Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

31 Jul

IMD Predicts Above-Normal Rainfall in Second Half of Monsoon Season

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaabove-normal rain, IMD, India rainfall, monsoon forecast 2025, southwest monsoon

New Delhi, July 31, 2025 — India is likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the second half of the southwest monsoon season, covering August and September, according to a forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday. The announcement came during an online press briefing by IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, who stated that most regions of the country are expected to see normal rainfall in August, with a stronger-than-usual spell anticipated in September.Mohapatra confirmed that overall rainfall across the country during this period is likely to be around 106% of the long-period average of 422.8 mm, marking…

31 Jul

Haryana to Host Grand Khel Mahakumbh; Over 15,000 Athletes to Compete in 26 Sports Events

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryanaGaurav Gautam, Haryana Sports Policy, Khel Mahakumbh 2025, Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, July 31 – Haryana is set to launch the grand Khel Mahakumbh 2025 from August 2, with more than 15,000 athletes showcasing their skills across 26 sporting disciplines. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will inaugurate the event as the chief guest at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.Sharing the details at a press conference at the Civil Secretariat, Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam said the event reflects the strength of Haryana’s progressive sports policy and its athletes' exceptional performances on national and international platforms. Despite comprising only 2% of the country’s population, Haryana contributes nearly 60% of India's medals at…

31 Jul

India and Russia can take their dead economies down together: Donald Trump

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDonald Trump, India, Russia

Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social with a sharp rebuke of India and Russia, criticizing both nations' economic policies while issuing a warning to Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let's keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's…

31 Jul

Uttarakhand CM Orders Probe into Toddler’s Death Over Referral Delays

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingPushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Bageshwar district, who allegedly lost his life due to delays in receiving timely medical treatment caused by multiple hospital referrals. Calling the incident “extremely painful and unfortunate,” Dhami directed the Kumaon Commissioner to lead the probe. “Initial information suggests negligence by officials or healthcare staff in performing their duties. If any indifference is confirmed, strict action will be taken,” the Chief Minister said in an official statement. He further emphasized, “No laxity will be tolerated when it comes to safeguarding…

31 Jul

BC Puts Tsunami Preparedness to the Test After Massive Quake Near Russia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada, Tsunami

British Columbia (Richa Walia): The anticipated tsunami that reached Tofino, B.C., late Tuesday turned out to be far milder than feared, rising only about 15 centimetres, roughly half the height of a school ruler. Instead of panic, the gentle waves brought relief and even curiosity to about 300 onlookers gathered at Mackenzie Beach just before midnight. Hours earlier, J.J. Belanger, general manager of Crystal Cove Beach Resort, sprang into action after news broke of a powerful 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula — one of the strongest quakes ever recorded. With several hours before any waves could reach Canada’s…

31 Jul

Alberta Invests $50M in New Modular Classrooms to Address Enrolment Growth

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): As the 2025-26 school year approaches, Alberta’s government has announced a $50-million investment to add 62 pre-made classrooms this fall, easing enrolment pressures in the province’s fastest-growing communities. This funding builds on previous Budget 2025 commitments, bringing the total investment to $100 million for 109 modular classrooms. These classrooms will create space for 2,725 students and relocate 575 more. “Alberta's government is moving quickly to build new schools and create more classroom spaces, so our students continue to have room to grow and thrive,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. “This additional funding for modular…

31 Jul

Alberta Invests $50M to Expand Wastewater Services in Airdrie

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a $50-million investment to upgrade Airdrie’s wastewater system, a move aimed at meeting the infrastructure demands of one of the province’s fastest-growing cities. Since 2022, Airdrie’s population has surged by more than 25%, surpassing 90,000 residents. To accommodate this rapid growth, the project will include the construction of a new 7-kilometre wastewater pipeline connecting Airdrie to Calgary’s existing wastewater treatment system. This regional solution will reduce long-term costs and eliminate the need for a separate treatment facility. “Airdrie is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Alberta, and needs upgraded infrastructure to meet…

31 Jul

PM Mark Carney, President Emmanuel Macron Discuss Gaza Crisis and Two-State Solution

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingEmmanuel Macron, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney held a call today with French President Emmanuel Macron to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need for coordinated global action to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East. During their conversation, Prime Minister Carney commended President Macron for his leadership in advancing dialogue on the two-state solution, particularly through France’s recent collaboration with Saudi Arabia to convene the United Nations High-Level Conference on a Two-State Solution. The two leaders explored the next steps required to build on the commitments made at the conference earlier this week. Prime…

31 Jul

Donald Trump Announces US-Pakistan Partnership to Develop Massive Oil Reserves

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): The US President Donald Trump revealed a significant development in US-Pakistan relations, announcing that the two nations have struck a deal to jointly develop Pakistan’s massive oil reserves. Taking to his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, "We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves. We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling oil to India someday!" Trump also highlighted ongoing trade negotiations with several other…

31 Jul

Canada to Recognize Palestinian State, Announces Prime Minister Mark Carney

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. In a landmark statement issued on Tuesday, Carney emphasized that Canada remains committed to a two-state solution, describing it as “an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.” However, Carney noted that the traditional path toward a two-state solution has become “no longer tenable,” citing factors such as Hamas terrorism, ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank…