By-Polls In 6 Seats Of Bengal, Opposition Hopes For RG Kar Effect

The coming by-polls in West Bengal are expected to be bellwether for which way the political winds are blowing in Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal after the massive protests over the rape-murder of a Kolkata doctor. The protest, strongly backed by the urban middle class, has shaken the state and despite protesters' claims that it was apolitical, it had received significant support from the opposition.

By-polls are due in six seats in various parts of the state - their geography and demography are expected to be strong indicators of the political trend.

The seats include Naihati, the urban centre close to Kolkata, the minority dominated Haroa, Taldangra with a significant tribal population, Sitai with a chunk of minority and Rajbanshi vote, the tea garden seat of north Bengal. Madiahat and Medinipur.

Many believe that the results now could throw light on whether the RG Kar protests will impact future elections. The Opposition BJP, which has been trying to dislodge Mamata Banerjee for years, is hoping for an upset. 

Of the six seats going to polls, five were held by the Trinamool and one by the BJP. While the Trinamool has claimed it will win all six, anything below five will be seen as a loss. For the BJP, winning Madarihat will be a confidence booster after its performance fell in the region during the Lok Sabha election. 

Senior Trinamool Congress Leader Kumal Ghosh said the Opposition "will try their best to misguide and confuse the voters by misusing this RG Kar issue".

"But I think we are confident that the voters will realise the facts. They know the regime of the CPIM, they know the happenings in the BJP-ruled states and they know that within 24 hours, Kolkata Police have arrested the criminal, the main rape and murder accused," he added.

In the BJP stronghold of North Bengal, where Trinamool clawed its way back in the Lok Sabha elections, Sitai is situated near the Bangladesh border and the Madarihat seat is largely a tea garden seat and the only one among the six that was held by the BJP.

The Left, which the Trinamool accuses of hijacking the RG Kar protests, is fighting alone this time and not with the Congress as it has done in the past elections.

"This time in by-elections, since it was due in ten seats and four had already happened, six are taking place," said senior CPM leader Md Salim. "Time was limited so discussions could not be held because of the change of guard in the party's state unit," he added.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/mnR7Mvo
via IFTTT

Bhutan's Gelephu 'Mindfulness City' A Global Game-Changer. Know All About It

Bhutan, considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is working on a mega project, one that has the potential to redefine not just how sustainable living can be achieved, but become a global model unlike any other in the world today. The project - a mega 'Mindfulness City' in Gelephu.

Though it is called a city, it is massive - spread over 2,500 square kilometers. It is a Special Administratve Region (SAR). It will have its own government and have the independence to have its own lawmaking, as well as an independent judiciary. But what makes it special?

Photo Credit: big.dk

The Gelephu 'Mindfulness City' will have two protected areas - a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. It will have rivers that will have the potential to generate 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity through renewable energy. It has forests, biological corridors and is teeming with wildlife. It has its own agricultural hubs and small towns.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The 'Mindfulness City' project has been envisioned by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The motivation behind this is to improve the lives of Bhutanese people and take Bhutan to the next level. A place where people can live with harmony with others from all over the world.

People in this city will live with nature and the biodiversity of the region. "This is what we call 'Gross National Happiness 2.0'," Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay said recently at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Speaking exclusively to NDTV World, the Bhutanese PM had said that the 'Gelephu mindfulness city' would "directly benefit India" in many ways since this city has been "purposely placed along the border with India in Assam."

Photo Credit: big.dk

'MINDFULNESS CITY' - BUT WHY IN GELEPHU?

The land in Gelephu is "beautiful and pristine", said the Butanese Prime Minister, adding that the region is a biological hot spot, with abundant potential for clean energy, but why this mega project here? he had asked the King, wondering why such a project was not being considered for Thimphu or Paro - where there is ready infrastructure, like airports, highways, etc.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The King had a one-word reply for the prime minister - "India". He then explained that "Our future is linked with India. If we chose any other place, then such a project may succeed, it may have its challenges, but if we plan this along the border with India, the concept itself will drive it to success, because Bhutan's future is intrinsically linked with India," the prime minister recalled the King having said this.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Then I finally understood the strategic significance of the project, he said. "The Gelephu Mindfulness City is not about Bhutan - it is about Bhutan and India."

