New Delhi [India], December 26 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that from being the Governor of the RBI to the Finance Minister and as the PM, Singh played an important role in the governance of the country. In a post on X, Shah prayed for peace to his soul and strength for his family to bear this grief. Also Read | Dr Manmohan Singh Passes Away: Remembering India's Visionary Leader Who Transformed Nation's Economy, Check Key Highlights From His Career. "The news of the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is extremely sad. From being the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to the Finance Minister of the country and as the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh played an important role in the governance of the country. I express my condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. May Waheguru grant peace to his soul and give strength to his family to bear this grief," the Home Minister said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his deepest and heartfelt condolences to Singh's family, friends, and countless admirers. In a post on X, Kharge said that with the passing of Singh, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. Also Read | Dr Manmohan Singh Passes Away at 92: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Legendary Economist and Former Prime Minister, Says 'India Mourns the Loss of One of Its Most Distinguished Leaders'. "Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty," he wrote on X. The Congress chief called Singh a man of action rather than words saying that his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history "I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication. I am proud to have been a part of his Cabinet as Labour Minister, Railway Minister and Social Welfare Minister. A man of action rather than words, his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history," he said. "In this moment of sorrow, I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and countless admirers. May they get the strength to overcome this huge loss. His enduring legacy of ushering in India's growth, welfare, and policies of inclusivity will forever be cherished. May his soul rest in eternal peace," Kharge added. Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi condoled the demise of Singh and called him a uniquely dignified and gentleman in the rough world of politics. "Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents. He was genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed and courageous until the end. A uniquely dignified and gentleman in the rough world of politics," Priyanka wrote on X. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the party is cancelling all their programmes and rushing back to Delhi from Belagavi in Karnataka. "It's very tragic. He was a great prime minister who served the nation. We are cancelling all our programmes and rushing back to Delhi," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Singh saying that India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said that his thoughts are with the family of Dr Manmohan Singh, his friends and countless admirers. "India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives," he wrote on X. "Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti," PM Modi added. Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions, AIIMS informed. Singh retired from Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years in the house. Manomohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served two terms as Prime Minister of India- from 2004 to 2014. He took the oath of the office for the first time in 2004, after Congress' win in 2004 Lok Sabha election against Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served his second term from 2009 to 2014. He was then suceeded by PM Narendra Modi in 2014. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Merch, moguls and Missy Franklin: Ski Club Vail 14-year-old Ava Keenan does it all
The future of leadership in Africa hinges on a critical skill: AI literacy. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and societies globally, African boards must embrace this knowledge to remain competitive, ethical, and innovative. AI literacy is no longer optional but essential for board members across the continent, as it equips leaders to harness these advancements responsibly and effectively oversee their organisations in an AI-driven world. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising decision-making processes, offering tools to analyse data, predict trends, and optimise operations. Globally, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the economy by 2030, with Africa poised to benefit significantly if its leaders adapt. Yet, many African boards lag in understanding AI’s transformative potential due to gaps in digital literacy and infrastructure. This gap must be urgently addressed to ensure African businesses remain competitive in the global market. The oversight role of boards in AI governance is becoming increasingly critical. According to a recent Deloitte Global survey, only 14% of boards discuss AI at every meeting, while 45% haven’t yet put AI on their agenda at all. This lack of engagement is concerning, especially given the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on businesses. African boards must recognise that AI oversight is not just a technical issue but a strategic imperative that demands their attention and understanding. To effectively govern in the age of AI, board members need to develop a comprehensive understanding of AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications. This knowledge enables them to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and provide meaningful guidance to management teams. Without this