High noon for PTA
Among these commitments were a number of international conventions and amendments to the notorious Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) in order to set it in line with international human rights laws and policies. However, Sri Lanka has not only failed to do so, but has also been enforcing the PTA. For them, the European Parliament seeks one progressive step from Sri Lanka and that is either a fair trial or unconditional release. This is not a situation Sri Lanka can continue to ignore, as the international community remains attentive about what Sri Lanka does. Also, this is not the first time Sri Lanka’s human rights commitments have been questioned.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 18:10 UTC
A ‘single-minded Government’ for next 6 months
Vaccination and the elimination of Covid-19 should come above all elseThe next six months will be crucial. That’s a long distance to go before we could consider the pandemic as being decisively a thing of the past. Within these six months a lot could happen. But though the rulers lock down when the doctors sneeze, as if by Pavlovian reflex, and though the economy suffers – what happens if this pattern repeats in the next few months, until the end of 2021? The keyword of these first six months was variant.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 18:10 UTC
Teen TikToker goes viral with personal safety tips for women
A teenage TikTok user is going viral for her videos sharing personal safety tips for women. Ontario-based social media star Spencer Barbosa, 18, shares plenty of advice on her page, from relationship tips to money-saving secrets. In a follow-up clip, she even suggests peeing on the person, telling women to act like a 'demon' and 'be possessed.' For women who are going on a run alone, Spencer suggests not wearing hair up in a ponytail — which most women do, because it keeps hair off their necks as they sweat. In a lesson that many celebrities have learned the hard way, Spencer warns women not to overshare on social media.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 18:09 UTC
How Joe Biden breached royal protocol after meeting the Queen
Speaking about the latest protocol breach, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline today: 'The Queen is supposed to have told Michelle Obama that royal protocol was rubbish. 'President Biden, by revealing that the Queen had asked about the Russian and Chinese leaders, did breach this rule. When Donald Trump also broke royal protocol by revealing he spoke to the Queen about Brexit Donald Trump also broke royal protocol after meeting the Queen in 2018 when he discussed what they spoke about. The Queen and Mr Biden walk together at Windsor yesterdayOn that occasion however, the Queen joined Mr Trump in inspecting the troops. There have been 14 US presidents during the Queen's 69-year reign - from Harry S Truman to Mr Biden.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 17:48 UTC
Heroin withdrawal management needs multidisciplinary approach
It is, Basnayake et al., emphasised, a chronic and relapsing disorder with patients exhibiting compulsive drug seeking and drug taking behaviour. During heroin withdrawal, the symptoms according to N.S. Seizures due to heroin withdrawal are however, Basnayake et al., point out, less common than in the case of withdrawal from sedatives like barbiturates. Basnayake et al., reported a patient experiencing heroin withdrawal who presented with newly onset recurrent attacks of seizure episodes. In conclusion, Basnayake et al., emphasised that the management of the heroin withdrawal syndrome requires a multidisciplinary approach including the provision of pharmacological therapy and psychosocial support, and continuous monitoring and follow up.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 17:26 UTC
When to See NASA's Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur 1 Rocket Launch
Just a few days after the alignment of the moon and mars, NASA is launching Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur 1 rocket from the space agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Tuesday morning, carrying a payload on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Here’s what you might expect from NASA’s forthcoming mission to outside of our planet’s atmosphere. When is NASA’s Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur 1 launch? NASA is launching Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur 1 rocket at 7 a.m. After that, the lunar calendar swings back into motion, with a Strawberry Moon scheduled to greet revelers on June 24.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 17:06 UTC
Ambulance service commander agrees he provided 'no leadership'
An ambulance service commander has agreed 'no leadership' was provided by him on the night of the Manchester Arena terror attack, an inquiry has heard. Deputy director at North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Neil Barnes was the on-call Gold commander, the most senior NWAS officer, on the night suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated explosives at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. Mr Greaney said: 'Just sitting at home, waiting for information... does not seem like leadership, let alone strategic leadership.' Mr Barnes was subsequently awarded the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2018. The inquiry is looking at all the circumstances of the terror attack, carried out by Abedi.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 17:03 UTC
57 more COVID-19 deaths push tally to 2,260
June 14, 2021 10:59 pmThe Director-General of Health Services confirmed that Sri Lanka has reported 57 more deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the Department of Government Information, the reported deaths had occurred on June 13. Among the deceased are 32 male patients and 25 female patients. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka has risen to 2,260.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 16:52 UTC
Daily coronavirus case count moves to 2,259
June 14, 2021 09:07 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 479 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 2,259. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 225,922. As many as 190,464 recoveries and 2,203 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 33,255 active cases are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 15:33 UTC
Pfizer to be used as second dose for AstraZeneca recipients?
