Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

08 Jun

NASA, ISRO to Launch Joint Private Space Mission with Indian Pilot on June 10

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTechnology, TrendingISRO, NASA

Washington DC/New Delhi (National Times): In a major milestone for international space collaboration, NASA and ISRO will jointly launch Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) on June 10, marking a historic step as Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla takes flight as the mission’s pilot. The mission, facilitated by Axiom Space, will be the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and will include astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. The mission is scheduled to lift off on Tuesday, June 10, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, the crew will ride…

08 Jun

Donald Trump Deploys 2,000 National Guard Troops to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Raid Protests

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingDonald Trump, Los Angeles

Los Angeles (National Times): Amid mounting protests over controversial immigration raids in Los Angeles, US President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum ordering the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, CNN reported. The move follows a series of federal immigration enforcement actions that led to the detention of dozens of individuals, sparking citywide unrest. The protests, which erupted on Friday, drew large crowds accusing the federal government of conducting “mass chaos” and “paramilitary-style operations” targeting immigrant communities. In response, the Department of Defense began mobilizing National Guard units to support federal law enforcement. US Secretary of…

08 Jun

Taller Than Eiffel Tower: PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAnji Khad Bridge, Chenab River, Eiffel Tower, Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s tallest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, a colossal structure rising 359 metres above the riverbed, surpassing the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres. Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore over more than eight years, the bridge is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project aimed at enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. The engineering marvel was built using 28,660 megatonnes of steel and is designed to withstand extreme weather, earthquakes, and other natural calamities. Notably, it is equipped with advanced safety…

07 Jun

Carney and Li Qiang Agree to Renew Canada-China Dialogue Amid Trade Tensions and Fentanyl Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, World NewsCanada-China relations, Li Qiang, Mark Carney, Trade Tensions

Ottawa/Beijing, June 7, 2025 – In a major development for Canada-China relations, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have agreed to "regularize channels of communication" between the two nations. The agreement signals a thaw in diplomatic ties that have been strained since 2018 and aims to facilitate cooperation on critical issues, including trade and the opioid epidemic.During a high-level phone conversation, both leaders stressed the need for consistent diplomatic engagement to resolve mutual concerns. Carney emphasized that restoring dialogue is essential to de-escalate economic frictions, particularly Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports such as canola, peas, and…

07 Jun

New RBI Locker Rules 2025 Aim to Boost Security, Limit Bank Liability

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessbank locker safety, RBI compensation policy, RBI Locker Rules 2025

New Delhi, June 7, 2025 – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rolled out revised guidelines for bank lockers effective 2025, focusing on enhanced security for customers and increased accountability for banks. These updated rules introduce stricter access controls, compensation limits, and guidelines on permissible locker contents.Under the new regulations, a dual-key system has been mandated, requiring the presence of both the customer and the bank to access a locker. If a locker remains unused for three years, banks are allowed to open it for inspection following due procedure.One of the most notable provisions is the compensation cap. In…

07 Jun

India to Host BRICS Parliamentary Forum in 2026; Joint Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBRICS joint declaration, BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026, India host announcement, Om Birla, Pahalgam terror attack

Brasilia [Brazil], June 7, 2025 – India has been officially named the host of the next BRICS Parliamentary Forum in 2026, as announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the conclusion of the 11th edition of the forum held in Brasilia. The announcement came alongside a strong joint declaration by member nations, which collectively condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and endorsed a global zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.In his statement, Birla reaffirmed India's commitment to multilateral cooperation and said, “The agenda will be set for the Summit in India, and India will ensure a successful and…

07 Jun

India Stands Firm as Pakistan Seeks Dialogue on Indus Waters Treaty

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndia, Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan

New Delhi (National Times): In a notable geopolitical development, Pakistan has reached out multiple times to India in recent weeks, expressing willingness to resume talks on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). However, India has refused to engage, maintaining that the treaty will stay in abeyance following the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. According to reports from The Indian Express, Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza initially responded to India’s suspension notice in May, offering to “discuss specific provisions of the treaty” that India finds objectionable.…

07 Jun

COVID-19 Cases Rise in Dehradun as India Strengthens Preparedness; IIT Guwahati Develops New Detection Method

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCOVID-19 Dehradun June 2025, DGHS COVID review meeting, India COVID active cases

Dehradun, June 7, 2025 : Seven new COVID-19 cases were reported in Dehradun on Friday, bringing the district’s total tally to 29. According to the Health Department, infections were detected in three individuals from Rishikesh, one from Sahaspur, and three from the Raipur area. Out of 25 people tested, seven returned positive results.Authorities are actively tracing contacts of the infected patients to prevent further spread. This localized surge comes amid a broader national uptick in cases.As of 8 AM on June 7, India has recorded 5,364 active COVID-19 cases. While most are mild and managed under home care, 55 COVID-related…

07 Jun

India’s Extreme Poverty Plummets from 27.1% to 5.3% in Just Over a Decade: World Bank

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaWorld Bank

New Delhi (National Times): In a landmark revelation, the World Bank has released its June 2025 Poverty Report, highlighting a significant decline in extreme poverty in India. According to the report, the percentage of Indians living in extreme poverty, defined as living on $3.00 a day (2021 PPP), has dropped dramatically from 27.12% in 2011 to just 5.25% in 2022. This translates to a reduction in the number of people living under extreme poverty from 344.41 million in 2011 to 75.22 million in 2022, an achievement that underscores the success of India’s inclusive growth strategies over the past decade. The…

07 Jun

G7 Summit Invitation Signals New Era in India-Canada Ties, Says Mark Carney

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, IndiaCanada, India

Ottawa/New Delhi (National Times): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed the rationale behind inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, despite India not being a formal member of the group. Carney, who recently assumed office after a sweeping electoral victory, said India’s global stature made its participation essential. "India is the fifth-largest economy in the world and the most populous country. Its presence is necessary, especially in view of the emerging world order," Carney said, underscoring New Delhi’s growing influence on the global stage. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Carney…