‘Untraceable source’ infections rising
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraThe Health Ministry has stated that the number of cases of Covid-19 infections, of which the source is difficult to identify, has increased over the past few days, amidst a rising daily infection rate of 700 cases. Therefore, he said that it is very important for the people to abide by the health guidelines for the further control of the disease. According to the Sri Lanka Epidemiology Unit, as of 8.30 p.m. on yesterday (22), has recorded 14,158 Covid-19 deaths while the total number of infections stood at 557,361, of which a total of 527,110 patients have recovered. He also said that Covid-19 infections were being reported in some areas that had not been anticipated by the health sector. “There should be no deviation from the health guidelines in any way,” he noted.
Source:The Nation
November 23, 2021 06:00 UTC
The Island Market to host Holiday Boutique
The Island Market is a brand story that started with a simple idea that came to Nisreen Dissanayake’s mind while she was staying at home during the lockdown period. Nisreen DissanayakeThat was when Dissanayake, an accountant by profession with a keen eye for charitable events, began an event which would help serve the community: The Island Market. The “Weekend Bazaar at 570” is now rebranded as “ The Island Market” to make the brand feel closer to the event objective of focusing on home-based business vendors while promoting local products made in Sri Lanka. The next The Island Market event is the “Holiday Boutique”, which is a fundraising project organised along with the Bohra community, with the total proceeds of the event being used for the upliftment of families affected by the pandemic. “We hope all of you will visit the ‘Holiday Boutique’ to have a unique shopping experience as well as support this worthy cause,” she concluded.
Source:The Nation
November 23, 2021 00:59 UTC
Basil to visit Modi for investments
BY Pamodi WaravitaFinance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is due to visit India in the coming few days for discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to procure foreign investment into the country, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. He will meet with Premier Modi, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other members of the Indian leadership. Prof. Pieris noted that since Sri Lanka is currently trapped in the biggest economic crisis post-independence, Sri Lanka should not isolate itself diplomatically. “The economic crisis is due to many reasons, including mainly international ones such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Preparations are already underway between Indian High Commissioner (HC) to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda to facilitate this visit.
Source:The Nation
November 23, 2021 00:01 UTC
Facebook knew its algorithms were biased against people of color
Internal Facebook documents revealed that company executives know its algorithm was biased toward people of color and promoted hate speech - but they failed to crack down on it. The project, dubbed the 'worst of the worst' project included hate speech posts that were shared on the site, with 10 of the worst examples being shared. In 2019, researchers discovered that more than half of the hate speech was being targeted towards Blacks, Muslims, the LGBTQ community, and Jews, according to documents. 'This information confirms what many of us already knew: that Facebook is an active and willing participant in the dissemination of hate speech and misinformation,' Ilhan Omar said in a statement. 'For years, we have raised concerns to Facebook about routine anti-Muslim, anti-Black, and anti-immigrant content on Facebook, much of it based on outright falsehoods.
Source:The Nation
November 22, 2021 19:10 UTC
Top 10 trending phones of week 46
Xiaomi's Redmi Note 11 Pro is the new leader in our trending chart, while the Samsung Galaxy A52s managed to secure the silver medal. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is down to third, while newly announced Motorola Moto G200 came just short of a podium position. The iPhone 13 Pro Max retained its fifth position as the Poco M4 Pro slid back down to sixth place. The Redmi Note 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra each lost a place and are now seventh and eight. The Samsung Galaxy A12 is still ninth, while the Poco X3 Pro got the last available spot and kicked the Pixel 6 Pro off the chart.
Source:The Nation
November 22, 2021 10:07 UTC
Wijayadasa to vote for budget
He said this responding to a question on the role of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plays in advancing China’s economic and soft power interests in South Asia during an interview with E-International Relations magazine. It plays to China’s strengths, which are economic, where it is not really matched by any other power in the subcontinent. This is still a work in progress and the Chinese leadership has often spoken of the need for China to gain soft power. He said that the Chinese are very conscious of their own political and strategic tradition. Menon also said that if the political relationship between China and India remains adversarial, cutting their economic dependencies on China would become a strategic necessity.
