India’s Foreign Secretary to arrive tomorrow
At the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, India’s Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla will pay an official visit to Sri Lanka from 02-05 October 2021, India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted in a press release. “As Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Foreign Secretary’s visit signifies the importance both countries attach to strengthening their close and cordial relations in all spheres of mutual interest,” the release notes. Accordingly, the visit of Foreign Secretary will provide an opportunity to review Indo-Lanka bilateral ties, progress of ongoing bilateral projects and ongoing cooperation to tackle Covid related disruptions.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 06:56 UTC
Motorola Edge 20 Pro launched in India
Motorola launched the Edge 20 and Edge 20 Fusion in India in August, and today the company introduced the top-end model of the lineup in the country - Edge 20 Pro. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is built around a 6.7" 10-bit 144Hz FullHD+ AMOLED screen with a punch hole in the center for the 32MP selfie camera. The Edge 20 Pro has more memory options in other markets, but Motorola told us it has no plans to offer those in India. The Edge 20 Pro is IP52 rated, supports 11 5G bands, and has an NFC chip onboard. You can read our in-depth Motorola Edge 20 Pro review here to learn more about it or watch the video review linked below.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 06:33 UTC
Swiss envoy exchanges political and economic views with Basil
October 1, 2021 by Ruwani Fonseka No CommentsSwiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dominik Furgler took to his twitter handle to express his pleasure in the exchange of political and economic issues with Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa earlier today (01). During the meeting with Rajapaksa, discussions on current and potential Swiss and Sri Lankan cooperation were also discussed. “Switzerland stands ready to continue its support for the people of Sri Lanka,” Furgler expressed.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 06:33 UTC
SL to promote tourism, yet visa process cumbersome: Mahen Kariyawasam
In a bid to win back global travelers, Sri Lanka has heavy plans to promote the tourism industry at a number of international platforms starting next week. Yet, the online visa process for tourists arriving in the country has proved to be “cumbersome”, according to Past President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tourism (SLAITO) Mahen Kariyawasam. “It is a bit cumbersome at present for tourists to visit the tourism board website, make a reservation to pay for insurance, then once again re-visit the immigration website for the visa application process. But, I’m sure this too will be ironed out in due time,” stated Kariyawasam. Kariyawasam went on to say that “positive vibes” have been received from the European market for the upcoming season, and the ironing out of the visa process would do a world of good to the tourism industry as a whole.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 06:33 UTC
Sri Lanka reiterates support to the Palestine cause
COLOMBO (News 1st); Foreign Minister Professor G.L Peiris has reiterated Sri Lanka’s support to the Palestine cause during a courtesy call by the Palestine Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Sri Lanka, Dr. Zuhair M.H. Dar Zaid, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Professor G.L Peiris on 28th September at the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine extended warm wishes from the President, Government and people of the State of Palestine, reiterated the State of Palestine’s continued support for Sri Lanka and stated his intention to strengthen the existing friendly relations. The Minister also highlighted that Sri Lanka had continuously supported the Palestinian cause and in recognition, a road had been named after former President Rajapaksa in Ramallah.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 06:00 UTC
Huawei employee reveals Huawei's Harmony OS 3 is coming soon
IT Home News reported that a Huawei employee revealed in a social post that Huawei would be unveiling HarmonyOS 3.0 very soon. According to the report, the Chinese phone maker will be holding the Huawei Developer Conference on October 24. HarmonyOS 2.0 launched during last year's Huawei Developer Conference in September of 2020 with the OS arriving to devices on September 16. At the most recent Huawei nova 9 series launch, Huawei confirmed that the number of users who upgraded to HarmonyOS on Huawei devices surpassed 120 million. Huawei expects for Harmony OS to exceed 300 million users by the end of the year.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 04:52 UTC
Warnings of church attacks a misunderstanding: Sarath Weerasekera
Following a recent incident taking place at a church in Ja Ela where a Navy officer had issued a warning on a possible terror attack, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekera clarified that the incident happened due to a misunderstanding. It was such an exercise that we carried out that was misunderstood by the Navy officer,” he stated at a press conference yesterday (30). He also stated that the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy summoned this Navy officer and reprimanded him over the incident. Earlier, the Ministry of Defence in a statement had dismissed such reports over attacks on churches. Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne reassured the public that there is no reason to panic over the spread of such news reports.
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 04:41 UTC
Let children enjoy their childhood at liberty - President
In his message for International Children’s Day, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa noted that the responsibility placed on adults with regard to children, in the process of socialization, cannot be underestimated. “The childhood is irreversible,” the President said, urging adults to let children enjoy their childhood at liberty. The theme of this year’s World Children’s Day is “Children before Everything”, which is the eternal thought of parents. The President said it has become a priority of the government to revive all those lost aspirations of the nation’s children in a secure manner. “Though our children do not have the opportunity to celebrate the World Children’s Day this year too due to the prevailing pandemic situation, I extend my blessing for all children to celebrate the Children’s Day joyfully while at home, and also wish them a prosperous future.”
