Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

07 Apr

Liberal Lead Grows to Double Digits as Carney Gains Ground Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Election 2025, Liberal Party, Mark Carney

Ottawa, April 7, 2025 — The Liberals have surged to a commanding 12-point lead over the Conservatives as Canada’s federal election campaign enters its third week, according to a new Ipsos poll conducted for Global News.Support for the Liberals now stands at 46 per cent, up two points from last week. In contrast, Conservative support has dropped four points to 34 per cent. With this gap, the Liberals are firmly in majority government territory if the election were held today, Ipsos noted.NDP support edged up to 10 per cent, while the Green Party and Bloc Québécois gained one point each,…

07 Apr

LPG Gets Costlier by ₹50 from April 8: Here’s What You’ll Pay Now

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLPG

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Starting tomorrow, April 8, cooking gas is going to be a bit more expensive across the country. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced a ₹50 hike per LPG cylinder, and yes—it applies to everyone, whether you're getting subsidised gas under the Ujjwala Yojana or not. So, what does that mean for you? If you're an Ujjwala beneficiary, your cylinder will now cost ₹550 If you're a non-Ujjwala consumer, the price rises to ₹853 This increase follows the government’s recent hike in fuel excise duties and is likely aimed at easing pressure on oil marketing companies…

07 Apr

Govt Raises Excise Duty on Petrol, Diesel by Rs 2; Retail Prices Unchanged

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDiesel, Petrol

New Delhi (National Times): In a notable fiscal move, the central government has increased the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre each, even as global crude prices hit a four-year low. The hike comes at a time when Brent crude oil has dipped below $55 per barrel, driven by a slowdown in global demand and oversupply concerns. According to a notification issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, the revised excise rates will come into effect from April 8, 2025. Despite the duty increase, the retail prices of petrol and diesel will remain…

07 Apr

Canada Issues Updated Travel Advisory for the US Following Actor’s Detention

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney, US

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian government has revised its travel advisory for citizens heading to the United States, warning travelers to prepare for heightened security checks and possible scrutiny at U.S. border crossings. The update comes a month after Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney — known for her role in American Pie — was reportedly detained by U.S. immigration authorities in San Diego, California. Stricter Checks and Device Screenings In the advisory updated on April 4, Ottawa cautioned Canadian travelers to be "compliant and forthcoming" when interacting with U.S. border officials. The updated guidance also notes that American authorities are authorized…

07 Apr

Markets Crash: Nifty Hits 1-Year Low, Sensex Tanks Over 3,900 Points Amid Global Selloff

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessNifty 50, Sensex

Mumbai (National Times): Indian stock markets witnessed a massive rout on Monday morning, echoing a sharp global selloff. Triggered by escalating trade tensions and sweeping tariff announcements from the United States, both benchmark indices – Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex – opened with steep losses, each plunging around 5% at the opening bell. The Nifty 50 opened at 21,758.40, dropping 1,146.05 points or 5%, marking one of its steepest single-day opening declines since the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the BSE Sensex slumped by 3,984.80 points, or 5.29%, to open at 71,379.80. Global Panic Hits Indian Markets This crash follows a widespread…

07 Apr

Canadian PM Mark Carney Visits BAPS Mandir on Ram Navami; Hindu Group Raises Concerns Over Representation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto to participate in Ram Navami celebrations, extending his greetings to the Hindu community during the auspicious occasion. Marking his first visit to the temple, Carney joined worshippers in celebrating the start of the Ram Navami festival, which signifies the culmination of the nine-day Navratri celebration and honors the birth of Lord Ram. On Sunday, Carney wrote to X (formerly Twitter): “Joined Hindu community members at the @BAPS_Toronto Mandir yesterday for the first day of Ram Navami celebrations. Thank you for sharing your traditions and…

06 Apr

Canara Bank Officer Caught Stealing Over ₹10 Lakh from Vrindavan Temple Donation Boxes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAbhinav Saxena, Banke Bihari Temple, Canara Bank, Donation Theft

Vrindavan, April 6, 2025 — A Canara Bank officer was arrested Saturday after being caught on CCTV allegedly stealing around ₹10 lakh from donation boxes at the revered Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.The accused, Abhinav Saxena, a resident of Rampur currently living in Mathura, was nabbed during the monthly donation count. Footage showed him stuffing bundles of ₹500 and ₹200 notes into his clothes.Police Circle Officer Sandeep Kumar confirmed Saxena was caught red-handed on temple premises. “He was found with ₹1,28,600 during a frisk in front of witnesses. On interrogation, he confessed to stealing ₹8,55,300 over the previous…

06 Apr

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Appearance at Vatican, Shares Message of Hope Amid Recovery

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsHealth Workers, Jubilee Mass, Pope Francis, Vatican

Vatican City, April 6, 2025 — Pope Francis made an unannounced and emotional appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first public outing since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago after battling life-threatening pneumonia.The 88-year-old pontiff was wheeled to the front of the altar during a special Jubilee Mass dedicated to the sick and health workers. As he appeared, the crowd stood and applauded. “Good Sunday to everyone,” he greeted them, tapping the microphone for sound. “Thank you very much.”His voice, while still fragile, carried more strength than during his brief remarks outside Gemelli Hospital on March 23.…

06 Apr

Modi, Lankan President Launch Key Railway Projects Built with Indian Aid

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-Sri Lanka Partnership, Narendra Modi, Railway Projects, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, April 6, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake jointly inaugurated two major railway projects in Sri Lanka on Sunday, marking a milestone in India-Sri Lanka development ties.The leaders unveiled the refurbished 128-km Maho-Omanthai railway line, upgraded with Indian assistance of USD 91.27 million. They also launched the construction of an advanced signaling system from Maho to Anuradhapura, funded by an Indian grant of USD 14.89 million.“These landmark railway modernization projects represent a major step in strengthening north-south rail connectivity in Sri Lanka,” officials said.The upgraded infrastructure is expected to enable faster and…

06 Apr

Spiritual Leaders Are Our True Guides, Says Union Minister Manohar Lal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaHari Mandir Sanskrit College, Manohar Lal, Narendra Modi, Sanatan Dharma

Addresses second day of annual festival at Sanskrit college in Gurugram’s PataudiChandigarh, April 6 – Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, emphasized the importance of saints and spiritual leaders as true guides in comprehending the deep teachings of India's ancient scriptures. Speaking as the chief guest on the second day of the annual three-day festival at Hari Mandir Sanskrit College in Pataudi, Gurugram, he said the Sanatan tradition holds a rich legacy of spiritual knowledge.The Union Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047 is gaining momentum through public…