Sizing up the growth outlookNone
UBS published their highest conviction investment ideas for next year - falling USD is one
When the Nkandla cock crowed on the men of God Once upon a time, Jacob Zuma, the globally renowned shepherd of the ANC’s “broad church”, found himself at the pulpit of a new congregation – the All African Alliance Movement. Together, they formed what many thought was a holy alliance with the MKP, a marriage of prayer and politics aimed at shaking up the 2024 elections. But, as the bishops ironed their -finest suits for a triumphant entrance into parliament, their dreams were dashed quicker than you could say “amen”. Bishops Meshack Tebe and Sophonia Tsekedi were allegedly sent packing not with a ceremonial farewell but with WhatsApp expulsion letters! Yes, you read that right, holy men treated like side chicks – with a break-up text. The clergy now accuse Msholozi of pulling a “Peter”– denying them not once, not twice, but three times before the parly cock had a chance to crow. Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video contentThe Dallas Cowboys (3-7) visit the Washington Commanders (7-4) on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Commanders Field and will aim to break a five-game losing streak. What channel is Commanders vs. Cowboys on? What time is Commanders vs. Cowboys? The Commanders and the Cowboys play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Commanders vs. Cowboys betting odds, lines, spread Commanders vs. Cowboys recent matchups Commanders schedule Cowboys schedule NFL week 12 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record highA British mother of three has died at a remote retreat in the Amazon rainforest that specialises in “plant ceremonies” involving psychedelic drugs. Maureen Rainford, 54, a social worker from Romford in Essex, paid £800 for a ten-day stay last month at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat in Bolivia. The retreat describes itself as “an ideal environment to heal, expand consciousness and connect with the wonders of the Amazon”. Her daughter Rochel, 32, said that she was informed by a member of staff named Eric that her mother had suffered a “medical emergency” while on site. Others told her that Rainford collapsed ten minutes after drinking a tea brewed with ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic which is an illegal class A drug in Britain.
We might've bid farewell to beach season 2024, but Sharks still abound! Well, at least those of the cleaning appliance variety — and one in particular has our attention. The has tens of thousands of five-star ratings, with shoppers praising its self-emptying and mapping capabilities, as well as the fact that it works like a champ at dislodging pet hair from floors of all types. But what we're most excited about? The price, which has been slashed by a wild $300 over at Amazon during their Black Friday sales event. You'd be wise to add it to your cart before this deal swims away... (Psst: For even more savings, check out our roundups of the best and the best overall.) With detailed home-mapping functionalities, this dust-zapper is about to get up close and personal with your floors (while you get some R&R on the couch). Seeing a home essential from a respected brand like Shark on sale for 50% off always makes our ears perk up — but this markdown is particularly special because it brings the price down to the best it's been since Prime Day. Yes, it's still an investment at $300, but just think of how much time and effort it'll save you. And the fact that it empties itself once it's done cleaning? Downright priceless. Need another selling point? This collection bin can hold up to of dust and debris. That means you could go as long as two months without having to clean it out, saving you even more time. As far as its actually vacuuming performance is concerned, this small yet mighty robovac is powerful enough to zap up everything from the kids' crumbs to Fido's fur, and its 360° LiDAR vision allows it to sense and move around any larger objects and furniture it comes across. The Matrix Clean feature encourages it to work in a grid pattern for more thorough coverage, and you can schedule cleanings or ask it to focus on a specific area via the SharkClean app or even your voice (it is, of course, compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant). This shark has a sea of admirers out there — more than 21,000 of 'em on Amazon alone. Pros 👍 "Every night, our little cleaning buddy hoovers up all the crumbs and dog hair," raved a . "We walk down to beautiful vacuum stripes on our carpet. What amazed me most is that it even vacuums on our high-pile rug!" "I wouldn’t trade it for three maids," said . "Just set the schedule and forget it, or press the button for vacuuming anytime friends may be coming over. I have two long-haired cats, but I don’t have to worry about fur on the floor." "Its navigation system maneuvers around obstacles, making sure every inch of my home is spotless," gushed a . "The convenience of voice control and the app scheduling feature has made managing cleaning tasks a breeze. ... Plus, the self-emptying dustbin and washable filters make maintenance hassle-free. When down with back pain, I am still able to have clean floors." Cons 👎 "Its mapping technology is great," wrote a . "It scanned our 3,000-square-foot house perfectly on the first try. ... Only con I’ve noticed so far is you can’t add a new room without completely remapping house. It only takes 30 minutes total, but still." "My only complaint is that if it is trying to clean in the kitchen while I'm cooking or in the living room when I'm trying to do Zoomba, it is impossible to take it somewhere else and let it clean there without shutting it out of the room you want to be in," explained a . "If you don't close the door, it will just return to the place where