DETAILS ABOUT THE CITY

Once built, Bhutan's 'Mindfulness City' will cover nearly 2.5% of the entire country's landmass and will be bigger than all of Singapore. A more local comparison will be to Bhutan's capital city, Thimphu. While Gelephu City will be more than 2,500 square kilometers, capital city Thimphu is just 26 square kilometers.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be built around a series of inhabitable bridges. It is expected to be a low-rise city which will have its own university, health care facilities for both western and traditional medicine. It will also have several markets and spiritual centres.

Photo Credit: big.dk

There are also plans to build a hydroelectric power project and a hydroponic greenhouse.

It will be spread over 11 major neighbourhoods which will span across the region's thirty-five rivers and streams. The city design and planning is done such that neighbourhoods will be like mandalas, with public spaces towards the city centre.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be entirely based on Bhutan's Gross National Happiness philosophy which has been praised the world over. At the time of the announcement of the project, the Kingdom of Bhutan had said that "Mindfulness City will be unique as it would not just prioritise economic development, but will focus on personal well-being of every resident."

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will have its own international airport - construction for which has already begin.

The Gelephu 'Mindfullness City' rethinks how the cities of the future should be like, how they should function and the ways in which sustainable living can be achieved with an environment-friendly approach.
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/LYaHQTo
via IFTTT

US Blames Onions For McDonald's e.Coli Outbreak

US health authorities said Wednesday that slivered onions used by McDonald's triggered an e.Coli outbreak that sickened 90 people.

"Fresh, slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders and other menu items from McDonald's are the likely source of this outbreak," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

These particular onions were supplied by Taylor Farms, which issued a voluntary recall. McDonald's also pulled the onions.

Restaurants in a dozen US states temporarily pulled the burgers from their menus this month amid the outbreak linked to them.

The number of people sickened now stands at 90, including 27 who had to be hospitalized, and an elderly man in Colorado died.

McDonald's on Sunday said it would resume selling its Quarter Pounder hamburgers after tests for e.Coli came back negative.

The e.Coli bacterium causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting that last three to four days. Most people recover without needing treatment but some develop complications.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/76Wio30
via IFTTT

Diwali 2024: Sonakshi, Kareena, Akshay's Festive Greetings

The country is celebrating the festival of lights Diwali today. On this special occasion, the who's who of Bollywood and the South film industry extended warm wishes to their fans. The celebrities posted pictures of diyas and festivities on their official Instagram handles and fans commented sharing their love. Stars from across the country wished for happiness and prosperity for all. Kareena Kapoor shared a photo of herself from vacation and wrote, “Dare to dream …Look ahead…Look after your mind and heart…Feel the light …Happy Diwali Friends #2024.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

Akshay Kumar shared a small clip of lighting diya on his Instagram Stories. The text on the video read, “Shubh Deepawali”.

Parineeti Chopra shared a photo of herself holding a plate of diya. The actress wore a traditional green attire for the occasion. "Wish you all a CHAMKILA diwali!," read the caption of her post. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @parineetichopra

Sara Ali Khan celebrated Diwali in the hills of Uttrakhand. Sharing glimpses of her trip on Instagram, the actress wished her fans a "Happy Diwali". She wrote, "Happy Diwali. Wishing you joy, prosperity, bliss and health- which for me is basically good food. So don't be rude. Just give me my food. Thank you kindly don't intrude." 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

Karan Johar posted a set of family photos with his mother Hiroo and twins - Yash and Roohi. He wrote in the caption, “From us to you … we wish you the best festive season and all the love, joy, mutual respect, and the ability to love and live your life to its fullest… thank you Manish Malhotra for always dressing us on special occasions.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

Mahesh Babu's wife, actress Namrata Shirodkar shared pictures of her daughter Sitara on Instagram. The note attached to the photos read, “Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May this year bring light, peace and prosperity to all. Soak in the festive spirit.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Namrata Shirodkar (@namratashirodkar)

Soha Ali Khan visited a temple on the occasion of Diwali. She was joined by her husband Kunal Kemmu, daughter Inaaya and her in-laws. Sharing the video of their temple visit on Instagram, the actress wished her fans a "very happy and prosperous Diwali". 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi)

