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fb777 apk Normalcy returns in Kashmir after snow-led disruptions; Haryana, Rajasthan continue to shiverLOCAL barcode standards authority GS1 Philippines advocates the use of barcode technology in health care to streamline workflow for health professionals, strengthening the aim for enhanced patient safety. This push for innovating health care comes as the World Health Organization's Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 highlights the transformative potential of digital transformation in health care. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.

Arsenal made light work of Sporting CP as they left Lisbon with all three points to kick-start their Champions League campaign. Three goals before half-time did the damage, the first time they had scored three away goals in a European tie since Mikel Arteta's first season in charge. Goncalo Inacio threatened to make a game of it moments after the restart, but a Bukayo Saka penalty restored the three-goal advantage before Leandro Trossard scored the visitors' fifth. It was Arsenal's first away win in the Champions League in more than a year, with the last one comping against Sevilla in October 2023. It also helped them lay to rest the ghosts of their Europa League elimination against Sporting a few months before that. Both sides are now on 10 points from five European games, with automatic qualification for the round of 16 still a possibility. With two of the last three games on home soil, Arteta's men will fancy their chances. It took less than seven minutes for Arsenal to get themselves in front. Some quick passing down the Gunners right created space for Jurrien Timber, and his low cross found Gabriel Martinelli free at the back post to tap home. One became two just after the 20 minute mark, with more success down the right. This time it was Bukayo Saka who beat the offside trap and Kai Havertz who rolled the ball home from point-blank range. Gabriel headed home a Declan Rice corner seconds before the break, leaving Sporting with a mountain to climb. Inacio gave them hope, but it was quickly extinguished when Ousmane Diomande went through the back of Martin Odegaard and Saka made no mistake from the spot. Was this Arsenal's best performance of the season? Have your say in the comments section It was an important win for the visitors after they took just one point from their first two away European games, and Trossard made it absolutely safe as he tucked home the rebound after Mikel Merino's effort was parried. Here are Mirror Football 's talking points from the statement victory. 1. Arsenal succeed where City failed While Manchester City were punished for missed chances at the Alvalade earlier in the month, Arsenal made no such mistake. Not only that, but they took advantage through the kind of goal which Pep Guardiola's side have made their bread and butter in recent years. An overload down the wing, followed by a cutback which leaves an free forward with a simple finish. Not once but twice, and Sporting had no answer. It almost happened for a third time before the break, with Kai Havertz inches from collecting a ball between the lines from Martin Odegaard. In the end, though, they went for a goal more typical of their own style - a header from a Rice corner. 2. Martinelli's redemption When Arsenal and Sporting met in the 2022-23 Europa League , Gabriel Martinelli ended up as the villain of the piece. His penalty was saved by Antonio Adan in a shoot-out defeat in North London, sending the Portuguese side through at the expense of Mikel Arteta's men. If that was playing on his mind at the start, that soon changed. He won't have too many easier finishes this season, but he still needed to be in the right place to meet Timber's low cross. The Brazilian hasn't been an automatic pick this season, with his goal tally below his previously high standards. This goal was vintage Martinelli, though, and he'll hope it can spur him on to more. 3. Arteta's rotation rewarded Some eyebrows were raised when Arsenal fans looked at Mikel Arteta's weekend selection. Those players had more than enough to beat Nottingham Forest , though, and it allowed others to enjoy a bit of a rest. Martinelli was another of those given a rest over the weekend, and he made it count. It looked like a fresh team all round, too, with Arteta perhaps recognising the importance of a fast start. The flurry of goals also allowed Arteta to give some of his players an early rest, with Odegaard and Rice in particular likely to benefit from being kept fresh. Next for Arsenal is a trip to West Ham , who might have hoped to be facing a more tired opponent. 4. 100 up for Saliba William Saliba has felt like part of the furniture at Arsenal for so long, it's hard to remember a time when he wasn't a fixture in the side. It might seem strange, but he only made his first senior appearance less than two-and-a-half years ago and has now brought up 100 first-team outings. More than three quarters of those have come in the league, including all 38 last season. This was his 19th outing in Europe, and his first against Sporting since suffering the injury which curtailed his 2022-23 season. He put that memory behind him, marshalling the potentially dangerous Viktor Gyokeres. The victory was Saliba's 65th in 100 Arsenal outings, making him only the sixth player in the team's history to win as many during that first century of games. 5. Gunners goal-shy no more Going into Tuesday's game, Arsenal had failed to score in any of their last four away games in the Champions League . It almost cost them against Porto in last season's round of 16, and then did cost them against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals as Thomas Tuchel's team followed a 2-2 first-leg draw with a 1-0 win in Bavaria. While the goalless draw against Atalanta this term wasn't the most inspiring display, the Gunners looked good value for a goal at the San Siro as they lost 1-0 to Inter. In short, many sensed that barren run wasn't likely to go on for too long. You have to go all the way back to 2008 for the last time Arsenal scored five in a European away day. They'd certainly have taken that before kick-off. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.Sameeksha app to help school performance monitoring

