Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the seat-sharing arrangement within the NDA for the Assam assembly elections was a “done deal”.

Among the NDA constituents in the state, the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) have members in the assembly. Rabha Hasong Joutha Sangram Samiti (RHJSS) and Janashakti Party (JP) are also part of the NDA, but they do not have any MLAs.

“Our NDA alliance is complete. We know who will contest where; it is a done deal. There is no issue in stitching the alliance,” Sarma told reporters at the state BJP headquarters.

“After every process is complete, the state leadership will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah with the list of probable candidates,” he added.

On January 7, Sarma had said the BJP was likely to formalise its seat-sharing agreement with its allies by February 15.

On December 5 last year, he had said the finalisation was expected to be over by January 15.
The elections for the 126-member assembly are expected to take place in March-April. This will be the first election after the delimitation exercise, done in 2023.Post delimitation, many seats and their geographical boundaries have been changed, while some non-reserved seats were reserved and vice versa. This has led to complications within the ruling and opposition coalitions.

At present, the BJP has 64 members in the assembly, while AGP has nine, UPPL has seven, and the BPF has three.

In the opposition camp, the Congress has 26 MLAs, AIUDF has 15, and CPI(M) has one. There is one Independent legislator as well.

TUCSON, Ariz. — The sheriff leading the investigation into the suspected abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie defended the pace of the probe on Wednesday, citing complex laboratory work, scientific protocols and judicial requirements more than four months after the case began.

Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson on February 2. No arrests have been made, and her whereabouts remain unknown despite a high-profile search involving local, state and federal authorities.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told local media that the investigation’s complexity requires careful adherence to forensic standards, particularly in DNA and digital evidence analysis. “It’s just not a detective goes out there, talks to somebody, and we can make an arrest,” Nanos said. “This is a very sensitive case, but what really makes it prolonged is we do rely on labs.”

Detectives have sent hair samples from Guthrie’s home to both a private genetics lab in Florida and the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for advanced testing. Early reports indicated challenges with mixed DNA samples that are difficult to isolate. Digital forensic analysis of video and other electronic evidence also continues.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office confirmed the investigation remains active. “Forensic analysis of DNA and video evidence remains underway,” the spokesperson said. “If and when there is a significant development in this case, it will be shared publicly.”

The case has drawn national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence and the circumstances of her mother’s disappearance from what appeared to be a secure residence. A combined reward exceeding $1.2 million remains unclaimed for information leading to a resolution.

Nanos emphasized the importance of following scientific and legal protocols to avoid wrongful arrests. “When you’re looking at those labs and the work they do, you have a science there, and science has rules that it has to go by,” he said. “Even though it’s not — DNA they’ll tell you isn’t an exact science — it’s 99% plus. So it’s pretty close, but you still have to follow rules.”

He added that judicial standards further extend timelines. “If I were to say there’s a positive to this, it is that people are working, doing their best to stay within those rules so that they have that understanding that, look, nobody wants to arrest the wrong person,” Nanos said. “We wanna make sure that, DNA doesn’t just identify a suspect. It also exonerates those who are innocent.”

The investigation faced a public rift with the FBI earlier this year when hair samples were initially sent to a private lab before being forwarded to federal facilities. Federal sources have indicated discussions about deploying new technological tools, potentially focused on video forensics, signals analysis or investigative genetic genealogy.

Morgan Wright, CEO of the National Center for Open and Unsolved Cases, suggested digital advancements could prove decisive. “The solution to this case is going to be, I think, something technical, something that they come up with — new ways of analyzing data,” he said.

Guthrie’s family has maintained a low public profile while cooperating fully with authorities. They have asked anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Tucson’s 88-Crime hotline at 1-520-882-7463 for anonymous tips.

The case has raised broader concerns about safety and investigative thoroughness. California criminal defense attorney RJ Dreiling, who has followed the investigation, called for more transparency. “The sheriff needs to give us concrete answers on what is going on and what he is doing, not vague platitudes about the scientific process,” Dreiling said.

The abduction, if confirmed as such, has unsettled the Tucson community. Guthrie was known as a respected local figure with deep ties to the area. Her disappearance from her home has prompted questions about security in affluent neighborhoods and the challenges of solving cases without immediate physical evidence or witnesses.

Investigators have conducted extensive searches of the surrounding desert terrain and reviewed hours of surveillance footage from nearby properties. Canvassing efforts and interviews with potential persons of interest continue, though no names have been publicly released.

Forensic genetic genealogy has emerged as a powerful tool in cold cases, and its use here could eventually yield breakthroughs. However, the process often takes months due to the need for specialized laboratories and careful chain-of-custody protocols.