Riteish Deshmukh's Diwali wish was quite different. The actor shared a hilarious video with his wife Genelia D'Souza, who was seen laughing and lip-synching to a dialogue while Riteish made funny expressions in the back. He wrote in the caption in Hindi that can be translated as, “May your Diwali be as heavy with laughter as ours is! Is your wife's laughter also like my Baiko?? Happy Diwali to all of you!!! #happydiwali”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd)

Sonakshi Sinha posted a picture with her husband Zaheer Iqbal and wrote, “Happy happy happy Diwali. Light in every house, happiness in every house, this is our prayer for all of you.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona)

Farhan Akhtar shared a family photo featuring Shibani Dandekar, Javed Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar and Shabana Azmi. He wrote in the caption, "Happy Diwali". 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar)

Happy Diwali to all of you!

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/FacCVI3
via IFTTT

"Not A Terrorist": Nawab Malik Slams BJP Leader's "Irresponsible" Comment

Nawab Malik, now the official candidate of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, told NDTV today that the allegations now levelled at him were "irresponsible" and the verdicts in the cases would vindicate him. His response was to the remarks of senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who had called him a "terrorist".

"These are irresponsible statements. Nawab Malik was never a terrorist nor was ever with any terrorist or any criminal. Nawab Malik has been in politics in this country for 50 years," Mr Malik told NDTV in an exclusive interview. 

Some people think giving such comments would help increase their vote bank but it actually has the opposite effect, he said.

"Now the matter is sub judice, so I can't obviously discuss it. Once the verdict comes, everything will be clear," he added.

Mr Malik was arrested by central agencies in an alleged  money laundering case involving mafia don Dawood Ibrahim and his associates Chhota Shakeel and Tigar Memon. He is currently out on bail.

The BJP had refused to support his candidature, citing the case against him. 

"We won't endorse anyone who's related to any Dawood or Dawood related case," Maharashtra BJP chief Ashish Shelar had said yesterday, after Ajit Pawar's last-minute backing fr Mr Malik, he said the BJP would not campaign for him.

"Nawab Malik is a terrorist who tried to break India into pieces. He is Dawood's agent and Ajit Pawar's NCP has betrayed the country by giving ticket to Nawab Malik," Kirit Somaiyya later said. 

Mr Malik, who had filed two nominations yesterday - one of them as an Independent and the other as a member of the NCP, to day said he ws not keen on contesting this time. 

"I have been a 5-term MLA and have been a minister 6 times. I did not want to contest the election," he said, explaining that he changed his mind because of appeals from the people of Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/1aQutAy
via IFTTT

"Don't Have To Cry About...": The 'Hardik' Factor In Kishan's Comeback

It has been a topsy-turvy year for Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan. Kishan was left out of the BCCI central contracts list after taking a break from cricket during the series against South Africa. However, he showed a brilliant run of form in the Duleep Trophy as well as the Ranji Trophy to find a place in the India A squad for the tour of Australia. Ahead of his comeback, Kishan opened up about his journey and the role that Hardik Pandya played in his guiding him.

"Every individual is different. I feel not everyone would think like that. I feel I am lucky enough that my thinking pattern is very practical. I am a very practical guy. I have spent a lot of time with Hardik (Pandya) and you also know that he is a very practical guy. What's needed, is needed. You don't have to cry about everything... So I have also started thinking like that," Kishan told Times of India.

“At a very young age, I was picked by Mumbai Indians and I have been friends with Hardik for a long time now. So I know how he thinks and I know he also wants me to be a great player so he keeps sharing ideas with me. I am in a very practical zone right now. Even if you get out, it's not like I start thinking 'ye kya ho gaya (what just happened), how will I now perform in the next game” he added.

Ishan played two matches in the ODI World Cup 2023 before losing his spot to Shubman Gill. The youngster opened up about how maintaining a neutral point helped him in keeping balance in his career.

"You need to find that neutral point where even when you score a hundred, you have to be very calm. Even if you get out early, you have to stay grounded. You have to find that right balance. I am very lucky to have guys like Hardik around me who have spoken to me about it. There are moments in cricket where you feel really down. And it's not just for me, it's for every cricketer."

