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Balancing India and China Is the Challenge for Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake

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Anura_Kumara_Dissanayake

The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and without becoming disillusioned.

— Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks.

On September 22, 2024, a headline from CNN reverberated across Sri Lanka: “Sri Lankans elect Marxist-leaning Dissanayake as president to fix the economy.” The deceptively simple headline conceals the hope, frustration and the persistent change that characterize today’s Sri Lanka. National People’s Power (NPP) party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake now stands at the helm. Yet questions echo in the collective consciousness: Is this the dawn of genuine transformation, or merely another chapter in Sri Lanka’s lengthy political saga? This time, the air feels charged with an unsettling potential.

What does the new president represent?

The Sri Lankan people’s yearning to disrupt the status quo has eclipsed their fear of the unknown — the nebulous movement embodied by AKD, a leader emerging from the rural hinterlands to topple the established order represented by the seasoned Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time president.

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From his inaugural moment, AKD’s presidency marks an audacious experiment for the country. His NPP is a heterogeneous ranging from radical leftists rooted in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to progressive elements. Here, we witness a Antonio Gramsci-esque experiment in adapting Marxist movements to the ever-shifting landscape of social conditions.

Gramsci, a thinker who grappled with the nuances of ideological purity, argued for the necessity of pragmatism to forge a broader appeal. AKD’s own pragmatic turn has inspired a tentative optimism not only within Sri Lanka but also in the cautious hearts of its neighbors, especially India. The pivotal question persists: Can AKD balance reform with pragmatism during his presidency, or will he become ensnared in the very contradictions he seeks to transcend?

The NPP positions itself as a reformist entity distinct from its traditional Marxist roots, seeking to redefine its identity within the broader historical panoply of leftist movements. Yet — as with all revolutions — the shadow of past dogmas hovers, threatening to undermine the delicate foundations of reform.

AKD’s election symbolizes a profound shift in Sri Lankan politics and Sri Lankan socialism. In the 1970s, the JVP’s rigid adherence to Marxist orthodoxy privileged revolutionary fervor over pragmatic reform. Today, while the NPP acknowledges its origins, it has redefined itself as prioritizing governance and systemic reform over ideological purity. This evolution, however, is fraught with uncertainty and internal conflict, for the pull of old-guard sentiments within the JVP may clash with the drive for pragmatic governance.

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How are Sri Lanka’s neighbors reacting?

As he navigates these turbulent waters, AKD faces formidable geopolitical challenges in the competing interests of India and China. Scholars  Harsh Pant and Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy assert, “Given the economic and geopolitical scenario, pragmatism is likely to take precedence — Sri Lanka will continue to balance between India and China.” Their insights reveal a landscape shaped by competing aspirations, where AKD’s focus on governance could forge a path toward stability — though whether this is a hopeful vision or an illusory one remains an open question.

However, India’s apprehension looms large as AKD’s presidency unfolds. The strength of the NPP, particularly in its connections to Beijing, raises alarms in New Delhi, which views the burgeoning partnership as a potential threat to its own regional influence. This fear is not unfounded, since India faces the possibility that Sri Lanka under AKD might continue the economic tango with China — trading closer alignment for survival. India fears that AKD might inadvertently lean toward China. The previous Rajapaksa regime did so, which cultivated ties with Beijing, allowing increased Chinese influence through infrastructure projects like the Hambantota Port. India’s security apparatus remains vigilant; some analysts warn that AKD’s presidency could herald a recalibration of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy that may favor China at India’s expense.

As New Delhi grapples with these fears, it remains intent on countering any perceived drift of Kotte towards Beijing. Indian officials are likely to engage with AKD’s administration to promote stability and cooperation while subtly exerting pressure to ensure Sri Lanka does not slip further into China’s orbit.

This geopolitical backdrop complicates AKD’s administration, as he must navigate the intricate balance between fostering relationships with both powers while maintaining domestic support. At the heart of this precarious experiment lies a pressing challenge: addressing the economic collapse that shadows AKD’s ascent.

