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Mumbai, National Times Bureau: In an unexpected move, Bollywood star and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has extended her support to Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh amidst controversies surrounding his Dil-Luminati India tour. This marks a notable shift, as Ranaut has frequently criticized Dosanjh and other Punjabi artists in the past. The controversy stems from bans imposed on songs promoting alcohol and drugs at Dosanjh’s concerts across states including Andhra Pradesh-Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The restrictions aimed to curb the glorification of substance use in popular culture, particularly its potential impact on younger audiences. Weighing in on the issue, Ranaut questioned…

Bengaluru, National Times Bureau: Robin Uthappa, former Indian cricketer and celebrated member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team, is facing legal trouble after an arrest warrant was issued against him. The warrant, issued by Shadakshara Gopal Reddy, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, involves allegations of fraud concerning Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions. The case revolves around Rs 23.36 lakh, which was allegedly not deposited into the EPF accounts of employees during Uthappa's tenure as a director at Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd. The company is accused of failing to fulfill its statutory obligations under the EPF Act, drawing Uthappa into…

Kazan, Russia, National Times Bureau: In a dramatic early-morning attack on Saturday, several Ukrainian drones laden with explosives collided with residential buildings in Kazan, Russia, setting them on fire. Three kamikaze drones are reported to have struck high-rise apartment buildings in the city, and video footage from eyewitnesses has emerged, capturing both the impact and the aftermath of the incident. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and TASS reports that efforts to evacuate residents from the damaged buildings are underway. Thankfully, there have been no reports of casualties so far. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced via its Telegram…

New Delhi, National Times Bureau: The Winter Session of Parliament, which began on November 25, concluded on Friday, after 26 days of proceedings. The session saw 20 sittings in the Lok Sabha and 19 sittings in the Rajya Sabha. Data from PRS Legislative Research reveals that the Lok Sabha functioned for 52% of its scheduled time, while the Rajya Sabha operated for just 39%. The first week of the session saw both Houses working less than 10% of the scheduled hours. Lok Sabha did extend its sitting by a day on Saturday for a discussion on the Constitution. Two key…

New Delhi, National Times Bureau: HS Hanspal, an influential Namdhari leader and chairman of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), passed away at 86 in Delhi’s Max Hospital. His death marks the end of a distinguished political and social career that spanned decades. Hanspal, a former president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), served two terms in the Rajya Sabha, where he played a significant role in shaping state and national policies. Known for his deep ties to the Namdhari community, he was widely admired for his leadership and commitment to public welfare. In 2022, Hanspal made headlines when…

New Delhi, National Times Bureau: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Kuwait today on a two-day visit at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait. The visit underscores the deep-rooted historical connection between the two nations and their shared vision for peace and prosperity in the West Asia region. Speaking ahead of his departure, PM Modi said, `We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also have shared interests in peace, security, stability, and prosperity in…

Chandigarh, National Times Bureau: Punjab is abuzz with activity today as voting has commenced for municipal elections across five major municipal corporations and 41 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Over 3,336 candidates are vying for positions in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Phagwara, where a total of 3,809 polling stations have been set up. Polling began at 7:00 AM and will continue until 4:00 PM. The counting of votes will start shortly after, with the final results expected to be declared by this evening. This election is seen as a litmus test for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), especially…

Calgary/Rajiv Sharma: On December 12, at approximately 5:35 p.m., a female called the RCMP about an unknown person present in a basement suite she rented out. She resided on the upper floor of the residence and could hear crying coming from her tenant’s suite below. She felt that police assistance was needed. Four RCMP officers from the Fort McMurray detachment attended and noted there were multiple people in the suite. The officers attempted to speak with the occupants but a male, who was not the tenant, was verbally aggressive in responding to them. A decision was made to enter the suite…

Calgary/Rajiv Sharma: Alberta’s government is developing rules that will prohibit mountaintop removal mining and ban new open-pit mines in the foothills, while substantially increasing coal royalties to benefit Albertans. The CIMI will guide responsible coal mining practices with a goal of ensuring that Alberta’s waters are protected from mining contaminants such as selenium. The CIMI also acknowledges the global critical mineral importance of metallurgical coal. Thoughtful coal development will result in increased investment and jobs for Albertans while respecting the existing property rights of freehold mineral rights holders. Based on the intent of the 1976 Coal Development Policy and picking…

Calgary, Rajiv Sharma: The Telugu Association of Calgary (TAC) and Calgary Telangana Association (CTA) have extended heartfelt thanks to the community for their overwhelming support during a recent fundraiser for Phani Kumar Pilli. The initiative aimed to gather funds to repatriate Phani Kumar’s body to his family in India and provide financial assistance during this difficult time. The executive committees expressed their gratitude, acknowledging the generosity and solidarity shown by individuals and organizations alike. “The support we received has been truly incredible. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this cause,” they stated. The fundraiser, which initially aimed to…