Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

08 Jul

Over 9,900 Forgotten Indian Soldiers of WW-I Finally Recognised; Commonwealth War Graves Commission Updates Records

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Trending, World NewsCommonwealth War Graves

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma/Gurpreet Singh): More than a century after the First World War, nearly 10,000 Indian soldiers who had remained absent from official war records have finally been acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The move marks one of the largest revisions to the Commission's casualty database in decades and restores recognition to thousands of servicemen from undivided Punjab. The newly identified names emerged through the Punjab Registers Project, a collaborative initiative involving the CWGC, the UK Punjab Heritage Association and the University of Greenwich. Researchers examined historical military registers preserved at the Lahore Museum, which documented…

08 Jul

PMO reviews monsoon progress, asks ministries to stay prepared as rainfall deficit eases

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingMonsoon

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive review of the southwest monsoon and the country's preparedness to deal with possible weather-related disruptions, with officials reporting that the nationwide rainfall shortfall has narrowed considerably after improved showers during the first week of July. The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra, brought together senior officials from multiple ministries to assess the evolving monsoon situation and examine contingency measures in view of the anticipated impact of El Niño during the current season. During the review, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed the…

08 Jul

ASIRT probes two fatal police shootings in Alberta; separate investigations underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingASIRT

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta's independent police oversight agency is examining two unrelated fatal police shootings involving law enforcement officers in Edmonton and near Cold Lake, with both incidents currently under active investigation. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), acting on directions from the Police Review Commission, has launched Level 1 investigations into the incidents that occurred on June 25 and June 26. Such investigations are mandatory in cases involving deaths, serious injuries, or allegations of significant misconduct by police officers. The first incident unfolded in south Edmonton after police responded to reports of multiple vehicle collisions involving a black…

08 Jul

Lethbridge Home Ordered Closed After Year-Long Probe Into Alleged Drug Activity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Calgary, Lethbridge

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A residential property in north Lethbridge has been shut down by Alberta Sheriffs after authorities linked it to ongoing suspected drug-related activity, following a lengthy investigation triggered by complaints from local residents. The action was taken under the province’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) program, which secured a court order requiring the home at 1226 13 Avenue North to remain closed for 90 days beginning July 7. The closure is scheduled to remain in effect until October 5, while additional conditions imposed by the court will continue through October 2028. The investigation began in March 2025 after…

08 Jul

Foreign Crime Networks Face U.S. Crackdown as B.C. Communities Demand Stronger Action Against Extortion Gangs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A major law enforcement crackdown in the United States targeting alleged international organized crime networks has reignited concerns over the growing threat of extortion, intimidation and targeted violence affecting communities in British Columbia, especially in Surrey and the Lower Mainland. The latest action by U.S. authorities against individuals accused of involvement in transnational criminal activities has drawn strong reactions from B.C. opposition leaders, who say the move highlights the need for a more aggressive approach to organized crime investigations and prosecutions within the province. For years, South Asian communities and local business owners in parts of…

08 Jul

US Targets Iranian Military Assets Again After Strait of Hormuz Escalation; Tensions Threaten Fragile Ceasefire

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsStrait of Hormuz

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States carried out a fresh wave of military strikes on Iranian positions early Wednesday, saying the action was a direct response to recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation focused on military infrastructure allegedly linked to Iran’s capability to threaten international shipping. The targets included coastal defence systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile launch sites, command centres and dozens of fast attack boats believed to be operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian…

07 Jul

Alberta and Ontario Unite for Northern Shield Corridor, Europe in Sight

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a bold move that could reshape Canada’s energy map for decades, Alberta and Ontario have joined forces to advance the proposed Northern Shield Energy Corridor, a major pipeline initiative designed to move Alberta crude oil eastward to Ontario refineries and eventually open new export routes to Europe through Atlantic ports. Premier Danielle Smith described the corridor as a nation building project that would strengthen Canada’s energy independence, create thousands of jobs, and reduce the country’s reliance on the United States as the dominant gateway for Canadian oil exports. She said the project represents an opportunity for…

07 Jul

FOOTBALL’S NEW POWER STRUGGLE: SPAIN RISE AS RONALDO ERA ENDS IN WORLD CUP 2026 BATTLE

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, TrendingFIFA World Cup 2026, Ronaldo

Canada (Rajeev Sharma): The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered its decisive stage, with football’s biggest nations battling for a place in history. The knockout rounds have delivered dramatic finishes, emotional exits and surprising performances as the race for the trophy intensifies. Spain emerged as one of the biggest winners after defeating Portugal in a thrilling encounter. A late goal from Mikel Merino ended Portugal’s campaign and marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey, closing one of football’s greatest international careers. Spain’s combination of young talent, tactical discipline and possession-based football has made them one of the strongest…

07 Jul

Calgary Stampede Faces New Challenge: Attendance Drops as Rising Costs and Changing Visitor Habits Spark Debate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaCalgary, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Calgary Stampede, one of Canada’s most celebrated cultural events, has entered the spotlight this year as early attendance numbers show a decline compared with 2025, raising questions about affordability, visitor experience and the future direction of the iconic festival. Stampede officials reported that 327,456 people attended during the first three days of the 2026 festival, compared with 338,971 visitors during the same period in 2025, marking a decrease of more than 11,000 attendees. The slowdown comes after a record-breaking period, with last year’s Stampede welcoming nearly 1.47 million visitors, close to the all-time attendance record set…

07 Jul

From Community Celebration to Political Controversy: Redstone Stampede Breakfast Draws Thousands, Ends in Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCalgary, Redstone

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma) : A successful community celebration that brought together nearly 6,000 residents at the Redstone Community Association’s Stampede Breakfast became the centre of a political discussion after a disagreement emerged between organizers and NDP MLA Gurinder Brar over event protocol, stage scheduling, and political representation. The annual Stampede Breakfast was attended by thousands of families, volunteers, community leaders, elected representatives, and dignitaries. The event featured live music, breakfast, family activities, and opportunities for residents to meet Alberta Premier Denielle Smith, Calgary’s Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Dy. Police Chief Asif Rashid and other public officials. Organizers described the gathering…