Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

09 Apr

Mark Carney Counters Harper’s Remarks, Highlights His Role in Managing 2008 Economic Turmoil

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaMark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, Stephen Harper

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney responded firmly on Tuesday after former Prime Minister Stephen Harper downplayed his economic leadership during a political rally supporting Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Speaking at a campaign event in Edmonton on Monday night, Harper drew comparisons between Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre, both of whom previously served under his government. Harper voiced his preference for Poilievre, stating that he himself managed Canada's response to the 2008 financial crisis, implying Mark Carney overstated his own involvement. However, Mark Carney, who served as Governor of the Bank of Canada during the…

09 Apr

Canada Enforces 25% Tariff on Select US Vehicle Imports Amid Trade Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has officially started enforcing a 25 percent tariff on certain automobile imports from the United States, marking a significant development amid the ongoing trade dispute with Washington. The tariff's enforcement took effect just after midnight on Wednesday. It is reportedly a direct response to US tariffs imposed under the administration of President Donald Trump. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne issued a statement on Tuesday, stating Canada’s resolve: “Our government will continue to push back strongly against any unjustified and unreasonable trade actions.” The new tariff, initially unveiled by Prime Minister Mark Carney last week, targets vehicles imported…

09 Apr

Canada Increases Minimum Wage, A Huge Relief for Indian Workers and Students

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a move aimed at easing financial pressure amid soaring living costs, the Canadian government has announced a major relief for Indian workers and students through an increase in the federal minimum wage. The decision is expected to particularly benefit the large Indian diaspora residing in the country. Effective from April 1, the hourly federal minimum wage for employees in federally regulated private-sector jobs has been increased from CAD 17.30 to CAD 17.75. The 2.4 percent hike showcases Canada’s efforts to adjust wages in line with inflation, as determined by the annual Consumer Price Index. Steven MacKinnon,…

09 Apr

Trump Imposes 104% Tariff on China, White House Declares “America Will Not Break”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld News104% tariff, China-US trade war, Karoline Leavitt, Trump tariffs

Washington DC, April 9, 2025: In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, the White House on Tuesday announced that the United States will impose a 104% tariff on Chinese goods starting Wednesday. The move comes amid a deepening rift between the world’s two largest economies, following a tit-for-tat series of tariff hikes.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a press briefing, defended the decision as a necessary response to China’s recent retaliatory tariffs. “It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, he punches back harder,” Leavitt said, referring to President Donald Trump’s stance. “That’s why there…

08 Apr

Trump’s Tariff Ultimatum Sparks Global Trade Turmoil, China Vows to Retaliate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsChina trade war, Donald Trump, EU Retaliation, US tariffs

Washington, April 8, 2025: With US President Donald Trump set to enforce a fresh round of sweeping tariffs by April 9, the global economic landscape has entered a phase of heightened tension. The tariffs, including a proposed 50% duty on Chinese imports, are triggering fierce global reactions and mounting fears of a full-blown trade war.China’s Commerce Ministry responded with a hardline stance on Tuesday morning, pledging to "fight to the end" if the US follows through. Beijing warned that Washington’s threat was a “mistake on top of a mistake” and accused the US of “blackmailing” tactics. The situation escalated after…

08 Apr

Musk Urges Trump to Scrap Tariffs in Rare Clash Over Economic Policy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Elon Musk, Tariffs, Tesla, U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 — Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk directly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend to reverse newly imposed tariffs, according to a report by the Washington Post. Despite his position as a presidential adviser, Musk's request was rebuffed, marking the most visible disagreement between the two since Trump returned to office.The confrontation came after Trump unveiled a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., alongside increased duties targeting several countries. The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to media requests for comment.Musk, speaking virtually at a political…

08 Apr

Centre Files Supreme Court Caveat as Opposition Mounts Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCaveat, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

NEW DELHI, April 9, 2025 — The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking to be heard before any stay is granted on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following a flurry of petitions challenging its constitutional validity. The move comes amid mounting opposition from political parties and Muslim organisations, who claim the law infringes on religious freedom.By filing the caveat, the government aims to prevent the possibility of an ex-parte interim stay. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter on April 15, as per the computer-generated listing.On Monday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv…

08 Apr

Mark Carney Visits Calgary to Support Liberal Candidates

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada federal election 2025, Liberal Party, Mark Carney

Calgary, (Rajeev Sharma): Liberal Party leader Mark Carney made a high-profile stop in Calgary today as part of his national tour to boost Liberal candidates ahead of the federal election on April 28. With a public event set for 7:30 PM MDT and doors opening an hour earlier, the visit marks a strategic effort to energize local supporters and flip traditionally conservative ridings.Carney, who recently took over the Liberal leadership, is banking on his reputation as a steady economic voice to rally undecided voters. His Calgary appearance follows campaign stops in Vancouver earlier this week, where he emphasized economic resilience…

08 Apr

Canada Raises Federal Minimum Wage to $17.75, Easing Pressure on Indian Students and Temp Workers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada minimum wage, Indian students in Canada

Ottawa, April 8, 2025 — Amid soaring living costs, Indian students and temporary workers in Canada are set to benefit from a rise in the federal minimum wage. Effective April 1, the Canadian government has increased the rate from 17.30 to 17.75 Canadian dollars per hour for those employed in the federally regulated private sector.The move offers some financial relief for international students, many of whom juggle part-time jobs to manage rent, tuition, and daily expenses in a tight economy. With Indian students forming one of the largest international student populations in Canada, the wage hike is expected to positively…

07 Apr

Iran’s Kayhan Sparks Outrage with Chilling Editorial Targeting Trump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Iran, Kayhan newspaper, Qassem Soleimani

TEHRAN, April 7, 2025 — A hardline Iranian newspaper with close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei triggered global alarm and domestic backlash after it published an editorial interpreted as an open threat to assassinate US President Donald Trump.The editorial in Kayhan, long regarded as the voice of Iran’s ultraconservative factions, warned that “several bullets will be fired into Trump's empty head,” referencing the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad airport. The piece appeared in the paper’s “Dialogue” section on Saturday and declared that “righteous people,” including “the oppressed of Gaza,” would celebrate Trump’s…