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Govt questions Sixth Schedule restrictions, burden on state finances in Ladakh talks India News

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Govt questions Sixth Schedule restrictions, burden on state finances in Ladakh talks India News

Govt questions Sixth Schedule restrictions, burden on state finances in Ladakh talks

JAMMU: A top Union home ministry panel has raised questions over whether Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution by Ladakh’s top political body would provide sufficient safeguards, a sign that New Delhi is weighing constitutional limits, financial costs and governance models as demands for statehood grow in the region.During talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, the committee asked representatives of the Leh apex body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Party (KDA) whether the Sixth Schedule – made for the northeastern tribal areas – can serve as a constitutional shield for Ladakh as it falls under Article 368 and can be amended, sources said on Thursday.The government has also sought clarity through the legislative body on the financial burden of full statehood for Ladakh, including salaries of around 19,000 employees, provident fund liabilities and other expenditures. Governing a state or union territory through a legislative body involves managing deficits and long-term fiscal responsibility, sources said, prompting the panel to pressure Ladakh activists for detailed projections.The Sixth Schedule gives special protection to land, culture and resources through autonomous committees. Ladakhis have been demanding similar safeguards and statehood demands since J&K was bifurcated into two union territories in 2019.Senior BJP functionary Tashi Gyalson, who attended the meeting as the former executive chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, called the talks a step forward. “The talks lasted two and a half hours and every member made a speech,” he told reporters. The discussions covered statehood, the Sixth Schedule and the possibility of Article 370-type safeguards.“From a broader perspective, the government said Ladakh will be given constitutional guarantees, the region will be given political power and Ladakh will be developed into a sustainable model,” Jalson said.LAB and KDA – umbrella groups of political and religious organizations from Leh and Kargil – said the discussions were fruitless. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook and KDA counterpart Asgar Ali Karbali said the two core demands of Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule remained unresolved. Both sides are expected to hold another round of talks soon.Earlier, the LAB and the KDA met the Home Ministry team on October 22, 2025 in New Delhi. The engagement comes in the wake of the Center’s decision to order an inquiry into the September 24 incident of police firing on protesters in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Four protesters were killed.On November 14, the two groups submitted a 29-page draft joint proposal to the Ministry of Interior. The document also seeks amnesty for LAB member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others arrested following the September 24 protests.

Ladakh statehood violence: PPP blames Congress, while Sonam Wangchuck says Gen Z led protests

BJP MLA refuses to apologize, Pir Panjal row disrupts J&K Assembly | India News

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BJP MLA refuses to apologize, Pir Panjal row disrupts J&K Assembly | India News

BJP MLA refuses to apologize, Pir Panjal row disrupts J&K Assembly

JAMMU: A heated debate over identity and regional recognition rocked the J&K Assembly for the second day in a row, triggering protests, strikes and demands for an apology from MPs, after Bharatiya Janata Party opposition leader Sunil Sharma denied the existence of “Pir Panjal district”.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that Sharma’s comments had “outraged the entire region” and said it was not appropriate for any politician to mock a region by questioning its name. He said Sharma has yet to apologize.A few weeks ago, People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti proposed a separate administrative district consisting of Rajouri and Poonch in the Pir Panjal and Chenab valley districts, a demand the PPP opposed citing remoteness, rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure.The area refers to the mountainous areas along the Pir Panjal range south of the Kashmir Valley and close to the Line of Control. The Chenab valley includes Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, rugged areas carved by the Chenab river. Both have often complained of their marginal status between the Jammu division and the Kashmir valley in terms of development, representation and administrative priorities.The controversy started on Tuesday when Sharma, who represents Kishtwar district Pad Nag Saini, responded to a question on whether a proposed national law university could be set up in Pir Pangarh. He said no such area existed and that he had never heard the name “in any dictionary.” He later claimed that the term was part of a regional party political conspiracy, echoing what he called the idea of ​​a “Greater Kashmir” that the BJP would not allow.Sharma’s remarks triggered protests from lawmakers in Rajouri and Poonch, including Deputy Minister Surinder Chaudhry and Forest Minister Javed Rana from the region. They demanded an apology. Sharma refused.Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, an independent MP from Thanamandi in Rajouri district, said Sharma’s statement hurt public sentiment. “This is an insult not only to Pirpanjal but also to the Chenab Valley – Kishtwar and Doda,” he said. “We are the people of the border areas. Even during Operation Sindoor, we made sacrifices. In Poonch alone, 16 people were killed. These sacrifices are insulted.”Protests resumed on Thursday, with MPs accusing Sharma of reflecting “hate” against Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley. Omar said it was unacceptable in a diverse federal territory to criticize a region by questioning its identity.

