Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

10 Apr

Donald Trump Eases Global Tariffs but Leaves Canadian Trade Terms Untouched

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World NewsCanada, Donald Trump

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has slightly softened his aggressive global tariff stance following days of market volatility, though no changes have been made to the duties currently impacting Canada. In a move that surprised international observers, Trump announced a 90-day suspension on some of the steepest tariffs imposed under his “reciprocal” trade model. However, a baseline 10 percent tariff on imports from most countries will continue to apply, according to a clarification issued later by a White House official. Since returning to the presidency earlier this year, Trump has pursued an assertive approach to reshaping global trade,…

09 Apr

China Hits Back with Tariff Hike, Vows to ‘Fight to the End’ in Trade War with US

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina tariffs, China-US trade war, Trump tariffs

Beijing, April 9, 2025: China announced a sharp escalation in its trade war with the United States on Wednesday, raising tariffs on American goods to 84% starting Thursday. The move came just days after US President Donald Trump imposed a sweeping 104% tariff on Chinese imports.Beijing also launched a new case against the US at the World Trade Organisation and imposed fresh trade restrictions on American firms operating in China. The Ministry of Commerce said the US must be prepared for firm retaliation if it continues with “economic and trade restrictions.”“If the US insists on further escalating its restrictions, China…

09 Apr

Disaster Management Amendment Act Comes into Force, Empowers NDMA and States

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAmit Shah, Disaster Management Amendment Act 2025, NDMA, SDMA

New Delhi, April 9, 2025: The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 officially came into effect on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced through a gazette notification.“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 (10 of 2025), the Central Government hereby appoints the 9th day of April, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification stated.The law amends the Disaster Management Act of 2005, expanding the role of disaster authorities and giving statutory status to key committees such…

09 Apr

PM Modi Invited to Russia’s Victory Day Parade; India Yet to Confirm Participation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMEA, Narendra Modi, Russia Victory Day, Victory Parade 2025

New Delhi, April 9, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an official invitation from Russia to attend the country’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday.“The Prime Minister has received an invitation from Russia,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing. He added that a final decision on Modi’s participation would be taken “at the appropriate time.”The invitation comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, a significant commemoration of the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany during World War II. Moscow has extended invitations to…

09 Apr

India Scraps Trans-Shipment Facility for Bangladesh Citing Congestion and Political Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia Bangladesh relations, Muhammad Yunus, Trans-shipment Facility

New Delhi, April 9, 2025: India has withdrawn the trans-shipment facility extended to Bangladesh in 2020, citing severe congestion at its airports and seaports. The decision comes in the wake of controversial remarks by Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, who described India’s Northeast as “landlocked” and supported Chinese autonomy in the region.The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the facility, which allowed Bangladeshi cargo to move through Indian land customs stations en route to ports and airports for shipment to third countries, had become unsustainable.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the growing backlog and delays were affecting India's own trade efficiency.…

09 Apr

Passenger Urinates on Co-Traveller Aboard Air India Flight from Delhi to Bangkok, Probe Ordered

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAI2336, Air India, unruly passenger, Urination Incident

New Delhi, April 9, 2025: A shocking incident of unruly in-flight behavior unfolded aboard Air India flight AI2336 on Wednesday, when an Indian passenger allegedly urinated on a fellow traveller en route from Delhi to Bangkok.Air India confirmed the incident in an official statement, saying the crew acted according to protocol and reported the matter to the relevant authorities. "The crew followed all laid down procedures, and the matter has been reported. In addition to warning the unruly passenger, our crew offered to assist the aggrieved passenger to file a grievance with authorities in Bangkok, which was declined at the…

09 Apr

Premier Danielle Smith is heading to Montreal and Ottawa from April 9 to 11

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Danielle Smith

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Premier Danielle Smith is heading to Montreal and Ottawa from April 9 to 11 to explore avenues to enhance interprovincial and international trade and investment ties. While in Montreal, Premier Smith will be focused on building connections and opportunities between Alberta and Quebec in meetings with Quebec-based private sector leaders in energy, manufacturing, aviation and transportation. Discussions will be centered on highlighting Alberta as a partner of choice for trade and investment, as well as identifying opportunities to remove red tape and barriers to interprovincial trade. “As a nation, we are facing a great amount of uncertainty…

09 Apr

Alberta proposes amendments to modernize and streamline municipal processes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that Albertans’ local governments are strong and collaborative and that their investments in new homes are protected. That is why Alberta’s government is proposing amendments through the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 to modernize and streamline municipal processes in the Local Authorities Election Act, the Municipal Government Act, and the New Home Buyer Protection Act. These amendments build upon previous legislative changes. “We’re proposing updates to legislation to ensure that Albertans’ local governments deliver them the best results by working collaboratively, and that their investments in new homes are protected. Our proposed amendments are based off…

09 Apr

Alberta’s Ethnocultural Grant Program supports community-driven multicultural initiatives across province

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta

Calgary (National Times): Alberta’s government is committed to fostering a province where people from all backgrounds are valued and respected. One way of doing this is through the Ethnocultural Grant Program that supports vibrant and welcoming multicultural communities. Budget 2025 provides $12 million over three years to continue promoting cross-cultural knowledge and understanding while celebrating and supporting cultural diversity and Indigenous cultures. “Alberta is filled with vibrant, multicultural communities, and these grants support community-led initiatives that provide many ethnocultural groups with the opportunity to share their unique heritage with Albertans. This is multiculturalism in action.”Muhammad Yaseen, Minister of Immigration and…

09 Apr

Alberta Govt Advancing cancer care and organ tissue services

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta’s government is ensuring that key health care services are well supported within the new refocused health care system. Significant progress has been made to achieve the goal of providing better care to all Albertans, no matter where they live. Three of the four provincial health agencies are now operational: Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, and Recovery Alberta. Assisted Living Alberta will be operational later this year. As the work to transition AHS to a hospital-based service provider under the oversight of Acute Care Alberta continues, Alberta’s government is taking additional steps to ensure that Alberta’s…