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India-Sri Lanka Ties And Regional Dynamics

Cheating death: Reviving the dead will be ‘distinct possibility’The final day of racing at Irwindale Speedway was both a party and a wake, one that began just after high noon last Saturday and ended just before Sunday started. There were funeral speeches — eulogies, if you like — tears and sadness. But there were also beach balls, cheers, flags and fireworks. In between there was racing — a lot of racing — with more than 140 drivers taking to the track in almost anything that had wheels and an engine before the final car crossed the finish line just before midnight. Irwindale has long been home to the weird, wacky and wonderful, from trailer and figure-8 races to all-female demolition derbies and RV auto soccer. It was where drifting got its start in the U.S., the wide, banked asphalt track perfectly suited for what has become one of the fastest-growing racing series in the country. And it was where a radio-controlled car hit a world-record speed of 111 mph. The track is — was? — historic and iconic so its closing after a quarter-century is another blow in what has been a long, slow decline of auto racing in southern California. A generation ago there were nearly a dozen tracks hosting regular events, from the Riverside International Raceway and the hulking Ontario Motor Speedway in the Inland Empire to Ascot Park's half-mile dirt track near Gardena and Saugus Speedway, a third-mile oval built in a former rodeo arena in Santa Clarita. Just a handful are left with even NASCAR at least temporarily pulling up stakes, selling most of the land Auto Club Speedway stood on in Fontana and leaving Southern California off its racing schedule for just the second time since 1997. That has left racing fans out in the cold while depriving up-andcoming drivers of the time they need behind the wheel to learn the sport. "It's devastating," said 26-year-old Evelyn Vega, who has been making the 10-mile drive from San Dimas to Irwindale for more than half her life. "It's just so close that we would come as a weekend activity," Vega said as her 18-month nephew, Maximilliano, sat behind the wheel of a Menards Series West car in the garage area. "My dad loves the racing. We grew up with it." Nearby, Donna Gunther, 67, who has been driving race cars twice as long as Vega has been alive, strapped into her battered No. 88 car — she would finish sixth in street stocks. Gunther's home is Las Vegas and she once had several tracks scattered between here and there at which to race. No longer. "That's what makes it so hard to race in Southern California," said crew member Matt Jackson, who has seen more than a half-dozen tracks close. Land value Most of Southern California's tracks met their demise in the final decade of the 20th century when the land they sat on became more valuable for warehouses, shopping centers, storage yards and townhouses. Even the 71-year-old Willow Springs International Raceway in Kern County, a 600-acre complex of eight tracks that is home to the oldest permanent road course in the U.S., is up for sale, although spokesman Rick Romo said plans are to keep the site a racetrack. Irwindale, which opened in 1999, was meant to help fill the void created by all those track closings, but it got off to an inauspicious start when a 23-year-old sprint-car driver named Casey Diemert died after hitting the wall during the track's first practice session. The $7-million facility was unique because of its versatility, boasting halfand third-mile banked oval tracks, a drag strip and a 6,500-seat grandstand. And its location in the armpit of the 605 and 210 freeways made it easily accessible from anywhere in the Southland. In their heyday the tracks, nestled atop a former rock and sand quarry, were staples of NASCAR's West Coast-based regional series, hosting nationally televised events, including the Toyota All-Star Showdown and NASCAR Cup Series drivers such as Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler and J.J. Yeley. But the track's owners filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and plans were made to demolish the facility and replace it with an outlet mall. Those plans changed when Tim Huddleston, a former champion driver who won 45 races at the track — ranking him among the top 10 drivers all-time — took over management at Irwindale in the final week of 2017, giving the facility a second chance. That rebirth was short-lived, however, with Los Angeles-based IDS Real Estate purchasing the 63-acre site in 2022, then announcing in September the track would give way to an industrial park and commercial development. "Losing a track like Irwindale is definitely going to be a big blow to auto racing, NASCAR circle-track racing," said Ryan Vargas, who watched his first race at Irwindale as a 9-year-old and returned to run in Saturday's final event, only to have his night end in a crash with six laps left in the pro late model main event. "Irwindale was my home. There will definitely be a hole in that market." But track closings aren't just an issue in Southern California. Vargas, a La Mirada native who has relocated to North Carolina, said iconic short tracks have also been shuttered recently in places like Greenville, S.C., and Midland, N.C., the heart of stock-car country. "There's so many drag strips, so many short tracks falling victim to land development and stuff like that," said Vargas, who called Irwindale the best short track in the country. "It's happening