Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Jan

Canada to Open Free Trade Negotiations with UAE as Ottawa Pushes Trade Diversification

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada–UAE relations, comprehensive economic partnership, free trade talks, trade diversification

Ottawa (Rajeev Shamra) — Canada will begin formal negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates next month, Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said, marking a fresh step in Ottawa’s efforts to expand economic ties beyond its traditional reliance on the United States. The proposed talks aim to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, focusing on trade, investment and broader commercial cooperation. Sidhu said the UAE represents a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global trade dynamics shift and geopolitical uncertainties grow. According to the minister, discussions are expected to cover a wide range of…

14 Jan

Canadian Dollar Slips as Stock Weakness, Wider Yield Gap Weigh on Loonie

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian dollar, Iran unrest, loonie, oil prices, stock market decline, US dollar, yield spread

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): — The Canadian dollar edged lower against the US dollar on Tuesday as falling equity markets and a widening gap between Canadian and US bond yields pressured the commodity-linked currency. The loonie was trading 0.1 per cent lower at 1.3890 to the US dollar, or 71.99 US cents, after moving within a range of 1.3857 to 1.3898 during the session. Market participants pointed to a risk-off mood in global markets as a key factor behind the weakness. “Stocks have given it up and it feels to me like this is a bit of Iran fears picking up,”…

14 Jan

Trump Downplays USMCA During Ford Plant Visit, Says US Doesn’t Need Canadian or Mexican Cars

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCUSMA review, Donald Trump, Ford factory Dearborn, US manufacturing, USMCA

Washington/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed the relevance of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during a visit to a Ford manufacturing plant in Dearborn, Michigan, saying the United States does not need the trade pact or vehicles produced in Canada and Mexico. Speaking to reporters at the factory, Trump said the US should focus on domestic automobile production. “The problem is we don’t need their product. We don’t need cars made in Canada, we don’t need cars made in Mexico, we want to make them here,” he said. The visit to the Ford plant, where the company…

14 Jan

China Sees Chance to Woo Canada as PM Mark Carney Visits Beijing, Urges ‘Strategic Autonomy’ from US

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada China relations, Mark Carney China visit, strategic autonomy, US Canada ties

Beijing/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in China on Wednesday, Beijing signalled hopes of drawing the long-time US ally slightly away from Washington, amid growing strains between Canada and the United States. Chinese state media used the visit to call on Ottawa to pursue an independent foreign policy course, describing it as “strategic autonomy” from the US. Canada has traditionally been one of America’s closest allies, but China appears to be betting that US President Donald Trump’s aggressive economic policies—and recent military actions—could weaken that relationship. Beijing had earlier expressed frustration with former US President Joe…

14 Jan

Mass dog killings in Telangana: 500 canines poisoned to death to fulfil poll promise

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDog Killing, Telangana

National Times Bureau :- Serious allegations of mass killing of street dogs have emerged in Telangana, where around 500 dogs were reportedly poisoned in the last week across several villages. According to media reports, the killings were allegedly done to fulfil promises made during recent gram panchayat elections. Animal welfare activist Adulapuram Goutham (35) filed a complaint on January 12, saying that dogs were being killed in villages like Bhavanipet, Palwancha, Faridpet, Wadi, and Bandarameshwarapally in Kamareddy district. He said about 200 dogs had been killed in just the last two or three days. Goutham claimed he got reliable information…

14 Jan

Over 20 killed, several injured as crane collapse derails train in Thailand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsThailand, Train Accident

National Times Bureau :- Over 20 people have been killed and several others injured after a construction crane fell on top of a train in Thailand and causing the derailment. The accident occurred on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, which is 230 km northeast of Bangkok. The train was bound for Ubon Ratchathani province. The blaze has been doused off while the rescue operation is underway, the police said.

14 Jan

Daylight Killing of Surrey Businessman Triggers Intensive Police Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCanada, Surrey

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): A fatal shooting in the middle of the day has left Surrey residents shaken after a Punjabi businessman was killed near his property on Tuesday afternoon. Police confirmed that the incident occurred just after noon, at approximately 12:05 pm local time, outside a farm located near 176 Street and 35 Avenue. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Binder Garcha, was reportedly attacked near the gate of his land and was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders arrived within minutes of receiving emergency calls, but the victim had already suffered fatal injuries. The area was quickly cordoned off…

13 Jan

India’s Harvest Festivals Celebrate Unity in Diversity and Spirit of Gratitude

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaand Bhogi, Harvesting Festival, India, Lohri, Magh Bihu, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan

Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Celebrated across different regions during the harvest season, festivals such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu, and Bhogi beautifully reflect the richness of India’s traditions, cultural heritage, and unity in diversity. Though known by different names and observed with unique rituals, these festivals share a common essence—gratitude to nature, farmers, and the harvest that sustains life.From the warmth of Lohri bonfires in North India to the sacred sun worship of Makar Sankranti, the thanksgiving celebrations of Pongal in the South, the vibrant kite-flying festivities of Uttarayan in the West, and the joyful observance of Magh…

13 Jan

IHF to Celebrate 3rd Anniversary of Ayodhya Shri Ram Temple with Grand Shri Ramotsav 2026 in Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharna)) : The International Hindu Foundation (IHF), with strong community support, is set to commemorate the third anniversary of the historic Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya by organizing Shri Ramotsav 2026, a grand spiritual and cultural celebration in Calgary on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Magnolia Banquet Hall, 5075 Falconridge Blvd NE. The official poster of Shri Ramotsav 2026 was formally released during a community interaction by Sonia Joshi of the International Hindu Foundation, along with her dedicated IHF team and other respected community dignitaries. During the poster release, detailed information about…

13 Jan

Earthquake Uncovers Hidden Fault in Remote Yukon Mountain Region

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlaska-Yukon border, geological survey, hidden fault line, plate tectonics, seismic activity, Yukon earthquake

Yukon (Rajeev Sharma): Researchers surveying a remote mountain area in southwest Yukon are examining signs of avalanches and landslides after a powerful earthquake struck near the Alaska–Yukon border last month. The magnitude 7.0 quake, which occurred on Dec. 6, prompted scientists from the Yukon Geological Survey to launch an aerial reconnaissance using helicopters to assess the earthquake’s surface impacts. Their findings have helped confirm a long-standing geological theory that a previously undetected fault lies beneath the region. Although both Alaska and the Yukon are known for seismic activity, scientists say the earthquake occurred in an area that has seen little…