David Cameron is accused of lobbying against Boris Johnson
It comes after Mr Cameron faced weeks of embarrassment over his efforts to lobby for Covid support of the supply chain financing firm Greensill Capital. Mr Cameron did not respond to a request for comment last night. Mr Cameron first made the pledge Conservative policy during his 'hug a husky' period – when he was trying to increase the party's electoral appeal by 'detoxing' its image and associating himself with more compassionate and pro-Green policies. Now allies of Mr Johnson (pictured in 2019) claim that Mr Cameron has also been urging MPs to vote against Mr Johnson on the issueHe said: 'We are cautiously optimistic that we have enough votes. With Tony Blair and Gordon Brown also voicing their objection to the move, Mr Johnson is facing the opposition of all five living former Prime Ministers.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 22:52 UTC
Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo scores a STUNNING 97th minute free-kick in Ivory Coast win
The 18-year-old made his senior international debut in March after his £37million move to Old Trafford in January. After Ibrahim Sangare's 72nd minute equaliser had pulled the hosts level, Diallo had the chance to win it with a free-kick in the dying stages. United have high hopes for Diallo, who they signed from Serie A side Atalanta at the start of the year. Speaking to the club's website after Diallo signed, Solskjaer said: 'He's a young boy who we've watched for a few years. 'Very good balance, reads the game really well and for a young boy he seems very mature in his decision-making.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 22:41 UTC
Joe Bernstein's country-by-country guide to Euro 2020: Assessing each nation's chances
Euro best: Won 1968. Van Aanholt played in Frank de Boer’s only win as Crystal Palace manager – 2-1 against Ipswich in the League Cup. Croatia trailed England for 63 minutes in their 2018 World Cup semi-final and led for only the last 11 minutes. Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante is the first player to win the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup while at same club. Euro best: Won 2016.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 22:00 UTC
Priti Patel blames Facebook, Twitter and TikTok for the soaring number of migrants
The Home Secretary’s action comes as the number of migrants trying to reach the UK soars again, and amid growing anger in Government that tech companies are allowing people-smugglers to use their platforms to advertise their criminal services. One video showing migrants travelling from Calais to Dover has been seen more than 800,000 times on Chinese-owned TikTok. Now is the time to act before it is too late.’At least 4,300 Channel migrants have already arrived in the UK this year, including more than 1,000 in the past week. Ms Patel decided to act after being advised by the National Crime Agency (NCA) that social media was playing an increasingly key role in the people-smuggling business. Ms Patel has also called on the French to do more to tackle the migrant vessels at sea.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 22:00 UTC
Oman now ready to co-host T20 World Cup Qualifiers, which include SL
Yet, once a nonentity in world cricket, Oman, under the stewardship of former Sri Lanka Captain Duleep Mendis, is now eying a major breakthrough in the same competition, the 2021 T20 World Cup qualifier, coming up in October. Ready to co host the World CupIn addition to their quick rise in the playfield, Oman this week expressed their willingness to co hosts the World Cup this year. That is if the T20 World Cup this time is to be moved from its original hosting country India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Oman Cricket, however, is reportedly keeping itself ready to host matches of the mega event at its newly refurbished Oman Cricket Academy Grounds. “During the time I joined as Oman Head Coach, this ground (Oman Cricket Academy Ground) was without a blade of grass.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 20:03 UTC
Oxygen for Covid-19 patients: Direct supply needed for 500-odd patients
Majority in HDUs, ICUsNon-Covid patients also in need of O2Hospitals’ O2 supply increasedBy Maheesha MudugamuwaAround 500 Covid-19 patients presently being treated at hospitals across the country are in need of a direct oxygen supply, The Sunday Morning learnt. Currently, 33,122 Covid-19 patients are being treated at hospitals while 31,466 suspected Covid-19 patients too are in hospitals. In addition, as explained by Dr. Panapitiya, there are other patients treated in wards of hospitals allocated for Covid-19 treatment who are also in need of oxygen. He, however, said that there was no shortage of oxygen in any of these hospitals and that the suppliers have also increased their oxygen supply considerably as per a request made by the Health Ministry. Explaining further, Dr. Panapitiya stressed that the exact oxygen requirement cannot be measured, as the hospitals also need oxygen for purposes other than treating Covid-19 patients.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 19:03 UTC
Selendiva investment company: Questions over legitimacy and PPPs
The properties would be developed under three investment portfolios, namely “Heritage Square in Colombo Fort”, “Real Estate Development”, and “State-Owned Hospitality Sector”. Dr. Rajapakshe explained when the Government is dealing with highly valuable lands such as the ones that have been earmarked for development by Selendiva Investment (Pvt.) Ltd, it is necessary to have some form of legitimacy for that company, and such legitimacy should be given by Parliament. Ltd., the Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd., and the Grand Oriental Hotel have been vested with Selendiva Investments at present. That is what Selendiva Investment was formed for,” Dr. Godahewa said.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
Covid-19 vaccines: Mix-match research continues