MP’s passing motion of thanks without reply from PM constitutes procedural breach: Cong MP | India News

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MP’s passing motion of thanks without reply from PM constitutes procedural breach: Cong MP | India News

MPs passing LS's motion of thanks without reply from PM constitutes procedural violation: MP Cong
KC Venugopal (left), Om Birla (right)

New Delhi: In a letter to Speaker Om Birla, Congress MP KC Venugopal said the motion to thank the President for the joint address was passed but did not receive a reply Prime Minister Narendra Modiand his absence from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday constituted a procedural violation.Venugopal said Section 20 requires the Prime Minister to explain the government’s position at the end of the discussion and if he is unable to do so, he should inform the House. He said Modi’s motion was passed in absentia after failing to respond, which violated Article 20.He said the debate ends with a reply from the minister concerned and if the debate ends without a reply, it must be moved by a member of Parliament under Rule 362.MPs said the motion of thanks was passed suddenly without following any procedures.“I ask you to inform the House of the procedures you followed in dealing with the Prime Minister’s responses to the debate and in closing the debate. A proper analysis of the relevant rules and the procedures you adopted will be of great benefit to the House,” he said.

‘Pollution is a legacy of previous government’s negligence’: Rekha Gupta | India News

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‘Pollution is a legacy of previous government’s negligence’: Rekha Gupta | India News

Pollution Is A Legacy Problem Resulting From Negligence Of Previous Govts Rekha Gupta
‘Pollution is a legacy of negligence of previous governments’: Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said air pollution and pollution in the Yamuna river were “legacy issues” caused by years of neglect and short-term decision-making by the previous AAP government, and claimed that her government was pursuing a comprehensive, long-term strategy to tackle the two issues.In an exclusive interview with ANI, Gupta dismissed criticism that measures such as GRAP, odd-even, artificial rainfall and anti-fog cannons have failed to bear fruit and said these measures were never a permanent solution.

Delhi’s air pollution gets attention, but it’s just as bad or worse in most Indian cities I’ve witnessed

“Pollution is a legacy of the negligence of successive governments. If you only look at the pollution problem from the perspective of air cleanliness, you will not get results.” You have to take a holistic view on dust, air and water issues together,” she said.Slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Gupta said previous governments relied heavily on ad hoc relief measures and propaganda while neglecting structural reforms.“Water trucks, anti-smog guns and fog can only provide short-term relief. The real work should be done on dust control, public transport and long-term planning,” she said.The chief minister believes vehicular emissions, road dust and poor waste management are the main causes of Delhi’s air pollution, which often falls in the “severe” category even in winter. “Car emissions are said to be the main cause of pollution, but public transport has never been as good as it should be,” she said.Gupta said her government has developed a phased plan to move Delhi’s public transport system towards zero emissions. “When we came, we planned that public transport should be 100 per cent electric and clean fuel. Today, Delhi has around 3,600 buses. We added 1,700 buses after coming to power and by December 2026, the number will reach 7,700. Our requirement was 11,000 buses and we will complete it by 2028,” she said.Funds have been sanctioned for metro expansion, last-mile connectivity through electric vehicles, e-bikes and bicycles near metro stations, and stricter enforcement against substandard and polluting vehicles, she added. “The government must carry out a 360-degree campaign and work on all aspects,” she said.Gupta also pointed to reforms in road construction and maintenance to reduce dust pollution. “Earlier, one department would build a road and another would dig another. That was the work culture in Delhi. We are changing that by strengthening pipelines and accountability,” she said, adding that engineers from PWD and MCD have come together to standardize practices.Gupta, who directly linked mountains of rubbish to air pollution, said the apparent reduction in landfills was the result of policy-driven, time-bound action. “Around 11,000 tonnes of waste is generated in Delhi every day. Earlier, this waste was never processed and that is the reason for the garbage mountains,” she said, attacking the opposition for merely moving waste from one location to another.She said the government was confident of clearing legacy waste from Okhla and Balsiwa landfills by 2026, while work at Ghazipur may take longer. “These results were not achieved without policy and dedication,” she said.Gupta said that in the Yamuna River, untreated sewage, cow dung and industrial waste flow directly into the sewers, seriously polluting the river. “Friends, the sewers flow directly into Yamunaj. The sewage treatment plant has not been upgraded. The conditions have been damaged over the years,” she said.The chief minister said her government has upgraded 37 old sewage treatment plants and initiated a massive desilting drive of drains across the city. “Desilting work started as soon as we arrived. New machines from Finland are being used in places like Najafgarh, Barapura and Sukhripura,” she said.She also highlighted the steps to process cow dung through biogas plants. “Has anyone thought about setting up a biogas plant after all these years? Thousands of tons of excrement go into the sewers and then into Yamunaj. We have started the first plant that can handle 600 tons and more are under construction,” she said. Responding to opposition criticism over the pace of clearing the Yamuna, Gupta said results would not be immediate. “People ask, ‘When will Yamuna be clean?’ I tell them these are conditions that have been damaged over the years. The steps we take are time-bound and the results will be seen over time,” she said.Reiterating the government’s approach, Gupta said: “The government will do its part and the public must also do their part. As long as we work together, we can provide better air and cleaner water to Delhi.”

‘Deeply disappointing’: Canadian police accused of working with extortion gangs, drug dealers; leaking personal information to criminals

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‘Deeply disappointing’: Canadian police accused of working with extortion gangs, drug dealers; leaking personal information to criminals

'Deeply disappointing': Canadian police accused of working with extortion gangs, drug dealers; leaking personal information to criminals

York police have announced a major operation against ongoing organized crime in Toronto, saying seven current police officers and one former police officer have been charged with criminal conspiracy to murder an Ontario correctional officer. These officers collect personal and private information and distribute it to gang leaders.

List of police officers involved in organized crime

  • Timothy Barnhardt – Constable, Toronto Police Service
  • Robert Black – Toronto Police Service Sgt.
  • John Madeley (Sr) – Constable (Retired), Toronto Police Service
  • John Madeley (Jr) – Constable, Toronto Police Service
  • Carl Graylett – Toronto Police Service Sgt.
  • Saurabjit Bedi – Constable, Toronto Police Service
  • Derek McCormick – Constable, Toronto Police Service
  • Elias Mouawad – Constable, Toronto Police Service

Plan South: This is what happened

York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan spoke about the operation at a news conference today. Brian DaCosta, suspected of drug trafficking, was arrested on January 23 this year. Police seized 169 pounds of marijuana and 1 pound of fentanyl, which we believe were destined for a location in Europe. Police learned that insiders were involved in da Costa’s operation. Others assist the scam by leaking confidential information. Police also identified several other civilian suspects Thursday. Their charges include conspiracy to commit murder, possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition and deliberate disguise.The investigation began in June 2025 following a conspiracy to murder a correctional administrator who worked at an Ontario Correctional Institution. On the same day, multiple suspects went to the target’s home in York Region to murder him. The events of 2025 were just the tip of the iceberg, as investigators uncovered a complex criminal network that included conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robberies, drug trafficking and gun crimes.York Regional Police Chief Jim McSwain said the criminal activity occurred in real time after the officers leaked personal information. He said it was a deeply disturbing day for police as organized crime spreads within police agencies. “This news is both shocking and completely unacceptable. Corruption has no place in policing. Corruption will never be tolerated,” the police chief said.

‘Bengal ki nirmam sarkar, an insult to the people of Assam’: PM Modi singles out poll-poll state in parliament speech India News

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‘Bengal ki nirmam sarkar, an insult to the people of Assam’: PM Modi singles out poll-poll state in parliament speech India News

'Bengal ki nirmam sarkar, an insult to the people of Assam': PM Modi singles out poll-poll state in India's parliament speech

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the opposition, with special focus on rival states of West Bengal and West Bengal. assam. At the receiving end it is congressis the main challenger to the BJP in Assam and the main contender for power in Kerala, Trinamool Congressthe saffron party’s main political rival in West Bengal. The prime minister’s speech also mentioned the DMK, which rules Tamil Nadu, but made no direct accusations against Stalin’s government.

