Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

17 Jul

Nenshi’s Calgary Comeback: Alberta NDP Leader to Contest Calgary Seat in 2027 Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta election, Alberta NDP, Calgary, Edmonton-Strathcona, Naheed Nenshi

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has announced that he will seek election from a Calgary riding in the next provincial general election, choosing not to run again in his current constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona. Nenshi, who served as Calgary’s mayor for 11 years from 2010 to 2021, made the announcement through a message to constituents, saying he remains grateful to the people of Edmonton-Strathcona, where he won a 2025 byelection with a strong majority. The NDP leader said Calgary holds a special place in his political journey and argued that the party needs to strengthen its presence in…

17 Jul

India Tightens Maritime Safety Measures as Gulf Crisis Deepens; Shipping Firms Told to Suspend Crew Deployment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndia

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India has stepped up efforts to protect its merchant navy personnel amid the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf, issuing fresh operational guidelines for ships navigating one of the world's most sensitive maritime corridors. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters to adopt enhanced security protocols as regional tensions continue to rise. Under the latest advisory, ship masters have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance, monitor all official navigational and security advisories, and ensure that every safety measure prescribed under the…

17 Jul

Alberta Launches Regional Primary Care Bodies to Improve Healthcare Access Across Communities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a major overhaul of its primary healthcare system with the creation of seven regional primary care corridor health corporations aimed at improving access to family doctors and community-based medical services, particularly in rural areas. The newly established organizations will function under Primary Care Alberta and will be responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing primary healthcare services within their respective regions. The initiative is designed to ensure healthcare planning is tailored to local community needs while reducing the administrative workload on frontline medical professionals. Provincial officials said the move follows recommendations from the…

17 Jul

Canada Freezes Parent Sponsorship Route, Leaving Thousands of Punjabi Families in Limbo

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of Punjabi families hoping to reunite with their parents in Canada have received a significant setback after the Canadian government suspended fresh applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), closing one of the most popular pathways for permanent family reunification. The restriction came into effect on July 15, 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that it will no longer accept new "Interest to Sponsor" applications until further notice. Officials clarified that only applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed. The decision is expected to have a major impact on…

17 Jul

Monsoon Intensifies Over Himachal as IMD Forecasts Widespread Rain; Authorities Issue Landslide Advisory

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): The southwest monsoon has regained momentum across Himachal Pradesh, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting persistent rainfall over the coming days and cautioning residents about possible weather-related hazards. Several districts have been placed under a Yellow Alert as the state prepares for another spell of heavy showers. According to the IMD, light to moderate rainfall is expected across most parts of the hill state on July 17 and 18, while the intensity is likely to increase between July 19 and July 21, when isolated locations may witness heavy downpours. Among the districts under weather watch are…

17 Jul

NEET-UG 2026 Results Out: Punjab, Haryana Lead Merit List; Women Outperform Men in Qualifying Rate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryana, India, Punjab, TrendingNEET-UG 2026

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh/Balwinder Singh): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the results of NEET (UG) 2026, with candidates from Punjab and Haryana claiming the highest scores in one of India's largest entrance examinations for medical education. The examination witnessed nearly 20 lakh aspirants, of whom over 11.2 lakh have qualified for undergraduate medical and allied courses. Sharing the top position nationwide are Aryan Gupta from Punjab and Panshul Bansal from Haryana, both securing 715 marks out of 720. Their performance placed the two northern states at the forefront of this year's merit list. The NTA said the country's…

17 Jul

Culture Chats BC Unites Community Through Free Health & Mental Wellness Events

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCulture Chats BC

Surrey (Richa Walia): Demonstrating its commitment to community well being, Culture Chats BC Association organized two successful back-to-back free public events promoting mental health, healthy living, and preventive wellness. The volunteer led initiatives brought together healthcare professionals, community organizations, and residents to encourage meaningful conversations, practical learning, and stronger community partnerships. The first event, a Mental Health Forum, was held on June 28, 2026, at Surrey City Hall. The forum addressed growing mental health concerns, particularly within the South Asian community where cultural stigma often discourages open discussion. Speakers explored important topics including children’s and youth mental health, women’s mental…

16 Jul

Centre revises fuel export duties as global crude prices climb amid West Asia tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingDiesel, Petrol

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Amid a fresh spike in global crude oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia, the Central Government has announced a revision in windfall taxes on petroleum exports. While export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) have been increased significantly, the levy on petrol exports has been reduced. The revised rates will take effect from July 16. As per the latest notification, the export duty on diesel has been raised by ₹7 per litre, taking it from ₹8.5 per litre to ₹15.5 per litre. A similar increase has been made for aviation turbine…

16 Jul

Environment Ministers Push Faster Project Approvals While Reaffirming Commitment to Environmental Protection

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Environment ministers from the federal, provincial and territorial governments gathered in Calgary for the annual Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) meeting, where discussions centred on balancing environmental protection with economic growth by streamlining regulatory processes and accelerating project approvals. The meeting focused on improving environmental permitting systems without compromising standards designed to safeguard air, water, land and public health. Ministers explored ways to reduce unnecessary regulatory overlap, make approval processes more predictable and encourage investment that supports employment and long-term economic development. Alberta's Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Grant Hunter, who hosted…

16 Jul

Mining Firm Ordered to Pay $360,000 After Worker Dies in Alberta Mine Accident

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Warburg, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): An Alberta-based mining company has been directed to pay $360,000 following a fatal workplace accident at one of its operations, after admitting it failed to meet its legal responsibility to protect the safety of an employee. Prairie Mines & Royalty ULC pleaded guilty in the Leduc Court of Justice to a charge under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The conviction relates to a workplace incident that claimed the life of a worker at a mine near Warburg in November 2023. Prosecutors withdrew 11 additional charges as part of the court proceedings. According to officials,…