Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

06 Aug

Lula Refuses Negotiation with Trump Amid Tariff Tensions, Vows Climate Talks Invitation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBolsonaro trial, Brazil-US relations, Donald Trump, Lula da Silva

Brasilia, August 6, 2025 — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva firmly ruled out any negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that the American leader has shown no interest in dialogue. Lula’s remarks come in response to Trump’s recent imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods and growing diplomatic strain between the two nations.“I’m not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesn’t want to talk,” Lula said in a press interaction. “But rest assured, I will call Trump to invite him to the COP summit because I want to hear what he thinks about…

06 Aug

Akal Takht Sahib Announces Religious Punishment For Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Over Religious Sentiment Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingAkal Takht Sahib, Harjot Bains, Punjab

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Tuesday to express regret over the recent controversy surrounding a government-organized event in Srinagar commemorating the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The controversy stemmed from cultural performances, including Bhangra, that took place during the tribute event. The presence of folk music and dance in a program meant to honour the Sikh Guru drew widespread criticism from Sikh bodies and religious scholars for undermining the solemnity of the occasion. Minister Bains acknowledged his lapse in judgment and admitted that he was present when…

06 Aug

PM Modi Speaks to Uttarakhand CM Dhami, Assures Full Support After Dharali Cloudburst

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingPushkar Dhami, Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Rajeev Sharma): A day after the devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reached out to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assess the situation and review ongoing relief and rescue efforts. In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, it was confirmed that PM Modi held a phone conversation with CM Dhami on Wednesday, expressing concern over the tragic events in the hill district and inquiring about the status of operations on the ground. The statement read: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami…

06 Aug

Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Uttarkashi: 4 Dead, Over 60 Missing as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUttarakhand, Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi (Rajeev Sharma): Torrential rainfall triggered devastating flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali town on Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and over 60 feared missing. The disaster, which followed a suspected cloudburst near the Kheer Ganga river, has caused widespread destruction in the remote Himalayan region. The sudden surge of water caught residents and visitors off guard. Within minutes, powerful currents swept through the hill town—located around 8,600 feet above sea level—destroying homes, hotels, and market areas. Shocking visuals captured by locals show walls of water and debris tearing through the village as people screamed out warnings and rushed…

06 Aug

ASIRT Probes Officer-Involved Shooting at Strathcona County RCMP Detachment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingASIRT, Canada

Strathcona County, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has launched an investigation into a police-involved shooting that occurred on the morning of July 28 at the Strathcona County RCMP detachment. According to initial reports, the incident began around 10:30 a.m., when an RCMP officer spotted a man inside the detachment’s secure parking area. The officer reportedly believed the individual was armed and relayed the information to other members over police radio. In response, multiple officers arrived on scene and issued verbal commands to the man. A confrontation followed, during which four officers discharged their firearms, striking…

06 Aug

Mark Carney’s $1.2 Billion Forestry Support Plan Welcomed in B.C., but Industry Calls for U.S. Trade Deal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, Canada, TrendingCanada, Mark Carney

British Columbia (Richa Walia): The federal government’s $1.2 billion relief package for Canada’s struggling forestry sector has received a cautious welcome in British Columbia, where industry leaders stress that long-term solutions must include a new trade agreement with the United States. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Mark Carney in West Kelowna on Tuesday, comes as American import duties on Canadian softwood lumber continue to rise. Under the plan, $700 million will be allocated for loan guarantees to help companies stabilize operations, while $500 million will fund the development of new products and markets. An additional $500 million will support…

06 Aug

Prime Minister Carney Unveils Bold New Strategy to Transform Canada’s Softwood Lumber Industry

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Mark Carney

West Kelowna, British Columbia (Richa Walia): In a decisive step toward reshaping Canada’s economic future, Prime Minister Mark Carney today announced a sweeping set of measures aimed at revitalizing and future-proofing the country’s softwood lumber industry. Speaking from Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister outlined a transformative strategy that places Canadian innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience at its core. “With the global trade environment evolving rapidly, we must act decisively to support our industries and workers,” Carney said. “Canada’s new government is committed to building a resilient economy rooted in Canadian resources, ingenuity, and leadership in sustainable practices.” The newly announced…

06 Aug

Trump Denies Knowledge of Russian Imports Amid India Row Over Tariffs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsIndia US trade dispute, MEA response, Russian fertilizers, Russian oil, Trump Russia imports

Washington, August 6, 2025: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed ignorance about continued American imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers, even as India pushed back strongly against his decision to raise tariffs over its oil trade with Moscow.Responding to a question at a White House press briefing, Trump said, “I don’t know anything about it. We will have to check,” when asked whether the US still imports Russian chemicals and fertilizers despite criticizing India’s purchases from Russia.The statement follows Trump's Monday post on Truth Social, where he accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and reselling it…

06 Aug

Consulate General of India to Host Consular Camp in Abbotsford on August 9

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary, Canada

Abbotsford (National Times Bureau): The Consulate General of India, Vancouver, in collaboration with the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS), Abbotsford, will organize a Consular Camp on Saturday, August 9, 2025, to provide essential consular services to members of the Indian community in the Fraser Valley region.The camp will take place at the Khalsa Diwan Society, located at 33094 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2AB. Services will be available during two sessions: from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.The following consular services will be offered at the camp: - Passport applications - Overseas Citizen…

05 Aug

Wesley Ridge Wildfire Rages Unchecked on Vancouver Island, Forcing Hundreds to Evacuate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaBCWS, Cameron Lake, Nanaimo evacuation, Vancouver Island wildfire, Wesley Ridge fire

Vancouver Island (Richa Walia )— A wildfire near Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island continued to burn out of control on Monday, growing to 511 hectares despite efforts by firefighters to contain its spread.The blaze, now known as the Wesley Ridge fire, was discovered Thursday and is located about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo, B.C., according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS). The fire has prompted an evacuation order for 387 homes, with another 235 properties on evacuation alert.“There was limited growth overnight,” BCWS fire information officer Madison Dahl said at a press conference. She added that 164 personnel, including more…