win real money casino

win real money casino Patrick Stewart's first act as Rangers chief executive could be to sack Philippe Clement By STEPHEN MCGOWAN Published: 22:00, 25 November 2024 | Updated: 22:00, 25 November 2024 e-mail View comments Following his departure from Manchester United in April, Patrick Stewart took some time to travel and recharge his batteries. After 18 seasons of overseeing legal affairs at Old Trafford, the Aberdonian travelled to Germany to support Scotland at Euro 2024. In the parlance of professional football, he spent some time with the family. Day one at Rangers could make all of that feel like a distant mirage if he is faced with the most difficult decision any football chief executive has to make. Sharing a name with a famous actor has its downside and Stewart has spent most of his adult life batting away the Star Trek humour which followed news of his return to football as the replacement for James Bisgrove. He can expect more of that if his new employers come up short against Ange Postecoglou ’s Tottenham on December 12 then lose the Premier Sports Cup final to Celtic at Hampden three days later. By the time he’d reached the top of the marble staircase, briefcase in hand, Stewart would be under pressure to go boldly where so many of the occupants of the Ibrox hotseat have gone before by dismissing a manager before lunchtime. Patrick Stewart will take over as Rangers CEO the day after their League Cup final against Celtic Clement's position as Rangers manager would become impossible if they lose at Hampden While a start date of December 16 might disassociate the new man from guilt by association with two precarious fixtures, it won’t insulate him from the toxic fall-out if results go badly. He’d be straight in at the deep end, facing calls to axe Philippe Clement with immediate effect. A 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Saturday only added to the clamour for the Belgian’s removal. Eleven points behind Celtic in the Premiership, with no evidence of a pattern of play, a tactical vision or forward momentum, supporters have seen enough now. On Sunday night, Whatsapp rumours swept Glasgow suggesting Clement and Rangers had parted company by mutual consent. They were inaccurate — they usually are — but the blaze ignited quickly because the situation is now flammable. Most now regard Clement’s exit as a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. The progress of his first season in charge is now a distant memory. Despite moments of individual quality from the likes of Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami, all that talk of improvement and progress fools no one these days. The team is now going backwards and, while the imminent arrival of a new chief executive and permanent chairman will bring more stability to the boardroom, the men in grey suits can’t put the ball in the net or stop the opposition doing the same. Malcolm Offord looks set to be named as Rangers' non-executive chairman in the weeks ahead Clement has yet to win a game against Celtic in five attempts. And defeat in the first showpiece final of the season at Hampden would render his position impossible. More so if the defeat is as convincing as the 3-0 humbling at Parkhead in September. It’s not impossible that Rangers will win at Hampden. While a long-awaited victory over Celtic would bring respite and relief, the title already looks too far gone. And, to deliver the financial equilibrium Rangers need off the pitch, Stewart really needs a manager capable of winning games and trophies on it. Champions League football is critical. He won’t be expected to do it all on his own. Malcolm Offord — Lord Offord of Garvel to give him his Sunday name — is expected to be named as the Rangers non-executive chairman in the coming weeks, replacing interim incumbent John Gilligan. Read More Rangers confirm appointment of former Man United man as chief executive officer six months after his predecessor's departure A political heavyweight with the clout to corral boardroom factions, Offord will work closely with the new CEO and, if the two men decide that Clement has to go, it’s their job to find a replacement. For that reason alone, it made sense to delay a decision on the manager until they were in the building. Like Michael Nicholson at Celtic, Stewart stems from a legal background and sees no value in being a front-of-house figure, courting journalists. Ask colleagues who cover Manchester United what they know about his background and the response is a shrug of the shoulders. Growing up in the Granite City, supporting his local team, Stewart was part of UEFA’s Champions League marketing agency for five years. He then moved to Old Trafford as the club’s first General Counsel in March 2006, the attraction of working with Sir Alex Ferguson too strong to resist. A graduate of Glasgow University, he built up the legal function from scratch. One of the first in-house lawyers at an English top-flight club, he was responsible for signing off on everything from player contracts to kit deals and liaised with the Premier League. A member of various football industry groups at the Football Association, the English Premier League and the European Club Association, Stewart also held a position at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and eventually became a Manchester United director before he was handed the job of interim CEO, overseeing the transition of power from the Glazers to Jim Ratcliffe before his departure in April. Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement A political big hitter with a bulging contacts book will be good for a club which has spent recent years engaging in battles they couldn’t win. Rangers need figureheads capable of winning friends and influencing other clubs and both Offord and Stewart know their way around the corridors of power. While luring a man with an impressive CV drawn from Manchester United should be seen as a coup, there is an obvious drawback. Rangers are not Manchester United and, in recent times, Manchester United haven’t looked much like Manchester United either. Like Rangers, they’ve lost their way, on the field and off it. If nothing else, the appointment of a chief executive brings stability to Ibrox and, after a turbulent six months, they need that at least. Discussing Stewart’s appointment on the Jim White show on TalkSport yesterday, Mail Sport columnist Simon Jordan probably summed it up best. ‘It certainly alleviates the observations that they’re rudderless,’ said Jordan. ‘Whether he’s a good oarsman, we’ll see.’ Share or comment on this article: Patrick Stewart's first act as Rangers chief executive could be to sack Philippe Clement e-mail Add comment

Tim Keating Joins AMD as Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory AffairsEmera Inc. stock rises Friday, still underperforms market

U.S. job growth surged in November after being severely hindered by hurricanes and strikes, but a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.2% pointed to an easing labor market that should allow the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates again this month. The labor market’s resilience is driving the economy, with the closely watched employment report from the Labor Department on Friday showing solid wage growth last month. The economy created 56,000 more jobs in September and October than previously estimated. “Today’s payroll report reinforces the case for a Fed cut in December, but without inciting any meaningful worries about the labor market,” said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 227,000 jobs last month after rising by an upwardly revised 36,000 in October, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls would gain 200,000 jobs following a previously reported rise of 12,000 in October. Estimates for the job gain ranged from 155,000 to 275,000. Job growth has averaged 172,000 per month over the past three months. The acceleration in employment gains was led by healthcare, with a rise of 54,000 jobs spread across ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities. Leisure and hospitality payrolls increased by 53,000 jobs, which were concentrated at restaurants and bars. Government employment increased by 33,000 positions, lifted by gains in state government. Manufacturing payrolls rebounded by 22,000 positions as the end of strikes at Boeing BA.N and another smaller aerospace company boosted transportation equipment jobs by 32,000. Social assistance payrolls increased by 19,000 jobs. But the retail sector shed 28,000 jobs, mostly reflecting losses at general merchandise retailers. Electronics and appliance retailers, however, added 4,000 jobs. The labor market reeled in October from Hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as the aerospace strike. The initial October payrolls count also likely had been curtailed by a shorter collection period of responses to the survey of establishments from which payrolls are derived. The initial response rate for the establishment survey was 47.4%, the lowest reading since January 1991 and well below the 69.2% average for October in the past five years. The collection period for the responses was only 10 days, on the lower end of the normal 10 to 16 days. U.S. Treasury yields fell after the release of the data. The dollar was little changed against a basket of currencies. U.S. stocks opened higher. The increase in the jobless rate after holding at 4.1% for two straight months reflected weakness in household employment. The smaller household survey from which the unemployment rate is compiled showed a decline of 355,000 jobs. About 193,000 people left the labor force in November. That pushed the labor force participation rate, or the proportion of working-age Americans who have a job or are looking for one, down to 62.5% from 62.6%. Financial markets saw a roughly 89% chance of a quarter-percentage-point rate cut at the U.S. central bank’s Dec. 17-18 policy meeting, up from 72% earlier, CME Group’s FedWatch tool showed. The Fed has lowered interest rates by 75 basis points since September, when it launched its easing cycle. Its policy rate is now in the 4.50%-4.75% range, having been hiked by 5.25 percentage points between March 2022 and July 2023. Strong wage growth should continue to fuel consumer spending and keep the