Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said the Mahayuti leaders and BJP leadership will decide who will be the next chief minister of the state. Bawankule also said the people of Maharashtra have rejected the Congress, noting that its state unit chief Nana Patole won by a margin of just around 200 votes. The BJP-led Mahayuti, which also comprises the Shiv Sena of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP of deputy CM Ajit Pawar, on Saturday retained power in the state by bagging 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi’s dream of wresting power fizzled, with the opposition combine managing to garner just 46 seats. Bawankule here said all sections of the society supported the BJP in the Maharashtra assembly polls. On the issue of the next CM of the state, he said the Mahayuti leaders and the BJP leadership will decide on it. He also said the Congress’ lies were to blame for no party getting enough seats to stake claim for the post of leader of opposition in assembly. The Mahayuti’s landslide in Maharashtra will leave the state assembly without a leader of opposition as no party outside the ruling alliance has been able to get the mandatory minimum 29 seats. Bawankule also said the Maharashtra BJP will begin a drive to enroll 1.51 crore new primary members.roulette creator 。

The industrial sector in the sultanate witnessed significant growth in Omanisation rates in 2024 from January to November increasing 5.5%. During this period, 1,708 Omanis were employed, including 1,145 males and 563 females, surpassing the target of employing 1,000 Omanis in the year. According to statistics from Ministry of Labour, the total number of workers in the industrial sector reached approximately 30,993 Omanis at the end of November 2024. Dr Ahmed bin Khalfan al Badawi, Head of Employment Team at Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), emphasised the fact that the next phase will focus on increasing Omanisation of technical and specialised roles within the industrial sector. He informed that the ministry is working to enhance professional specialisations and develop technical skills of the national workforce. This aligns with MoCIIP’s strategic goal of investing in national talent through implementation of initiatives in partnership with development organisations. Badawi further noted that Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik regarding Industrial Strategy 2040, which came into effect mid-2024, have resulted in positive outcomes, including 265 initiatives. Of these, 125 initiatives are directly linked to the ministry’s sectors, while the remaining 140 initiatives are distributed among other relevant authorities. According to Badawi, the Industrial Strategy Team at MoCIIP has begun organising workshops with these authorities to familiarise them with details, objectives and implementation plans of the initiatives. The focus is on establishing new industries with advanced technologies, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, and improving governance and industrial development management. He also explained that MoCIIP is working closely with governance committees and relevant authorities to ensure that efforts to localise jobs align with the goals of the National Employment Programme. This is being achieved through the Tawteen platform with the aim of meeting employment targets across various economic sectors. The ministry’s strategy emphasises utilisation of educational and professional qualifications and attracting skilled national talent.

As PTI convoys from across the country reached Islamabad for the party’s much-touted powershow — despite a court order and government warnings against it — the party claimed its workers were being arrested and dispersed using teargas. On Nov 13, Imran Khan issued a “ final call ” for nationwide protests on Nov 24 (today), denouncing what he described as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that PTI’s planned protest is unlawful and directed the federal government to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order in Islamabad without disrupting public life, particularly as the Belarusian president is scheduled to arrive over the weekend with a high-profile delegation. As PTI supporters, who had set off on their journey earlier in the day, began reaching Islamabad despite government warnings of arrests, the party claimed the police was detaining its workers and using teargas to disperse them. In a post on X at 7:10pm, the PTI shared what it said were “visuals of the extreme shelling by fascist regime against own citizens at Islamabad Express”. Earlier, a Dawn.com correspondent in Islamabad said mobile internet services were down across the city, while major roads, including motorways, were blocked with containers. Pictures shared by the correspondent showed mostly deserted roads and people on motorbikes making their way from a narrow corner of a road blocked by trucks. Trucks block a road in Islamabad. — photo by Umar Bacha “These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability ... we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad told Reuters in front of a closed market. Separately, in a notification seen by Dawn.com , the office of the district magistrate in Islamabad ordered the closure of all public and private educational institutions in the capital territory tomorrow. The PTI, in a post on X , claimed that the convoy of National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub was targeted near Taxila and shells were fired at it. PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat shared a video of his brother Latif Khan saying a