The entire country is threatened by Covid-19: Opposition
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Tissa Attanayake today stated that due to the present government’s negligence, the entire country has fallen victim to Covid-19. He said that this was because the government had insisted that there was no community spread of the virus and did not take proper precautions. At a media briefing held today in Colombo, Attanayake said that the government did not expect that a third wave was imminent and therefore was negligent and ignorant. He also questioned as to what the government’s solution would be if the PCR kits that are presently available in the country, run out of stock.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 08:37 UTC
Clubhouse starts testing ‘rough’ Android beta app
Clubhouse has started testing a ‘rough’ beta version of its Android app.The team hinted at a wider launch in the coming weeks. Audio chatroom app Clubhouse has made waves over the past few months, but one of the biggest downsides to the service is that it’s an iOS-only app. The Clubhouse team has already confirmed that an Android version is in the works, but it now looks like a beta version is on the way too. The Clubhouse team confirmed in a blog post (h/t: The Next Web) that they’ve launched a “rough” beta version for Android, although they’ve stressed that a full-scale app launch isn’t live just yet. So Android users waiting for an official port have no shortage of alternatives.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 08:26 UTC
Thisara Perera retires from international cricket
Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera today announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. The 32-year-old said he has tendered his resignation to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), retiring from all forms of international cricket. A former Sri Lanka captain, Perera made his international debut on December 24, 2009, against India. Perera made his senior debut as a 20-year-old after shining for Sri Lanka in the 2008 U19 Cricket World Cup. Perera has so far represented Sri Lanka in 166 ODIs, 84 T20I matches and six Tests.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 07:52 UTC
Tatler unveils new generation of It Girls
The It Girls of the nineties and noughties were notorious for their antics, flitting from party to party, embarking on scandalous love affairs and wearing skimpy clothing. Her huge extended family include siblings like actress and former partner of Prince Harry, Cressida Bonas and actress Gabriella Calthorpe. At one stage she was tipped to have caught the eye of Prince William before he went on to marry Kate Middleton. NOW: THE ENTREPRENEURIAL IT GIRLEvie HendersonSocialite Evie Henderson resembles Lady Victoria in lots of ways - from her stunning locks and her entrepreneurial ways to her blue-blooded connectionsSocialite Evie Henderson resembles Lady Victoria in lots of ways - from her stunning locks and her entrepreneurial ways to her blue-blooded connections. She has said she is still in touch with many members of her It Girl gang, including Lady Victoria.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 07:30 UTC
Japan donates vaccine carriers worth over Rs. 5mn to SL
The Japanese Government in coordination with UNICEF has donated 500 Medical Portable Freeze free vaccine carriers (Cold Box) worth over Rs.5 million to the Health Ministry last Saturday (01). Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi received the vaccine carriers from Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Sugiyama Akira at the UNICEF office. Under the second phase of this, 750 Medical Portable Freeze free vaccine carriers will be provided in the future. Addressing the event, Minister Wanniarachchi stated, “receiving the first consignments of vaccine carriers further strengthens the Covid-19 vaccination program in the country and as the Minister of Health, I am thankful to the Government of Japan for provisioning these items. Sri Lanka and Japan have maintained a long-term relationship and we know that you never hesitate to support our country.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 07:06 UTC
SPORTS AGENDA: Police foil Manchester City firework plot
CITY FIREWORK PLOT RUMBLEDAn attempt to set off fireworks outside Manchester City's hotel in the early hours before their Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain last week was foiled. They believe the logistics, finances and substantial risk involved for minimal reward mean the prospect makes little sense. There were knowing looks at the Etihad when the Premier League announced the initial inductees for their Hall of Fame last week. Despite Manchester City's decade of dominance, not one former player made the two-man automatic selections or the 23-man shortlist, on which fans will vote. City hold a long-standing belief that they are often overlooked for similar awards.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 06:56 UTC
Suspect arrested for promoting LTTE
Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that the Eravur Police have arrested a suspect yesterday for promoting the LTTE. It has been revealed that despite the arrest of the suspect, the LTTE has been promoted through the internet despite being declared a banned organization. The arrested person is 56 year old Navi Pillay Mohan alias Theater Mohan, a resident of Chenkaladi area in Eravur Police Division. Police also seized a mobile phone and an Apple iPad in the suspect’s possession and there are about 14 cases pending against him at various police stations, the police spokesman said. The suspect is to be detained and questioned in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 03:33 UTC
Australians are divided over whether our international border should remain closed
Meanwhile, about 95 per cent of respondents said Australia has handled the pandemic either 'fairly well' or 'very well'. This is in stark contrast with the United States, for which only seven per cent of respondents expressed praise. 'As thousands of Australians continue to seek repatriation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of Australians appear to support the federal government's current approach,' the Lowy report says. Elsewhere, the poll also found a large majority of Australians believe the country should provide vaccine aid to the Pacific and Southeast Asia. This is in contrast with Lowy polling in 2019 that found almost half of Australians supported a reduction in the country's foreign aid activity.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 02:48 UTC
