Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

22 Jul

Renowned Sufi Singer Sagar Bhatia to Headline Grand Qawwali Night in Coquitlam on August 9

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada

Coquitlam, B.C. (Richa Walia): Mason Entertainment, in collaboration with the local Indo-Canadian community, is set to present a spectacular Qawwali Night on August 9 at the Great Canadian Casino, Coquitlam. The event has generated considerable excitement among music enthusiasts across British Columbia, with organizers anticipating a capacity audience for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of Sufi music and cultural celebration. Addressing to media, event organizers Akash, Pranav, Jatinder Sodhi, Mukul, and Bhanu announced that acclaimed Bollywood playback singer and celebrated Sufi artist Sagar Bhatia will be travelling from New Delhi, India, to headline the event. Widely recognized for…

22 Jul

Nuclear Threat Looms as US Pounds Iran for 11th Consecutive Night; War Cost Crosses Rs 3.2 Lakh Crore

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Washington/Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified further after American forces launched another series of coordinated air and missile strikes on multiple Iranian locations early Wednesday, extending their military campaign into an 11th straight night. Alongside the fresh offensive, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could soon target one of Iran's suspected underground nuclear facilities, raising fears of a dangerous new phase in the conflict. Iranian authorities reported that the latest attacks struck the cities of Chabahar, Konarak, Tabriz, Behbahan and Omidiyeh, with several military-related sites believed to have been hit. The overnight operation…

22 Jul

Rahul Gandhi’s Surprise PM Residence Protest Sparks Debate Over Congress Strategy Amid Student Unrest

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingRahul Gandhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s unexpected demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence has added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The move has also fuelled speculation over whether the Congress is attempting to emerge as the principal political face of the student agitation, which has largely been driven by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). On July 21, Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several senior party leaders marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence and staged a sit-in demanding accountability over the police action…

22 Jul

Monsoon Continues to Lash Himachal; Schools Closed in Parts of Kullu as Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Heavy monsoon showers continued to impact several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, disrupting normal life and prompting the administration to shut schools in vulnerable areas of Kullu district. Continuous rainfall since late Monday night has triggered landslides at multiple locations, affecting road connectivity and raising safety concerns. As a precaution, the Kullu district administration announced the closure of all educational institutions in the Ani, Banjar and Nirmand subdivisions for July 22. Officials said the decision was taken after heavy rainfall increased the possibility of landslides and road blockages in these hilly regions. The India Meteorological Department…

22 Jul

Canada’s Premiers Gather in Prince Edward Island Amid Trade Concerns and Economic Challenges

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Charlottetown (Rajeev Sharma): Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz has welcomed Canada's provincial and territorial leaders to Charlottetown for the 2026 Council of the Federation (COF) Summer Meeting, saying the gathering comes at a crucial time as the country faces fresh economic uncertainty and rising concerns over affordability. In a statement issued ahead of the meeting, Lantz said the recent announcement of new tariffs by the United States underscores the need for provincial and federal governments to work closely together to protect Canadian businesses, workers and the broader economy. Serving as Chair of this year's Council of the Federation, Lantz…

22 Jul

Chandigarh Reviews Progress of Digital Land Projects to Strengthen Property Governance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingChandigarh

Chandigarh (Naval Kishore): The Chandigarh Administration has stepped up efforts to modernise land administration, with Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad reviewing the progress of the ambitious Landstack Project and the NAKSHA Pilot Programme during a high-level meeting held on Monday. The review meeting brought together senior officials, including Home Secretary Mandip Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, representatives of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), and officers from various departments associated with the projects. During the meeting, officials presented updates on the digitisation of land records, GIS-based mapping of land parcels, verification…

22 Jul

Alberta Expands Alcohol Trade Deal With Eight Provinces, Pushes for Nationwide Market Access

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, British Columbia, Canada, OntarioAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has broadened its efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers by signing a new direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement with eight Canadian provinces, a move the provincial government says will create fresh business opportunities for local liquor producers and offer consumers greater choice. In a joint statement issued on Monday, Premier Danielle Smith and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally announced that Alberta has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia. Under the arrangement, Alberta-based breweries, wineries, distilleries and other liquor manufacturers will…

22 Jul

New Ivor Strong Bridge Marks Major Progress in Deerfoot Trail Upgrade Project

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingDeerfoot

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta's ambitious Deerfoot Trail Improvements Project has achieved another key milestone with the completion of the new Ivor Strong Bridge, bringing the province one step closer to easing traffic congestion along one of Calgary's busiest roadways. Provincial officials announced that traffic will begin shifting onto the newly constructed bridge from July 27, allowing rehabilitation work to commence on the existing structure. The phased transition is designed to maintain traffic flow while long-term upgrades continue across the corridor. Once the project is fully completed, the new bridge will accommodate all southbound traffic, while the refurbished existing bridge will…

22 Jul

Langley City Voters to Decide Future of Major Community Facility Expansions in October Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingLangley City

LANGLEY ( Richa Walia): Langley City residents will have an opportunity to shape the future of two major community infrastructure projects during the upcoming Local Government Election on October 17, 2026, through a non-binding Community Opinion Vote. Along with their regular election ballot, eligible voters will receive a separate ballot asking whether they support continued planning for two proposed projects: the expansion of Timms Community Centre alongside the development of a new Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, and the expansion of Al Anderson Pool to provide year-round public access. City officials said the proposed projects represent significant long-term investments that…

21 Jul

“Our Treaty Rights Are Not Up for Referendum”: First Nations Draw a Red Line as Alberta Separation Debate Intensifies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s independence debate has entered a new and more contentious phase, with First Nations across the province issuing a strong warning that any move toward provincial separation cannot override or alter constitutionally protected Treaty and Indigenous rights. Indigenous leaders have made it clear that they have not consented to any proposal that could affect their treaties, emphasizing that no referendum or provincial legislation can change their nation-to-nation agreements with the Crown. The warning comes as Alberta prepares for a non-binding referendum on the province’s future relationship with Canada. While Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly stated that she…