Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

16 Aug

Alberta Announces $4.2M to Strengthen Mental Health Supports for First Nations Students

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government has committed $4.2 million to expand learning and mental health supports for First Nations students, aiming to address both academic and well-being needs in on-reserve schools. For the 2025–26 school year, 27 First Nations will receive funding under the Specialized Learning and Mental Health Supports for First Nations Grant, first opened for applications in May. The province says the grants are designed to give communities the flexibility to deliver programs that reflect local priorities, from academic interventions to culturally relevant mental health initiatives. Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides stressed the importance of the investment,…

16 Aug

Minister Rajan Sawhney Meets Treaty 8 First Nations Leadership, Commits to Stronger Partnership

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Rajan Sawhney

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s Minister of Indigenous Relations, Rajan Sawhney, met with Treaty 8 First Nations leadership today, marking what she described as a “significant step forward” in strengthening government-to-government relations. The meeting brought together Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, Deputy Grand Chief Ramona Horseman, and several other community leaders. Sawhney acknowledged the importance of such discussions, noting that while they can be challenging, they are essential for building trust and advancing meaningful progress. “We reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring First Nations voices are not only heard but also reflected in the decisions impacting their communities,” Sawhney said after the meeting.…

16 Aug

Commemoration of Indian Independence Day in Airdrie

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAirdrie, Canada, Independence day

Airdrie (Rajeev Sharma): The Indian Society of Airdrie commemorated Indian Independence Day on August 15, 2025, at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie. A temporary flagpole was erected for the occasion, and the Tiranga (Indian Flag) ceremony was conducted by Maulik Shah and his team, accompanied by the Indian National Anthem. A large number of attendees enjoyed patriotic songs and were emotionally moved. The management team of Calgary Marathi Association, led by President Swati and management team members, attended the event, shared greetings, and delivered a speech on Independence Day. Swati emphasized the significance of unity and mutual respect. The event…

15 Aug

The 7-Day Gut Reset for Longevity: Listening to the Whispers of Your Gut

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsLifestyle

National Times Bureau, Aug 15, 2025: In the pursuit of longevity, gut health plays a central role. A single week may sound too short to create lasting biological change, yet it is enough to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect with your body’s signals what some call the “whispers of your gut.” According to a Gut Health and Longevity Specialist, the path to a healthier gut is less about expensive supplements or trendy diets and more about awareness, balance, and simplicity.The common idea of achieving a “clean” gut is misleading. True gut health resembles a thriving rainforest—diverse, dynamic, and resilient. Instead of…

15 Aug

Lionel Messi to Begin ‘GOAT Tour of India 2025’ in Kolkata on December 12

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsGOAT Tour Kolkata, Lionel Messi India tour 2025

Kolkata, August 15, 2025 – Lionel Messi’s long-awaited visit to India has received final confirmation, with the Argentine icon set to begin his three-city “GOAT Tour of India 2025” in Kolkata on December 12, event promoter Satadru Dutta announced on Friday.Messi’s first stop will be Kolkata, followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, where the tour will conclude with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15. This will be Messi’s first trip to India since 2011, when he led Argentina in a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.Dutta, who secured the final authorisation earlier…

15 Aug

Alberta Minister Raises Concerns Over Federal Immigration Policy and Provincial Pressures

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, immigration policy, Joseph Schow, Mark Carney

Edmonton, August 15, 2025 – Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow, has voiced concerns about the federal government’s handling of immigration, saying provinces are bearing the brunt of population growth without sufficient input in national target-setting.In a statement released Friday, Schow said Canada is on pace to welcome more than one million new temporary and permanent immigrants in 2025, in addition to nearly three million temporary residents already in the country. He argued that federal immigration targets are often determined without fully considering the needs of provinces, which are responsible for services such as health care,…

15 Aug

PM Mark Carney Yet to Open Nepean Constituency Office, Security Requirements Delay Setup

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaConstituency Office, Mark Carney, Nepean riding, Ottawa politics

Ottawa, August 15, 2025 – More than 100 days after the spring election, Prime Minister Mark Carney has yet to establish a constituency office in his Nepean riding, with his office citing ongoing efforts to secure a location that meets safety standards.“The process to confirm an office that meets all security requirements and is conveniently located and accessible for constituents is well underway,” said Emily Williams, director of media relations for the Prime Minister’s Office, in an emailed statement.Until the Nepean office is finalized, residents can seek federal services through Defence Minister David McGuinty’s office in neighbouring Ottawa South. Carney’s…

15 Aug

India’s Russian Oil Imports Rise to 2 Million Barrels Per Day in August Despite US Tariff Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaBPCL, Donald Trump tariffs, India oil imports, IOC, Russian crude

New Delhi, August 15, 2025 – India’s crude imports from Russia have climbed to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, accounting for nearly 38 per cent of total inflows, even as geopolitical pressure and trade friction with the United States intensify.Data from global energy analytics firm Kpler shows Russia retained its position as India’s top supplier in the first half of August. Shipments from Iraq fell to 730,000 bpd from 907,000 bpd in July, while imports from Saudi Arabia dropped to 526,000 bpd from 700,000 bpd. The United States ranked fifth, supplying 264,000 bpd.“Russian crude imports into India…

15 Aug

PM Modi Unveils Vision for Sports as Key to India’s Development in Independence Day Address

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsIndependence Day speech, Indian sports, National Sports Policy, PM Modi

New Delhi, August 15, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underlined sports as a vital pillar of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation, announcing that the new National Sports Policy (NSP) will drive growth from schools to the Olympics.Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi said India had moved beyond a time when sports was dismissed as a distraction. “Sports is an essential aspect of development… Parents once scoffed at children playing, now they take pride in it. This is a good omen for India’s future,” he said, as Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker…

15 Aug

Govt May Replace GST’s Four-Slab System With Two-Tier Tax Rates

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingGST

New Delhi: The Union government is weighing a significant overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax framework, with plans to eliminate the 12% and 28% tax brackets and move to a simpler two-slab system, government sources revealed on Friday. Under the proposed structure, GST would be charged at either 5% or 18% on most goods and services. The 28% slab could remain only for a narrow category of luxury or sin goods, while the 12% rate would be merged into the 18% bracket. The move is aimed at simplifying tax compliance, reducing classification disputes, and bringing greater transparency to the…