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Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda hailed the historic performance of the National Democratic Alliance and the BJP in Saturday's assembly as well as bypoll elections. While speaking at the celebratory event for the saffron party in New Delhi, the Union Minister noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's achievements in across the world, noting the victory in Maharashtra's Assembly polls will help further his message. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results "The verdict given by the public today, it aligns with the work that Modi has done for public service. The PM left his imprint on the globe when he went for his recent tours to Guyana, Nigeria...This win in Maharashtra and bypolls as well as in Haryana, it has sealed the fact that Modi's message for the poverty, and Dalits, women, farmers--to take them forward, this message is now clear," he said while addressing the event. Nadda also attacked the Opposition INDIA bloc and Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray during his speech. "The people trying to divide the society have been shown their place with this verdict...INDIA alliance was in an illusion that it would divide the society in the name of caste, religion. This election and Haryana results have shown that people know who is on the right side...Maharashtra's verdict is not just for 2024, we also got this verdict in 2019 under Modi. But back then, Uddhav's blind love for power and betrayal won. Today, the public have shown them their place" he noted. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota . That's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. “I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. "But as far as rankings, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.” Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC. In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That's when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26 . The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn't been recognized as national champions since 1986. The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn't on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week. “We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said. Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring. “He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America," Allar said. Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions. “He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40,” Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 171⁄2 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks. Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice. “That’s one of the best looks in the country that you’re going to get,” Striggow said. Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season. “He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.” Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he’ll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season. “We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said. The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow. “It’s been good to reflect, but it’s not over yet," Striggow said. "Those short windows of reflection, I cut ’em out and then say, ‘We’ve got some more memories to make.’” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football .

Japanese carmaker Nissan could cease to exist in as little as a year if things don't change drastically, insiders claim. In a report which first surfaced in the Financial Times , an unnamed senior official suggested that the manufacturer had just "12 or 14 months to survive." Nissan has had a tough time recently. Declining sales in both the U.S. and Japan, increased competition in China, and an 85% drop in third-quarter profits have already led to the loss of 7,000 jobs. Production has also been reduced, as the automaker attempts to save $3 billion thanks to a large-scale restructure. Despite the attempts to steady the ship, things have gotten worse for the Japanese company. Renault, which has owned a significant number of shares in Nissan for a number of years, allegedly wants out, which means a new investor will have to step in to take its place. Political uncertainty centered on the incoming U.S. administration is also casting a good amount of doubt over Nissan's prospects in one of its most vital markets. Renault previously sold Nissan shares in December 2023 and March 2024, and announced plans to sell more shares in September. Even if Nissan makes it, further restructuring may be inevitable — and this is almost guaranteed to have worldwide repercussions. As with many global auto companies, Nissan has numerous manufacturing facilities around the world – which is why so many models are made in the U.S. – with entire communities sometimes relying on the jobs those facilities provide. But some hope may be on the horizon. The rivalry between Japanese automakers, which have made some of the most legendary cars in the industry , is pretty fierce and goes back years, yet there is some degree of collaboration. Toyota, for example, supplies things like powertrains to other manufacturers including its domestic competition. Nissan is also collaborating with long-term competitor Honda on software and EV development. However, collaborating on research and having one company own a chunk of another are two different things entirely. Still, there is a strong indication that Honda may step up and buy Renault's chunk of Nissan, according to the insiders, potentially saving the historic brand from bankruptcy and giving it enough time to right itself. This is reportedly seen by many of those involved as a last resort, and reports indicate that Nissan is still looking into other options — including investment from banks or insurance groups. Renault, the company behind a number of powerful and iconic vehicles , allegedly considers closer collaboration between Honda and Nissan a positive thing — which may mean the decision is out of Nissan's hands entirely.ALBANY 67, KANSAS CITY 65HONG KONG , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited ("iClick" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: ICLK), a renowned online marketing and enterprise solutions provider in Asia that empowers worldwide brands with full-stack consumer lifecycle solutions, today announced unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 . Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 2023 Percentage change (US$ in thousands) (Unaudited) Financial Metrics: Revenue from continuing operations Marketing Solutions 9,324 12,663 (26) % Enterprise Solutions 4,896 4,330 13 % Total revenue from continuing operations 14,220 16,993 (16) % Gross profit from continuing operations 8,096 9,276 (13) % Net loss from continuing operations (1,269) (10,275) N/M Net loss from discontinued operations (5,104) (18,294) N/M Diluted net loss from continuing operations per American Depositary Shares ("ADS") (0.12) (1.01) N/M Operating Metrics: Gross billing 23,060 29,983 (23) % "I am pleased to report that our continuing operations recorded an improvement in gross margin to 56.9% in the first half of 2024 from 54.6% in the first half of 2023, and we saw the increase in enterprise solutions revenue by 13% year-over-year. The Company will continue to focus on improving the financial performance and cash flows, while exploring strategic opportunities for broader business growth.", said Mr. Jian Tang , Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of iClick. "We continue monitoring and evaluating operations and market trends proactively in order to optimize our business and enhance profitability. We have recently completed the disposal of our mainland China Enterprise Solutions business and demand side Marketing Solutions business. The results of these businesses are presented under discontinued operations." First Half Year of 2024 Results on Continuing Operations: Revenue for the first half of 2024 was US$14.2 million , compared with US$17.0 million for the first half of 2023. Revenue from Marketing Solutions declined to US$9.3 million for the first half of 2024, compared with US$12.7 million for the first half of 2023. It was resulted from our strategic contraction of lower margin and higher risk businesses, with weaker demand from clients on advertising spending due to uncertainty in the macro-economic environment. Revenue from Enterprise Solutions was US$4.9 million for the first half of 2024, improved from US$4.3 million in the first half of 2023 due to the increasing demand for digital transformation and services. Gross profit for the first half of 2024 was US$8.1 million , compared with US$9.3 million for the first half of 2023. With the effort of reducing lower margin and higher risk businesses, and a rising revenue contribution from the higher-margin Enterprise Solutions business, gross profit margin increased to 56.9% for the first half of 2024 from 54.6% for the first half of 2023. Total operating expenses were US$12.4 million for the first half of 2024, decreased from US$14.1 million for the first half of 2023. The change was primarily due to our cost optimization execution, which resulted in reduction of staff cost and savings on promotional expenses. The expected credit losses provision of trade receivables was also reduced because of our close monitoring of cash collection. Net loss from continuing operations was US$1 .3 million for the first half of 2024, significantly improved from the net loss of US$10.3 million for the first half of 2023, mainly due to no impairment of equity investments in the first half of 2024, which we recorded US$5.6 million in the first half of 2023. Operating loss was reduced by US$0.6 million . Net loss from continuing operations attributable to the Company's shareholders per basic and diluted ADS for the first half of 2024 was US$0.12, compared with a net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders per basic and diluted ADS of US$1.01 for the first half of 2023. Gross billing 1 from continuing operations was US$23.1 million for the first half of 2024, compared with US$30.0 million for the first half of 2023, mainly as a result of our continued strategy of reducing lower margin and higher risk businesses, as well as clients' reduced advertising spending. Net loss from discontinued operations was US$5 .1 million for the first half of 2024, compared with the net loss of US$18.3 million for the first half of 2023, mainly due to cost optimization, and gain on disposal of discontinued operations amounting to US$2 .6 million in the first half of 2024. As of June 30, 2024 , the continuing operations of the Company had cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and restricted cash of US$70.2 million , compared with US$41.3 million as of December 31, 2023 . About iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Founded in 2009, iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK) is a renowned online marketing and enterprise solutions provider in Asia . With its leading proprietary technologies, iClick's full suite of data-driven solutions helps brands drive significant business growth and profitability throughout the full consumer lifecycle. For more information, please visit https://ir.i-click.com . 1 Gross billing is defined as the aggregate dollar amount that clients pay the Company after deducting rebates paid and discounts given to. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including those related to the Company's business strategies, operations and financial performance. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: In the United States: iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Core IR Catherine Chau Tom Caden Phone: +852 3700 9100 Tel: +1-516-222-2560 E-mail: ir@i-click.com E-mail: tomc@coreir.com (financial tables follow) ICLICK INTERACTIVE ASIA GROUP LIMITED Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (US$'000, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 2023 Continuing operations Revenue 14,220 16,993 Cost of revenue (6,124) (7,717) Gross profit 8,096 9,276 Operating expenses Research and development expenses (311) (265) Sales and marketing expenses (4,381) (8,826) General and administrative expenses (7,704) (5,052) Total operating expenses (12,396) (14,143) Interest expense (32) (117) Interest income 598 591 Other gains/(losses), net 2,560 (5,756) Loss before income tax expense and share of losses from an equity investee (1,174) (10,149) Share of losses from an equity investee (37) (19) Loss before income tax expense (1,211) (10,168) Income tax expense (58) (107) Net loss from continuing operations (1,269) (10,275) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests 111 9 Net loss from continuing operations attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (1,158) (10,266) Discontinued operations Loss from operations of discontinued operations (7,666) (18,305) Income tax (expense)/credit (23) 11 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations 2,585 - Net loss from discontinued operations (5,104) (18,294) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests 32 49 Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (5,072) (18,245) Net loss (6,373) (28,569) Net loss attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (6,230) (28,511) Net loss from continuing operations (1,269) (10,275) Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of US$nil tax (13) (131) Comprehensive loss from continuing operations (1,282) (10,406) Comprehensive loss from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests 111 49 Comprehensive loss from continuing operations attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (1,171) (10,357) Net loss from discontinued operations (5,104) (18,294) Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of US$nil tax - 301 Comprehensive loss from discontinued operations (5,104) (17,993) Comprehensive loss from discontinued operations attributable to non -controlling interests 32 20 Comprehensive loss from discontinued operations attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (5,072) (17,973) Comprehensive loss attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders (6,243) (28,330) Net loss from continuing operations per ADS attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders — Basic (0.12) (1.01) — Diluted (0.12) (1.01) Net loss from discontinued operations per ADS attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders — Basic (0.51) (1.79) — Diluted (0.51) (1.79) Net loss per ADS attributable to iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's ordinary shareholders — Basic (0.63) (2.80) — Diluted (0.63) (2.80) Weighted average number of ADS used in per share calculation: — Basic 9,955,943 10,178,966 — Diluted 9,955,943 10,178,966 ICLICK INTERACTIVE ASIA GROUP LIMITED Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (US$'000, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted, unaudited) As of June 30, 2024 As of December 31, 2023 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and restricted cash 70,239 41,264 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of US$1,558 and US$1,571 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively 11,210 13,535 Other current assets 15,813 11,516 Discontinued operations 54,454 93,488 Total current assets 151,716 159,803 Non-current assets Other assets 3,727 3,596 Discontinued operations 112 305 Total non-current assets 3,839 3,901 Total assets 155,555 163,704 Liabilities and equity Current liabilities Accounts payable 3,310 4,462 Bank borrowings 36,932 1,965 Other current liabilities 23,830 20,200 Discontinued operations 56,607 93,445 Total current liabilities 120,679 120,072 Non-current liabilities Other liabilities 221 551 Discontinued operations 1,463 1,829 Total non-current liabilities 1,684 2,380 Total liabilities 122,363 122,452 Equity Ordinary shares – Class A (US$0.001 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 38,752,446 shares and 44,477,356 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 39 45 Ordinary shares – Class B (US$0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 5,034,427 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 5 5 Treasury shares (218,396 shares and 6,398,616 shares as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

MONTREAL - Police say they’ve arrested several people following an anti-NATO protest that included two car fires and left some businesses with smashed windows. Montreal police say they made at least three arrests following a demonstration that began late afternoon Friday. Police say that during the march, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the street and windows of businesses and at the convention centre were smashed. Delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are in Montreal this weekend to discuss issues including support for Ukraine, climate change and the future of the alliance. The protest was planned by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the protests in a Saturday morning post on social media platform X, saying that “rioting is not peaceful protest and has no place in Montreal or anywhere in Canada.” “Those who spread hate and antisemitism, use violence, loot and destroy property must be condemned and held accountable,” she added. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture says the demonstrators were completely dispersed at around 7 p.m. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024.Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal will march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today. It will begin from the party's Nayapaltan central office at 10:00am, said a joint press release yesterday. The march, aimed at submitting a memorandum, is being organised in protest the attack on Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, desecration of the national flag in Kolkata, and an alleged conspiracy to incite communal unrest. In the release, leaders of the three organisations of BNP called on leaders and activists to join the demonstration. The organisations planned the programme a day ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Dhaka tomorrow. There will be foreign office consultations led by foreign secretaries of the two countries. It will be the first top diplomatic contact with Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August. The meeting also comes at a time when ties between Dhaka and Delhi are under considerable strain over various issues, including allegations