Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

07 Apr

Jaishankar, Rubio Push for Swift India-US Trade Deal Amid Rising Tariff Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-US trade deal, Jaishankar, Marco Rubio, Trump tariffs

New Delhi, April 7, 2025: India and the United States are speeding up efforts to finalise a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, even as new American tariffs rattle global markets.On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the deal’s progress. Jaishankar later confirmed that both sides stressed the importance of wrapping up the agreement quickly. “Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement,” he posted online, though he didn’t share further details.This conversation follows US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch’s visit to India last week, where key…

07 Apr

India’s Mi-17V5 Choppers to Get Indigenous Combat Upgrades in ₹2,385 Crore Defence Deal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBharat Electronics Limited, electronic warfare, Mi-17V5 upgrade

National Times Bureau, April 7, 2025: India has signed a ₹2,385 crore deal to upgrade its Mi-17V5 helicopters with cutting-edge electronic warfare systems. The Ministry of Defence sealed the contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, marking a major boost to indigenous defence manufacturing.These Russian-origin helicopters, numbering 151, are the backbone of Indian Air Force operations in the Himalayas. Acquired between 2008 and 2013, they’ll now be fitted with modern EW suites to increase their survivability in hostile zones.The new systems will be built largely with Indian components. That means local firms — including small and medium-sized ones —…

07 Apr

Supreme Court to Consider Urgent Hearing on Pleas Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Religious Freedom, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

New Delhi, April 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider urgent listing of multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5.Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud responded after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, mentioned the matter for immediate hearing. “All the matters will be placed before me in the afternoon,” said CJI Chandrachud, advising lawyers to follow listing procedures already in place.Nearly a dozen petitions have been filed so far, with more expected as backlash intensifies. Among the petitioners are the All…

07 Apr

WhatsApp Tests New Call Features for Android Users in Beta Rollout

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTechnologyAndroid features, WhatsApp beta update

Washington, April 7, 2025 — WhatsApp has begun testing a set of upgraded audio and video call features for Android users, signaling a significant evolution in the messaging platform’s voice and video communication experience.According to details reported by GSM Arena, the updates were spotted in the beta version 2.25.10.16 of WhatsApp for Android. Among the standout additions is a mute button for incoming voice calls, which appears directly in the notification panel. This lets users answer calls while muting their microphone—potentially useful in noisy surroundings or situations requiring privacy.Another anticipated feature gives users the ability to switch off their camera…

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…