Martin Bashir claims he 'never harmed' Princess Diana
Shamed reporter Martin Bashir has insisted his 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana 'was as she wanted it' - but admitted he was 'wrong' to forge bank statements. It had no bearing on [Diana], it had no bearing on the interview.' Graphic designer Matt Wiessler - who made the forgeries - blew the whistle on Bashir and was subsequently banned from the BBC. Bashir said he and his family remained close to Diana after the interview. It had no bearing on [Diana], it had no bearing on the interview.'
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 22:52 UTC
China gifts another batch consisting of 500,000 doses of Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine to Sri Lanka
China will gift Sri Lanka another 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine. This was confirmed by the Foreign Ministry of China to the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Beijing, Dr. Palitha Kohona on 19 May 2021. Previously, China gifted a batch of 600,000 doses to Sri Lanka which is being used currently in Sri Lanka. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing will coordinate the air freighting of these 500,000 doses of vaccine to Sri Lanka as soon as they are received. The first consignment of the 14 million doses of vaccine will be released by Sinopharm soon.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 21:33 UTC
Battle begins in Dhaka today – First ODI to start at 12.30 p.m. SL time
A keen tussle is expected today (23) in the day-and-night ODI series opener in DhakaSri Lanka will take on Bangladesh in the first match of their three-match ODI series today (23) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka stating at 1 p.m. local time (12.30 p.m. SL time). The squad also excludes Al Amin Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Rubel Hossain, and Nasum Ahmed, who were part of their previous New Zealand tour. Both teams will be eyeing a series win to move their current placement in the ICC World Cup Super League, a pathway for 2023 World Cup qualification. The last time both teams faced each other in an ODI series was in 2019 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won that time 3-0 in what was incidentally Lasith Malinga’s final ODI series.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 19:52 UTC
Dominic Cummings calls Matt Hancock's herd immunity claim 'bullsh*t'
Dominic Cummings has accused Matt Hancock's of lying with his claim that the government never intend to pursue a strategy of herd immunity to fight coronavirus, in his latest Twitter post before he gives evidence to MPs on Wednesday. He insisted Health Secretary Mr Hancock lied when he claimed herd immunity 'wasn’t the plan'. Herd immunity is a strategy for fighting pandemics which aims to allow enough non-vulnerable people to catch the virus that transmission in the community stops. But how "herd immunity by September" could have been the plan until that week is a fundamental issue in the whole disaster.' Herd immunity is not a part of it.'
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 19:07 UTC
McDonald's apologises to customers as Big Mac blockade continues
Animal Rebellion said they are using trucks and bamboo structures at the distribution sites in Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke, Coventry and Heywood, Greater Manchester, to stop lorries from leaving depots. Animal Rebellion said they intend to remain at the sites for at least 24 hours, causing 'significant disruption' to the McDonald's supply chain. And McDonalds announced it is looking into how the blockade will affect deliveries to its restaurants. Animal rights protesters are blockading four UK distribution centres for McDonald's which they say will impact roughly 1,300 restaurants. Protester Linda Doyle, 28, is part of the blockade at McDonald's distribution centre in Coventry.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 18:00 UTC
Eurovision Song Contest 2021: Bosses BAN alcohol at tonight's final
Eurovision Song Contest bosses have reportedly banned alcohol from being consumed at the upcoming final in Rotterdam. While on Thursday 2019 Eurovision Song Contest winner Duncan Laurence tested positive for coronavirus and will be unable to perform live at Saturday's grand final in Rotterdam. Dadi & Gagnamagnid were originally set to perform their song Think About Things at Eurovision 2020, before it was postponed until 2021. Iceland's quest for glory at the Eurovision Song Contest was fictionalised in a comedy movie last year called Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Sage, starring Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrel. The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will air on BBC One on Saturday 22nd May in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 18:00 UTC
2,906 coronavirus cases reported in Sri Lanka today
May 22, 2021 10:56 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 761 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 2,906. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 161,242. As many as 126,995 recoveries and 1,132 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 33,115 active cases are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 17:26 UTC
Spring Farm sinking homes saga: Neighbourhood divided over collapsing houses
'How are they making this a whole class action when it's just a couple of houses? Jamie, who has received a 'significant' rent reduction, said he would be 'right behind' the class action if he owned the home. Jamie, who received a 'significant' rent reduction, said he would be 'right behind' the class action if he owned the home. 'It's not a really good thing to say when the entire Spring Farm isn't really sinking and will deter people from buying here and affect other home owners' property value,' she said. The company, which is now suing Camden Council in a separate suit, had 'not yet seen any class action and is unable to comment'.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 16:03 UTC