But if you find that neutral point, you will get over it. Skills are always there, it's just your mental thing. How you are dealing with things at that point of time. I have been very lucky to be in a very healthy zone throughout my career," he concluded.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/6FL3qsk
via IFTTT

Doomsday Arctic Vault, The World's Backup Gene Bank, Sees Surge In Samples

An Arctic seed vault on Norway's Spitsbergen island received new samples last week from the largest number of depositors since 2020, reflecting fear about the threat of conflict and climate change to food security, a custodian of the facility said recently.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set deep inside a mountain to withstand disasters from nuclear war to global warming, was launched in 2008 as a backup for the world's gene banks that store the genetic code for thousands of plant species.

Billed as a doomsday vault protected by permafrost, the deposit has received samples from across the world, and played a leading role between 2015 and 2019 in rebuilding seed collections damaged during the war in Syria.

"Climate change and conflict threaten infrastructure and impact food security for over 700 million people in more than 75 countries worldwide," Executive Director Stefan Schmitz of the Crop Trust said in a statement.

Among the new desposits, Bolivia's first contribution to the vault was made by the 400-year-old Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, and assembled by some 125 farming families from local communities.

"This deposit goes beyond conserving crops; it's about protecting our culture," the project coordinator of the Norway-funded Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods, and Development in Bolivia said in a statement.

Chad, another newcomer, deposited 1,145 samples of sesame, rice, maize and sorghum - all adapted to the country's climate and crucial for developing crops that can withstand rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.

The total of more than 30,000 new samples from 21 countries, also included seeds of vegetables, legumes and herbs from the Union of Agricultural Work Committees in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Located on a sparsely populated island halfway between mainland Europe and the North Pole, the vault's chambers are only opened two or three times a year to limit exposure to the outside world.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/bi4frQU
via IFTTT

Ballon d'Or Organisers Break Silence On Real's 'Boycott Over Vinicius Snub'

The organisers of the Ballon d'Or award insisted on Monday that "no player or club" knows who has won the award, responding to Real Madrid's decision to boycott the event because they believe that Vinicius would not win. "All the clubs and players are in the same boat," a Ballon d'Or source told AFP, pointing out the strict confidentiality rules laid down for this 2024 edition.

Real Madrid said they will stay away from the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday as they are convinced that their striker Vinicius, the favourite to win the men's award, has been snubbed.

The club told AFP it questioned the methods behind the selection of the Ballon d'Or winner, saying that defender Dani Carvajal, another of the 30 players nominated, had also been unfairly overlooked. 

"If the award criteria doesn't give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner," the club told AFP. 

"As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected."

The Ballon d'Or organisers decided to innovate this year by keeping the winner's identity a secret until the very end, to avoid any leaks to the press. 

In previous years, the winner was revealed a few days before the award ceremony. 

All the nominees were invited to the ceremony in Paris this evening. 

The absence of the Real players and the club's declaration suggest that neither Vinicius, Carvajal nor Jude Bellingham, the architects of the club's European triumph, will win the trophy.

That could leave the way clear for Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri, who won Euro 2024 and was named the tournament's best player by UEFA. 

The Ballon d'Or is awarded by a jury of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings. 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/u6RG4dF
via IFTTT

"People Create Dispute...": Maharashtra Congress Chief On Ally Rift Buzz

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole today said that he was "friends" with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut amid reports of tension between the two allies.

"I am friends with Sanjay Raut. I don't understand why people create disputes between us," said Mr Patole at NDTV Marathi's Jahirnama event.

Terse remarks by Mr Patole and Mr Raut amid the delay in the seat-sharing announcement for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra triggered the rift buzz.

To a veiled swipe of Sanjay Raut where he said the Congress leaders are "not capable of taking decisions", Mr Patole shot back, "If Sanjay Raut is controlling Uddhav Thackeray, that is their issue. We have the responsibility of telling the reality of our leaders and we are doing that. We do not want to speak anything on what Sanjay Raut does."

Other Congress leaders, however, played down the statements insisting that talks were going smoothly.

During the event, Mr Patole also addressed the impasse between the opposition alliance in Maharashtra - Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - over some seats.

"Congress is a national party, and national parties have to handle things carefully. Regional parties have their demands and dreams of growth, which is acceptable. Congress played a crucial role in allocating seats based on merit, aiming for a majority government in Maharashtra. We are still working towards it," he said.

