Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

23 Aug

Alberta to Charge $100 for COVID-19 Shots Outside Priority Groups

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta COVID-19 vaccine fee, Alberta health-care workers, Danielle Smith, Naheed Nenshi

Edmonton — The Alberta government will require most residents to pay a $100 administration fee for the COVID-19 vaccine this fall, while expanding coverage for frontline health-care workers and vulnerable groups.The rollout begins October 1 for high-priority groups, including health-care workers, home care clients, residents of seniors’ and continuing care homes, people experiencing homelessness, those 65 and older receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit, and individuals who are immunocompromised. Others will be eligible starting October 20, but must cover the fee unless they fall within the exempt categories. Appointments will remain available until supplies run out or the respiratory virus season…

23 Aug

CM Dhami Reviews Chamoli Cloudburst Damage, Army Joins Relief Operations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChamoli disaster, Pushkar Singh Dhami, SDRF rescue, Tharali cloudburst, Uttarakhand cloudburst

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday spoke to public representatives of Chamoli district to take stock of the situation after a cloudburst hit Tharali late Friday night.According to an official statement, the Chief Minister expressed grief over the incident and urged local leaders to extend full cooperation to the district administration in relief and rescue work. He also directed the local MLA to remain on-site and personally monitor the response efforts.The cloudburst triggered an immediate mobilization of the district administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and police teams, who reached the affected area to begin operations.Confirming the…

23 Aug

India Post Suspends U.S.-Bound Shipments From August 25 Amid Tariff Changes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World Newscustoms tariff, Executive Order 14324, India Post, Ministry of Communications, U.S. postal suspension

New Delhi, August 23, 2025: The Department of Posts has announced a temporary halt on booking postal articles to the United States starting August 25, 2025, citing recent changes in American customs regulations. Only letters, documents, and gift parcels valued up to USD 100 will continue to be accepted until further notice. The Ministry of Communications said the move follows Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration on July 30, 2025. The order withdraws the duty-free exemption for goods valued up to USD 800, effective August 29, bringing all postal consignments under the International Emergency Economic Power Act…

23 Aug

CBI Files Bank Fraud Case Against Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaAnil Ambani, bank fraud case, CBI, NCLT, Reliance Communications, SBI fraud

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a case against Reliance Communications (RCom) and its promoter-director Anil Ambani over an alleged bank fraud that caused losses of over Rs 2,000 crore to the State Bank of India (SBI).Officials confirmed that searches are underway at Ambani’s residence as well as premises linked to RCom. The case stems from a complaint filed by SBI, which classified the company’s account and its promoter as “fraud” in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) directions on fraud risk management.According to the complaint, SBI’s total exposure includes a fund-based principal outstanding…

23 Aug

Under-construction bridge collapse in Qinghai leaves 12 dead, 4 missing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld News12 workers dead, China construction mishap, Qinghai bridge collapse, Yellow River accident

Qinghai, China, August 23, 2025: At least 12 workers were killed and four others reported missing after a railway bridge under construction collapsed over the Yellow River in Qinghai province early Friday, state media confirmed.The collapse occurred around 3 am during a tensioning operation when a steel cable snapped, bringing down a large section of the structure. Aerial images released by Xinhua showed part of the bridge’s aquamarine arch missing and a twisted section of the deck hanging into the river.Sixteen workers were on the bridge when the incident took place. Search operations are underway with boats, a helicopter, and…

23 Aug

Five Killed, Several Injured After Bus Overturns Near Niagara Falls

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Trending, World NewsNiagara Falls

Niagara Falls, USA (Rajeev Sharma): A sightseeing trip turned tragic when a bus carrying 54 passengers overturned near Niagara Falls, leaving five people dead and several others injured. The vehicle, which was on its way back to New York City, skidded off the road under unclear circumstances. Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene, providing medical aid before transferring the injured to local hospitals. Authorities said many passengers are still undergoing treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition. Those on board included international travelers, with tourists from India and China among the passengers. Police have launched an inquiry…

23 Aug

Trump Picks Sergio Gor as Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCanada, Donald Trump

Washington: President Donald Trump announced that Sergio Gor has been nominated as the United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia. Gor, who currently heads the Office of Presidential Personnel, has overseen the recruitment of thousands of appointees across federal departments. Trump noted that under his leadership, staffing levels in government agencies have reached over 95 percent. Gor will continue in his current White House role until the confirmation process is completed. Describing Gor as a close confidant, Trump recalled his involvement in multiple aspects of his political career — from managing campaign operations to…

23 Aug

Alleged Dispute Between Two Actors on The Kapil Sharma Show Set, Organizers Intervene to Restore Order

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, India, TrendingKapil Sharma, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek

Mumbai (Vinod Tiwari): A verbal altercation reportedly occurred on the set of popular comedy program The Kapil Sharma Show, involving actors Kiku Sharda and Krushna Abhishek. The situation allegedly escalated from a verbal disagreement, prompting crew members and organizers to intervene. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the production staff had to intervene to separate the two individuals and restore order. Following a brief disruption, filming resumed, with Kapil Sharma alleviating the tension through his signature humor. Although the precise cause of the dispute remains unclear, industry speculation suggests that the disagreement may have pertained to dialogue delivery and screen time. Despite…

22 Aug

Dhami Orders Urgent Measures to Drain Debris-Formed Lake in Uttarkashi’s Syanachatti

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPushkar Singh Dhami, Syanachatti debris, Uttarkashi lake

Dehradun, August 22, 2025: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to take immediate steps for the safe drainage of water from a lake formed due to debris accumulation in the Syanachatti area of Uttarkashi district.According to an official release, Dhami instructed Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to coordinate with the district administration and ensure channelisation of water to prevent any risk to nearby residents. He also ordered uninterrupted supply of food, cooking gas, medicines, fuel, and other essentials for the affected families and those shifted to safer locations.The Disaster Management Secretary informed that efforts…

22 Aug

Canada to Eliminate Tariffs on U.S. CUSMA Goods by September 1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaaluminum, autos, Canada-U.S. trade, CUSMA, Donald Trump, Mark Carney, steel, Tariffs

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) : Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that Canada will scrap all tariffs on goods from the United States covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) by September 1.Carney clarified that tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos will remain in place as the Liberal government continues negotiations with Washington to define a new trading framework. Despite the ongoing trade war, he noted that 85 per cent of bilateral trade with the U.S. remains tariff-free, calling it a crucial advantage for Canadian industries and workers.“As we work to address outstanding trade issues with the U.S., it is important we…