https://ift.tt/7RPsmDC partnership launched to boost electric bus deployment

India and the US launched a partnership for non-recourse lending to deploy 38,000 electric buses in India. The payment security mechanism (PSM) aims to unlock up to $10 billion in lending and guarantee delayed payments from fiscally constrained state bus companies. India will contribute $240 million, while $150 million will come from the US government. This initiative is crucial for decarbonizing the transport sector and achieving India's goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. The PSM was discussed during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the USA.

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https://ift.tt/kFcRVws Zonal Council meet: CM Nitish Kumar asks Centre to grant special status to Bihar

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar urged the Centre to grant special category status to Bihar and conduct a caste-based census. He highlighted that the Bihar Legislature had unanimously passed a proposal for a caste-based census, but the Central Government did not consider it. The CM reiterated the demand for Special State status, stating that Bihar fulfills all the necessary conditions. Additionally, he requested the Centre to place amendment bills raising the quota for deprived castes in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution to make them immune to legal scrutiny.

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https://ift.tt/WGmuFxj speaks to Palestinian PM, reiterates India's long-standing position on Palestine

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh expressing concern on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Jaishankar reiterated India's long-standing position on Palestine. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. India's Ministry of External Affairs, represented by Arindam Bagchi, stated that India's position on Palestine remains consistent and advocates for direct negotiations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to President Mahmoud Abbas, expressing condolences and reaffirming India's commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

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https://ift.tt/cQ8bqAx to launch scheme for assured procurement of maize for ethanol production

As sugar production is expected to fall in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the government plans to launch a new scheme for assured procurement of maize for ethanol production. The government aims to promote maize cultivation and increase grain-based ethanol production. Two government agri-cooperatives will procure maize from farmers at MSP and supply them to distilleries. This move is meant to ensure that farmers get MSP and ultimately boost maize cultivation. The government is focusing on maize as it requires less time to mature compared to sugarcane.

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https://ift.tt/eUFYGDd testing paused in Odisha to save sea turtles

India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) will pause missile testing at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast during the mass nesting season of Olive Ridley sea turtles from January to March next year to ensure the endangered species wins the race for survival. The decision to stop missile-testing at Wheeler Island during the Olive Ridley nesting season and other measures to save the vulnerable sea turtles were announced by Odisha chief secretary P K Jena.

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https://ift.tt/XOaw3qn terror suspects arrested in J&K’s Reasi

Three terror suspects were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district and unaccounted cash was seized from them, officials said Friday, adding that the money was likely meant to fund acts of terror in the Union Territory. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Army and police intercepted an SUV heading to Mahore in Reasi district and apprehended the trio. The arrests followed the apprehension of two overground workers in Budhal on December 6 and the subsequent seizure of a cache of arms and ammunition from a nearby forest.

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https://ift.tt/04pYUjK National Conference kicks off with grand welcome of 'Hindavi Swarajya Yatra'

The four-day 69th National Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad commenced on Thursday. The 69th National Conference of ABVP started with the grand welcome of the 'Hindavi Swarajya Yatra', which concluded on December 7 after covering a distance of 2,000 km. The 'Hindavi Swarajya Yatra', which was held to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation, had kicked off on November 28.

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