Bhutan’s king is set to visit Australia for the first time. Here’s why thousands will line the streets to see him
King Jigme Khesar will be visiting from October 10 to 16. In 2008, King Jigme Khesar facilitated Bhutan’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a democratic constitutional monarchy. Serving the peopleOne reason King Jigme Khesar is so revered is because of his role in helping to build and advance Bhutan. Ahead of the royal visit, Sydney resident Tshering Palden said he and his children were clearly excited to greet King Jigme Khesar. In 1972, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (King Jigme Khesar’s father) proclaimed the country’s gross national happiness was an even more important measure of progress than gross domestic product (GDP).
Source:The Nation
October 09, 2024 01:32 UTC
US President Biden congratulates President Dissanayake on election victory
US President Biden congratulates President Dissanayake on election victoryNewsIn a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Joe Biden) extended his congratulations to Sri Lanka's newly elected President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The message, delivered on behalf of the American people, recognized the importance of the peaceful and democratic nature of the election, which reaffirmed the strength of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions, the President's Media Division (PMD) said in a statement. "This election reflects the strength of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and the commitment of its citizens to shaping their future through free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner, a cornerstone of any democracy," President Biden remarked in his letter. The U.S. President emphasized the shared values between the two nations, particularly in advancing stability, prosperity, and inclusivity for all Sri Lankan citizens. President Biden expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral ties under President Dissanayake’s leadership, highlighting cooperation in several key areas.
Source:The Nation
October 09, 2024 01:22 UTC
This Is The Second-Warmest September On Record, Says Climate Watchdog
Last month was the second-warmest September ever registered globally in an exceptional year "almost certain" to become the hottest on record, the EU climate monitor Copernicus said on Tuesday. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said the average global temperature last month was second only to September 2023. Warmer air can hold more water vapour, and warmer oceans mean greater evaporation, resulting in more intense rainfall. 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded but the months January through to September 2024 have set fresh highs, said Copernicus. The monitor said it was "almost certain that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record".
Source:The Nation
October 08, 2024 18:21 UTC
Trump’s 7 Secret Calls and Personal Gifts to Putin Revealed
Brendan Smialowski/Getty ImagesVladimir Putin urged Donald Trump not to tell anyone after the then-U.S. president secretly sent COVID-19 test machines for the Russian leader’s private use during the pandemic, according to a bombshell new book by Bob Woodward. Woodward also claims the two men continued their relationship after Trump left the White House with “maybe as many as seven” secret calls since 2021. The Watergate journalist writes that Trump sent a “bunch of Abbott Point of Care Covid test machines” to Putin in 2020. Read more at The Daily Beast. Source: www.thedailybeast.com
Source:The Nation
October 08, 2024 18:20 UTC
Former SEC DG, Dissabandara now appointed as Chairman
Former SEC DG, Dissabandara now appointed as ChairmanBusinessWith effect from Tuesday, October 8, Professor Harendra Dissabandara will take over as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC). From 2008 to 2013, he was Director of Capital Markets Education and Training for the SEC, and from 2012 to 2013, he was Director General of the SEC. Professor Dissabandara helped market participants, investors, issuers, and market institutions improve their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a variety of ways during his time at the SEC. The "10 Key Projects" to develop Sri Lankan capital markets while balancing regulatory and market development approaches were among his many initiatives as Director General of the SEC. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
October 08, 2024 04:11 UTC
No time for a holiday? A ‘workation’ could be the answer
A workation allows employees to work remotely from a holiday spot, and is part of a larger shift towards more flexible working arrangements, accelerated by the COVID pandemic and the rise of digital technology. A workation offers an escape from this day-to-day grind, providing a refreshing change of scenery. Offering the option of a workation could also make a company more attractive to prospective employees. Studies show that remote workers often demonstrate increased organisational commitment. When employees work from unfamiliar locations – particularly in public spaces such as cafes – there may be increased risks related to cybersecurity.
Source:The Nation
October 07, 2024 21:14 UTC
World Bank extends support for SL economic reforms
World Bank extends support for SL economic reformsNewsThe World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a US $200 million agreement today. This is marking as the second phase of a two-part series that began in 2022, a press release from the World Bank said. This second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) is designed to support reforms aimed at improving economic governance, enhancing growth and competitiveness , and protecting the poor and vulnerable. The operation focuses on strengthening economic governance to create a stable macroeconomic environment and restore investor confidence through key reforms. Doing so is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring that everyone benefits from a stronger, more resilient economy."
Source:Sunday Times
October 07, 2024 11:02 UTC
Inside Details Of How Israel's Mossad Worked Out Pager Idea: 5 Points
And with no risk of being tracked by Israeli intelligence, Hezbollah saw the device as the ultimate communication tool for their needs. The pagers' most sinister feature was a two-step de-encryption procedure that ensured most users would be holding the pager with both hands when it detonated. Israel came up with the pager idea in 2022, and parts of the plan began falling into place more than a year before Hamas's October 7 attack, The Washington Post reported . Because Hezbollah leaders were alert to possible sabotage, the pagers could not originate in Israel, the US or any other Israeli ally. The Taiwanese company had no knowledge of the plan, officials said, according to The Washington Post article.
