Saturday’s verdict in Maharashtra makes the 2024 assembly elections one of the most consequential in the state’s history. It marks not just the highest-ever tally for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but also the lowest-ever for the Congress in what has long been a Congress-minded state. So severe is the Congress drubbing that its entire top brass, including Balasaheb Thorat, one of the architects of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), and former chief minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan, lost. The party that contested 101 struggled to cross a tally of 15. These results will also likely accelerate the decline of the two regional parties that have long dominated politics in Maharashtra. From being a raucous, robust nativist Hindutva party of Balasaheb Thackeray, the idea of the Shiv Sena lies weakened and attenuated despite Eknath Shinde’s performance. It is perhaps ironic that the rise and fall of the Shiv Sena is tied so intrinsically to the Congress. Though forged in the heat of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement in 1966, the Shiv Sena emerged as Bombay’s very own power-centre in 1985 when it swept the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. This was made possible by the tacit support of then Congress CM Vasantdada Patil, who sought to cut down his own party’s leaders, including Murli Deora, a Marwari. Vasantdada had famously remarked, “Bombay is the capital of Maharashtra, but there is no Maharashtra in Bombay,” and he went to the extent of endorsing Balasaheb Thackeray’s nativist position on barring entry of outsiders who came looking for jobs into the city. Thackeray plastered Bombay with posters of Vasantdada’s statements, and so began the Sena’s control of the BMC, the country’s richest civic body, which to this day is the source of its political power. Equally though, for a party that built its political capital from Othering — whether it was Tamilians, Muslims, the migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, or the “secular” Congress — its formal alliance with Congress and the Nationalis Congress Party (NCP) in 2019 put its voters and cadre at crossroads. It also gave Eknath Shinde a handle to mount a rebellion and break the party. Shinde’s Shiv Sena winning 57 seats — more than all of MVA put together — is a resounding rejection of the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s emotional pitch branding Shinde and his lawmakers as traitors. Slogans calling the Shinde government Gaddar , Mindhe Sarkar (beholden government), and “Pannas khokhe, ekdum OK” ( bribe-takers) have been effectively snuffed out. But the rough-hewn Shinde, despite the meteoric rise, his financial largess, and instincts of an ace poker player, lacks the personality cult of the Thackerays that has dominated the idea of the Shiv Sena. Shinde, who counts Thane strongman the late Anand Dighe as his mentor, recently asserted in a private conversation: “Uddhav Thackeray was CM for two-and-half years, and so have I been; we are equals.” But the party he has fashioned is a far cry from the distinct nativist outfit of Balasaheb Thackeray, and can best be described as BJP-lite. A similar existential dilemma grips the NCP. Sharad Pawar, its founder, who bestrode Maharashtra’s political stage like a colossus, has possibly thrown his last dice. He will be 89 by the time the next set of elections come around. With most of his senior leaders defecting with Ajit Pawar, he was left with a brigade of young leaders who are still to be groomed. More worryingly, his party led in only seven of the 40 seats it contested against Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and suffered a near rout in the sugar belt of western Maharashtra, Pawar’s home turf and whose politics he dominated for decades. For Ajit Pawar — under his uncle’s shadow for the longest — Saturday’s results will be doubly sweet. He not only bested Sharad Pawar but also won the prestige battle of Baramati against his own nephew, Yugendra. It will not be surprising if there is yet another exodus from Sharad Pawar’s party to him in the near future. The ace administrator who has been unable to become CM thus far, Ajit Pawar split the NCP in 2023 and joined the BJP-Shinde alliance to allegedly seek protection from probes by central agencies in the main. But his beliefs are at variance with those of his two allies who are ideologically compatible, and he is mistrusted by the core BJP-voter as well as the cadre. With the Opposition decimated, the BJP will, in all likelihood, keep him close and smother any ideological rebellion. There are many reasons for this exceptional win by the Mahayuti, which will be parsed in the coming days, but one of the main causes is the inability of the MVA to convince voters that it is a natural alliance. For one, the consolidation of the Muslim vote behind the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Lok Sabha elections just four months ago had left the party deeply unsettled. A prominent leader confessed in private: “The Muslim vote could move tomorrow, and we will then be left with neither the Muslim vote nor our core Hindu vote. We are stuck in a bad way.” Uddhav Thackeray’s move to float his name for the chief ministerial face of the MVA was an effort to shore up the base. But his eventual snubbing and the prolonged bickering among the allies over seat-sharing made the inherent problems of the MVA all too apparent. Like Humpty-Dumpty, it might be difficult to rescue the alliance from the weight of its contradictions. The views expressed are personal
