Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

04 Apr

China hits back against Donald Trump’s tariffs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina, US President, US-China Relations

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma), April 4, 2025: US President Donald Trump has imposed import tariffs on China totalling 54%, but that figure didn’t come all at once. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. Then earlier this week, Washington brought in a new set of "reciprocal" tariffs for countries around the world and the rate for China is 34%. It means China's retaliatory tariff matches the one Trump introduced earlier this week. China files lawsuit against US tariffs with WTO and China’s response to US tariffs, after Beijing says it’s…

04 Apr

My policies will never change: Trump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsNew Policies, President Donald Trump, USA

Washington, April 4, 2025 – US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration’s stance on tariffs, stating that his policies will remain unchanged. Posting on his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "To the many investors coming into the United States and investing massive amounts of money, my policies will never change."He declared this to be a prime moment for financial growth, adding, "This is a great time to get rich, richer than ever before.”The president’s statement comes amid global economic shifts and ongoing trade tensions. Trump’s administration has consistently maintained a protectionist economic agenda, focusing on high tariffs and strategic decoupling…

04 Apr

PM Mark Carney Praises Sikh Community’s Role in Building Canada During Sikh Heritage Month

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaMark Carney, Sikh Canadians, Sikh Heritage Month

Ottawa, April 4, 2025 – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to the Sikh community’s enduring contributions to the nation during Sikh Heritage Month, acknowledging nearly 130 years of their impactful presence.“Sikh Canadians have helped build a more compassionate, equal, and just Canada,” Carney said in a statement. He emphasized that Sikh Heritage Month is not just a time to reflect on the past but also to recognize how Sikh values continue to shape the country’s future.Carney’s message underlined the deep-rooted influence of Sikh Canadians in various spheres of national life—from economic development to public service and social justice.…

04 Apr

Rajya Sabha Backs President’s Rule in Manipur Amid Fierce Criticism of Centre’s Handling of Violence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEthnic Violence, Manipur President’s Rule, Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 – The Rajya Sabha early Friday approved the statutory resolution confirming President’s Rule in Manipur, drawing rare cross-party support but also sparking fierce criticism of the Centre’s failure to control the prolonged ethnic violence in the state.Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the decision, stating that violence in the state has ceased since November 2024. He also noted that two meetings between Kuki and Meitei communities have taken place, with a third likely soon in Delhi.Shah acknowledged the loss of 260 lives, stating that 70% of the deaths occurred within the first 15 days of…

04 Apr

Liberal Party Drops Edmonton Gateway Candidate Rod Loyola

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessEdmonton, Liberal Party, Rod Loyola

Alberta ( Rajeev Sharma): The revocation of Rod Loyola’s candidacy certainly adds another layer of controversy and complexity to the federal race in Edmonton Gateway. The resurfacing of that 2009 video and Trudeau's past ideological stances have triggered a rapid response from the Liberal Party, especially given the sensitivities around Hamas and Hezbollah—both of which are officially listed as terrorist entities by the Government of Canada. This decision also leaves the Liberals scrambling in a key riding, especially as they gear up for a heated contest against seasoned Conservative candidate Tim Uppal. Given the proximity to the election date (April…

03 Apr

Rahul Kanwal Resigns from India Today Group After 22 Years

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAaj Tak, India Today Group, Rahul Kanwal resignation

National Times, April 3, 2025: Senior journalist and television anchor Rahul Kanwal has resigned from the India Today Group after a 22-year association with the media conglomerate.Kanwal, who served as news director for India Today and Aaj Tak, as well as executive director of Business Today, submitted his resignation to Kalli Purie, vice chairperson and executive editor-in-chief of TV Today Network."After more than 22 years with us, Rahul Kanwal will be moving on to explore new opportunities," Purie said in a statement.In his resignation letter, Kanwal expressed gratitude, calling his leadership of the India Today and Aaj Tak newsrooms the…

03 Apr

1 in Canada: Albertans recycle more than other Canadians

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessAlberta, Canada, Recycling

National Times Bureau, April 3, 2025: After narrowly being beaten out by Prince Edward Island in 2022, Alberta is back on top, regaining the highest beverage container return rate in all of Canada. In 2024, Albertans returned more than two billion cans, bottles and other containers, or 85 per cent of all non-refillable beverage containers. The national average was a paltry 76 per cent. Runners-up include Saskatchewan at 84 per cent, British Columbia at 83 per cent, Ontario at 75 per cent and Quebec at 68 per cent. Alberta also continues to rapidly gain in the North American rankings, going…

03 Apr

Liberal Party Takes the Lead as Canada Gears Up for 2025 Federal Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada Election 2025, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre

National Times Bureau, April 3, 2025: Canada is heading into an early federal election on April 28, 2025, with the latest polls showing a competitive but clear lead for the Liberal Party under newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney. The election, initially scheduled for October, was moved up after Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau on March 14, 2025 and called for a fresh mandate amid economic challenges and rising trade tensions with the United States. A recent survey places the Liberal Party at 46%, followed by the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, at 37%. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and…

03 Apr

Surrey Leaders Demand Action on Roadwork Disruptions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadainfrastructure projects, Surrey roadworks, Transport disruption

Surrey, April 3, 2025: Surrey officials and utility providers are calling for urgent changes to minimize disruption from roadworks and major infrastructure projects. Surrey County Council (SCC), National Highways, and six utility firms have sent a letter to the Department for Transport (DfT) requesting improvements to the national roadworks management system.The demand comes as the Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, Dr. Ben Spencer, pushes a new bill in Parliament to address disruptions on road and rail networks. The DfT responded by stating that local authorities are being held accountable for their road maintenance projects to limit delays for drivers.Last…

03 Apr

Record-Breaking Turnout in Vancouver Byelection’s Advance Voting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAdvance Voting, Mail-in Ballots, Vancouver byelection, Voter Turnout

Vancouver,April 3, 2025: Vancouver’s byelection is already setting records, with 7,671 votes cast in just two days of advance polling. Additionally, 6,400 mail-in ballots were requested, marking a significant increase compared to previous elections."Advance voting opportunities in the Vancouver byelection have shattered previous records so far," said Natti Schmid, the city’s elections communications and outreach manager. The city’s decision to hold advance voting exclusively at city hall on March 26 and April 1 led to a surge in participation. The first day saw 2,876 ballots cast, while the second day recorded 4,795—both exceeding the previous record of approximately 2,500 votes…