Syrian security forces on Thursday launched a security crackdown in a region where 14 policemen were killed a day earlier in an ambush blamed on loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad’s regime, state media reported.The new administration’s security forces said its aim was to “control security, stability, and civil peace, and to pursue the remnants of Assad’s militias in the woods and hills” of the province of Tartous, SANA news agency reported.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three gunmen affiliated with the former regime were killed in the operation. n18oc_world n18oc_crux

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday. He was 92. 

In a statement, the hospital said the Congress veteran was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had “sudden loss of consciousness at home”. “Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51pm,” the statement said.

Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister for two terms in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2014. He had been in poor health for the last few months. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered his predecessor as the “most distinguished leaders”. “His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” he said on X. 

Leaders across party lines also offered their tributes to the former prime minister.

India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, shortly after AIIMS-Delhi announced that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is no more.

“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.

India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic… pic.twitter.com/clW00Yv6oP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2024

The AIIMS said in a statement that 92-year-old Dr Singh was under treatment for age-related conditions. Today, he lost consciousness at home. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS at 8.06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 PM,” the hospital said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah too expressed his condolences on the death of Dr Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reforms under the PV Narasimha Rao government.

“The news of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s passing is very sad. From the Governor of Reserve Bank of India to the Finance Minister and then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh fulfilled major responsibilities in the country’s administration. I express my condolences to his family and supporters. May God give peace to his soul and strength to his family to bear this loss,” Mr Shah said in a post on X.