Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

07 Aug

NASA Astronauts Anil Menon, Jessica Meir Finish Spacewalk to Boost ISS Power System

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsNASA

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir have successfully completed a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), undertaking structural work that will pave the way for the installation of additional solar arrays. The operation was focused on upgrading a power channel on the orbital laboratory and represents part of NASA’s continuing efforts to strengthen the station’s electricity-generating capabilities. Work carried out outside space station Menon and Meir left the ISS through the Quest airlock and spent several hours working on the station’s exterior. Their primary task involved assembling a modification kit associated with the station’s power…

07 Aug

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir Perform Umrah in Makkah

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsPakistan

Makkah (Rajeev Sharma): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir joined other senior members of the country’s leadership to perform Umrah in the holy city of Makkah. The Pakistani delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, besides other officials. Special visit to Kaaba Before beginning the Umrah rituals, the Pakistani delegation was accorded the opportunity to visit the Kaaba Sharif. The leaders subsequently completed the religious rites of Umrah…

07 Aug

Calgary PGWP Row Puts Spotlight on Jalandhar Immigration Firm’s Alleged Role

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, Punjab, TrendingCalgary, Jalandhar

Jalandhar (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): The protest by more than 1,000 Punjabi students in Calgary over the rejection of their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications has taken a new turn, with an alleged connection to a Jalandhar-based immigration consultancy coming under scrutiny. The students have been demonstrating in Calgary for nearly 10 days, seeking relief after their applications for work permits were rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The refusals have reportedly left students who had completed diploma programmes facing uncertainty over their ability to remain in Canada. At the centre of the controversy is the Canadian Institute of…

07 Aug

Donald Trump Issues New Order to Restrict ‘Birth Tourism,’ Renews Push on Birthright Citizenship

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has signed a fresh executive order aimed at discouraging so-called “birth tourism,” renewing his administration’s efforts to tighten eligibility for birthright citizenship in the United States. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the existing system had been exploited by people entering the country on tourist visas with the primary intention of giving birth so their children could obtain US citizenship. He described the move as part of a broader effort to address what he called misuse of immigration laws. Senior White House adviser Stephen Miller said the order seeks to prevent…

07 Aug

Donald Trump Reaffirms Iran Nuclear Red Line, Says Conflict May Be Nearing End

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump

Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has once again asserted that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, while expressing confidence that the prolonged conflict involving Tehran could soon come to an end. Addressing reporters, Trump said the US intervention in Iran was undertaken to prevent the country from becoming a nuclear-armed state, describing the move as a significant strategic decision. He maintained that denying Iran nuclear capabilities remains a central objective of his administration and suggested that recent developments indicate the conflict may not continue for much longer. "I think the war is going…

06 Aug

MCC Revises NEET-SS Round 2 Counselling Timeline After Delhi High Court Direction

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingNEET

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced a revised schedule for NEET-SS 2025 Round 2 counselling after the Delhi High Court directed that petitioning candidates be permitted to register and participate in the admission process. In an official notice dated August 5, the MCC stated that it has withdrawn its earlier notification issued on August 3 with immediate effect in compliance with the court's order in Sunil & Another vs Medical Counselling Committee (W.P. (C) No. 11097/2026). As part of the revised process, the committee has decided to keep the resignation portal open until 4 p.m.…

06 Aug

Six Family Members Die After Old House Caves In at Uttar Pradesh Village

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingUttar Pradesh

Pratapgarh (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night tragedy struck Mahuli village in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district after a century-old house collapsed, claiming the lives of six members of a family who were asleep inside, officials said. According to police, the incident took place around 2 a.m. when the roof of the ageing structure suddenly gave way. The house belonged to Pramod Srivastava, who was resting with several family members at the time of the collapse. Circle Officer (City) Santosh Mishra said local police were alerted immediately after the incident. Rescue teams, assisted by firefighters and residents, rushed to the spot and began…

06 Aug

Alberta Opens Applications for Scholarship Supporting Youth Leaving Government Care

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has opened applications for the Duke and Duchess Scholarship, a financial assistance programme aimed at helping young people transitioning out of government care pursue higher education. Announcing the launch of the application process, Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton encouraged eligible students to apply before the August 31 deadline, saying the scholarship recognises academic achievement and supports students as they begin the next stage of their education. The scholarship is administered through Alberta's Advancing Futures Program, under which 25 students will each receive CAD 2,000 to support their studies. The funding is…

06 Aug

Canadian Industrial Services Firm Fined Over Worker Injury at Alberta Worksite

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): An Alberta court has imposed a CAD 132,000 fine on industrial services provider Brock Canada Field Services Ltd. after the company admitted to violating workplace safety regulations in connection with a serious on-site accident that left a worker injured. The company pleaded guilty on July 30 in the Fort Saskatchewan Court of Justice to one count under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. Worker Seriously Injured in Fall The case relates to an incident that occurred on August 10, 2023, at a worksite in Redwater,…

06 Aug

Jharkhand Students Continue Agitation as Hunger Strike Enters Day Five; Government Dialogue Expected

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingJharkhand

Ranchi (Jharkhand): The ongoing student movement in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations showed no signs of slowing down on Thursday, with student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) member Devendra Nath Mahato reaffirming that his indefinite hunger strike remains in force. Mahato clarified that he has not ended his fast, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise. He said he resumed drinking only water after speaking with social activist Sonam Wangchuk, but has not consumed any solid food. Calling the reports about the withdrawal of his hunger strike "misleading," Mahato said the protest would continue until the government addresses…