Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Mar

Flight Crisis Intensifies: 350 More International Flights Cancelled as Middle East Conflict Cripples Air Travel

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAirIndia, Cancellation, Flight, India, MiddleEast

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Global aviation chaos deepened on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as Indian airlines were forced to cancel 350 international flights due to escalating hostilities in the Middle East. This marks the second consecutive day of massive operational disruptions following the closure of critical airspaces over Iran and several Gulf nations. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the "Ghost Skies" phenomenon has now grounded over 760 domestic carrier flights in just 48 hours, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai. According to a Ministry post on X at 16:34 hours, the 350…

01 Mar

Taber Police Urge Retailers to Secure Cough Syrup Amid Surge in ‘DXM’ Misuse

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, DXM, Misuse, Police, Taber

Taber, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma) — The Taber Police Service has issued a formal appeal to local retailers and pharmacies to implement stricter controls on over-the-counter cough syrups following a sharp rise in thefts and dangerous behaviours linked to the drug dextromethorphan (DXM). In a statement released on Sunday, March 1, 2026, authorities highlighted a growing trend of substance misuse among youth in the southern Alberta community, prompting calls for immediate preventive measures. Police are specifically asking businesses to consider moving products containing DXM behind service counters and limiting sales strictly to adults. While the medication is safe when used as…

01 Mar

Canadian-Led Team Discovers “Ghost Galaxy” 250 Million Light-Years Away

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TechnologyAstrostatistics, CDG-2, Dark Galaxy, Dark Matter, David Li, Euclid, Hubble Space Telescope, University of Toronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)— A Canadian-led team of astronomers has identified a nearly invisible "dark galaxy," nicknamed a "ghost galaxy," located roughly 250 million light-years from Earth. The discovery of CDG-2 (Candidate Dark Galaxy-2) highlights how much of the universe remains a mystery, as the galaxy is thought to be composed of 99.9% dark matter. "Yeah, it’s pretty much invisible," said David Li, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Toronto and lead researcher on the project. Li, a specialist in the burgeoning field of astrostatistics, used advanced statistical tools to identify patterns in space that traditional observation might miss. The…

01 Mar

Precision Strikes on Tehran Reported Amid Israel–Iran Conflict; Khamenei and 7 Other Senior Commanders Claimed Killed

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsIran

Rajeev Sharma :- Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated sharply after what both sides described as precision military strikes targeted several Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran. The developments mark one of the most intense phases of the ongoing confrontation, with conflicting claims emerging about high-level casualties and strategic impact. According to Israeli military statements, its forces conducted highly targeted operations against Iranian defence infrastructure. Israeli officials assert that these strikes completely neutralised key military sites and resulted in the deaths of seven senior Iranian defence figures. Among those named by military sources were former defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, elite…

01 Mar

Middle East Tensions Leave Punjabi Travellers Stranded in Sharjah; Bathinda Principal Appeals for Urgent Evacuation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessAirport, Iran, Israel, Punjabi, Sharjah, War

Rajeev Sharma :- Escalating hostilities between United States, Israel and Iran have begun to cast a shadow far beyond the conflict zone, with ripple effects now impacting Indian travellers abroad. As airspace restrictions and flight suspensions disrupt international routes across the Middle East, several passengers from Punjab have found themselves stranded at Sharjah International Airport, facing mounting uncertainty and hardship. Among them is Neeru Garg, a school principal from Bathinda, who released a video message detailing the distressing conditions at the airport. She stated that essential medicines for blood pressure and diabetes have run out, raising serious health concerns amid…

01 Mar

Strategic Reset: Canadian PM Mark Carney Meets Tata Chairman in Mumbai to Boost AI and Energy Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, IndiaIndia-Canada AI partnership, Mark Carney India visit 2026, Mark Carney Narendra Modi meeting, Tata Group N Chandrasekaran Mumbai

Mumbai (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma) — In a move signalling a major thaw and "normalization" of bilateral relations, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in Mumbai on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The high-level meeting focused on deepening cooperation between India and Canada in critical future-facing sectors, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and technology. Carney, who is on his first official visit to India since taking office, characterized both nations as "growing economies with big ambitions" that can partner to create mutual security and prosperity. "Canada and India are both growing economies with big ambitions…

01 Mar

Indian Celebrities Among Hundreds Stranded in Dubai as Regional Conflict Disrupts Air Travel

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDubai

Dubai (Rajeev Sharma): Rising instability in West Asia has left several Indian nationals stuck overseas, including Olympic badminton champion PV Sindhu and Bollywood actor Sonal Chauhan, after flight operations were abruptly suspended in Dubai. The travel chaos follows heightened military action in the region, which has led to precautionary airspace closures over parts of Iran and Iraq. As a result, multiple international carriers have either cancelled flights or altered routes, affecting passengers transiting through major Gulf hubs. Sindhu Recounts Scare at Airport Sindhu shared details of a tense episode at Dubai International Airport, revealing that an explosion was heard not…

01 Mar

Iran Faces Leadership Crossroads as Succession Mechanism Moves Into Focus

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): With the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran has entered a pivotal phase that will test the constitutional and political machinery of the Islamic Republic. The process to appoint his successor is defined by law, yet shaped heavily by internal clerical consensus and power dynamics. Constitutional Path to Choosing a Leader Under Iran’s system, the authority to select the next supreme leader rests with the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member council of Islamic jurists. Though elected by voters, all candidates must first receive approval from the powerful Guardian Council, which screens contenders for ideological and religious…

01 Mar

Uncertainty Deepens Over Khamenei’s Fate as Reports of Family Casualties Spark Street Reactions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAyatollah Ali Khamenei

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Fresh claims emerging from regional and international media suggest that several relatives of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were killed during coordinated military strikes allegedly carried out by Israel with US backing. Among those reported dead are his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and a grandchild. However, Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed these reports, and there remains no verified statement on Khamenei’s own condition. The reported strikes, said to have targeted high-profile locations in Tehran, have intensified already volatile tensions across West Asia. While some outlets cited unnamed Iranian sources regarding the deaths of family members, the…

01 Mar

Tehran Announces Death of Ayatollah Khamenei After Joint US-Israel Offensive; Nationwide Mourning Begins

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAyatollah Khamenei

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran has formally acknowledged the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following large-scale strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, triggering an unprecedented political and security crisis in the region. Authorities declared a 40-day period of national mourning as the country grapples with the fallout of the attack. State media reported that Khamenei was killed during coordinated strikes that targeted key government and military sites in Tehran early Saturday morning. Officials said his body was recovered from the rubble of a heavily damaged compound linked to the leadership. Senior figures in Iran described…