Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

04 Aug

Mark Carney and Donald Trump Expected to Hold Talks as 35% US Tariffs Rattle Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingDonald Trump, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump may soon meet for high-level talks in an attempt to defuse escalating trade tensions, after Washington’s decision to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods not covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) sent shockwaves through Canada’s economy. Canada’s federal minister responsible for US-Canada trade relations, Dominic LeBlanc, expressed optimism on Sunday, telling CBS News that he sees “a pathway to reducing these tariffs” through negotiations. “I believe there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down tariffs,” LeBlanc said, just days after Trump signed…

03 Aug

Why Urban Indians Are Falling in Love with Gardening—One Balcony at a Time

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsLifestylebalcony garden, city stress relief, green living, Indian lifestyle, urban gardening

In cities bursting with traffic and tight schedules, a quiet revolution is sprouting right on the balconies and windowsills of high-rise apartments. Urban gardening is no longer just a pandemic hobby. It’s become a lifestyle statement for young professionals, middle-aged homemakers, and even college students seeking a breath of green in their concrete lives.With rising stress levels, polluted air, and the need for mindful routines, more people are turning to plants as their daily therapy. A small pot of basil on the kitchen ledge, a money plant winding across the grill, or even microgreens growing in an old container—these are…

03 Aug

Philippines President to Visit India Amid Rising Tensions with China; Bilateral Naval Drills Underway

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsFerdinand Marcos Jr, India-Philippines naval drill, Philippines President India visit

New Delhi, Aug 3 — In a move signaling growing strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific, Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr will embark on a four-day state visit to India starting August 4. The high-level engagement comes against the backdrop of increasing regional friction with China and coincides with the first-ever bilateral naval exercises between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea.The joint naval drill began Saturday near the contested Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the ongoing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China. India, which has consistently expressed concerns over China's aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, is…

03 Aug

Pakistan Backs Iran’s Right to Peaceful Nuclear Energy as Leaders Sign 12 Cooperation Pacts

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsIsrael Iran tensions, Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan Iran ties, peaceful nuclear energy, Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3, 2025 — Pakistan on Sunday publicly supported Iran’s right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, even as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington. The endorsement came during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s state visit to Islamabad, where both countries signed 12 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen bilateral ties.President Pezeshkian, who arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, held formal talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his official residence. During a joint press conference following their meeting, Sharif reiterated Islamabad’s firm support for Iran’s pursuit of nuclear energy for civilian use. "Pakistan stands with Iran…

03 Aug

Ukrainian Drone Attack Sparks Blaze at Sochi Oil Depot as Both Sides Trade Blows

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDrone Attack, Mykolaiv Missile Strike, Russia, Sochi Fire, Ukraine, Voronezh

Sochi, August 3 – A massive fire erupted at an oil depot near Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi overnight after a Ukrainian drone strike, intensifying the already escalating conflict between the two nations. The blaze, ignited by falling debris from a downed drone, prompted the deployment of more than 120 firefighters, according to Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev.Social media videos captured thick plumes of smoke rising ominously over the area. The fire, though eventually controlled, led Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, to halt operations temporarily at Sochi’s airport, a major civilian hub on the Black Sea coast.Further north, four people…

03 Aug

India’s Forex Reserves Climb $2.7 Billion, Cross $698 Billion Mark After Three-Week Slump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessForeign Exchange, Forex Reserves, Gold Reserves, India economy, RBI

Mumbai, August 3 – India’s foreign exchange reserves recorded a notable rebound after a three-week dip, rising by $2.703 billion to reach $698.192 billion for the week ending July 25, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.The uptick follows a fall of $1.18 billion in the previous reporting week. This resurgence was primarily driven by a sharp increase in foreign currency assets, which climbed $1.316 billion to hit $588.926 billion. Gold reserves also rose significantly, registering a $1.206 billion gain and reaching $85.704 billion.The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) held with the International Monetary Fund…

03 Aug

PCB Bans Players from WCL After India Forfeits Matches; Alleges Bias and Hypocrisy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportscricket politics, India vs Pakistan, PCB ban, World Championship of Legends

National Times Bureau, Aug 3, 2025 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a blanket ban on its players from participating in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), accusing the tournament of being politically biased and lacking sporting fairness. The decision came after India forfeited both their scheduled group-stage and semifinal matches against Pakistan, citing national sentiment following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent 'Operation Sindoor.'The PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi in a virtual board meeting, slammed the WCL for awarding points to the Indian team despite their deliberate withdrawal. The Pakistani board labeled…

03 Aug

ED Arrests Former Axis MF Dealer Viresh Joshi in ₹200 Crore Front-Running Scam

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaAxis Mutual Fund scam, ED arrest, front-running, Viresh Joshi, ₹200 crore fraud

Mumbai, August 3, 2025 — In a sweeping operation targeting financial market malpractice, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Viresh Gangaram Joshi, former chief dealer of Axis Mutual Fund, for his alleged role in a ₹200 crore front-running scam that took place between 2018 and 2021. The arrest is part of a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and follows coordinated searches across eight major cities.Joshi is accused of exploiting privileged information about Axis Mutual Fund’s upcoming trades to execute pre-emptive transactions using mule accounts and a Dubai-based trading terminal, thereby generating illicit gains at the expense…

03 Aug

NEET-PG 2025 Held Successfully in 301 Cities, Over 2.42 Lakh Candidates Appeared

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia2.42 lakh candidates, medical entrance exam, NBEMS, NEET-PG 2025

New Delhi, August 3, 2025 — The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2025 was conducted smoothly across 301 cities on Sunday, with over 2.42 lakh candidates appearing for what is now the largest single-shift computer-based examination in India. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, carried out the examination in 1,052 test centres nationwide.In a coordinated effort to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the exam, NBEMS deployed over 2,200 faculty members from medical colleges and NBEMS-accredited hospitals to supervise and evaluate the conduct…

03 Aug

Why Toilet Doors in Malls and Theatres Have a Gap at the Bottom?

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsLifestyle, TrendingToilet

New Delhi (National Times): Walk into any public restroom at a mall, theatre, hospital, or office building, and you’ll likely notice something peculiar: the doors don’t reach the floor. Unlike the full-length bathroom doors you see in homes or hotels, these doors leave a noticeable gap at the bottom. While it may seem odd, there are several practical reasons behind this design choice, all rooted in safety, hygiene, cost, and convenience. 1. Easier and Faster Cleaning Public toilets in high-traffic areas require frequent cleaning throughout the day. The gap at the bottom allows janitorial staff to clean floors efficiently without…