‘Sit and protest’: PM Modi unfazed by slogans, takes dig at Haji as opposition quits RS

Although the strongest attacks were reserved for the Congress and Gandhi factions, Mamata Banerjee The Trinamool Congress she leads has come under attack for allegedly supporting infiltrators.Congress was quick to label the Prime Minister’s speech “another election rally speech” and accused him of lying.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Channel“His self-obsession and his obsession with dialogue and demagoguery are on full display,” the Congress leader added.‘West Bengal government is insensitive’The Prime Minister called the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal “insensitive” and alleged that the ruling party was helping infiltrators. He took a jibe at Mamata Banerjee, who herself appeared before the Supreme Court to argue in an ongoing case against the ongoing Special Intensification Amendment (SIR) in the state.West Bengal will go to polls for a new assembly in a month or two and the BJP is making all-out efforts to wrest power from the Trinamool Congress.“Our TMC colleagues have said a lot… They should introspect… A ruthless government is setting new records of decline and they are preaching here. Such a ruthless government is pushing the future of the people into darkness,” Modi said, referring to the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.“They only care about power… Even the most prosperous countries are expelling illegal infiltrators. In our country, the courts are under pressure to rescue infiltrators,” he claimed.He lamented: “How can the youth of this country forgive these people who are working hard to fight the cases of infiltrators? They are taking away the rights of our youth, their livelihood… tribal lands. This is endangering the lives of our sons and daughters… But they only care about power, they are advising us.” Modi said they are “turning a blind eye” to these problems faced by the youth.“Congress, Congress, Congress…and Assam”Much of Prime Minister Modi’s speech focused on the Congress and the Gandhi family, including Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.The Congress party has been accused of insulting the President and by extension the entire tribal and women community, the Sikh leader of the BJP Ravneet Singh Bittu and by extension the entire Sikh community and finally the Acting Lok Sabha Speaker of Assam and by extension the entire people of Assam.Referring to the chaos in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said: “Congress has insulted the President. This is shameful… Yesterday in the Lok Sabha, there could be no discussion on the President’s speech. This is an insult to the office of the President. Such people have no right to talk about the Constitution”.“You have insulted tribes, women and India’s highest office,” he pointed out.“The incident that happened in the Lok Sabha was very painful. We can understand your frustration, but this happened in the palace of democracy. There was a member of Parliament from Assam on the chair and documents were thrown at him. Isn’t that an insult to the Northeast? Isn’t it an insult to the people of Assam?”He was referring to Dilip Saikia, the BJP MP from Darang-Udalguri in Assam and Krishna Prasad Tenneti, the TDP MP from Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh. Both are members of the Presidency of the Lok Sabha.Assam, like Bengal, will vote for a new parliament in a few months and the Congress is gearing up to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has ruled the state for the past decade.The Prime Minister spoke without any disruption as the entire opposition walked out of the Union House after initially raising slogans against the Centre. The opposition claimed that opposition leaders in the House of Federation and the House of People were not allowed to speak, prompting them to go on strike.“Vipaksha ki awaaz nahi dabegi. Tanashahi nahi chalegi. LoP (Leader of Opposition) ko bolne do. (The voice of the opposition cannot be silenced. Dictatorship does not work. Let the opposition speak)”, the opposition leaders raised slogans as soon as the Prime Minister started speaking. However, once they left, there was no further disruption as was the case yesterday when the Prime Minister did not address the Lok Sabha.(Based on input from each agency)

T20 World Cup: SLC quotes memory of 2009 terror attacks in letter to PCB after decision to boycott India matches | Cricket News

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T20 World Cup: SLC quotes memory of 2009 terror attacks in letter to PCB after decision to boycott India matches | Cricket News

T20 World Cup: SLC quotes memory of 2009 terror attacks in letter to PCB after decision to boycott India matches
India and Pakistan are scheduled to play on February 15 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo

New Delhi: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday wrote to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urging it to reconsider its decision to boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan match scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R. Stadium. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo.TimesofIndia.com is in possession of a two-page letter written by the SLC in which it reminded the PCB of Sri Lanka’s past support to Pakistan during difficult times and urged the board to reconsider its stance. The letter also highlights that the co-organizers will face significant financial, logistical and reputational consequences if the competition does not go ahead as planned.

Suryakumar Yadav Press Conference: On India vs Pakistan clash, T20I World Cup preparations and Washington Sundar injury

