Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

28 Jan

Toronto drivers lost about four days to traffic in 2025: study

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadacongestion study, rush hour delays, TomTom Traffic Index, Toronto traffic, urban transport

Toronto, January 28, 2026: Drivers in Canada’s largest city spent the equivalent of nearly four full days stuck in traffic last year, according to a new study by navigation company TomTom. Releasing its annual Traffic Index on Monday, TomTom ranked Toronto as the second most congested city in Canada, behind only Vancouver. The study found that Toronto motorists lost a total of 100 hours during rush hour in 2025, amounting to four days and four hours. This marked an increase of three hours and 50 minutes compared to 2024. Despite the rise, experts noted a marginal improvement in Toronto’s standing…

28 Jan

India Energy Week 2026 opens in Goa with focus on sustainable transition and global partnerships

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaenergy transition, Goa, Hardeep Singh Puri, India Energy Week 2026, natural gas, sustainable energy

Goa (Rajeev Sharma): Known primarily for its beaches and tourism, Goa this week emerged as a key hub for global energy discussions as India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 began on Tuesday, underlining India’s push for sustainable and secure energy partnerships. The message from the inaugural session was clear: the global energy transition can succeed only with consistent investment, broader cooperation and a pragmatic approach that keeps energy affordable for fast-growing economies. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, UAE Minister and ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant set the tone for the…

28 Jan

Dubai Property Boom Fades as Oversupply Puts Investor Returns at Risk

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDubai

Dubai ( Rajeev Sharma): Dubai’s residential property market is entering a more cautious phase in 2026, creating fresh challenges for Indian and other overseas investors who were among the largest buyers during the post-pandemic boom. According to market reports by global property consultancies Knight Frank, JLL and CBRE, Dubai home prices rose sharply between 2022 and 2024, driven by foreign capital inflows, high rental demand and an influx of new residents. However, these firms note that price growth has begun to slow in 2025, particularly in apartment-dominated communities. Industry estimates cited by JLL and Dubai Land Department data indicate that…

28 Jan

Under U.S. Tariff Pressure, Carney Looks to India for Economic Reset

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, India

Ottawa/New Delhi( Rajeev / Gurpreet) : Faing growing economic strain from U.S. trade tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing a major diplomatic and trade outreach to India, signaling a strategic shift in Ottawa’s foreign economic policy. After years of frozen relations, Canada and India are now moving to reopen talks on a long-stalled free trade agreement, driven by shared concern over Washington’s protectionist measures. With Canadian exporters increasingly vulnerable to U.S. market decisions, India has emerged as a key alternative partner in Ottawa’s plan to diversify trade routes. Senior government sources say the proposed visit aims to repair…

28 Jan

House Warming Ceremony of Renowned Punjabi Artist Karamjit Anmol Held in Mohali

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaKaramjit Anmol, Mohali, National Times media, Punjab News, Rajeev Sharma

Mohali (Rajeev Sharma/ Gurpreet Singh): Renowned Punjabi actor, director, and singer Karamjit Anmol organized a religious house warming ceremony at his new residence in Mohali to seek the blessings of Waheguru Ji. The ceremony included Akhand Path Sahib, followed by Kirtan and Guru Ka Langar, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his family’s life with spiritual devotion and gratitude. After the completion of the religious ceremony, several prominent personalities visited the residence to congratulate Karamjit Anmol and his family on their beautiful new home. Among those who extended their best wishes were the wife and sister of the…

28 Jan

Massive avalanche hits tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sonamarg, no casualties reported

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

National Times Bureau :- A powerful avalanche struck the tourist destination of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir late on Tuesday night, triggering panic but causing no injuries, officials reported. The incident occurred around 10:12 pm in Sonamarg, located in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. CCTV visuals captured a massive surge of snow cascading down the mountains and sweeping over multiple structures. Although the avalanche appeared intense and caused visible damage, authorities confirmed that no casualties have been recorded. Rescue teams and local officials promptly reached the area to evaluate the impact and monitor any potential threats. The avalanche followed…

28 Jan

Ajit Pawar Dead After Aircraft Mishap During Baramati Landing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAjit Pawar

Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP figure Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday after the aircraft he was travelling in met with an accident while attempting to land in Baramati. The incident occurred earlier in the day and prompted an immediate emergency response from local authorities. People present near the landing area reported that the aircraft encountered trouble moments before touchdown, leading to a crash landing. Pawar, who is 66 years old, was promptly evacuated from the site and taken to a hospital for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries. The deputy chief minister had…

27 Jan

Former Liberal Cabinet Minister Kirsty Duncan Dies at 59 After Cancer Battle

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadacabinet minister, Canadian politics, Kirsty Duncan, Liberal Party of Canada, minister of science

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Former Liberal cabinet minister and longtime Member of Parliament Kirsty Duncan has died at the age of 59 following a prolonged battle with cancer. Born on Oct. 31, 1966, Duncan was elected five times as the Liberal MP for the Toronto riding of Etobicoke North, serving in Parliament from 2008 until 2025. She stepped away from electoral politics last year and did not seek re-election. Duncan served in cabinet during former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s first term, holding the portfolios of minister of science and minister of sport. She also briefly served as minister for persons with…

27 Jan

Alberta Separation Petition Reaches Calgary as Referendum Push Gains Visibility

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaAlberta separation, Calgary signing event, referendum petition, Stay Free Alberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Campaigners seeking a referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada have expanded their petition drive to Calgary for the first time, marking a new phase in a movement that has already seen signings across rural communities and smaller towns in recent weeks. Outside the Big Four Roadhouse on Monday, residents formed a lineup to sign the petition, which calls for a province-wide vote on whether Alberta should become an independent country. Some participants cited economic frustration as their primary motivation. Scott Negraiff, one of the signatories, said he believes Alberta would be more prosperous on its own, pointing…

27 Jan

Carney Defends Davos Speech, Rejects U.S. Claim of Walking Back Remarks After Trump Call

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada-U.S. relations, Davos speech, Donald Trump, Mark Carney, World Economic Forum

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly defended his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, dismissing claims from the U.S. administration that he retreated from his remarks during a phone conversation with President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, Carney said his position remains unchanged. “To be absolutely clear, and I said this to the president, I meant what I said in Davos,” he stated. “My remarks were clear and reflected a broader discussion. Canada was among the first countries to recognise the shift in U.S. trade policy that had begun,…