it left off and clean. This is great when it needs to empty itself in the middle of a run, but not so great when you want it to leave you alone. But pausing it or closing it in another room works. No product is perfect, but this one is pretty close!" This Shark might be smart, but grabbing it for 50% off is a certified genius move. True, this robovac doesn't have a mopping feature, but this Yahoo editor-approved find will take care of that: This isn't your average floor-cleaning duo: For starters, it practically cleans itself, thanks to its nifty wash chamber and wringing system. Plus, it has a 360° mophead for getting into corners and crevices along with an extendable handle that'll keep you from having to bend or crouch. Oh, and you'll also get three reusable microfiber mop pads. Check out our full for more. If you have , you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) See all of . Shop the best expert-picked on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for . And find to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you. DeWalt 20V Cordless Handheld Vacuum Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet Dry Vacuum ArtiGifts Pro Outdoor Faucet Cover, 2-Pack Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls, Pack of 6 CGK Unlimited Sheet Set, Queen Fab Totes Clothes Storage Bags, 6-Pack Vibelite Telescoping Magnetic Pick Up Tool Pocaland Bidet Attachment Saker Mini Chain Saw Levoit 4L Smart Cool Mist Humidifier Morento Air Purifier Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus Heater and Fan Kitinjoy 100% Cotton Kitchen Dish Cloths, 6-Pack JoyJolt JoyFul Food Storage Containers, 24 Pieces Best Choice Products 6-Foot Artificial Christmas Tree Henckels Knife Set, 15-Piece KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Squishmallows Tahoe Tortoiseshell Cat Lego Icons Plum Blossom Building Set Pillow Pets Bluey Afunx Magnetic Tiles Lego Disney Advent Calendar 2024None
'Britain Doesn't Have 5,000 Missiles': Zelensky's Aide Drops Bombshell As Russia Readies For WW3Fleet Management Market: Set to Reach $85.24B by 2031, 14.3% CAGR 11-24-2024 09:22 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Fleet Management Market Scope: Key Insights : Fleet Management Market is valued at USD 25.60 Billion in 2022, and it is anticipated to attain a value of USD 29.26 Billion by 2023 to 85.24 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 14.30% over the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/fleet-management-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/fleet-management-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Fleet Management Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Fleet Management market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Fleet Management Market Research Report: Verizon Connect (US) Geotab (Canada) Bridgestone (Japan) Motive (US) Michelin (France) Gurtam (Belarus) Via Transportation (US) Fleetroot (UAE) Ruptela (Lithuania) Freeway Fleet Systems (UK) Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Fleet Management market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Fleet Management market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Fleet Management market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Fleet Management segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Fleet Management market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Fleet Management market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Fleet Management market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/fleet-management-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.
:Youth Congress state president and UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil achieved a historic victory in the Palakkad assembly byelection, winning the seat by a record margin of 18,840 votes. Rahul exceeded the previous victory margin held by Shafi Parambil, who won the election with a then-record margin of 17,483 votes. The Palakkad bypoll was necessitated by the election of Shafi Parambil to the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency in May. BJP's C Krishna Kumar was unable to mount a significant challenge against the Congress candidate. The BJP's vote share decreased by 10,671 votes compared to the 2021 elections when their candidate, Metro Man E Sreedharan, secured 50,220 votes. Krishna Kumar only managed to receive 39,549 votes. The CPM-backed independent candidate P Sarin, who switched to the LDF from Congress after being denied a ticket, secured 37,293 votes. The decrease in BJP's vote share was attributed to the party's poor performance in urban areas, which were considered its strongholds. The Congress managed to garner significant support, preventing the BJP from making substantial gains from the outset. The CPM-led LDF, which nominated Sarin with the aim of attracting non-political votes, did not achieve the expected results. He could only ensure an increase of 860 votes for the LDF compared to last assembly elections. The CPM's controversial advertisements on the eve of polling, which highlighted past anti-Muslim social media posts by Sandeep Varier, appeared to backfire on the Left camp. Varier who was the star spokesman of the BJP had joined the Congress a couple of days before the polling on November 13. The Congress leadership accused the CPM of stirring communal sentiments to help the BJP. Kerala PCC President K Sudhakaran MP stated that the state's populace has decisively defeated the BJP, asserting, "The BJP will no longer be able to make a comeback in Kerala. Their communal propaganda and financial strategies have failed." LDF Convener T P Ramakrishnan attributed the UDF's victory in Palakkad to the support from communal entities such as SDPI and Jamat-e-Islami. BJP State President K Surendran claimed that all communal forces united against their candidate and remarked that the 2021 vote share should not be considered a benchmark since 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan had attracted a significant number of independent votes. He also mentioned that the party plans to probe the decrease in vote share in urban regions.Fears over losing out on £1million Lotto jackpot due to little-known mistake after hidden rule in smallprint is revealed
