Justin Trudeau faces backlash for dancing at Taylor Swift concert amid Montreal protests
Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under criticism after a video of him dancing at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto went viral, coinciding with violent protests in Montreal.
The footage, shared widely on social media, shows Trudeau enjoying the performance at the Rogers Centre on November 23. While the concert featured hits like "You Don’t Own Me," Montreal witnessed unrest as anti-NATO demonstrators clashed with police, set vehicles on fire, and burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Social media users criticised Trudeau’s presence at the concert during the crisis, with some comparing his actions to Nero’s alleged indifference during Rome's burning.
The Montreal protests occurred during the ongoing NATO summit in the city, which focused on issues such as Ukraine and climate change. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and set off smoke bombs, with at least four arrests reported.
As violent protests broke out in #Montreal, #Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau was filmed dancing at a #TaylorSwift concert in #Toronto
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) November 24, 2024
More details here: https://t.co/jYr9ukK0DO pic.twitter.com/h3yEk6uabS
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh: Elderly man stands up after posing in wheelchair with BJP MLA, video goes viral
In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
