Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Jul

North American Trade at a Crossroads: USMCA Review Sparks Fresh Uncertainty for Canada, U.S. and Mexico

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAutomotive rules, Supply chains, Tariffs, Trade review, USMCA negotiation

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): North America’s economic partnership has entered a decisive phase as Canada, the United States and Mexico begin the first mandatory six-year review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The review, which officially commenced on July 1, is widely viewed as one of the most consequential trade negotiations since the agreement replaced NAFTA in 2020. Governments and businesses across the continent are closely watching the outcome, which could reshape the future of regional trade and investment. The review has gained heightened attention after the Trump administration signaled that it does not intend to offer an automatic extension of…

01 Jul

Early-Morning Expressway Crash in Unnao Leaves Five Dead; Rescue Teams Save Eight Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUnnao

Lucknow (Rajeev Sharma): Five people, including two children, lost their lives after a private sleeper coach met with a devastating accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district during the early hours of Wednesday. Eight other passengers sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital. The accident took place near Devkhari village under the Bangarmau police station limits at around 4:30 am. According to initial reports, the sleeper bus collided with a car while travelling on the expressway. The impact caused the bus to lose balance, plunge off the road and overturn. Emergency services, police personnel and local residents…

01 Jul

July Begins With Fresh Policy Updates: EPFO Platform Back Online, Aadhaar Relief and Revised Passport Charges Take Effect

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingEPFO, Passport

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Several government-backed services have undergone changes from July 1, with new provisions affecting provident fund subscribers, Aadhaar users, passport applicants and taxpayers now officially in force. The updates, announced by different ministries and agencies, are aimed at improving digital services and streamlining administrative processes. Among the major developments, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has restored all its online facilities after completing a scheduled technology overhaul. The organisation had temporarily suspended digital services for several days to carry out database migration and system integration. Officials said the upgraded platform is expected to provide faster processing, better…

01 Jul

Overnight Bus Blaze on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Leaves Seven Dead, Scores Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryana, TrendingDelhi, Mumbai

Dausa (Rajeev Sharma): A tragic accident on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Dausa district left seven passengers dead and at least 22 others injured after a sleeper coach rammed into a trailer and was engulfed in flames during the early hours of Wednesday. The private bus was travelling from Rishikesh to Indore when the collision occurred at around 2:30 a.m. Initial reports indicate that the vehicle crashed into a trailer moving ahead on the expressway, following which a massive fire broke out, quickly spreading to both vehicles. The impact threw several passengers from their berths, while others found themselves trapped…

01 Jul

Centre Notifies Revised Wage Rates Under VB–G RAM G Act as New Rural Employment Law Takes Effect

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingVB–G RAM G

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Central Government has notified revised wage rates under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB–G RAM G] Act, 2025, with the new rates coming into force from July 1, 2026, the day the legislation becomes operational across the country. The notification raises wages for rural workers in all States and Union Territories covered under the programme, with the government introducing a minimum notified wage of ₹300 per day for the first time under a national rural employment scheme. According to the Ministry of Rural Development, the revised wage structure applies to 34…

01 Jul

Alberta to Detail Proposed 1-Million-Barrel-Per-Day West Coast Pipeline on July 2

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta, Canada

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The Government of Alberta is preparing to reveal new details of its proposed one-million-barrel-per-day oil pipeline to Canada’s West Coast, a project Premier Danielle Smith describes as a key step toward strengthening Canada’s energy security, expanding export capacity, and reducing the country’s dependence on the U.S. market. The province is expected to formally present the proposal on July 2, after postponing the announcement from Canada Day. Alberta will submit the project to the federal Major Projects Office, outlining the proposed route, anticipated economic benefits, environmental considerations, and plans for Indigenous participation and ownership. If approved, the…

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…