Share Tweet Share Share Email The NASDAQ Tower , often referred to as the “NASDAQ Market Site Tower,” is one of the world’s most iconic digital billboards, situated in the heart of Times Square, New York City. Towering at 120 feet and encompassing an impressive 10,000 square feet of display area, it stands as a symbol of innovation, visibility, and cultural relevance. Its prominent location in one of the most bustling tourist destinations in the world ensures that the NASDAQ Tower is a prime spot for advertisers seeking unparalleled exposure. A Rich Historical Legacy The NASDAQ Tower was first unveiled on November 18, 1999, during the peak of the dot-com boom. At the time, NASDAQ was asserting its dominance as the fastest-growing stock exchange, particularly within the technology sector. Initially designed with a circular cube displaying the NASDAQ logo, the tower’s LED lights projected stock prices, financial news, and other data, serving as a beacon of the financial world. In 2003, the NASDAQ Tower underwent a significant redesign, replacing its original structure with a modern flat screen. This upgrade allowed for dynamic and visually captivating advertisements, news updates, and cultural announcements. Over the years, the billboard has not only become a vital part of Times Square’s vibrant landscape but has also been a stage for marking significant global moments. Events such as Barack Obama’s presidential victory in 2008 and announcements like the capture of Osama bin Laden have been commemorated on this screen, further cementing its place in history. A Platform for Global Brands The NASDAQ Tower has attracted world-renowned companies and organizations eager to leverage its unmatched visibility. Over the years, its bright, high-definition screen has showcased campaigns from some of the most recognized names in the world: Apple : In 2013, Apple utilized the billboard to launch its groundbreaking iPhone 5S and 5C models. Coca-Cola : The global beverage giant featured its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund in 2011, promoting efforts to protect polar bears. Amazon : In 2019, Amazon used the platform to drive attention to Prime Day, one of its biggest shopping events. Netflix : The streaming giant announced the third season of Stranger Things in 2019, captivating audiences. NASA : In 2012, the billboard celebrated the Mars Rover’s successful landing, a pivotal achievement in space exploration. United Nations : In 2011, the U.N. utilized the screen to promote World Humanitarian Day, drawing attention to critical global issues. These examples highlight the NASDAQ Tower’s versatility and its role as a prime advertising hub for brands and organizations aiming to leave an indelible mark. End-of-Year Special Offer As the year comes to a close, businesses have the unique opportunity to capitalize on the NASDAQ Tower’s advertising potential through an exclusive end-of-year promotion . This special package includes extensive advertising benefits designed to maximize visibility and impact: Ad Display : Your advertisement will appear on the NASDAQ Tower 200-300 times in a single day, with each display lasting 15 seconds, ensuring broad and repeated exposure to millions of viewers. Professional Media Coverage : High-quality photos and video recordings of your ad will be professionally captured and provided to you on the same day, perfect for leveraging across digital and social platforms. Press Release Distribution : Your campaign will be featured in a press release published on over 100 prominent media outlets, including Business Insider, Benzinga, AsiaOne, Barchart, and DigitalJournal, significantly amplifying your reach. The NASDAQ Tower continues to represent the intersection of finance, technology, and culture. Its enduring legacy and vast advertising potential make it a highly coveted platform for brands seeking to enhance their visibility and influence. With its prime location, global recognition, and the current special offer, this is a remarkable opportunity for businesses to close out the year with a bold statement in the heart of Times Square. Related Items: Advertising on Times Square , Business marketing on NASDAQ , NASDAQ , NASDAQ branding opportunity , Nasdaq Tower Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Nasdaq Tower Billboard Now Available for 1-Day Rentals Instead of 1-Month Nasdaq Becomes Premier Partner of ABA Avram Miller Talks About Renovaro And Its Impact In Diagnosing Cancers and Infectious Diseases With AI CommentsFrom being unsafe in the family home to having parents or caregivers who’ve forbidden their return, youth are not immune to becoming part of the country’s growing population of people without housing. That’s why Cobourg’s Rebound Child and Youth Services (Rebound) offers programs and continues to develop new resources to prevent youth homelessness in Northumberland. The not-for-profit agency that supports children, youth, and families has announced it’s a local beneficiary of the Home Depot Canada Foundation’s “Holiday Orange Door Project Campaign” combatting homelessness, which runs until December 22 at the Cobourg Home Depot and online. “We know that youth experiencing unstable housing is growing in our community,” Rebound’s executive director Sam Rockbrune told kawarthaNOW. “Funds raised through this campaign will help us provide supports, such as mental health services and our family wellness hub, to take preventative steps for youth homelessness. Rebound