economic expansion on track. Average hourly earnings increased 0.4% last month, matching October’s gain. In the 12 months through November, wages advanced 4.0% after rising by the same margin in October. With the economy continuing to expand at a healthy pace, inflation stuck above the central bank’s 2% target and uncertainty about the policies of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, the outlook for further rate cuts in 2025 is unclear. Business sentiment perked up in the aftermath of Trump’s victory in the Nov. 5 election on hopes of less regulation. But his promises to raise tariffs on imports and carry out mass deportations of migrants have raised concerns of higher prices and disruptions to the labor market. Traders are betting on another two rate cuts next year, with a better-than-even chance of a third reduction in borrowing costs by the end of 2025. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Paul Simao)

December 6, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Kyle Shaner, University of Cincinnati A prediction market was more accurate in forecasting the 2024 presidential election than traditional polls and pundits. Prediction markets, also known as betting markets, are where contracts that are contingent on the occurrence of events in the future can be traded. The potential displayed by that success in forecasting the election, along with an administration friendlier to cryptocurrencies, could lead to greater adoption for them, a University of Cincinnati economist said. Michael Jones, Ph.D., a Carl H. Lindner College of Business assistant professor of economics and director of the Cryptoeconomics Lab at UC Digital Futures, said the success of a blockchain-based prediction market, Polymarket, in predicting the outcome of the election showed that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies have more potential than just investments. "What's exciting is you're seeing a real-world use case that's getting a lot of attention that shows the value and utility of using a blockchain," Jones said. Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market. Users can take a position on whether or not an event will occur. If they're right, they get paid instantaneously. It's built on a blockchain, an unchanging digital ledger of economic transactions that records not only financial transactions but anything of value, in a global and verifiable system. As Election Day approached, Trump was trading at approximately 60 cents on the dollar on Polymarket. Those who bet on Trump made approximately 40 cents profit per share once he won the election. The market gave Trump greater odds to win than most polls, which had the election at close to 50-50 odds, and was closer to the final Electoral College tally. "The polls are just people's opinions; the pundits had their opinions, but there really are no consequences if they got it wrong," Jones said. "Maybe they took a little heat in the media. But if you got it wrong in the prediction market side, then you lost significant amounts of money. "What people started to realize is there's information contained in these prediction markets , so we should take them seriously." Prediction markets can be used for more practical matters, too, Jones said. For example, companies have used them to gauge the likelihood that a product will launch in the coming year. Typically, employees are incentivized to present optimistic outlooks to their employers. Prediction markets are more likely to get an unbiased opinion. "The advantage is it's built on the wisdom of the crowd," Jones said. "If everybody is able to use their own secret information, their own personal experiences of what they know, it sort of aggregates all of the individuals and really puts money on the line. "What you're really doing is democratizing the information collection." Also, some companies have used prediction markets to hedge against risk, Jones said. They might take a position that pays out if something occurs, such as a natural disaster or unfavorable court ruling, that otherwise would harm their business. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, experimented with using prediction markets to predict things such as terrorism, coups and recessions. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . The DARPA project was controversial as there were objections to people profiting off tragedies such as terrorism. Still, other people maintain the knowledge gained from the prediction market is more valuable than the potential downsides. "Economists took both sides of this," Jones said. "If you need to get this information out, are you willing to accept that the trade-off is someone might profit from the higher likelihood that you could save lives—because you know there's a high probability an event is going to occur?" For the past couple years, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission has prohibited American citizens from participating in some prediction markets. However, Jones said it would be naive to think Americans haven't participated, including in the election prediction market, as tools such as virtual private networks allow users to hide their