The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Contributors include former AP staffer Alex Sanz in Atlanta. Bill Barrow, The Associated Press

Trump Offers ‘Millions’ for Young Girl’s Hair in Bizarre Video

Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 15, (ANI/WAM): Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, emphasised that the UAE's healthcare system has become a global benchmark in preventive medicine, driven by Abu Dhabi and other emirates hosting advanced hospitals, pioneering robotic technologies, innovative genomic research, and an artificial intelligence-supported healthcare infrastructure. In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), he attributed the progress in the country's medical sector to the ambitious vision and guidance of the UAE's leadership, which is dedicated to developing and adopting the latest global advancements in the field. Also Read | Anura Kumara Dissanayake's India Trip: In First Foreign Visit After Assuming Office, Sri Lankan President Lands in Delhi, Will Hold Bilateral With PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video). Al Nowais highlighted M42's collaboration with government entities, which is shaping a new healthcare paradigm, from data analysis and early identification of health threats to delivering targeted treatments faster and more cost-effectively. He added that M42 stands out for its commitment to accelerating the shift from traditional treatment methodologies to a proactive, prevention-focused model. The group also prioritises exploring ways to support healthy ageing, enhance quality of life, transition to a more sustainable healthcare system, and promote general well-being. Also Read | Cyclone Chido Update: 14 Killed in French Territory of Mayotte As Storm Causes Severe Damage, French Minister Bruno Retailleau Set To Visit Island. "For meaningful, lasting, and positive change that enhances human longevity worldwide, we must collectively focus on three pillars: precision, preventive, and predictive medicine," Al Nowais said, underscoring the need to establish a sustainable healthcare model that detects diseases early, before symptoms appear. "This requires adopting artificial intelligence, genomic science, and fostering collaborations across various levels." Al Nowais highlighted M42's innovations in AI- and genomics-based solutions, which are driving transformative healthcare advancements and improving preventive and personalised care. Key innovations include the open-source, large clinical language model "Med42" and the AI-powered "AIRIS-TB" system, which conducts 2,000 chest X-rays daily to combat tuberculosis. This marks a significant leap in diagnostic capacity compared to traditional methods, which handle only 200 examinations in the region. He also noted that AI integration extends to endoscopic procedures, enhancing the accuracy of detecting abnormalities and early signs of cancer. Al Nowais highlighted the group's Omics Centre of Excellence, which advances genomic research, including the UAE Genome Programme, paving the way for precision medicine and proactive health management in the UAE. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 1:56 p.m. ESTKroger Announces Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Succession

Sidra Medicine performs Qatar’s first C-Section in angiography suiteUS agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says

