Canada

Calgary to Host Joint Community Screening of AJEY: The Untold Story of a Yogi

Calgary to Host Joint Community Screening of AJEY: The Untold Story of a Yogi

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Calgary is set to host a special joint community screening of AJEY: The Untold Story of a Yogi on Saturday morning, December 20, 2025, bringing together community members for an inspiring and reflective cultural experience. The film portrays Yogi Adityanath's remarkable journey, highlighting his transformation from a life of spiritual discipline and service to public leadership, guided by enduring values of seva, dharma, faith, and purpose. The screening, organised by Sewa Physo, with National Times as the official media partner, underscores the collaborative effort behind this meaningful event. The morning aims to provide an opportunity to reflect,…
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Premier Danielle Smith Marks Hanukkah With Message of Hope and Resilience

Premier Danielle Smith Marks Hanukkah With Message of Hope and Resilience

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Premier Danielle Smith has issued a statement celebrating Hanukkah and extending warm wishes to Alberta’s Jewish community as the eight-day Festival of Lights begins. In her message, the premier highlighted the symbolism of Hanukkah arriving during the darkest days of the year, noting that it serves as a reminder that “even the smallest spark of hope can illuminate the deepest night.” Smith reflected on the miracle of the oil, which was meant to last one day but burned for eight, saying it continues to inspire perseverance, faith and the sharing of light with others. She also acknowledged…
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Flood Threat Persists Across Parts of B.C. as Communities Remain on High Alert

Flood Threat Persists Across Parts of B.C. as Communities Remain on High Alert

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): While floodwaters have begun to ease in some areas of Abbotsford, authorities say the danger is far from over for many communities in British Columbia, with more rain expected to fall on already waterlogged ground in the coming days. City officials in Abbotsford confirmed on Saturday that conditions have improved in certain neighbourhoods. However, water continues to flow north from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which breached its banks earlier in the week, keeping pressure on low-lying areas of the Fraser Valley. Major transportation routes remain severely disrupted. The Trans-Canada Highway is still closed through…
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Ontario Unveils $500 Million Program to Expand In-Province Critical Minerals Processing

Ontario Unveils $500 Million Program to Expand In-Province Critical Minerals Processing

Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario has formally rolled out a $500 million initiative aimed at strengthening the province’s critical minerals processing sector, marking a major step toward building a fully domestic supply chain. The Critical Minerals Processing Fund was officially launched Friday at Science North in Greater Sudbury, following its introduction in the 2025 provincial budget. Senior cabinet ministers joined Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre at the event, highlighting the strategic importance of keeping mineral processing and value-added manufacturing within Ontario rather than exporting raw materials for refinement elsewhere. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the new fund signals a…
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Two Men Shot Dead in Southeast Edmonton; Police Investigate Targeted Attack

Two Men Shot Dead in Southeast Edmonton; Police Investigate Targeted Attack

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Edmonton police are investigating the deaths of two men in their 20s who were fatally shot in southeast Edmonton early Friday morning. The victims have been identified as 27-year-old Gurdeep Singh of Barah, Punjab, and 18-year-old Ranveer Singh of Uddat Saidewala, Punjab. Both had come to Canada as students. Officers responded to reports of gunfire near 32 Street and 26 Avenue in the Silver Berry neighbourhood at approximately 1:43 a.m. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has taken the lead in the investigation. Autopsies are…
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Devotional Upliftment Through Kirtan: Two-Day Special Classes by HH Bhakti Marga Swami at ISKCON

Devotional Upliftment Through Kirtan: Two-Day Special Classes by HH Bhakti Marga Swami at ISKCON

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Radha Madhav Society at ISKCON is delighted to announce a special spiritual program featuring HH Bhakti Marga Swami, who will conduct an inspiring two-day session focusing on the proper mood, etiquette, and principles of performing kirtan. The initiative aims to enrich the devotional lives of participants by deepening their understanding of congregational chanting and encouraging a more sincere, disciplined spiritual practice. The sessions are scheduled to be held in the serene and divine atmosphere of ISKCON on December 14 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM and December 15 (Monday) at 6:00 PM. Members of the Radha Madhav Society, along…
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Abbotsford Declares State of Emergency as Atmospheric River Hits Southern B.C.

Abbotsford Declares State of Emergency as Atmospheric River Hits Southern B.C.

Abbotsford ( Richa Walia): Southern British Columbia is grappling with severe weather as an atmospheric river swept across the region on Wednesday, prompting Abbotsford officials to declare a state of local emergency. The extreme rainfall has forced authorities to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes as flooding, landslides, and other hazards threaten communities. The B.C. government has closed major highways between the Lower Mainland and the Interior due to rising waters, falling rocks, debris, and high avalanche risks in mountain areas. Travelers are urged to avoid non-essential trips and adhere to all official road closures. Rivers and streams in…
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Ontario Unveils $500M Program to Expand Critical Minerals Processing

Ontario Unveils $500M Program to Expand Critical Minerals Processing

SUDBURY (Rajeev Sharma): The Ontario government has rolled out a new $500 million funding initiative aimed at expanding the province’s ability to process and refine critical minerals, a move officials say will help secure supply chains and create long-term economic benefits for Ontario workers. The Critical Minerals Processing Fund, first outlined in the 2025 provincial budget, is designed to support projects that boost processing capacity within Ontario. The goal is to ensure that minerals extracted in the province are also refined locally, rather than being shipped elsewhere for processing. The program will be administered through Invest Ontario, the government’s investment…
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Junior Hockey Team Escapes Serious Harm After Bus Slides Off Alberta Highway

Junior Hockey Team Escapes Serious Harm After Bus Slides Off Alberta Highway

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): A bus transporting a junior hockey team from Athabasca veered off a northern Alberta highway and ended up in a wooded ditch early Friday, leaving several passengers injured but sparing the group from any fatalities. According to the RCMP, the single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 2, south of Athabasca, during the early morning hours. Emergency crews arriving at the scene found multiple occupants of the bus hurt as a result of the incident. Two teenage players were taken to hospital for treatment, though their injuries were described as not life-threatening. Others on board also suffered minor injuries.…
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Surrey Mayor Outraged as Extortion Suspects Seek Refugee Status to Avoid Deportation

Surrey Mayor Outraged as Extortion Suspects Seek Refugee Status to Avoid Deportation

Surrey, (Rajeev Sharma): A mounting controversy surrounding public safety and immigration protocols has erupted in British Columbia, following the submission of refugee claims by fifteen individuals implicated in a widespread extortion investigation. This development has prompted Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke to express vehement criticism, stating that she is “appalled” by the exploitation of Canada's asylum system by individuals accused of serious criminal offenses. The suspects in question, identified by the B.C. Extortion Task Force, are allegedly linked to a series of violent incidents that have plagued Surrey throughout the year. Law enforcement agencies have documented over one hundred extortion-related cases,…
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