The sheriff’s office has faced criticism for the pace of updates, but officials maintain that premature public statements could compromise the investigation. This approach reflects standard procedure in high-profile missing persons cases where evidence preservation and suspect identification require precision.

Savannah Guthrie has occasionally referenced her mother’s situation on air, expressing gratitude for public support while asking for continued privacy as the family works with authorities. The emotional toll on the family has been evident in limited public statements.

The case highlights the evolving nature of modern investigations, where traditional detective work increasingly intersects with advanced scientific methods. DNA analysis, digital forensics and genealogical databases have solved numerous long-unsolved cases in recent years, but they demand time and specialized expertise.

As the investigation enters its fifth month, pressure for answers continues to build. The substantial reward underscores the urgency felt by law enforcement and the family. Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including abduction by someone known to Guthrie or a random encounter.

Community vigils and awareness campaigns have kept Guthrie’s name in the public consciousness. Local organizations have offered support to the family while encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity from the time period.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate with the FBI and other agencies. Joint task forces have been formed to pool resources and expertise. Federal involvement typically signals the case’s complexity and potential interstate elements.

Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities even in seemingly safe communities. For investigators, the challenge lies in balancing thoroughness with the public’s desire for swift resolution. As Nanos noted, the goal remains identifying the correct person while protecting the innocent.

The coming weeks may bring new developments as laboratory results mature and additional digital analysis concludes. Until then, the case remains a somber mystery that has captured national attention and highlighted both the promise and limitations of modern forensic science.

Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how seemingly minor, to come forward. In high-profile cases like this, small details have often broken open long-stalled investigations. The family and law enforcement continue hoping for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return or, at minimum, answers about what happened on that February day.

Oil prices have surged sharply in recent days, with some analysts warning that Brent crude could climb to $150 per barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a prolonged period amid the escalating Iran–Israel conflict. After a sharp selloff last week, Indian equities may face further valuation pressure in the near term due to heightened volatility, analysts said.

Crude oil prices crossed the key psychological mark of $100 per barrel last week, the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite attempts by the US administration to reassure markets, the conflict in the oil-rich Middle East continues to intensify.

Iran has warned that oil prices could surge to as high as $200 per barrel if the conflict escalates further. Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader and son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic “tool of pressure” that must remain shut during the conflict. In a message aired on state television, he also warned that US military bases across the region could face attacks as Iran seeks retaliation for casualties from the conflict.

Oil prices have risen amid growing expectations that the Strait of Hormuz may remain shut, disrupting global energy trade. The narrow 33-km waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman carries more than 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments, making it one of the most critical chokepoints in global energy markets.

What lies ahead for oil prices

Global crude oil prices could rise to $120 per barrel in the near term and potentially reach $150 per barrel if the war continues for over a month and geopolitical tensions remain elevated in West Asia, said Kayanat Chainwala, Assistant Vice President at Kotak Securities.

“Any prolonged disruption to this trade route will be bullish for crude oil and negative for other commodities, as it fuels inflation concerns and could delay interest rate cuts,” Chainwala said.
A report by Nuvama also noted that crude prices could climb to $150 per barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for four to eight weeks. However, such extreme price levels could eventually lead to demand destruction and trigger alternative supply responses.The report added that Asian economies are likely to bear the brunt of the disruption, as nearly 13 million barrels per day (mbpd) of oil shipments to countries including China, India, Japan and South Korea pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Systematix Institutional Equities said global crude markets have entered a phase of heightened volatility over the past two weeks, driven by the destruction of oil and gas assets in West Asia, which has added a strong geopolitical risk premium to prices.

“Tanker freight rates and insurance premiums for vessels passing through high-risk zones have also surged, significantly raising procurement costs,” the brokerage said.

How Indian stock markets may react

The Nifty 50 fell 5.3% last week as the Iran–Israel conflict, a weakening rupee, persistent FII outflows and concerns over fuel supply weighed on sentiment. While Systematix expects near-term volatility to impact valuations, it continues to prefer Reliance Industries, Petronet LNG, Deep Industries and Gulf Oil as long-term bets.

According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, market direction in the coming weeks will largely depend on developments in the Iran conflict and the trajectory of crude prices, given their implications for inflation, corporate margins, the current account deficit and RBI policy flexibility.

“A firm dollar and higher US bond yields may keep FIIs selective and volatility elevated. Selective value opportunities may emerge in fundamentally resilient and domestically driven sectors, while energy-sensitive segments could remain under pressure if crude prices stay elevated,” he said.

He added that domestic institutional buying has provided some cushion, but a sustained market recovery would likely require clear signs of geopolitical de-escalation, stabilisation in crude prices and improved clarity on fuel supply dynamics.

Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research – Wealth Management at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said market volatility is likely to persist as geopolitical tensions disrupt the energy market and keep risk sentiment fragile.

