BRS working president and legislator K T Rama Rao has dismissed the allegations levelled against him in Formula-E car race issue as “mere accusations without any factual basis”. In a statement here on Saturday, he said the erstwhile BRS government was forced to take the decision to host Formula-E Season 10 due to the lack of sponsors and “there was neither any conspiracy, nor any corruption” involved in it. “It was all aimed at enhancing the image of Hyderabad. It is part of a policy decision intended to organise it even in the next season also”, he asserted. Pointing out that the Election Commission had not issued any notices if there was a violation of the election code, he wanted to know from the leaders in the Congress government on what basis they ventured to question him on behalf of the Election Commission. Quoting the report of the Nielsen Sports Analysis, he highlighted that the Formula E race in Hyderabad had considerable economic impact. The Rs 54 crore payment to the Formula-E organizers was made by the department concerned which he represented as it’s Minister. He questioned the (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Congress leaders as to how the Rs 54 crore payment could become Rs 600 crore as claimed by them. He stated that the figures were unclear and it seemed to be “an attempt to tarnish his reputation”. He explained that the Rs 8 crore mentioned n the issue by the present ruling party were tax returns, which sponsors would cover. He asserted that all payments made through Indian Overseas Bank were in accordance with the rules. The BRS leader emphasized that there was no personal gain involved and that the allegations were politically motivated. He pointed out that if the payments made to the Formula-E organizers amounted to graft, why no case was filed against the organisers. He stated that if any losses were incurred due to Formula-E, that could be the fall out of the ruling party’s irrational decisions and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s lack of foresight. Reiterating his commitment to transparency and accountability in his role as a the then minister, he said that they failed to establish if I was benefitted by even a single rupee from it and dismissed as that owed to Congress Party leaders’ vengeance.
French government falls in historic no-confidence vote
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Shiffrin confirms she'll miss Beaver Creek World Cup racesNew Year's eve plans: What are top trending New Year's resolutions?Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, in Marguerite, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, in Marguerite, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Rescue workers search in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, in Marguerite, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, in Marguerite, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, in Marguerite, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MATTHEW BROWN Swaths of Pennsylvania and many other states are honeycombed with old, unstable mines that can cause the earth to suddenly give way — a phenomenon known as “ mine subsidence ” that poses a threat to people and property. That’s what searchers in Westmoreland County, just southeast of Pittsburgh, fear led to the disappearance of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard . Pollard and a young granddaughter were looking for a lost cat when she went missing Monday evening. At about the same time, a sinkhole appeared roughly 20 feet (6 meters) from where she had parked her car, in an area above an old coal mine. The granddaughter was found safe inside the car hours later, while the difficult and potentially dangerous search for Pollard continues. Mine subsidence has caused billions of dollars in damage in areas of the U.S. where mining once took place. In Pennsylvania alone, coal was mined in nearly half of the state’s 67 counties and there are at least 5,000 abandoned underground mines, leaving behind hazards that officials say can arise at any time. The Marguerite Mine that authorities believe resulted in the sinkhole was last operated in 1952 by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The coal seam in the area is about 20 feet (6 meters) beneath the surface. The state Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene when the search concludes to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence, spokesperson Neil Shader said. There are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the U.S. — far outnumbering those that are still active, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Related Articles National News | Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York National News | US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags In many cases their owners simply walked away from coal or precious metals mines when they became uneconomical to operate and declared bankruptcy, leaving behind safety hazards and costly pollution cleanups that public agencies must handle. Old mines pose myriad dangers , with 381 people killed and 152 injured at abandoned mine sites nationwide between 2000 and 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Victims can fall into hidden shafts, get lost in underground tunnels or perish from poisonous gases present in many old coal mines. Mine shafts can extend hundreds of feet beneath the surface and often are unmarked. State and federal agencies have sealed off many old mines. But more are discovered every year and officials have yet to conduct basic risk analyses on most of the abandoned mines on federal land. Besides the safety hazards, millions of gallons of water loaded with arsenic, lead and other toxic metals flows daily from contaminated mine sites without being treated. Rubinkam reported form northeastern Pennsylvania and Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
