Adani Group chairman and billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani on Saturday, November 30, broke his silence on the US indictment against the conglomerate and dismissed the allegations saying “every attack makes us stronger, every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group”. Addressing the 51st Gem and Jewellery Awards in Jaipur, the Adani Group chairperson said,"As most of you would have read less than 2 weeks back, we faced a set of allegations from the US about compliance practises at Adani Green Energy. This is not the first time we have faced such challenges. What I can tell you is that every attack makes us stronger and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone." “Despite a lot of the vested reporting, no one from the Adani side has been charged with any violation of the FCPA or any conspiracy to obstruct justice. In today's world, negativity spreads faster than facts. As we work through the legal process, I want to reconfirm our absolute commitment to world-class regulatory compliance,” Adani was quoted by ANI as saying. #WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Addressing 51st Gem & Jewellery Awards, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani says, "...As most of you would have read less than 2 weeks back, we faced a set of allegations from the US about compliance practises at Adani Green Energy. This is not the first... pic.twitter.com/LWGT0tDiBC READ MORE: Bengaluru Weather: IMD Puts City On Yellow Alert, Heavy Rain In 8 Karnataka Districts From Dec 1-3 | Forecast US Allegations Against Gautam Adani A US court has indicted Indian businessman Gautam Adani and seven others, including his nephew Sagar and three executives, on charges of fraud and bribery. The case involves a deal between Adani Green Energy and a US firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to various states. These charges were announced on the same day the company was set to launch a green bond in the US. However, the Adani subsidiary later cancelled the sale. The business conglomerate in a statement called the allegations “baseless”. "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the group said in a statement. READ MORE: ‘Attempt To Burn Him Alive’: AAP Claims Kejriwal Attacked With Spirit During Padyatra In Delhi Charges against Adani have fuelled an ardent political debate in India, with Opposition parties attacking the government. Many leaders sought PM Modi’s intervention, asserting that the businessman’s act had brought ‘disrepute’ to the nation. The Narendra Modi government said that bribery allegations against Gautam Adani is a legal issue between private firms and the US Department of Justice. "We see this as a legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the US Department of Justice. Obviously, there are established procedures and legal avenues in such cases, which we believe would be followed. The government of India was not informed in advance on the issue. We have not had any conversation with the US government on it," ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Article content In the days after her absence from a vigil one year after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Mayor Olivia Chow got an earful, emails released to the Toronto Sun show. Recommended Videos A freedom-of-information request yielded 135 pages worth of emails to and from Chow and her staff. Most of them are fully redacted – essentially just blank pages – but 44 of them contain emails regarding the Oct. 7 vigil and its organizers, the United Jewish Appeal and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Of those, most are emails from irate Torontonians sent after Chow’s absence. Chow has since apologized and has cited fatigue, a scheduling conflict with a meeting on bike lanes , an issue with her email account and a decision to instead wear black as reasons for not attending. In a recent emailed statement to the Sun , Chow did not address the complaints but again apologized, saying she “should have been there to show the Jewish community how much I care about their safety and well-being in this city.” The vigil was held one year after the attack on Israel to honour the 1,200 people who were slain. Some of the emails were sent the night of the vigil. “You ... chose not to attend the UJA memorial tonight,” one email read. “Nor have you posted a statement on social media to honour families who lost loved ones in the most horrific attack last Oct. 7... You are a disgrace and you should continue hiding until you are finally voted out of office. You owe the Toronto Jewish community an apology. Shame on you!” (Any information that could identify someone who made a complaint, such as a name or email address, was redacted by city staff.) Another email sent Oct. 9 began: “I am a Jewish man who has lived in Toronto all of my life. Never have I, and so many other Toronto Jews, ever felt more uncomfortable and threatened in our lives.” “There seems to be ample time for you to have press conferences in opening Woodbine toilets early, time for you to tweak at Caribana, a photo opportunity at Nuit Blanche, all of the really important and relevant things you were elected to do,” the man added. A parent, who also emailed on Oct. 9, expressed “frustration” with Chow’s apparent inaction. “My daughters who attend a Jewish high school have had three bomb threats made to their school just for being Jewish,” reads that message. “I am shocked that you have not played a more active role in combating this blatant anti-Semitism!” Another Oct. 9 email from an “appalled” resident stated: “A meeting on bike lanes? That was more important than being there to show support for all those who were killed, raped or taken hostage? You did not get my vote in the last election and your absence and then your terrible excuse have made sure you will never get my vote. I am embarrassed to be a Torontonian because of you.” Another person wrote on Oct. 10: “It is shocking that someone in your esteemed position could not exercise the moral clarity to prioritize standing alongside the Jewish community, but instead chose to remain at a meeting about bike lanes. Mayor Chow – only one word comes to mind: egregious.” An Oct. 8 email accused Chow of being “conspicuously un-empathetic to the Jewish population of Toronto.” “Please comment in a meaningful way so I am able to comprehend your absence in this matter.” (It does not appear Chow replied to this or any other of the emails from constituents.) “Regardless of the mayor’s personal politics,” a constituent wrote on Oct. 10, “she is the mayor of all the people... The mayor should know that she can support one side and still have empathy and compassion for the other. The latter in this case sorely lacking.” A brief Oct. 10 email, sent to both Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, stated Chow “should be kicked out of Toronto” and