Suspended ACMC MPs unaware of suspension
Former All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) MP Ishak Rahuman says that despite the announcement by the ACMC that his Party membership has been suspended, he has not received any official communication with regard to it as yet. This comes after the ACMC today announced that the Party memberships of MPs Ishak Rahuman and Ali Sabri Raheem have been suspended due to their votes in favour of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. Rahuman told The Morning today (22) that he voted in favour of the Bill because it will not have a negative effect on the economy of Sri Lanka. “If anyone is opposed to voting in favour of the Bill, they are against the development of this country. As a result, they had to almost pay millions as compensation along with giving up 26 hectares to the Chinese government, “ he added.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 15:00 UTC
Vaccination in chaos; community physicians say
COLOMBO (News1st): The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka has issued a statement on the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the country. The statement observed that too many decision makers and lack of coordination have led to many issues while combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. It added that ad hoc decision making without a clear strategic […]Vaccination in chaos; community physicians say
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 15:00 UTC
Short-term travel restrictions ineffective in preventing COVID spread – expert
Short term travel restrictions have little to no effect in arresting the spread of COVID-19, says Prof. Malik Peiris of School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong. Prof. Peiris, who joined a virtual round of discussion, explained the scientific basis behind the need to impose 14-day travel restrictions. Interprovincial travel restrictions cannot curb the spread of the virus at this point as there are coronavirus-infected people in all regions across the country, Prof. Peiris said, adding that it could have an effect if the restrictions were imposed in mid-April. Hence, this person can still be a carrier of COVID-19 after a period of three-day travel restriction, he added. Prof. Peiris explained that the incubation period of COVID-19 – the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset – is approximately 5 days.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 14:48 UTC
Covid crisis on EVEREST
Dozens of climbers and staff on Mount Everest have tested positive for coronavirus following an outbreak of the virus on the world's highest summit, reports claim. He estimated there are 'at least 100 people, minimum' who are positive for Covid in South Base Camp, adding: 'The numbers might be something like 150 or 200'. Climbers and staff on Mount Everest have tested positive for coronavirus following an outbreak of the virus on the world's highest summit, reports claim. He said it was obvious there were many cases at the Everest Base Camp because he could visibly see people who were sick and hear people coughing in their tents. Pictured: Mount EverestExpedition tents are seen at Everest South Base Camp near Solukhumbu, NepalHowever, several climbers have reported testing positive for the virus after they were brought down from Everest South Base Camp.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 14:48 UTC
Second Sputnik jab to be administered in next two weeks
COLOMBO (News1st): 15,000 recipients of the first dose of the Sputnik vaccine in the Colombo district, will be able to receive their second dose in the next two weeks, when 65,000 jabs are imported to the country. 50,000 jabs will be used to vaccinate residents in the Kandy district, officials said. Sri Lanka will receive […]Second Sputnik jab to be administered in next two weeks
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 14:26 UTC
COVID caseload up by 2,145 new infections
May 22, 2021 06:40 pmSri Lanka has registered 2,145 more novel coronavirus infections today (18), says the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPCO). This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 160,478. Presently 32,351 coronavirus infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centres across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries now stands at 126,995 and the death toll has reached 1,132.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 13:52 UTC
Guidelines for Private Hospitals conducting COVID-19 tests
COLOMBO (News 1st);The Director General of Health Services issued guidelines for Sri Lankan private hospitals conducting COVID-19 PCR & Rapid Antigen tests. PCR or Rapid Antigen tests must ONLY be carried out if the Specialist or Medical Officers treating the patient recommends for the test. If the patient tests positive for COVID-19, the hospital authority is responsible for informing the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, the local Medical Officer for Health and the patient. As per the recommendation of the doctor treating the COVID-19 patient, the hospital authority must direct the patient to an approved COVID-19 treatment center. The Director General of Health Services pointed out that if any of these orders are violated, the approval granted to the hospital to carry out COVID-19 PCR an Rapid Antigen Tests will be revoked.
Source:The Nation
May 22, 2021 13:07 UTC