Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

28 Jan

Surrey Urges Ottawa to Declare Federal Emergency as Extortion Cases Surge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBrenda Locke, federal state of emergency, organized crime, RCMP, Surrey extortion

Surrey, B.C, January 28, 2026: The City of Surrey is calling on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in response to a sharp rise in extortion cases, with police recording 35 suspected incidents in the city so far this month alone. Surrey city council unanimously approved a motion brought forward by Mayor Brenda Locke during a public hearing Monday night, citing growing concerns over organized crime, intimidation and targeted shootings. “The City of Surrey is experiencing an acute and escalating crisis of organized extortion, intimidation, and targeted shootings resulting in fear, trauma, and economic harm to residents…

28 Jan

Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25%, Sees Slow Recovery After U.S. Tariff Shock

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Canadian economy, inflation outlook, Interest rates, policy rate, Tiff Macklem

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday, maintaining the policy rate at 2.25 per cent, while forecasting a gradual recovery the Canadian economy following the impact of U.S. tariffs The decision marks the central bank’s first rate announcement of the year and was widely anticipated by economists. The bank paused its rate-cutting cycle in December, and Governor Tiff Macklem said recent economic developments have largely unfolded in line with expectations. However, Macklem cautioned that uncertainty remains “unusually high,” citing ongoing geopolitical risks and the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. He said…

28 Jan

Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson Named Canada’s Flag-Bearers for Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaMarielle Thompson, Mikaël Kingsbury, Milano-Cortina Olympics, Olympic flag-bearers, Team Canada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Olympic champions Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson will carry the Canadian flag at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games on Feb. 6, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced Wednesday. The duo, both competing in their fourth Olympic Games, will lead Canada’s freestyle skiing and snowboard athletes during the ceremony in Livigno. The parade of nations will take place simultaneously across multiple venues, including Milan’s San Siro Stadium and mountain clusters in Cortina and Predazzo, making these the most geographically spread Olympic Games in history. More than 200 Canadian athletes, alongside competitors from 92 other countries,…

28 Jan

Toronto cyclists defend court win as Ontario appeals bike lane ruling

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBloor Street bike lanes, Charter rights, cycling safety, Doug Ford government, Ontario Court of Appeal, Toronto bike lanes

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A group of Toronto cyclists appeared before Ontario’s highest court on Wednesday to defend a lower-court ruling that blocked the provincial government’s plan to remove protected bike lanes from major city streets. The Court of Appeal for Ontario is hearing the province’s appeal against a July 2025 Superior Court decision that found the proposed removal of bike lanes posed an unconstitutional risk to cyclists’ safety. The case centres on a 2024 law passed by Premier Doug Ford’s government to eliminate 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue. The cyclists, including…

28 Jan

B.C. paramedics’ union to hold strike vote after contract talks stall

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaAmbulance Paramedics of B.C., B.C. paramedics, contract talks, staffing shortages, strike vote

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The union representing British Columbia’s ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers has announced it will hold a strike vote early next month after negotiations with the provincial government over a new collective agreement reached an impasse. Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. (APBC) said in a news release on Tuesday evening that the electronic strike vote will be conducted over a two-week period beginning February 2. The announcement follows contract talks last week that the union described as yielding “no positive progress.” APBC president Jason Jackson said the government’s current offer fails to address the ongoing challenges faced by paramedics…

28 Jan

Toronto drivers lost about four days to traffic in 2025: study

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadacongestion study, rush hour delays, TomTom Traffic Index, Toronto traffic, urban transport

Toronto, January 28, 2026: Drivers in Canada’s largest city spent the equivalent of nearly four full days stuck in traffic last year, according to a new study by navigation company TomTom. Releasing its annual Traffic Index on Monday, TomTom ranked Toronto as the second most congested city in Canada, behind only Vancouver. The study found that Toronto motorists lost a total of 100 hours during rush hour in 2025, amounting to four days and four hours. This marked an increase of three hours and 50 minutes compared to 2024. Despite the rise, experts noted a marginal improvement in Toronto’s standing…

28 Jan

India Energy Week 2026 opens in Goa with focus on sustainable transition and global partnerships

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaenergy transition, Goa, Hardeep Singh Puri, India Energy Week 2026, natural gas, sustainable energy

Goa (Rajeev Sharma): Known primarily for its beaches and tourism, Goa this week emerged as a key hub for global energy discussions as India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 began on Tuesday, underlining India’s push for sustainable and secure energy partnerships. The message from the inaugural session was clear: the global energy transition can succeed only with consistent investment, broader cooperation and a pragmatic approach that keeps energy affordable for fast-growing economies. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, UAE Minister and ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant set the tone for the…

28 Jan

Dubai Property Boom Fades as Oversupply Puts Investor Returns at Risk

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDubai

Dubai ( Rajeev Sharma): Dubai’s residential property market is entering a more cautious phase in 2026, creating fresh challenges for Indian and other overseas investors who were among the largest buyers during the post-pandemic boom. According to market reports by global property consultancies Knight Frank, JLL and CBRE, Dubai home prices rose sharply between 2022 and 2024, driven by foreign capital inflows, high rental demand and an influx of new residents. However, these firms note that price growth has begun to slow in 2025, particularly in apartment-dominated communities. Industry estimates cited by JLL and Dubai Land Department data indicate that…

28 Jan

Under U.S. Tariff Pressure, Carney Looks to India for Economic Reset

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India

Ottawa/New Delhi( Rajeev / Gurpreet) : Faing growing economic strain from U.S. trade tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing a major diplomatic and trade outreach to India, signaling a strategic shift in Ottawa’s foreign economic policy. After years of frozen relations, Canada and India are now moving to reopen talks on a long-stalled free trade agreement, driven by shared concern over Washington’s protectionist measures. With Canadian exporters increasingly vulnerable to U.S. market decisions, India has emerged as a key alternative partner in Ottawa’s plan to diversify trade routes. Senior government sources say the proposed visit aims to repair…

28 Jan

House Warming Ceremony of Renowned Punjabi Artist Karamjit Anmol Held in Mohali

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaKaramjit Anmol, Mohali, National Times media, Punjab News, Rajeev Sharma

Mohali (Rajeev Sharma/ Gurpreet Singh): Renowned Punjabi actor, director, and singer Karamjit Anmol organized a religious house warming ceremony at his new residence in Mohali to seek the blessings of Waheguru Ji. The ceremony included Akhand Path Sahib, followed by Kirtan and Guru Ka Langar, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his family’s life with spiritual devotion and gratitude. After the completion of the religious ceremony, several prominent personalities visited the residence to congratulate Karamjit Anmol and his family on their beautiful new home. Among those who extended their best wishes were the wife and sister of the…