Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

01 Apr

The Federal Consumer Carbon Tax is over April 1st

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCarbon Tax, Mark Carney, The Federal Consumer

Calgary: ( Rajeev Sharma): The federal carbon price for consumers will disappear today in all provinces except Quebec, where a provincial price on carbon meant the federal price didn't apply. B.C. also had its own consumer carbon tax, but it hurried Monday to get rid of it for April 1, as well. Mark Carney cancelled the fee on his first day as prime minister last month, signing a directive for the fuel charge to be removed on April 1. The levy had been added to the sale price of carbon-emitting products by fuel type. For gasoline, it was 17.6 cents…

01 Apr

U.S. tariffs on Canadian drugs could impact supply of antibiotics

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanadian Drugs, US Tarrifs

Toronto (Bhreau): U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals will likely drive up costs and cause shortages of critical Canadian-made drugs, including antibiotics, antidepressants and HIV treatment, according to a new study.Published Monday in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the effort was led by University of Toronto drug policy researcher Mina Tadrous. Tariffs could disrupt access to essential drugs in the U.S., especially drugs where the Canadian is the only or the most commonly used product,” said Tadrous, who is also a licensed pharmacist. “This is across the board for treatments for infections and chronic diseases.”Some medications that are sole sourced…

01 Apr

Self-Proclaimed Pastor Bajinder Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in 2018 Rape Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjabBajinder Singh rape case, Mohali pastor rape case, Punjab crime news

Mohali, April 1, 2025 – A Punjab court on Tuesday sentenced Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed Christian pastor, to life imprisonment for the 2018 rape case. The Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar convicted 42-year-old Bajinder under Sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).The victim alleged that Bajinder lured her to his residence in Sector 63, Mohali, under the pretext of helping her settle abroad. He then raped her and recorded the act, later threatening to upload the video on social media if she did not comply with his demands.The…

31 Mar

Odisha MLA Loses ₹1.4 Crore to Cyber Fraud; Seven Arrested

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaMLA scam, Odisha cyber fraud, Tusharkanti Behera fraud

Bhubaneswar, March 31, 2025 – A sitting Odisha MLA and former IT minister lost ₹1.4 crore to cyber fraud over one-and-a-half months, prompting a police crackdown that led to the arrest of seven suspects from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.The Crime Branch cyber unit found that the accused posed as trade analysts, luring victims into investing in IPOs, shares, and trading schemes with promises of high returns. The fraudsters siphoned the money between November 13, 2024, and January 1, 2025, through a mobile app, said Crime Branch IG Sarthak Sarangi.The complainant, BJD MLA and former IT minister Tusharkanti Behera, claimed a…

31 Mar

Myanmar Earthquake: Woman Rescued After 60 Hours as Death Toll Nears 2,000

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsMandalay disaster, Myanmar earthquake, Thailand rescue

Mandalay, March 31, 2025 – Rescuers pulled a woman alive from the rubble of the Great Wall Hotel in Mandalay after 60 hours, bringing a glimmer of hope following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that devastated Myanmar and parts of Thailand, killing nearly 2,000 people.A joint team of Chinese, Russian, and local rescuers worked for five hours to free the woman, who is in stable condition, according to the Chinese embassy. The earthquake struck on Friday, causing mass destruction near Mandalay, the epicenter.Rescue Efforts Continue in ThailandIn Bangkok, emergency crews are desperately searching for 76 people trapped under a collapsed under-construction skyscraper.…

31 Mar

Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrated Across India with Joy, Fervor, and Tight Security

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiacommunal harmony, Eid celebrations, Eid prayers, Eid-ul-Fitr, India, Jama Masjid, Narendra Modi, Ramzan

March 31, 2025 – Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, with millions gathering at mosques and eidgahs to offer prayers, embrace each other, and exchange festive greetings. The festival, marking the end of Ramzan, was observed peacefully, although isolated incidents of clashes were reported in some regions.Celebrations Across Major CitiesIn Delhi, thousands of worshippers, including children and the elderly, thronged Jama Masjid under tight security. Paramilitary forces were deployed to ensure order. After prayers, people visited restaurants and neighbors to enjoy traditional sweets like sewai and kheer.Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings on social media, wishing for…

30 Mar

Trump Hints at Seeking Third Term, Cites Possible Avenues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld News22nd Amendment, Presidential Limits, Trump third term

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is serious about the possibility of serving a third term, suggesting he is exploring ways to bypass the constitutional limit that prevents a president from serving more than two terms.“I’m not joking,” Trump stated in a phone interview with NBC News. When asked about potential methods to extend his presidency beyond early 2029, he responded, “There are methods which you could do it,” though he also noted that “it is far too early to think about it.”The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four-term…

30 Mar

Assam Extends AFSPA in Three Districts, Withdraws Law from Dibrugarh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAFSPA, Assam, Disturbed Area, insurgency, ULFA

Guwahati, March 30, 2025: The Assam government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in three districts for another six months after assessing the law and order situation. However, it has withdrawn the controversial law from Dibrugarh, citing improved security conditions.Home and Political Department Secretary Debaprasad Misra stated that the government had initially placed four districts under AFSPA as "Disturbed Areas" on October 8 last year. After reviewing reports from various security agencies, authorities observed a significant improvement in Assam's security situation over the past three and a half years. This progress is attributed to proactive counter-insurgency…

30 Mar

Train Derailment in Odisha: One Dead, Three Injured in Cuttack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCuttack train derailment, Odisha train accident, SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express

Cuttack, March 30, 2025: A tragic train accident in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Sunday claimed one life and left three others injured after an express train derailed, officials said.The SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, causing eleven coaches to go off track, according to Ashok Kumar Mishra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway.The deceased was identified as 22-year-old Suvankar Roy from Alipurduar, West Bengal. Railway officials stated that he jumped from the train after the derailment, resulting in his death. However, authorities are awaiting the postmortem report to confirm the…

30 Mar

Danielle Smith’s Soft Approach to Trump Sparks Controversy in Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta, Danielle Smith, Donald Trump, Pierre Poilievre

National Times Bureau, March 30, 2025 – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is willing to step into the "lion's den" to persuade American officials against imposing Canadian tariffs, taking an unorthodox approach by courting former U.S. President Donald Trump and engaging with right-wing media.While many Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have taken a hard stance against Trump, Smith has chosen a more diplomatic route. However, her strategy has drawn criticism not only from political opponents but also from allies in Alberta and across the country.Her approach has put federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in…