The letter read: “We wish to put on record that Sri Lanka is looking forward to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, especially as the host venue for the tournament. All commercial, operational, logistical and security-related arrangements related to these tournaments have been finalized. This includes hospitality plans and match ticket sales, among others.”Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“It is important to note that ticket sales for the matches planned to be played in Sri Lanka, particularly the India vs. Pakistan match, have been finalized and demand has been exceptionally strong, with tickets selling out rapidly, reflecting unprecedented public interest and significant commercial expectations for Sri Lankan cricket. Any failure to play scheduled major matches of this nature will therefore have wide-ranging implications, including significant financial exposure to the SLC and the potential loss of anticipated tourism inflows and wider economic benefits from increased international interest in the tournament.“The board noted that tickets for Sri Lanka matches, particularly the India-Pakistan match, were sold in strong demand, underscoring unprecedented public interest and huge commercial expectations.The SLC warned that not attending an event of this scale would have far-reaching consequences, leaving the board facing significant financial losses, while also impacting tourism inflows and the wider economy.“Given the huge economic benefits expected from hosting these matches, the Sri Lankan government is concerned about the potential impact of a boycott. Any changes to the scheduled schedule will therefore impact not only Sri Lankan cricket, but also the wider stakeholders who ensure the successful staging of the tournament.” In March 2009, six Sri Lankan players were injured when gunmen opened fire on the team bus heading to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match.The incident caused international teams to stay away from Pakistan for nearly a decade. This record was broken when Sri Lanka became the first team to play a Test match in Pakistan after a gap of 10 years (2019). “In this regard, we would like to recall that Sri Lanka Cricket and the Sri Lanka National Team have visited Pakistan on several occasions and participated in international matches despite exceptionally challenging and sensitive circumstances, including serious security-related incidents. Among others, these included an attack on the national team convoy that resulted in injuries to certain Sri Lankan players and officials, some of whom still suffer the physical effects of these injuries to this day, while others have been left with deep and lasting psychological scars. In recent circumstances, further security incidents, including bombings in the area, have placed additional emotional and professional pressure on team members, with some being forced to consider withdrawing from ongoing activities,” the SLC said in the letter.Sri Lankan media Newswire reported that Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industry has already felt the impact of Pakistan’s decision to miss the match in Colombo on February 15, with hotel reservations at many hotels in Colombo generally being cancelled.“Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Sri Lanka Cricket Association, in close coordination with the Sri Lankan government, remains steadfast in its support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board and continues to fulfill its commitment to international cricket in the interest of the wider game and international solidarity, while several other cricketing nations are hesitant or unwilling to visit Pakistan,” the letter read.“Given this long-standing support and cooperation, the SLC respectfully expects that the same spirit of reciprocity and mutual respect will prevail, especially when the tournament in question is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, which has provided every guarantee in terms of safety, neutrality and professionalism.“In view of the above, if the decision is indeed taken to boycott or not participate in the India vs Pakistan match scheduled to be played on February 15, 2026, we sincerely request the PCB to reconsider this decision. We urge you to consider the exceptional circumstances, the enduring relationship between our two Boards and the wider interests of cricket.“We kindly request the Pakistan team to participate in all scheduled matches in Sri Lanka, including the above-mentioned matches, in the true spirit of sportsmanship and without selective abstention, for the benefit of the tournament, its stakeholders and millions of cricket fans around the world.“We thank the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Government of Pakistan for taking this matter with the highest regard and look forward to receiving a positive response at the earliest opportunity.”

polling

Do you support the Sri Lanka Cricket Association’s call for Pakistan to reconsider boycotting the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match?

On Sunday, the Pakistan government announced that its men’s cricket team would not take part in the match against arch-rival India on February 15, but did not explain the reasons behind the decision.“The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan approves pakistan cricket team to participate in the ICC World T20 2026; however, the Pakistan cricket team will not participate in the match against India on February 15,” the Pakistan government posted on X.

Key policies and transparent decision-making: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on nearly a year of BJP government | India News

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Key policies and transparent decision-making: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on nearly a year of BJP government | India News

Key policies and transparent decision-making: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on nearly a year of BJP government in power
Key policies and transparent decision-making: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on nearly a year of BJP government in power