“These are still relatively new vaccines. Due to this, the information regarding their efficacy is constantly evolving, as more studies continue to be conducted. As a result, the immunity periods of these vaccines keep changing,” he said. Dr. Herath added that since the NACCD has to review new information as and when it becomes available, the Committee cannot present their complete findings yet. He further clarified that until written recommendations are released by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), based on the findings of the NACCD, the current status quo with regard to vaccinations will continue to stand.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
The saga is just beginning
The X-Press Pearl saga that has been unravelling for the past two weeks has succeeded in exposing all that is wrong with Sri Lanka’s quest to become a regional maritime hub. The third and most destructive episode in this unfolding maritime saga is the X-Press Pearl incident. It is India’s intervention that saved the day in dousing the blaze on board the New Diamond and now the X-Press Pearl. According to estimates, the damage caused by the X-Press Pearl could amount to a staggering $ 5 billion. As more things unravel, it is becoming clear that the saga of the X-Press Pearl is only beginning.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
Vaccination of pregnant women: Recommendations due this week
“At present, the vaccination drive for members of the public is taking place in public places such as temples, but we will not give the vaccine to pregnant women at such locations. She said that since only the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine is available at present, that vaccine too has been recommended for pregnant women. Last week, the National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (NACCD) of the Health Ministry had recommended Sinopharm for pregnant women since there is insufficient data on the other vaccines. Attention has been paid towards vaccinating pregnant women, as they come under the high-risk categories for contracting Covid-19. Meanwhile, the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended expectant mothers receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
MV X-Press Pearl fire : Expedited coastal clean-up
A coalition of several government organisations and military bodies have cleaned up 9 km of the coast following the disastrous MV X-Press Pearl fire. However, the Government has initiated immediate coastal clean-up operations under the instructions of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. These efforts to clean the coast began on 26 May and as of last week (3 June), have removed 584 tonnes of plastic material originating from the MV X-Press Pearl. The official stated that around 470 naval command personnel were engaged in clearing this part of the coast daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The UDA official stated that an additional team of Navy lifeguards was deployed in the area to carry out sea and beach clean-up operations from the tidal flats.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
Second doses of Covishield: Government lab techs allege SPC delays
He claimed that if the SPC had started the process early, Sri Lanka would have already secured the required vaccine doses. However, at the time the SPC obtained the sole authority to bring down Covishield, there was a local agent for the Serum Institute. Explaining the legal procedure, Attorney-at-Law Ranil Angunawela said the SPC is tasked with the import or manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka started its Covid-19 vaccination programme in late January, after receiving 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine from India as a donation. Subsequently, Sri Lanka placed orders with the Serum Institute of India for more doses of the Covishield vaccine.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
MV X-Press Pearl inferno: Devastating blow to marine life
Authorities are bracing for a major oil spill off the coast of Colombo, as the X-Press Pearl vessel is slowly being swallowed by the ocean, and the environmental devastation it has brought along may be irreversible. Carrying 325 tonnes of fuel in its tanks, the X-Press Pearl caught fire 9.5 nautical miles away from the port of Colombo, where it had initially been anchored. Several containers had fallen overboard, dispersing tonnes of plastic pellets and other hazardous material into the ocean. The tiny plastic pellets have polluted beaches and threatened the ecological balance of the surrounding marine environment. “These plastic pellets are a little larger than your average rice grain.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
West Container Terminal: Final agreement awaits AG’s nod
As learnt by The Sunday Morning, a consortium company has also been incorporated, called West Container International Terminal (Pvt.) But, under the WCT agreement, SLPA would hold only 15% of shares. One of them is the Jaya Container Terminal (JICT), which belongs to the SLPA. ECT development progressingThe East Container Terminal (ECT), which was initially to be handed over to India, is now being developed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to accommodate large ships. Commenting on the ECT development, Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary U.D.C.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
Sri Lanka cricket players refuse to sign annual central contract
The Sri Lanka national cricket team players have refused to sign the annual central contract, alleging a lack of transparency from the cricket board. “The tour contract also refers to matters of the annual main contract for 2021, which is yet unsigned. The statement came as Sri Lanka Cricket extended the June 3 deadline until Sunday. Sri Lanka Cricket officials said the base fees in the new contracts were in addition to payments for each match as well as allowances for travel outside Colombo. Sri Lanka is ranked eighth out of the 10 Test nations, ninth in one-day internationals, and eighth in the Twenty20 rankings.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:22 UTC