Twitter is testing emoji reactions for tweets
Twitter is testing emoji reactions for tweets that go beyond a simple “Like,” the company announced today. Image: TwitterEmoji reactions have been available for years on other services like Facebook, as well as on Twitter itself within direct messages. But what’s interesting about Twitter’s emoji choices for its latest test is that none of them are especially negative. There’s no “Angry face” like you’ll find on Facebook, or “Thumbs down” like in Twitter’s direct message emoji reactions. Twitter explains that it decided against choosing these negative emoji because people it surveyed said “they were concerned about receiving negative reactions to some of their thoughts.” A valid concern given how toxic many conversations on Twitter can be.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 13:52 UTC
League of Legends’ world championships will take place in Iceland
The League of Legends World Championship, the concluding tournament that brings together the best teams from across the world, will take place in Reykjavík, Iceland at the Laugardalshöll indoor sporting arena. Riot Games revealed the news today, following the August announcement that the event would be moved from China to Europe. Reykjavík was also this year’s location for League’s other big international tournament, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May. “While maintaining our focus on ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved in hosting, producing, and competing at the event, Worlds 2021 will not host a live audience. The early play-in stage will take place from October 5-9th, followed by the group stage from October 11-18th.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 13:18 UTC
The Matrix: Resurrections trailer is finally here
The long-awaited trailer for the fourth Matrix installment is finally here alongside the film’s official title: The Matrix: Resurrections. The trailer for Resurrections was first previewed at a CinemaCon presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures on Tuesday, August 24th, in Las Vegas before being released to the public today. The trailer features clips of Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Neil Patrick Harris playing the role of Neo’s therapist. We’re also left to ponder what’s real and what’s simulated along a shifting timeline in true Matrix fashion. The Matrix: Resurrections is written and directed by Lana Wachowski, who co-directed and co-wrote the first three Matrix films with her sister Lilly Wachowski.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 13:07 UTC
Foreign Minister calls for enhanced economic cooperation with Iran
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has sought greater economic cooperation with Iran, including enhanced bilateral trade, investment and the possibilities of cooperation in new sectors, such as tourism and energy. The Minister made this request when the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hashem Ashjazadeh called on him at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday (08). In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Iran which have a proud legacy of two ancient and great civilizations. Ambassador Ashjazadeh extended his warm felicitations to Minister Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and assured the firm commitment and support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the expansion of bilateral cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 09:33 UTC
EasyJet rejects takeover bid and unveils rights issue
Rejected: Shares in EasyJet have fallen sharply today after the airline revealed it had rejected a takeover bidEasyJet said in a statement: 'The board recently received an unsolicited preliminary takeover approach. In a bid to ramp up its recovery, EasyJet has confirmed that it is seeking to raise around £1.2billion from shareholders via a rights issue. EasyJet said it would use the rights issue to bolster its balance sheet and take advantage of growth opportunities that arise from the expected recovery in Europe's aviation market over the coming years. EasyJet is the latest recipient of a takeover bid, although the suitor has already been fought off. The rights issue is underwritten by BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Santander and Societe Generale.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 09:00 UTC
‘Bob Marley’ arrested by Narcotics Bureau
September 9, 2021 by Ruwani Fonseka No CommentsDrug Lord Chaminda Thabrew alias Bob Marley has been arrested in Elpitiya today, the Narcotics Bureau has confirmed. Earlier yesterday, Sri Lanka Police had released a statement requesting the general public for assistance in locating the notorious drug lord.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 08:15 UTC
Afghan President apologizes for fleeing, denies reports of taking funds
(News 1st): Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani denies reports of fleeing the country with about $169m (£123m) in a recent video, in which he apologizes to the people of Afghanistan. “Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life,” he said, adding that he was sorry he “could not make it end differently”. Ghani abruptly left Afghanistan as Taliban militants advanced on the capital on 15 August. He further stated that he had devoted 20 years to helping Afghanistan become a “democratic, prosperous and sovereign state”. Ghani added that he had “deep and profound regret that my own chapter ended in similar tragedy to my predecessors”.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 07:52 UTC
Suspect arrested for death of ‘Sunshine sudda’
COLOMBO (News 1st): A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a drug dealer and organized criminal gang member Amila Prarasanga Hettihewa alias Sunshine Sudda. The Police said that the suspect has been identified as a resident of Walana, Weligama and currently functions as an office assistant in an institution in Matara. Amila Prasanga Hettihewa alias Sunshine Sudda was shot dead inside his vehicle in the Warakapitiya area in Kotawila on 03 September.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 07:30 UTC
Xiaomi commits to extended Android updates, but there’s a catch
Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android AuthorityTL;DR Xiaomi has announced a new, longer Android update policy. The new policy will only affect the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro, at least for now. Xiaomi is set to introduce a new Android update policy alongside its forthcoming 11T series. The move also puts Xiaomi at par with Samsung’s Android upgrade commitment, which allows its newer devices four years of security updates with three major Android upgrades. More reading: Dear OEMs — Your Android update policy should have nothing to do with PR What about older Xiaomi phones?
