Shares of PepsiCo’s bottling partner Varun Beverages jumped 1.7% to their intraday high of Rs 657 on the BSE after the company announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 39.93% stake in Lunarmech. This makes Lunarmech a wholly-owned subsidiary of Varun Beverages. “In continuation of our intimation dated November 12, 2024, we would like to inform you that today (01:47 P.M. IST) our company has acquired 39.93% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of Lunarmech, and accordingly, it has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of our company with effect from December 16, 2024,” the company said in a filing to the exchanges. Earlier, in November, the company had announced via an exchange filing that its board had approved a share purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 39.93% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of Lunarmech Technologies. This was stated to be for a consideration of Rs 200 crore. Stock Trading A2Z of Stock Trading - Online Stock Trading Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Complete Guide to Stock Market Trading: From Basics to Advanced By - Harneet Singh Kharbanda, Full Time Trader View Program Stock Trading Market 104: Options Trading: Kickstart Your F&O Adventure By - Saketh R, Founder- QuickAlpha, Full Time Options Trader View Program Stock Trading Advanced Strategies in Stock Market Mastery By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Stock Markets Made Easy By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Options Scalping Made Easy By - Sivakumar Jayachandran, Ace Scalper View Program Stock Trading Options Trading Course For Beginners By - Chetan Panchamia, Options Trader View Program Stock Trading Candlesticks Made Easy: Candlestick Pattern Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Macroeconomics Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Mastering Options Selling: Advanced Strategies for Success By - CA Manish Singh, Chartered Accountant, Professional Equity and Derivative Trader View Program Stock Trading Markets 102: Mastering Sentiment Indicators for Swing and Positional Trading By - Rohit Srivastava, Founder- Indiacharts.com View Program Stock Trading Stock Investing Made Easy: Beginner's Stock Market Investment Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Futures Trading Made Easy: Future & Options Trading Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Stock Valuation Made Easy By - Rounak Gouti, Investment commentary writer, Experience in equity research View Program “The board of directors of Varun Beverages Limited (“Company”) at their meeting held today (started at 4:45 P.M. and concluded at 5:20 P.M.) inter alia considered and approved the following: Share Purchase Agreement between our company and the sellers to acquire the remaining 39.93% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of Lunarmech Technologies Private Limited (a subsidiary of the company) for Rs 2,000 million,” Varun Beverages had said in the previous filing. Also read: Ventive Hospitality sets price band at Rs 610-630 for Rs 1,600 crore IPO. Check details PepsiCo’s bottling partner had reported a 22.3% year-on-year (YoY) jump in its net profit at Rs 628.83 crore for its third quarter ended September 2024, while its revenues reported a jump of 24.1% YoY to Rs 4,804.68 crore in Q3CY24. The shares of Varun Beverages have increased by 48% in the last year and by 31% in the current year so far, according to the BSE analytics. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )

Can Matt Gaetz return to Congress? He says he won't."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?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

Stock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000

Elias Cato scores 23 as Central Arkansas tops UNC Asheville 92-83 in double OT

Quantum Entanglement Set To Revolutionize X-Ray Imaging

(TNS) — At Wednesday's meeting, the USD 383 school board heard four technology practices schools can put in place or reinforce for students. The discussion follows a recommendation by The Blue Ribbon Task Force, which is a state committee wants Kansas schools to limit screen time for students. "We came up with four areas we thought were really low-hanging fruit we could go after fairly quickly," IT director Mike Ribble said. The board didn't vote on the matter but discussed possible plans. The district already has policies limiting student screen time and making their technology use safer. One step toward this is the use of filtering services and not allowing the younger elementary school students to take iPads home. "We have in the past, grades K through three, we did not allow any devices to go home," Ribble said. "They've always stayed in the classroom. Four, five, after COVID, we decided to go ahead and allow devices to go home, fourth all the way through 12th." Going forward, the task force recommended pulling back the take-home option for fourth and fifth grades. This will mean no take-home fee for the iPads for kindergarten through fifth grade. "A little less revenue, but overall I think it makes sense," Ribble said. Ribble said one of the main parental concerns was access to the devices at home. One consideration, so students don't stay up playing on the school-issued devices, is to lock them at a certain time. That time has yet to be determined. "Either 10:30 p.m. until 6 a.m., they will become basically a big clock," Ribble said. "They're not going to get to their device and watch Youtube videos at 2 a.m. Same thing with high school. We would then extend it, probably until 12:30 a.m. to that 6 a.m. sort of time frame." The devices also have Internet filtering services. The district's