Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

25 Jan

India emerges as key partner as British Columbia seeks deeper trade ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby has said that major Indian corporations are showing strong interest in investing in Canada’s energy and mineral sectors, signaling a significant shift in bilateral economic engagement as relations between the two countries begin to stabilize. Speaking after a trade mission to India, Eby said he held discussions with senior executives from companies including Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum, focusing on opportunities in liquefied natural gas (LNG), clean energy and critical minerals. The delegation also met India’s energy minister and representatives from leading industrial groups such as…

25 Jan

Alberta premier rejects claims that separatists seek U.S. statehood, stresses renewed ties with Ottawa

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Saturday dismissed suggestions that supporters of separatism in the province aim to join the United States, pushing back against recent remarks made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent, speaking during an interview on a conservative American television network, claimed that Alberta residents were increasingly discussing sovereignty and hinted at the possibility of a referendum on whether the province should remain part of Canada. He also suggested that closer alignment with the U.S. could benefit Alberta, citing energy resources and trade potential. Addressing the comments during her weekly radio programme, Your Province,…

25 Jan

Burnaby shooting: 28-year-old Indian-origin man killed, investigators probe gang rivalry angle

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBurnaby

Burnaby (Rajeev Sharma): A fatal shooting in Burnaby, British Columbia, has claimed the life of a 28-year-old man of Indian origin, prompting an intensive investigation by Canadian law enforcement agencies. Police believe the killing may be part of a wider pattern of gang-related violence that has troubled parts of the region in recent months. The victim, identified as Dilraj Singh Gill, was gunned down late Thursday afternoon near the Canada Way corridor. Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly before 5.30 pm after residents reported hearing multiple gunshots. Gill was found critically injured and, despite sustained resuscitation attempts, was declared…

25 Jan

Surrey Basement Shooting Kills One, Injures Another; IHIT Says Attack Was Targeted

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingSurrey

Surrey ( Rajeev Sharma): A shooting inside a basement suite of a residential home in Surrey has left one man dead and another injured, prompting a homicide investigation by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The incident occurred early Saturday morning at approximately 4:55 a.m. in the 12500 block of 91 Avenue, according to the Surrey Police Service (SPS). Police said officers, along with BC Emergency Health Services paramedics and Surrey Fire Service crews, responded to reports of gunfire at the address. Upon entering the home, first responders located two adult men suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced…

24 Jan

US Signals Possible Rollback of Russian Oil Tariffs on India as Imports Decline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDonald Trump, energy imports, India Russia oil trade, India US relations, Scott Bessent, US tariffs

New Delhi, January 24, 2025: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said there is a possible “path” to remove the 25 per cent tariffs imposed on India over its purchase of Russian oil, asserting that New Delhi’s imports from Moscow have sharply declined following the US action. The remarks come amid strained India–US ties after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including a specific 25 per cent levy linked to India’s Russian oil purchases. Bessent described the measure as effective, claiming it had achieved its intended outcome. “We put 25 per cent tariffs on…

24 Jan

ICC Replaces Bangladesh with Scotland for T20 World Cup After Travel Refusal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsBangladesh Cricket Board, ICC, Jay Shah, Scotland Cricket, T20 World Cup

New Delhi, January 24, 2026: The International Cricket Council has formally informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board that the national team has been replaced by Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup after Bangladesh declined to travel to India citing security concerns, sources said. The decision was finalised on Friday in Dubai, where senior ICC officials, including chairman Jay Shah, were present. An official communication was sent late in the evening to BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul, stating that Bangladesh had forfeited its place in the tournament after failing to confirm participation within the stipulated deadline. According to an ICC official…

24 Jan

Major Airlines Cancel Middle East Flights as Fears Mount Over Possible U.S. Strike on Iran

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld Newsairline cancellations, aviation safety, Middle East Flights, US-Iran tensions

Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): Major international airlines have abruptly cancelled flights to the Middle East amid growing fears of a possible U.S. military strike on Iran, causing significant disruption for global travelers and raising safety concerns across key air routes. On Saturday, European carriers Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and Swiss International Air Lines announced the suspension of flights to destinations including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, citing volatile security conditions and the threat of potential missile or drone activity. In North America, United Airlines and Air Canada also cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, with both carriers pointing…

24 Jan

IndiGo Gives Up Over 700 Airport Slots After Regulator Cuts Winter Schedule

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaairport slots, Civil Aviation Ministry, DGCA, Indian aviation, IndiGo, winter schedule cut

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has relinquished more than 700 airport slots at domestic airports following a 10 per cent reduction in its winter flight schedule imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this month, officials familiar with the matter said. Airport slots, which are fixed time windows allocated for aircraft take-offs and landings at congested airports, are critical for smooth flight operations. The surrendered slots apply to the January–March 2026 period and stem directly from the DGCA’s decision to curb frequent last-minute cancellations and improve operational stability. According to sources, IndiGo has submitted…

24 Jan

Polar Vortex Triggers Extreme Cold Across Canada, Wind Chills Plunge to –55°C

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): An intense Arctic cold wave has gripped most of Canada this weekend, prompting widespread cold weather warnings from Prince Edward Island to eastern Alberta, as a powerful polar vortex drives temperatures to dangerous lows. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) warned that wind chill values in parts of the Prairies could feel as cold as –55°C, as an Arctic air mass settles firmly over the country. The extreme cold is expected to persist through the weekend before conditions gradually improve in some regions. ECCC meteorologist Trudy Kidd said the cold snap is linked to a weakened polar…

24 Jan

Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Canadian Goods Over Trade Deal With China

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness

Ottawa/Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a sweeping 100 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States if Ottawa proceeds with its newly announced trade agreement with China. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump strongly criticised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, warning against what he described as Canada becoming a transit hub for Chinese exports into the US market. “If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA,” Trump said.…