Sri Lanka Embassy in Turkey distributes Ramadhan aid to villages in Yaylabag
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Turkey M.R. The gesture of the Mission staff and the Honorary Consuls of Sri Lanka was to enhance the friendship and to show the solidarity between the people of Sri Lanka and Turkey during the holy month of Ramadhan. Picturesque Yaylabag is located near Eymir Lake in Gölbası outskirt of, Ankara. Yaylabag, which was called as a ‘village’ before 2004, was turned into a ‘neighborhood’ with a Metropolitan Municipality Law. According to the information received from Mr. Mustafa Çetin, Mukhtar of Yaylabag Neighborhood, total population is approximately 500 perhaps approximately 50 houses located in the village and make their living from agriculture and animal husbandry.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 01:41 UTC
Why house price growth will slow in 2021 following double-digit surges
By Stephen Johnson, Economics Reporter For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 20:34 EDT, 2 May 2021 | Updated: 20:53 EDT, 2 May 2021Australian home price growth is set to slow down in late 2021 following double-digit surges since the worst of the Covid downturn. CoreLogic's research director Tim Lawless said property price growth was likely to slow in coming months as affordability worsened. Australian home price growth is set to slow down in late 2021 following double-digit surges since the worst of the Covid downturn. In the territories, Darwin's median house price increased 2.7 per cent to $534,332 as Canberra's mid-point climbed 2.1 per cent to $833,080. CoreLogic's research director Tim Lawless said property price growth was likely to slow in coming months as affordability worsened.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 00:56 UTC
Mairead Philpott sips pint outside a pub with a friend
A mother who played a part in the death of her six children was seen drinking a pint at a pub with a friend. Mairead Philpott, 40, who was release from prison in November after half her 17-year sentence, was enjoying a snakebite and black. Mairead was jailed over a 2012 fire in Allenton, Derby, that killed Duwayne Philpott, 13, his sister Jade, 10, and brothers Jack, nine, John, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five. Initially, Mairead and Mick Philpott received an outpouring of sympathy, and wept at a press conference as they appealed for help to find the culprits. The father-of-seventeen, who married Mairead in 2003, used his children to rake in an astonishing £60,000 a year in benefits.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 00:00 UTC
Shaun Murphy slams slow play in World Snooker Championship
Murphy, 38, is chasing a second world title 16 years after his first at the Crucible Theatre and is up against three-time champion Mark Selby. Selby was warned for slow play in his semi-final win over Stuart Bingham, another former winner, who levelled accusations of gamesmanship at Selby — refuted by the world No 4. Shaun Murphy has criticised players for slow play at this year's World Snooker ChampionshipBut Murphy, 5-3 up on Selby after the first session, said: ‘We are in a theatre, we are an entertainment industry. ‘There is a responsibility on the players in the World Championship final to make it a real show. ‘I think it should be taken away from the subjectivity of a single referee, and I have always argued for a shot-clock — even at the World Championship.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 23:03 UTC
Australian nurse is stranded in India after making mercy dash to the country to see her dying father
Nausheen Khatoon moved to Australia more than 20 years ago but has now been told by the government she cannot return or risks jail time. 'I fear if I fall sick now, I won't be able to reach a doctor or get proper medical help in India now,' Ms Khatoon told Nine. Ms Khatoon feels she's being punished despite working tireless hours through Melbourne's prolonged coronavirus crisis in Covid facilities. 'The news, the statements given by the Prime Minister, everything contradicted my statement explaining how great my country Australia is,' she said. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese slammed the Morrison government's handling of the situation, describing it 'extraordinary' Ms Khatoon would face jail time for trying to return home.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 23:03 UTC
EDB expects drop in exports to India
Speaking to The Morning Business, De Mel stated that this is “only a prediction”, as it is premature to statistically confirm a drop in Sri Lankan exports to India. However, the EDB Chairman revealed that the least-affected export markets are the US and Europe. There haven’t been any drastic changes yet,” De Mel stated. On the other hand, the EDB assured that several measures have been undertaken in order to safeguard Sri Lankan exports against the adverse effects of Covid-19. In terms of the previous experiences of the EDB, it was stated that there were issues at the Port and at Customs that the EDB was able to resolve.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 22:18 UTC
Biden's adviser pushes 'global minimum tax' to keep U.S. competitive after vow to raise rates
To help pay for trillions more in federal spending, Biden has proposed raising taxes on individuals, corporations and capital gains. As part of Biden's 'Build Back Better' initiative – including real and 'human infrastructure' – he is proposing the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan and $1.8 trillion for American Families Plan. The American Jobs Plan, which Biden proposed in April, includes raising the corporate tax rate from 28 per cent from the current 21 per cent in a partial reversal of former President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts. 'Yes, internationally we don't want to be disadvantaged, so he's also working with other countries so that we have a minimum tax internationally so there's not a race to the bottom,' she said. Former White House economic adviser Steven Rattner, who worked for Barack Obama when he was president, warned against Biden's 'massive' spending plans.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 21:01 UTC