Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

16 Aug

Flores Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 47 as Rescue Crews Battle Landslides

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsFlores

Flores (Rajeev Sharma): Rescue workers in Indonesia's Flores island continued digging through collapsed homes and landslide debris on Sunday as authorities raced to locate survivors following a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 47 people and injured more than 100. The earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, causing widespread structural damage and triggering landslides in several parts of Flores. Thousands of residents have been moved to safer locations as emergency crews work amid damaged roads, unstable ground and interruptions to electricity and communication services. Manggarai and East Manggarai among worst-hit areas Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency reported that Manggarai…

16 Aug

Himachal Faces Fresh Rain Threat as Monsoon Toll Rises to 183; ₹972 Crore Damage Reported

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh is bracing for another spell of intense rainfall, even as the state continues to deal with the damage caused by the monsoon so far. The latest figures put the death toll at 183, while losses to government and private property have climbed to around ₹972 crore. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain across several parts of the state over the next few days, with the most intense conditions expected on August 17 and 18. Orange alert covers five districts The weather department has placed Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur…

16 Aug

Himachal Dams Yet to Reach Full Capacity: Low Storage Raises Concern Over Future Power and Irrigation Supply

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Monsoon rains have boosted water inflows into Himachal Pradesh's reservoirs, but three of the state's key water and hydropower projects are still significantly below their full storage levels. The shortfall could become important for irrigation and electricity generation across northern India if rainfall does not improve in the remaining monsoon period. The Bhakra and Pong reservoirs, which are crucial to the water supply network of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, are both carrying less water than their maximum levels. Nathpa Jhakri has also recorded a substantial year-on-year decline. Bhakra remains nearly 20 metres below maximum The Bhakra reservoir…

15 Aug

Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia, Triggering Casualties and Large-Scale Evacuations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld News

Jakarta (Rajeev Sharma): A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia’s Flores region early Saturday, leaving at least 38 people dead, injuring dozens of others, and triggering widespread panic across coastal communities. The shallow undersea tremor prompted an initial tsunami warning across several island provinces that was later withdrawn after marine monitoring confirmed that no destructive waves threatened the coastline. The seismic event struck East Nusa Tenggara province with its epicentre situated roughly 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende city. The intense tremors caused severe structural damage, flattening residential buildings and forcing emergency evacuations across regional healthcare…

15 Aug

Alberta Welcomes Oil Producers’ Backing for Proposed West Coast Pipeline

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean has welcomed a commitment from oil producers to support the development of a proposed pipeline linking Alberta’s energy sector with Canada’s west coast. Jean issued the statement after the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC) wrote to the federal government on August 14, outlining the expected participation of its members in the proposed project. According to the minister, EPAC indicated that a significant number of its upstream oil-producing companies are expected to commit volumes to the pipeline. The association represents producers responsible for more than 40 per cent of…

15 Aug

Free Digital Coaching for Aspirants: PM Narendra Modi Unveils New Initiative in Independence Day Address

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingNarendra Modi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a major push towards making preparation for competitive examinations more accessible, saying the government will offer free online coaching to young aspirants across the country. Speaking from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi said the rising dependence on coaching institutes had placed considerable financial pressure on families, particularly those belonging to the middle class. He argued that students should not have to move away from home or force their parents to spend large sums simply to prepare for an examination. The Prime Minister said the government would make…

15 Aug

Himachal Braces for More Heavy Rain as Monsoon Death Toll Rises to 181

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Himachal Pradesh is likely to remain under a prolonged spell of unsettled weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting rain across the state through August 20 and warning of particularly intense showers over the next few days. The weather department has issued alerts for several districts, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall on August 17 and 18. The warning comes as the monsoon season has already caused significant loss of life and extensive damage to property across the hill state. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur, while similar warnings…

15 Aug

PM Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Address: Self-Reliance, Reforms and Youth Drive Vision for Developed India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndependence day, Narendra Modi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, laid out an ambitious vision for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with a strong emphasis on self-reliance, economic reforms, energy security and greater participation of the country’s youth. Against the backdrop of recent global disruptions, Modi said India had demonstrated resilience through the pandemic, wars and supply-side uncertainties. He argued that the lessons from these crises had reinforced the need for the country to build stronger domestic capabilities and reduce strategic dependence on overseas markets. The Prime Minister said…

14 Aug

INDIYEAH FEST 2026: Calgary’s Indian Community Unites for Indian Independence Day

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): More than 21 Indian associations and community organizations are joining forces on August 15 to celebrate Indian Independence Day through INDIYEAH FEST 2026, bringing Calgary’s diverse Indian community together on one platform. In an interview with National Times, representatives from various Indian organizations said the celebration reflects the unity, togetherness and collective strength of Calgary’s Indian community. They emphasized that coming together and standing by one another sends a strong message of community solidarity. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) will also participate in the event, including the community walk. Organizers say this marks the first…

14 Aug

Iran-US Conflict: Washington Signals Prolonged Hormuz Standoff as Gulf Shipping Comes Under Pressure

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The confrontation between the United States and Iran is showing signs of entering a prolonged phase, with Washington warning that its naval presence around Iran can be sustained for as long as necessary while tensions continue to mount around the Strait of Hormuz. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military has the capacity to keep the blockade in place indefinitely by rotating naval assets in and out of the region. The remarks come as diplomatic efforts to ease the conflict remain stalled. Hormuz becomes central flashpoint The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of…