current service is ContentKeeper. The IT department will make changes to the filter, to block the entertainment category in its source code. "The big offender seems to be Youtube," Ribble said. "With the restricted mode, we've also checked the box of Entertainment to block because everything that's coded into Youtube has a name code that it goes with." Ribble said the downside to this is that good educational videos on Youtube also are filtered out. "There are good things that are in entertainment," Ribble said. "We did find out in our test, because we are testing this at the middle schools right now, and we found in our STEM classrooms four videos that were in entertainment. We did unblock them, and they are available to those STEM classes." The last suggested practice is communication with parents. The district started a device check-in system in spring 2024. When the students check in their devices, the school notifies the parents with an email to confirm. "We're thinking about not just that but also on the check-out process," Ribble said, "Telling them we check these things but also providing links and providing resources like the iPad handbook." Andrea Tiede, the director of teaching and learning, said they are gathering community feedback with a survey, as a chance for public feedback. Board members expressed willingness to adopt the recommendations but said the issue of technology is complex. No decisions were made at this meeting. "This whole topic, this whole issue, the answer that's right for kindergarteners, is that the right answer for 12th graders?" board member Karla Hagemeister said. "With so many of our issues and so many of the things that we talk about, if they were easy they'd be done." The opinions from the community are expected to vary based on the ages of the children in each household. "It's also a snapshot in a moment of time," Hagemeister said. "Our relationship with technology has changed over the years and, it will continue to change."Piston Air Compressor Switches Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030 11-24-2024 02:02 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Piston Air Compressor Switches Market The piston air compressor switches market represents a dynamic and continually evolving landscape, shaped by changing consumer demands and technological advancements. In this comprehensive report, we provide an in-depth exploration of the market, designed for a wide range of stakeholders including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Our goal is to equip industry participants with essential insights that enable informed decision-making in an ever-changing market environment. This analysis not only examines the current state of the piston air compressor switches market but also forecasts its future trends. Scope and Purpose This report serves as an extensive resource, thoughtfully curated to deliver actionable intelligence to industry stakeholders. It covers critical elements such as market dynamics, competitive environments, growth opportunities, challenges, and regional differences. The insights provided go beyond mere descriptions, offering a valuable tool for stakeholders to refine their strategies and make informed choices in a competitive market. Request for Sample Report: https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Piston-Air-Compressor-Switches-Market/request-for-sample-report Comprehensive Market Analysis We are committed to providing a thorough analysis that explores every aspect of market growth, including shifts in consumer preferences and technological innovations driving demand for piston air compressor switches products. We also address the challenges faced by the industry, such as economic uncertainties and intense competition, offering insights to help stakeholders navigate these complexities. Key Players in the Piston Air Compressor Switches Market: Defond Marquardt GmbH Weida Machinery HUAJIE Kedu Electric CPX Switch Chuanmu Electric Tyco Electronics Yueqing Jlevel Electrical Guosheng Instrument TACLEX Baokezhen Shunfa Bremas Superior Electric Strategic Guidance for the Future This report invites stakeholders to delve into a detailed examination of the competitive landscape. By profiling key players in the piston air compressor switches market and analyzing their strategies, we offer crucial insights to help industry participants make informed strategic decisions. Whether it's about outpacing competitors or learning from successful approaches, our analysis is designed to guide stakeholders toward success. Anticipated Insights Understanding the diverse segments within the piston air compressor switches market is critical to success. Our report breaks down segment sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends, offering actionable insights that allow stakeholders to develop targeted strategies and optimize resource allocation. The knowledge provided empowers stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the piston air compressor switches market with clarity and confidence. Balancing Market Forces and Strategic Impact This report delivers a comprehensive analysis of the factors shaping the piston air compressor switches market. By evaluating both the drivers of market growth and the obstacles that could impede it, stakeholders gain a holistic understanding of the market's dynamics. For manufacturers, this analysis helps align innovation efforts with consumer demands and regulatory trends, while investors and decision-makers gain a deeper understanding of economic risks and supply chain vulnerabilities, allowing them to make more informed strategic choices. Our goal is to provide stakeholders with the knowledge needed to confidently and