convoy led by him was fired at with “strict teargas shelling” and that roads were blocked. Earlier today, the PTI claimed a “family that had reached D Chowk last night” had been arrested, sharing a video of a woman speaking from inside a prisoner van while another was taken inside too. The woman asked for the reason for being detained, saying, “Okay, we can say sorry that we should not have come to this area.” In another post, the PTI shared a video without specifying the location, saying: “The fascist regime has started, as expected, tear gas shelling against peaceful Pakistanis.” Speaking at D-Chowk, the final destination of PTI’s main convoy, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “One option is that we let them come and [...] paralyse Islamabad. The other option is to protect Islamabad. “The area where they (the PTI) have called the protest is a protected area of Islamabad, monitored by the IG and DIG,” Naqvi said, referring to the Red Zone. “Any protesters who enter that area will be arrested,” he warned. View this post on Instagram Despite the security apparatus in place, Naqvi maintained that the blockades were “not as bad as last time” and that the government was trying to give as much relief as possible to those inconvenienced. Referring to the arrival of a Belarusian delegation in the capital, Naqvi said PTI supporters were coming on to the route through which the delegation was supposed to pass. He criticised the PTI for organising protests today instead of attending the funerals being held in Kurram, referring to violent clashes there in the past few days. Addressing the PTI demonstrators, he said: “If you wish to protest, that is your right, but you know exactly who is coming and you have been blocking off roads and causing trouble.” Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said a “comprehensive security plan” had been formed to prevent mischief. Police personnel align before being deployed near a Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers to hinder a rally by members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI demanding his release, in Islamabad on Nov 24, 2024. — AFP “If a road is closed, a lane has been kept open along it,” the IG said while speaking to the media, stressing that the purpose of the security plan was to secure the people’s lives and property. “There are obstacles, but the movement of people has not been stopped,” he claimed, adding that action would be taken against people carrying weapons or prohibited items. In a post on X earlier today, the Islamabad police said Rawat T Cross was closed for traffic on both sides and only one lane was open at Chungi No.26 for traffic heading both ways. “However, internal roads are partially open for traffic in Islamabad which can be used in case of extreme need,” the police said, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. In a separate post , the police shared pictures of its personnel stationed at various points to “ensure the imposition of Section 144”, which prohibits gatherings. State broadcaster PTV News shared a post on X pointing out how there were “neither any people nor any flags” on Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, compared to previous instances “when the PTI used to hold its musical shows every other night”. Punjab, especially Lahore, came to a grinding halt on Saturday after the entire intercity bus operation — particularly routes leading to Islamabad and Rawalpindi — were suspended. The security at the Lahore railway station was also beefed up after a huge number of passengers thronged it in a bid to reach their destinations. Internet tracking monitor Netblocks said WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan, according to a post on X at 1:07am. “Live metrics show WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan corroborating reports of media sharing issues; the measure comes as authorities tighten security ahead of protests planned by opposition party PTI calling for the release of former PM Imran Khan,” Netblocks said. View this post on Instagram Addressing the media later today, interior minister Naqvi said: “Mobile services are working. The internet has been shut down.” A day ago, the interior ministry said that WiFi and mobile internet services would be suspended only in areas with “security concerns” and remain operational as normal in the rest of the country. In a televised statement, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar termed the PTI responsible for Islamabad’s closure and for “causing damage to businesspeople and the economy”. He asserted that while some routes in the city were closed, others were still open. “The main highway is closed, but despite that people are out and about,” Tarar said. The minister added, “When a party tries to spread division, they do so through violence and property damage. We saw it during the 2014 sit-in, PTV was set on fire and the gates of Parliament were broken down.” Separately, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said “PTI’s act will be exposed today”. “I am sure their act will be exposed today [...] why are they spreading anarchy? “Barrister Gohar said [the protest was to] release Imran Khan but he hasn’t been arrested by a deputy commissioner, [through] detention orders or any administrative orders [...] the cases are in the courts and he will have to get himself cleared in those cases.” “If he thinks he is innocent that doesn’t mean you start causing destruction, it means you face your cases in court and tell your lawyers to get the cases disposed quickly,” he said, referring to Imran’s legal challenges. Rallies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power, left