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passed his first Real test as boss - by achieving what predecessor never could. In almost a decade in charge of Liverpool, Klopp failed to beat . But Slot has now taken down the European champions within six months - as part of his mission to make sure Klopp will not be missed. Second half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo were more than enough to see Liverpool win this clash of European royalty. Whether Liverpool can go on to take Real's crown remains to be seen. Come and join The Daily Star on , the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving , but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on , and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a . So what are you waiting for?! Let's But this win left Slot's men on top of the table looking down on the rest, safe in the knowledge no-one will want to face them further down the line. Fifteen years had passed since Liverpool last beat Real. A run of eight games, including two crushing final losses. But this felt like the right time for Liverpool to bring an end to the hoodoo. Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter! From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox. It only takes a matter of seconds. Simply , then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories. You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, The team's transition from Klopp to Slot has been seamless, with the Merseyside outfit storming into a handsome lead at the top of the table. Liverpool had also started this week top of the Champions League pile as well, following four straight wins. Real, meanwhile, arrived at Anfield second in La Liga to bitter rivals , and in the bottom half of the Champions League table. Pressure was growing on Carlo Ancelotti, who was still struggling to get the best from superstar signing Kylian Mbappe. While Jude Bellingham was also failing to hit the remarkable heights of his debut season, with just two goals in 13 games in all competitions. And it was Liverpool who almost went ahead inside the opening five minutes. Mo Salah picked the pocket of Mbappe before exchanging passes with Darwin Nunez, who saw his angled shot hacked off the line by Raul Asencio. Luis Diaz then shot wide before Thibaut Courtois produced an instinctive save to deny Nunez from point blank range. Liverpool dominated while Real offered little. And when Mbappe did threaten to break free, the impeccable Conor Bradley was on hand to snuff him out with a crunching tackle. Nunez sent a header inches wide of the far post, before Courtois kept another one out from Diaz as Real continued to ride their luck. Curtis Jones shot over the top before Courtois produced another fine save to keep out Bradley's header. But Real's resistance was broken before the hour mark when Mac Allister ran onto Bradley's pass and swivelled, before sliding a low shot into the bottom corner. Moments later Mac Allister could have doubled the advantage, but curled a shot just wide. Then came the low point of a miserable night for Mbappe, when Caoimhin Kelleher saved his penalty. With 20 minutes remaining Salah had the chance to bury Real, but came out in sympathy for Mbappe instead by missing a penalty of his own. But it didn't matter. The Spanish giants had been reduced to a shambles. And Gakpo piled on the pain for Ancelotti's men 14 minutes from time with a powerful header that gave Courtois no chance. History has shown you can never write-off Real. But there was no coming back this time, against a team under Slot that will take some stopping in the coming months.Liverpool were held to a draw at St. James' Park on Wednesday as they drew 3-3 in a dramatic Premier League match. A bright start for the hosts saw Jacob Murphy hit the post before Alexander Isak got them in front with a powerful strike past Caoimhín Kelleher , who then denied Anthony Gordon to keep the score at 1-0. Mohamed Salah had Liverpool's best chance of the first half, but couldn't get Jarell Quansah 's pass under control inside of the box. The Reds looked improved after the break and levelled the scoring when Curtis Jones added the finishing touch to Salah's ball. Isak was one of the standouts on the night for the Magpies and made his mark again when assisting Gordon as they retook the lead, but parity was soon restored as Trent Alexander-Arnold won back possession before assisting Salah. The Egypt international was Liverpool's star of the second half with a sublime performance, and after he was unlucky to hit the bar following some impressive footwork, he got his side ahead with an accurate finish past Nick Pope . The Reds appeared in control of the game before a late Newcastle free kick, and a rare goalkeeping error from Kelleher allowed Fabian Schär to finish at the back post. Positives Liverpool responded after a slow first half, with standout performances from Salah and Alexander-Arnold, two players who will soon enter the final six months of their contract. Negatives Liverpool clearly missed the