of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Indian Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday announced that activists from over 200 social and cultural organisations will march towards the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday. The demonstration, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, will be held to protest against "alleged atrocities" on minority communities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh. Rajnish Jindal, co-in-charge of the RSS Delhi unit's media and communications department, shared details at a press conference where he said the march will include representatives of various social, cultural, and religious groups under the banner of "Civil Society of Delhi". He added that a memorandum would be submitted to the Bangladesh High Commission and international organisations such as the UN, UNHRC, WHO, Amnesty International, and ADB, urging immediate intervention to halt the "violence". Former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri and ex-director general of the Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain also spoke at the event, expressing grave concern over the situation. "This is the worst situation for Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh since the Liberation War of 1971," Veena claimed. In another development, hoteliers in Barak valley of the north eastern state of Assam have announced that they would not host any Bangladesh national till alleged attacks on Hindus and other minorities in that country stop, PTI reported from Guwahati. This was announced by Barak Valley Hotel and Restaurant Association President Babul Rai on Friday. Barak Valley comprises three districts of Cachar, Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj) and Hailakandi and shares a 129km-long border with Bangladesh's Sylhet region. A PTI report from Washington said a protest march is being organised by "HinduAction" near the White House tomorrow while another protest would be held by Hindu community leaders in Chicago today.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 14: In this photo illustration, the Bluesky logo is displayed on a ... [+] cell phone on November 14, 2024 in Pasadena, California. The social media app Bluesky has seen its user base increase by 1.25 million since the U.S. Presidential elections as some people leave rival X, which is owned by Elon Musk. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t know if I have time for yet another social media app . While Bluesky is a novel effort, it’s way too early to say if it can replace Twitter . That is not stopping people from saying Bluesky is the ultimate Twitter clone . I’m not surprised, since you might do a double take when you first see the interface, especially on the web. There’s even a blue interface like Twitter with a butterfly icon instead of a bird. As a quick backstory: The social media app has been around quite a while and opened to the public last February . There are a few distinct differences, though. What makes Bluesky unique The first differentiator is that this is a decentralized app. You can change your handle to use your own domain, pick a different server than the one operated by Bluesky, and rely on content moderation that you can choose yourself or even build your own. This is a direct response to how Elon Musk has become a pontificator for his X platform, dictating the rules of the game just because he can. I first realized just how much control he has over the platform when I noticed links to my own articles were hidden and harder to identify, presumably as a way to keep you on X longer and not visit one of the links. iOS 18.1.1—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Leak Reveals Trump Crypto Bombshell As Bitcoin Suddenly Surges Toward $100,000 Price Could Matt Gaetz Get His House Seat Back—Or Be Named Senator? What To Know After He Bails As Trump’s Attorney General Pick Having a heavy-handed dictator run a platform has caused some users to flee X, at least according to some reports . I’m not sure how anyone actually knows how many people have left X for Bluesky, especially since X doesn’t release user data. Another differentiator is that you can mass-follow people using Starter Packs. Now, with an app like this that’s just starting out, I have to say this is a risky proposition. There are packs for people who like Taylor Swift or follow NFL football. With one click, you can follow everyone in the pack, but it doesn’t always work. If you start following too many people, the Starter Packs either stop working or intentionally block you from following (I suspect the former). Using Starter Packs, I followed about 1,600 people in 10 minutes. That’s much harder to do on X unless you pay for a service that automatically follows people for you (alas, the one I liked called Staged is defunct). On the downside, all of that following has not led to more than a handful of new followers. I like the clean interface, and it’s remarkably familiar. The social media app has 20 million users already , gaining about one million per day according to the CEO. My favorite Bluesky feature My favorite feature with Bluesky is one that’s much harder to quantify: It just feels safer and friendlier so far. This also happened on Threads when I first started using that app. People who join a new social media platform are often disgruntled and ready for a change. They are sick of the trolls. Meanwhile, trolls stick with the most popular platforms where they can harass more people. In my interactions so far, browsing through posts and replying, Bluesky doesn’t seem to be as contentious and the vitriol seems to be under control for the most part. That could change, and I expect Bluesky to evolve quickly now that there are way more users. I also expect the company to launch advertising fairly soon to help pay the bills. For now, it’s a clean interface and I like what I’m seeing. However, I can’t see myself becoming a diehard fan. I’ll try to build a following per usual, but—like Threads—there isn’t anything here that is holding my attention and making me want to spend hours building up a new network. We’ll see if Bluesky can keep us all hooked.