everywhere. It's a really tough world for racing because of all the valuable real estate." Many tracks, such as the ones in Riverside and Santa Clarita, were built in rural areas when the land was cheap. As suburban sprawl pushed cities farther and farther out, that land became more valuable for shopping centers and warehouses while neighbors began complaining of the noise from the thundering, angry bark of the stock-car engines. Promoters were also hurt by falling attendance, which cut into their already narrow profit margins. "These race tracks, they're passion projects right? They don't really turn big profits," Vargas said. "These tracks don't have TV dollars. These tracks just have ticket sales and entry fees. That's their only source of income. "That's difficult. It's hard to keep up with the changing times." Drivers affected That's bound to have an impact on the deelopment of young drivers, who have traditionally depended on short tracks to learn their craft the same way baseball players rely on the minor leagues. "That teaches you racing right there," said Ron Hornaday Jr., who began his career driving stock cars at Saugus Speedway and went on to become a four-time champion in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. "It taught you moving people out of the way and getting moved out of the way, of not running into them. And doing it with finesse. "You can't teach that; just being in a race car and making laps." Consider Vargas' driver's education. After watching that first race from the stands at Irwindale, he was hooked on the sport and by age 12 he was racing Bandoleros — entry-level cars that are slow to accelerate and top off at 70 mph — at the track. He quickly advanced to super late models and before his 20th birthday he had graduated to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he now races full time. "This is where I learned to race," said Vargas, who brought his family back for Saturday's finale, which seemed appropriate since Irwindale has long been a family track, with sons — and daughters — following their fathers and grandfathers from the stands to the pits and into the driver's seat. Huddleston's son Trevor dominated Saturday's first race, an ARCA Menards Series West exhibition, and will finish as Irwindale's alltime leader with 87 career wins, according to track officials. "Everybody likes to think of NASCAR as being an East Coast, Southern sport," said Vargas, 24, whose primary sponsor is Santa Fe-based Swann Security. "But there a lot of very, very talented drivers on the West Coast. Without having a short track there, they may not even have a chance." That was especially true for Vargas, who couldn't drive himself to the races in those early days since he wasn't old enough to get a license. If there hadn't been a track 15 miles from his parents' house, Vargas might never had gotten the opportunity to race. There are still places that provide that in Southern California, but they are shrinking in number. The Orange Show Speedway, a quarter-mile asphalt oval in San Bernardino, has been around for 77 years, helping launch the careers of NASCAR Cup champions Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch. It still offers races in various stock car divisions as does the Perris Auto Speedway in Riverside County and the Ventura Raceway. Meanwhile Huddleston, who squeezed a few final seasons out of the Irwindale track, is moving to Bakersfield, where he has teamed with Harvick, a Bakersfield native, to refurbish the former Kern County Raceway Park as Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway, a 120-acre motorsports facility with a halfmile asphalt oval and a one-third-mile dirt one. Yet for beginning drivers from L.A. and Orange County, who are struggling to race on a shoestring budget, that track might just as well be on another planet. "It's just a two-hour drive but that's gas money, that's towing a trailer, that's potentially hotel stays," Vargas said. "So it's a struggle if you're operating on a budget. When we were getting our foot in the door we drove to Bakersfield and then drove home the night of practice because we didn't want to buy a hotel room." Getting started in racing has always been expensive and for many drivers — and fans —Irwindale's closing will raise those costs. So as much as Saturday's finale was a party and a wake, it also marked the end of an era for racing in Southern California when Jeffrey Peterson took the final checkered flag in track history. Sometime in the wee hours Sunday morning, the lights over the speedway went dark for the last time. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

New Jersey Drone Spottings Spark Theories: Iranian 'Mothership, UFOs And MoreAccel India is the largest shareholder in BlueStone, holding a 12.25% stake in the company on a fully diluted basis Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, the founder and CEO of BlueStone, is the second-largest shareholder with a 17.81% stake in the company 360 ONE Asset owns a 6.27% stake, while Kalaari Capital Partners holds 5.81%. Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprise, owns 5.65% of the company Omnichannel jewellery company Bluestone filed its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) earlier this week. The company plans to raise over INR 1,000 Cr through its public issue, which includes a fresh issue of INR 1,000 Cr and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of up to 2.40 Cr equity shares. From the fresh issue proceeds, INR 750 Cr will be allocated to meet working capital requirements, while the remaining INR 250 Cr will be used for general corporate purposes, including setting up new stores, repayment or prepayment of loans, pursuing strategic initiatives, and exploring partnerships and joint ventures, among others. In the OFS, investors like Accel and Kalaari Capital will divest their stakes. Kalaari plans to sell up to 79.78 Lakh shares via two funds, while Saama Capital will offload 41 Lakh shares. IvyCap Ventures intends to sell 31.26 Lakh shares, Accel India will divest 30.27 Lakh shares, and Iron Pillar will offload 17.53 Lakh shares. Additionally, Hero Enterprise chairman Sunil Kant Munjal will sell 40 Lakh shares as part of the OFS. BlueStone’s net loss declined 15% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 142.2 Cr in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), while operating revenue jumped 64% to INR 1,265.8 Cr. The company also disclosed its financial performance for the first three months of FY25 (Q1 FY25). It reported a net loss of INR 52.22 Cr in Q1 FY25 on an operating revenue of INR 359.19 Cr. Total expenses for the quarter ending June 2024 stood at INR 418.14 Cr. Founded in 2011 by Gaurav Singh Kushwaha and Vidya Nataraj, BlueStone is an omnichannel jewellery company that offers more than 8,000 designs across rings, pendants, earrings and other products. It competes with the likes of CaratLane, GIVA, and other legacy jewellery brands. In June, BlueStone raised INR 100 Cr in debt funding from Neo Markets. The DRHP filing came against the backdrop of a growing number of Indian startups either gearing up for or making their market debut in recent times. So far this year, 12 new-age tech companies like Go Digit General Insurance, FirstCry, Unicommerce, TBO Tek, Ola Electric, Awfis, ixigo, Menhood, TAC Security, Trust Fintech, Swiggy and BlackBuck listed on the exchanges. MobiKwik is scheduled to list on the bourses next week. BlueStone’s DRHP also shed light on its shareholding pattern and the key executives. Accel India is the largest shareholder in BlueStone, holding a 12.25% stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. Kushwaha, the founder and CEO of BlueStone, is the second-largest shareholder with a 17.81% stake. 360 ONE Asset owns a 6.27% stake, while Kalaari Capital Partners holds 5.81%. Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprise, owns 5.65% of the company. MIH Investments One B.V. holds a 4.43% stake, followed by Iron Pillar at 4%. Peak XV Partners owns 2.96%, while both IE Venture and Saama Capital hold an equal stake of 2.99% each. IvyCap Ventures Trust has a 2.28% stake. NKSquared, founded by Zerodha’s Nikhal Kamath, also holds a 1.21% stake in the company. Gaurav Singh Kushwaha Kushwaha is the chairman, managing director and chief executive officer of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in technology, specialising in computer science and engineering, from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He was previously associated with Tavant Technologies (India) Private Limited, Amazon Development Centre (India) Private Limited, and Chakpak Media Private Limited. Prashanth Prakash Prashanth Prakash is a non-executive nominee director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, specialising in computer science and technology from Bangalore University. He also holds a master’s degree in science from the University of Delaware, and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Mysore. He has been associated with Accel India Management LLP since August 2008. Sameer Dileep Nath Sameer Dileep Nath is a non-executive nominee director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in arts, specialising in political science, from Middlebury College, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago. He has over seven years of experience in venture capital funding and was previously associated with IP Ventures Advisors Private Limited and TrueScale Venture Capital LLP. Rajesh Kumar Dahiya Rajesh Kumar Dahiya is an independent director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, specialising in civil engineering, from Bangalore University, and a master’s degree in personnel management and industrial relations from Panjab University. He has experience in human resources and operational distribution and was previously associated with Rallis India Limited, Tata Services Limited, Tata Tea Limited, and Axis Bank Limited. Rohit Bhasin Rohit Bhasin is also an independent director. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Delhi University and is a qualified chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He was previously associated with Standard Chartered Bank in its merchant banking division and PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited. Neha Neha is an independent director of BlueStone. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business management from Fore School of Management, New Delhi. She was previously associated with FCB-ULKA Advertising Private Limited and Living Media India Limited. Rumit Dugar Rumit Dugar is the chief financial officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since May 2, 2022. Dugar has over 16 years of experience in technology consulting, fintech, and equities. He previously worked at organisations like JP Morgan India Private Limited, Infosys Technologies Limited, Alchemy Shares & Stock Brokers Private Limited, Religare Capital Markets Limited, IDFC Securities Limited, and Niyogin Fintech Limited. Jasmeet Kaur Saluja Jasmeet Kaur Saluja is the company secretary and compliance officer of BlueStone. She has been associated with the company since March 19, 2024. Saluja has significant expertise in corporate legal compliance and company secretarial functions. She was previously associated with Draeger India Private Limited as a company secretary and also worked at Algo Legal and Rathi & Associates. Sudeep Nagar Sudeep Nagar is the chief operating officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since December 11, 2012. Nagar has extensive experience in operational management and strategic leadership. He was previously associated with HCL Technologies Limited, Computer Sciences Corporation India Private Limited, and the Lodha Group of Companies. Vipin Sharma Vipin Sharma is the chief merchandising officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since October 13, 2021. Sharma has over 19 years of experience in the luxury goods and jewellery industry. He previously worked with Titan Watches Provident Fund, OyzterBay Private Limited, Clarity Gold Mint Limited, Wincor-Nixdorf India Private Limited, World Gold Council, and Luxury Products Trendsetter Private Limited. Mikhil Raj Mikhil Raj is the chief product officer of the IPO-bound company. He has been associated with the company since April 10, 2024. Raj has a strong background in product management and artificial intelligence. He was previously associated with Urbanclap Technologies , ZestMoney, and Krutim SI Designs. Harshit Kulin Desai Harshit Kulin Desai is the chief manufacturing officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since June 1, 2024. Desai has over 14 years of experience in manufacturing operations, technical, and production roles within the FMCG industry. He was previously associated with Galaxy Surfactants Limited and ITC Limited. Tarun Rajput Tarun Rajput is the head of engineering at the jewellery company. He has been associated with the company since October 21, 2014. Rajput has a robust background in engineering and technology leadership. He was previously associated with Cisco Video Technologies India as a technical leader.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Ethiopia and Somalia agreed on Wednesday to hold “technical talks” to resolve a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a statement following talks in Turkey . Turkey has been mediating between the two east African countries as tensions between them have simmered since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January to lease land along its coastline to establish a marine force base. In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence, which Somalia says infringes on its sovereignty and territory. A joint declaration was reached after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met separately with Somali President Hassan Sheik Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday. It says the sides agreed the talks, which would begin by February 2025 and conclude within four months, would respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while recognizing “potential benefits” of Ethiopia’s access to the sea. The declaration also says the sides would work to “finalize mutually advantageous commercial arrangements” to allow Ethiopia “to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea,” under Somalia sovereignity. RELATED COVERAGE Migrants who survived Madagascar boat tragedy arrive back in Somalia Madagascar officials say the death toll is now 25 after boats carrying Somali migrants capsized Somaliland opposition leader defeats incumbent to win presidential election Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its territory. Over the years, Somaliland has built a stable political environment, contrasting sharply with Somalia’s ongoing struggles with insecurity amid deadly attacks by al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab . In November, Somaliland held a presidential election that gave a boost for its push for international recognition. With a population estimated at over 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world. Turkey has previously hosted two rounds of talks between the African nations’ foreign ministers but a third round, expected in September, was delayed, raising concerns of escalating tensions. Erdogan, flanked by Mohamud and Abiy, told reporters at a late night news conference in the Turkish capital, Ankara, that the sides have reached an “important stage” in efforts to solve their dispute. The joint declaration, Erdogan said, focuses “on the future and not the past.” “By overcoming some resentments and misunderstandings, we have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia,” Erdogan continued. He also said he hoped Somalia would take steps to give Ethiopia sea access. Abiy, the Ethiopian prime minister, insisted that “Ethiopia’s aspiration for secure access to the sea is a peaceful venture and one that would benefit all our neighbors.” “I believe that today’s constructive discussions will push us into a new year with this spirit of cooperation, friendship and the willingness to work together instead of against each other,” he said. Somalia’s president said the Horn of Africa is a “very fragile and very volatile region, which needs both Ethiopia and Somalia to work together” for the benefit of both. Turkey has forged close ties with Somalia, and recently also signed deals toward cooperation in defense and oil and gas exploration. It also has economic and trade ties with Ethiopia. A Somaliland opposition leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who had been critical of the deal with Ethiopia, won the November election. He is to be inaugurated on Thursday.OTTAWA — Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada’s prime minister an “insufferable tool” on his social media platform today. Musk’s comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris’s defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women’s rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Nick Murray, The Canadian PressI recently discussed the challenges of the holiday season for those suffering from addiction. New Year’s Eve festivities are sometimes the most difficult, with parties and social events, as well as additional stress and worries for the year ahead. It also may be a challenge for those who are not managing an addiction but choose to consume alcoholic beverages at home or during special events. No matter what the circumstances, it’s important to manage alcohol consumption appropriately — any time of the year. A friendly reminder to never drink (or take drugs) and drive goes a long way. A DWI can create devastation for your life and your family. If you are in an accident, you can injure yourself, others — or worse yet, take a life. In 2024, more than 13,000 people in the United States have died in drunk driving crashes. Alcohol reduces the function of the brain; it impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination. All these abilities are essential to being able to safely operate a vehicle. When alcohol levels rise in someone’s system, the negative effects on the central nervous system increase. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. An individual’s Blood Alcohol level (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the blood. Levels can range from 0% to more than 0.4% (potentially fatal). One drink is generally defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Percentages of alcohol content may vary. BAC levels can also vary depending on a person’s age and weight, how rapidly he/she is drinking alcohol and the amount of food the person consumed before drinking alcohol. The important lesson is to know your limits and don’t take chances. Driving while impaired by any substance puts you and others at risk. This holiday season (and in the year ahead) please play it safe and plan accordingly. Be responsible and keep it simple. If you are drinking, don’t drive. If you are going out, plan a safe ride home. Ask a non-drinking friend to be a designated driver. If you see someone has had too much to drink, don’t let them drive. Difficult as it may be, take his/her keys and help arrange another ride home. If you are hosting a party, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver. Lastly, always wear a seat belt. The holiday season should be filled with joy, while making good memories, not tragic ones. Do your part to make sure you and your family have a safe and joyful holiday season and a peaceful and healthy 2025.

HUAWEI nova 13 Series Debuts: Redefining Design, Camera, and ExperienceThe Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), Prof. Abdulhameed Boboyi, has expressed satisfaction with the level of primary education in Kwara state, saying the state “is a pioneer in education development in Nigeria.” Boboyi commended the commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the implementation of smart education and other laudable initiatives in the education sector, pointing out how his government is reputed for building a 21st century generation. He said in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, at a funfair organised by the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) to exhibit and celebrate the remarkable success of the state’s Universal Model Smart School (UMSS) in Adeta, Ilorin Thursday. “I enjoy coming to Kwara because all the stakeholders, the community, the teachers, the parents, the school managers and the government are all on the same page, working assiduously to ensure that smart education in Kwara state becomes a reality, and deliver on the mandates for realisation of smart education goals,” he said. “During my last visit to this state, I mentioned that our expectations from Kwara today are not the same from other states because Kwara has always been the pioneer especially when it comes to the development of education in Nigeria. “I am very glad that in Kwara, whenever any problems emerge, they come together to solve them. They don’t wait for Abuja people before solving some of the problems. They see it as a joint project and make sure they can undertake a particular responsibility before the principal partner comes in.” The Executive Chairman, KWASUBEB, Prof Sheu Adaramaja, for his part, said the UBE Model Smart School Funfair (Smart Fair) provides the opportunity to celebrate the milestones achieved as a school community, and to acknowledge the challenges and envision a bright future for the Kwara child. He said the school project reflects the administration’s desire to bridge the educational gaps and ensure that innovative and technology-driven learning is accessible to every child.Is Tesla Stock A Buy Or A Sell After Analyst Hikes Price Target; 'Optimus Is Real' - Investor's Business Daily

Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died

BlackRock Announces Distribution Increases for Certain Closed-End FundsWith Christmas Barely Over, Flood of Kwanzaa Posts Hits the Media - Here's the Truth About the 'Holiday'Severe Pollution Is Slowing Down Warming in Major Cities