Google investing nearly $1B this year in Nebraska; total will hit $4.4B
Mastering WP SEO to Boost Your eCommerce Business’s VisibilityNEWTOWN, Pa. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating potential violations of the federal securities laws involving e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ("e.l.f. Beauty") ELF resulting from allegations of providing potentially misleading business information to the investing public. If you have non-public information that could assist in the e.l.f. Beauty Investigation or if you are an e.l.f. Beauty investor who suffered a loss and would like to learn more, you can provide your information HERE . You can also contact attorneys Eric Lechtzin of Edelson Lechtzin LLP by calling 844-563-5550 ext. 1, or via e-mail at elechtzin@edelson-law.com . THE COMPANY: e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. produces cosmetics and skincare under brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics and Well People. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Oakland, California , e.l.f. Beauty sells products globally through retailers and e-commerce. THE ALLEGED WRONGDOING : On November 20, 2024 , Muddy Waters Research released a report disclosing its short position in e.l.f. Beauty. The report accused the company of significantly overstating its revenue over the last three quarters. According to Muddy Waters, e.l.f. Beauty allegedly inflated its revenue and profits starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 to conceal declining growth. The report also claimed that the company's inventory figures were artificially inflated to account for uncollected cash. THE REVELATION: On this news, e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.'s stock fell 15% in intraday trading on November 20, 2024 . ABOUT EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP: Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California . In addition to cases involving securities and investment fraud , our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud , and catastrophic injuries. For more information, please contact: Marc H. Edelson, Esq. Eric Lechtzin, Esq. EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP 411 S. State Street, Suite N-300 Newtown, PA 18940 Phone: 844-696-7492 ext. 1 Email: medelson@edelson-law.com Email: elechtzin@edelson-law.com Web: www.edelson-law.com This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/investigation-alert-edelson-lechtzin-llp-announces-investigation-elf-beauty-inc-nyse-elf-and-encourages-investors-with-substantial-losses-or-witnesses-with-relevant-information-to-contact-the-firm-302315883.html SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Assad’s uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria’s new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad’s rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country’s religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country’s new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkey’s hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkey and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women’s groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women’s rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don’t accept any role for women.” While the country’s new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. “Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization. “... Women’s rights should not be ignored.” ___ Associated Press writers Hogir Abdo in Hasaka, Syria, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this reportShoppers bemused as Easter eggs hit shop shelves before New Year’s Eve
Shoppers have been left bemused after spotting Easter eggs on supermarket shelves before New Year’s Eve. With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 next year, customers shared their confusion on social media after finding chocolate eggs and hot cross buns already for sale in shops including Morrisons, Tesco and Asda. One user, @Jingle1991, shared an image of Malteser Bunnies in Sainsbury’s on Christmas Eve and pointed out: “Jesus hasn’t even been born yet.” Meanwhile, Gary Evans from Margate shared a shot of Creme Eggs on display in Morrisons in Margate on Boxing Day. “I just think its crazy that everything is so superficial and meaninglessly commercial... (there’s) something quite frantic about it,” the 66-year-old told the PA news agency. Joseph Robinson found Easter confectionary including Cadbury Mini Eggs, and themed Kit-Kat and Kinder Surprise products at his local Morrisons in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday evening. “It’s funny, as they’ve not even managed to shift the Christmas chocolates off the shelves yet and they’re already stocking for Easter,” the 35-year-old admin support worker told PA. “I wish that Supermarkets weren’t so blatantly consumerist-driven and would actually allow customers and staff a time to decompress during the Christmas period.” Asked if he was tempted to make a purchase, Mr Robinson added: “As a vegan it holds no appeal to me!” Mike Chalmers, a devout Christian from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was slightly less critical after spotting a display entitled: “Celebrate this Easter with Cadbury.” “Christmas and Easter are the two centrepoints of the Christian good news story so it’s no bad thing to see the connections,” the 44-year-old said. “It’s about more than shapes of chocolate though!” Marketing consultant Andrew Wallis admitted he was surprised to see Easter eggs in the Co-op in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, but added it also illustrates “forward-thinking” from big businesses. “It made me reflect on how big brands are always thinking ahead and planning early,” the 54-year-old from the Isle of Man, who provides marketing advice to the fitness industry, told PA. “My message to retailers would be: while planning ahead is important, it’s also essential to be mindful of consumer sentiment. “Some might feel it’s too early for seasonal products like this but others might see it as a sign of forward-thinking. “Striking the right balance is key to keeping customers happy.”CDC chief urges focus on health threats as agency confronts political changesAP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:46 p.m. EST
