Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

02 May

President Trump Likens US Naval Blockade to Piracy Amid Escalating Conflict with Iran

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsEnergy Crisis, Iran war, Naval blockade, Piracy, Trump, US Navy

Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): President Donald Trump generated significant controversy on Friday evening by stating that the United States Navy was acting "like pirates" during the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports. His comments came as he described a recent operation where US forces successfully seized a ship along with its cargo and oil, characterizing the seizures as a "very profitable business." Trump’s admission that American forces are essentially engaging in piratical behaviour—while maintaining that they are "not playing games"—marks a blunt shift in the rhetoric surrounding the maritime strategy employed by Washington and its allies during the current war…

02 May

India Conducts Nationwide Trial of Advanced Emergency Alert System

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAlert, India

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a major step toward strengthening disaster preparedness, authorities in India carried out a large-scale test of a new mobile-based alert mechanism, sending a high-priority warning message to millions of users across the country on Saturday. The alert, labelled as “Extremely Severe,” briefly caused concern among citizens before officials confirmed it was only part of a planned drill aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the new system. The initiative has been introduced under the supervision of Amit Shah and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, the platform—called SACHET—relies on cell broadcast technology…

02 May

Alberta Backs Rodeo Season with Fresh Push to Boost Rural Tourism and Economy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The return of rodeo season is bringing renewed energy to communities across Alberta, with the provincial government stepping up support to strengthen rural tourism and local economies. With more than 100 rodeo events scheduled annually, towns and cities across the province are preparing to welcome large crowds to arenas, fairgrounds, and exhibition sites. These events—ranging from grassroots competitions to major stampedes—play a vital role in attracting visitors and sustaining small businesses. Officials say continued funding through Travel Alberta has helped expand the reach of these events. Between 2023 and 2026, over $1.3 million has been allocated to…

02 May

Alberta Voters Raise Alarm Over Data Breach as Electoral Officer Outlines Response

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Concerns are mounting across Alberta after the province’s electoral authority acknowledged widespread anxiety over the alleged misuse of voter data. Gordon McClure, head of Elections Alberta, said the agency has received numerous complaints from residents worried about the exposure of personal information from the List of Electors. In a detailed public statement, McClure noted that many individuals—including survivors of domestic violence, members of law enforcement, and people from vulnerable communities—have expressed fear about potential risks linked to the data breach. He described the situation as serious, adding that even staff within Elections Alberta are affected, as they…

02 May

Northern States Brace for Continued Showers and Storm Activity Until Early May

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingWeather Update

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Weather conditions across much of North India are expected to remain unstable over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department predicting ongoing rainfall and thunderstorm activity through May 6. According to the forecast, regions including Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will witness intermittent showers, particularly between May 2 and May 5, with additional light rainfall likely at isolated locations thereafter. Gusty winds and lightning strikes may accompany these spells. Meteorologists have attributed the changing weather to successive western disturbances impacting the northern belt. While temperatures may edge up slightly in the immediate term, a gradual…

02 May

Diljit Dosanjh hits out at protesters during concert, defends appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s ‘The Tonight Show

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Punjab, World NewsDiljit Dosanjh

Rajeev Sharma :- Diljit Dosanjh, one of the biggest names in Punjabi entertainment made headlines after he confronted the protestors during his concert and firmly defended his decision to appear on Jimmy Fallon's 'The Tonight Show' asserting that his only objective was to represent Punjab on global platform. The rebuke stemmed from Diljit's recent sold-out shows where some audience members were seen raising flags in apparent protest against the singer. While the precise cause was not officially confirmed, many netizens suggested the anger stemmed from Diljit's appearance on 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' at a time when Punjab was…

02 May

No Breakthrough Yet as US Rejects Iran’s Offer, Talks Remain Uncertain

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Efforts to resolve the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict continue to face obstacles, with Donald Trump making it clear that Washington is not convinced by Tehran’s latest proposal for negotiations. Addressing the media, Trump said the offer put forward by Iran fails to meet key US expectations, indicating that significant differences persist between the two sides. He suggested that although dialogue has not completely stopped, the current terms are not something his administration is willing to accept. Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi signalled that Iran is still open to diplomatic engagement, but stressed that any meaningful progress would require a shift…

01 May

Third Consecutive Hike in Commercial LPG Prices Raises Concerns Among Businesses

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingLPG

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Commercial establishments across India are set to face increased operational costs following another sharp rise in LPG cylinder prices. Authorities have raised the rate of commercial cylinders by ₹993, marking the third upward revision since tensions escalated in the Iran–Israel conflict. The latest adjustment follows earlier hikes of ₹144 and ₹200 in recent months, reflecting the continued impact of global fuel market instability. While domestic LPG prices for households have largely been kept stable, commercial users are bearing the brunt of these increases. Restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses are expected to be the most affected, as…

01 May

White House Labels Iran Conflict Concluded, Ceasefire Interpretation Sparks Debate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsWhite House

Washington (Rajeev Sharma):The administration of Donald Trump has asserted that the military confrontation with Iran has effectively come to an end, pointing to the ceasefire implemented in early April as proof that hostilities have ceased. The claim is drawing attention as it could allow the government to sidestep legal requirements tied to prolonged military engagement. According to officials familiar with the administration’s position, the halt in direct fighting means the conflict no longer falls under the scope of the War Powers Resolution, which mandates congressional approval if combat operations continue beyond 60 days. Authorities argue that since no active exchanges…

01 May

Bargi Dam Tragedy: Nine Dead After Boat Capsizes in Jabalpur, Search for Missing Continues

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJabalpur

Jabalpur (Rajeev Sharma): Rescue teams are continuing operations at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur after a tourist boat accident claimed nine lives, with authorities still searching for those unaccounted for following the incident. Officials said the number of fatalities increased after more bodies were recovered during ongoing efforts led by the National Disaster Response Force along with local agencies. The accident occurred when the boat overturned amid strong winds and turbulent conditions in the reservoir. State minister Rakesh Singh noted that a clearer understanding of the incident would emerge once the rescue mission concludes. He also pointed out that questions remain…