“Indian equities have seen a sharp correction in 2026 amid heightened global uncertainty, resulting in significant erosion of market value across segments,” Khemka said.

The Nifty 50 has declined over 11% so far this year, while the Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices are down around 10% each. In March alone, the Nifty has fallen about 8%, marking its steepest monthly decline since the pandemic-driven crash of March 2020.

On the currency front, the Indian rupee recently hit a record low of Rs 92.45 against the US dollar as rising energy prices and risk-off sentiment heightened concerns about India’s current account deficit, given the country imports nearly 88% of its crude oil requirements.

Elevated oil prices have also intensified concerns around inflationary pressures, widening external balances and pressure on corporate margins, prompting investors to trim equity exposure and shift towards safer assets.

“Rate-sensitive and cyclical sectors such as banking, financial services and automobiles have seen notable selling pressure,” Khemka added.

Looking ahead, markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to developments in the West Asia conflict, movements in crude oil prices and trends in foreign fund flows.

“Persistent foreign outflows and elevated oil prices could keep sentiment cautious, while any signs of easing geopolitical tensions may provide relief to markets,” he said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

CBS News has fired high-profile “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley amid debate about the direction of the show, which has been a mainstay of the network’s television lineup for decades.

“Your employment with CBS News is terminated for cause effective immediately,” Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” wrote to Pelley in a letter seen by CNBC. It was not immediately clear when the letter was sent.

Pelley had previously said that Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News, was “murdering” “60 Minutes,” according to NBC News.

In a statement obtained by MS Now, Pelley said the network is attempting to “curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration.”

“The waste is heartbreaking,” Pelley wrote.

Skydance and Paramount merged last year, putting new leadership in charge of CBS and other Paramount properties including the storied film studio and more nascent streaming business. Paramount Skydance Chief Executive Officer David Ellison is now trying to merge Paramount with Warner Bros. Discovery, and he needs the Trump administration’s regulatory approval to complete the deal.

In 2024, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump sued “60 Minutes,” alleging the program deceptively edited an interview with his opponent, Kamala Harris. Paramount settled the lawsuit for $16 million, which irked some veteran “60 Minutes” employees, including Pelley. Another notable anchor, Anderson Cooper, announced he was leaving the show earlier this month.

“For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story,” Pelley said in his statement. “I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified. To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them.”

During a meeting on Monday, Pelley told Bilton he has “slender qualifications” for the role of executive producer of newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” according to the NBC News report.

Bilton is a former New York Times technology columnist and has made several documentaries for HBO and Netflix. Bilton replaced Tanya Simon as the show’s executive producer. Simon had spent more than two decades at “60 Minutes” before being ousted last week. In contrast, Bilton has no experience running a TV news show.

“The leadership of ’60 Minutes’ is no longer recognizable,” Pelley said in his statement. “The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.”

During an interview on May 28, Bilton told CNBC that he’s committed to demonstrating his hiring isn’t a political maneuver.

“I will prove it with the work,” Bilton said. “I’m dedicated to holding people in power to account.”

In a Tuesday editorial call with CBS, Weiss told staffers she is “only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect,” according to a transcript of the call obtained by CNBC.

“That foundation was broken on Monday, and despite our attempts to engage with Scott Pelley and to find a way back, unfortunately we weren’t able to do so, and so we had to part ways,” Weiss said. “We did not want that to happen, but that’s the path he chose.”

CBS News President Tom Cibrowski added on the call that the organization “will miss Scott very much.”

In a subsequent statement obtained by MS Now, Pelley disputed Weiss’ account of the situation and said “no constructive dialogue was allowed by the CBS executives at any point.”

Read the full statement from Pelley on his firing:

—CNBC’s Alex Sherman and Ryan Ruggiero contributed to this report.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

An active lifestyle requires hydration, and it’s not just those moments during a workout each day. 

BODYARMOR Sports Drink, the leader in sports and active hydration, understands that concept more than most, which is why their latest innovation in the space, BODYARMOR FIT, has launched to give modern hydration to those everyday moments. 

Unlike its traditional sports drink, or their BODYARMOR Flash I.V., BODYARMOR FIT is a sparkling sports drink that molds together electrolytes, caffein, functional ingredients and zero sugar to reinforce the brand’s commitment to premium hydration and continued innovation to meet the fitness and active lifestyle of its consumers. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXBUSINESS.COM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is among those consumers, and as an athlete partner of BODYARMOR, he’s supporting the BODYARMOR FIT launch with the “Fitness Never Rests” digital campaign.

The new hydration innovation is something Burrow believes in. 

