Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Jul

Massive Fire in Langley, B.C. Destroys Two Barns, Kills 27,000 Chickens

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBritish Columbia, Canada, Langley

Langley, B.C. (Richa Walia): A devastating fire early Sunday morning at a farm in the Township of Langley, British Columbia, has destroyed two large poultry barns and resulted in the death of approximately 27,000 chickens, according to local fire officials. Deputy Fire Chief Cory Parker of the Township of Langley Fire Department said emergency crews were dispatched around 2:00 a.m., and upon arrival, found the blaze already well underway. The two barns, each stretching roughly 365 metres in length, were fully engulfed in flames. A third barn on the property was successfully saved by firefighters. To bring the fire under…

01 Jul

Wildfire Near Chase Triggers Evacuation Order from B.C. First Nation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBritish Columbia, Chase

Chase, B.C. (Richa Walia): A fast-moving wildfire near the Village of Chase in British Columbia’s Interior has prompted an evacuation order from the nearby Neskonlith Indian Band, as the fire continues to burn out of control. The Village of Chase has activated its emergency operations centre in response to the threat. The wildfire, discovered Monday, led Neskonlith Chief Irwin Wai to issue an evacuation order affecting approximately 40 properties within the band’s territory. While no structures were believed to be immediately at risk, Chief Wai expressed hope that BC Wildfire Service crews — both aerial and ground teams — would…

01 Jul

Prime Minister Mark Carney Holds Talks with Egyptian President el-Sisi on Middle East Peace, Trade Cooperation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Culture, TrendingCanada, Ehypt

Ottawa (Rajeev sharma): In a diplomatic outreach aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing escalating tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on Monday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. During their conversation, the two leaders highlighted the strong economic and cultural relationship between Canada and Egypt, and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of trade, investment, and commerce. The discussion also focused on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. Prime Minister Carney reiterated Canada’s firm stance, calling for an immediate…

01 Jul

Alberta and Ontario seek changes on federal policy failures

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Ontario

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta and Ontario are calling for an end to punitive federal policies that hurt competitiveness, weaken economies and don’t benefit the environment. Provincial, federal and territorial environment ministers from across Canada will attend the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment meetings in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories from July 2 to 4, 2025. Ahead of that meeting, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy have written to the federal government requesting an urgent discussion around scrapping all federal policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness, delay project development, and disproportionately harm…

01 Jul

Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Cut by Rs 58.50 from July 1; No Change in Domestic Rates

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingCylinder Price

New Delhi (National Times): In a welcome move for the commercial sector, oil marketing companies have reduced the price of 19-kg commercial LPG gas cylinders by Rs 58.50 with effect from Tuesday, July 1. The revision offers relief to hotels, restaurants, and businesses that rely on commercial gas cylinders for daily operations. With the latest price cut, the retail price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi now stands at Rs 1,665, down from Rs 1,723.50. The revised rates vary across other major cities, with prices now at Rs 1,616 in Mumbai, Rs 1,769 in Kolkata, and Rs 1,823.50…

30 Jun

US Open Glory for Ayush Shetty; Tanvi Sharma Battles to Runner-Up Finish

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsAyush Shetty, BWF World Tour, Tanvi Sharma, US Open Super 300

National Times Bureau, June 30, 2025 - Rising Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty secured his first-ever BWF World Tour title with a commanding straight-games victory over Canada’s Brian Yang in the men’s singles final of the US Open Super 300, bringing an end to India’s title drought on the World Tour this season.The 20-year-old, who won bronze at the 2023 Junior World Championships, defeated third seed Yang 21-18, 21-13 in just 47 minutes on Sunday. Shetty’s triumph capped off an impressive run that included a comeback win against top seed Chou Tien Chen in the semifinals.This was Shetty’s third victory over…

30 Jun

Railway Ministry Hikes Fares for Mail, Express and AC Trains Effective July 1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAC train fares, Indian Railways, mail express trains, train fare hike

New Delhi, July 1 — Passengers travelling in mail, express, and AC trains will have to pay slightly more from July 1, as the Railway Ministry has officially announced a hike in fares across various classes.According to an official circular issued on Monday, fares for non-AC classes in mail and express trains will increase by 1 paisa per kilometre, while all AC classes will see a fare hike of 2 paise per kilometre.Ministry officials had signalled the proposed revision earlier on June 24, but the detailed fare table specifying rates for different trains and class categories was released only on…

30 Jun

Telangana Pharma Plant Blast Kills 12, Injures 34; PM Announces Ex-Gratia for Victims

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaexplosion, Sangareddy district, Sigachi Industries, Telangana pharma plant blast

Hyderabad, June 30 — At least 12 people were killed and 34 others injured in an explosion at a pharmaceutical plant in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday, state health minister Damodara Raja Narasimha confirmed.“As many as 12 people died and 34 are under treatment,” the minister told reporters after visiting the site.Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, who also inspected the scene, said: “Eight people died in the morning. Now, four more bodies have been found.”The explosion occurred at a reactor in the Sigachi Industries Limited plant located in the Pashamylaram industrial estate. Authorities suspect a chemical reaction triggered the blast,…

30 Jun

U.S. to Resume Trade Talks After Canada Drops Digital Services Tax

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadadigital services tax, digital tax repeal, trade negotiations, US-Canada trade

Washington/Ottawa, June 30, 2025: The United States will resume trade negotiations with Canada after Canada decided to scrap its planned digital services tax that targeted U.S. technology companies.The move came just hours before the tax was set to take effect. The decision clears a significant obstacle in efforts to finalize a new economic agreement between the two countries. Trade officials confirmed negotiations would restart immediately, aiming for a deal by July 21.Canada’s finance ministry announced that legislation would be introduced to repeal the Digital Services Tax Act. The tax, proposed in 2020, would have imposed a 3% levy on revenues…

30 Jun

Best Buy Furniture to Host 2nd Stampede BBQ Mela on July 6th

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBest Buy Furniture, Stampede BBQ Mela

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Best Buy Furniture, a prominent furniture retailer in Northeast Calgary, is set to host its second annual Stampede BBQ Mela on Sunday, July 6th, in celebration of over a decade of unwavering customer support. The event, announced during an exclusive conversation with National Times, is described by owner Karampal Sidhu as a heartfelt "payback" to the community for their loyalty. Karampal Sidhu stated that following the great success of last year and the demand by the people, they are organizing the event again this year, extending his gratitude for the community's "outstanding support to the store." He…