Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

30 Jan

Doug Ford Urges Alberta Premier to Reject Separatism Amid Reports of U.S. Meetings

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to clearly denounce separatist efforts in her province following reports that an Alberta-based independence group held meetings with U.S. officials. Speaking with reporters in Ottawa on Thursday, where he is attending meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and fellow premiers, Ford said the issue presents a moment for Smith to take a firm stand. “This is an opportunity for Premier Smith to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough.’ Either you’re with Canada or you’re not with Canada,” Ford said. His comments come after The Financial…

30 Jan

Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft, Targets Bombardier Jets in Escalating Trade Dispute

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World Newsaircraft tariffs, Bombardier, Canada-U.S. trade, Donald Trump, Gulfstream jets

Washington/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian-made aircraft and to “decertify” planes built in Canada, singling out Bombardier jets in the latest escalation of trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Canada of unfairly blocking the certification of several Gulfstream aircraft models, including the G500, G600, G700 and G800. He claimed the move effectively prevents the U.S.-based manufacturer from selling its aircraft in Canada. “Canada is effectively prohibiting the sale of Gulfstream products through this certification process,” Trump wrote, adding…

30 Jan

Weapons Scare Triggers Lockdown at West Edmonton Mall, Shoppers Ordered to Shelter as Police Sweep Complex

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaEdmonton Police, mall lockdown, Public Safety, weapons scare, West Edmonton Mall

EDMONTON ( Rajeev Sharma): A reported weapons complaint triggered a sudden lockdown at West Edmonton Mall on Wednesday afternoon (January 29, 2026), forcing shoppers and employees to barricade inside stores and restaurants while heavily armed police conducted a security sweep of the massive complex. Edmonton police rushed to the scene after receiving reports that a person may have been in possession of a weapon inside the mall. Authorities immediately activated emergency protocols, ordering the public to shelter in place as officers moved through corridors and common areas to locate the suspect and assess the threat.Witnesses described a tense atmosphere as…

30 Jan

Direct UAE–Calgary Flights to Boost Trade and Investment as Etihad Launches Nonstop Service

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAbu Dhabi Calgary flights, direct international flights, Etihad Airways, UAE Canada trade

CALGARY / ABU DHABI( Rajeev Sharma): The launch of the first-ever nonstop flight between Abu Dhabi and Calgary is expected to significantly strengthen trade, investment and corporate travel links between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Western Canada, according to aviation and business leaders.Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will begin operating the route on November 3, 2026, with four weekly flights using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, providing a direct air bridge between two key energy and investment-driven economies.The new service is designed to serve not only leisure travellers but also energy executives, infrastructure firms, financial investors and…

30 Jan

India reports 2 Nipah virus cases; WHO dismisses need for travel and trade curbs | Symptoms to watch for

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaNipah Virus

National Times Bureau :- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday stated that the current Nipah virus situation in India carries a low risk of wider spread, and there is no requirement for travel or trade restrictions, even as two confirmed cases have raised regional alert levels. The WHO’s assessment comes amid reports that several Asian nations have increased health screening for travellers arriving from affected areas, following concerns over the virus’s high fatality rate. WHO assessment on Nipah virus risk In a situation update released on its official platform, the global health body said there is no evidence of…

30 Jan

Lok Sabha Sets Three-Day Debate on Union Budget 2026–27 from February 9

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Lok Sabha is set to take up an extensive discussion on the Union Budget for 2026–27 starting February 9, days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the budget on February 1. The debate in the lower House will span three days, continuing on February 10 and February 11. As per the schedule approved by the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee, 18 hours have been earmarked for the Budget discussion. The time allocation is intended to allow members to closely scrutinise key fiscal proposals, spending plans and revenue-related measures outlined for the upcoming financial year. Prior…

30 Jan

PT Usha’s Husband V Srinivasan Dies at 67

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, SportsIndian Olympic Association, Indian sports news, P T Usha, Rajya Sabha MP, V Srinivasan death

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): V Srinivasan, husband of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and Rajya Sabha MP P T Usha, passed away early Friday morning, according to family sources. He was 67. Sources said Srinivasan collapsed at his home in the early hours and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed. A former central government employee, Srinivasan was widely regarded as a steadfast support system in P T Usha’s personal and professional life. He stood by her during her legendary athletics career and continued to support…

30 Jan

Indian national indicted in US for alleged human smuggling from Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBorder Patrol, human smuggling, Illegal Immigration, Indian citizen, US indictment, US-Canada border

Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): A 22-year-old Indian citizen has been indicted in the United States for allegedly operating a human smuggling network that facilitated the illegal entry of Indian nationals from Canada into the country through the northern border. The accused, identified as Shivam, whose surname has not been disclosed, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens into the United States and four counts of illegally bringing aliens into the country for private financial gain. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York on Wednesday. According to…

30 Jan

Virat Kohli’s sudden Instagram disappearance sparks speculation among fans

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, SportsAnushka Sharma, ICC ODI ranking, Indian cricket, Instagram, Social Media, Virat Kohli

New Delhi, Jan 30: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has unexpectedly vanished from Instagram, setting off widespread curiosity and concern among fans worldwide. As of Friday, Kohli’s official account, followed by over 274 million users, was no longer visible on the platform, with searches for his handle returning messages indicating that the page is unavailable. The sudden development was first noticed in the early hours of Friday when followers attempting to access @virat.kohli found the profile missing. There was no prior indication of a planned social media break, making the move particularly puzzling for his massive online following. The timing…

29 Jan

Doug Ford Warns Quebec Separatist Victory Would Be a “Disaster” for Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian unity, Doug Ford, Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Quebec election

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario Premier Doug Ford waded into Quebec’s provincial political debate on Wednesday, saying the election of a separatist government in the province would be a “disaster” for Canada at a time when national unity is critical. Ford made the remarks at a joint news conference with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt ahead of a meeting of provincial premiers in Ottawa. The comments come as Quebec prepares for a fall election that could usher in major political change following Premier François Legault’s announcement earlier this month that he will step down once his party selects a new leader.…