike by Alberta’s licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and health-care aides was narrowly averted after the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) and Alberta Health Services reached a tentative agreement just prior to the commencement of job action on November 22, 2025. The agreement was reached merely days after AUPE formally served strike notice on November 19, following the collapse of mediation talks. The dispute had intensified in early November when over 11,000 AUPE members voted overwhelmingly, with a 98% majority, in favour of authorizing a strike. The union argued that wages, staffing shortages, safety concerns,…

22 Nov

Bhakthi Maha Utsav Season 4 Set to Illuminate Surrey as Canada’s Largest Divine Music and Dance Celebration, Honouring Hindu Heritage Month

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBhakthi Maha Utsav, Season 4, Surrey

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): Devotees and art enthusiasts across Canada are preparing for a spiritually enriching evening as Bhakthi Maha Utsav (Bhakthi Thiruvizha – Season 4) returns with even greater splendour, celebrating Hindu Heritage Month alongside its signature display of devotion and culture. Recognized as Canada’s largest divine music and dance celebration, the festival will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the renowned Bell Performing Arts Centre, 6250 144 St., Surrey, BC V3X 1A2.The event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with doors opening at 4:00 p.m. Attendees can look forward to an evening filled with soulful devotional…

22 Nov

Modi Announces Australia-Canada-India Tech Alliance, Calls for Global Rethink on Development Goals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsACITI Partnership, Australia Canada India, G20 summit, Narendra Modi, technology collaboration

Johannesburg, November 22 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a major trilateral technology partnership involving India, Australia and Canada, aimed at boosting cooperation in emerging technologies, clean energy and artificial intelligence.The new framework, titled the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, was announced after Modi’s meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.Modi shared details of the initiative on X, describing it as a collaboration that will unite democratic partners across three continents and strengthen supply-chain diversification while accelerating innovation in critical technologies. He said the…

22 Nov

Modi Urges Global Shift in Development Goals, Proposes New G20 Initiatives on Drug-Terror Nexus and Health Response

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiadrug-terror nexus, G20 summit, Narendra Modi, traditional knowledge repository

New Delhi/Brasília, November 23, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a significant overhaul of global development standards and urged G20 members to adopt a more inclusive and sustainable model of growth. Speaking at the opening session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, he also proposed new international initiatives aimed at tackling the drug-terror nexus, strengthening global health preparedness and preserving traditional knowledge systems.Modi stressed that the world must “revisit development parameters” and prioritise progress that benefits all sections of society. He said India’s civilisational philosophy, particularly the concept of Integral Humanism, offers a guiding framework for equitable…