Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

07 Jan

Brockville Tenants Voice Safety Fears After Temporary Warming Centre Opens in Their Building

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingBrockville

Brockville, Ont. (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of an apartment complex in Brockville say they no longer feel secure after a temporary overnight warming centre for people experiencing homelessness was set up inside their building earlier this month. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville opened the warming centre on January 2 in a shared common room at 55 Reynolds Drive, a 43-unit building owned and managed by the counties. The space operates nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., can host up to 40 people, and is overseen by support staff and private security. The decision followed the closure of Brockville’s…

07 Jan

Alberta Ski Resorts See Record Snowfall, Banff Tops Canada’s Instagram List

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s ski season is off to an extraordinary start, with snow levels reaching heights not seen in decades across the province’s slopes. Popular resorts are reporting record-breaking early-season snowfall, delighting skiers and snowboarders alike. At Banff Sunshine Village, December brought an impressive 257 centimetres of snow—the fourth-highest monthly total in the resort’s near-century-long history. “We’ve been jokingly calling it ‘Snow-cember,’” said Kendra Scurfield, Vice President of Brand Communications. She noted that such heavy early-season snow hasn’t been recorded since the 2007-2008 season, and comparable winters were mostly seen in the 1990s and earlier. Lake Louise Ski Resort…

07 Jan

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Files Lawsuit Against Alberta Over Secession Petition

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) has taken legal action against the Alberta government, challenging recent measures that allowed a group to begin collecting signatures for a referendum on the province leaving Canada. The Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) received approval from Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure before Christmas to ask residents the question: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?” In a statement of claim filed Monday, SLCN is seeking an urgent interim injunction from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta to halt…

07 Jan

Canada Expands Middle Eastern Flight Access, Paving Way for Competitive Airfares

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAirfares, Canada, Middle East Flights

Ottawa ( Rajeev Sharma) : Canada has lifted long-standing restrictions on airlines from the Middle East, opening the doors for more flights from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Under the new agreement, Saudi carriers can now operate up to 14 passenger flights per week, up from just four, while UAE airlines can increase services from 21 to 35 weekly flights. The deal also allows unlimited cargo routes.The move is part of Ottawa’s broader strategy to diversify trade and strengthen global connectivity beyond the United States. It follows significant economic engagement, including a $70-billion investment commitment from the UAE.Aviation…

07 Jan

Chaos at Amsterdam Airport: 180 Flights Cancelled Amid Winter Weather and Fueling Issues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAmsterdam Airport

Amsterdam (National Times) : Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has faced massive disruption as thousands of passengers were stranded due to severe winter weather, fueling problems, and operational challenges. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and strong winds forced airlines to cancel hundreds of domestic and international flights. Dutch carrier KLM cancelled nearly half of its flights on some days, while around 180 additional flights were scrapped due to fueling issues, delaying aircraft turnaround times. Passengers reported long queues, overwhelmed staff, and limited guidance, with many expressing frustration and distress. Emotional scenes were widely reported, including travelers missing connecting flights or important events. Some…

07 Jan

C-5 Galaxy Transport Aircraft Crashes Near Dover Air Force Base; All Crew Survive

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Dover, Delaware ( National Times) : A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft crashed in a field near Dover Air Force Base shortly after takeoff following an engine failure, according to officials. The aircraft experienced a failure of its number two engine soon after departure and declared an emergency while attempting to return to the base. The landing attempt was unsuccessful, and the aircraft came down before reaching the runway. On impact, the fuselage fractured just behind the cockpit. The nose section came to rest facing the runway, while the tail separated and was found several hundred meters away.…

07 Jan

Ice-Covered Aircraft Spotted Flying Low Over Edmonton, Triggering Aviation Safety Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAircraft, Ice Covered

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): A startling aviation incident is under investigation after residents reported seeing a commercial aircraft heavily coated in ice flying at low altitude over Edmonton’s skyline early this morning. Witnesses say the plane’s fuselage, wings, and engines appeared encased in ice, a rare and potentially dangerous phenomenon known as severe in-flight icing. The frozen exterior was clearly visible from the ground as the aircraft passed above central Edmonton under overcast skies and sub-zero temperatures, prompting concern among onlookers. Several residents described the sight as “unnerving” and “surreal,” likening the aircraft to a floating ice sculpture moving silently through…

07 Jan

Extreme Cold Grounds Flights in Northwestern Canada, Highlighting Winter Travel Risks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Cancelled, Cold, Flights

Edmonton(Rajeev Sharma): A powerful Arctic cold wave has swept through far northwestern Canada, driving temperatures below –50°C and forcing airlines to cancel flights as aircraft became unsafe to operate. Even in clear weather, extreme cold can severely impact aviation by affecting engine performance, fuel systems, hydraulics, tires, and sensitive electronic equipment, creating serious safety risks on the ground and in the air. Aviation experts note that such conditions can cause metal components to become brittle, fluids to thicken, and onboard systems to malfunction, making normal operations impossible. As a result, airlines grounded aircraft to protect passenger safety and prevent long-term…

06 Jan

Calgary Braces for Long-Term Water Restrictions as City Commits to Rebuilding Critical Main

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBearspaw feeder main, Calgary water crisis, Jeromy Farkas, water conservation measures

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Nearly a week after the Bearspaw feeder main ruptured for the second time, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has made it clear that water conservation measures will remain in effect until a brand-new water main is constructed, marking what could become the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history. Speaking on Monday, Farkas said Calgarians can no longer afford to take water access for granted, describing the situation as a fundamental shift in how the city must manage its most vital resource. Emphasising public safety, he said residents deserve transparency about the scale of the problem and the…

06 Jan

Border Traffic Slumps as B.C. Day Trips to Washington Lose Momentum

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaB.C.-Washington border, border crossings decline, Canada-U.S. travel

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma)–Washington border crossings saw a sharp rise at the start of 2025, but the momentum quickly reversed, leading to steep declines that are now hurting businesses in U.S. border communities. Data shows that in January 2025, the number of B.C.-registered vehicles entering Washington state increased by 10 per cent compared to the previous year. At the time, experts described the surge as part of a broader post-pandemic recovery. Laurie Trautman from Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute said the growth reflected Canadians returning to pre-COVID travel habits. “We had been on an upward trajectory month over…