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AKD’s ability to navigate the labyrinthine reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the intricate dance of debt restructuring will define the early chapters of his presidency. To secure the fourth tranche of the $3 billion IMF bailout program, Sri Lanka must demonstrate measurable progress in fiscal reforms and debt sustainability. The urgency of these reforms is palpable, for the threat of further financial deterioration looms large, threatening the very fabric of the nation.

Debt restructuring is a particularly thorny issue, fraught with the weight of a massive external debt burden and exacerbated by years of mismanagement. AKD inherits a complex negotiation landscape, where cooperation from key creditors — China, India and private bondholders — will be critical. In the days preceding the election, Wickremesinghe warned that “any move to alter the basics of the agreement could delay a fourth tranche of nearly $3 billion from the IMF package, which is crucial for economic stability.” Such warnings echo in the corridors of power, reminding us of the fragile balancing act AKD must perform.

While China has already extended temporary reprieves in the form of debt rollovers, the way toward more comprehensive restructuring deals still needs to be discovered. Beijing’s strategic interests, particularly regarding infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), complicate the process. India, eager to witness stability in Sri Lanka, stands ready to support AKD’s reformist agenda, yet the shadows of previous projects, like the Adani wind power initiative, loom large, casting a shadow of uncertainty on future collaboration.

How will AKD move forward?

AKD’s administration must navigate the treacherous waters of fiscal consolidation, implementing IMF-mandated measures that include tax reforms, public revenue generation and enhanced governance in public enterprises. While these reforms are crucial for economic stabilization, they are not without risks. Public discontent could rise as the specter of austerity measures threatens to exacerbate inflation and unemployment.

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The balancing act between India and China constitutes one of AKD’s most formidable challenges. On the one hand, India anticipates that his rise could distance Sri Lanka from the Rajapaksa-era ties to Beijing, marred by allegations of corruption. Conversely, AKD’s historical ties to China and the NPP’s pragmatic stance suggest that Beijing may still see him as a favorable partner. As a Chinese journalist candidly expressed, BRI projects could gain momentum under AKD’s presidency, perhaps even surpassing the ambitions of his predecessors.

This intricate balancing act will inevitably dominate AKD’s foreign policy. His early promise to cancel the controversial Adani wind power project, while unlikely to fracture relations with India immediately, signals a willingness to make bold decisions that challenge external powers. Yet, whether such actions will tilt the balance in Sri Lanka’s favor or further entangle it in diplomatic complexities remains shrouded in uncertainty — much like his earlier campaign against the US MCC agreement, which revealed a readiness to confront foreign influence when politically expedient.

Amidst these challenges, AKD’s presidency offers a flicker of hope. The ravaged economy, scarred by years of mismanagement, yearns for bold reform. AKD’s election embodies the public’s longing for something new, a desire to transcend the failures of the past. His presidency will be defined by how he navigates internal reforms and his capacity to traverse a complex geopolitical landscape deftly. The stakes are high, and the potential for failure looms large, yet the possibility of transformation lies within this uncertainty.

Sri Lanka has seen political experiments before; many leaders have succumbed to the very establishment they once vowed to dismantle. But AKD’s presidency symbolizes a nascent possibility — a collective aspiration for a better future. Success will not merely depend on policy but on forging unity in a nation long fractured by political and economic strife.

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As AKD prepares for parliamentary elections in November — an event that could define his capacity to enact reforms — the lingering questions remain: Will the Sri Lankan people, civil society and international partners rally behind arduous yet necessary changes? And can AKD maintain the delicate equilibrium between ideology and pragmatism while steering Sri Lanka through the turbulence of geopolitical rivalries? Only time will unveil the true nature of this bold new experiment, a venture into the unknown where hope and despair coexist in a fragile embrace. The future, like Gramsci’s modernity, hangs between hope and uncertainty, awaiting its verdict in a world without illusions.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

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‘A huge loss’, shoppers despair as supermarket chain with 2,500 UK sites is to close town centre store

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'A huge loss', shoppers despair as supermarket chain with 2,500 UK sites is to close town centre store

SHOPPERS have been left in despair after one of the UK’s biggest supermarket chains announced they are closing down a beloved store.