successfully navigate the piston air compressor switches market. Competitive Landscape Our in-depth examination of the piston air compressor switches market's competitive landscape highlights key players, scrutinizing their strategies and impacts on the industry. By analyzing the approaches of major companies, stakeholders gain a valuable understanding of market dynamics and can leverage these insights to identify growth opportunities, innovate, and make informed strategic decisions. Market Segmentation The report begins with a detailed analysis of the unique characteristics defining each segment within the piston air compressor switches market. Segmentation can occur across various dimensions, including product types, customer demographics, or specific use cases. Understanding these differences allows stakeholders to tailor their strategies, products, and marketing efforts to meet the specific needs of each segment, enhancing competitive positioning and maximizing opportunities for success. Market Segments: Product Type: DC and AC Speed Control Switch Single Speed Switch Micro Switch Trigger Switch Rocker Switch Others Application: Cordless Corded Market Size and Segment Growth Potential A crucial part of the report focuses on understanding the size and significance of each market segment. We provide quantitative data that illustrates the market share and contribution of each segment, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, strategic prioritization, and investment. This section offers insights into the growth potential of each segment, including factors driving future expansion, evolving consumer preferences, and technological adoption. Conclusion This report serves as a strategic guide for stakeholders in the piston air compressor switches market, offering comprehensive insights into market segmentation, competitive dynamics, and growth potential. By understanding the market's complexities and emerging opportunities, industry participants can make well-informed decisions that drive success and innovation in this rapidly evolving market. Other Reports Chlorine Disinfectant Tablet Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Chlorine-Disinfectant-Tablet-Market NICU Equipment Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/NICU-Equipment-Market Dishwasher Accessories Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Dishwasher-Accessories-Market Two Way Mirror Glass Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Two-Way-Mirror-Glass-Market "Contact Us Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Private Limited Contact No: +91 7580990088 Email Id: sales@dhirtekbusinessresearch.com" "About Us Dhirtek Business Research & Consulting Pvt Ltd is a global market research and consulting services provider headquartered in India. We offer our customers syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our objective is to enable our clientele to achieve transformational progress and help them to make better strategic business decisions and enhance their global presence. We serve numerous companies worldwide, mobilizing our seasoned workforce to help companies shape their development through proper channeling and execution. We offer our services to large enterprises, start-ups, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies. The renowned institutions of various countries and Fortune 500 businesses use our market research services to understand the business environment at the global, regional, and country levels. Our market research reports offer thousands of statistical information and analysis of various industries at a granular level." This release was published on openPR.

Elias Cato scores 23 as Central Arkansas tops UNC Asheville 92-83 in double OT

SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan held a memorial ceremony on Sunday near the Sado Island Gold Mines , listed this summer as a UNESCO World Heritage site after the country moved past years of historical disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines' dark history. However, it has not offered an apology. At these mines, hundreds of Koreans were forced to labor under abusive and brutal conditions during World War II, historians say. Japanese officials at Sunday’s ceremony time paid tribute for the first to “all workers” including Korean laborers who died at the mines, without acknowledging they were forced laborers — part of what critics call a persistent policy of whitewashing Japan's history of sexual and labor exploitation before and during the war. The ceremony, supposed to further mend wounds, renewed tensions between the two sides. South Korea boycotted Sunday's memorial service citing unspecified disagreements with Tokyo over the event. “As a resident, I must say (their absence) is very disappointing after all the preparations we made,” said Sado Mayor Ryugo Watanabe. “I wish we could have held the memorial with South Korean attendees.” The Associated Press explains the Sado mines, their history and the controversy. The 16th-century mines on the island of Sado, about the size of the Pacific island of Guam, off the western coast of Niigata prefecture, operated for nearly 400 years, beginning in 1601, and were once the world’s largest gold producer. They closed in 1989. During the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, the mines supplied gold currency to the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, the site has been developed into a tourist facility and hiking site where visitors can learn about the changes in mining technology and production methods while looking at the remains of mine shafts and ore dressing facilities. Critics say the Japanese government only highlights the glory of the mines