"Discussions for 5-10 seats are still pending, and we'll resolve this issue. After October 30, we'll gather again to find a solution. We have decided to contest elections as MVA. No conflicts arose during seat allocation. Efforts are continuing to resolve pending seat allocation issues," he added.

The 61-year-old had earlier revealed its seat-sharing arrangement for 255 of 288 constituencies in Maharashtra. He said that each alliance partner - Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) - will be contesting 85 seats each.

When he was asked by the chief minister face of the opposition alliance, he said, "As per Rahul Gandhi's vision, the priority is to save Maharashtra first. Once we do that, the MVA leaders will decide on the Chief Minister."

Earlier, speaking at NDTV Marathi's Election Conclave, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a dig at the opposition, and said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is not announcing Chief Minister face as they don't think their Chief Minister can come after elections."

The ruling alliance, however, has also not named its chief minister face yet.

Mr Fadnavis said that the ruling Mahayuti does not need to announce the candidate for the chief ministerial post, as Eknath Shinde is the incumbent Chief Minister: "Who will become Chief Minister is announced after the elections. We are three major parties, CM Eknath Shinde is chief of Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar is chief of NCP and our (BJP) Parliamentary board will decide who will be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. But we are not worried because we have our Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde who is leading our government."

Maharashtra will vote on November 20 and the results will be declared on November 23.

The BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56, and the Congress secured 44 seats in the 2019 Maharashtra elections. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/1oAl3Ta
via IFTTT

"Unleash CBI After Us": Prashant Kishor After Minister's Bribing Charge

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday lashed out at Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi for charging the newly formed political party with bribing voters in by-elections to four assembly seats of Bihar.

Mr Manjhi, who is also a former Chief Minister of Bihar, had made the allegation on Friday evening, at a rally in Imamganj which has fallen vacant upon his election to Lok Sabha and from where his daughter-in-law Deepa is trying her luck as the candidate of his Hindustani Awam Morcha.

"The Jan Suraaj people are making people sign forms pledging support for the party in the by-polls. The voters have been promised cash reward of Rs one lakh each in the event of Jan Suraaj candidate's victory", Mr Manjhi had said.

When asked about the charge, Prashant Kishor, who was on the campaign trail in Tarari, shot back "Does Manjhi realise what he is saying? In almost every assembly segment, there are about two lakh voters. If we are promising to give Rs one lakh to each of them, you can do the math and figure out the total sum involved".

Prashant Kishor added "if Manjhi is convinced that we are sitting on such a huge pile of money, then, being a Union minister, he should get the ED and the CBI unleashed after us. He should also draw the attention of the Election Commission".

The political strategist turned activist claimed the 80 years old had suffered "a loss of mental balance" on account of the realisation that "the real fight in Imamganj is between RJD and Jan Suraaj".

"For Manjhi, politics has been all about his family. But in the very constituency which he believes to be his stronghold, his own daughter-in-law is struggling to be one of the main contenders", claimed Prashant Kishor.

The IPAC founder, who claims to have given up on political consultancy for good, floated the new party earlier this month, vowing to win the Bihar assembly polls next year on its own steam.

The party is also contesting the by-polls to all four assembly seats - Imamganj, Tarari, Belaganj and Ramgarh - which have been necessitated by election of respective MLAs to Lok Sabha.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/TeLVCof
via IFTTT

Congress Releases Second List Of 23 Candidates For Maharashtra Polls

The Congress on Saturday released its second list of 23 candidates for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, fielding a "strong" contender against state Bharatiya Janata Party President Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

Bawankule, who is recontesting Kamthi seat in Nagpur district - which he had bagged in 2004, 2009 and 2014 till he was dropped in 2019, will lock horns with Suresh Y. Bhoyar, a former President of the Nagpur Zila Panchayat.

Similarly, in Savner in Nagpur district, the Congress has fielded Anuja S. Kedar, the wife of former minister and five-term MLA Sunil C. Kedar, who was convicted in a graft case and disqualified. The daughter of the legendary cricket administrator and former Maharashtra Speaker SK Wankhede, whose name adorns the BCCI stadium in Mumbai, Kedar had filed her nomination papers as an Independent, but will now contest on a Congress ticket.