for Islamabad early in the morning, according to the Dawn.com correspondent. MPAs and MNAs of their respective constituencies were leading their convoys and would join the rallies at Burhan near Hazara interchange, the correspondent said, citing PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai. View this post on Instagram However, a heavy police contingent was present on GT Road and motorway at Attock’s Hassanabdal to stop the procession from reaching Islamabad. Several convoys are en route to the capital, PTI shared in multiple posts on X. According to a post on X , a main convoy led by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departed from CM House in Peshawar. CM Gandapur, expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, earlier called on people to gather near the entrance of the city’s red zone, known as “D Chowk”. Islamabad’s red zone houses the country’s parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions’ offices. “[Imran] Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met,” he said in a video message yesterday. A post on PTI MNA Asad Qaiser’s X account said his convoy will reach Swabi’s Ambar Interchange, where it will join CM Gandapur. Supporters led by Omar Ayub also set off on their journey from Haripur, the PTI said. Rehana Dar , mother of former PTI leader Usman Dar and who contested the Feb 8 general elections against PML-N’s Khawaja Asif, also set off with her convoy from Sialkot. Other convoys include those of PTI’s Peshawar president Irfan Saleem , KP health minister Pakhtunyar Khan’s convoy from Bannu, KP minister Dr Amjad Ali and law minister Advocate Aftab Alam . In a post on X , former KP minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said: “To assume that unjust laws should just be followed, that try to protect state capture and make the judiciary subservient, is wrong.” However, he appealed to all protesters: “Stay peaceful. At all costs. Do not let anyone sabotage your protest.” Another post showed a convoy led by PTI South Punjab president Senator Aoun Abbas and MNA Zartaj Gul had departed for Islamabad. A video shared by the party showed Gul standing atop a vehicle, waving a white flag and chanting “Imran Khan Zindabad. Release, release Imran Khan”. A convoy led by the president of PTI’s Balochistan chapter was also on its way to Islamabad. View this post on Instagram A convoy led by PTI leaders Usama Mela and Ansar Iqbal Haral also departed from Sargodha’s Kot Momin. A post by the PTI on X called for protesters to carry signs and placards in English “in order to amplify our message globally.” “Let our voices echo loud and clear as we stand united for justice, democracy, and a constitutional Pakistan!” PTI leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the Punjab Assembly opposition leader, had earlier said protesters would not leave Islamabad until their demands were accepted. Since Imran’s arrest in August 2023 on several counts, his party has been holding protests across the country for his release and against the alleged rigging of the Feb 8 elections. The last protest in Islamabad by the PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes. Also on Saturday, the Nat­io­nal Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) issued an alert for possible terrorist attacks during the PTI’s march towards Islamabad, reliable sources told Dawn . According to sources, the alert was issued after “technical and human” intelligence gathered by the apex counter-terrorism body revealed that terrorists were planning “major activities” in big cities of Pakistan. Multiple sources confir­med “necessary preparat­ions” by the terrorists in Afgh­a­n­istan, who “ent­ered into Pak­istan” on the night bet­ween Nov 19 and 20. They were expected to station themselves in big cities, the sources added. The terrorists, whom the government and the military refer to as Fitna-al-Khawarij , will possibly target the PTI’s protest “for their vested interest”, as per the sources. Nacta has sugge­sted authorities ensure ex­t­reme vigilance and he­i­ghten security measu­res to prevent the att­ack. The government has vowed to suppress the power show with full force, deploying massive security forces, enforcing a sweeping ban on gatherings, blocking highways and motorways and launching a crackdown on leaders and workers of the opposition party. Paramilitary soldiers stand guard at the Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers ahead of a protest rally by PTI in Islamabad on November 24. — AFP The capital police have prepared a list of over 1,500 PTI leaders and workers in Islamabad and constituted 27 teams to arrest them so they could not participate in the protest. The police also arrested 350 other workers of the party, including leader Nafisa Khattak as well as a nephew and brother-in-law of the party’s Islamabad chapter president Amir Mughal. An overnight crackdown was also launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where some elected councillors were among those held. Besides Muzaffarabad police arresting 26 people , the houses of various leaders were also raided, including of AJK Assembly’s opposition leader Khawaja Farooq Ahmed. The government has also put all public sector hospitals in Islamabad on high alert in order to meet any emergency situation. Among methods to curtail the protest is the closure of various motorways and key arteries of Punjab, severing paths to Islamabad at multiple points. The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced that six key motorways would be closed for all types of traffic “due to maintenance” from Friday night, advising travellers to avoid unnecessary travel during this period. The motorways closed to traffic are: M1 from Peshawar to Islamabad, M2 from Lahore to Islamabad, M3 from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, M11 from Sialkot to Lahore, and M14 from Yarik to Hakla. Meanwhile, local autho­ri­­ties blocked bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers in Gujrat district to restrict PTI protesters’ movement towards Islam­abad. The closure caused significant inconvenience to commuters who found themselves stuck in long queues of trucks and other vehicles on both sides of the rivers. Heavy containers and trolleys were parked on both sides of the bridges. More to follow Additional input from ReutersPlayer poll reveals tax-free deals may not attract stars to PNGNone