Source:The Nation
October 01, 2021 03:56 UTC
Sri Lanka reports 912 COVID-19 cases on Thursday
September 30, 2021 10:09 pmThe Ministry of Health reported a total of 912 persons have tested positive for Covid-19 today, (September 30). This brings the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus registered in Sri Lanka to 517,377. Total recoveries have increased to 457,488 while currently, 46,983 infected patients are under medical care and home-based care. The death toll meanwhile has risen to 12,906.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 16:41 UTC
This TikTok Pumpkin Spice Syrup Is Hellaciously Good
Photo: Rachel FairbankYou may have noticed a new pumpkin spice syrup recipe making the rounds on TikTok. They both had just the right amount of sweet, with enough pumpkin spice flavor to make the drink satisfying. G/O Media may get a commissionIn short, this recipe yielded a subtler pumpkin spice coffee, one that offered all of the pumpkin taste and spices you could ask for. IngredientsInstructions2 cups brown sugar 1 cup water 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice mixture ½ cup pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but highly recommended)Add the brown sugar, water, and pumpkin pie spice to a shallow pot. Once the mixture has thickened to a syrupy consistency, stir in ½ cup pumpkin puree and one teaspoon vanilla extract.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 16:30 UTC
How Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 compares with Samsung’s flagship foldable
It’s official: the troubled Surface Duo is now last-gen. Microsoft announced its successor, the Surface Duo 2, during its recent fall Surface event, capping off months of rumors and introducing the device alongside the Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, and a bevy of new devices designed to take advantage of Windows 11. The Surface Duo 2 features thinner bezels and the same processor found as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Photo by Becca Farsace / The VergeOn paper, the Surface Duo 2 looks to address many of the aforementioned problems. The Duo 2 also boasts compatibility with Microsoft’s lineup of Surface Pens, including the Surface Slim Pen 2, which can magnetically dock and charge wirelessly when paired with the optional Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover ($65). The bottom lineOn paper, Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 shows a lot of promise, particularly when compared to its predecessor.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 16:30 UTC
Lordstown Motors reportedly selling former GM factory to Foxconn
Struggling EV startup Lordstown Motors is nearing a sale of its Ohio factory to Taiwanese iPhone assembler Foxconn, which has its own electric vehicle ambitions, Bloomberg reports. Lordstown Motors bought the 6.2 million square foot facility from General Motors in 2019 shortly after the Detroit automaker closed it down — a decision that drew the ire of then-president Trump. Since buying it, Lordstown Motors has put about $240 million worth of work into getting the factory ready to build its electric pickup truck, the Endurance. A spokesperson for Lordstown Motors declined to comment. Lordstown Motors’ CEO was forced out earlier this year after he was caught lying about the veracity of the preorders for its truck.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 16:18 UTC
Face masks MUST be brought back in secondary schools
Face masks should be brought back in secondary schools immediately, a member of Independent SAGE claimed today. Face masks are already in use at schools in parts of the South West, Cumbria and Northamptonshire. Professor Pagel said: 'I think we need to put mitigations back in schools, particularly masks in secondary schools, now and roll out the vaccine a bit more rapidly.' Teaching unions have already called for face masks to be brought back to schools amid surging Covid cases. Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of Schools Trusts, said officials needed to weigh up whether face masks should be brought back in schools.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 15:56 UTC
BBC viewers praise Millennium 7 Up contributor
A woman who appeared on the Millennium 7Up series has been praised by BBC viewers after revealing she's shunned a career in law to teach children from 'difficult backgrounds'. Courtney, from Liverpool, first appeared on the documentary project -which catches up with each of it's subjects every seven years - at the turn of the millennium. Viewers last night were quick to praise the teaching assistant, with one writing: 'Courtney is completely brilliant. At 28, the teaching assistant doesn't think she'll ever be a mother, and thinks she gets more out of relationships with friends than she would a romantic partner. Episode two of 28 Up: Millenium Generation is on BBC One next Wednesday at 9pm
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 11:00 UTC
Fairphone 4 announced: This phone could get Android 15
TL;DR Fairphone has announced the Fairphone 4. Fairphone has made a name for itself thanks to its sustainable approach to smartphone manufacturing as well as its repair-friendly designs. The company launched the Fairphone 3 Plus last year as a stopgap release of sorts, but it’s now got a major upgrade in the Fairphone 4. Fairphone adds that its phone supports 12 5G bands and 17 4G bands as a result, although we’re guessing that mmWave isn’t available here. Unfortunately, the Fairphone 4’s parts aren’t compatible with previous phones though, the company said in response to an Android Authority question.
Source:The Nation
September 30, 2021 10:41 UTC