Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

12 Mar

Canada’s Trade Deficit Triples in January as Auto Exports Stall

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, CanadaAuto Exports, Canada trade, energy trade, StatCan, Trade Deficit

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — Canada’s merchandise trade deficit widened significantly to C$3.65 billion in January 2026, far exceeding the C$900 million gap analysts had forecasted. According to data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday, March 12, the deficit nearly tripled from December’s revised C$1.3 billion, marking the largest percentage decline in exports in nearly a year. The primary driver behind the widening gap was a sharp 21.2% plunge in the export of motor vehicles and parts, which hit its lowest level since September 2021. Officials attributed the decline to "prolonged seasonal production stoppages" as Canadian plants underwent extensive retooling for…

12 Mar

Wrong Turn at Peace Bridge Leads to Arrest of Three Canadians with Forged Passports

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBorder Arrest, Passport Forgery, Peace Bridge, RCMP

Fort Erie, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma) — What started as a simple navigational error ended in a major criminal bust on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after three Quebec residents were intercepted at the Peace Bridge port of entry with a cache of forged documents and fraudulent financial tools. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the suspects were caught after accidentally driving toward the U.S. border and being forced to turn back into Canada. Upon their return to the Canadian side, the suspects were referred for secondary screening by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. The subsequent search of the…

12 Mar

Legal trouble mounts for Hardik Pandya as Pune lawyer files complaint over disrespect to national flag during victory celebrations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaHardik Pandaya

Rajeev Sharma :- Hardik Pandya, India’s all-rounder, has landed in legal trouble after a Pune-based advocate filed a complaint with the police, accusing him of disrespecting the Indian national flag during the T20 World Cup victory celebrations in Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The complaint was submitted at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station and relates to India’s on-field celebrations after the team lifted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for a record third time. A police officer confirmed on Wednesday that advocate Wajid Khan had submitted the application seeking appropriate action, though further details were not disclosed. "According to Section…

12 Mar

Iran Seeks Long-Term Security Pledge from US as Part of Ceasefire Proposal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran has reportedly conveyed through diplomatic intermediaries that it would consider a ceasefire only if the United States provides assurances that neither Washington nor Israel will carry out future military strikes against the country. According to officials familiar with the discussions, the message was delivered through discreet diplomatic channels involving several European and Middle Eastern governments. These backchannel exchanges are aimed at exploring possible ways to halt the ongoing conflict and reduce tensions in the region. Sources said Tehran’s primary concern is the possibility that Israel could launch additional attacks once the current hostilities subside. As a…

12 Mar

Oil Markets Rattle as Brent Crosses $100 Amid Rising Gulf Shipping Attacks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, Trending, World NewsIran, Israel, Oil

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): International oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday as mounting tensions in the Persian Gulf pushed Brent crude above the $100-per-barrel mark, raising fresh concerns about global energy supplies and economic stability. The surge came after reports of intensified Iranian attacks on commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil transport. Market reaction was swift, with Brent crude recording a jump of more than 9% during early trading hours. Just days earlier, the benchmark had briefly surged close to $120, highlighting the volatility gripping energy markets. Meanwhile, the United States’…

11 Mar

Historic Coincidence: 2026 Calendar Matches 1914, A Year That Changed the World

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld News1914, 2026 Calendar, Geopolitics, Global Security, History, World War I

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): A striking historical coincidence has captured global attention in 2026: the calendar of this year is identical to that of 1914 the year the world plunged into the catastrophic conflict known as World War I. Both 1914 and 2026 begin on a Thursday and are non-leap years with 365 days, meaning every date in 2026 falls on the exact same weekday as it did in 1914. The year 1914 marked one of the most dramatic turning points in modern history. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. The assassination…

11 Mar

Toronto Police Officer Charged with Sexual Assault Following Peel Special Victims Unit Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, OntarioFarhan Ali, Markham, Peel Regional Police, Sexual Assault, Toronto Police

Brampton (Rajeev Sharma)— A 39-year-old Toronto police officer has been suspended from duty after being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and physical assault following a targeted investigation by the Peel Regional Police. The Special Victims Unit (SVU) announced the charges on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, marking a significant legal development involving a member of the neighbouring jurisdiction's police force. The accused, identified as Farhan Ali of Markham, faces a total of ten criminal charges. According to the formal release from Peel police, Ali has been charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of assault, and four…

11 Mar

Environment Canada Issues “Critical” Warnings as Massive Storm Hits Ontario to Newfoundland

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaEnvironment Canada, freezing rain, Maritimes, Ontario Weather, Quebec Storm

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — A massive and complex weather system is sweeping across Central and Eastern Canada this Wednesday, March 11, 2026, bringing a volatile mix of freezing rain, heavy snow, and torrential downpours. Environment Canada has issued high-level alerts for a vast corridor stretching from Ontario to Newfoundland, specifically warning of a "critical freezing rain event" that threatens to paralyze transportation and power infrastructure in several major metropolitan areas. The most severe freezing rain warnings are currently in effect for a region spanning east from Huntsville, Ontario, encompassing Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. Meteorologists expect a relentless 24-hour period…

11 Mar

Recall Petition Against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Fails to Meet Signature Threshold

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta politics, Brooks-Medicine Hat, Danielle Smith, Recall Petition, UCP

Medicine Hat, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma)— A high-profile attempt to oust Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from her seat in the legislature has officially collapsed after failing to gather the necessary signatures. The petition, led by local resident Heather VanSnick in the riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat, concluded on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, falling significantly short of the steep legal requirements mandated by provincial law. Under the recall legislation introduced in 2021, petitioners are required to collect signatures from 60 per cent of the total number of voters who cast a ballot in the previous general election within a 90-day window. In Smith’s…

11 Mar

LNG Canada Ramps Up Production to Shield Asian Markets from Middle East Energy Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaEnergy Crisis, Gas Exports, Kitimat, LNG Canada, West Asia

Kitimat, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma)— In a critical move for global energy security, LNG Canada has significantly accelerated its production and export volumes this week as the escalating conflict in West Asia threatens to cripple the world’s liquefied natural gas supply. Data released on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, indicates that the Shell-led facility in Kitimat is operating near its full capacity of 14 million metric tonnes per year, providing a vital alternative for Asian nations currently cut off from traditional Gulf sources. The urgency comes as QatarEnergy, which normally accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s LNG trade, declared force majeure…