Shimla, Nov 23 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Saturday took a dig at the Himachal BJP and said that they are divided into five factions led by different leaders and is creating hurdles in the state's progress. He criticised the party for engaging in obstruction rather than cooperative politics in the state. The Himachal BJP is divided into five factions, each led by J P Nadda, Anurag Thakur, Jairam Thakur, Rajeev Bindal, and a group of former Congress members who joined the BJP, Sukhu said. "People elect a government for five years and democracy is the voice of the people. However, BJP is creating hurdles in the state's progress". In a statement issued here, Sukhu said the opposition is not engaging in policy-based criticism but is instead targeting him personally. He congratulated senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi for her victory in the Wayanad by-election and said that her record-breaking win marks a significant milestone in her electoral journey and will further strengthen the Congress party. Sukhu also congratulated senior leaders and party workers for their success in the Jharkhand Assembly elections. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. Its capture is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Carter Whitt scored 14 points as Belmont beat Middle Tennessee 82-79 on Saturday. Whitt also added eight rebounds, eight assists, and three steals for the Bruins (8-2). Isaiah Walker also scored 14 points while going 6 of 12 and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line while they also had eight rebounds. Sam Orme had 12 points and went 5 of 11 from the field (1 for 3 from 3-point range). The Blue Raiders (7-3) were led by Jlynn Counter, who recorded 22 points and five assists. Middle Tennessee also got 21 points and two blocks from Jestin Porter. Essam Mostafa finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Belmont went into the half ahead of Middle Tennessee 38-30. Walker scored eight points in the half. Belmont pulled off the victory after a 19-2 run spanning both halves erased a three-point deficit and gave them the lead at 44-30 with 19:01 remaining in the second half. Whitt scored 10 second-half points and his four free throws in the final half-minute helped the Bruins maintain their lead. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

NoneMONTREAL — Police say they've arrested several people following an anti-NATO protest that included two car fires and left some businesses with smashed windows. Montreal police say they made at least three arrests following a demonstration that began late afternoon Friday. Police say that during the march, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the street and windows of businesses and at the convention centre were smashed. Delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are in Montreal this weekend to discuss issues including support for Ukraine, climate change and the future of the alliance. The protest was planned by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the protests in a Saturday morning post on social media platform X, saying that "rioting is not peaceful protest and has no place in Montreal or anywhere in Canada." "Those who spread hate and antisemitism, use violence, loot and destroy property must be condemned and held accountable," she added. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture says the demonstrators were completely dispersed at around 7 p.m. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024. The Canadian Press

Bihar Assembly Session: As Govt Seeks Discussion, Oppn To Raise Various IssuesLAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Christian Shumate's 22 points helped McNeese defeat NCAA Division-member LeTourneau 103-69 on Saturday night. Shumate also contributed five rebounds for the Cowboys (5-4). Quadir Copeland added 20 points while shooting 7 of 8 from the field and 6 for 6 from the line while they also had nine rebounds, 11 assists, and three steals. Sincere Parker had 16 points and went 7 of 11 from the field. The Yellow Jackets were led by Deonte Jackson, who posted 21 points, five assists and seven steals. Walker Blaine added 14 points and four assists for LeTourneau. Caedmon Liebengood also had 14 points. McNeese visits Mississippi State in its next matchup on December 14. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Facebook and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg was reportedly spotted at President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort amid speculation about his potential links to the incoming administration. Neither the Trump-Vance campaign nor the billionaire have revealed the reason why he was at the Florida club. The New York Times reported that Zuckerberg had a private meeting with Trump. "I’m told Mark Zuckerberg was just spotted at Mar-a-Lago ...," Natalie Allison of the Politico reported on X, platformf formerly known as Twitter. The reporter, however, didn't post any visuals of Zuckerberg at the club. Read More: Musk Effect? Donald Trump Planning To Ban Mainstream Media From White House This comes as SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been spending a chunk of his time with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where the president-elect's transition team is picking cabinet nominees. Commenting on the DOGE chief's relationship with Trump, tech journalist Kara Swisher claimed that he is not going anywhere "until Trump throws him out. Which could happen, because they're both really strong personalities who like to be at the centre of attention." Reacting to Zuckerberg's spotting in Mar-a-Lago, one social media user said: "Mark Zuckerberg needs to be held accountable for lying to Congress about censoring conservatives. No amount of kissing the ring at Mar-A-Lago should matter. Not to mention how he tried to buy the 2020 election..." Read More: Kamala Harris Always Knew She Was Losing To Trump, Hoped For A D-Day Miracle "Mark Zuckerberg is currently at Mar-a-Lago meeting with President Trump to avoid going to jail for helping Democrats steal the 2020 election with $400 MILLION," another one added. Ahead of the 2024 election, Zuckerberg decided to neither endorse Trump nor support Vice President Kamala Harris. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.None

Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. Announces Offering of Series A Preferred StockFARGO, N.D. (AP) — Cam Miller threw three touchdown passes, ran for another and second-seeded North Dakota State blew past a 14-point deficit to beat 15th-seeded Abilene Christian 51-31 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Bison (11-2), in the FCS playoffs for a 15th straight season and winner of nine FCS titles, will host seventh-seeded Mercer in the quarterfinals. Abilene Christian (9-5) took a 17-3 lead on a 13-yard TD pass from Maverick McIvor to J.J. Henry, a 90-yard run by Sam Hicks and a Ritse Vaes 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Bison then took over, starting with Jackson Williams' 100-yard kickoff return to start a run of 31 consecutive points, 17 coming in the second quarter for a 20-17 halftime lead. The scoring streak ended when Nehemiah Martinez’s 53-yard return helped set up Hicks’ 3-yard score to get the Wildcats within 34-24. But the Bison matched that TD on their ensuing drive on Miller’s 36-yard connection with Bryce Lance to cap their 21-point third quarter. Again, the Wildcats got within 10 early in the fourth quarter on Rovaughn Banks Jr.’s 2-yard TD run. But NDSU’s Marcus Gulley returned an interception 37 yards to the ACU 9 and the Crosa kicked a field goal and Logan Kopp followed with a 31-yard pick-6. Miller was 20 of 29 for 274 yards passing. McIvor threw for 153 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Hicks ran for 153 yards on 16 carries. ACU, champion of the United Athletic Conference, was in its first FCS playoffs since joining the classification in 2013, and beat Northern Arizona in its first-round game. Crosa has made his 262nd career PAT to pass NDSU's Cam Pederson (2015-18) and set an FCS record. ___ AP college football: and . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: The Associated Press

Ralph Lauren Corp. Cl A stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors

Jeremy Clarkson has backpedalled on his previous comments about why he bought his farm, saying he thought it would be a “better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax”. The TV presenter and journalist defied doctors’ orders by joining thousands of farmers in London on Tuesday to protest against agricultural inheritance tax changes. The 64-year-old, who fronts Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, which documents the trials of farming on his land in Oxfordshire, wrote in a post on the Top Gear website in 2010: “I have bought a farm. There are many sensible reasons for this: Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The government doesn’t get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up.” Clarkson also told the Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “the critical thing” in his decision to buy land. Addressing the claim in a new interview with The Times, the former Top Gear presenter said: “I never did admit why I really bought it.” The fan of game bird shooting added: “I wanted to have a shoot – I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax.” Clarkson was among the thousands who took to the streets this week to protest over the changes in the recent Budget to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million and he addressed the crowds at the march in central London. He told the newspaper he is not happy to be the public face of the movement, saying: “It should be led by farmers.” The presenter said he does not consider himself a farmer because there are “so many basic jobs” which he cannot do, but he feels his role is to “report on farming”. Earlier this month, it was confirmed Clarkson’s Farm, which has attracted huge attention to his Diddly Squat farm shop, had been renewed for a fifth series. Asked whether the issue behind the tax protest is that rural poverty is hidden, Clarkson agreed and said his programme was not helping to address the situation. “One of the problems we have on the show is we’re not showing the poverty either, because obviously on Diddly Squat there isn’t any poverty”, he said. “But trust me, there is absolute poverty. I’m surrounded by farmers. I’m not going out for dinner with James Dyson. “It’s people with 200 acres, 400 acres. Way past Rachel Reeves’s threshold. They are f*****.” The newspaper columnist also presents Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV. The Grand Tour, his motoring show with former Top Gear colleagues Richard Hammond and James May, ended in September. Discussing whether he might move into politics, Clarkson said: “I’d be a terrible political leader, hopeless. I’m a journalist at heart, I prefer throwing rocks at people than having them thrown at me.” However, he said he would be “100% behind any escalation” after the farmers’ march. Clarkson revealed last month he had undergone a heart procedure to have stents fitted after experiencing a “sudden deterioration” in his health which brought on symptoms of being “clammy”, a “tightness” in his chest and “pins and needles” in his left arm. He said in a Sunday Times column that one of his arteries was “completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way” and doctors said he was perhaps “days away” from becoming very ill. Asked if he is thinking about retiring, the Doncaster-born celebrity said: “Probably not. It depends when you die, I always think. “You’d be surprised, us Northerners are made of strong stuff.”