Locals have described the shock decision to shut the doors of the popular branch as “a huge loss” for the town centre.

The local Co-op store in the Meadows, Nottingham is set to finally close its doors in November

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The local Co-op store in the Meadows, Nottingham is set to finally close its doors in NovemberCredit: Alamy

The local Co-op store in the Meadows, Nottingham is set to finally close its doors in November after being a mainstay in the Bridgeway Shopping Centre for over 50 years.

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Co-op haven’t given a reason for the closure but said it was a “difficult decision”.

The final day of trading will be Saturday, November 16.

A spokesperson for Co-op confirmed the closure saying: “Co-op regularly reviews its stores. In addition to opening new stores we sometimes, and only after careful consideration, have to take the difficult decision to close a store.

read more in store closures

“With the expiry of the lease our store in the Bridgeway Centre will close.

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“Colleagues, who have been informed, are being fully supported with every effort being taken to offer alternative positions in the area.

“We would like to thank the community for its support of this store.”

Local David Cooksy was left “disappointed” when he heard the store was closing down.

David, 85, and his wife Heidi, 82, have been regular Co-op customers since the 50s in the Meadows.

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He told the BBC: “It’s convenient. It’s a convenience store, that’s what it’s called and now it’s not going to be here.

“It’s always been here. I go back to the 50s in the Meadows and there’s always been a Co-op.”

You see so many people come here in the morning – it’s a loss to the community

Aparna ValsalaMeadows resident

Laney Neilson, 24, said the branch was a favourite for older locals including her grandparents due to its prime location in the town centre.

She said the closure has made many pensioners “quite upset” with the nearest store no longer being in walking distance.

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The next closest Co-op stores for shoppers in the area are on Station Street and Trent Bridge in Nottingham or Trent Boulevard in West Bridgford.

Meadows resident Aparna Valsala, 33, added: “You see so many people come here in the morning – it’s a loss to the community.”

It comes as another supermarket store rolled down its shutters for good at the end of September.

East of England Co-op in Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich ended trading on August 31 – leaving shoppers upset by the closure.

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A Waitrose store in Hall Green, Birmingham, has also announced it will close its doors for the final time on January 14 after welcoming customers for more than 50 years.

HIGH STREET CLOSURES

Several high-street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.

The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.

Since then energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

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This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

For the most part, supermarkets have braved the storm as they provide essential items like food and drink.

But other retailers have been less fortunate The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores.

Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

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M&S has also confirmed store closure and openings with plans to ensure it has the best store locations.

Why are retailers closing shops?

EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.

The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.

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In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.

Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.

The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.

Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.

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Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.

Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.

In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few.

What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.

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They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.

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Butlin’s created the ultimate Christmas holiday weekend – that I loved as much as my kids

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Butlin’s sparkles with its festive theme and rides after being transformed into a winter wonderland

A SEA of sparkling fairy lights, giant Christmas trees and illuminated archways greeted us as we walked through the hotel doors.

Classic festive tunes drifted across the holiday park, as scores of parents and their excited offspring hurtled around in their Rudolph jumpers, elf hats and Santa suits.

Butlin’s sparkles with its festive theme and rides after being transformed into a winter wonderland

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Butlin’s sparkles with its festive theme and rides after being transformed into a winter wonderlandCredit: Supplied
Luella and Harvey meeting Santa during their immersive grotto experience

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Luella and Harvey meeting Santa during their immersive grotto experienceCredit: Supplied
Luella and Harvey explore the Xmas lights at Butlin’s Bognor Regis

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Luella and Harvey explore the Xmas lights at Butlin’s Bognor RegisCredit: Supplied

Christmas had officially arrived.

