Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

08 Mar

Lakshya Sen Falls Short of Historic All England Crown; Lin Chun-Yi Claims First Title for Chinese Taipei

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsAll England Open, badminton, India Sports, Lakshya Sen, Lin Chun-Yi

Birmingham (Rajeev Sharma) — India's long wait for an All-England men's singles title will continue as Lakshya Sen fell agonizingly short in a high-octane final on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The 24-year-old from Almora, playing his second final at the prestigious tournament, was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in straight sets, 15-21, 20-22. The 57-minute encounter was a masterclass in modern badminton, defined by blistering rallies and relentless offensive play. The physical toll of a grueling week appeared to be a decisive factor. Sen entered the final having spent over five hours on court, including a marathon 97-minute semifinal…

08 Mar

“Relentless” Investigation Launched as Gunfire Strikes Two GTA Synagogues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAntisemitism, GTA, Gunfire, Police, Synagogues

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Police and political leaders gathered outside a North York synagogue on Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, to vow a "relentless" investigation and demand stronger protections for Jewish communities following a pair of weekend shootings. The update came just over 24 hours after bullets tore through the front doors of the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue. The incident was one of two synagogue shootings in the Greater Toronto Area within about an hour late Friday night and early Saturday morning, heightening fears in the Jewish community and prompting an immediate surge in police…

08 Mar

Bomb Threats Target 11 Schools in Ontario’s Kenora District; OPP Launch Criminal Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada2026. The threats, and Sioux Lookout, March 6, Red Lake, The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched a major investigation after nearly a dozen schools across the Kenora District were targeted by bomb threats early Friday morning, triggered immediate emergency protocols across the communities of Dryden, which began surfacing around 7:00 a.m. local time

Kenora (Rajeev Sharma) — The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched a major investigation after nearly a dozen schools across the Kenora District were targeted by bomb threats early Friday morning, March 6, 2026. The threats, which began surfacing around 7:00 a.m. local time, triggered immediate emergency protocols across the communities of Dryden, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, forcing several campuses to close as a precautionary measure before students arrived for the day. The North West Region OPP confirmed that 11 separate schools received the warnings, prompting a coordinated sweep of the affected properties. School staff, supported by OPP detachment…

08 Mar

Gulf Nations on High Alert After Fresh Iranian Strikes Target Key Sites

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran

Dubai (Rajeev Sharma): Several Gulf countries remained on heightened alert after a fresh round of missile and drone attacks linked to Iran targeted strategic locations across the region, including airports, oil facilities and military bases. Authorities in Kuwait confirmed that fuel storage facilities near Kuwait International Airport were struck during the latest escalation. The country’s oil sector responded by temporarily reducing crude production as a safety measure while security forces dealt with what officials described as a wave of hostile drones entering national airspace. Some civilian structures were also damaged after fragments from intercepted drones fell to the ground. In…

08 Mar

Mixed Reactions to Gurdas Maan’s Canada Tour 2026 After Vancouver Remarks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCanada, Gurdas Maan

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): After many years, the upcoming 2026 Canada tour of Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan is facing unusual resistance from sections of the Punjabi community. The controversy began after remarks he reportedly made something wrong words during an event in Vancouver, which some community members say hurt their sentiments. Following the backlash, Gurdas Maan issued a public apology for his comments, expressing regret and clarifying that he did not intend to offend anyone. However, despite the apology, discussions across Canada including cities like Calgary show that some people still do not agree with or support his shows this time.…

08 Mar

Canada Introduces New TR-to-PR Pathway, Offering 33,000 Temporary Workers a Chance at Permanent Residency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingCanada

Calgary ( Rajeev Sharma): The government of Canada has announced a new Temporary Resident-to-Permanent Resident (TR-to-PR) pathway for 2026–2027, creating an opportunity for 33,000 foreign workers already living and working in the country to apply for permanent residency. The initiative is aimed at supporting the Canadian labour market by allowing temporary residents who already have valuable Canadian work experience to transition into permanent residents. Officials say the program will help fill ongoing labour shortages while also providing stability for workers who have already contributed to the country’s economy. A significant number of eligible applicants are expected to be international workers…

08 Mar

Tehran Fuel Depot Ablaze as Israel Strikes; Trump Vows Tougher Action Against Iran

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsTehran

Tehran/Jerusalem (Rajeev Sharma): The confrontation between Israel and Iran escalated sharply late Saturday after an Israeli strike hit a major fuel storage facility in the Iranian capital, sending huge flames and thick smoke into the night sky and signalling a further widening of the week-long conflict. Footage from Tehran showed fire and smoke rising above the city after the facility was struck. The Israeli military confirmed that it had targeted fuel storage installations as part of its ongoing operations against Iran. Iranian state media blamed the strike on joint actions by Israel and the United States, claiming the attack damaged…

07 Mar

Ford Canada Issues Massive Recalls Impacting Over 680,000 Vehicles Across Popular Models

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, CanadaCanada Safety, F-150 Recall, Ford Recall, Trailer Module, Vehicle Maintenance

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma) — Ford Motor Company has initiated a significant safety campaign across Canada, recalling more than 680,000 vehicles to address two distinct mechanical and software vulnerabilities. The recalls, which encompass some of the manufacturer’s most popular trucks and SUVs, target critical issues with integrated trailer modules and windshield wiper motors. According to the latest notices, these defects could potentially compromise driver visibility and towing safety, significantly increasing the risk of collisions on Canadian roads during a time when many are preparing for spring travel. The most extensive of the two recalls affects approximately 627,000 vehicles, spanning the 2021…

07 Mar

Quebec Teacher’s Gender Policy Challenge Sparks Legal Battle Over Witness Anonymity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAnonymity, Charter rights, Education, Gender Policy, Pronouns, Quebec Court

Montreal (Rajeev Sharma): — The Quebec Superior Court heard pivotal arguments on Friday in a case that could reshape the provincial education landscape and the boundaries of parental rights. A high school teacher, identified in legal filings as A.B., is taking the provincial government to court, alleging that her Charter rights were violated when she was ordered to conceal a student’s gender identity from their parents. The legal challenge centres on a 2021 provincial education policy that allows students aged 14 and older to change their names and pronouns at school without requiring parental consent. The teacher alleges that in…

07 Mar

Loonie Soars as Global Energy Volatility Drives Canadian Dollar Past Major Peers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, Canada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian dollar has taken a commanding lead among G10 currencies this week, surging to its strongest position in months as global energy markets react to the deepening crisis in the Middle East. Driven by a dramatic spike in crude oil benchmarks, the "loonie" has successfully defied broader market volatility, outstripping the performance of the Euro, the Japanese Yen, and the British Pound. With Brent crude prices climbing steadily toward the $90 per barrel threshold fuelled by direct military engagements between the United States and Iran—the Canadian currency has become a primary beneficiary of the mounting geopolitical…