UNP to become a formidable force by 2024 says Vajira
United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena stated on Thursday (15) that by the end of 2023, the country will have a strong UNP government through the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe. These views were expressed while addressing the UNP polling booth representatives in Nagoda and Niyagama in the Hiniduma Electorate. Abeywardena noted that arrangements are being made to ensure that such plans succeed. “The UNP is presently working with many forces that brought the present Government into power. These forces include prominent groups in the Opposition,” he saidAccordingly, several meetings have been held throughout the electorate with the goal of spreading awareness among the party members on the party’s plans.
Source:The Nation
July 17, 2021 06:00 UTC
Sri Lanka receives multi-day fishing vessel monitoring system from Australia
Sri Lanka has received a multi-day fishing vessel monitoring system that contributes to ensure maritime security, under a financial grant from Australia, says the President’s Media Division (PMD). The monitoring system consisting of 4,200 transponders, equipment for a monitoring centre and satellite facilities is valued at 5.38 million Australian Dollars. A total of 1,250 such transponders were installed at multi-day fishing vessels in 2015, but most of them are currently inactive. The President emphasized the importance of the monitoring system to Sri Lanka’s maritime security, which is situated at a unique geographical location. The President extended his gratitude to the Government of Australia for its continued and unwavering support to the Sri Lankan Government.
Source:The Nation
July 17, 2021 05:26 UTC
Isolation status in five areas lifted
The isolation status of five areas across four districts have been lifted effective this morning (17), the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). The details are as follows:Kegalle DistrictKegalle police areaMadeyyawa Village in Mihipitiya GN DivisionRatnapura DistrictKiriella police areaUpper Division of Matuwagala WattaAmpara DistrictKalmunai police areaMaruthamunai 3 GN DivisionKandy DistrictKandy police areaVihara Lane, Vihara Road, Kappara Church Road and Welameda Paragama in Suduhampola West GN DivisionVihara Lane, Vihara Road and Kappara Church Road in Suduhampola East GN Division
Source:The Nation
July 17, 2021 05:15 UTC
Everything you need to know about Sydney's total shut down
The new restrictions announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Saturday aimed to completely shut down the southwest Sydney epicenter of the outbreak. Residents cannot even leave for work unless they work in heathcare and emergency services until July 30 at the earliest. Construction, large or small, will shut and homes and businesses cannot use paid cleaners or have home repairs done unless urgent. From 12.01am on Monday, all construction to be paused and non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on homes to be paused. Another death was also announced on Saturday, a man in his 80s from south-west Sydney.
Source:The Nation
July 17, 2021 03:00 UTC
Several areas in four districts released from isolation status
National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) says several more four districts were released from isolation status effective from this morning (July 17). Kegalle DistrictKegalle police area• Madeyyawa Village in Mihipitiya GN DivisionRatnapura DistrictKiriella police area• Upper Division of Matuwagala WattaAmpara DistrictKalmunai police area• Maruthamunai 3 GN DivisionKandy DistrictKandy police area• Vihara Lane, Vihara Road, Kappara Church Road and Welameda Paragama in Suduhampola West GN Division• Vihara Lane, Vihara Road and Kappara Church Road in Suduhampola East GN Division
Source:The Nation
July 17, 2021 01:52 UTC
Save $69 on the AirPods Max, and more top AirPods deals
Featured deal: Save $69 on the AirPods MaxThe AirPods Max are currently available for a lower price than they were on Prime Day. If you’re a fan of the AirPods Pro but want an over-ear option, then you’ll love the AirPods Max. Related: Apple AirPods Max vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700Being Apple, you’re also paying for the brand and the design when you fork out for the tech, and the AirPods Max don’t disappoint on this front either. Apple AirPods Max If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, then the AirPods Max are more of the same just in a pair of over-ears. AirPods Pro dealsIf you have a little more freedom and you want the best AirPods available, you can kick things up a notch with a pair of AirPods Pro.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 22:18 UTC
Soaring infections, curfews, a terrified public and no fans. Welcome to Tokyo's 2020 Olympic Games
Pictured: People in Tokyo hold signs calling for the cancellation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesIn 2013, when the card bearing the message ‘Tokyo 2020’ was revealed by the then IOC president Jacques Rogge in Buenos Aires, Japan’s bid team punched the air in jubilation. At the Komazawa Olympic Park, a venue for the 1964 Tokyo Games, huge crowds roared and thousands celebrated at Olympic parties throughout the city. These were the crown jewels in an Olympic Games that Japan believed would revitalise the nation. Which begs the question: why exactly is Tokyo 2020 going ahead? It could well be the theme tune for the 2020 Olympics.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 21:33 UTC
How a British bobby bagged Bridget Jones
Just like her fictional Bridget Jones character, Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger hasn’t been the luckiest in love. After initially turning down an offer to appear on British television, Ant co-hosted Channel 4’s For The Love Of Cars in 2013. I don’t think Ant was what Christina wanted — he’s a mechanic and a man’s man and a humble guy. it won’t make an ounce of difference to Ant,’ Mike says. He’s found love again with a wonderful lady and Renee realises that she’s found a great guy,’ says Mike.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 21:11 UTC