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Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in The Trade Desk, Inc. ( NASDAQ:TTD – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 776 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $85,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Venture Visionary Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Trade Desk by 33.0% in the third quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 17,308 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $1,898,000 after buying an additional 4,296 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Trade Desk by 2,461.2% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 73,559 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $8,066,000 after buying an additional 70,687 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Trade Desk by 0.3% during the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 1,321,400 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $144,892,000 after purchasing an additional 4,500 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Trade Desk by 5.8% during the second quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 93,984 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $9,179,000 after purchasing an additional 5,148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evergreen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Trade Desk during the third quarter worth $842,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.77% of the company’s stock. Trade Desk Trading Up 0.3 % NASDAQ:TTD opened at $128.55 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $119.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $104.88. The company has a market cap of $63.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 210.74, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 1.47. The Trade Desk, Inc. has a twelve month low of $61.47 and a twelve month high of $132.65. Insider Transactions at Trade Desk Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently issued reports on TTD shares. Loop Capital raised their target price on shares of Trade Desk from $120.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. New Street Research raised shares of Trade Desk from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $85.00 to $115.00 in a report on Monday, November 25th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Trade Desk from $115.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Benchmark reissued a “sell” rating and set a $57.00 target price on shares of Trade Desk in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Wedbush raised their target price on shares of Trade Desk from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and twenty-five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Trade Desk currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $124.66. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TTD About Trade Desk ( Free Report ) The Trade Desk, Inc operates as a technology company in the United States and internationally. The company offers a self-service cloud-based platform that allows buyers to plan, manage, optimize, and measure data-driven digital advertising campaigns across various ad formats and channels, including video, display, audio, digital-out-of-home, native, and social on various devices, such as computers, mobile devices, televisions, and streaming devices. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TTD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Trade Desk, Inc. ( NASDAQ:TTD – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Trade Desk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trade Desk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Blue Light Can Severely Impact Your Sleep. Can Blue Light Blocking Glasses Help?ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. ©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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NoneFrench government falls in historic no-confidence voteMIAMI , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SH Hotels & Resorts, the sustainable hotel brand management company founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, is proud to unveil plans for 1 Hotel Tokyo. Set to open in 2025, 1 Hotel Tokyo represents a longstanding collaboration with Mori Trust, one of Japan's leading property developers. After years of planning, the two companies are creating a true 1 Hotels experience that's deeply rooted in nature and sustainability. 1 Hotels To Debut in Japan with 1 Hotel Tokyo: a New Nature-Inspired Urban Icon "Partnering with Mori Trust, we see a vision realized-a shared vision that transcends mere accommodation and embodies a commitment to nature, luxury, and cultural preservation in Tokyo , a city renowned for its innovation and sophistication," says Barry Sternlicht , founder of 1 Hotels and Chairman of SH Hotels & Resorts. "To world travelers, Japan is revered for the beauty of its gardens and the serenity of the soul. We have tried to mirror this with our 1 Hotel Tokyo. It's part of our pledge to create exceptional hospitality experiences that embrace the next generation of luxury travelers." "Tokyo World Gate Akasaka is a development project with a vision to create a lush, green oasis in the heart of Tokyo ," says Miwako Date, President and CEO of Mori Trust. "With its deep commitment to nature reflected in every aspect-from design to service-1 Hotels embodies the future of luxury hospitality. We feel it is the perfect flagship choice for Tokyo World Gate Akasaka, and we were excited to bring this mission-driven brand on board. We are confident that 1 Hotel Tokyo will become a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world and our local community, further enhancing Tokyo's appeal. Through our hotel and resort business, we remain committed to establishing Tokyo as a leading tourism destination." Sustainability is at the core of 1 Hotel Tokyo, which has achieved the Rank S certification from CASBEE (Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency), signifying the highest level of environmental performance. This prestigious recognition highlights the property's alignment with Japan's ambitious environmental goals. Key initiatives include reduced energy and water consumption, advanced rainwater and greywater recycling systems, and the sustainable sourcing of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) from reclaimed and recycled materials. "Our commitment to sustainability is woven into the hotel's very fabric, from energy and water conservation systems to the use of reclaimed materials, creating a sanctuary that respects and enhances its environment," says Raul Leal , CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts. "And with its biophilic design and focus on wellness and nature-inspired, community-minded experiences, 1 Hotel Tokyo brings a serene calm-creating an oasis in the heart of Tokyo's bustling urban environment." In keeping with this commitment to nature and sustainability, the hotel's design draws from authentic materials, traditional craftsmanship, and Japan's natural landscapes. The design approach embraces the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, celebrating the beauty in imperfection and using raw materials and textures to create a Zen-like atmosphere. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a tranquil space that blends moss-covered boulders, plant-lined walls, and the same Oya stone that Frank Lloyd Wright used in some of his iconic Japanese buildings. On the 38th floor, the main lobby is a peaceful retreat with a sculptural stone water feature that brings the outdoors inside, ample greenery, a ceiling that mimics the raked sand patterns of a Zen garden, and dazzling city views. The food and beverage offerings at 1 Hotel Tokyo are meticulously curated to reflect Japan's culinary prowess, with a design that underscores the groundbreaking cuisine and mixology that will be showcased here. The main restaurant, accessed from the 38th-floor lobby, features details like locally sourced stepping stones that emulate a Japanese garden pathway, an open kitchen, multiple private dining areas, and spectacular views of the Imperial Palace. The bar has hand-stitched lanterns, walls covered in handmade textured tiles, 360-degree seating, and breathtaking views of Tokyo's skyline. The 211 spacious guest rooms-including expansive suites measuring approximately 42 to 140 square meters-blend traditional Japanese design with modern luxury. Entrances feature moss walls, lattice wood accents, and natural stone, while bedrooms boast live-edge plank headboards, sculptural TV consoles with integrated planters, and wood-beamed ceilings. The bathrooms are designed with organic materials, including chiseled stone vanities and deep soaking tubs, to create a soothing, spa-like ambiance. 1 Hotel Tokyo will also offer a comprehensive wellness experience that allows guests to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. There's a spa inspired by Zen gardens, multiple hammams, a fitness center with an incredible view, and an indoor pool with huge windows that blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. A serene outdoor terrace space filled with lush greenery allows guests to take in views of the city. In addition to its world-class leisure amenities, 1 Hotel Tokyo will be a top destination for business travel and special events. The property will have approximately 473 square meters of meeting and event space, featuring rough-hewn wood entry doors, minimalist aesthetics, custom carpets inspired by the movement of sand, and stunning views of Tokyo Tower. The setting adds to the allure. 1 Hotel Tokyo will give guests a convenient gateway to Akasaka, one of Tokyo's most exciting neighborhoods. Here, bustling streets are lined with restaurants, parks, and historic landmarks. As Tokyo continues to thrive as a global hub of culture and innovation, 1 Hotel Tokyo represents a new chapter in Japan's hospitality landscape. It's positioned to become an iconic destination, embodying 1 Hotels' commitment to sustainability, mindful luxury, and a deep connection to nature. ABOUT SH HOTELS & RESORTS SH Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a sustainable hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, a nature-inspired lifestyle brand that launched in 2015 with properties in South Beach and Manhattan and now includes Brooklyn Bridge, West Hollywood , Sanya (China) , Toronto , San Francisco , Nashville , the recently opened Hanalei Bay flagship property, and the brand's first European property in Mayfair (London) , with projects in development in Cabo San Lucas , Paris , Elounda Hills ( Crete ), Austin , Copenhagen , Riyadh , Melbourne , Seattle , Tokyo and San Miguel de Allende; Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand that made its debut in March 2015 with the opening of its flagship property in New York , with projects under development in Brickell ( Miami ), Florence, Riyadh , Dubai , Rome , and the Maldives ; and Treehouse Hotels, which premiered in London in 2019 and with projects under development in Manchester , Sunnyvale , Brickell ( Miami ), Riyadh , and Adelaide ( Australia ). Leveraging its marketing, design, operational, and technological expertise, SH Hotels & Resorts is the force behind some of the most groundbreaking and dynamic hotel brands in the world. For more information, visit www.shhotelsandresorts.com . ABOUT 1 HOTELS As a mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand inspired by nature, 1 Hotels cultivates the best of sustainable design and architecture, together with extraordinary comfort and an unrivaled level of service. 1 Hotels-which launched in 2015 with the opening of exclusive properties in Miami's South Beach and Manhattan's Central Park; followed by Brooklyn , located on the East River, in February 2017 ; West Hollywood , on Sunset Boulevard, in June 2019 ; Sanya (China) in 2020; Toronto in 2021; San Francisco and Nashville in 2022; and in 2023, the Hanalei Bay flagship property and Mayfair (London) , the brand's first European property-is inspired by a simple idea: those that travel the world should also care about it. It is, after all, 1 world. 1 Hotels upholds this vision by channeling nature through design and culinary partnerships while connecting with the local community and taking sustainable steps to make a big difference. The brand is expanding with properties under development in Austin , Cabo San Lucas , Paris , Copenhagen , Elounda Hills ( Crete ), Riyadh , Melbourne , Seattle , Tokyo and San Miguel de Allende. Additional information can be found at 1hotels.com . ABOUT MORI TRUST Mori Trust Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive real estate developer for urban development in central Japan and hotel and resort business throughout Japan . With its three core businesses of "Real Estate Business," "Hotel & Resort Business," and "Investment Business (domestic and overseas)," Mori Trust has 64 buildings, residences, and commercial facilities in Japan and abroad, and 35 hotel and resort facilities (as of March 2024 ). Through urban development and hotel development that preserves and utilizes historical buildings that serve as tourism resources, we will promote projects that enhance Japan's international competitiveness. For more information, visit mori-trust.co.jp/english/ . 1 Hotels To Debut in Japan with 1 Hotel Tokyo: a New Nature-Inspired Urban Icon Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2572528/SH_Hotels_Resorts_1H_Tokyo_Lobby_View.jpg?p=medium600 Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2572529/SH_Hotels_Resorts_1H_Tokyo_Lobby_View.jpg?p=medium600 Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2572527/SH_Hotels_Resorts_Logo.jpg?p=medium600 Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/786192/SH_Hotels_and_Resorts_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
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