Disney sues to keep its Avengers copyrights assembled
Disney-owned Marvel is suing relatives of Steve Ditko and other Marvel comics creators to retain control of classic characters, including Iron Man, Daredevil, Spider-Man, and Black Widow. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the suits follow Lieber and others sending termination notices to reclaim part of the rights on many Marvel characters. Termination notices are meant to let creators and their heirs share in publishers’ profits. “This case thus involves an invalid attempt, by means of termination notices ... to acquire certain rights to iconic Marvel comic book characters and stories,” says the suit against Lieber. Artists and authors, as well as their families, have fought repeated legal battles for the rights to iconic comics characters.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 18:45 UTC
Sri Lanka pledges to stop building new coal power plants
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka signed a pledge with six other countries to stop building new coal power plants. This pledge ‘The No New Coal Compact” initiated by the United Nations includes the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; Republic of Chile; Kingdom of Denmark; French Republic Federal Republic of Germany; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and Montenegro. The countries that are committed to a No New Coal Compact, will immediately cease the issuance of new permits for unabated coal-fired power generation projects and cease new construction of unabated coal-fired power generation projects as of the end of 2021. Over 35 countries — ranging from Small Island Developing States to major emerging and industrialized economies — made significant new energy commitments in the form of Energy Compacts. Additionally, several new partnership initiatives were announced, aiming to provide and improve access to reliable electricity to over a billion people.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 18:00 UTC
The Lightning port isn’t about convenience; it’s about control
Notably absent from Apple’s argument, though, is the fact that cutting out a Lightning port on an iPhone wouldn’t just create more e-waste (if you buy Apple’s logic) or inconvenience its customers. And of course, USB-C iPads can be charged by any standard USB-C cable that’s capable of putting out enough wattage. Lightning is an established ecosystem that millions of customers already have cables for, with fast data transfer and charging speeds. Like USB-C, it offers waterproofing capabilities, and it gets Apple both its licensing fees and ecosystem control. Apple is a $2.4 trillion company; it likely would be just fine without the revenues it gets from Lightning cable fees, should it switch to USB-C entirely.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 18:00 UTC
China’s central bank bans cryptocurrency transactions to avoid ‘risks’
The People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, said Friday that cryptocurrency transactions are illegal, saying such currencies “do not have legal tender status” and therefore “cannot be circulated as currency in the market.”In a statement, the bank said that bitcoin and other virtual currency transactions have disrupted economic and financial order, contributing to a rise in “money laundering, illegal fund-raising, fraud, pyramid schemes, and other illegal and criminal activities.”Crypto transactions are now considered criminal financial activity in China, the bank said, and the country will “resolutely curb the hype of virtual currency transactions, severely crack down on illegal financial activities and illegal criminal activities related to virtual currencies, protect the safety of the people’s property in accordance with the law, and make every effort to maintain economic and financial order and social stability.”Friday’s announcement is the culmination of an ongoing crackdown on crypto in the country; the Chinese government began issuing warnings about trading in mining cryptocurrencies in May, and in June, the bank told financial institutions to stop processing digital currency transactions. Bloomberg reports that one major reason for the Chinese crackdown on cryptocurrencies is the amount of energy needed to mine cryptocurrency transactions. China is in the midst of an energy crisis that has already affected many other industries. Cryptocurrency prices were down sharply in late-morning trading following China’s announcement.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 16:18 UTC
Gig work is precarious no matter the country
But a new editorial series from Rest of World shows that the experiences of US-based gig workers aren’t unique — trying to make a living while at the whims of indifferent platforms is difficult no matter what country you’re in. Rest of World’s overview is based on a survey of over 4,000 gig workers across the world. Those parallels appeared in another aspect of platform work the series analyzes: the treatment of women in the gig economy. Rest of World’s survey indicated women worked fewer hours — and many had caregiving duties on top of gig work. There’s too much to possibly summarize in one place, which is all the more reason why you should check out the entire Rest of World series here.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 15:45 UTC
Elon Musk and Grimes split after three years together
She's staying with me now and Baby X is in the adjacent room.' After the gala, Musk hosted an exclusive afterparty with Grimes at club Zero Bond. As Musk mentioned in his explanation of his split with Grimes, he recently relocated to Texas after nearly two decades in the Golden State. Two months after welcoming baby X, Musk admitted that Grimes held the majority of the parenting responsibilities saying that she 'has a much bigger role than [him] right now.' Right now there's not much I can do,' he told the New York Times.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 15:45 UTC
It’s Friday, here are fat baby bears
One thing I can rally around: fat baby bears. There’s an adorable twist this year to Katmai National Park’s annual Fat Bear Week. Four cubs faced off yesterday for a chance to compete against the grown-ups when Fat Bear Week officially starts on September 29th. There are elimination rounds each day of Fat Bear Week until a final chunky champion is named on Fat Bear Tuesday, October 5th. Winter is coming and a fat bear is a prepared bear.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 15:22 UTC
The Best Way to Learn Languages (Pro Tip)
You also need concentration, which is the ability to focus on what you’re learning. The Best Way to Learn LanguagesThe best way to learn languages is definitely by speaking. When you’re learning a new language, you’ll be tempted to translate words and use your native language in your head. The best way to listen is by listening to a real conversation and the best way to speak is by actually having a conversation with someone. You’ll enjoy your time abroad even better and you’ll learn so much more about a new culture.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 15:22 UTC
CDC director OVERRULES her own agency's advisory on booster shots
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reversed her own agency's advisory panel in a rare move late Thursday and added a recommendation for boosters for people at risk because of their jobs. At least 2.37 million people in the U.S. have received booster doses as of Friday, according to data from the CDC. The company filed for emergency use authorization for booster doses in late August and submitted data to the FDA, which was made public last week. Each had received two doses of the vaccine and were given a booster dose at least six months later. They added that studies on booster doses have presented conflicting findings and that 'known and unknown biases that can affect their reliability.'