literacy, boards risk approving AI initiatives without fully grasping their implications or missing out on transformative opportunities that could propel their organisations forward. The stakes are high for African businesses. AI has the potential to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, from improving healthcare access to optimising agricultural productivity. However, it also brings risks such as data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and potential job displacement. AI-literate boards are better equipped to navigate these complex issues, ensuring that AI adoption aligns with organisational values and societal needs. Moreover, AI literacy empowers boards to foster a culture of innovation within their organisations. By understanding AI’s potential, board members can encourage management to explore cutting-edge solutions and allocate resources to promising AI initiatives. This forward-thinking approach is crucial for African businesses to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global market. The path to AI literacy for African boards requires a multifaceted approach. Board members should prioritise ongoing education about AI technologies and their applications in business. This can involve attending workshops, engaging with AI experts, and even experiencing AI tools firsthand. Some organisations are already taking steps in this direction, with 8% of respondents in the Deloitte survey indicating that they are starting to include AI specialists among their new board directors. However, education alone is not sufficient. Boards must establish robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that AI adoption aligns with the organisation’s strategic priorities. This includes setting clear governance frameworks for AI-related initiatives, evaluating their alignment with goals such as enhancing productivity and efficiency, improving customer experience, and fostering innovation. By focusing on strategy and accountability, boards can ensure that AI delivers measurable value while safeguarding the organisation’s long-term vision and ethical standards.. Risk management is another critical aspect of AI governance that demands board attention. African boards must establish robust frameworks for assessing and mitigating AI-related risks. This includes addressing data privacy concerns, ensuring algorithmic fairness, and preparing for potential cybersecurity threats. Boards should also consider the broader societal implications of AI adoption, such as its impact on employment and social equity. To effectively oversee AI initiatives, boards need to define clear governance structures. This may involve creating dedicated AI committees or integrating AI oversight into existing committee responsibilities. Many boards that have delegated AI matters typically assign them to the risk and regulatory committee or the audit committee. African boards should carefully consider which structure best suits their organisation’s needs to ensure comprehensive AI governance. As AI becomes more pervasive, boards must also broaden their stakeholder considerations. While customers and employees are currently seen as the top stakeholders in AI governance, African boards should anticipate increased scrutiny from regulators, investors, and society at large. Proactively engaging with these stakeholders and addressing their concerns will be crucial for maintaining trust and social license to operate in an AI-driven future. The journey towards AI literacy and effective governance is not without challenges. Many African organisations face resource constraints and may struggle to attract AI talent. However, these obstacles make it even more imperative for boards to lead the charge in AI adoption and governance. By prioritising AI literacy and oversight, boards can help their organisations overcome these hurdles and unlock the transformative potential of AI. In conclusion, AI literacy is non-negotiable for African boards aspiring to lead their organisations into the future. It is the key to unlocking innovation, managing risks, and ensuring responsible AI adoption. As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, African boards must rise to the challenge, embracing AI literacy as a fundamental leadership competency. By doing so, they will position their organisations – and the continent as a whole – to thrive in the AI-driven economy of the future.
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Mark Gronowski ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more and two-time defending national champion South Dakota State dominated Montana 35-18 in a second-round FCS playoff game on Saturday. While Gronowski was leading an offense that piled up 399 yards, the third-seeded Jackrabbits' defense held the 14th-seeded Grizzlies to 306 yards — but 160 came on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after the lead reached 35-3. Adam Bock contributed a 30-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. South Dakota State (11-2), which beat Montana 23-3 in the national championship game in January, is home next weekend against sixth-seed Incarnate Word (11-2). Gronowski was 12-of-16 passing for 151 yards. He hit Griffin Wilde for a pair of touchdowns covering 34 and 24 yards in the second quarter and scored on a pair of 1-yard sneaks in the first and fourth. He also had a 21-yard reception to set up his first quarter run that put the Jackrabbits on top 7-3. Wilde had seven catches for 114 yards. Amar Johnson had 103 yards on 16 carries and Angel Johnson totaled 91 yards on 13 rushes. Keali'i Ah Yat was 19 of 32 for 231 yards but had two critical interceptions for Montana (9-5). In addition to the pick-6, Tucker Large had a goal-line interception when the Grizzlies could have pulled within four points. The Jackrabbits were 7 of 12 on third down, while the Grizzlies went 5 of 13 — 2 of 9 through three quarters. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25NoneMANCHESTER, England -- Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to seven points after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday. Chelsea moved up to second by thrashing last-place Southampton 5-1, while Arsenal is third after a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Fourth-place Manchester City ended its seven-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s result will give hope to its title rivals after Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equalizer at St James’ Park. Arne Slot’s team had twice come back from a goal down to take the lead in the 83rd through Mohamed Salah’s second goal of the match. But the Merseyside club was denied an eighth-straight win in all competitions when Newcastle produced a fightback of its own. “I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half, but we were not good enough in the first half," Slot said. “Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.” Chelsea and Arsenal took advantage. Chelsea's third league win in a row puts it ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. City also reduced the gap and is nine points behind Liverpool after finally ending the worst run of results of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. “We needed it. The club, the players, everyone needed to win,” Guardiola said. After wins over Real Madrid and City last week, Liverpool’s title credentials were given a stern test by Newcastle, which led at halftime through Alexander Isak and again in the second half through Anthony Gordon. Goals from Curtis Jones and Salah twice leveled the game before Salah looked to have sealed the win late on. Schar equalized after Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher misjudged a late free kick. It meant Liverpool dropped points for only the third time this season after drawing against Arsenal and losing to Forest. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said this week that his team was not in the title race, but the standings tell a different story. The London club is Liverpool’s closest challenger after its latest win against 10-man Southampton. Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were all on target in the rout at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton had briefly leveled the game through Joe Aribo, but Chelsea was already 3-1 up and in control when Jack Stephens was sent off before the break. Arsenal inflicted a first loss on new United head coach Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Two goals from second-half corners made the difference, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the back of the net, but Arsenal still slipped to third, despite edging closer to Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's team finished runner-up in each of the last two seasons and looks primed to challenge again after making an unconvincing start to the campaign. “You get written off but we stuck together as a group," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. “You stick together and we’re starting to reap the rewards of that.” Making his first start since September, Kevin De Bruyne showed City exactly what it has been missing by scoring a goal and creating another as the four-time defending champion got back to winning ways. The Belgium playmaker provided the cross for Bernardo Silva to give City an eighth-minute lead against Forest at the Etihad Stadium. He produced a trademark finish to sweep the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 31st to put City on course for a first win in eight games. Jeremy Doku made it 3-0 in the 57th, but it was De Bruyne’s performance that stood out after seeing much of his season disrupted by a groin injury. He left the field in the 74th to an ovation from the home crowd. “It’s been a tough time but you have to accept the challenge and I think we did well today," De Bruyne said. "The Premier League is getting harder and harder. We have to improve as a team first and we’ll see in a couple of months where we are. Hopefully, we would have improved a bit and are a lot closer.” But victory could have come at a cost with concerns over the fitness of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who both went off. “Nathan doesn’t look good. We (will) see tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Manu is making the last two months struggle a lot.” A first win in six games for Everton moved Sean Dyche’s team further away from the relegation zone, while back-to-back losses for Wolverhampton left the club second from bottom of the standings. Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put Everton in control before two second-half own goals from Craig Dawson sealed a 4-0 win for the Merseyside club, which is five points clear of the bottom three. Aston Villa ended an even longer winless run by beating Brentford 3-1 to secure a first victory in nine games in all competitions. Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and Matty Cash were on target. ___ James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