KNICKS’ JALEN BRUNSON, LSU’S FLAU’JAE JOHNSON HELP BODYARMOR’S ‘CHOOSE BETTER’ CAMPAIGN BEFORE MARCH MADNESS

“BODYARMOR FIT is BODYARMOR’s take on modern hydration. It’s built for real life, when you’re moving through your day and staying active in different ways,” Burrow said in an exclusive statement to Fox Business. “It’s a sparkling sports drink with electrolytes, a little bit of caffeine, and ingredients that support metabolism. Whether I’m training, traveling, or just on the go, it fits into those in-between moments and has become a great addition to my routine. That’s really where the idea behind ‘Fitness Never Rests’ comes from. 

“For me, fitness isn’t just a workout, it’s a mindset that carries through the whole day. BODYARMOR FIT fits the way people live now, always moving, always doing something.”

Fox Business also got to speak with Sara Weaver, vice president of brand marketing at BODYARMOR, to discuss this new innovation and why she believes it was the “natural progression” for the brand in this space. 

“At BODYARMOR, we are always looking to modernize the space,” she explained. “We have a portfolio that addresses these different needs and occasions by consumers. …Consumers are looking for beverages that are feeling lighter, more refreshing. They fit into their active lifestyle throughout the day. Really here, hydration goes beyond just workouts, just that one hour of the day. It’s about how people fuel their entire day, and BODYARMOR FIT is intended to meet these shifts, fitting seamlessly into everything from work to travel, to social moments, to fill in the blank. It really sits in this intersection of sports drink and functional beverages.”

The beverage, which comes in five flavors – Mixed Berry, Tropical Passionfruit, Orange Mango, Citrus Grapefruit and Watermelon Lime – has 290 milligrams of electrolytes for hydration, while also featuring 60 milligrams of caffeine. 

“It was a very intentional choice,” Weaver said when asked about that balance of hydration and caffeine. “So, we deliver 290 milligrams of electrolytes for the hydration. We also have the combination of about 60 milligrams of caffeine, which we see as lightly caffeinated to give that extra boost, but not take you over the edge and you have a crash later. Ingredients like green tea extract and choline, which supports metabolic function. So, the combination of hydration and metabolism support in one seamless experience is a big part of what makes this product versatile and so different than what’s on the market today.”

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Weaver also called Burrow a “natural partner” when they approached him to be the launch athlete here because of his active mindset no matter if he’s on the field with the Bengals, or off it. 

“When we brought this to Joe and we asked him to be our feature with BODYARMOR FIT, he was totally aligned,” Weaver added. “Because his discipline and his performance really extends far past that one gameday, which really made him a natural partner. We’ve received lots of great feedback on the product with our athlete partners.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Aberdeen Standard Investments is a leading global asset manager dedicated to creating long-term value for clients. To achieve this, we offer a comprehensive range of investment capabilities, as well as the highest levels of service. Overall, we manage $669.1 billion* on behalf of clients in 80 countries. In managing these assets, we employ over 1,000 investment professionals and provide client support from over 40 client relationship offices globally. The Aberdeen Standard Investments brand was created in connection with the merger of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC and Standard Life Plc on 14 August 2017 to form Standard Life Aberdeen plc.Follow us on our Thinking Aloud blog: https://www.aberdeenstandard.com/en-us/us/investor/insights-thinking-aloud*June 30, 2019

New Delhi: Manila-based multilateral funding Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard Chartered Bank have signed agreements to strengthen supply chain finance in India through risk-sharing arrangements covering both USD and rupee transactions.

The agreements include a risk participation arrangement structured through Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to support US dollar-denominated transactions, and a partial guarantee facility agreement to support onshore rupee transactions, ADB said in a statement on Wednesday.

Together, the arrangements are intended to expand access to trade and supply chain finance for businesses operating in India and to support the continued flow of cross-border and domestic trade, it said.

The agreements were signed last week by ADB Vice-President Bhargav Dasgupta and Standard Chartered Bank’s India & South Asia Chief Executive Officer P D Singh.

Access to trade and supply chain finance remains a binding constraint for many businesses seeking to manage working capital, strengthen supply chain resilience, and participate in regional and global trade, it said.

The partnership extends ADB’s risk-sharing capacity into both offshore and onshore segments of the Indian market, addressing financing gaps that commercial provision alone has not been able to close, it said.
A key feature of this partnership is its focus on emerging and underserved segments of supply chain finance, particularly distributor financing, it said, adding that the collaboration represents ADB’s first engagement in this space within the market. By enabling risk participation in distributor finance transactions, the partnership aims to unlock working capital for downstream players — often small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — that play a critical role in domestic supply chains, it said.

This partnership aligns with ADB’s strategic priority to promote inclusive economic growth and financial deepening across Asia and the Pacific, it added.