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said her government has been working to rectify long-standing structural issues in pollution control, public transport, waste management, healthcare and education, 27 years after the BJP government was formed in the capital.Speaking to ANI, the Delhi Chief Minister claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government prioritized policy decisions and accountability after forming the government on February 20, 2025. “We have tried our best to formulate policies for the city of Delhi. The work that was stuck, pending or lingering so far has been resolved. The problems of Delhi residents, their hopes, their aspirations have been resolved somewhere,” the chief minister said. She added, “We work together to get the government running, hold officials accountable, not just stories… We have to run this government and solve Delhi’s problems.” The Delhi Chief Minister said that several flagship schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and Vandan Yojana, which provide cover up to Rs 10 lakh, have been implemented from his first day in office. “We have made many plans from the first day we took oath on February 20, 2025. From that day, we implemented the Ayushman Yojana to provide health insurance of Rs 10 lakh to the people of Delhi. We implemented the Vaya Vandan Yojana on the same day,” Delhi Chief Minister told ANI. The BJP leader said the Delhi issue should have been resolved but previous governments simply failed to do so. She said several projects that had been stalled under previous administrations had been prioritized.The Delhi CM said, “There are currently around 3,600 buses in operation and the government has added nearly 1,700 buses in the past year. The total fleet is expected to reach 7,700 buses by the end of 2026 and the long-term target is to have 11,000 buses by 2028, most of which will be electric buses,” she said.Funds were approved for metro expansion and last-mile connectivity projects, including e-bikes and electric vehicles, she added.Replying to a question about her “top priorities” after assuming office, the Delhi chief minister said her government considers policy changes and groundwork across departments as a top priority, with a special focus on pollution.“My first priority in the first year was to make decisions across all departments. Goals had to be set, policies developed, tenders issued so that work could really begin,” she said. The Delhi chief minister said the focus of the government’s first year will be “policy drafting” and “transparent decision-making”, adding that a detailed report card will be submitted to the public.

‘Happy to eat your share of samosas’: MAGA influencer slams pastor for speaking out for Indians

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‘Happy to eat your share of samosas’: MAGA influencer slams pastor for speaking out for Indians

'Happy to eat your share of samosas': MAGA influencer slams pastor for speaking out for Indians

Tuesday’s Frisco City Council meeting turned heated over the H-1B issue and the “Indian takeover” of Texas, sparking a major social media debate. Many Frisco residents spoke of how blessed they were to live among Indian immigrants; some voices sounded extreme. MAGA influencer Kaylee Campbell took to social media to drum up support for the Frisco City Council meeting, slamming Pastor David Lessner for allegedly siding with Native Americans in a Facebook post. “I’m a white man who feels very safe and happy where I live. About 50% of our neighbors are of Indian (or similar) descent. If you don’t want to live in McKinney/Frisco because you feel uncomfortable with non-whites, I’m happy to eat your share of samosas and live in relative prosperity,” the pastor of Arlington United Methodist Church wrote. Later this post could not be found. Lesner called it blatantly racist, writing that if Frisco and McKinney were what “Indian Takeover” looked like, then “sign me up.” “For those who think immigration is a ‘liberal’ issue, Frisco and McKinney are two cities that conservatives can rely on with little to no campaigning,” Leisner said. The meeting became a focus for online commentators because a group of Weberos Scouts, several of whom are of Indian descent, led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. Several speakers at the conference were of Indian origin Campbell also attacked Rep. Jared Patterson for rejecting hateful rhetoric toward Native American communities. “We, as a Frisco community, should firmly reject the outright racist rhetoric directed at our friends and neighbors in the Indian community both online and at tonight’s Frisco City Council meeting,” Patterson apparently wrote before the meeting. Bert Thakur, the first Indian-American member of the Frisco City Council, talked about the “Indian” issue at the meeting and said that Indians who came to the United States became Americans and contributed to the American dream.

Manipur violence: Police clash with mob during protests over deputy CM appointment India News

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Manipur violence: Police clash with mob during protests over deputy CM appointment India News

Manipur violence: Police, thugs clash during protests against deputy CM appointment
Archive photos for representation

New Delhi: Clashes break out ManipurProtests broke out in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district on Thursday night against MLA Nemcha Kipgen joining the BJP-led government as deputy chief minister.According to officials, protesters gathered near Tuibong Bazaar and burned a pile of discarded materials, including tires. They also raised slogans against Kipgen.The situation worsened when security forces tried to disperse the crowd. The protesters, who outnumbered the personnel deployed, began throwing stones. Security forces responded with batons. Officials said two people suffered minor injuries in the incident, news agency PTI reported.“The situation remains tense and additional troops have been urgently deployed to control the situation,” a senior official said.Tensions have been rising after Kipgen, who is from Kangpokpi, was sworn in as deputy chief minister on Wednesday night. Several groups on Friday called for a “total shutdown” in the Kuki-majority Churachandpur district.The BJP’s Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday was sworn in as chief minister of the restored NDA government in Manipur, with Kuki legislator Nemcha Kipgen and Naga MLA Losii Dikho as deputy, marking a new twist in shared governance in the multi-ethnic state divided by the Meitei-Kuki conflict.In May 2023, ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Presidential rule was imposed in the state in February last year following ongoing unrest.

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