I was at Butlin’s Bognor Regis which had become a little less “Hi-de-Hi” and more “ho, ho, ho”.

The resort, better known for Redcoats and red sunburnt faces in the summer months, had been transformed into a winter wonderland for a series of special Christmas breaks.

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And it’s already preparing to do the same for 2024.

Christmas at Butlin’s is a non-stop round of festive parties, Crimbo films, themed activities and special stage shows including Goldilocks And The Three Bears.

And completely new for this year, a favourite character from Butlin’s Jack And The Beanstalk show, Dotty, will be dishing out presents in her dairy for those who don’t have time to visit Santa himself.

We’d barely finished checking into our room at the Wave Hotel before my children were dragging us to a festive pottery painting session.

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My son Harvey, 11, picked out the Nutcracker soldier plaster cast, while daughter Luella, nine, grabbed a sign that read “Family” and got to work bringing their models to life with a splash of colour.

Then it was straight on to the much-anticipated Father Christmas’ Express Delivery, newly launched in 2023 and returning this year.

Inside Butlin’s new £2.5million Skypark in Minehead

The children began their immersive grotto experience by scrawling their wish lists and posting them into the “magic letter box”.

When the light on the lift went green, it meant Father Christmas had received the letters and was ready to receive us too.

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The jolly red man cheerfully, and meticulously, went through every item on their lists before asking whether they had been naughty or nice — I don’t suspect the answer mattered that much as he handed them a chocolate multipack each.

Real magic happens

There is so much for the kids to do at Butlin’s, that it makes for a dream getaway for adults, too, who needn’t worry about what to do next.

A couple of rounds of Wild-West style laser tag got our children’s blood pumping. And if you have a head for heights, Aerial Adventures with a climbing wall and high ropes course are a must.

Then there’s the Football Academy, for boys and girls, offering an hour-long session on Astroturf, helping kids become the next Harry Kane or Lucy Bronze.

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Whatever you do, do not leave Butlin’s without visiting Splash Waterworld.

GO: BUTLINS

STAYING THERE: A four-night Christmas Festive Wonderland break costs from £49 in total based on four sharing a Silver Room in Bognor Regis or Skegness on December 2. Christmas breaks are on sale now.
See butlins.com.

This seaside-themed water park is a godsend in the winter months when the weather is not good enough for the real beach.

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The Adrenaline Flume had us zooming through tunnels in pitch black, and the high-velocity Stick of Rock slides saw me almost lose my shorts.

We couldn’t leave without taking advantage of the on-stage entertainment either, especially as it’s such a huge perk at Butlin’s.

Christmas movies were broadcast in the Skyline Pavilion earlier in the day.

But it’s the evening that the real magic happens with shows like Festival Rock hosting sing-along sessions with Queen’s We Will Rock You and The Killers’ Mr Brightside.

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Then, the perfect way to end a festive trip, with a performance from an Elton John tribute act. The encore of Step Into Christmas left us truly in the festive spirit.

I can already guess the first item on my kids’ Christmas list for this year: a return trip to Butlin’s.

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Aldermen, including several mayoral allies, blast Johnson over Chicago Board of Education resignations

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Aldermen, including several mayoral allies, blast Johnson over Chicago Board of Education resignations

At least three dozen aldermen, including numerous allies of Mayor Brandon Johnson, posted an open letter Saturday blasting the mayor’s handing of Chicago Public Schools that led to the entire Chicago Board of Education announcing they will soon resign.

The group of aldermen — including 10 members of Johnson’s leadership team on the council — chastised the mayor’s high-stakes efforts to take greater control of CPS, which include trying to get CPS to take out a high-interest $300 million loan and assume a $175 million pension payment for nonteacher CPS employees. In the letter, aldermen said the idea of the district taking out the $300 million in loans was “not a smart decision” and also praised CPS CEO Pedro Martinez who has pushed back against Johnson’s efforts.