is already working on prevention for youth homelessness with our current programs and rolling out exciting new programs in the new year.” Rebound services offer a private and confidential process that can assist children, youth, and their families with options and resources for programming. The organization believes that the most effective services are those that are provided in a responsive and respectful manner and in a partnership with families. The agency serves more than 1,800 young people each year. In 2018, Rebound partnered with Northumberland County Community & Social Services to deliver the trusteeship program for youth aged 16 to 17 receiving Ontario Works (OW). “At the time, I was the trusteeship caseworker, and the case load was 13 individuals,” recalled Krystyne Gillespie, Rebound’s outreach and fund development manager, adding the case load has since quadrupled. “We see approximately 50 to 60 individuals per year, with around 40 to 45 of those (youth) continuing to need support through the program,” she said. “The trusteeship is not just about receiving financial support through OW. Our goal is for the youth to stay in school, graduate and go on to post-secondary education or into the workforce.” Rebound provides clients with emotional health supports, access to food and clothing items, and strives to serve as a bridge to other resources, as necessary. The agency saw, on average, two unsheltered youth per year in the first few years of the program. “So far in 2024, we currently have seven youth who are experiencing homelessness,” Gillespie noted. She said Rebound is aware of a large number of youths who are living with grandparents or other family members to provide space between them and their parents, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Youth homelessness is often unseen, as youth are resilient and will find places to stay or couch-surf,” she said. “I would encourage parents to ask questions if their child is having a friend sleep over more often or throughout the week.” “Ultimately, Rebound hopes to prevent youth homelessness by helping families creating stronger bonds, building their skills around communication and conflict management, for example. Families that learn together, grow together, (and) hopefully stay together.” As for the Holiday Orange Door Project Campaign, customers can donate during checkout at the Cobourg Home Depot or by visiting and selecting Cobourg as the location for their donation. All local donations will help Rebound provide counselling and therapy, youth justice diversion, youth homelessness prevention programs, along with family and parenting support services. Since 2022, the Cobourg Home Depot has raised over $25,000 for Rebound through the Orange Door Project fundraising campaign, an initiative of the Home Depot Canada Foundation. The foundation is a Canadian registered charity supporting 127 organizations across the country that are committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness. To create new paths for youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of doing so, the foundation will invest $125 million by 2030.
Social Media Management Market Size, Share, Trends, Company Profiles, Emerging Technologies, Industry Growth, Segments, Landscape, and Demand by Forecast until 2031Indian billionaire Gautam Adani addresses delegates during the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata, India, on April 20, 2022. RUPAK DE CHOWDHURI/Reuters Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec opened an office in India in 2016, betting that the country’s favourable demographics would fuel returns in renewable energy and transportation infrastructure. Now, the Canadian pension giant has become entangled in what U.S. authorities call “an elaborate scheme” to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes in the Asian country. Federal prosecutors in New York unveiled charges late Wednesday against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and seven other individuals, including three former Caisse executives. They allege the 62-year-old tycoon and managers from energy subsidiaries of his business conglomerate conspired in a scheme to pay roughly US$250-million in bribes to Indian government officials. The payments were allegedly to help secure favourable contracts tied to a major solar energy project. As part of the indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, N.Y., charged Cyril Cabanes, a former CDPQ managing director of infrastructure for the Asia Pacific region, with conspiracy to obstruct justice. Saurabh Agarwal, former managing director of CDPQ India, and Deepak Malhotra, a former director of infrastructure for South Asia at the Caisse, were charged with the same offences. The Caisse itself has not been accused of any wrongdoing. But observers say the charges raise questions about how aggressively the Montreal-based pension fund manager is pushing into new countries, how deeply the executives it hires to represent it in those countries are vetted and whether its processes for making investment decisions are robust. In all, the Caisse had US$7-billion in investments in India as of the end of 2023. Caisse-controlled Azure Power, a renewable energy developer in India, is near the centre of the U.S. allegations. “This appears to be a culture of bribery and collusion at the very highest levels of this company in India,” said François Dauphin, chief executive of Montreal’s Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations. “Private placements can generate high returns, but it is situations like these that fully illustrate the level of risk associated with such projects.” Prosecutors allege that the three former Caisse executives tried to thwart an investigation by deleting e-mails and presentations that summarized the bribes, and misled investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Justice Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The allegations have not been proven in court. The scheme was concealed from U.S. banks and investors, from whom the defendants raised billions of dollars, according to the allegations. Mr. Adani is one of the world’s richest people, with an estimated net worth of nearly US$70-billion, according to Forbes, and he has close ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a parallel civil lawsuit, the SEC charged Mr. Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, executives of Adani Green Energy and Mr. Cabanes, in his capacity as a former director of Caisse-controlled Azure Power, “for conduct arising out of a massive bribery scheme.” According to the SEC, the Adanis orchestrated the scheme with Mr. Cabanes’s participation to allow the two renewable energy companies to capitalize on a multibillion-dollar solar energy project awarded by the Indian government. The Caisse has been invested in Azure Power from its beginning as a public company, buying US$75-million of shares at $18 apiece in its October, 2016, initial public offering. It bought more shares on the open market and also participated in several more stock offerings. Together with the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, the two pension funds owned 75 per cent of Azure Power as of September, 2022, and had rights to name directors on its board. Initially, Azure Power seemed to be an ideal investment. The company says it installed India’s first private utility-scale solar project in 2009 and that it owns and operates the largest single-site solar project in India. It also says it was the first Indian power company to list on the New York Stock Exchange, subjecting it to U.S. securities law and regulation. By the end of 2022, though, things had soured . In April of that year, Azure announced the resignation of then-CEO Ranjit Gupta and in August, the resignation of his replacement, Harsh Shah, after less than two months on the job. It also disclosed the existence of a whistle-blower complaint alleging “potential procedural irregularities and misconduct by certain employees” at a plant belonging to one of its subsidiaries. Azure said that it discovered deviations from safety and quality norms and “evidence of manipulation of project data and information by certain employees.” The company said at the time that it was implementing remedial measures and would be late in filing its annual report. Its stock subsequently crashed, wiping out hundreds of millions of dollars of value from investment portfolios held by the Caisse and OMERS. Behind the scenes, executives and agents with Adani and Azure had already hatched plans to bribe government officials as a way to get their contracts with state power companies moving, U.S. authorities allege. Mr. Agarwal and Mr. Malhotra, who were based in India, first learned about Mr. Adani’s bribery strategy in late 2021 and shared that information with Mr. Cabanes, according to the indictment. When communicating about the scheme, the filing alleges, they often referred to Mr. Adani and another defendant by code names such as “Numero uno” and “the big man.” In the spring of 2022, Mr. Adani and two other executives met with Azure representatives to provide details of the bribery scheme. Mr. Adani said at the meeting that the Canadian investor, namely the Caisse, “had approved the corrupt agreement,” according to the indictment. The billionaire presented “multiple options” by which Azure could hide its share of the bribe payments, including by transferring a block of power purchase agreements from Azure to Adani Green. How Azure would pay its US$83-million share was hotly discussed by Mr. Cabanes and others, according to the SEC lawsuit. The former Caisse executive asked at one point: “Is there a commercially doable deal here?” by which he meant a seemingly legitimate transaction to compensate Adani Green and the Adanis for its portion of the bribes, according to the SEC. Eventually Azure transferred a valuable 2.3 gigawatt power purchase contract back to the Solar Energy Corp. of India, which was then picked up by Adani. Mr. Cabanes repeatedly directed Azure’s chairman at the time to withhold information related to the potential deal with Adani from others, including from senior personnel at Azure and CDPQ. He also tried to stymie an investigation by a special committee of the Azure board of directors. Asked to comment Wednesday, the Caisse said in an e-mailed statement: “CDPQ is aware of charges filed in the U.S. against certain former employees. Those employees were all terminated in 2023 and CDPQ is co-operating with U.S. authorities. In light of the pending cases, we have no further comment at this time.” The pension fund, which manages $452-billion in assets, did not respond to questions sent to its media relations team Thursday. Neither Mr. Cabanes nor Mr. Agarwal responded to messages asking for comment. Mr. Malhotra could not be reached. For Mr. Adani, the fallout Thursday was immediate. President William Ruto of Kenya said that he has cancelled a multimillion-dollar airport expansion in the capital, Nairobi, as well as a deal to build power transmission lines with Adani companies, the Associated Press reported. Bloomberg said the Adani Group’s stocks and bonds plunged, wiping nearly US$30-billion off the conglomerate’s market value, while the broader Indian market fell and the leading opposition party demanded the tycoon’s arrest. The Adani Group denied the allegations, calling them “baseless.” It vowed to take legal action in response.
Reliance Industries Arm to Acquire 45% Stake in Health Alliance Group for $10 Million
Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in BarcelonaRomanian leftist PM and hard-right candidate in a tie after initial presidential election round, partial results show