locations online. During Joe Biden's presidential administration, the U.S. government, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, has been aggressive in pursuing cases against cryptocurrency companies and pursuing regulations. There likely will be fewer regulations during the Trump administration, Jones said. "Many investors are anticipating that a lot of those cases will be dropped," he said. "I think a lot of the regulations around crypto companies being located in the U.S. will be improved, so it will open up more economic activity for those companies." Jones expects it will be easier for cryptocurrency companies to locate in the United States and build their businesses here. He also expects more companies and individuals to adopt cryptocurrencies as an asset class. Provided by University of Cincinnati

Prosperity Bancshares director Leah Henderson sells $91,564 in stockNASA has selected Nova Space Solutions, LLC of Anchorage, Alaska, to provide operations, services, maintenance, and infrastructure support for NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The Combined Operations, Services, Maintenance, and Infrastructure Contract is a cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that has a value of approximately $822.7 million. The performance period begins July 1, 2025, and extends eight years and three months, with a 15-month base period, followed by a one-year option period and three two-year option periods. Under the contract, Nova Space Solutions will be responsible for contract management, logistics, safety, health and environmental compliance, engineering and manufacturing support services, site services, facility operations and maintenance services, and environmental services and program management. NASA’s Stennis Space Center is the nation’s largest propulsion test site, with infrastructure to support projects ranging from component and subscale testing to large engine hot fires. Researchers from NASA, other government agencies, and private industry use NASA Stennis test facilities for technology and propulsion research and developmental projects. NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, managed by the agency’s Marshall Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is the nation’s premier site for manufacturing and assembly of large-scale space structures and systems. For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov -end- Tiernan Doyle Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov C. Lacy Thompson Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 228-363-5499 calvin.l.thompson@nasa.gov Lance D. Davis Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama 256-640-9065 lance.d.davis@nasa.gov

Air Circuit Breaker WEW1-2000 ACB: Withdrawable and Fixed Type 12-26-2024 05:44 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire The Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) [ https://www.w9-group.com/acb/]model WEW1-2000 stands out as a high-performance solution for managing and protecting electrical circuits. Designed to handle currents up to 2000A, this ACB offers both withdrawable and fixed types, making it versatile for various applications. With its robust features, including a rated working voltage of 400V/690V and options for 3P (three-pole) or 4P (four-pole) configurations, the WEW1-2000 is engineered to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems in diverse settings. Image: https://ecdn6.globalso.com/upload/p/1205/image_product/2024-11/1-44.png Overview of the WEW1-2000 ACB [ https://www.w9-group.com/air-circuit-breaker-wew1-2000-acb-breaker-withdrawable-type-acb-fixed-type-400vac-690vac-2000a-3-4p-acb-product/ ] The WEW1-2000 ACB is a sophisticated device used to protect electrical circuits from overloads, short circuits, and other faults. It operates by interrupting the circuit when abnormal conditions are detected, thus preventing damage to equipment and ensuring safety. The breaker's design allows it to handle high current loads and provides robust protection for both low and high voltage systems. Key Specifications * Rated Current:2000A * Number of Poles:3P (Three-Pole) / 4P (Four-Pole) * Rated Working Voltage:400V / 690V Image: https://ecdn6.globalso.com/upload/p/1205/image_product/2024-11/2-40.png Types of WEW1-2000 ACB The WEW1-2000 ACB is available in two main types: withdrawable and fixed. Each type has its own set of features and advantages. 1. Withdrawable Type The withdrawable type of the WEW1-2000 ACB is designed for flexibility and ease of maintenance. This type allows the breaker to be easily removed from its operating position without disturbing the connected circuits. Key features include: * Ease of Maintenance:The withdrawable design facilitates quick and safe replacement or servicing of the breaker without disconnecting the entire system. * Modular Design:It supports modular operation, enabling the breaker to be pulled out for inspection or repair and then reinserted into its housing. * Reduced Downtime:The ability to withdraw the breaker minimizes downtime during maintenance, ensuring that operations can continue with minimal interruption. 