The mayor has been moving to get the seven-member board to fire Martinez and when Johnson announced Friday the full board intended to resign it was viewed as a clear attempt by the mayor to clear the way for a newly appointed board to fire Martinez. Johnson said he intends to name board replacements at a South Side church on Monday.

“There is extreme cause for concern now that those voices have been diminished,” the aldermanic letter stated.

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While the wording in the letter directed at Johnson was harsh, aldermen have no say on the CPS matters and public letters are often easy ways for council members to weigh in on matters to look good to their constituents.

A spokesman for the mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The aldermen who signed the letter included Johnson appointees to powerful City Council committee chairmanships and 10 of the 19 members of the council’s progressive caucus, which is Johnson’s most consistent base of support in the body.

The group in the letter demanded Johnson convene a hearing before the end of the month and before any new appointments to the CPS board are made.

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“Chicagoans deserve a voice when it comes to decisions that will affect our school system and city as a whole. A School Board full of lame-duck appointees carrying out only a few months of a term before residents get a chance to elect representatives is not what is in our best interest,” the letter said.

The letter made note of the upcoming November school board elections, which mark the beginning of Chicago’s transition to a fully elected school board that will no longer be fully controlled by the mayor. Still, a majority of members will continue to be appointed by Johnson next year and the board won’t be fully elected until 2027.

“With the next School Board meeting scheduled for late October, only days away from the general election, it would be a disservice to appoint anyone without thorough vetting — this is not what we fought for in our efforts for a fully elected School Board,” the letter said.

With the entire Board of Education resigning, what’s next for CPS families?

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Aldermen drafted the letter, edited it and collected signatures in less than 24 hours after the “Friday massacre” resignation announcement, Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, said.

Villegas said he teamed up with Alds. Nicole Lee, 11th, Silvana Tabares, 23rd, and Maria Hadden, 49th, to lead the effort to craft and build support for the letter.

“It’s our responsibility to say something,” Villegas said. “This is just unprecedented.”

At the center of Johnson’s push to remove Martinez is his demand to the district’s leader that CPS take on the $300 million in loans to cover the $175 million pension payment for non teacher CPS employees. That obligation used to be the city’s until Mayor Lori Lightfoot shifted the burden onto CPS, a move initially opposed by Johnson but now one he is fighting to preserve as he faces a nearly $1 billion fiscal shortfall in 2025.

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Martinez has rejected the mayor’s request and passed with the school district’s board this summer a budget that did not include the loans and payment. In their letter on Saturday, aldermen said Martinez and the board “understood the reality of the situation” when they made the decision.

“With federal Covid-relief funds having recently expired for CPS, it is critical that CPS leaders keep the interests of taxpayers and our children top of mind as they make budget decisions that will impact the District for decades to come,” the letter said.

The aldermen also blasted Johnson for failing to secure more money for the school district in Springfield. Illinois General Assembly legislators said the city’s lobbying efforts “focused too much on $2 billion for a new Bears stadium, and not enough on additional funds for CPS and other school districts across Illinois.”

“We must find new ways to work with one another, CPS leadership, and our colleagues in Springfield to achieve our shared vision of fully funded schools for all Illinois students,” the letter said.

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Google’s Waymo Chooses Hyundai Ioniq 5 for Autonomous Driving Fleet

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Google’s Waymo Chooses Hyundai Ioniq 5 for Autonomous Driving Fleet

Expected by 2025

Waymo, a Google subsidiary specializing in autonomous vehicles, plans to integrate the Ioniq 5 into its Waymo One fleet, which currently operates in select regions of the U.S., including San Francisco, Phoenix, and parts of Los Angeles.

The first Ioniq 5 vehicles are expected to roll off the assembly line by the end of 2025, followed by extensive field testing.