called the Mayor a “pathetic weasel.” On the afternoon of Oct. 9, a self-professed lifelong Jewish resident of Toronto claimed to be “astounded” that Chow wasn’t at the vigil. “The event was attended by Premier Ford and several MPPs, former mayor John Tory and several members of Toronto council and several MPs. Prime Minister Trudeau attended the event in Ottawa. Your absence is inexcusable ... I have seen you on television at several Palestinian events.” “Are we really supposed to believe that a seasoned politician and the mayor of a world-class city like Toronto was unable to attend because of an alleged email mishap?” reads another email from Oct. 10. “This explanation is as flimsy as it is offensive. ... And now, rather than acknowledging the growing fear and alienation in the Jewish community, you offer a half-hearted ‘regret’ through a statement sent to the media.” An Oct. 8 email from a voter reads: “As a Jew in Toronto – who voted for you – I feel unseen, unheard, unacknowledged, uncared-for.” In another email, sent Oct. 9, the writer admitted feeling “lost” since the no-show and brought up the memory of Chow’s late husband. “You should have been fighting to be there, to stand up for those tragically slain innocents, to support your constituents who mourn. Jack would have been there,” the email said. “My disappointment stems from your lack of concern. It deepens to disgust when I imagine the reason for your non-attendance was to please that part of your constituents to whom you pander.” An Oct. 9 email expressed “profound dissatisfaction” in the email subject line. “You are a disgrace to the office of mayor – supposedly mayor for all the people of this diverse city. You attend street festivals and smile your way to all – except the Jewish community,” the email accused. “The Jewish community will never forget nor forgive your absence and failure to acknowledge our pain. Shame on you!” A talk radio listener wrote on Oct. 9: “I heard you this morning on the John Moore show (on) CFRB with your incredibly ridiculous excuses, none of which will fly with anyone with even one synapse firing in their heads.” An Oct. 10 email with “Disappointed” in the subject line accused Chow of failing to do her job. “You know that Oct 7, 2023, was the most horrific day in the lives of humanity since the Holocaust... A resignation from you would please many,” the person wrote. An Oct. 9 email ended: “Apology is just a word. Your actions have conveyed a hateful message to all Torontonians.” An email from the morning of Oct. 8, with the subject line “Your silence speaks volumes,” reads: “When the Jewish community comes together they do not block streets, do not cover their faces and do not shout hate.” Another email from that same day ended: “I will be volunteering to help anyone who will put their name forward to run against you in the next election.” An email writer on Oct. 9 signed off: “You are a terrible and nasty mayor.” And another email sent on the evening of Oct. 8 stated: “The mayor should be completely ashamed of herself, and is unfit to lead a diverse city like Toronto. The sooner she resigns, the better.” jholmes@postmedia.comElon Musk defends Sriram Krishnan after racist post shows him as butter chicken
An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip has killed five people, including employees of charity organization World Central Kitchen . The strike, which took place Saturday morning, occurred after Israel’s military said it targeted a World Central Kitchen worker who had been part Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023. “We are heartbroken to share that a vehicle carrying World Central Kitchen colleagues was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza,” World Central Kitchen said in a statement on X , formerly Twitter. “At this time, we are working with incomplete information and are urgently seeking more details. World Central Kitchen had no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the October 7th Hamas attack.” The organization added, “World Central Kitchen is pausing operations in Gaza at this time. Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families in this unimaginable moment.” WCK did not confirm the names of those killed. Israeli Defense Forces shared their own statement on social media, noting, “Earlier today, the IDF struck a vehicle with a terrorist, Hazmi Kadih, who took part in invading Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre. Kadih was monitored by IDF intelligence for a while and was struck following credible information regarding his real-time location.” They said that Kadih worked for WCK and that the charity had been asked “to clarify the issue and order an urgent examination regarding the hiring of workers who took part in the October 7 massacre and terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.” World Central Kitchen previously paused its operations in Gaza earlier this year when seven of its aid workers were killed in an Israeli strike. The strikes targeted three vehicles marked with WCK logos. “All three vehicles were carrying civilians; they were marked as WCK vehicles; and their movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route, and humanitarian mission,” the group wrote in a statement at the time. “An independent investigation is the only way to determine the truth of what happened, ensure transparency and accountability for those responsible, and prevent future attacks on humanitarian aid workers.” Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time In an interview with Reuters , WCK founder and chef José Andrés said that the WCK workers “were targeted deliberately, nonstop, until everybody was dead in this convoy.” He continued, “This was not just a bad-luck situation where ‘oops,’ we dropped the bomb in the wrong place... Even if we were not in coordination with the [Israel Defense Forces], no democratic country and no military can be targeting civilians and humanitarians.” Israeli subsequently fired two officers it charged with having misidentified the WCK convoy. IDF admitted in a statement that “the forces targeted the three WCK vehicles based on the misclassification of the event and misidentification of the vehicles as having Hamas operatives inside them, with the resulting strike leading to the deaths of seven innocent humanitarian aid workers.” They added, “The strikes on the three vehicles were carried out in serious violation of the commands and IDF Standard Operating Procedures.”
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Romania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu on Saturday urged voters to go to polling stations despite the country's top court having scrapped the presidential elections over alleged irregularities amid claims of Russian interference. The court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj
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