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It looks like politics is shaking up the healthcare industry. Several blue-chip healthcare stocks have been on the slide in recent weeks. The cause? It could be the recent nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the incoming Trump administration. Throughout the election cycle, Kennedy has been vocal about his desire to make big changes at several agencies, including the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This has introduced uncertainty for businesses that work with the agency, especially pharmaceutical companies. While it remains to be seen what will come of all this, the fear has knocked some prominent dividend-paying healthcare companies down to appetizing valuations that long-term investors should consider taking advantage of. Here are three compelling buys to look into today: 1. AbbVie Shares of pharmaceutical giant AbbVie ( ABBV 3.04% ) are currently trading down over 18% from their high. But it's not just political angst dropping the stock; AbbVie paid $8.7 billion to acquire Cerevel last year, seeking the company's pipeline of psychiatric drugs. However, Cerevel's schizophrenia drug emraclidine unexpectedly failed its clinical trials, raising severe doubts that AbbVie will get much return on that nearly $9 billion investment. It's not ideal that such a promising asset has fallen on its face. Still, AbbVie is a well-diversified drug company with plenty of growing products that have helped offset the losses from Humira, a mega-blockbuster product that came off of its patent protection last year. Notably, the stock's fantastic dividend is on solid ground. AbbVie currently yields 3.7%, and its dividend payout ratio is just 56% of its estimated 2024 earnings. So, the failure of emraclidine hurts, but it doesn't make or break AbbVie. The stock now trades at a forward P/E ratio of 15. Meanwhile, analysts estimate AbbVie's earnings will grow by an average of 8% to 9% annually over the long term. This is an opportunity to buy a top-notch dividend stock at a PEG ratio of 1.7, a solid deal for AbbVie's expected growth. Assuming the valuation stays roughly the same, investors could see growth and dividends combine for total returns averaging 11% to 13% annually over time. 2. Pfizer The COVID-19 pandemic created a business boom for Pfizer ( PFE 2.07% ) , but that's dried up, and the combination of declining earnings and sour industry sentiment has punished the stock. Shares now trade at less than 9 times earnings. Such a low valuation would imply that Pfizer, an industry giant, is on the ropes. The stock's 6.7% dividend yield is the highest it's ever been outside of the financial crisis in 2008-2009. A high yield can signal trouble, but Pfizer is doing just fine. The company's dividend payout ratio is only 58% of its 2024 earnings estimates. Plus, Pfizer has pivoted its business to oncology , with a healthy pipeline and analysts calling for 10% to 11% annualized earnings growth over the next three to five years. Investors can buy a well-funded, high-yield dividend stock at a bargain price in Pfizer. Management has committed to supporting and increasing the dividend . It seems sentiment may turn back in Pfizer's favor once all this political noise settles down, making Pfizer a contrarian stock idea with a high upside. 3. Johnson & Johnson Medical device and pharmaceutical conglomerate Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ -0.21% ) is another stock that's steadily drifted lower in recent weeks. The stock is now 18% off its high and sits at 15 times Johnson & Johnson's 2024 earnings estimates. Plus, the company is still trying to resolve its talcum powder litigation, which could cost billions of dollars when it's all said and done. The sell-off makes sense in that light. However, the critical takeaway with Johnson & Johnson is that these challenges likely don't dent the company's fantastic fundamentals and, thus, the stock's appeal to long-term investors. The company has over $20 billion in cash sitting on its balance sheet, and a large settlement would likely be paid out over many years, anyway. Johnson & Johnson is a Dividend King with a perfect AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's . Corporate coffers don't get much deeper than Johnson & Johnson's. Johnson & Johnson constantly innovates and acquires new assets to drive steady growth. Analysts estimate the company's earnings will grow by an average of 5% to 6% annually over the next three to five years. That alone should push the dividend higher, and that's without factoring in a pretty modest 50% payout ratio (based on 2024 earnings estimates). Johnson & Johnson isn't a get-rich-quick stock but offers a generous 3.2% yield and a continually growing dividend. That steady growth and ironclad balance sheet look pretty good at just 15 times earnings.