Source:The Nation
November 22, 2021 01:25 UTC
The best smartwatches for men you can buy
Below, you’ll find a list of the best smartwatches for men you can buy in 2021. Apple Watch Series 7: The best men’s smartwatchJimmy Westenberg / Android AuthorityAfter we dubbed the Apple Watch Series 6 the best smartwatch money can buy, the Series 7 has plenty to live up to. While the Series 7 didn’t have to do much to keep the best smartwatch title, you’ll have to look elsewhere if you own an Android smartphone. A 45mm dial, a prominent stainless steel bezel, and a crisp AMOLED screen support the Venu 2’s sold health tracking features. Fitbit Sense: The best Fitbit smartwatch for menJimmy Westenberg / Android AuthorityOn paper, the Fitbit Sense is the best Fitbit smartwatch for men.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 22:56 UTC
Sri Lanka to receive another batch of Pfizer vaccines tomorrow
State Minsiter Prof. Channa Jayasumana says that a consignment of 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow (22). He said that another batch of 400,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will reach the country the day after (23). State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals stated that Pfizer Inc., the US-based multinational pharmaceutical company, has agreed to supply Sri Lanka with 3 million doses of their vaccine every week starting from December. Meanwhile the state minister said that it has been observed that the new sub-lineage of Delta variant of COVID-19 detected in the country is spreading among the country’s youth and school children. Therefore he urged parents to make sure that their children are aware of the need to constantly adhere to health guidelines.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 18:05 UTC
Schools to reopen for grades 6-9 tomorrow (22)
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Education Ministry recently announced that schools will re-open for Grades 6-9 from tomorrow (22). Accordingly, academic activities will commence for the relevant grades in schools across the island. Additional Secretary of School Affairs at the Ministry of Education, L.M.D. Dharmasena stated that academic activities will be carried out while adhering to health guidelines. Recently, the Health Ministry published the guidelines to be followed in case of a COVID-19 case is identified within school premises.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 17:01 UTC
Is Covid about to trigger a ‘tsunami’ of type 2 diabetes? – In Entertainment – In Entertainment
As a result of the Covid pandemic, Britain’s most respected diabetes specialists have warned that there will be a “tsunami of new type 2 diabetic patients.”By the end of next year, doctors expect to diagnose at least 200,000 new cases of the chronic condition…Click here to view the original article.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 16:06 UTC
Researchers uncover new way to activate cancer killing cells – Hindustan Times – Devonport Online News – Burnie Online News
ADVERTISEMENTIf the circumstances are right, the bodys T cells are supposed to detect and kill the cancer cells. However, it has been seen that in most cancer patients the T cells become incapable of doing so once they are in the environment surrounding the tumour.……Click here to view the original article.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 07:39 UTC
EDB against cannabis export
By Yakuta DawoodAmidst intensifying discussions on the possibilities of exporting hemp – a type of cannabis plant – to the international market, an official from the Export Development Board (EDB) stated that Sri Lanka should try other export avenues rather than focusing on “something that is not possible”. “With the present legalisation, growing and exporting cannabis is going to be a complicated process, which will be very difficult to implement. If we can sort out these issues, we can improve quite a bit in our export market,” he said. Right now, the EDB is helping companies to brand, market, and gain exposure in the international market,” the official added. Everyone wants to do the tea business, whereas Sri Lanka has also been blessed by the gods with an all-natural treatment called cannabis.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 07:08 UTC
Permission granted to import plant nutrients and agrochemicals for crops
The Ministry of Agriculture says that permission has been granted for the import of plant nutrients and agrochemicals for paddy, corn vegetables and other crops for the Maha season. Secretary to the ministry Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe stated that it is during the Maha season that most of the farming activities are carried out especially for crops such as paddy, maize, vegetables and the export-oriented crops such as tea, coconut and tuber. He stated that their first step is to obtain the recommended maximum cultivation size of these crops and ensure food security and that they are in line with the government policy for that. Prof. Jayasinghe said that under the supervision of the Director of Agriculture and committee, it is to be decided what are the required quantities and that the government has empowered them to act scientifically to the extent necessary. He said the Director of Agriculture will make the recommendations through the committee as to what fertilizers and agrochemicals are imported.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 05:04 UTC
Govt took care not to burden the people - Dr. Nalaka Godahewa
State Minister of Urban Development, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that the Government through the Budget 2022 has not passed the burden on to the people. However, the Finance Minister has taken a lot of care not to put a burden on the public. At the same time, the Finance Minister has taken a lot of care not to put a burden on the public. A: I think the Finance Minister made it very clear in his speech that now the Government has to look at attracting investments. Some people are talking about a point made by the Finance Minister in his Budget speech.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 21, 2021 02:13 UTC
Largest star sapphire cluster to Switzerland
By The Sunday Morning Business DeskA part of the star sapphire cluster that was discovered in Sri Lanka a few months ago, and said to be the largest in the world, is presently at the testing stage at the Gübelin Gem Lab in Switzerland, after which the entire cluster will be auctioned in Switzerland itself, The Sunday Morning Business learns. Continuous attempts to reach State Minister of Gem and Jewellery-related Industries Lohan Ratwatte until this edition went to print, proved futile. Experts said that the sapphire is pale blue in colour and weighs around 510 kg. The main gemstones found in Sri Lanka include sapphire, alexandrite, cat’s eye, padparadscha aquamarine, and moonstone, amongst which the blue sapphire is the most widely known coloured gemstone. The Government relaxed the 14% income tax on the gem and jewellery industry last year.
Source:The Nation
November 21, 2021 01:09 UTC