2. Fixed Type The fixed type of the WEW1-2000 ACB is installed in a stationary position and is not designed to be removed from its mounting. Key features include: * Robust Construction:Fixed type breakers are typically more robust and are suited for permanent installations where frequent maintenance is not required. * Simplified Installation:The fixed type is generally easier to install as it does not involve mechanisms for withdrawal and insertion. * Cost-Effective:The fixed type is often more cost-effective compared to the withdrawable type, making it a suitable option for applications where flexibility is less critical. Applications of 400V Air Circuit Breakers The versatility and robustness of the 400V air circuit breakers make them suitable for a wide range of applications across various industries. Here's a closer look at some common applications: 1. Industrial Installations In industrial settings, the WEW1-2000 ACB is crucial for protecting critical machinery, motors, and other electrical equipment from overloads and short circuits. Key benefits in industrial applications include: * Protection for Heavy Loads:Industrial environments often involve high-load equipment. The WEW1-2000 ACB can handle up to 2000A, making it suitable for these demanding applications. * Ensuring Operational Integrity:By preventing electrical faults, the ACB helps maintain the operational integrity of industrial processes, avoiding costly downtime and ensuring smooth operations. * Safety of Personnel:Protecting machinery from electrical faults also enhances the safety of personnel working in the industrial environment. 2. Commercial Buildings In commercial buildings such as office complexes, retail establishments, and more, the WEW1-2000 ACB plays a vital role in safeguarding the electrical distribution systems. Key benefits include: * Protecting Lighting and HVAC Systems:The breaker ensures the reliable operation of lighting systems, HVAC units, and other essential electrical loads in commercial buildings. * Enhancing Electrical Safety:By safeguarding the electrical infrastructure, the ACB contributes to the overall safety of the building's electrical system, protecting against potential faults that could disrupt business operations. * Supporting Building Reliability:With its high interrupting capacity and durability, the WEW1-2000 ACB ensures that the electrical system remains reliable and performs efficiently. Technical Features The WEW1-2000 ACB is equipped with several advanced features that enhance its performance and reliability: 1. High Interrupting Capacity High Interrupting Capacity refers to the ACB's ability to handle and safely interrupt very high fault currents without sustaining damage. When a fault occurs, such as a short circuit, the current flowing through the circuit can be extremely high. If not properly managed, this can cause significant damage to electrical equipment and increase the risk of fires or other hazards. The WEW1-2000 ACB is designed to manage these high fault currents effectively. By interrupting the current quickly and safely, it prevents damage to the electrical system and maintains overall safety. This high interrupting capacity is crucial in environments with large electrical loads and high fault potential, such as industrial plants and large commercial buildings. 2. Adjustable Trip Settings Adjustable Trip Settings allow the ACB to be customized to fit the specific requirements of an electrical system. These settings control the conditions under which the breaker will trip (or disconnect the circuit). * Thermal Trip Setting:This setting responds to sustained overloads. By adjusting this setting, the breaker can be configured to trip at different levels of sustained overcurrent, ensuring that it provides protection tailored to the specific needs of the system. * Magnetic Trip Setting:This setting responds to short circuits by tripping instantly. Adjustable magnetic settings ensure that the breaker can handle varying fault currents and respond appropriately to different short circuit conditions. The ability to adjust these settings helps optimize the protection of the electrical system, ensuring that the breaker trips only under appropriate conditions and prevents unnecessary interruptions. 3. Thermal and Magnetic Protection Thermal and Magnetic Protection mechanisms are integral to the operation of the WEW1-2000 ACB: * Thermal Protection:This mechanism is designed to protect against sustained overloads. It uses a bimetallic strip that heats up as the current increases. When the strip reaches a certain temperature, it bends and trips the breaker, disconnecting the circuit. This type of protection is important for addressing overloads that develop gradually over time, such as those caused by excessive load or faulty equipment. * Magnetic Protection:This mechanism provides instantaneous protection against short circuits. It employs an electromagnetic coil that generates a magnetic field when a short circuit occurs. This field moves a plunger or mechanism that quickly trips the breaker, disconnecting the circuit almost immediately. Magnetic protection is essential for rapid response to short circuits, preventing damage and minimizing the risk of fires. 