and covers up its use of Korean victims of forced labor and their ordeals. The mines were registered as a cultural heritage site in July after Japan agreed to include an exhibit on the conditions of Korean forced laborers and to hold a memorial service annually after repeated protests from the South Korean government. A few signs have since been erected, indicating former sites of South Korean laborers’ dormitories. A city-operated museum in the area also added a section about Korean laborers, but a private museum attached to the main UNESCO site doesn't mention them at all. At the UNESCO World Heritage Committee July meeting, the Japanese delegate said Tokyo had installed new exhibition material to explain the “severe conditions of (the Korean laborers’) work and to remember their hardship.” Japan also acknowledged that Koreans were made to do more dangerous tasks in the mine shaft, which caused some to die. Those who survived also developed lung diseases and other health problems. Many of them were given meager food rations and nearly no days off and were caught by police if they escaped, historians say. But the Japanese government has refused to admit they were “forced labor.” South Korea had earlier opposed the listing of the site for UNESCO World Heritage on the grounds that the Korean forced laborers used at the mines were missing from the exhibition. South Korea eventually supported the listing after consultations with Japan and Tokyo’s pledge to improve the historical background of the exhibit and to hold a memorial that also includes Koreans. Historians say Japan used hundreds of thousands of Korean laborers, including those forcibly brought from the Korean Peninsula, at Japanese mines and factories to make up for labor shortages because most working-age Japanese men had been sent to battlefronts across Asia and the Pacific. About 1,500 Koreans were forced to work at the Sado mines, according to Yasuto Takeuchi, an expert on Japan’s wartime history, citing wartime Japanese documents. The South Korean government has said it expects Japan to keep its pledge to be truthful to history and to show both sides of the Sado mines. “The controversy surrounding the Sado mines exhibit underscores a deeper problem” of Japan’s failure to face up to its wartime responsibility and its growing “denialism” of its wartime atrocities, Takeuchi said. All workers who died at the Sado mines were honored. That includes hundreds of Korean laborers who worked there during Japan’s 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula. At Sunday’s ceremony, four Japanese representatives, including central and local government officials and the head of the organizing group, thanked all mine workers for their sacrifice and mourned for those who died. None offered any apology to Korean forced laborers for the harsh treatment at the mines. Attendants observed a moment of silence for the victims who died at the mines due to accidents and other causes. The ceremony dredged up long-standing frustrations in South Korea. About 100 people, including officials from Japan’s local and central government, as well as South Korean Foreign Ministry officials and the relatives of Korean wartime laborers, were supposed to attend. Because of South Korea's last-minute boycott, more than 20 seats remained vacant. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday it was impossible to settle the disagreements between both governments before the planned event on Sunday, without specifying what those disagreements were. There has been speculation that the South Korean boycott might have been due to the presence of parliamentary vice minister Akiko Ikuina at Sunday's ceremony. In August 2022, Ikuina reportedly visited Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine , weeks after she was elected as a lawmaker. Japan’s neighbors view Yasukuni, which commemorates 2.5 million war dead including war criminals, as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. Her visit could have been seen as a sign of a lack of remorse. Some South Koreans criticized the Seoul government for throwing its support behind an event without securing a clear Japanese commitment to highlight the plight of Korean laborers. There were also complaints over South Korea agreeing to pay for the travel expenses of Korean victims’ family members who were invited to attend the ceremony. Critics say Japan’s government has long been reluctant to discuss wartime atrocities. That includes what historians describe as the sexual abuse and enslavement of women across Asia, many of them Koreans who were deceived into providing sex to Japanese soldiers at frontline brothels and euphemistically called “comfort women,” and the Koreans who were mobilized and forced to work in Japan, especially in the final years of World War II. Korean compensation demands for Japanese atrocities during its brutal colonial rule have strained relations between the two Asian neighbors, most recently after a 2018 South Korean Supreme Court ruling ordered Japanese companies to pay damages over their wartime forced labor. Japan’s government has maintained that all wartime compensation issues between the two countries were resolved under the 1965 normalization treaty. Ties between Tokyo and Seoul have improved recently after Washington said their disputes over historical issues hampered crucial security cooperation as China’s threat grows in the region. South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March 2023 that his country would use a local corporate fund to compensate forced labor victims without demanding Japanese contributions. Japan’s then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later expressed sympathy for their suffering during a Seoul visit. Security, business and other ties between the sides have since rapidly resumed. Japan’s whitewashing of wartime atrocities has risen since the 2010s, particularly under the past government of revisionist leader Shinzo Abe . For instance, Japan says the terms “sex slavery” and “forced labor” are inaccurate and insists on the use of highly euphemistic terms such as “comfort women” and “civilian workers” instead. Takeuchi, the historian, said listing Japan’s modern industrial historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage is a government push to increase tourism. The government, he said, wants “to commercialize sites like the Sado mines by beautifying and justifying their history for Japan’s convenience.” Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea contributed to this report.( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 December 2024 - YB Teo Nie Ching, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Communications, recently visited BEST Inc Malaysia's U10 Distribution Center and Shah Alam supply chain Warehouse. The visit aimed to explore the latest logistics and supply chain developments and examine how innovative technologies support e-commerce, digital Economy growth, and SME development. Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching signs in during her visit to BEST Inc's U10 KULHub. During the tour, YB Teo Nie Ching, accompanied by BEST Inc Malaysia's CEO, Mr. Gavin Lu, observed the application of the DWS (Dynamic Weighing and Scanning) system. This technology integrates weighing, barcode scanning, and volumetric measurement to collect accurate data and upload it in real-time, greatly enhancing operational efficiency. The team demonstrated how the system handles high volumes of parcels during peak periods and uses big data analytics to streamline processes. Supporting E-commerce Growth The Deputy Minister also toured the Shah Alam Supply Chain Warehouse, where she observed the implementation of advanced Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and smart devices. These technologies enable efficient inventory control, sorting, and order fulfilment, offering clients tailored end-to-end solutions. The team highlighted how these integrated services empower SMEs to quickly respond to market demands while optimizing costs. Mr. Gavin Lu expressed gratitude for the Deputy Minister's visit, stating, "we are inspired by the recognition of our efforts. BEST Inc Malaysia remains committed to innovation in digital and green logistics to support SMEs and drive Malaysia's economic transformation." The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between government and industry. Moving forward, BEST Inc Malaysia will continue advancing digitalization, smart logistics, and sustainability, contributing to Malaysia's growth in the global economy. MENAFN16122024003551001712ID1109000231 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

No country and its people have learned the hard lessons of economic management quite like Sri Lanka. This isn’t said with sarcasm but with deep recognition of a nation shaped by economic challenges. Our struggle to reform and adapt to internal and external shocks has been long and arduous. The COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated existing issues but also brought an unexpected silver lining—accelerating digital adoption in both personal and professional spheres. The pandemic became a turning point, compelling citizens to rely on digital tools for banking, utilities, shopping, meetings, and even official processes like the unforgettable fuel QR code system. While the Sri Lankan IT sector had already laid the groundwork for digital transformation, widespread adoption only took off when the lockdowns left no alternative. These experiences underscore that digitalisation is no longer optional—it is essential. People have come to believe in its power to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, boost citizen engagement, and minimise delays. Digital transformation is not just a necessity but the path to a more sustainable future for Sri Lanka. Next Steps: A Nation Poised for Digital Change Unlike any previous administration, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government has underscored digitalisation to a national priority, using it as a bandwagon even during election campaigns. The President has pledged that Sri Lanka will undergo a comprehensive digital transformation within the next three years. His administration views digitalisation as a grand catalyst to boosting the country’s global competitiveness, highlighting that several initiatives are already underway. Can the Government Deliver? Th core and focal element of this transformation is the introduction of a digital identity card. This long-discussed concept has repeatedly surfaced but went into oblivion due to shifting political interests rather than a lack of professional capability. Sri Lankan IT professionals have long supported this initiative, recognising that a digital ID could serve as the foundational database for managing Government services and streamlining administrative processes. With accurate, real-time citizen data, public services could become more accessible, transparent, and efficient. The Private Sector: Leading by Example While the Government is still catching up, the private sector is already firing on all cylinders. Businesses are exploiting all possible digital tools as essential drivers of cost reduction and productivity. Digitalisation allows organisations to combat corruption, minimise waste, and optimise expenditures—all while boosting customer experience and maximising profitability. For them, it’s not at all anice to have but acompetitive necessity. The Government Must Follow Suit To realise the vision of a fully digital Sri Lanka, the Government must adopt the same level of urgency as the private sector. Public-private partnerships could be instrumental in fast-tracking digital projects while leveraging the expertise and resources already present in the country. A collaborative approach will ensure that digital transformation isn’t just a political promise but a reality that reshapes Sri Lanka’s future. Does the Government Have the Right People? There’s little room for complaint when it comes to the team driving Sri Lanka’s digital transformation. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has strategically appointed some of the country’s most qualified and experienced professionals, well-versed in the nation’s technological landscape. A key figure in this effort is Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, initially appointed as the President’s Chief Advisor on the Digital Economy and later named Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Chairman of ICTA (Information & Communication Technology Agency). His appointment has been widely welcomed by the public, specially people who hail from the corporate sector. Dr. Wijayasuriya’s expertise extends far beyond telecommunications, where he played a pivotal role in digitally transforming Sri Lanka’s telco sector. His leadership has driven progress in areas such as digital health, digital finance, digital education, digital insurance, digital welfare, and CSR initiatives. His proven track record highlights a clear capacity for managing complex national-scale digital projects. The broader digitalization team also features highly capable professionals recognized for their technical proficiency and leadership. These appointments underscore the Government’s genuine commitment to making digital transformation a reality, demonstrating a thoughtful alignment of roles with relevant expertise. Managing the Change Managing the digital transformation politically and publicly is one of the major challenges the Government may face. A historical reminder is the resistance encountered when biometric systems were introduced to track Government employees’ attendance. Such pushback reflects a deeper challenge—overcoming entrenched mindsets. However, the winds of change are evident. Sri Lankans have recognized past inefficiencies and voted for a Government promising ‘Change’. This willingness for change creates a valuable starting point for the Government to tackle resistance proactively and ensure smooth implementation. Another crucial aspect is transforming the attitudes of Government service providers. They must embrace a service-oriented mindset driven by responsibility and transparency. Digitalized processes can serve as the key catalyst, simplifying workflows, reducing bureaucratic delays, and fostering accountability. Potential concerns about data security are also inevitable. Citizens may question, “Is my data secure with the Government?” It is essential to highlight that most people have already shared their personal information with private entities like supermarkets, banks, hospitals, telecom providers, and educational institutions for various services. With the project in capable hands, the Government must deploy the best digital infrastructure while ensuring robust cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive data. Above all, the Government needs a well-structured communication and change management plan to engage the public, Government agencies, and employees. Clear messaging, transparency, and consistent engagement will be critical in rallying support for this transformative initiative, setting Sri Lanka on a path toward digital excellence. Global Examples: Proof of Possibility Sri Lanka is not the first country to embark on a journey toward digital transformation. If other nations, including emerging economies, have successfully aligned their Governments and citizens with digitalisation, why can’t we? While countries like the USA, Canada, and Scandinavian nations are often cited, their models might seem too far removed from our reality. However, several emerging economies have proven that digitalisation can be the driving force behind their solid growth trajectory hither to have proven. * Nigeria: Despite funding challenges, Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) systems now serve over 100 million citizens. These initiatives have strengthened digital services, promoting financial inclusion and economic growth. * India: The Aadhaar system, the world’s largest biometric digital ID programme, covers over 1.3 billion people. It supports essential services like banking, welfare disbursements, and tax filing, playing a transformative role in India’s digital governance. * Estonia: Though not a developing economy, Estonia offers a powerful case study with its fully digital Government services. Its digital ID system ensures secure access to online services, including voting, business registration, and healthcare management. * Kenya: Kenya’s Huduma Namba digital ID program has enhanced service delivery by streamlining access to Government services like healthcare, education, and tax payments. * Indonesia: Indonesia’s e-KTP (electronic identity card) system covers over 97% of its population, enabling seamless access to Government services and financial transactions. These examples demonstrate that digital transformation is not an unreachable dream. Sri Lanka, with a population of 22 million, has every reason to believe in this possibility. With the right vision, leadership, and public alignment, we can harness digitalization as the key driver for national development. Let’s commit to this journey, stay aligned, and transform our collective future. The writer is a professional with extensive corporate experience in marketing, corporate communications, branding, sustainability and change management. The expertise spans various industries, including media, advertising and public relations, automobile, construction and real estate, telecom, ICT, and manufacturing. The writer can be reached through [email protected]

