Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

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.…

29 Jan

Supreme Court Stays UGC Equity Regulations, Asks Centre to Redraft Rules

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacaste-based discrimination, equity in higher education, Supreme Court, UGC regulations

New Delhi, January 29, 2026: The Supreme Court on Thursday put on hold the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s recently notified regulations on equity in higher education, expressing concern over ambiguity in the provisions and the risk of their misuse. The court asked the Centre to reconsider and redraft the rules and scheduled the next hearing for March 19.The regulations, notified by the UGC on January 13 as the “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026,” required universities and colleges to establish special committees, helplines and monitoring systems to prevent caste-based discrimination on campuses.Under the framework, grievance…

29 Jan

Eby Calls Alberta Separatists’ U.S. Outreach “Treason” Ahead of Premiers’ Meeting in Ottawa

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, British Columbia, CanadaAlberta Prosperity Project, Alberta separatism, Canada sovereignty, David Eby, U.S. administration

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby on Wednesday strongly condemned reports that Alberta separatists have sought support from the United States, calling such actions an act of “treason” as Canada’s premiers gather with the prime minister in Ottawa. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Eby said appealing to a foreign government for help in breaking up Canada crosses a clear line. “To go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada — there’s an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason,” he said. Eby was responding to reports that members of U.S.…

29 Jan

Mistissini Cree Nation placed under lockdown after fatal shooting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBaie-James, Cree Nation, Eeyou Eenou Police Force, fatal shooting, lockdown, Mistissini, Quebec

Mistissini, Quebec (Rajeev Sharma): The Cree Nation of Mistissini, located in Quebec’s northern Baie-James region, was placed under lockdown on Thursday morning following a fatal shooting incident that resulted in multiple deaths. Chief Michael Petawabano confirmed the lockdown in a statement, saying the decision was taken in the interest of public safety after what he described as a “serious shooting incident.” He said the safety and security of community members remain the highest priority. Residents have been asked to stay inside their homes and keep their doors locked until further notice. All community buildings, including schools, offices and other public…

29 Jan

Canada trade deficit widens sharply in November as exports slump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada trade deficit, Canadian exports, November trade data, Statistics Canada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada recorded a sharp increase in its monthly international trade deficit in November as merchandise exports fell steeply, led by a significant decline in metal and non-metallic product shipments, data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday showed. The country posted a goods trade deficit of C$2.2 billion (US$1.62 billion) in November, widening sharply from an upwardly revised deficit of C$395 million in October. With the exception of September, when Canada registered a marginal surplus, the trade balance has remained in deficit since February last year, coinciding with uncertainty triggered by tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.…

29 Jan

Delhi Police SWAT commando dies after brutal assault by husband with dumbbell, murder case filed

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

National Times Bureau :- A 27-year-old woman officer of the Delhi Police’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit succumbed to severe head injuries days after she was allegedly attacked by her husband with a dumbbell during a domestic dispute in the national capital. The victim, identified as Kajal Chaudhary, was reportedly assaulted on January 22 after a heated argument over financial issues turned violent. The police said her husband, Ankur, who works as a clerk with the Ministry of Defence, struck her repeatedly with a heavy dumbbell, leaving her critically injured. She was rushed to hospital and remained under treatment for several…

29 Jan

Federal government reinforces policing as extortion wave intensifies in Surrey

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingSurrey

Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): Ottawa has announced a fresh round of law enforcement support to address a sharp rise in extortion-related crimes in Surrey and neighbouring communities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, as authorities warn the situation is spiralling rapidly. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the federal government would move quickly to strengthen frontline policing, calling the growing pattern of threats and violence “completely unacceptable.” In a public statement, he stressed that dismantling the criminal networks behind the extortion schemes would require close coordination between federal, provincial and local agencies. Under the new measures, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)…

29 Jan

Records broken as gold touches Rs 1.75 lakh mark

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingGold

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Precious metal prices surged sharply in early trade on Thursday, with gold and silver hitting new lifetime highs in the domestic futures market amid a rally in global prices and a significant weakening of the rupee. Gold futures climbed by about 6 per cent to breach the Rs 1.75 lakh level, reaching Rs 1,75,869 per 10 grams during morning trade. Silver followed a similar trajectory, rising nearly 6 per cent to scale a fresh record of Rs 4,07,456 per kilogram. Traders attributed the sharp rise to strong momentum in overseas bullion markets, where prices have been…

29 Jan

Fatal Air Accident in Colombia’s Northeast Leaves 15 Dead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsColombia

Bogotá (Rajeev Sharma): A passenger aircraft operated by Colombia’s state-owned airline Satena met with a devastating accident on Wednesday, crashing in a remote stretch of Norte de Santander province and killing everyone on board, officials confirmed. The flight had taken off from Cúcuta, the provincial capital, at around 11:40 am local time, bound for the hill town of Ocaña. Air traffic control lost communication with the aircraft within minutes of departure, prompting immediate concern and the launch of search operations. Hours later, residents of the rural settlement of Curasica reported sighting debris in a difficult-to-access area. Emergency crews were rushed…

28 Jan

Carney Says Canada-U.S. Relations ‘Good’ as Trade Deal Review and Trump Tariff Threats Loom

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World NewsCanada-U.S. relations, CUSMA review, Donald Trump, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday said Canada’s relationship with the United States remains on stable footing despite heightened rhetoric and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of a key trade agreement review. Speaking briefly to reporters before a cabinet meeting, Carney said Ottawa continues to have “good conversations” and constructive exchanges with Washington, even as attention intensifies around bilateral trade and security issues. Canada’s free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico (CUSMA) is scheduled for a formal review in July. Carney said Trump’s recent threat of imposing 100 per cent tariffs on…