7bet download Thunderstorms, humid conditions to continue across the Hunter | live updates

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. “I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.” Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. “It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen said. “But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend.” His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. “I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body’s not moving very well and you’ve got to move your hands,” said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with how I played.” Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. “Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton said. “We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri described “the Israeli occupying forces’ hostilities as blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement” as Lebanese authorities reported that at least two people were killed on Monday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Berri called on the committee responsible for monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the Israeli army and Hezbollah to “urgently start carrying out its duties and oblige Israel to stop its violations and withdraw from the areas it invaded before anything else.” Hezbollah “is committed to its pledges,” Berri said. More than 54 Israeli breaches have been recorded, said Berri, who handled the ceasefire negotiations with the US envoy after being delegated to do so by Hezbollah. Berri’s protest came as the ministry of health said one person was killed in an Israeli drone attack near the electricity plant in Marjayoun. Lebanon’s state security said an Israeli drone strike killed a member of its forces — Cpl. Mahdi Khreis — while he was on duty in Nabatieh, 12 kilometers from the border. State security called it a “flagrant violation” of the truce. Security sources said Israeli attacks struck sites deep inside Lebanon. An Israeli drone fired three missiles at Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali village on the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Israeli army said it attacked military vehicles operating near Hezbollah military infrastructure in Bekaa, Lebanon. The Lebanese army said an Israeli drone struck an army bulldozer carrying out construction work at the Al-Abbara military center in the Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali area of Hermel, injuring a soldier. The Israeli army said that it was aware of the attack and that the incident was under investigation. Israeli breaches continued in the area invaded by the Israeli army, including demolishing houses and private and public facilities and carrying out airstrikes against Bint Jbeil, Maroun Al-Ras and Aitaroun, injuring one person. The Israeli army imposed a curfew on residents of the invaded area for specific hours. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee continued to warn residents of this area, which includes more than 50 villages, against going back to their houses at the moment. Many residents fled the area 14 months ago. Berri denounced “the Israeli occupying forces’ hostilities, including demolishing homes in Lebanese border villages, carrying out air raids on Lebanese territories, as well as the latest strikes in Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali, Hermel, and Jdeidet Marjayoun, which resulted in casualties.” Berri said the Israeli actions “are blatant breaches of the ceasefire agreement, effective since 4 a.m. on Nov. 27, to which Lebanon fully adheres.” Berri questioned “the silence of the technical committee tasked with monitoring the agreement,” highlighting Israeli offences. He emphasized that “Lebanon and the resistance remain committed to their pledges.” Media reports stated that US envoy Amos Hochstein, who handled the ceasefire negotiations, sent a message to Israel regarding its “violations of the ceasefire agreement.” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed that Israel “adheres to the ceasefire agreement.” But, he claimed, the 60-day period for the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the areas it invaded according to the agreement is “a gradual process to ensure Hezbollah's threat is gone.” Hagari told Sky News Arabia: “Israel’s primary concern is to ensure its security and that it is not exposed to any threats.” He said the Lebanese people “must ensure that the border areas with Israel are free of weapons that threaten Israel's security.” According to a security source, the Israeli forces in a new incursion infiltrated the area near the Mays Al-Jabal government hospital. “These forces regard this location as part of their operational zone, having established a boundary restricting Lebanese residents from returning to their towns following the ceasefire implementation.” the source said, adding that the situation was expected to persist until the forces withdraw within 60 days. Adraee reiterated the Israeli prohibition on X: “Until further notice, movement south of the line of villages: Shebaa, Al-Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Shaqra, Baraashit, Yater, and Mansouri, and the surrounding areas of these villages is restricted.” He said that “anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves at risk.” The mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement is scheduled to commence at the beginning of this week. The monitoring committee includes the US, France, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL representatives. The French Foreign Ministry said that Paris had informed Israel of the need for all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement. Over the past weekend, it said French authorities observed 52 violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel in the space of 24 hours. Hezbollah, citing repeated Israeli ceasefire violations, carried out a strike on an Israeli military position late on Monday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said Hezbollah's firing toward army positions "will be met with a harsh response." Hezbollah targeted the Kfar Shuba hills within the Shebaa Farms around 6 p.m. for the first time since the ceasefire went into effect. A political observer described Hezbollah's action as "a calculated response, as the Shebaa Farms are not included in the 1701 Agreement and therefore are not included in the ceasefire." Israeli media reported that two missiles were detected crossing from Lebanon into the Mount Dov area and falling in an open area, and two explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site in the Kfar Shuba Heights. A Hezbollah statement said that the military operation it carried out was "in response to the repeated violations by Israel of the declared cessation of hostilities agreement, which took various forms, including firing on civilians and airstrikes in different parts of Lebanon, which led to the martyrdom of citizens and the injury of others, in addition to the continued violation of Lebanese airspace by hostile Israeli aircraft, reaching the capital Beirut." "Since the reviews of the relevant authorities to stop these violations did not succeed, Hezbollah carried out an initial warning defensive response targeting the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site belonging to the Israeli army in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills." The Israeli army later carried out raids on towns within the zone it declared south of the Litani Line. In other developments, the Lebanese government has increased its meetings to deliberate on strategies to deal with the piles of debris resulting from the Israeli demolition of residential structures. The move came as those displaced began to return to their homes in the less-affected regions of the southern suburbs of Beirut, the South, and Bekaa. Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said: “We are faced with the challenge of reconstruction, everything that has to do with removing the rubble and where to put it. There will be full coordination with the relevant ministries and bodies.” After a meeting with the governors, he said that the “army and general security protect the Lebanese borders.” The minister asked the governors to “constantly cooperate with the security forces and hold sub-security council meetings to discuss what may happen.” The Beirut Southern Suburb Union of Municipalities said it continues to work on opening main and secondary roads by pushing rubble aside. Data, including the names of residents, were circulated and showed that Hezbollah had started counting the people who were affected and surveying the damaged areas. Meanwhile, the Islamic Gathering of Engineers has launched a drive to “recruit engineers and architects who wish to take part in the surveying and reconstruction efforts.”LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein was carted off the field and taken to a hospital with a left leg injury sustained while being sacked in the first quarter of Saturday's Atlantic Coast Conference game at Louisville. The redshirt freshman's left ankle was caught at an awkward angle beneath Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte's hip on a twisting tackle for a 4-yard loss at midfield. Panthers medical personnel rushed to Holstein's aid, with a cart arriving quickly on the field within minutes. Holstein’s leg was placed in a boot before he was helped onto the cart. He gave a thumbs-up to nearby teammates as he left the field to applause before being taken a hospital. Holstein started for the Panthers (7-3, 3-3 ACC) after missing last week’s 24-20 home loss to No. 17 Clemson with a head injury sustained in the previous game against Virginia while sliding at the end of a run. He left an Oct. 24 game against Syracuse after taking a hit, but returned against SMU the following week. Holstein completed 3 of 4 passes for 51 yards before being intercepted in the end zone by Louisville's Stanquan Clark on the game-opening possession. He was relieved by junior Nate Yarnell. 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-footballAmazon doubles down on AI startup Anthropic with another $4 bln