Toddler Convinces Family to Adopt Cat Abandoned by Neighbors—'Welcome Home'
Alert For Tourists Visiting J&K: Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Life In Kashmir; Flights, Rail Services Suspended, Jammu-Srinagar Highway ClosedLegendary singer-songwriter Elton John has said he had to delay the release of his upcoming album due to an eye infection that has significantly impaired his vision. Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, the 77-year-old said he has not been able to see out of his right eye for four months, impacting his ability to work. Elton John lost sight in his right eye following a severe eye infection. Credit: AP “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France ... And my left eye’s not the greatest,” he said. “I’m kind of stuck at the moment because I can do something like this [interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know because I can’t see a lyric for a start.” During a speech at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony last year, John revealed he had a new album on the way with lyricist Bernie Taupin. It would mark his first studio album including all original material since Wonderful Crazy Night in 2016. However, his eye infection has delayed its release. “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen, and it kind of floored me. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” John said. The pop star is undergoing unspecified treatment and remains optimistic he will recover. “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK. At the moment, that’s really what we’re concentrating on.” The interview comes almost three months after he told fans on social media that he had contracted a severe eye infection that left him with limited sight in the impacted eye. “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process,” he wrote on Instagram in September. Despite his impaired vision, John has made multiple appearances over the past few months, including joining pop star Dua Lipa on stage at her Royal Albert Hall concert in October, where they performed their popular duet Cold Heart . Loading The EGOT winner, who retired from touring last year, also attended the premiere of his new Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late , in both London and Toronto. Directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, the documentary tracks John’s 50-year career, as he prepared for his final concert at the Dodger Stadium in the US. “I’m so proud of the documentary. I’m proud of my sons. I’m proud of my attitude toward myself and what’s going on,” he said. “I’m just very lucky and I’m very grateful.” John became an EGOT winner at the 2023 Emmy Awards in January after winning the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. However, he was unable to attend as he was recovering from knee replacement surgery, which he underwent at the beginning of the year. He had a second knee replacement on his other knee in March. “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” he joked while at a screening of his documentary at the New York Film Festival in October. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Live music Elton John Nell Geraets is a Culture and Lifestyle reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Culture Loading(Reuters) -A gunman shot and wounded two children at a California elementary school on Wednesday before shooting himself dead, the local sheriff's department said. The shooting occurred at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville, California, located about 55 miles (89 km) north of Sacramento, the Butte County Sheriff's office said by telephone. Megan McMann, a spokesperson for the Butte County Sheriff's Office, said that officers responded quickly to reports of an unidentified adult male firing shots at students on campus at 1:09 p.m. By the time deputies arrived, the man was dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gun wound, McMann said. "Two students sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to local hospitals for treatment," McMann said, adding that she did not know their conditions. There is as yet no known motive for the shooting nor has the gunman been identified, McMann said. In a post on social media, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said that students were being taken to a nearby church. McMann said an investigation is ongoing and officers are trying to determine whether the suspected gunman had a connection to the school. The Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serves children from kindergarten to the eighth grade, roughly from ages 5 to 13, according to its website. (Reporting by Brad Brooks, Costas Pitas and Daniel Trotta; editing by Rami Ayyub and Sandra Maler) Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .
Influencer, 21, who does dares for money dies on Boxing Day after being 'paid £700 to down an entire bottle of whisky'AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:46 p.m. EST