Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

25 Dec

Alberta Plans ‘Naughty List’ to Protect High Level Bridge from Truck Collisions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Edmonton’s iconic High Level Bridge continues to face challenges from oversized trucks, prompting Alberta’s government to explore new measures to prevent collisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen revealed plans for stricter policies, including a “naughty list” for truckers, aimed at reducing incidents near the 112-year-old landmark. The double-decker steel bridge, which spans over 750 metres across the North Saskatchewan River, has seen five direct hits and ten near-misses by large trucks this year alone. Despite bright warning signs indicating the bridge’s limited clearance—10.6 metres on the lower deck—truck drivers frequently attempt to cross, causing traffic congestion and damage.…

25 Dec

Winter Storm Set to Disrupt Holiday Travel Across Southern Ontario

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingOntario

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): A major winter storm is expected to sweep across southern Ontario later this week, raising concerns about travel disruptions during the holiday season, Environment Canada warned. Friday, which coincides with Boxing Day, is projected to see the most significant impact. The storm, driven by a low-pressure system, is forecast to bring a mix of wintry precipitation, including snow, freezing rain, and ice pellets, depending on the location. Southwestern Ontario, particularly around Hamilton and Niagara, may experience freezing rain beginning early Friday morning and continuing through the evening. Officials predict ice accumulation of 5 to 10 millimeters in…

25 Dec

California Activates Emergency Response as Holiday Storm Brings Flooding Threat

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalfornia

California (Rajeev Sharma): California has moved into emergency mode after a powerful storm swept through Los Angeles and much of Southern California, prompting officials to warn of worsening conditions over the next several days. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency as heavy rainfall led to rising river levels and growing concerns about landslides. The storm system, fueled by the moisture-rich weather pattern known as the “Pineapple Express,” has drenched urban areas and foothill communities alike. Authorities say saturated ground and fast-moving water have increased the risk of mudslides, particularly in regions previously affected by wildfires. Emergency crews are…

25 Dec

Deadly Explosion During Prayers Shakes Nigeria’s Maiduguri

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsMaiduguri

Maiduguri (Rajeev Sharma): A bomb blast inside a mosque in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri left five people dead and at least 35 others wounded on Wednesday night, according to local police authorities. The explosion occurred while worshippers were gathered for evening prayers, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood. The Borno State Police Command said initial evidence suggests the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber. Police spokesperson Nahum Daso stated that investigators recovered remnants believed to be part of an explosive vest, alongside testimonies from people who witnessed the incident. He added that security forces have cordoned off the…

24 Dec

CAQM Revokes GRAP Stage-IV Curbs in Delhi-NCR as Air Quality Improves

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAQI improvement, CAQM, Delhi pollution, Delhi-NCR air quality, GRAP Stage-IV revoked

New Delhi, December 24, 2025: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked the stringent restrictions imposed under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after a noticeable improvement in air quality, officials said. The curbs had been enforced on December 13 after Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) sharply deteriorated and crossed the 450 mark, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. However, a review by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP found that air quality improved significantly from Tuesday night due to favourable meteorological conditions, including higher wind speeds. According to officials, Delhi’s average AQI…

24 Dec

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Creates History With Explosive 190 in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBihar cricket, fastest century, List A records, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vijay Hazare Trophy

Patna, December 24, 2025: Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a sensational display of power-hitting on Wednesday, smashing a breathtaking 190 off just 84 balls for Bihar in their Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh.The 14-year-old opener dominated the contest from the very start, racing to his century in only 36 deliveries. His blistering innings was studded with 15 towering sixes and 16 boundaries, leaving the opposition bowlers with no answers and turning the match into a one-sided affair on the opening day of the 50-over domestic tournament.Suryavanshi’s century is now the second-fastest by an Indian in List…

24 Dec

Bombay High Court Stays Banks’ Move to Declare Anil Ambani, Reliance Communications as ‘Fraud’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAnil Ambani, Bombay High Court, fraud declaration, Reliance Communications

Mumbai, December 24, 2025: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday stayed all present and future actions by three public sector banks seeking to declare the accounts of industrialist Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications Ltd as “fraud,” holding that the process violated mandatory norms laid down by the Reserve Bank of India. Justice Milind Jadhav ruled that the lenders had relied on a forensic audit report prepared by external auditor BDO LLP, which could not be acted upon as it was not signed by a duly qualified chartered accountant, a requirement under the RBI’s 2024 Master Directions on fraud. The court…

24 Dec

Cabinet Clears Phase-IV A of Delhi Metro, 13 New Stations to Boost Capital’s Urban Mobility

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDelhi Metro expansion, Delhi Metro Phase-IV A, Union Cabinet approval, urban mobility

New Delhi, December 24, 2025: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Phase-IV A of the Delhi Metro Rail Project, marking a significant expansion of the capital’s mass rapid transit network and giving a fresh push to sustainable urban mobility in the National Capital Region. The approved phase will add nearly 16 kilometres to the Delhi Metro network over the next three years, with the construction of 13 new stations. Of these, 10 stations will be underground while three will be elevated. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹12,015 crore. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, announcing the decision, said…

24 Dec

Alberta Independence Referendum Question Clears Key Approval Hurdle

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlbertaAlberta independence, Alberta leaving Canada, Alberta Prosperity Project, Alberta referendum

Edmonton, December 24, 2025: A proposed referendum on Alberta leaving Canada has moved a step closer to appearing on a ballot after receiving approval from the provincial election agency on Monday.The approved question asks voters: “Do you agree that the province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?” The campaign is being spearheaded by the Alberta Prosperity Project, which must now appoint a chief financial officer by early next month before it can begin formally collecting signatures. To trigger a referendum, the group needs just under 178,000 valid signatures.Alberta Prosperity Project chief…

24 Dec

B.C. Conservatives Look to Stabilise After Leadership Turmoil as Interim Chief Trevor Halford Takes Charge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish ColumbiaB.C. legislature, British Columbia Conservatives, John Rustad, Trevor Halford

VICTORIA, December 24, 2025— The British Columbia Conservative Party is attempting to steady itself after an unprecedented leadership crisis that briefly left it with two leaders inside the legislature, a moment that underscored deep internal divisions within the opposition.Trevor Halford entered the B.C. legislature on December 3 as interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. following his appointment by the party board. Hours earlier, 20 Conservative MLAs had publicly declared they had lost confidence in party leader John Rustad, citing prolonged internal disputes that had hurt fundraising and eroded the party’s credibility.The party board subsequently stated that Rustad had…