Source:The Nation
October 06, 2024 19:31 UTC
Opinion: You Got An iPhone, Now Think Of 'Envy Imperialism'
The news cycle around the sale of iPhone 16 across India is yet another reminder of how the industrially produced concoction of glamour, envy, and cultural imperialism continues to define most markets in the Global South. Owning an iPhone has been an envy-induced and inducing activity for many consumers ever since its launch in 2007. The sleek iPhone was the new Onida television, minus the devil hissing "neighbour's envy, owner's pride". Simulation Is SupremeThe iPhone is a curious gadget - it is both a product and a platform in the industrial production of glamour. iSlaveryThe cultural imperialism of the United States of America hinges on this digital ultimate slavery.
Source:The Nation
October 06, 2024 12:31 UTC
Political Brand Revitalisation and rebranding
Political Brand Revitalisation and rebranding View(s):A brand’s vitality, image, and market relevance are all intended to be increased through the strategic process of brand revitalisation. The NPP is a vibrant political movement made up of 21 different organisations, including trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and civil society organisations. Whilst remaining true to its original brand purpose, the brand was able to amplify a better-bigger proposition for people to consider voting NPP. The campaigns done around the brand helped them to further establish the brand in the minds of the voters. However, the real win for the brand would be the parliamentary election win as it’s going to decide the performance of the brand.
Source:Sunday Times
October 06, 2024 09:05 UTC
Govt. to carry on with Ranil’s Urumaya
to carry on with Ranil’s Urumaya View(s):By Niranjala AriyawanshaThe previous government’s Urumaya programme, under which freehold title is given to people who use state land based on a permit or grant issued by the government, will continue, the Land Commissioners General’s Department said. He said so far 21,491 freehold deeds had been distributed under the Urumaya programme and another 110,000 people would be handed over deeds soon. There are about two million who have land licences and grants, but only about 200,000 have applied for freehold rights under Urumaya. But he said those who have the licence or grants without such problems should apply for Urumaya as soon as possible. Then they will make a freehold grant for that outright grant and will send it, along with the old licence, to the President for his approval.
Source:Sunday Times
October 06, 2024 06:51 UTC
Tamil literary writer set to launch new book in January
Tamil literary writer set to launch new book in JanuaryNewsBy Ishu BandaraJanuary 2025 will be a remarkable and unforgettable month for Tamil literary writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan, who lives in Kilinochchi, a quiet town in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Deepachelvan is in the final stages of writing his third book, ‘Cyanide’, which will be published by Discovery Book Palace in India, just like his previous book, 'Bhayagaravadi’ (The Terrorist). The book is scheduled to be released at the Madras Book Fair in India, January 2025 and will be available to Sri Lanka’s Tamil reading community shortly thereafter. A young Tamil writer Deepachelvan has already written and published two novels 'Nadugal’ (Translated into Sinhala by P.P. "I have a lot on my mind that I need to turn into words, I can’t wait to write," said the world-famous young Tamil literary writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan.
Source:Sunday Times
August 08, 2024 19:32 UTC
SLC announces squad for England Test series
SLC announces squad for England Test seriesSportSri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee approved the following 18-member squad to play the three-match test series vs. England. The test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship. The Squad1) Dhananjaya De Silva – Captain2) Dimuth Karunaratne3) Nishan Madushka4) Pathum Nissanka5) Kusal Mendis – Vice Captain6) Angelo Mathews7) Dinesh Chandimal8) Kamindu Mendis9) Sadeera Samarawickrama10) Asitha Fernando11) Vishwa Fernando12) Kasun Rajitha13) Lahiru Kumara14) Nisala Tharaka15) Prabath Jayasuriya16)Ramesh Mendis17)Jeffrey Vandersay18) Milan RathnayakeYou can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
August 07, 2024 13:21 UTC
Record paddy harvest in 2024 Yala season promises sufficient rice supply
Record paddy harvest in 2024 Yala season promises sufficient rice supplyNewsThe 2024 Yala season has yielded a record paddy harvest of 2 million metric tons, with an increased yield of 4.64 metric tons per hectare, says the Department of Agriculture. The department, following instructions from the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, has confirmed that 88 percent of the 540,000 hectares targeted for paddy cultivation have been successfully planted. This year’s harvest includes 77 percent regular paddy, 11 percent samba, and 12 percent keeri samba, which marks a notable increase in keeri samba cultivation to 61,000 hectares. With the current harvest and leftover stock from last season, the country’s annual rice requirement of 2.4 million metric tons will be fully met domestically, eliminating the need for imports, the department assured. This season’s paddy yield, particularly from the Eastern and North Central provinces, has surpassed previous records, ensuring an abundant rice supply for the nation.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2024 10:35 UTC
Days of Devastation Expected From Deadly Tropical Storm Debby
Joe Raedle/GettyAt least five people were killed after Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, with forecasters warning that several more days of devastation are to come. After hundreds of people were rescued from flooded homes in Florida, meteorologists said Tuesday morning that other states will face a similar deluge. “Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 25 inches, bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of southeast Georgia, the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday,” the National Hurricane Center said. ET, Debby was inland over southeastern Georgia moving northeast. The center of the storm is “expected to move offshore the coast of Georgia later today, drift offshore through early Thursday, and then move inland over South Carolina on Thursday,” according to the hurricane center.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2024 00:01 UTC