India’s government-owned public broadcaster Doordarshan News has ignited controversy after allegedly defending allegations of scam against Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group in its programmes. This has brought criticism of the neutrality of a public broadcaster in a politically sensitive atmosphere. DD News on Thursday evening aired a program “5 ki Panchayat” that appeared to defend the billionaire amidst serious accusations, including bribery, fraud etc, recently highlighted by the United States Department of Justice. On its X-page, DD News shared a photo of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with the phrase “Rahul Dances with foreign toolkit” , insulting that his criticisms are part of a foreign-influenced agenda targeting Adani and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a caption, the DD News wrote, “In the name of Adani..’ Tool Kit’ at work...! Adani is an excuse...why target PM Modi? Rahul’s frustration...is there hope from the ‘toolkit’? Rahul’s new plan to disturb the dignity of Parliament? Targeting the country’s politics with a foreign flavour?”. अडानी के नाम पर..'टूल किट' काम पर...! अडानी बहाना...पीएम मोदी पर क्यों निशाना ? राहुल की हताशा...'टूल किट' से है आशा ? संसद की गरिमा भंग करने का राहुल का नया प्लान ? विदेशी तड़के से देश की सियासत पर निशाना ? देखिए ""5 की पंचायत" शाम 5:00 बजे.... https://t.co/Rbt9sXTxJN pic.twitter.com/n6qADorEXV Instead of facing allegations of corporate fraud, DD News program framing has been deciphered as an attempt to downplay the grave allegations against Adani while shifting blame towards opposition political leaders particularly Rahul Gandhi. Critics argue that this coverage not only supports Adani but also strengthens the BJP’s narrative that the case is a broader conspiracy to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his close allies. Critics have slammed the public broadcast channel for its reporting, with many accusing DD News of acting as a mouthpiece for the BJP rather than fulfilling its role as a neutral public broadcaster. Earlier in April, observers pointed out that the channel changed its logo from black to saffron colour, often associated with right-wing politics in India. Although DD News sought to downplay the colour change as nothing more than an update of a logo and did not reflect a shift in editorial bias. However, the outlet’s credibility remains in question among the public. “This is a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster but it looks like the TV channel of the Bajrang Dal or ‘OpIndia'”, wrote Siddharth Varadarajan, prominent journalist and editor-in-chief of The Wire . This is a taxpayer funded public broadcaster but it looks like the TV channel of the Bajrang Dal or 'OpIndia' https://t.co/j5OPHpb5Us “What have these wretched people done to the government DD News.. It was once our pride”, wrote a Congress worker, Srinivas BV. सरकारी DD News का क्या हाल कर दिया कमबख्तों ने.. ये कभी शान थी हमारी और अब.. https://t.co/yaFfbcpp9G “This is DD News... Targeting opposition for Adani. Look at their language... “Videshi Toolkit”, “Thiraktey Rahul”.Is this a national news channel anymore?”, wrote one X user. This is DD News... Targeting opposition for Adani. Look at their language... "Videshi Toolkit", "Thiraktey Rahul" Is this a national news channel anymore? https://t.co/qn0VhcwKud Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group, which ranks among the top three industrial conglomerates in India is facing an arrest warrant in connection with a USD 265 million bribery and fraud scheme. He has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (approximately Rs 2,100 crore) in bribes to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms in solar power contracts. The criminal indictment, filed by the US Department of Justice in a New York court, accuses him and seven others, including his nephew Sagar Adani, of paying bribes to unidentified state government officials of five states including Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The alleged scheme aimed to secure expensive solar power deals, potentially generating profits of more than USD 2 billion over 20 years. According to court records cited by Reuters , arrest warrants have been issued against Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani in the US. Prosecutors plan to hand these warrants over to foreign law enforcement agencies for further action. Following the allegations, Adani Group stocks experienced a sharp decline. Adani Enterprises and Adani Energy dropped by 20% each, while other group companies, including Adani Green Energy and Adani Total Gas, also faced significant losses.In agony, Simon begged for water 19 times. Guards mocked him – then found him dead