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 06:56 UTC
'Solve Brexit delays by buying green parts', eBay urges motorists
In simple terms, green parts refer to used car parts that are still fit to use, and they are usually taken from insurance write-offs where components have not been damaged. The online marketplace told This is Money it believes using green parts can also help save motorists money. Sales of green parts, it claims, have risen by 24 per cent year-on-year in the first seven months of this year. 'The use of green parts is increasing within the industry as motorists are becoming more aware of the benefits of using sustainable options', eBay UK said. The online marketplace said it was also working with whocanfixmycar to provide access to green parts to over 8,000 garages across the country.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 06:56 UTC
10 Shakedowns That Backfired Big Time
No doubt about it: shakedowns can, and do, backfire big time. Karsan’s attempt to shakedown John Lennon’s widow backfired big time when he was arrested on December 13, 2006, for first-degree attempted grand larceny. proof,” Letterman told his listeners, that the talk show host had, indeed, done “terrible, terrible things.” ABC News reporters Michael S. James and Lindsay Goldwert suggest that, if Letterman’s audience thought he was joking, they would soon learn that there would be no punchline to his monologue. At his trial in March 2010, he insisted that he had never tried to extort any money from Crawford. During the conduct of the investigation, FBI agents discovered that Coss and Sippola had previously tried to extort money from Stamos.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 06:56 UTC
Sinopharm refiling plant to be set up in SL?
The potential to set up a Sinpharm vaccine refilling plant on Sri Lankan soil is on the cards, according to a press release from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing. The statement also confirmed that Sri Lanka can expect more Sinopharm doses from China in the future. Such discussions took place when Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona met with the Chairman of Sinopharm group. Mr Liu Jingzhen and the senior management of the establishment last Monday, to hand over a personal letter from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, appreciating the uninterrupted supply of the Sinopharm vaccine to Sri Lanka. Chairman Liu has confirmed that Sinopharm vaccines will continue to flow into Sri Lanka and was enthusiastic about setting up a Sinopharm vaccine refilling plant in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 05:15 UTC
Google teases Pixel 6 on Instagram as "Certified Pixel Lover"
Google has posted a cheeky teaser for its upcoming Pixel 6 smartphones on its @madebygoogle handle. Source: @MadebyGoogle's InstagramThe teaser is captioned "Certified Pixel Lover" and tagged with #TeamPixel and #Pixel6. The Google Pixel 6 will reportedly be available for purchase starting on October 28, with a Pixel 6 announcement taking place sometime before then. Pixel 6Pixel 6 ProThe Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will be powered by the Tensor chipset, a custom chip made by Samsung for the Google Pixel, which is likely an unreleased Exynos chipset. The smaller of the two Pixels will have a 6.4" FullHD+ screen with 90Hz refresh rate while the larger Pro will have a 6.7' QHD+ curved display with 120Hz refresh rate.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 04:52 UTC
637 persons arrested, 41 vehicles seized for violating lockdown regulations
COLOMBO (News 1st): Another 637 persons were arrested and 41 vehicles were seized during the past 24 hours by the Police on charges of violating lockdown regulations. The Police had arrested the number of persons from 06:00 a.m. on 08 September until 06:00 a.m. today (09). Moreover, 859 persons and 466 vehicles entering the Western Province and 1,036 persons and 619 vehicles exiting the province have been inspected at the 13 roadblocks in the Province, the Police added. 267 persons and 175 vehicles have been turned away due to not having the relevant permits to cross the border of the Province.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 04:07 UTC
iRobot’s newest Roomba uses AI to avoid dog poop
The company’s latest robovac, the Roomba j7+, uses built-in machine vision and AI to identify and avoid pet messes of all sorts. The biggest update, though, is only for the new Roomba j7+ which uses a new camera to identify not only dog mess but other hazardous obstacles, like socks, shoes, and headphones. Again, this is done using onboard machine vision, but it does require some action on the part of the owner. The new Roomba j7+ costs $849 with a base station that holds up to 60 days’ worth of dirt, which is many multiples compared to the price tag of basic robovacs. The Roomba j7+ goes on sale today in the US and Canada from iRobot’s website and will be available for purchase at selected retailers from September 19th.
Source:The Nation
September 09, 2021 03:56 UTC