This collaboration is strategic for both companies. Hyundai aims to expand its footprint in the autonomous vehicle sector, while Waymo seeks to grow its fleet, traditionally supplied by Chrysler and Jaguar.

The sixth generation of Waymo Driver, unveiled in August 2024, features significant advancements in hardware and software, including 13 cameras, 4 LiDAR units, and 6 radar systems.

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These enhancements allow the vehicle to detect its surroundings up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) away, effectively operating in various weather conditions and times of day.

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How doctors hope new cannabis drug will help cancer patients gain weight

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Illegal Cannabis Factory Green house, A close up of the marijuana farm industry.

A British biotech company is hoping to harness an infamous side-effect of cannabis use, commonly known as ” the munchies”, to help improve the lives of cancer patients.

Use of the drug has long been associated with an increase in appetite.

Pharmaceutical firm Artelo has been working on a drug which it says imitates the effect of the cannabis plant but only on the body and not the brain, so patients will not get high.

It comes as scientists at the University of Oxford are developing a vaccine which it is hoped could start to wipe out Ovarian cancer within five years.

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OvarianVax teaches the immune system to recognise and attack the earliest stages of ovarian cancer and researchers believe it could be given to women preventatively on the NHS.

What is the ‘cannabis’ drug?

The drug, currently referred to as ART27.13 was originally developed by AstraZenecca,

Researchers at pharmaceutical firm Artelo Biosciences and Trinity College Dublin have been experimenting with evolving it for use on cancer patients.

In a paper published in the journal Pharmaceuticals last November, they said it had provided a breakthrough in cancer cachexia, which is a change in the body causing people to lose weight despite eating normally.

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Depending on the type of cancer, between 60 per cent and 80 per cent of patients lose weight.

And they believe it could protect against the muscle degeneration associated with colon and lung cancers (cachexia) and may also positively impact life expectancy.

Dr Steven Reich, Artelo’s chief medical officer, said last year that data from their research “supports our confidence in ART27.13’s potential as a supportive care therapy for cancer patients as it may not only increase appetite, but also prevent muscle wasting.”

How will it work?

Researchers hope ART23.13 will be able to restore appetite, reverse weight loss and improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

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Artelo has taken the drug and formulated it into a once-daily capsule which is currently being trialed in the Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS)

Dr Andy Yates, chief scientific officer at Artelo, said the drug activates the CB1 and CB2 receptors within the body but it is restricted from going to the brain.

He said: “Those receptors are known to be important in people’s appetite control, so if you switch them on they get hungry and they eat more.

“And that’s what we are looking to determine in the CAReS study.”

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What have researchers said?

Dr Barry Laird, from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, is the principal investigator in the CARes trial.

He said: “This really represents a new area of therapeutic development and really had the potential to improve things for our patients.

“What’s really key about this to me is it’s a change from standard cancer care.

“We are not just focusing on the tumour we are focusing on the patient.

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“That’s what it’s about, helping these patients live as well as they can.

“And if we do that, they will live as long as they can.”

While Dr Yates told The Times: “Ultimately, there’s a big correlation between the weight of a cancer patient and their outcomes.

“Sadly, there are not very many treatment options available for those who are suffering weight loss, so we hope that our drug will help transform that by giving people their appetite back.”

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However, he admitted getting the drug to clinical trials had been a “nightmare” because of the need to get licences from the Home Office.

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New themed cruises to launch in Europe next year including ‘Christmas and women-only trip’ – see the full list

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A fleet of voyages will set sail in 2015 including a female-only cruise

A SELECTION of eye-catching themes cruises will be setting sail across Europe next year.

Punters can nab their cabin on a fun fleet of voyages, including one where blokes are banned.

