Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

03 Jun

Russia Confirms India to Receive Remaining S-400 Missile Systems by 2026

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-Russia defence deal, Russia defence exports, S-400 delivery India

New Delhi, June 3, 2025 — Russia has officially confirmed that India will receive the remaining units of the S-400 Triumf air defence systems by 2026. This delivery timeline was reaffirmed by a top Russian official, ending speculation surrounding delays due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and sanctions.India had signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five S-400 units, with the first system delivered in December 2021. As per the new schedule, all five regiments will be in India's possession within the next year.The delivery of the remaining units had been disrupted due to logistical and financial…

02 Jun

India Likely to Miss G7 Summit After No Invitation from Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCanada-India diplomatic tensions, India G7 summit 2025

New Delhi/Ottawa, June 2, 2025 – In a significant diplomatic shift, India has not received an invitation to the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada and is expected to skip the event, according to reliable government sources. The development marks a break from recent years where India, though not a G7 member, was regularly invited as a guest participant at the high-profile summit.Sources cited by The Tribune revealed that the Canadian government, the host of this year’s G7 Summit, did not include India in its list of guest nations, a decision viewed in Delhi as politically loaded. The omission comes amid…

02 Jun

Mount Etna Erupts Again, Spews Lava and Ash in Dramatic Display Over Sicily

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsEtna lava fountain, Mount Etna eruption 2025, Sicily volcano

Rome [Italy], June 2, 2025 – Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano located on the island of Sicily, erupted again on Monday, unleashing a dramatic column of ash and lava from its Southeast Crater. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV) confirmed that the eruption's intensity has increased and become nearly continuous.The institute posted infrared images and videos on social media showing a lava fountain and a massive ash plume rising into the clear sky. The explosive activity, which began modestly, evolved into full-scale lava fountaining, with molten streams flowing visibly down the slopes of the stratovolcano.Despite the dramatic…

02 Jun

Carney Discusses Future of Energy Partnerships with Oil and Gas Executives in Calgary

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaCalgary oil and gas meeting, Canada energy transition, Mark Carney

Calgary, June 2, 2025 – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with oil and gas industry leaders in Calgary, signaling a cooperative tone in Canada's energy transition strategy. The high-level discussions focused on integrating traditional energy sectors into Canada's future economic vision, especially in the context of climate goals and global competitiveness.Carney emphasized the importance of working with rather than against oil and gas companies, acknowledging their role in powering the Canadian economy while also urging innovation and commitment to emissions reductions. https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney/status/1929329805566034323?t=lCJDXBdLx067dgJjtMiATg&s=19 “We need to be pragmatic and future-focused,” Carney said, stressing that Canada's economic and environmental future are…

02 Jun

India Sees 1300% Surge in COVID-19 Cases in One Week; Kerala Worst-Hit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCOVID-19 India spike, COVID-19 surge, Kerala COVID cases

New Delhi, June 2, 2025 – India has reported a dramatic 1300% spike in active COVID-19 cases over the past week, with Kerala emerging as the worst-hit state. According to official data, active cases rose from just 257 on May 22 to 3,758 as of June 1.Health officials noted that while the numbers are increasing, most infections remain mild and manageable. The Union Health Ministry confirmed that no significant surge in hospitalizations has been observed so far, and the cases are largely being managed at home.Kerala currently leads the chart with the highest number of active cases, followed by states…

02 Jun

Canada Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations; Air Quality Declines in U.S. Midwest

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta forest fire, Canada wildfires 2025, Manitoba evacuation, Saskatchewan wildfire crisis

Toronto, June 2, 2025: A severe wildfire crisis in Canada has forced the evacuation of more than 25,000 residents across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The fires have already scorched over 1.6 million acres, making this one of the most intense fire events in recent Canadian history. Two deaths have been confirmed, and air quality warnings have been issued across North America.The situation is especially dire in Manitoba, where 17,000 residents have fled their homes. The town of Flin Flon has been hit hard, and Cranberry Portage experienced widespread power outages before evacuations began. Saskatchewan has seen nearly 8,000 evacuations, while…

02 Jun

World Champion Gukesh Shocks Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2025 Thriller

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsD Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Norway Chess 2025, World Champion

Stavanger (Norway), June 2, 2025 — In a landmark victory, reigning World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh defeated former World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025, marking his first-ever classical win over the Norwegian legend. The 19-year-old Indian grandmaster turned the game around from a losing position in a dramatic encounter on Sunday.With this triumph, Gukesh became only the second Indian to beat Carlsen in a classical game at the Norway Chess tournament, following in the footsteps of Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa.Carlsen controlled much of the match, pressing from a superior position, but Gukesh held his nerve and…

01 Jun

Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings to IPL 2025 Final With Dazzling Chase Against Mumbai

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsSportsIPL 2025, Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Shreyas Iyer

National Times Bureau, June 2, 2025: Punjab Kings roared into the IPL 2025 final after defeating Mumbai Indians by five wickets in a high-voltage Qualifier 2 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This marks only the second time Punjab has reached an IPL final their last appearance being in 2014.Mumbai Indians, asked to bat first, posted a commanding total of 203/6. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma gave the innings backbone with 44 runs each, while Naman Dhir injected late energy with a quickfire 28 off just 12 balls. Punjab’s bowlers struggled to contain the run flow, and at the…

01 Jun

Elvish Yadav’s Team Member Kushal Tanwar Aka Gullu Wins Roadies XX: Double Cross

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainmentElvish Yadav gang, Kushal Tanwar Gullu, Roadies XX winner

Mumbai, June 1, 2025 – Kushal Tanwar, popularly known as Gullu, clinched the title of MTV Roadies XX: Double Cross, emerging as the winner from Elvish Yadav's gang in a dramatic grand finale aired on June 1. The victory earned him a ₹10 lakh cash prize and a Hero Karizma bike.Gullu's journey was marked by grit, resilience, and strategic decisions. Initially eliminated midway through the season, he made a powerful comeback as a wildcard entrant under Gautam Gulati’s mentorship. His critical win in the "Ticket to Finale" task allowed him to switch back to Elvish Yadav’s team, a decision that…

01 Jun

Toronto Eyes Summer Tourism Rebound Despite Decline in U.S. Visitors

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadasummer travel 2025, Toronto tourism, U.S. visitor decline

Toronto, June 1, 2025 — Tourism officials in Toronto remain confident about a strong summer rebound, even as the number of American tourists visiting the city continues to fall. The optimism comes despite Statistics Canada data revealing a 6.6% year-over-year decline in trips by U.S. residents to Canada in March 2025 the first such drop in over a year.The decline is being attributed in part to an ongoing boycott of the United States by Canadian travelers, sparked by diplomatic tensions and tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Many Canadians have chosen to cancel U.S. travel plans, redirecting their tourism dollars…