nishuthapar1

Texas {USA} : Newly-elected Texas lawmaker Hillary Hickland has sparked controversy with her introduction of Bill HB 1549, which seeks to restrict sexually-oriented businesses and limit the sale of sex toys in the state. Representing District 55, Hickland's proposal has drawn significant attention as it revisits a contentious legal history, recalling a 1973 Texas law banning `obscene devices` that was struck down in 2008 for being unconstitutional. Hickland argues that the legislation is necessary to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit material in everyday spaces such as retail stores like Walmart, CVS, and Target. “Children have a right to…

Washington DC: The Pentagon has dismissed concerns about potential national security threats following a surge in drone sightings over New Jersey and parts of the East Coast. Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder clarified at a press briefing that the observed drones are not assets of the US Department of Defense (DOD) and do not pose any immediate threat to public safety. “The drones in New Jersey... they are not DOD assets,” Ryder stated, adding that these drones are likely commercial or recreational and being used for lawful activities such as architecture, farming, or law enforcement. Over recent weeks,…

Patiala, December 17, 2024 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved the opening of a hotel at Qila Mubarak, one of Patiala’s most iconic historical landmarks. Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the hotel is set to be inaugurated after Lohri. Designed to combine luxury with cultural heritage, the facility aims to provide exceptional hospitality while enhancing the Qila Mubarak’s appeal as a tourist destination. The hotel is expected to transform Qila Mubarak into a hub for weddings, events, and tourism, significantly boosting Patiala's economy and cultural prominence. During a meeting with the Tourism and Cultural Promotion…

New Delhi, December 17 – The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has intensified its actions against coaching centres engaged in misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. On Tuesday, the government informed Parliament that 45 notices had been issued to various coaching centres, and penalties amounting to Rs 61.6 lakh had been imposed on 19 institutes. This crackdown follows a significant increase in complaints registered on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) regarding unethical practices, such as exaggerated success claims and refusal to refund enrolment fees. The government has also introduced Draft Guidelines for the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements, which aim to…

Brussels, December 17 – The European Parliament has approved a one-year delay to the implementation of the European Union’s landmark deforestation law, initially set to take effect on December 30, 2024. The law, now scheduled for enforcement starting December 2025, aims to combat deforestation by regulating the import of commodities linked to environmental degradation. The approval paves the way for EU member states to formally adopt the postponement later this week, a move expected to proceed without changes, making the delay legally binding. The EU's deforestation law is the first global initiative of its kind, targeting the environmental impact of…

Calgary, December 17 – After a four-week strike that disrupted mail deliveries nationwide, Canada Post workers have returned to their duties. However, the postal service has cautioned that clearing the massive backlog and restoring normal operations will take time. The strike compelled many businesses to adapt quickly. Calgary-based Knifewear, a specialty knife retailer, switched to alternative couriers such as UPS, Purolator, and DHL to ensure uninterrupted shipping. Nathan Gareau, Knifewear's brand communications lead, stated that the company plans to continue using these alternatives until Canada Post stabilizes its services. Restarting Canada Post's complex operations poses significant logistical challenges. John Hamilton,…

New Delhi, December 17 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a fiery response in the Rajya Sabha during the Constitution debate, countering Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Veer Savarkar. Shah asserted that the title `Veer` was not granted by any political entity but by 140 crore Indians in recognition of Savarkar’s bravery and sacrifices during the freedom struggle. Rahul Gandhi, in a Lok Sabha speech on December 14, accused the BJP of “ridiculing” Savarkar while claiming to uphold the Constitution. Gandhi quoted Savarkar, stating, `The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it.…

Zirakpur, December 17 – The Federation of Private Schools, Haryana, in collaboration with NISA, will host the School Leaders Summit 2024 on December 19 and 20 in Zirakpur. The summit aims to promote innovation, leadership, and the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), fostering transformative change in the education sector. Summit Highlights Renowned yoga guru and spiritual leader Swami Ramdev Ji will address the gathering, sharing his vision for transformative educational reforms. He will outline strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the NEP. Participating schools will take a collective pledge to ensure the successful adoption and execution…

Beijing, December 17 – In a historic corruption case, China executed Li Jianping, a former official from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, for embezzling over $421 million. The execution, carried out on Tuesday, marks the largest corruption case in China's history and underscores President Xi Jinping's unyielding anti-corruption campaign. Li, 64, served as the secretary of the Communist Party's working committee for the Hohhot Economic and Technological Development Zone. He was initially sentenced to death in September 2022, with the verdict upheld on appeal in August 2024. After approval from China’s Supreme People’s Court, the execution was conducted in Inner…

Chandigarh/National Times Bureau: After clarifying his earlier comments about not performing in India, Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh recently addressed the confusion that led some to believe he would stop doing shows in India but later deleted his tweet. Diljit, in his initial tweet, stressed that the issue was only with Chandigarh, not the entire country. In a now-deleted tweet, Diljit explained: “I said CHD ch Venue di Prob. C So.. jab tak sahi venue nhi mil jata Mai Tab Tak CHD mai Next Show Plan Nhi Karunga.. That’s it.” The singer highlighted ongoing challenges with venues in Chandigarh, stating that unless a…