A fleet of voyages will set sail in 2015 including a female-only cruise

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A fleet of voyages will set sail in 2015 including a female-only cruiseCredit: �Uniworld River Cruises
Upmarket river cruise line Uniworld also launched a music and golf-themed cruise for next year

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Upmarket river cruise line Uniworld also launched a music and golf-themed cruise for next yearCredit: �Uniworld River Cruises

And they won’t have long to wait either, as all cruises will embark on their respective trips in 2025.

“Travellers have demonstrated an increasing desire for more specialised and unique experiences,” Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld, said.

“We are expanding our portfolio to further cater to a range of interests, passions and communities.”

MUSIC CRUISE

Uniworld’s Music Cruise will offer up exclusive ‘Music of the Danube’ sailings on August 3 and November 2 aboard the ‘Enchanting Danube’ itinerary.

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The voyage will come complete with a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg in Austria, a spine-tingling concert at Abbey Durnstein and a yodeling workshop.

Travellers can experience all of these pinch me moments for £2,665.

GOLF PACKAGE

If you’re into your golf as well as your vino, Uniworld’s ‘Premium Golf Package’ is a no-brainer and is available on six summer sailings.

The package is tethered to the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ itinerary and comprises 18-hole rounds at Cabot Bordeaux and St. Emilion.

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Buyers will also enjoy a shared caddy service and a sumptuous gourmet dining experience after a sapping day on the course.

Nab your spot from £919 per person.

Trailer for ‘Cruising With Jane McDonald’ on Channel 5

WOMEN’S CRUISE

The first-ever ‘Women’s Only Cruise’ will leave the dock on August 24 as part of the ‘Burgundy and Provence’ itinerary.

Ladies of all ages are invited for a cluster of excursions including truffle hunting and a bike ride to the Chartreuse.

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Guests are also invited to partake in lavender weaving, an inviting chocolate and wine tasting experience and burlesque dancing sessions.

Further details are yet to be revealed so keep an eye out for further details.

It’s not cheap though – don’t expect to fork out anything below £4,300 for the privilege.

OCEANS OF FUN

Meanwhile, holidaymakers can also opt to secure their place on the MSC World America.

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This voyage is another exciting new cruise ships launching next year and promises to take your breath away, quite literally.

That will be on the water slide that starts with a scary 90-degree drop.

Packing in 6,769 passengers and more than 30 places to eat and drink, World America will be island-hopping in the Caribbean from Miami starting in April, with prices from £779pp for seven nights.

Next up it’s Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua, a lively ship where fun-seekers can ride the first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea.

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The ship has lots of places to eat, even more places to drink, with no one telling you what to wear, and a sports complex that becomes a nightclub in the evening.

Aqua holds 3,571 passengers and will be sailing from Port Canaveral in Florida to NCL’s private island in the Caribbean from April, with seven-day prices from £1,041pp.

The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship

The Star of the Seas’ sister vessel Icon of the Seas was launched by Royal Caribbean earlier this year.

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It weighs 250,800 tonnes and is longer than The Shard is tall at 1,198ft in length.

It has seven swimming pools and 22 restaurants among the on board offerings for its 7,600 guests.

One of those pools is the largest ever built for a cruise ship. There’s also a swim-up bar, and not one but two infinity pools, both engineering firsts.

Kids’ clubs will keep little ones happy while parents enjoy the sun.

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However, families will also have plenty of chances to have a ball together with arcades, laser tag, mini golf and the largest ice rink at sea all among its attractions.

At the front of the ship is the multi-deck glass AquaDome.

It provides floor-to-ceiling ocean views, as well as a 55ft waterfall tumbling into a pool that by night promises thrilling aerial acrobatics and daring dives.

Meanwhile, the ship’s Royal Theatre features a West End-style production of the Wizard of Oz, and there are endless live music and theatrical performances, day and night.

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There are 28 different types of room for guests to stay in. Some have an ocean-view balconies, while others overlook the ship’s Central Park, which has 30,500 plants, trees and flowers between shops and restaurants.

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