Discussions are currently underway to look into the possibility of using the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose for the individuals who obtained the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana has requested the Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena inform him of the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases whether the Pfizer vaccine could be used for this purpose. Prof. Jayasumana also pointed out that Professor Alejandro Cravioto, Chair of World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Management, had said at an online question and answer session that the Pfizer vaccine could be used instead of the AstraZeneca second dose.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 15:22 UTC
Kitten with a facial condition becomes social media sensation
His back legs were wonky and his eyes misaligned, and Natalia decided to take in the orphaned animal, gradually nursing him back to health with the help of her neighbour's cat, Handsome. Adorable cat Fedya with a facial condition which makes him appear permanently-startled has taken the internet by storm. Natalia decided to take in the orphaned animal, gradually nursing him back to health with the help of her neighbour's cat, Handsome. Fedya is pictured with HandsomeNatalia says the cat was 'very weak and was dying' before she nursed him back to health as a kitten. Fedya is now a healthy adult at one year and nine months and his owner says the cat is still best of friends with the neighbour's cat.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 15:00 UTC
Brandix Sustainability Summit Calls for Net Zero Carbon Future
The summit brought together the private sector, academics and key Sustainability stakeholders to underline the urgency of the climate emergency and the need to accelerate towards a net zero future. It also presented case studies, sharing perspectives on what the net zero future holds for Sri Lanka, the region and beyond, and discussed how industries could move faster towards a more sustainable future. The Brandix Sustainability Summit assembled a panel of multi-disciplinary experts invested in sustainability. On a journey to be the leader in Sustainability, Brandix will continue to host the Sustainability Summit every year, facilitating discussions to take industries, communities, and individuals towards a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future. To watch the Brandix Sustainability Summit, please visit the company’s social media channels.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 13:41 UTC
1,780 more test positive while 1,917 recover from COVID-19
The Ministry of Health reports that another 1,780 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (June 14). This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 225,418. Presently 32,751 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 190,464 with another 1,917 were discharged from treatment centers and hospitals upon recovery. Sri Lanka has witnessed a total of 2,203 fatalities from the virus so far.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 13:30 UTC
The most popular baby names of 2021 so far
By Monica Greep For MailonlinePublished: 09:32 EDT, 14 June 2021 | Updated: 11:49 EDT, 14 June 2021The top British baby names of 2021 so far have been revealed - with Lily taking the top spot for girls and Muhammad proving the most popular for boys. The top British baby names of 2021 have been revealed - with Lily taking the top spot for girls and Muhammad proving the most popular for boys. Stock imageThe UK website shared with the Mirror the 100 most popular choices from the last year so far using data from thousands of parents who had visited the site to register the names of their babies. 'Perhaps the spotlight on the names will mean they stay popular for a few more years now, as has happened with Archie. While they were knocked off the top spots, Sophia and Olivia remained popular choices for girls names and both placed in the top five monikers.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 13:30 UTC
How To Help Flood And Landslide Victims
At least 172,132 people were removed from their homes in the last week, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). Photo credit: Roar Media/Akila JayawardanaAmal Dias leads a group of professionals in various fields volunteering to collect donations for flood and landslide victims. That’s what we are trying to provide.” With little to no options available to many families due to ongoing travel restrictions, several volunteer groups have come forward to provide relief. However, these travel restrictions have also affected these volunteer groups, Khalib Cassim, co-founder and director of CareStation, a nonprofit organisation, told Roar Media. “Compared to previous years, there are not many disaster relief programmes... everything has become very complicated for the flood victims,” he said.
Source:The Nation
June 14, 2021 13:05 UTC