Covid US: Joe Biden says misinformation is killing people amid White House 'censorship' row
President Biden said social media platforms such as Facebook were 'killing people' as the White House on Friday doubled down on the danger of COVID-19 misinformation. President Biden told reporters social media companies were killing people with the spread of misinformation. On Friday, White House press Jen Psaki was quizzed repeatedly about the practice. And she insisted the social media platforms were free to do as they pleased with the information supplied by the administration. Sen. Josh Hawley accused the White House of imposing a COVID speech code.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 20:26 UTC
APEC leaders pledge to accelerate equitable access to COVID vaccines
Leaders of the Asia-Pacific trade group APEC, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and China’s Xi Jinping, pledged on Friday to work to expand sharing and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines to fight the global pandemic. “We will only overcome this health emergency by accelerating equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable COVID-19 vaccines,” they said. The APEC leaders met virtually to discuss collective actions to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts. Now we are focusing on all aspects of contributing to the global vaccination effort — making vaccines, sharing vaccines and using vaccines,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after the meeting. In June, APEC trade ministers agreed to review trade barriers and expedite the cross-border transit of COVID-19 vaccines and related goods, but stopped short of a broad commitment to remove tariffs which New Zealand was pushing for.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 18:11 UTC
Family rescued from flood that trapped their SUV in Arizona
Terrifying video captured the moment a family was rescued from atop their SUV after it was stranded in a flash flood in Arizona. A father and his two daughters, one of whom is a baby, are rescued from the roof of their SUV after it was trapped by flash flooding in Tucson, ArizonaThe water carried the family roughly 20 yards before rescuers could help them. Officials say the monsoon storms that inundated Arizona this week resulted in the death of a rafter in the Grand Canyon (pictured is the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon on July 15). The threat of flash flooding through next week, the National Weather Service said, though the coverage will be more scattered than widespread. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is expected to continue this weekend and reminds citizens to be careful.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 18:00 UTC
TikTok stars the Smithy Family were sent prostitutes by 'haters' before suspected arson attack
A TikTok family whose house was wrecked in a suspected arson attack were sent '95 takeaways and prostitutes' by 'jealous haters' before the fire, according to neighbours. Mr Smith claimed yesterday that the family had received threats online, numerous takeaways delivered to their house, along with prostitutes sent to their door. A TikTok family whose house was wrecked in a suspected arson attack were sent '95 takeaways and prostitutes' by 'jealous haters' before the fire, according to neighbours. The Smithy Family: How a builder turned his partner and children into TikTok superstars The Smithy Family first gained notoriety on TikTok during lockdown. The Smithy Family first gained notoriety on TikTok during lockdown.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 18:00 UTC
The Amazon Appstore will support Android App Bundles soon
Starting in August, Google will require new apps submitted to the Play Store to come in the Android App Bundle (AAB) format instead of the APKs that were used until now. Amazon is not going to be left behind, the company announced that it is working on AAB support for its Appstore (which will also be the default source of Android apps on Windows 11). The Amazon Appstore will continue to accept APK submissions from developers, in fact the submission process will not change. Size reduction is one of the biggest advantages of Android App Bundles (more info here)However, not all features of bundles will be available at launch, Amazon says that some features will be enabled incrementally over time. More details will be available once Android App Bundle support in the Amazon Appstore gets closer to launch.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 16:52 UTC
Europe floods- At least 120 dead, more than 1,000 unaccounted for
At least 120 people have died and hundreds more in western Europe are unaccounted for after some of the worst flooding in decades. In Germany, where the death toll now stands at over 100, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a determined battle against climate change. Entire villages have been destroyed, and officials in the western German district of Ahrweiler say up to 1,300 people are unaccounted for. Lake Lucerne is flooding into the town and people in Basel have been told to keep well away from the River Rhine. There is also the risk of mud and rock slides in the Alps as the flood waters run off.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 16:07 UTC
OnePlus Nord N10 getting its first (and last) Android upgrade
Eric Zeman / Android AuthorityTL;DR Reports are rolling in that the OnePlus Nord N10 is starting to receive its Android 11 upgrade. For years, OnePlus was the brand we all looked to for setting the bar on Android updates. When you factor in that the phone launched in December with the then outdated Android 10, this upgrade to Android 11 seems a bit anticlimactic. Still, the Nord N10 is an incredibly inexpensive phone. Regardless, if you own a OnePlus Nord N10, be on the lookout: Android 11 is on the way.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 15:56 UTC