Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Mar

Canada’s Middle East Evacuation Efforts: 8,500 Return Home Amid U.S.-Iran War

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAnita Anand, Canada Evacuation, Global Affairs Canada, Middle East conflict, U.S.-Iran War

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Following the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran on February 28, 2026, the Canadian government has orchestrated a massive logistical effort to assist citizens and permanent residents in leaving the conflict zone. As of Friday, March 13, 2026, nearly 8,500 Canadians have successfully returned to Canada, while over 1,000 others have been relocated to safe third countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has designated the "secure egress" of Canadians as her department's top priority, though Global Affairs Canada (GAC) maintains there is no legal obligation to evacuate citizens—rather, it is a high-stakes service provided during…

14 Mar

Centre withdraws detention order against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBig news, Sonam Wangchuk

Rajeev Sharma :- In a significant move, the Union Government has revoked the detention order issued against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The decision comes amid growing discussions around the activist’s campaign highlighting environmental concerns and issues related to the Himalayan region. Sonam Wangchuk, widely known for his work on sustainable development and climate awareness in Ladakh, had earlier been placed under detention, drawing attention from environmental groups and civil society. The Centre’s latest decision to withdraw the order has been viewed as an important development in the ongoing discourse surrounding environmental advocacy. Wangchuk has been actively raising concerns about the…

13 Mar

First Land Fatalities: Two Indians Killed in Oman Drone Strike Amid West Asia Conflict

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsIndian Evacuation, Indian Fatalities, MEA West Asia, Oman Drone Strike, Safesea Vishnu, Sohar

Oman (Rajeev Sharma): In a tragic escalation of the regional crisis, two Indian nationals were killed and 10 others injured following a drone strike in the Omani city of Sohar on Friday, March 13, 2026. This marks the first time Indian citizens have died on land since hostilities between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran erupted on February 28. The incident occurred when two drones crashed in Sohar, with one specifically targeting the Al Awhi Industrial Zone, according to the Oman News Agency (ONA). Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the deaths during an inter-ministerial…

13 Mar

Carney Government Unveils $35B Arctic Defense and Infrastructure Blitz

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaArctic Defense, Canadian sovereignty, F-35, Mackenzie Valley Highway, Mark Carney, NORAD Modernization

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — In a move to transition from "piecemeal" investments to a robust, connected northern network, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a comprehensive $35-billion plan to overhaul Canada’s military and civilian footprint in the Far North. Speaking from the Canadian military’s joint northern headquarters, Carney emphasized that the initiative is designed to "secure every corner" of the Arctic while unlocking its vast economic potential. The plan leverages approximately $32 billion originally set aside for NORAD modernization, with total spending likely to be revised upward as threats and construction costs evolve. Military Expansion: A New Arctic Shield The centerpiece…

13 Mar

Canada Sheds 84,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Rises to 6.7%

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBank Of Canada, Canada Jobs Report, Economic News, StatCan, unemployment rate

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canada’s labour market suffered a major setback in February 2026 as the economy unexpectedly lost 84,000 jobs, driving the national unemployment rate up to 6.7%. According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, the decline was far more severe than economists had predicted, marking one of the worst monthly job losses since the COVID-19 pandemic. The report comes at a sensitive time for the Canadian economy, which is currently grappling with trade uncertainty, new U.S. tariff investigations, and the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Key Figures: A "Brutal" Month for…

13 Mar

Premier Danielle Smith Applauds National Times’ International Women’s Month Initiative

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta Premier, Calgary News, Danielle Smith, International Women’s Month, National Times media, Women’s Leadership

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a special message marking International Women’s Day, Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, extended her warm greetings and appreciation as National Times Media Group celebrates and highlights inspiring women throughout the month of March. On behalf of the Government of Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged the remarkable contributions women continue to make in communities across the province, throughout Canada, and around the world. She emphasized that women play a vital role in shaping society by building successful businesses, strengthening families and communities, leading organizations, and contributing to fields such as education, healthcare, and social development. She noted…

13 Mar

Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar Amid Escalating Border Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAfghanistan

Kabul (Rajeev Sharma): Authorities in Afghanistan have accused neighbouring Pakistan of carrying out aerial bombardments in several parts of the country, including the capital and the southern province of Kandahar, marking a sharp rise in hostilities between the two nations. A spokesperson for the ruling Taliban administration claimed that Pakistani aircraft targeted multiple sites during the strikes. Among the locations reportedly hit was a fuel storage facility owned by the Afghan private airline Kam Air situated near Kandahar International Airport. According to the spokesperson, bombs struck the fuel depot close to the airport complex, though officials have not yet released…

12 Mar

New Iranian Leader Vows Retaliation as West Asia Conflict Widens

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Mojtaba Khamenei, oil prices, Retaliation, Strait of Hormuz, West Asia

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma)— In a stern first address on Thursday, March 12, 2026, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to "avenge the blood of Iranians" and warned that Tehran would continue its campaign against American military installations in the region. The message, delivered via state television, comes as the Islamic Republic navigates a volatile leadership transition following the death of Ali Khamenei in recent U.S.-Israeli strikes. Khamenei’s statement was deeply personal, acknowledging the loss of his father, wife, and other family members during the opening salvos of the conflict. He emphasized that the "lever of blocking the Strait of…

12 Mar

United States Launches Sweeping Section 301 Trade Probe Against 16 Nations Including India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsIndia US trade, Jamieson Greer, Manufacturing, Section 301, Trade Probe, USTR

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma)— The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the initiation of a massive investigation into the trade practices of 16 major global partners. The probe, launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targets economies accused of maintaining "structural excess capacity" in their manufacturing sectors, a move that signals a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to reshape global supply chains and protect American industry. The investigation covers a broad spectrum of economies, including China, India, Japan, the European Union, South Korea, and Mexico. Other nations under scrutiny include Singapore, Switzerland,…

12 Mar

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale Resigns Abruptly Following ‘Mein Kampf’ Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioAnti-Racism, Bob Gale, Mein Kampf, Niagara Region, Resignation

Niagara, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma) — In a sudden and dramatic exit from municipal politics, Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale resigned his post late Wednesday, March 11, 2026, just hours after local anti-racism groups went public with evidence that he owned a signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The resignation was tendered to Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack, who accepted it effective immediately. The controversy was ignited by a joint statement from the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA) and Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara. The groups produced a 2010 invoice showing Gale purchased the book—inscribed by Hitler to "close…