influence of Ibrahima Konaté at times, though both Joe Gomez and Quansah haven't had as many opportunities to gain sharpness recently. Kelleher has been faultless since deputising for Alisson , and he will be disappointed with his error at the end of the game. Manager rating (1-10; 10 = best) Arne Slot, 7 -- Liverpool looked improved after the second half and Slot's substitution made an instant impact to get the game to 2-2, before eventually getting ahead. A well-managed game by the Reds' head coach. Player ratings GK Caoimhín Kelleher, 5 -- There was little he could do about a sublime effort from Isak, though the Liverpool goalkeeper did prevent Gordon from doubling Newcastle's lead from a big chance in the first half. Unlucky not to keep out Newcastle's second, but at fault for the third as the Magpies drew level in the 90th minute. DF Andy Robertson , 6 -- He looked to support the attack with forward runs at the right time, and he asked questions of the defence with some crosses into the box. Editor's Picks Who are the most 'clutch' in Premier League when it comes to scoring, stopping goals? 2d Ryan O'Hanlon Manchester City's era of dominance is fading away right before our very eyes 2d Mark Ogden Where does latest Man City-Liverpool clash rank in their recent rivalry? 2d Chris Wright DF Virgil van Dijk , 6 -- Assured and often won the ball back when challenging for it, but could have stepped up sooner to play Isak offside for the opener. A strong challenge slowed a Newcastle counter-attack at the end of the match. DF Joe Gomez, 5 -- Blocked an effort from Gordon in the second half, but then allowed him to turn on his stronger foot before he scored. Took care when transitioning the ball forwards, but struggled at times when isolated with Isak. DF Jarell Quansah, 6 -- He was deployed at right-back for Liverpool and defended well throughout, while he was also unlucky to not register an assist after a bright run and pass found Salah in a dangerous area. Could have been more aware of Gordon's run in behind before Newcastle's second. MF Ryan Gravenberch , 5 -- Not at his usual best on the night, and caught in possession on too many occasions. Replaced in the 67th minute by Dominik Szoboszlai . MF Alexis Mac Allister , 6 -- Unlucky with his effort in the 14th minute and then hit the post seconds later. Unlocked Salah down the right flank before Liverpool's equaliser. Booked harshly for a foul that didn't have much in it, which means he will miss the Merseyside derby against Everton at the weekend. MF Curtis Jones, 7 -- Precise with passing and tried to get things moving in the right direction. Found Salah with a well-placed ball in the first half. Timed his run perfectly in the 50th minute before connecting with Salah's pass to finish past Pope. FW Cody Gakpo , 5 -- Uninvolved in the first half outside of some positive work in the box, but saw his effort blocked after cutting inside. Threatened the goal with a volley in the second half to force a corner, and then headed across goal but narrowly missed Darwin Núñez at the back post. FW Darwin Núñez, 5 -- His end product could have been better when leading Liverpool counter-attacks, with his pass to Salah placed behind the Egypt international. Close to getting Liverpool in front at the back post but was a fraction of a second late to Gakpo's pass. FW Mohamed Salah, 10 -- It's not quite clear how Salah prepared for the second half, but that was one of the best 45 minutes of his Liverpool career. Two goals and an assist, along with a magical moment with elite footwork before hitting an effort off the bar. Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Gomez, 67') 8 -- Made an instant impact when coming on, winning back possession before making a smart run down the line and assisting Salah for Liverpool's second equaliser of the match. Booked for his first foul of the match against Gordon. Dominik Szoboszlai (Gravenberch, 67') 6 -- Was deployed in an advanced role. Set Liverpool's press well and stretched Newcastle's midfield with intelligent runs. Luis Díaz (Gakpo, 67') 6 -- Worked hard on the left flank and provided a boost to Liverpool counter-attacks. Always looked to beat his marker and was bright in the box, cutting inside on his right foot before working efforts at goal.None
‘MP’ leaves north ‘govt’, brings ‘parliamentary’ majority down to six(CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump’s hunt for a new FBI director is being complicated by the need to find someone who has a clear path to confirmation — and who will appeal to the MAGA base. After reports that former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who once served as an FBI special agent, was a top contender for the job, Trump’s inner circle and transition team were inundated – publicly and privately – with pushback. By Friday morning, Dan Scavino – Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff – appeared to seal his fate: “Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI. It’s not happening — In his own words, ‘I have never even given it a thought.’ Not happening.” The dustup surrounding a potential Rogers pick highlights the conundrum Trump faces as he searches for a suitable replacement for FBI Director Christopher Wray, who still has three years left in his term but whom Trump has previously vowed to fire. The president-elect needs someone palatable enough to Republicans in the Senate, who have signaled they won’t forfeit their duty to vet, advise and consent on Trump’s picks. But he also wants an FBI director who will both insulate him from investigation and appease calls from the base to revamp the bureau. Trump’s right-wing allies were already smarting from former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s decision to drop out of the fight to become the next attorney general as it became clear he would not have the GOP support necessary for confirmation. Trump’s replacement pick, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, wasn’t a non-starter for those on Trump’s right flank. But some Trump allies lamented that she doesn’t have the brash political instinct or zeal for overhauling the Justice Department that they saw in Gaetz. Sources told CNN there are several names still under consideration for FBI director, including Kash Patel, a right-wing firebrand who served as an adviser on the National Security Council and chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense in the first Trump administration. Some of Trump’s most loyal and vocal allies — including Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk — have voiced support for Patel. Also in the mix: former St. Louis US Attorney Jeff Jensen and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah. Trump’s team is also open to considering new candidates, a source familiar with the situation said. One possible option remains picking someone easier to confirm for the top job, and then Trump can install his loyalist Patel as deputy director, a job that for years has been filled by a career FBI agent and not a political appointee. The very talk of removing Wray, whom Trump appointed in 2017 after firing the previous director, shows how much Trump is dispensing with norms. In the wake of Watergate and excesses under J. Edgar Hoover, the first FBI director, Congress made the FBI director job a 10-year appointment as a way to insulate the post from politics. Chaffetz declined to comment. Jensen didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Patel did not respond to request for comment. As for Rogers, who lost a bid for US Senate in Michigan earlier this month, he was spotted at Mar-a-Lago last week, and some GOP senators were pushing for him to be the pick, arguing he would be easy to confirm and has the experience to do to the job. But an anti-Rogers campaign had also been ramping up for the past week, and it boiled over after CNN and others reported on him as a contender for the job. On Thursday evening, former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe – reviled by Trump and many of his allies – endorsed the potential pick on air. “I think Mike Rogers is a totally reasonable, logical selection for FBI director,” McCabe said on CNN, where he is a contributor. Trump’s right-wing supporters didn’t hold back. “You’re going to sit there and endorse Mike Rogers and say, ‘Oh this guy is great’? That’s the kiss of death, dude. That’s the kiss of death,” Jack Posobiec, a far-right political activist, said on Steve Bannon’s podcast Friday, before lavishing praise on Patel. Allies collected old clips of Rogers, a former House Intelligence chairman, on television and archived tweets from him disparaging Trump and sent them to the transition team and aides to Trump. On Friday, Scavino brought the backlash to Trump’s attention. The president-elect gave him permission to fire off the damning tweet, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN. Rogers did not respond to request for comment. “I know it’s Trumpworld and anything can change on a dime,” said one source who had expressed his frustration to transition members. “But if Dan put out that tweet, I feel good knowing that it came from the president.” CNN’s Manu Raju, Kaitlan Collins and Zachary Cohen contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to OncLive On Air ® ! I’m your host today, Ashling Wahner. OncLive On Air is a podcast from OncLive ® , which provides oncology professionals with the resources and information they need to provide the best patient care. In both digital and print formats, OncLive covers every angle of oncology practice, from new technology to treatment advances to important regulatory decisions. In today’s episode, supported by BeiGene, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH, about updates in zanubrutinib (Brukinsa)–focused research in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that were presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting. Dr Shadman is an associate professor in the Clinical Research Division and the medical director of Cellular Immunotherapy at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. In