Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Jun

Oxygen Leak Resolved, Axiom-4 Mission Rescheduled for June 19

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TechnologyAxiom-4, Falcon 9 leak, June 19 launch, Shubhanshu Shukla astronaut

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — The long-awaited Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station is back on track after engineers successfully resolved a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket. Space agencies confirmed on Saturday that the new launch date is now set for June 19.The mission, which includes Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, was initially scheduled for May 29 but had faced multiple postponements due to technical issues. A final hot-fire test earlier this month revealed a leak in the rocket's liquid oxygen system, forcing further delays.Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX jointly investigated…

14 Jun

Boeing 787s Under Scrutiny After Ahmedabad Crash: Aviation Minister Orders Extended DGCA Inspections

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAhmedabad plane crash 2025, Air India AI-171 crash, Boeing 787 Dreamliner inspection India

New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — In the wake of the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced an urgent expansion of safety inspections across the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet in India.Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Naidu confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an order for extended surveillance of all Boeing 787 aircraft operating under Indian carriers. “We have very strict safety standards in the country,” he said, noting that eight of the 34 Dreamliners in service have already been inspected. “With…

14 Jun

Government Forms High-Level Committee to Probe Air India AI-171 Crash; Report Expected in Three Months

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAhmedabad, Air India, plane crash

New Delhi (National Times): In the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which claimed 241 lives, the Indian government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the root causes of the disaster and recommend preventive measures for the future. The report is expected to be submitted within three months. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating the Ahmedabad–Gatwick route, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, leaving the nation in mourning and sparking widespread calls for accountability and reform in aviation safety protocols. According to an official order issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the newly…

14 Jun

India, Canada Strike Intelligence-Sharing Deal on Crime and Terror

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, India

Toronto/New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): In a move that could redefine South Asian geopolitics and internal security dynamics, Canada and India have entered into a landmark intelligence-sharing agreement aimed at tackling transnational crime and terrorism. The agreement, finalized under the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, represents a sharp policy shift and is widely seen as an attempt to restore diplomatic warmth following a year of tense relations over the Khalistan issue. “Our law enforcement needs tools and cooperation across borders. This is about empowering our protectors and taking the fight to those who hide behind jurisdictional gaps,” said PM…

14 Jun

Canada PM Mark Carney Condemns Iran’s Missile Strikes, Reaffirms Support for Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCanada, Mark Carney

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed serious concern over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, denouncing Tehran's missile attacks and affirming Canada’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense. In a strongly worded statement released earlier today, Carney said: "Iran’s nuclear program has long been a cause of grave concern, and its missile attacks across Israel threaten regional peace." The Prime Minister convened Canada’s National Security Council to assess the rapidly developing situation and review measures to protect Canadian citizens and diplomatic missions across the Middle East. “Today, I convened our National Security Council to receive…

14 Jun

MCC Outlaws ‘Bunny-Hop’ Catches in Major Cricket Rule Overhaul

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSports, TrendingCricket

London (National Times): The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), is set to implement a major rule change that will render the controversial 'bunny-hop' boundary catches illegal from October 2026. As per a report from ESPNcricinfo, the MCC has updated Law 19.5.2 to address what it calls “unusual-looking” boundary catches that many believe go against the spirit of fair play. The new amendment states that any fielder who has been outside the boundary before touching the ball must be fully grounded within the field of play after their first airborne contact — or else…

14 Jun

Benjamin Netanyahu Urges Iranians to “Rise Against Oppression” Amid Escalating Conflict with Tehran

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsBenjamin Netanyahu

Jerusalem (National Times): As tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a direct appeal to the citizens of Iran, calling on them to stand up against what he described as the "oppressive and murderous Islamic regime." In a televised address delivered late Thursday, following a wave of missile strikes from Iran, Netanyahu stated, "Our struggle is not with the Iranian people. It is with the brutal regime that has held you hostage for decades and brought nothing but poverty and repression." He went further, urging Iranians to embrace their national identity and…

13 Jun

Israel Strikes Iran in ‘Operation Rising Lion’; Iran Retaliates with Drone Barrage as Leaders Killed, Nuclear Sites Hit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsIran retaliation drones, Israel Iran Strike 2025, Operation Rising Lion

National Times Bureau, June 13: In a dramatic escalation that has drawn global concern, Israel launched a massive preemptive air assault on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure under “Operation Rising Lion” early June 13. The operation marks one of the largest military actions against the Islamic Republic in over four decades.The Israeli offensive targeted around 100 high-value sites across Iran, including Natanz, Khondab, and Fordow nuclear enrichment facilities, as well as ballistic missile depots and air defense systems. Nearly 200 Israeli aircraft, drones, and cyber units executed the simultaneous strikes, dealing a significant blow to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.Among those killed…

13 Jun

India, China to Restart Trade Dialogue and Hydrological Data Sharing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBrahmaputra Sutlej rivers, hydrological data sharing, ia‑China trade dialogue

New Delhi, June 13, 2025 — India and China have agreed to resume critical cooperation following a high-level meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.The two sides confirmed plans to restart functional economic and trade dialogues, designed to resolve bilateral concerns such as supply chain uncertainties most notably China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals used in automotive and electronics manufacturing.In another significant development, China will resume sharing hydrological data from key transboundary rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Sutlej whose data channels were closed in 2023 and 2020, respectively. These flows are vital…

13 Jun

Albanese Defends AUKUS Pact Amid Trump-Era Review; All Eyes on G7 Meeting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAnthony Albanese, AUKUS, Australia-US defence relations, Donald Trump, Elbridge Colby, G7 Summit

Ottawa, June 13, 2025 — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his government’s full commitment to the AUKUS security alliance just days before the G7 Summit in Canada, brushing aside speculation around the Trump administration’s review of the trilateral pact. Speaking during his stopover in Suva en route to the summit, Albanese called the U.S. review a “routine step” taken by new administrations and reaffirmed that “AUKUS is here to stay.”The renewed scrutiny under President Donald Trump’s second term has raised concerns about whether the U.S. will fully back the pact, which promises Australia nuclear-powered submarines as part of a…