Ottawa police seek missing 67-year-old man

NEW HOPE, Pa. -- Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com, including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband's 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company's anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” "I kept modeling, but in a different way," she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.' Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website . Haddon's daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.

TransMedics Appoints Gerardo Hernandez as Chief Financial Officer and Provides Updated 2024 Financial Outlook

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man was convicted Thursday of killing two men and wounding a third in a shooting at a high school basketball game three years ago. Jadon Hardiman, 21, was found guilty in Gibson County of charges including second-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, district attorney Frederick Agee said in a statement. He faces up to 76 years in prison at sentencing in April. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

None

No. 7 Mercer stages 4th-quarter comeback to top No. 10 Rhode Island 17-10, advances to FCS semifinalFederal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel.

CarMax Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsFREMONT, Calif. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX). Today, the U.S. government announced additional measures to further restrict semiconductor technology exports to China . Our initial assessment is that the effect of the announced measures on Lam's business will be broadly consistent with our prior expectations. As a result, at this time we have no plans to update Lam's financial guidance for the December 2024 quarter as stated in our earnings press release on October 23, 2024 . About Lam Research Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam's equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today, nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwavering commitment to our customers. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif. , with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com . (LRCX) Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Statements made in this press release that are not of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to but are not limited to the effect of U.S. government restrictions on semiconductor technology exports to China , the effect of such measures on Lam's business, and our outlook and guidance for future financial results. Some factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include: trade regulations, export controls, trade disputes, and other geopolitical tensions may inhibit our ability to sell our products; our understanding of newly announced trade restrictions and their impact on our business may change over time; business, political and/or regulatory conditions in the consumer electronics industry, the semiconductor industry and the overall economy may deteriorate or change; the actions of our customers and competitors may be inconsistent with our expectations; supply chain cost increases and other inflationary pressures have impacted and may continue to impact our profitability; supply chain disruptions or manufacturing capacity constraints may limit our ability to manufacture and sell our products; and natural and human-caused disasters, disease outbreaks, war, terrorism, political or governmental unrest or instability, or other events beyond our control may impact our operations and revenue in affected areas; as well as the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the documents filed or furnished by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including specifically the Risk Factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2024 . These uncertainties and changes could materially affect the forward-looking statements and cause actual results to vary from expectations in a material way. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information or statements made in this press release. Company Contacts: Ram Ganesh Investor Relations (510) 572-1615 Email: investor.relations@lamresearch.com Source: Lam Research Corporation### View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lam-research-corporation-comments-on-newly-announced-export-regulations-302320046.html SOURCE Lam Research Corporation Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.

Published 01:44 IST, December 8th 2024 The INDI Alliance appears to be facing political turmoil within the bloc following a crushing defeat in Haryana and Maharashtra. New Delhi: The INDI Alliance appears to be facing political turmoil within the bloc following a crushing defeat and disappointing election results in Haryana and Maharashtra. The back-to-back electoral setbacks have sparked debates over the leadership and direction of the coalition, which even seems shattered on picking issues against the ruling BJP-led government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee staking a claim to the top position within the INDI Alliance and her move drawing support from parties like Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), has led to sharp opposition from the Congress. Last year, as many as 26 opposition parties led by the Congress formed the Indian National Developmental Inclusive (INDI) Alliance. The efforts to bring all like-minded opposition parties under one banner appeared to have bored fruits for them, after they managed to grab a good chunk of seats in the Lok Sabha elections, during which the alliance won 236 seats and gave a tough fight to the BJP-led NDA in several prominent states like UP, Maharashtra, Bengal and Rajasthan. Political experts are emphasizing that as the rift within the INDI Alliance is widening with back-to-back electoral debacles and different political views of the various parties in comparison with the Congress, the Grand Old party appears to be getting sidelined by its own allies. Here’s a closer look at the current state of the INDI Alliance and the key issues that are threatening to divide its members. SP-TMC Divergent Views on Adani Issue The issue surrounding industrialist Gautam Adani has been one of the major points of contention within the opposition bloc as the Samajwadi Party and the TMC have taken a different stand from the Congress. Both the parties have distanced themselves away from this issue which is being continuously raised by Congress-led by Rahul Gandhi. The TMC had recently boycotted Rahul Gandhi's meeting, arguing that Parliament should not be disrupted by uproar over the issue of one person. The Samajwadi Party has also said that many other issues are more important than this issue. Sharad Pawar's NCP has already adopted a soft stance on the Adani issue. Interestingly, Congress' Rahul Gandhi is the most aggressive on the Adani issue. This divergence on the Adani issue showcases the rift between Congress and its partners, with Rahul Gandhi, in particular, appearing increasingly isolated on the matter. Sambhal Violence Sparks Tensions Between Congress and SP Another flashpoint has been the recent violence in UP’s Sambhal, following a dispute over an ASI survey of a mosque in the district. The Samajwadi Party has been vocal in accusing the government of fueling the violence and is continuously raising the issue in the Lok Sabha. However, Congress' approach to the issue has led to tension. Rahul Gandhi, while expressing concern, took a cautious approach, calling for restraint and dialogue, prompting the SP to accuse Congress of playing politics with the issue and undermining the gravity of the situation. Ram Gopal Yadav, the general secretary of SP, accused Congress and called it a drama by the Grand Old party over the issue. This difference in handling the Sambhal incident has exposed deeper divisions within the opposition ranks, particularly between Congress and SP, which were once seen as natural allies in the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Leadership Struggles: Mamata Banerjee's Ambitions Political experts believe that perhaps the most significant rift within the INDI Alliance is over the leadership question. Mamata Banerjee has publicly stated that she should lead the alliance, given her role in its formation. In a bold statement, Banerjee declared that if given the leadership, she would accept the responsibility. Interestingly, Mamata, who is claiming the top post of the alliance, had decided to go solo in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mamata’s previous decision to contest the general elections without Congress, in West Bengal, has further complicated the matter. The Congress had contested the elections in Bengal in alliance with the Left parties after Mamata denied them seats. Mamata’s claim, however, has not been well-received by Congress, which has historically viewed itself as the natural leader of the opposition bloc. The Congress, still reeling from its defeats in recent state elections, has remained largely silent on Mamata’s demand, but the leadership dispute has raised eyebrows. Her sudden push for the top post in the alliance is raising questions about her true intentions and the potential sidelining of the Congress within the opposition. Former Congress MP Sandeep Dixit has gone so far as to accuse Mamata of acting as a "BJP agent" by stirring up such controversies at a time when opposition unity is most needed. Despite these accusations, Congress has chosen not to publicly challenge Mamata’s statement, which only fuels speculation about the future of the alliance. Fallout of Recent Election Results These waves of discord within the alliance are traced back to the poor performance of Congress in the assembly elections of Maharashtra and Haryana, where the party faced significant losses against the ruling BJP. Apart from these two states, poor showings in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have left Congress vulnerable. Moreover, regional parties like TMC, SP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) have begun questioning whether Congress should continue to hold the reins in the opposition alliance. The INDI Alliance is composed of several regional players, including Mamata’s TMC, Akhilesh Yadav’s SP, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP, and the Congress. While the Congress has not been able to secure victories in key states in the assembly elections, the regional parties, with their strong regional bases, are now more assertive in shaping the alliance's strategy. AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal has already declared that his party will fight separately from Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi. As per the political experts, the growing sense of autonomy within regional parties is making Congress increasingly marginalised in the alliance. What Does This Mean for Congress? The core question now is whether there is a deliberate attempt to sideline Congress within the INDI Alliance. While Congress remains a key player in terms of its seat count, the regional parties seem to be asserting themselves more vocally, questioning Congress’ leadership in light of its recent electoral failures. As Mamata Banerjee’s statement continues to create ripples, it remains to be seen whether she will garner enough support to challenge Congress for leadership within the opposition bloc. With allies like Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT), and SP likely to back Mamata, Congress may find itself increasingly sidelined unless it can navigate the shifting dynamics of the alliance and prove its relevance in the upcoming elections. The INDI Alliance appears to be at a crossroads. The rift over leadership, policy issues, and electoral performance has created a volatile political environment. Whether Congress can reassert itself or whether regional parties will push for a new direction in the opposition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the coming months will be crucial in determining the future of opposition unity in India. Notably, after the formation of the INDI Alliance, assembly elections concluded in 12 states and the UT so far. Of which the Congress had a direct contest with the BJP in 4 states, including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and in all these states, the BJP registered a thumping victory. The Congress only managed to win Telangana, where it was in direct contest with KCR’s BRS. Number Game in INDI Alliance In terms of numbers, Congress has 100 seats in Lok Sabha and 25 seats in Rajya Sabha. Whereas its allies have 136 seats in Lok Sabha and 61 seats in Rajya Sabha. Trinamool has 28 MPs in Lok Sabha and 12 in Rajya Sabha. Samajwadi Party also has 37 MPs in Lok Sabha and 4 in Rajya Sabha. Shiv Sena (UBT) has 9 MPs in Lok Sabha and 2 in Rajya Sabha. These three have 74 MPs in Lok Sabha and 18 in Rajya Sabha. Arvind Kejriwal has already announced to fight separately from Congress in Delhi. Kejriwal has 4 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs. It is being said that Kejriwal can also come in support of Mamata to push Congress on the back foot. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 01:44 IST, December 8th 2024