Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

31 Mar

New COVID-19 variant BA.3.2 detected in Ontario following global spread

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioBA.3.2, COVID-19 variant, Ontario health, Public Health

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A new subvariant of COVID-19, identified as BA.3.2, has officially been recorded in Ontario after surfacing in nearly two dozen countries and half of the United States. Public Health Ontario’s latest epidemiological data confirmed 21 cases of the variant between mid-January and mid-February 2026. First discovered in South Africa in late 2024 and later identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through traveller surveillance, the strain has since been tracked through wastewater samples across 25 American states. Despite its rapid geographical expansion, health officials in Canada are monitoring the situation without immediate alarm. Infectious disease specialist…

31 Mar

Strait of Hormuz: 18 crude oil, LPG laden Indian-flagged ships stranded in waterway, New Delhi weighs evacuation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

Rajeev Sharma :- At least 18 Indian-flagged tankers carrying energy supplies with LPG, crude oil, and LNG are stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to the government. Speaking at a media briefing on the fallout of developments in West Asia, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, said of the 10 India-bound foreign-flagged ships, three are carrying critical liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), four are crude oil tankers, and three are liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. "The government's priority is to ensure that Indian-flagged vessels carrying India-bound cargo are allowed to pass through the Strait…

31 Mar

MCD Deputy Commissioner Arrested by CBI in ₹4 Lakh Bribery Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaArrested, CBI, MCD, New Delhi, Officer

Rajeev Sharma :- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹4 lakh, officials said on Tuesday. The accused has been identified as Abhishek Kumar Mishra, a Deputy Commissioner posted in the Shahdara North Zone. According to CBI sources, action was initiated after receiving credible inputs regarding a demand for illegal gratification. Investigators laid a trap and apprehended the official while he was allegedly accepting the bribe amount. The arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on corruption within public offices, aimed at ensuring accountability and…

31 Mar

Stampede at Sheetla Mata Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda Leaves 8 Dead, Several Injured

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar Stampede, Sheetla Mata Temple

Rajeev Sharma :- At least eight people lost their lives and several others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, raising serious concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements. The incident took place on the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, when a massive number of devotees had gathered at the temple for prayers. According to eyewitnesses, the situation turned chaotic when some people attempted to break the queue in a hurry to enter the temple, leading to panic and a sudden stampede. Police and emergency teams rushed to the…

31 Mar

Pakistan – Gas Pipeline Blast Near Quetta Disrupts Supply, Deepens Energy Crisis in Balochistan

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBomb Blast, Gas Pipeline, Pakistan

Rajeev Sharma :- A major gas pipeline near Quetta in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was severely damaged following a powerful explosion, officials confirmed. The blast reportedly occurred after unidentified attackers planted explosives beneath the main pipeline, triggering a fire that destroyed a significant section of the infrastructure. Gas Supply Cut Off Across Several مناطقThe incident has led to a complete disruption of gas supply in Quetta and surrounding districts. Residents are facing serious difficulties in managing daily household activities, particularly cooking, as the outage has left many areas without access to natural gas. Energy Crisis WorsensExperts believe the attack has further…

30 Mar

Physicians Condemn Proposed Alberta Bill Restricting Medical Assistance in Dying

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta, Bill 18, Doctors, Ethics, health, MAID

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): A group of Alberta physicians and healthcare providers has issued a sharp rebuke of the provincial government’s proposed Bill 18, the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act. In a public letter and interviews on Monday, March 30, 2026, medical professionals argued that the legislation which seeks to impose stricter limits on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) than current federal laws undermine patient autonomy and places clinicians in "ethically untenable positions." Dr. Dionne Walsh, a palliative care physician and signatory of the letter, stated that the bill’s restrictive measures fail to recognize the complexity of suffering,…

30 Mar

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to Retire Following French-Language Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAir Canada, CEO, French, retirement, Rousseau

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Air Canada announced on Monday, March 30, 2026, that President and CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of this year. The decision follows a week of intense national backlash after Rousseau released an English-only video message of condolence following the fatal crash of Air Canada Express Flight 8646 at New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22. The controversy was further fueled by the fact that the flight originated in Montreal and one of the two pilots killed, Captain Antoine Forest, was a francophone from Quebec. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had…

30 Mar

Power, Pressure & Policy Shift: Canada’s Bill C-12 Redefines Immigration Landscape

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaasylum one year deadline, Canada Bill C-12 immigration 2026, Canada refugee policy shift, irregular border crosser rules, retroactive immigration laws

Ottawa (National Times Bureau): Canada’s immigration system is entering a new and controversial chapter with the passage of Bill C-12, a law that significantly expands federal authority while tightening key pathways for newcomers and asylum seekers. Framed by the government as a necessary modernization, the legislation is being viewed by critics as a power shift that could reshape how immigration decisions are made and who gets to stay. At the heart of the bill is a major structural change: the federal government now has the authority to pause, cancel, or terminate immigration and visa applications if deemed to be in…

30 Mar

B.C. Court Dismisses Negligence Claim After $580K Condo Fraud Attempt Blocked

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Kelowna ( Rajeev Sharma): A sophisticated real estate fraud attempt involving a condominium at Big White Ski Resort was foiled in the final stages of closing, preventing a potential loss of $580,000, according to a recent British Columbia Supreme Court ruling. Unknown individuals, posing as the legitimate property owners, attempted to complete the sale through a fully remote transaction. The deal was halted when a conveyancing lawyer was unable to verify the identities of the purported sellers, stopping the transfer of funds before completion. In a civil lawsuit filed by the legitimate owners and prospective buyers, Realtor Gary Turner and…

29 Mar

Costco Coming to Saddleridge with New Gas Station

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Business, CanadaCalgary

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Costco Wholesale Canada is set to expand in northeast Calgary with a new warehouse and gas station in the Saddleridge area. The site, located near the Saddleridge Bottle Depot, has been secured and is currently in the early planning stages. The upcoming Costco will offer bulk groceries, household items, and membership-only merchandise, along with a popular gas station providing competitive fuel prices for members. The project is expected to create new jobs and enhance retail options for the growing community. However, exact timelines and construction dates have not yet been announced. Residents and local businesses are eagerly…