Kevin Harvick reacts to son Keelan’s first Limited Late Model startIn an event that has set the memorabilia world abuzz, a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in her role as Dorothy in the classic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, was sold for a record-breaking $32.5 million at auction. On the surface, this auction may seem like Hollywood excess at its peak; however, when you look beyond the glitter of sequins, this sale speaks volumes about the enduring cultural power of nostalgia, symbolism, and storytelling. The 'Holy Grail' of Hollywood Heritage Auctions calling these slippers the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia" isn't hyperbole. The ruby slippers represent a golden age of cinema when craftsmanship and storytelling coalesced perfectly. They weren't created in a CGI studio or mass-produced for marketing tie-ins. These were hand-sewn, painstakingly detailed pieces of art, carefully designed to shine brilliantly in Technicolor — a pioneering technology in 1939 that revolutionised the film industry. This shift from silver to red, made to maximise the vividness of Technicolor, was a moment of pure creative genius. And it worked. The image of Dorothy's feet, clad in shimmering red, became one of the most memorable images in film history. Selling for $32.5 million? That's not just a collector's flex; it's a validation of cinema as art and of the historical significance these shoes carry. More than just footwear The journey of these slippers — through theft, recovery, and now auction glory — reads like a plot twist in itself. Stolen in 2005 by a thief who wrongly assumed they were encrusted with actual rubies, the slippers have lived through mystery, crime, and recovery, adding layers to their mythos. That's part of what makes them so valuable; their legacy continues to evolve, even eight decades after they first appeared on screen. They've become more than props — they're characters in their own right. Just like Dorothy's journey in Oz, the slippers have faced their own perilous adventure. When they were finally recovered by the FBI after 13 years, in 2018, it felt like the happy ending we all craved — a reassurance that some things, no matter how lost, can find their way back. Why it matters In a modern world where "home" often feels fragmented, the message of the ruby slippers resonates deeply. Dorothy's chant — "There's no place like home" — carries a bittersweet poignancy today. Moreover, the sale also coincides with a resurgence in The Wizard of Oz mythology, with films like Wicked (2024) reviving interest in the world of Oz. This reawakening suggests that despite changing times, we still crave stories rooted in magic, wonder, and a touch of innocence. Yes, $32.5 million could buy mansions, rare art, or bankroll an indie film or two. But this sale tells us something crucial; the power of storytelling, nostalgia, and the enduring love for a Hollywood classic. In an event that has set the memorabilia world abuzz, a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in her role as Dorothy in the classic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, was sold for a record-breaking $32.5 million at auction. On the surface, this auction may seem like Hollywood excess at its peak; however, when you look beyond the glitter of sequins, this sale speaks volumes about the enduring cultural power of nostalgia, symbolism, and storytelling. The 'Holy Grail' of Hollywood Heritage Auctions calling these slippers the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia" isn't hyperbole. The ruby slippers represent a golden age of cinema when craftsmanship and storytelling coalesced perfectly. They weren't created in a CGI studio or mass-produced for marketing tie-ins. These were hand-sewn, painstakingly detailed pieces of art, carefully designed to shine brilliantly in Technicolor — a pioneering technology in 1939 that revolutionised the film industry. This shift from silver to red, made to maximise the vividness of Technicolor, was a moment of pure creative genius. And it worked. The image of Dorothy's feet, clad in shimmering red, became one of the most memorable images in film history. Selling for $32.5 million? That's not just a collector's flex; it's a validation of cinema as art and of the historical significance these shoes carry. More than just footwear The journey of these slippers — through theft, recovery, and now auction glory — reads like a plot twist in itself. Stolen in 2005 by a thief who wrongly assumed they were encrusted with actual rubies, the slippers have lived through mystery, crime, and recovery, adding layers to their mythos. That's part of what makes them so valuable; their legacy continues to evolve, even eight decades after they first appeared on screen. They've become more than props — they're characters in their own right. Just like Dorothy's journey in Oz, the slippers have faced their own perilous adventure. When they were finally recovered by the FBI after 13 years, in 2018, it felt like the happy ending we all craved — a reassurance that some things, no matter how lost, can find their way back. Why it matters In a modern world where "home" often feels fragmented, the message of the ruby slippers resonates deeply. Dorothy's chant — "There's no place like home" — carries a bittersweet poignancy today. Moreover, the sale also coincides with a resurgence in The Wizard of Oz mythology, with films like Wicked (2024) reviving interest in the world of Oz. This reawakening suggests that despite changing times, we still crave stories rooted in magic, wonder, and a touch of innocence. Yes, $32.5 million could buy mansions, rare art, or bankroll an indie film or two. But this sale tells us something crucial; the power of storytelling, nostalgia, and the enduring love for a Hollywood classic.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to activate joint task force for public securityAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about over parts of New York and , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details including where they system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Bianca Vázquez Toness, The Associated Press

