Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

07 Aug

Calgary PGWP Row Puts Spotlight on Jalandhar Immigration Firm’s Alleged Role

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, Punjab, TrendingCalgary, Jalandhar

Jalandhar (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): The protest by more than 1,000 Punjabi students in Calgary over the rejection of their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications has taken a new turn, with an alleged connection to a Jalandhar-based immigration consultancy coming under scrutiny. The students have been demonstrating in Calgary for nearly 10 days, seeking relief after their applications for work permits were rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The refusals have reportedly left students who had completed diploma programmes facing uncertainty over their ability to remain in Canada. At the centre of the controversy is the Canadian Institute of…

07 Aug

Donald Trump Issues New Order to Restrict ‘Birth Tourism,’ Renews Push on Birthright Citizenship

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has signed a fresh executive order aimed at discouraging so-called “birth tourism,” renewing his administration’s efforts to tighten eligibility for birthright citizenship in the United States. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the existing system had been exploited by people entering the country on tourist visas with the primary intention of giving birth so their children could obtain US citizenship. He described the move as part of a broader effort to address what he called misuse of immigration laws. Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller said the order seeks to prevent…

07 Aug

Donald Trump Reaffirms Iran Nuclear Red Line, Says Conflict May Be Nearing End

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has once again asserted that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, while expressing confidence that the prolonged conflict involving Tehran could soon come to an end. Addressing reporters, Trump said the US intervention in Iran was undertaken to prevent the country from becoming a nuclear-armed state, describing the move as a significant strategic decision. He maintained that denying Iran nuclear capabilities remains a central objective of his administration and suggested that recent developments indicate the conflict may not continue for much longer. "I think the war is going…

06 Aug

MCC Revises NEET-SS Round 2 Counselling Timeline After Delhi High Court Direction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingNEET

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a revised schedule for NEET-SS 2025 Round 2 counselling after the Delhi High Court directed that petitioning candidates be permitted to register and participate in the admission process. In an official notice dated August 5, the MCC stated that it has withdrawn its earlier notification issued on August 3 with immediate effect in compliance with the court's order in Sunil & Another vs Medical Counselling Committee (W.P. (C) No. 11097/2026). As part of the revised process, the committee has decided to keep the resignation portal open until 4 p.m.…

06 Aug

Six Family Members Die After Old House Caves In at Uttar Pradesh Village

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUttar Pradesh

Pratapgarh (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night tragedy struck Mahuli village in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district after a century-old house collapsed, claiming the lives of six members of a family who were asleep inside, officials said. According to police, the incident took place around 2 a.m. when the roof of the ageing structure suddenly gave way. The house belonged to Pramod Srivastava, who was resting with several family members at the time of the collapse. Circle Officer (City) Santosh Mishra said local police were alerted immediately after the incident. Rescue teams, assisted by firefighters and residents, rushed to the spot and began…

06 Aug

Alberta Opens Applications for Scholarship Supporting Youth Leaving Government Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has opened applications for the Duke and Duchess Scholarship, a financial assistance programme aimed at helping young people transitioning out of government care pursue higher education. Announcing the launch of the application process, Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton encouraged eligible students to apply before the August 31 deadline, saying the scholarship recognises academic achievement and supports students as they begin the next stage of their education. The scholarship is administered through Alberta's Advancing Futures Program, under which 25 students will each receive CAD 2,000 to support their studies. The funding is…

06 Aug

Canadian Industrial Services Firm Fined Over Worker Injury at Alberta Worksite

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): An Alberta court has imposed a CAD 132,000 fine on industrial services provider Brock Canada Field Services Ltd. after the company admitted to violating workplace safety regulations in connection with a serious on-site accident that left a worker injured. The company pleaded guilty on July 30 in the Fort Saskatchewan Court of Justice to one count under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. Worker Seriously Injured in Fall The case relates to an incident that occurred on August 10, 2023, at a worksite in Redwater,…

06 Aug

Jharkhand Students Continue Agitation as Hunger Strike Enters Day Five; Government Dialogue Expected

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJharkhand

Ranchi (Jharkhand): The ongoing student movement in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations showed no signs of slowing down on Thursday, with student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) member Devendra Nath Mahato reaffirming that his indefinite hunger strike remains in force. Mahato clarified that he has not ended his fast, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise. He said he resumed drinking only water after speaking with social activist Sonam Wangchuk, but has not consumed any solid food. Calling the reports about the withdrawal of his hunger strike "misleading," Mahato said the protest would continue until the government addresses…

06 Aug

Assam Floods Claim More Lives; Death Toll Reaches 95 as Over 1.6 Lakh Residents Remain Affected

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, Trending

Guwahati (Rajeev Sharma): Assam's flood emergency has intensified, with six additional deaths reported in the last 24 hours, pushing this season's flood-related death toll to 95. The rising waters have also expanded the scale of the disaster, affecting more than 1.60 lakh people spread across 14 districts, according to the latest update from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Officials said two people each died in Sivasagar and Biswanath, while one fatality each was reported from Golaghat and Morigaon after floodwaters swept through the affected areas. More Districts Grapple With Flooding The number of people impacted has increased sharply…

06 Aug

Donald Trump Says Diplomacy Preferred Over Military Action, Reasserts Iran Nuclear Red Line

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has once again underlined his administration's preference for diplomacy over armed conflict with Iran, while maintaining that Tehran will never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.Addressing the ongoing tensions between the two countries, Trump claimed the United States had been on the verge of launching an extensive military operation before deciding to pursue negotiations instead. He said his administration deliberately chose dialogue over force to prevent unnecessary casualties.According to Trump, Iranian officials had reached out seeking talks and requested that Washington refrain from carrying out the planned military action. However, he…