4. Durable Construction Durable Construction refers to the materials and design used to build the ACB, which contribute to its longevity and reliability: * High-Quality Materials: The WEW1-2000 ACB is constructed using robust materials that are resistant to wear and environmental factors. This includes the breaker's casing and internal components, which are designed to withstand physical stress, temperature variations, and other conditions. * Environmental Resistance: The breaker is built to resist environmental challenges such as dust, moisture, and corrosive elements. This ensures that it performs reliably even in harsh environments, such as industrial facilities or outdoor installations. * Robust Design: The design of the ACB incorporates features that enhance its durability and effectiveness. This includes mechanisms for high interrupting capacity and reliable trip functions, ensuring that the breaker remains effective throughout its operational life. Conclusion The Air circuit breaker WEW1 2000 ACB breaker [ https://www.w9-group.com/air-circuit-breaker-wew1-2000-acb-breaker-withdrawable-type-acb-fixed-type-400vac-690vac-2000a-3-4p-acb-product/]withdrawable type acb fixed type is a vital component in modern electrical distribution systems, offering reliable protection for high-current applications. With options for both withdrawable and fixed types, it provides flexibility and robustness to meet the demands of various industries. Its high interrupting capacity, adjustable settings, and durable construction make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from industrial installations to commercial buildings. By ensuring the safety and reliability of electrical circuits, the WEW1-2000 ACB plays a crucial role in maintaining the operational integrity of electrical systems. Media Contact Company Name: W9 group Technology Electronic Co,. Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=air-circuit-breaker-wew12000-acb-withdrawable-and-fixed-type ] Phone: +8615906878798 Address:No. 36, Punan Second Road, Yueqing Economic Development Zone City: Wenzhou State: Zhejiang Country: China Website: https://www.w9-group.com/ This release was published on openPR.Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeover

5 best Black Friday gaming deals on Amazon including the PS5 and Lenovo Legion GoManmohan Singh, the former Indian prime minister whose economic reforms made his country a global powerhouse, has died at the age of 92, current leader Narendra Modi said. India "mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders," Modi posted on social media platform X shortly after news broke of Singh's passing. "As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives." Singh was taken to a hospital in New Delhi after he lost consciousness at his home on Thursday, but could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at 9:51 pm local time, according to a statement by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Singh, who held office from 2004 to 2014, is credited with having overseen an economic boom in Asia's fourth-largest economy in his first term, although slowing growth in later years marred his second stint. "I have lost a mentor and guide," opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a statement, adding that Singh had "led India with immense wisdom and integrity." "Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," said Gandhi, a scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and the most prominent challenger to Modi. The legacy of Manmohan Singh Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah in what is now Pakistan, Singh studied economics to find a way to eradicate poverty in India and never held elected office before taking the vast nation's top job. He won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and Oxford, where he completed his PhD. Singh worked in a string of senior civil posts, served as a central bank governor and also held various jobs with global agencies including the United Nations. He was tapped in 1991 by then Congress prime minister PV Narasimha Rao to reel India back from the worst financial crisis in its modern history. In his first term Singh steered the economy through a period of nine-percent growth, lending India the international clout it had long sought. He also sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the United States that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs. Known as "Mr Clean", Singh nonetheless saw his image tarnished during his decade-long tenure when a series of corruption cases became public. Several months before the 2014 elections, Singh said he would retire after the polls, with Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul earmarked to take his place if Congress won. But Congress crashed to its worst-ever result at that time as the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Modi, won in a landslide. Singh — who said historians would be kinder to him than contemporary detractors -- became a vocal critic of Modi's economic policies, and more recently warned about the risks that rising communal tensions posed to India's democracy.