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 13:52 UTC
Chauvin to appeal conviction, sentence in Floyd's death
Derek Chauvin filed an intent to appeal with the Minnesota state appellate court. In court documents, Chauvin said he planned to appeal on 14 grounds. Chauvin was convicted earlier this year on state charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd´s 2020 death. He was sentenced to 22.5 years - a sentence higher than the presumptive 12.5 years after the judge agreed with prosecutors that there were aggravating factors in Floyd's death. What appears to be Chauvin's best bet is his questioning the court's decision to allow the prosecution to add a third-degree murder charge against him.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 13:52 UTC
Mahela appointed consultant for Sri Lanka National and U19 Teams
Former Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardena has been appointed as a ‘consultant’ to the National team during the First Round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today. His five-month role with the U19 Team will be performed in an ‘honorary’ capacity, the statement read further. “We are very happy to welcome Mahela into his new roles, as his presence with the Sri Lanka Team and the U19 Team is going to help the players immensely,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket. “From his playing days, Mahela was respected for the vast cricketing knowledge he brought into the game, first as a player, then as a Captain, now as a Coach for different teams,” De Silva added. Jayawardena was appointed to the dual roles by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee following recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Source:The Nation
September 24, 2021 13:52 UTC
Prince Harry's hair is 'thinning on top', expert says
Much of the commentary focused on Harry's locks, which appeared thicker than usual - perhaps due to some generous Photoshopping. Celebrity hairstylist Tom Smith told FEMAIL Harry's image appeared to be 'noticeably different' today, adding: 'It seems to look like Prince Harry’s hair is fuller in the TIME picture and it would not surprise me if clever retouching skills helped play a part in defining his hair line and given him a fuller body of hair to match Meghan’s. ' Many joked that Prince Harry looked like the Duchess' hairdresser as he proudly stood behind her and she presented her voluminous hair. Much of the mocking commentary about the couple's Time 100 photoshoot focused on Harry's locks, which appeared thicker than usual - perhaps due to some generous PhotoshoppingThough Prince Charles is still hanging on to his hair, Harry's brother Prince William has long battled against baldness, and began losing his hair in his twenties. The royal famously shaved his head in January 2018 in order to hide the worst impact of the hair loss.
Source:The Nation
September 23, 2021 19:30 UTC
2020 O/L results are out!
COLOMBO; The much awaited results of the G. C. E. Ordinary Level Examination 2020 were released on Thursday (23) night. According to the Department of Examinations 423,746 school students and 198,606 private candidates sat for the examination at 4,513 exam centers. Results can be obtained by accessing www.doenets.lk or www.results.exams.gov.lkThe Department of Examinations noted that these results do not include the results of aesthetic practical examinations.
Source:The Nation
September 23, 2021 19:07 UTC
China flies 19 aircraft into Taiwan's airspace
Nineteen Chinese aircraft have entered Taiwan's airspace - ramping up tensions in the region in the wake of the AUKUS submarine pact. China frequently flies such missions, but they have taken on new significance in the wake of the AUKUS deal. Meanwhile the bombers, electronic warfare aircraft and anti-submarine planes completed a circuit around the southern tip of Taiwan before turning back. China has flown aircraft into Taiwan's defence zone every day this month with the exception of September 2, defence ministry data shows. Taiwan's defence spending 'is based on safeguarding national sovereignty, national security, and national security.
Source:The Nation
September 23, 2021 18:56 UTC
JVP claims Cardinal being targeted
NPP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (23), alleged that various intermediary groups representing the Government are currently influencing the ongoing investigations into the said terror attacks. “The Government is now using various groups to once again spread racism and religious extremism in the country,” he further claimed. The report stated that Wickremesinghe was not attending the NSC following Sirisena’s decision to remove him from the post in October 2018. It also stated that Wickremesinghe was not invited by Sirisena to the NSC, even after the former resumed duties as the Premier. It stated that the failure of Wickremesinghe to do so and not inviting him to the NSC were both unacceptable.
Source:The Nation
September 23, 2021 18:56 UTC