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 Hits New Altitude Record as Supersonic Travel Nears RealityThe late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest at his family home in Umuanukam, Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday. Ubah was buried amid tears and tributes from dignitaries, friends, political colleagues, and family members. The Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, who presided over the burial mass at St. Peter’s Claver Catholic Church, Umuanukam, Otolo Nnewi, described Ubah’s death as a lesson to the living, emphasising the importance of leading an exemplary life to be remembered after one’s passing. According to the Cardinal, the deceased led a life full of philanthropy, always striving to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. He praised Ubah’s commitment to serving humanity and his exemplary life, saying that such should serve as a model for others to emulate. He said, “His death is a lesson to us all. We must strive to live exemplary lives that will make people remember us for good when we are no longer here. We must touch lives, make a difference, and leave a lasting legacy. The late Ifeanyi Ubah lived a life full of legacy and philanthropic gestures. His death has touched everyone.” Recalling his last moments with the deceased, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who also paid tribute to the late senator, expressed shock and sadness at his sudden passing. Related News Anambra traditionalist advocates return to traditional worship Youth council unveils app to tackle insecurity, corruption in Anambra Five feared killed as gunmen attack two Anambra communities He said, “I still remember when we met in May, and I asked him if he had any ambitions. He told me he wanted to be part of it and said that the only way forward was for Sir Emeka Offor to convene a meeting at our request.” Soludo expressed regret that Ubah’s death was not part of their discussion, asking rhetorically, “Is this what we discussed?” Senator Uche Ekwunife, in her tribute, eulogised Ubah, describing him as a rare gem committed to youth development. Ekwunife praised Ubah’s leadership, kindness, and compassion, noting that his impact and legacy would be remembered for generations to come. “You were an avatar, a sports enthusiast, a rare gem committed to youth development, whose like comes only once in a lifetime. In you, we saw the true essence of leadership and kindness — not just in titles and positions, but in words and deeds.” One of the deceased’s kinsmen, Joe Ezeike, said, “Ubah’s passing has left a void in the nation’s political landscape, but his legacy of service, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire generations to come.”Google's Willow quantum computing chip has 105 physical qubits crafted from superconducting "transmons," a technique pioneered in 2007 at Yale University. Google's quantum computing scientists this month demonstrated breakthroughs in the field that reinforce the sense that quantum computing is for real and will be able to find its place among other kinds of computers as a valuable resource. But much remains to be done: Google's latest quantum chip -- called Willow and fabricated in its Santa Barbara research facility -- is a memory chip. It doesn't actually process any functions, it simply stores a bit to be read. Doing anything with it will involve the long work of developing logical circuits to make use of the "qubits" that make up the chip. Also: Agentic AI is the top strategic technology trend for 2025 The fundamental breakthrough, as explained in Nature magazine (which published Google's early-release research paper ), is to show that the errors of qubits can be reduced below a level of noise called a threshold and -- as that happens -- the machine can reliably represent information --that is, represent it with a tolerable level of error. To understand, consider the basic proposition of today's quantum hardware. To make any quantum "bit" of information, you have to combine multiple physical quantum bits, or qubits, which can be made of a variety of materials. Google's Willow is a follow-on to last year's Google chip Sycamore, and both use a superconducting form of capacitor, cooled to well below zero, called a "Transmon," developed at Yale University 20 years ago. Using Transmons or other forms of physical qubits, researchers at numerous institutions, not just Google, have been making progress for years in combining multiple qubits to make a single "logical" qubit. A physical qubit only lasts for billionths of a second, and so its lifetime isn't long enough for the "decoder" circuitry of the quantum machine to read its information. The logical qubit, really a summary of all the physical qubits, can persist long enough --double the lifespan of a physical qubit -- that its value can be readable and therefore useful. The challenge has been to suppress the errors that arise as the multiple qubits succumb to environmental noise. Too much noise and the logical qubit becomes useless. Error correction of various sorts has been developed for years now, but Google's breakthrough is the first to reduce the individual errors in the physical qubits below a level necessary to produce a logical qubit that's