Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

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…

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…