Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

22 May

Centre Must Share Extraordinary RBI Dividend With States, Protect Freedom & Financial Strength of Central Bank, Says Harpal Singh Cheema

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarpal Cheema

CHANDIGARH (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday raised serious concerns over the Government of India taking an unprecedented dividend of nearly ₹2.87 lakh crore from the Reserve Bank of India, warning that excessive extraction of RBI reserves could weaken the country’s long-term economic resilience and undermine the strength of the central bank. Referring to reports that the RBI has transferred nearly ₹2.87 lakh crore to the Union Government out of the central bank’s total income of around ₹4 lakh crore, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that this was among the highest dividend transfers ever made…

22 May

Iran, Oman Discuss Permanent Toll on Hormuz Strait; India May Face Rising Fuel Costs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsStraight of Hormuz

Rajeev Sharma :- A major development surrounding the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz could significantly impact global energy markets, particularly countries heavily dependent on Gulf oil imports such as India. Reports indicate that Iran and Oman are considering the introduction of a permanent toll system for ships and oil tankers passing through the vital maritime corridor. The move is reportedly aimed at formalising control over one of the world’s busiest energy transit routes. Iranian officials argue that maintaining security and managing maritime traffic in the region requires substantial financial resources, and nations benefiting from the route should contribute towards those…

22 May

Delhi Tightens Bakra Eid Rules, Cracks Down on Illegal Sacrifice and Unauthorised Animal Trade

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi

Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Ahead of Bakra Eid celebrations, the Delhi government has stepped up enforcement measures and issued fresh directives aimed at preventing illegal animal sacrifice and unauthorised trading activities across the city. Announcing the decision, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said the Development Department has rolled out strict instructions to ensure the festival is observed in accordance with the law and public order is maintained. Under the revised guidelines, the slaughter of banned animals such as cows, calves, camels and other restricted cattle species has been declared a punishable offence. Officials warned that any attempt to carry out such acts…

22 May

PM Mark Carney Holds Trilateral Call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre Ahead of NATO Summit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingJonas Gahr, Mark Carney, NATO

Ottawa ( Rajeev Sharma): Mark Carney held a trilateral discussion with Friedrich Merz and Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss global security, NATO priorities, Ukraine, and developments in the Middle East ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit. Building on progress made during their previous meeting in Bardufoss in March, the three leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation and addressed major international challenges facing allied nations. As close NATO Allies, the leaders outlined priorities for the upcoming NATO Summit, with a focus on strengthening Euro-Atlantic security amid ongoing global threats and instability. Prime Minister Carney highlighted Canada’s plans to establish a Defence,…

22 May

SpaceX’s Giant Starship Grounded After Final-Second Technical Snag Delays Test Mission

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsSpaceX

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): SpaceX’s highly anticipated launch of its newest Starship prototype was postponed at the last moment on Thursday after engineers encountered unexpected technical complications during the final countdown. The massive rocket, standing nearly 407 feet tall at the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas, was fully prepared for liftoff and expected to embark on a suborbital journey across the globe. Excitement built as the countdown entered its final seconds, but a chain of launch system issues forced mission controllers to stop the attempt before ignition. The delay came as SpaceX prepared to test the most advanced version of…

21 May

Calgary Woman Dies After Dental Implant in Chandigarh; Negligence Complaint Filed Against Dentist

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, PunjabAmrita Bedi, Calgary woman dental surgery, Chandigarh dental implant death, Dr Pratima Duggal, Medical negligence

Chandigarh/Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A medical negligence complaint has been filed against Chandigarh-based dental surgeon Pratima Duggal following the death of 42-year-old Calgary-linked patient Amrita Bedi after a dental implant procedure in Chandigarh in May 2026. The complaint, filed under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), seeks FIR registration, seizure of CCTV footage, and preservation of all medical and digital records. The procedure was reportedly conducted at Alpha Chandigarh Multispecialty Hospital after consultations initiated from Canada, with treatment planning done remotely. According to the allegations, the patient was considered a high-risk case due to obesity and anticipated airway difficulty,…

21 May

Bengal Govt Makes Singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ Mandatory in Madrasas

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

Rajeev Sharma :- The West Bengal Government has extended its directive mandating the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during morning prayers to madrasas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department, further widening the scope of the policy already enforced in schools across the state. Earlier, the state administration had made it compulsory for students in all government and government-aided schools to sing the national song before the commencement of classes as part of the morning assembly. The latest move brings madrasa institutions under the ambit of the same directive, with authorities instructed to ensure strict implementation. The decision is…

21 May

Alberta RCMP in Parkland Assist Major Cross-Canada Drug Bust Linked to Organized Crime Network

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): A major multi-year investigation led by the Winnipeg Police Service with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and police agencies across the country has resulted in dozens of arrests, hundreds of criminal charges, and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs connected to organized crime operations spanning multiple provinces. According to police, the investigation uncovered an interprovincial drug trafficking network moving illicit substances from the United States into Canada. Authorities say Alberta was being used as a key storage and transit point before drugs were distributed into Manitoba and other regions. The Alberta RCMP’s…

21 May

Mango Festival at ISKCON Calgary on May 31 Brings Devotional Celebration and Community Gathering

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta, Calgary

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The Mango Festival (Mango Mahaprasad) will be celebrated on Sunday, May 31 at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Calgary, offering devotees and community members an opportunity to participate in a joyful and devotional tradition centered around offering ripe mangoes to the deities. While talking to National Times Krishan Vidyadas told that devotees are invited to bring ripe mangoes as offerings to Sri Sri Radha Madhav and Srinathji at the temple. All offerings must be submitted on or before Saturday by 6:30 PM, allowing time for preparation of the sacred festival arrangements and rituals. Following…

21 May

Alberta Launches $10M AI Health Innovation Lab to Cut Wait Times and Transform Patient Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government is investing $10 million over three years into a new Health Innovation Lab aimed at accelerating the use of artificial intelligence in the province’s healthcare system to improve patient outcomes and reduce wait times. The initiative will be delivered through the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), enabling up to 12 projects annually focused on developing, testing, and scaling AI-driven health solutions. The program is designed to bring together medical innovators and AI researchers to create technologies that improve system efficiency and expand healthcare capacity. Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish said…