workable -- the threshold level. Key stats for Google's Willow quantum chip. The key to Google's Willow chip, which boosts the number of physical qubits to 105, is a variety of physical changes to the fabrication of the chip that lead to reduced noise in each physical qubit. The result is that "each time the code distance increases by two, the logical error per cycle is reduced by more than half," as Google's lead author, Rajeev Acharya, and collaborators write. That's exciting because reliable logical qubits can be scaled ; that is, more and more physical qubits can be added while keeping noise below the threshold level, and getting a predictably reliable logical qubit as a result. Also: A buyer's guide to quantum as a service: Qubits for hire Why that's profound: Scaling is the fundamental breakthrough of traditional computer chips, the ability to assemble billions of transistors on a square of silicon, to create increasingly powerful circuits. If you can reliably scale now physical qubits, you can see a path to creating logical qubit circuits in the same way, with increasing power and performance. The coverage of Google's announcement about Willow in Nature magazine and its competitor Science magazine , cites numerous experts in the field. The consensus, as Nature's article states, is that this is "a truly remarkable breakthrough." Still, it's worth keeping in mind how much work is yet to be done. For one thing, the breakthrough in threshold error doesn't mean the work of reducing errors is over. Scaling the error rates now has to reach a much higher level of accuracy for logical qubits in practice, as Acharya and the team note. Also: What is quantum computing today? The how, why, and when of a paradigm shift "Orders of magnitude remain between present logical error rates and the requirements for practical quantum computation," they write. For example, there can be "high-energy impact events" that take place in the surrounding environment, "approximately once every ten seconds," that destroy reliable, error-free logical qubit operation. In other words, the fact that logical qubits can be scaled, though a breakthrough, just means that researchers now have a long journey ahead to actually perform that scaling with both larger chips (more Transmons), and also improve ways of detecting and mitigating logical errors. Google says they have a roadmap for how to get there. Google's quantum computing roadmap. Beyond the scaling issue, there's the limitation of the current device type: It's not yet a computer chip. The Willow's logical qubit is the equivalent of a capacitor: it stores a bit. It doesn't do anything with that bit -- yet. It's just a memory for holding information. To perform an operation, it will need to be extended to combinations of several logical qubits linked to form logical operations such as adding and multiplying. (The actual form of logical operations for a quantum processor may be rather more abstruse, but you get the idea.) Also: What is quantum computing? Everything you need to know about the strange world of quantum computers As John Preskill, a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, told Nature's Davide Castelvecchi, "We want to do protected qubit operations, not just memory." The longstanding goal of the Google team -- to do real operations -- is to have a million-qubit chip, meaning, a million physical qubits, to have enough to have logical qubits that can be strung together to form true circuits for true computation. To get from here to actual circuits -- collections of logical qubits that do something -- is a very long journey, both for the actual chip and for the software that will ultimately make working quantum computers. Probably, today's C++ and Python won't be enough. It's certainly a breakthrough, just be mindful of all the work ahead. The end of ChromeOS is a new dawn for cheap Android laptops Google's AI podcast tool transforms your text into stunningly lifelike audio - for free How Google turns Android into a desktop OS in 5 steps This absurdly simple trick turns off AI in your Google Search results

Family-Friendly Perks and Huge Discounts Highlight Princess Cruises' 'Come Aboard Sale on 2025 - 2027 Sailings

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January Capital Raises $85 Million for Private Credit Tech FundKey Takeaways The CEO and founder of Japanese telecom and investment group, SoftBank , Masayoshi Son, visited Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday to visit President-elect Donald Trump at the "Winter White House." There, CNBC first reported , Son announced a $100 billion investment to create at least 100,000 jobs over four years in the U.S. focusing on AI and its related costs. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) "My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory," Son said. "President Trump is a double-down president. I'm going to have to double down." Related: SoftBank CEO Says AI 10x Smarter Than Humans Could Be Here in a Matter of Years Son is a billionaire investor with a net worth of around $16.7 billion , per Bloomberg. Tokyo-based Softbank has a market capitalization of around $95 billion. "He's doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country since the election," Trump said, per CNBC. "This historic investment is a monumental demonstration confidence in America's future, and it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and other industries of tomorrow are being created and grown right here in the USA." In 2016, after Trump's first election victory, Son's company invested $50 billion in the U.S. to create 50,000 jobs. Related: SoftBank Vision Fund Co-CEO Rajeev Misra Steps Down; Alex Clavel Named Sole CEO