our exclusive interview, Dr Shadman discussed key findings and implications from several clinical trials investigating zanubrutinib as monotherapy and in combination with agents such as obinutuzumab (Gazyva), sonrotoclax (BGB-11417), and venetoclax (Venclexta) in patients with CLL and other B-cell malignancies. ___ That’s all we have for today! Thank you for listening to this episode of OncLive On Air , supported by BeiGene. Check back on Mondays and Thursdays for exclusive interviews with leading experts in the oncology field. For more updates in oncology, be sure to visit www.OncLive.com and sign up for our e-newsletters. OncLive is also on social media. On X, follow us at @OncLive. On Facebook, like us at OncLive, and follow our OncLive page on LinkedIn. If you liked today’s episode of OncLive On Air , please consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many of your other favorite podcast platforms,* so you get a notification every time a new episode is posted. While you are there, please take a moment to rate us! Thanks again for listening to OncLive On Air . *OncLive On Air is available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audacy, CastBox, Deezer, iHeart, JioSaavn, Listen Notes, Player FM, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, RadioPublic, and TuneIn.
US President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he was nominating staunch loyalist and retired general Keith Kellogg as his Ukraine envoy, charged with ending the two-and-a-half-year Russian invasion. Trump campaigned on a platform of ushering a swift end to the Ukraine war, boasting that he would quickly mediate a ceasefire deal between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But his critics have warned that the incoming Republican will likely leverage US military aid to pressure Kyiv into an agreement that left it ceding occupied territory permanently or agreeing not to join NATO. "I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia," Trump said in a statement on social media. "Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration." A fixture on the cable news circuit, the 80-year-old national security veteran co-wrote an academic paper earlier this year calling for Washington to leverage military aid as a means of pushing for peace talks. Ukraine has received almost $60 billion from Washington for its armed forces since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, but with the more isolationist Trump taking over the White House, supporters fear the spigot will run dry. "The United States would continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to ensure Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a cease-fire or peace agreement," Kellogg's research paper for the Trumpist America First Policy Institute think tank said. "Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia." Kellogg served in several positions during Trump's first term, including as chief of staff on the White House national security council and national security advisor to then-vice president Mike Pence. More from this section Kellogg told Voice of America at the Republican convention in July that Ukraine's options were "quite clear." "If Ukraine doesn't want to negotiate, fine, but then accept the fact that you can have enormous losses in your cities and accept the fact that you will have your children killed, accept the fact that you don't have 130,000 dead, you will have 230,000–250,000," he said. Trump's announcement came as the outgoing administration of Democrat Joe Biden was hosting a news conference to urge Ukraine to enlist more recruits by reducing the minimum age of conscription to 18. Facing a much larger enemy with more advanced weapons and with stocks of volunteers dwindling, Ukraine is facing an "existential" recruitment crunch, a senior administration official told reporters. "The simple truth is that Ukraine is not currently mobilizing or training enough soldiers to replace their battlefield losses while keeping pace with Russia's growing military," said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He was pressed on what Washington considers an appropriate minimum age and he replied that "we think there's real value in them considering lowering the recruiting age to 18" -- in line with the US benchmark. He added that an additional 160,000 troops would be "on the low end" to fill out Ukraine's ranks -- but "a good start." The former Soviet republic's population has fallen by more than a quarter since its mid-1990s peak of 52 million, and authorities are desperate to shield the younger generation -- but a US congressional report in June estimated the average Ukrainian soldier is 40. Zelensky signed a decree in April lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 but the move did not alleviate the chronic troop shortages, according to US officials. ft/bjtPublished 00:06 IST, December 28th 2024 Baby John and Jab We Met actress Wamiqa Gabbi is currently making waves on the internet with many calling her the ‘new national crush.’ The Varun Dhawan starrer Baby John hit the big screens on December 25, coinciding with the Christmas holiday. Despite releasing on a non-working day, the actioner was unable to impress the audience on the big screen. Tough, movie’s one of the lead actresses’ Wamiqa Gabbi is currently making waves on the internet with many calling her the ‘new national crush.’ Who is Wamiqa Gabbi? Wamiqa Gabbi was born into a Punjabi family in Chandigarh and is the daughter of renowned author Govardhan Gabbi. While her family prefers to stay out of the media spotlight, her father’s works have earned him significant attention. Govardhan is well-known in literary circles for books such as Tin Tiye Satt, Ateet De Sirnavein, Puran Katha, and Taana Baana. Wamiqa made her acting debut in 2007 with Imtiaz Ali’s romantic comedy Jab We Met, when she was just 13 years old and played Kareena Kapoor’s cousin. Following several supporting roles in films like Love Aaj Kal, Mausam, and Bitto Boss, Wamiqa secured her first lead role in the film Sixteen. However, it was her performance in the critically acclaimed web series Grahan in 2021 that earned her widespread recognition. Since then, she has worked in several other web series, including Mai: A Mother's Rage, Modern Love: Mumbai, Jubilee, and Modern Love Chennai. Why Wamiqa Gabbi is compared to Aishwarya Rai? Baby John actress Wamiqa Gabbi is admired not only for her acting but also for her beauty. She is often compared to the iconic Aishwarya Rai on social media due to her eyes. Recently, when Wamiqa appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show, comedian Kapil Sharma also complimented her, saying, “Aapki aankhein itni khubsurat hai, aapse paise lete hai doctor ki aapko dete hai, ‘ki do minute dekhti raho mujhe’?” Since the clip went out, Netizens started highlighting her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai, sharing side-by-side photos and sparking comparisons across social media. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 00:06 IST, December 28th 2024Minecraft Education and Cadw join forces to build interest in Welsh heritage
By Lizette Chapman | Bloomberg Software company Palantir Technologies and Costa Mesa-based weapons maker Anduril Industries plan to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in the US military and are inviting other companies to join the effort. Under an agreement announced Friday, battlefield information created by sensors, vehicles, robots and weapons will be collected by Anduril’s Lattice software and then pulled into a secure Palantir platform that will prepare the data for use in AI training and development. The data gathered would include information classified at the highest levels of secrecy. The move is the latest in a series of partnerships announced by defense tech companies this week seeking to put AI technology to greater use in military applications. On Wednesday, Anduril unveiled plans to work with OpenAI on anti-drone systems, and Palantir on Thursday signed an accord with Shield AI to collaborate on autonomous flight systems. The agreements highlight the growing importance of artificial intelligence to the US military as it seeks to maintain an edge over China and other adversaries, creating an opening for contractors to deliver new technology. Palantir’s partnership with Anduril builds on years of coordination between the two companies backed by billionaire venture investor Peter Thiel and signals an expansion of Silicon Valley’s role in reshaping the US defense industry. Earlier this year, Palantir won the US Army’s Titan contract, making it the first software company to win a prime contract and propelling its government business past analyst estimates. The Denver-based company, co-founded by Thiel in 2003, has seen huge demand for its AI products from both commercial and government customers, sending its shares soaring. At more than $173 billion, its market capitalization now surpasses that of Lockheed Martin Corp. Co-founded by early Palantir employee and Founders Fund General Partner Trae Stephens, Anduril sells its reusable rockets, drones and submarines and related software platform Lattice to the US and allied countries. Investors last valued it at $14 billion on expectations of continued growth in those sectors as it builds a factory to increase production while exploring new growth areas. Last month, it won a contract with the US Space Command. Despite progress by startups like Anduril in winning defense dollars, venture-backed startups are far from replacing legacy defense contractors. Elon Musk’s SpaceX won more than 80% of all government spending awarded to startups tracked by the Silicon Valley Defense Group, according to a report earlier this year that doesn’t include Palantir because it is public. Executives from companies including Palantir and Anduril along with Musk have called for changes in how the Defense Department purchases weapons and other technology to be faster, cheaper and more streamlined. Musk, the world’s richest man, was asked by President-elect Donald Trump to