National Students’ Day marked at Sharif University of TechnologyFriday, December 27, 2024 Selangor, Malaysia ’s most developed state, has officially launched its Visit Selangor Year (VSY) 2025 campaign, a strategic initiative aimed at positioning the state as a premier tourism destination. The campaign was unveiled during a grand festival and concert held at Setia City Park on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Officiated by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, the launch served as a precursor to the year-long celebration slated for 2025. A key highlight of the event was the introduction of Selangor’s official tourism mascot, Spark the Firefly, symbolizing the state’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and promoting eco-tourism. The adorable mascot is expected to become a recognizable icon, representing Selangor’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Accompanying the mascot launch was the debut of Selangor’s digital campaign portal. Designed as a one-stop platform for tourists, the portal provides essential travel information, including itineraries, event updates, and insights into the state’s attractions. With user-friendly features and real-time updates, the portal aims to enhance the travel experience for both domestic and international visitors. State executive councillor for local government, tourism, and New Village development Ng Suee Lim emphasized the strategic importance of the VSY 2025 campaign in advancing Selangor’s tourism and economic goals. He stated, “This RM8 million allocation for the VSY 2025 campaign underscores our commitment to boosting Selangor’s tourism sector as a key driver of economic growth. Through this investment, we aim to attract eight million tourists by 2025, generating an estimated RM11.7 billion in tourism receipts and creating new job opportunities throughout the state.” The VSY 2025 campaign aligns with the First Selangor Plan, a comprehensive strategy set to conclude in 2025. The plan focuses on leveraging tourism as a pivotal economic driver while fostering sustainable development. The campaign’s objectives include: Discover everything and anything about travel , tourism , trade shows at the Travel And Tour World , including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade , airlines , cruise , railways , technology , travel association , DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos . In a bid to support the arts and cultural industries, Ng Suee Lim announced that the state government will reduce entertainment taxes and grant duty-free status to local artists throughout 2025. These measures aim to nurture a thriving creative ecosystem, positioning Selangor as a regional hub for arts, culture, and entertainment. The reduction in taxes is expected to encourage more performances, exhibitions, and cultural events, creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts tourists and locals alike. By investing in the arts, Selangor aims to enhance its appeal as a dynamic destination that celebrates creativity and cultural diversity. The VSY 2025 campaign highlights Selangor’s unique blend of attractions, from its bustling cities and historical landmarks to serene natural landscapes and eco-tourism hotspots. Key features of the campaign include: The three-day celebration at Setia City Park featured a series of activities and performances that set the tone for the upcoming Visit Selangor Year. The festival included live music, cultural showcases, and interactive exhibits, attracting thousands of attendees. The concert, headlined by local and international artists, was a major highlight, creating an electrifying atmosphere that reflected Selangor’s vibrant spirit. As Selangor gears up for Visit Selangor Year 2025, the state’s leaders remain optimistic about the campaign’s potential to transform the tourism landscape. By leveraging strategic investments, innovative initiatives, and a strong focus on sustainability, Selangor is poised to achieve its ambitious goals and establish itself as a premier destination in the region. The combination of Spark the Firefly, the digital portal, and a comprehensive promotional strategy underscores Selangor’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for tourists. With a clear vision and collaborative efforts, the state is set to make VSY 2025 a resounding success, benefiting both visitors and the local community. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional language platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.
Who is Cam Skattebo? Arizona State football RB leads Sun Devils into CFP contentionThe dismissal of a class-action lawsuit over rules governing the cross-border live bee trade is casting a spotlight on political division within Canada’s beekeeping community. A federal judge has ruled against awarding commercial beekeepers damages from a decades-old partial ban on shipping live honeybees across the Canada-U.S. border, which is in place out of concerns that could bring in aggressive pests and diseases. Beekeepers from Western Canada involved in the suit claim the government’s risk assessments that inform the tight restrictions are hurting their businesses and are blown out of proportion. Michael Paradis of Paradis Honey Ltd., a seven-generation family beekeeping business based in Girouxville, Alta., and one of the representative plaintiffs in the case, said he’s disappointed with the ruling, saying it puts beekeepers in a “dangerous position” since the industry is already in crisis mode. “Canada does not have enough bees and cannot replenish its own stock at all,” he said. “It’s going to mean a lot more hardship for the industry if we cannot get access to the U.S. bees.” Beekeepers were slammed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when fewer airline flights made it harder to import bees and they suffered a nightmare year of winter losses in 2022. Manitoba commercial beekeeper Brent Ash, one of the witnesses in the case, said the ruling will hamper the industry, and makes it especially tough for apiaries in colder parts of the country like the Prairies, where most of Canada’s beekeepers are located. “Climate makes the regional divide difficult to keep those bugs alive over the course of the winter,” he said, noting honeybees are not native to North America. But Steve Moore, president of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, said his group worries about the risks of