One side-effect of the polarising effect of nationalism and populism around the world in recent years has been a decrease in the political stability and mandate enjoyed by incumbent regimes. From the erosion of nationalist hegemony in Malaysia or India to the rise of populism in the United States and pockets of Europe, swings in both directions have led to fragile coalitions, divided legislatures and a rise in uncertainty. One of the few silver linings to emerge from this cloud of political uncertainty was Sri Lanka’s spritely Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who, at age 55, became the youngest president elected by Sri Lankans in 30 years in a runoff to a closely contested election in October. Dissanayake, colloquially known as AKD, and his National People’s Power (NPP) went before the electorate once more the following month and secured a two-thirds majority in Sri Lanka’s parliament, sweeping the polls and for the first time erasing the ethnic and xenophobic calculations that have plagued Sri Lanka since the island’s independence. The resounding majorities secured by Dissanayake across Lankans young and old, male and female, Buddhist, Christian or Hindu, and Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim, are the first ever sign that Sri Lankans are eager to put populism, nationalism and sectarianism in the rearview mirror and unite on the painful journey of rebuilding their proud island nation. This week, President Dissanayake will be in India for his first State visit, including bilateral talks with another politician who came up from the grassroots and surpassed all political expectations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Having just secured his third term through a coalition arrangement, Modi has dealt with four Sri Lankan presidents since taking the reins of India in May 2014. However, in meeting President Dissanayake this week, Prime Minister Modi will for the first time come face to face with a Sri Lankan head of state who can credibly speak to the concerns and aspirations of every constituency in the country, who leads a Sri Lanka that less than three years after declaring insolvency is fast emerging as the most stable democracy in South Asia. In sweeping the Parliamentary polls with a two-thirds majority, AKD proved that he has his finger on the pulse of not just a single ethnic group or constituency, but of all Sri Lankans. Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake face many similar geopolitical challenges today. India remains a political football, with the United States and Russia each vying to bring India closer in a way that very much resembles the tussle Sri Lanka often finds itself in between the competing interests of India and China. During Modi’s tenure at the helm of India, his government has been careful not to pick sides. He and his right hand for foreign affairs, S. Jaishankar deftly played up India’s value to the United States as an economic and strategic regional counterweight to China, forcing successive US administrations to turn a blind eye to the erosion of liberties in Modi’s India, while tolerating India’s warm relations with Russia. For its part, Russia, eager to retain a market for their sanctioned oil and military surplus, trades more oil and military technology with India than it would with any other country that retains such close nuclear, military and intelligence ties to the US. This week, Modi will learn that under AKD’s tenure, Sri Lanka too will seek to strike the right balance of partnerships between India, China and other global powers, in a manner that is ultimately calibrated towards the best long-term interests of Sri Lanka. Dissanayake has the savvy to appreciate the importance of maintaining strong ties with India, but is extremely unlikely to compromise his principles in doing so. The most recent example of this was how the President handled the controversy around the academic qualifications of AKD’s close political ally, Speaker Asoka Ranwala. When challenged about whether or not he could prove he had earned a doctoral degree, Ranwala first asserted that he would need a few weeks to produce the evidence. As a longtime senior JVP member with deep connections in Parliament, he had every reason to expect that at minimum, his comrades would help him stall for time and shield him from any attempt to remove him from office. However, just hours after the President made a thinly veiled reference to his party’s intolerance for even the appearance of impropriety, Ranwala voluntarily stepped down, leaving no doubt that his party has zero appetite for distraction as it sets about to fulfil its ambitious mandate. Ranwala knew as well as any senior member of the NPP does, just how serious President Dissanayake is about his vision for a ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program, seeking to drive Sri Lankans to aspire to not just environmental, but also social and ethical ‘cleanliness’. This vision was the cornerstone of his electoral campaign. By the time President Dissanayake leaves office, he has made it clear that he wants to leave Sri Lankans with pride in keeping their country tidy, orderly and free of corruption. As Prime Minister Modi seeks Sri Lanka’s support with India’s priorities, this initiative can serve as a blueprint for collaboration between the countries in a way that could set India apart among Sri Lanka’s other strategic allies. India is uniquely positioned to support Sri Lanka, whether from coming to the table to address the concerns raised in the Sri Lankan courts on India-backed wind energy projects or to support the President in building the infrastructure and incentives required to drive the rest of the program forward. It would be a mistake to presume that Dissanayake’s way of governing is not here to stay. Despite his own left wing populist roots, AKD’s most surprising achievement was building confidence among respected private sector luminaries and entrusting them with some of the most significant levers of power in his Government. The momentum that his leadership team have established to lift Sri Lanka out of the doldrums is unlike anything we have seen in Sri Lanka’s history. Never has Sri Lanka had a leader who seemed so loved by the masses while also being feared by those who would seek to exploit or manipulate those masses. There is an opportunity for India to proactively recognise this trend and bring his Government to the table to help Dissanayake drive towards a cleaner Sri Lanka. If Modi can convince President Dissanayake that his Government will support Sri Lanka’s domestic priorities, that would be the clearest opportunity to build up trust in our ‘big brother’ across the Palk Strait.