co-chair an advisory panel to make the US government more efficient. In announcing their new AI effort Friday, Palantir and Anduril described it as a consortium they intend to eventually expand to other industry partners. “No single company is capable of delivering on the promise of AI for national security,” they said in their announcement. “It takes a team of companies that are willing and able to ensure that the U.S. government remains the world leader in fielding advanced technologies that keep our citizens safe.” Related Articles Business | Can AI chatbots make your holiday shopping easier? Business | OpenAI Sam Altman ‘not that worried’ about rival Elon Musk’s influence in the Trump administration Business | Apple readies more conversational Siri in bid to catch up in AI Business | Siri gets smarter as Apple adds AI to iPhone Business | How Big Tech won big against regulation in California this yearIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is questionable to start Sunday's game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries. Richardson did not practice this week, but head coach Shane Steichen fell short of declaring his starter out. "We'll see how next 48 hours go," he told reporters Friday. If Richardson, 22, is unable to go, veteran Joe Flacco would make his fifth start of the season. As of Friday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they'd need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 -- and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday -- to stay alive. That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts. Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams -- the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. --Field Level Media
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Ceylinco Holdings PLC has announced the appointment of Ranil Goonetilleke and Chrishan Fernando as Independent Non-Executive Directors with effect from 1 January 2025. Goonetilleke (FCMA), is a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK (CIMA). He began his career at KPMG Sri Lanka, and thereafter joined Haycarb PLC to its Finance Division and progressed to be its Divisional Manager - Finance. Subsequent to his employment at Haycarb, in 1998, he joined Ceylon Brewery PLC as its Financial Controller and in April 2004 was appointed Director Finance Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC which post he held until his retirement in December 2023. Currently he is a Non- Executive Director of Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC, Pegasus Hotels of Ceylon PLC and Namunukula Plantations PLC. He also serves in their Audit Committees and Related Party Committees. He is the immediate past Chairman of tile Exporters Association of Sri Lanka of tile Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. During his career spanning over 40 years, in addition to his experience in finance and related fields, he has gained a good working knowledge in tile areas covering Manufacturing, Legal, Logistics, Governance, Audit, Insurance, Procurement, Risk Management and Cost Restructuring. He has participated in several training programs covering varied general management topics both overseas and in Sri Lanka whilst more specifically in Strategic Cost Management at INSEAD France and Formulating and Actioning Strategy, Wharton University, Philadelphia. He is a Board Member of the National Council for Child and Youth Welfare. Chrishan Fernando is a veteran leader with nearly 25 years of experience in the global IT industry. His international career began with Compaq Computer in 1997, where he was based in Singapore, overseeing markets across South Asia. Following the merger with HP, Chrishan returned to Sri Lanka, his homeland, and established the HP office there. In 2009, Chrishan was head hunted by IBM to serve as the Country General Manager for Sri Lanka, leading the country’s largest IT company. During his tenure, he introduced new lines of business, including software and IBM’s Global Business Services, to the Sri Lankan market. As Dell Technologies in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Country Manager Chrishan led the organisation to achieve the No.1 position in market share for both consumer and commercial business segments in Sri Lanka. Additionally, he contributed to the growth of Fiserv as Director of Sales in Sri Lanka. Currently, Chrishan serves on the boards of several Sri Lankan startups. A passionate advocate for skills-based education, he is committed to empowering Sri Lanka’s adaptable human resources, believing they hold the key to the nation’s progress. Chrishan holds an MBA in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Marketer (Asia Pacific). He is also a Certified Director of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors. Beyond his professional achievements, Chrishan is deeply involved in religious and social work. He actively participates in numerous social service initiatives and serves on the Standing Committee of the Colombo Diocese of the Church of Ceylon.
