Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Jul

India Records One of Driest Junes in Over a Century; IMD Predicts Subdued Rainfall in July

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIMD, Weather Update

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India witnessed one of its driest Junes in more than 120 years, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting a significant rainfall deficit across the country. The weather agency has also projected that rainfall during July is likely to remain below the long-term average, although some regions are expected to receive spells of good precipitation. According to IMD, the country received only 99.5 mm of rainfall in June against the normal average of 165.3 mm, leaving a shortfall of nearly 40 per cent. This makes June 2026 the fifth-driest June since systematic rainfall records began in…

30 Jun

Thousands of Temporary Resident Students in Alberta Face Potential School Ineligibility Amid Immigration Delays

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta education, Immigration status

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma) — Thousands of children and teenagers currently attending Alberta schools could be barred from enrolling for free this September as their families’ immigration statuses remain in limbo. Data provided by several provincial school boards reveals that a significant portion of the nearly 46,000 temporary resident students in Alberta hold study permits set to expire before Sept. 30, 2026. This date is critical, as it falls immediately after Alberta Education conducts its annual student headcount to determine provincial funding for each school. The funding challenge arrives at a sensitive time for the province. Albertans are currently preparing to…

30 Jun

Canadian Economy Rebounds Proudly with Strong 0.5 Per Cent GDP Growth in April

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian economy, GDP growth

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma)— The Canadian economy surged back into growth mode to start the second quarter, handily dismissing winter recession fears. Statistics Canada reported that real gross domestic product expanded by 0.5 per cent in April, marking the fastest monthly growth rate the country has witnessed since July 2025. The impressive turnaround successfully reverses a minor 0.1 per cent contraction felt in March, showcasing widespread resilience across both the goods and services sectors. The powerful rebound was heavily driven by a massive resurgence in the energy sector. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction jumped 2.9 per cent overall, led…

30 Jun

Alberta Expands Parking Placard Eligibility to Support Individuals with Vision Loss

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta accessibility, Parking placards

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): — The Government of Alberta is updating its parking placard program to grant Albertans with vision loss full access to accessible parking spaces. Effective immediately, individuals with vision loss are officially eligible for disabled parking placards and licence plates, ensuring greater safety and independence when navigating the community. This policy change expands the program's scope by recognizing that accessibility barriers are not limited strictly to mobility challenges. By allowing visually impaired Albertans to utilize these dedicated parking spaces, the province aims to reduce the safety hazards associated with navigating busy traffic zones and large, high-traffic parking lots…

29 Jun

Independent Agency Launches Investigation After Calgary Tactical Arrest Leaves Man in Serious Condition

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaASIRT investigation, Calgary Police arrest, Foothills Medical Centre, Huntington Hills tactical deployment

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has launched an official independent investigation after a man suffered a serious medical crisis and was hospitalised following his arrest by the Calgary Police Service. The provincial oversight body was directed by the Police Review Commission to handle the matter as a Level 1 investigation, a classification reserved for incidents involving serious injury, death, or highly sensitive concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement officers. The incident began on June 17, 2026, shortly before 5:00 p.m. when tactical officers surrounded a residential property in the Huntington Hills neighborhood of Calgary. Out…

29 Jun

Baba Lakha Singh Ji Highlights Global Legacy of Seva: 1,000 Nanaksar Centres Serving Humanity Through Compassion, Care and Spirituality

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): During his recent visit to Canada, Sant Baba Lakha Singh Ji, Chief Priest of Gurdwara Nanaksar Kaleran, Jagraon, Punjab, and President of the Vishav Dharam Sewa Shanti Mission, shared the inspiring humanitarian initiatives of his organization in an exclusive interview with National Times Media. Speaking about the mission’s philosophy, Baba Lakha Singh Ji said that true spirituality is reflected through selfless service to humanity. Guided by the Sikh principles of Sarbat Da Bhala (the welfare of all) and Nishkam Sewa (selfless service), the organization is dedicated to serving those who are most vulnerable in society. Baba Ji…

29 Jun

CSIS Confirms Khalistani Extremist Link in 1985 Air India Bombing, Reaffirms Canada’s Deadliest Terror Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has for the first time explicitly acknowledged the involvement of Canada-based Khalistani extremists in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, marking a significant development in the official historical record of the tragedy. The statement, issued on Canada’s National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, comes more than four decades after the attack that killed all 329 passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft, making it the deadliest terrorist incident in Canadian history. According to CSIS, the bombing on June 23, 1985, was carried out through a…

29 Jun

Digital Trail Tightens Around Pune Murder Case; Investigators Recover Fresh Evidence Against Accused Couple

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingPune

Pune (Rajeev Sharma): The investigation into the murder of Pune businessman Ketan Agarwal has gathered fresh momentum after police uncovered new digital evidence that allegedly links the two accused to a carefully coordinated conspiracy before the crime. Officials investigating the case have identified a phone conversation between Siya Goyal and her alleged partner, Chetan Chaudhary, that took place less than an hour before Agarwal's death at Lohagad Fort. Investigators believe the call could prove significant in reconstructing the events that unfolded shortly before the alleged murder. According to police sources, forensic experts are now examining mobile phone records, tower locations…

29 Jun

Fresh Diplomatic Push as Washington and Tehran Pause Military Action, Hormuz Negotiations Back on Track

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): A fresh diplomatic effort appears to be underway between the United States and Iran after both sides reportedly agreed to suspend military operations and resume negotiations over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz following days of escalating conflict. Officials familiar with the development said technical-level discussions are expected to restart in Qatar this week, focusing on the implementation of the previously negotiated memorandum of understanding that aims to keep the strategic waterway open for global shipping while broader political issues are addressed. The decision comes after a series of military exchanges had pushed the region to…

29 Jun

Jammu Strengthens Amarnath Yatra Security with High-Tech Monitoring Centre, 600 CCTV Cameras Activated

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAmarnath Yatra

Jammu (Rajeev Sharma): Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, authorities have significantly upgraded security arrangements in Jammu by commissioning an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), which will serve as the central coordination hub for surveillance and emergency response throughout the pilgrimage. The newly operational facility will oversee security across the city by integrating live feeds from nearly 600 CCTV cameras installed at sensitive locations, major intersections, transit camps, and key routes used by pilgrims heading towards the holy cave shrine. Officials said the command centre enables seamless coordination between the Jammu and Kashmir Police, security forces and other government…