accidentally bringing in antibiotic resistant mites, the import of Africanized honeybees commonly known as killer bees, and a small hive beetle that’s capable of damaging colonies. “In Ontario here, we feel quite strongly that we don’t want to take the risk of it becoming even more challenging if some of these new and emerging threats come into the country in packages,” he said. But he empathizes with the plaintiffs. “When we go into our apiaries, we get stung by our bees. When we come home, we might be stung by a low honey price, stung by rising cost of production or stung by high overwintering losses, with the threat of new and emerging pathogens. So, we’re all facing the same challenges and it’s a challenging time to be a beekeeper,” he said. Even though a ban on U.S. live bee imports expired in 2006, Ottawa has not issued permits for the live worker bee boxes to be brought over the border since. The plaintiffs argued Ottawa owes them duty of care — and hundreds of millions in damages. The judge disagreed. “There is no duty of care owed and no negligence,” Justice Cecily Strickland wrote in a lengthy ruling, adding the plaintiffs failed to establish that Ottawa hurt their businesses. The case has a long history, dating back to a court filing from 2012, and was only certified as a class action in 2017. The problem is even older. Headlines from the 1980s screamed about fears that deadly infectious mites from U.S. states could level Canadian bee populations. Risks to bee health have only compounded since then. A 2003 risk assessment by the regulator found that importing queen bees was less risky, since they are easier to inspect. So, Canada allows imports of queen bees and their worker-bee attendants from the U.S., Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy and Malta. “Bee packages carry a higher risk of disease introduction because they are shipped with the contents of their hive, which may include mites, parasites and bacteria,” said a statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that welcomed the judge’s ruling. Canada does, however, also allow imports of worker bee packages from Italy, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, which sent Canada some 69,364 kgs of packaged bees in 2023, according to statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But importing from these countries also dramatically drives up import costs due to transportation. One of the plaintiffs, John Gibeau, wrote to CFIA a decade ago complaining that importing more than 1,200 packages for $170,000 would have cost half that if he could have purchased them from California instead. Gibeau said he wasn’t ready to comment since he hasn’t yet digested the ruling. Paradis said the larger issue for him than cost, though, is the quality of the bee stock and the timing of when shipments arrive. “We are looking at bees in the U.S. that are spring bees — young, invigorated bees,” he said, adding that gives them longer lifespans in Canada. While he was disappointed, Paradis said one of the main reasons for the lawsuit was to “bring CFIA to the table and to actually have some discussions” on the import ban, something he said has only happened recently. Canada’s honeybee pollination is estimated to contribute $3.18 billion directly to the economy, but that rises to $7 billion a year when canola pollination is factored in. Canada has some 794,341 beehives.
NoneAP Business SummaryBrief at 6:26 p.m. EST
The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
The 50-year-old executive was shot at about 6.45am as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The gunman appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Mr Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police have not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Ms Tisch said, adding that the shooting “does not appear to be a random act of violence”. Mr Thompson was struck at least once in the back and once in the calf, Ms Tisch said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspect, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a grey backpack, then fled on foot down an alleyway before pedalling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away. The shooter was at large, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare,” the insurer’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said in a statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the company said. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the suspect pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Police offered a reward of up to 10,000 US dollars (£7,860) for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The killing shook a part of New York City that is normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people are set to gather on Wednesday night for the annual Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree lighting. Mr Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that the executive told her “there were some people that had been threatening him”. She said she did not have details, but suggested they may have involved issues with insurance coverage. UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the health care giant UnitedHealth Group. The group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the company’s direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Mr Thompson’s death. “I’m afraid that we – some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. I’m sure you’ll understand.” Mr Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as chief executive for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programmes. Minnesota governor Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team”. “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” the Democrat wrote.Efficient Lions outlast error-prone Colts