The Congress' second list comes two days after the first list with 48 candidates was issued as the party was purportedly in a tug-of-war with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Shiv Sena-UBT over certain seats in the Vidarbha region.

The others figuring in Saturday's list also include Rajesh Manavatkar (Bhusawal), Swati Wakekar (Jamod), Mahesh Gange (Akot), Shekhar Shende (Wardha), Girish Pandav (Nagpur South), Pooja Thavker (Bhandara), Dalip Banson (Arjuni-Morgaon), Rajkumar Puram (Amgaon), Vasant Purke (Ralegaon), Anil Balasaheb Mangulkar (Yavatmal), Jitendra Moghe (Arni), Sahebrao Kamble (Umarkhed), Kailas Gorantyal (Jalna), and Madhukar Deshmukh (Aurangabad East).

Vijay Patil will contest from Vasai, Kalu Bhadeliya from Kandivali East, Yashwant Singh from Charkop, Ganesh Kumar Yadav from Sion-Koliwada, Hemant Ogle from Srirampur, Abhay K. Salunkhe from Nilanga, and Ganpatrao Patil for Shiro).

Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay alias Balasaheb Thorat is likely to call on NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and SS-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray this afternoon to finalise the remaining seat-sharing ratio, including the number of seats that will be allocated to smaller allies, as the last date for filing nominations (October 29) approaches.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/0zi3m9g
via IFTTT

Nvidia Overtakes Apple As World's Most Valuable Company

Nvidia dethroned Apple as the world's most valuable company on Friday, following a record-setting rally in the stock powered by an insatiable demand for its new supercomputing AI chips.

Nvidia's stock market value briefly touched $3.53 trillion, while that of Apple was $3.52 trillion, according to data from LSEG.

In June, Nvidia briefly became the world's most valuable company, before it was overtaken by Microsoft and Apple. The tech trio's market capitalizations have been neck-and-neck for several months. Microsoft's market value stood at $3.20 trillion.

Nvidia's stock has risen about 18% so far in October, with a string of gains coming after OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced a funding round of $6.6 billion. Nvidia provides chips used to train so-called foundation models such as OpenAI's GPT-4.

"More companies are now embracing artificial intelligence in their everyday tasks and demand remains strong for Nvidia chips," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

"It is certainly in a sweet spot and so long as we avoid a big economic downturn in the United States, there is a feeling that companies will continue to invest heavily in AI capabilities, creating a healthy tailwind for Nvidia."

Nvidia's shares hit a record high on Tuesday, building on a rally from last week when TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, posted a forecast-beating 54% jump in quarterly profit driven by soaring demand for chips used in AI.

The next big test will be when Nvidia reports third-quarter results in November. Nvidia in August forecast third-quarter revenue of $32.5 billion, plus or minus 2%, compared with the current average analyst expectation of $32.90 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore said in a note dated Oct. 10 that he remains "very bullish" about the company longer term, but the recent rally "raises the bar for earnings somewhat".

After a meeting with Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang, Moore noted the ramp up in production of its next-generation Blackwell chips appeared to be "quite strong" and are booked out for 12 months. The stock came under pressure in August after Nvidia confirmed reports that the production of Blackwell chips was delayed until the fourth quarter.

Shares of Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft have an outsized influence on the richly valued technology sector as well as the broader U.S. stock market, with the trio accounting for about a fifth of the S&P 500 index's weightage.

Frenzy around the prospects of AI, expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will considerably bring down interest rates, and most recently, an upbeat start to the earnings season, have pushed the benchmark S&P 500 to an all-time high last week.

Nvidia's massive gains have helped boost the stock's appeal for option traders and the company's options are among the most traded on any given day in recent months, according to data from options analytics provider Trade Alert.

The stock has surged nearly 190% so far this year as a boom in generative AI prompted the company to issue a series of blowout forecasts.

"The question is whether the revenue stream will last for a long time and will be driven by the emotion of investors rather than by any ability to prove or disprove the thesis that AI is overdone," said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments, a family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey.

"I think Nvidia knows that near term, their numbers are likely to be quite remarkable."
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/QHXY8kZ
via IFTTT