Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

09 Jul

US Steps Up Pressure on Iran with New Strikes; Donald Trump Warns of Stronger Response if Maritime Attacks Continue

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has intensified its military campaign against Iran, carrying out another wave of strikes on strategic sites in the country's south after accusing Tehran of endangering commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the latest operation targeted military infrastructure believed to support Iran's ability to threaten international maritime routes. Officials described the mission as a response to recent attacks on civilian vessels transiting one of the world's busiest energy corridors. Iranian media reported loud explosions in several southern locations, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, and parts of the…

09 Jul

Delhi on High Alert as Heavy Showers Lash City; Government Says Waterlogging Largely Under Control

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi

Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Heavy rainfall across the national capital prompted the Delhi government to place all civic and infrastructure agencies on high alert, with officials claiming that the situation on major roads remains under control despite persistent showers. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewed the rain-related situation with senior officials and instructed departments to respond swiftly to any instances of water accumulation or traffic disruption. The government said emergency teams from the Delhi Jal Board, the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been…

09 Jul

US Reassures Indian Professionals, Says Immigration Rules Are Uniform and Not Country-Focused

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsUS

Washington, DC (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has sought to allay concerns among Indian professionals regarding tightening immigration procedures, stating that its visa framework is based on uniform enforcement rather than policies directed at any specific nation. Addressing questions on the issue, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the administration's objective is to ensure that immigration regulations are implemented consistently for applicants worldwide. He stressed that India is not being singled out under the current visa regime. Pigott explained that the government has moved away from what it considers uneven enforcement practices of the past and is now applying…

09 Jul

Monsoon Remains Aggressive in Himachal Pradesh; IMD Forecasts More Rain, Authorities Warn of Travel Disruptions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal Pradesh

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh is expected to witness another spell of widespread rainfall over the coming days as the southwest monsoon continues to remain active across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised people to remain cautious, warning that persistent showers may trigger landslides, flash floods, and traffic disruptions in vulnerable regions. According to the latest forecast, moderate to heavy rain is likely in several districts through July 12, particularly in the mid and lower hill regions. Officials said the weather system could intensify at isolated locations, increasing the possibility of slope failures and overflowing seasonal streams.…

09 Jul

US Indictment Puts Lawrence Bishnoi Network Under Global Spotlight, Links Him To Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Killing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsLawrence Bishnoi

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has expanded its crackdown on transnational organised crime by unsealing fresh federal charges against jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and several of his close associates, alleging that the criminal network operated across multiple countries and was linked to murder, drug trafficking, extortion and other serious offences. The indictment, released as part of the multi-agency Operation Hard Ball, accuses Bishnoi of directing an international criminal syndicate despite being lodged in an Indian prison. US prosecutors allege that his associates coordinated activities across North America and Europe, carrying out violent crimes, narcotics trafficking and targeted attacks under…

09 Jul

Donald Trump Says India-Pakistan Conflict Was Close to Nuclear Escalation, Questions Iran’s Intentions Despite Calls for Deal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has claimed that the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan had reached a dangerous stage and suggested that it could have escalated into a nuclear conflict. Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that diplomatic intervention helped prevent a much larger catastrophe. According to Trump, the hostilities between the two South Asian neighbours had intensified significantly, with multiple aircraft reportedly being brought down during the conflict. He said the situation had become so serious that millions of lives were potentially at risk if tensions had continued to spiral. Referring to his conversations with Pakistan’s…

08 Jul

US Launches Comprehensive Probe Into H-1B and PERM Visa Fraud and Labour Exploitation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAnthony D'Esposito, Department of Labor, H-1B visa, Human Trafficking, Visa Fraud

Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): The United States has launched a massive, nationwide investigation into widespread fraud and human trafficking linked to the H-1B work visa programme and the employment-based permanent residency (PERM) system. Announced by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), the sweeping crackdown aims to dismantle deeply entrenched illicit schemes involving fraudulent applications, forced-labour practices, coercive wage kickbacks, and the deliberate exploitation of foreign guest workers. The investigation is being carried out in close coordination with federal law enforcement agencies and the Trump Administration's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. According to the OIG, various employers…

08 Jul

ISRAELI AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS CANADA–ISRAEL–INDIA COOPERATION DURING CALGARY VISIT, MEETS INDIAN DIASPORA LEADERS

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, CanadaCalgary, Israel

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, met with members of Calgary’s Indian diaspora and representatives of the JAI HO Canada Council during his visit to the city, discussing opportunities to strengthen Canada–Israel relations, expand trade and investment partnerships, and enhance cooperation in areas including technology, innovation, agriculture, healthcare, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. The meeting brought together community leaders and representatives from Calgary’s multicultural community for an engaging discussion on international relations, economic collaboration, and the important role of diaspora communities in building stronger connections between nations. A key part of the conversation focused on the evolving situation in…

08 Jul

FBI widens crackdown on transnational gang network linked to Lawrence Bishnoi; dozens charged, multi-country raids uncover drugs and weapons

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsLawrence Bishnoi

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): In one of the biggest coordinated operations targeting organised crime with links to India, US federal authorities have announced sweeping action against an international criminal syndicate allegedly associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associates. Investigators say the operation stretched across North America and Europe, resulting in multiple arrests, large-scale searches, and the seizure of narcotics and illegal firearms. According to officials, law enforcement agencies carried out simultaneous raids at nearly 50 locations across the United States, Canada, and several European countries. Twenty-four suspects were taken into custody, while charges have been filed against a total…

08 Jul

Heavy Rains Continue to Batter Himachal; Orange Alert in Several Districts, Roads Closed After Fresh Landslides

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh continued to grapple with intense monsoon activity on Wednesday as persistent rain disrupted normal life across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that wet weather will continue over the coming days, with an Orange Alert issued for heavy rainfall in vulnerable regions and a Yellow Alert for many other parts of the state. Authorities have cautioned residents and tourists against travelling through landslide-prone stretches, riverbanks, and low-lying areas, as the possibility of flash floods, falling boulders, and road blockages remains high. The latest spell of rain has affected connectivity in multiple districts,…