SEC starting QB announces retirement from football

Sénégal: Répression des événements pré-électoraux - Vers l'abrogation de la loi d'amnistieHow to fix MSNBCSome Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son HunterVan Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag’s assistant in the summer and had a four-game interim spell in charge following his compatriot’s sacking in October. He left the club in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s appointment but was only out of work for two weeks after being appointed Leicester’s new manager on a deal until 2027. The 48-year-old had a glittering playing career with United and was disappointed his return had to end so soon. “The moment I took over the interim job what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it,” he said. “So I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave. “The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. “But in the end I got my head around it because I also understand the new manager. I’m in football long enough, and I’ve managed myself, that you can think of a situation, me being there, I understand. “I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.” The Dutchman takes on a difficult job at the King Power Stadium as he is tasked with keeping Leicester in the Premier League. He inherits an influential dressing room, which has seen a number of managers come and go over the last few years. Ruud's here for his first press conference as our Manager 😃 pic.twitter.com/A4Juixvorb — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 2, 2024 Van Nistelrooy revealed he has done his due diligence and also let the players know as well. “It’s the only way you can work. It’s mutual respect. I also mentioned to the players yesterday that I looked at the squad and started to make phone calls about players, because in football everyone knows everyone,” he said. “With two or three phone calls you hear stories about 20 players and for me it was important that you hear there are good characters there. That’s important, that there are good people there. “I look at the players how they play. I obviously don’t know them but I got general information and the individuals that they are a good bunch of people. That was important for me to get in.”

Jimmy Carter, former president and humanitarian, dies at 100Bhopal, Dec 15 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has made preparations for the participation of 450 million pilgrims, saints and tourists during the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a state minister said on Sunday. The grand spiritual gathering will take place from January 13 (Paush Poornima) to February 26 (Maha Shivratri) in Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh is organised every 12 years. Addressing a press conference in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, UP’s Minister for Jal Shakti and Flood Control Swatantra Dev Singh said the congregation will surpass the previous ones in grandeur and divine essence. The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is expected to welcome over 450 million (45 crore) pilgrims, saints, ascetics, and tourists, he said, adding that the UP government has planned meticulously to make it a clean, healthy, safe and digital event. It will be a “single-use-plastic-free” Maha Kumbh, he said. About three lakh saplings have been planted across Prayagraj and they would be maintained even after the conclusion of the Mela, he said. A 100-bed hospital, two hospitals with 20 beds each and smaller hospitals with 8 beds have been set up. Besides, two 10-bed ICUs have been set up by the Army Hospital, he said. The authorities will deploy 291 MBBS doctors and specialists, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani specialists, and 182 nursing staff to attend to the medical needs of devotees and tourists. The UP minister said that 35 existing permanent ghats and 9 new ghats have been constructed for the convenience of the devotees taking a holy dip. He said the preparations for the event include a dedicated website and app, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages, QR-based passes for people and vehicles, a multilingual digital lost-and-found centre and other information technology-based facilities. Singh said 101 smart parking facilities, capable of accommodating up to five lakh vehicles daily, have been created. The parking area spans 1,867.04 hectares. Three technical methods including “attribute method”, RFID wristbands and mobile app tracking will be used to count every individual, he added. (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)