Google’s VPN service is now available outside the US
Edgar Cervantes / Android AuthorityTL;DR VPN by Google One is now available in select markets outside the US. This feature is only available for Google One subscribers at the 2TB (or higher) tier. VPN by Google One was only available in the US since the service’s launch last year. Something else to keep in mind is that the VPN is only available on Android devices. It’s a useful benefit for subscribers but not a mainstream VPN contender, even if it is available in a few more locations.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 20:03 UTC
How life in Britain has changed between 1961 and today
Data from the 1961 Census Small Area Statistics has revealed how life in Britain has changed dramatically over the last 60 years - with figures showing in some rural regions, more than half of homes had a toilet separate from their property in 1961. Data from the 1961 Census Small Area Statistics has revealed now nearly seven per cent of homes did not have an indoor toilet in England and Wales in 1961. And in Teifiside in Wales, 39 per cent of homes were without an indoor toilet. In Longdendale, Greater Manchester, 50 per cent of of homes were without a bathroom while in Blackburn the figure stood at 40 per cent in 1961. Pictured: Housing tenure in a 1961 microfilm printoutFigures also showed that between 1961 and 2011, the proportion of people aged 75 years and over increased due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 20:01 UTC
On This Day – 10 August
He first announced his talent by making Mike Atherton his bunny during the warm-up matches that led up to the 2001 Test series. Made his debut in November 2003 where he made an instant impression, claiming 2/13 against England at Dambulla. He played in two Tests too, the same year1984 – The Famous Mary Decker-Zola Budd collision during women’s 3,000 m at the Los Angeles Olympics. Over two decades, he was captain in 56 Tests and scored 5,105 runs in allTony Greig said on that day, “He added steel to the back of Sri Lanka’s cricket.” How true. Pakistan went into the day needing to bat it out, but Herath picked up six wickets to dismiss them for 180.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 19:30 UTC
People with HIV have increased risk from Covid: WHO expert
A WHO (World Health Organisation) expert said people living with HIV had an increased risk for severe disease from Covid as well as hospitalisation and stressed the need to prioritise vaccination of them globally. Making her remarks during WHO’S Science in 5 programme with Vismita Gupta-smith, Dr.meg Doherty, a WHO expert on the subject, said the WHO was taking it seriously. She said such people had 30 per cent risk of them after hospitalisation. And following the data, it is now very much concerned that people living with HIV have an increased risk for severe disease from Covid as well as hospitalisations,” she said. However, she said the present batch of vaccines used against Covid worked against severity and hospitalisations for people with HIV.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 19:18 UTC
Chopra marks India’s ‘moon-landing moment’!
Chopra’s astonishing achievement capped what is now considered the neighbouring country’s most successful Summer Olympic campaign ever! The British-Indian ‘white’ Pritchard won silver in men’s 200 m and 200 m hurdles becoming the first Asian-born athlete to win an Olympic medal. They were India’s first medals in a Summer Olympic Games. After a lapse of four Games, India first sent ‘a team’ to the Summer Olympics in 1920, to the Antwerp Games. Chopra’s performance was rated as “India’s moon-landing moment” by none other than the famed Indo cricket pundit Harsha Bhogle.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 19:07 UTC
How do I fill out the Covid travel forms with no internet? The Holiday Guru steps in
This week he steps in to help a reader who isn't internet savvy - and wants to know how he can tackle the necessary travel forms for a trip abroad. The Guru helps a reader who isn't internet savvy - and wants to know how he can tackle the necessary travel forms for a trip abroadA. I fly to Majorca from Bristol soon and cannot even find a designated quarantine hotel near Bristol Airport, just in case the worst happens. The good news is that the Government said this week that Spain is unlikely to go on the ‘red list’ any time soon. has just given Virgin Holidays — and 41 other travel companies — the thumbs up for its flexible booking arrangements (see ‘Holiday Checker’ at which.co.uk).
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:56 UTC
Deadly Marburg virus discovered for first time in West Africa
Health authorities in Guinea have confirmed one death from Marburg virus, a highly infectious haemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, the World Health Organization says. It marks the first time that the deadly disease has been identified in west Africa. There have been 12 major Marburg outbreaks since 1967, mostly in southern and eastern Africa. “The potential for the Marburg virus to spread far and wide means we need to stop it in its tracks,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, said. Marburg outbreaks start when an infected animal, such as a monkey or a fruit bat, passes the virus to a human.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:56 UTC
Bonsoir Diaries: A French perfume named Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is the name of a celebrated Indian film actress who starred in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. Zeenat Aman is also the name of an exquisite French fragrance launched in Colombo by the celebrated French perfume manufacturer, Robertet. She was here to grace the launch of “Parfum Zeenat Aman”, an exquisite fragrance created by the celebrated French perfume manufacturer, Robertet. Zeenat Aman was all pervasive, in every sense of the word. Colombo spoke about that launch for months to follow.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
SL tourism attracts $ 1 b investments despite pandemic
Over the last 15 months, from March 2020 to June 2021, the Government has attracted over $ 950 million in investments, which would be dedicated to revitalising the burgeoning tourism sector of the country. These ventures will be executed under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). The level of interest shown by global investors is a positive sign for things to come and indicative of the immense potential inherent to the local tourism sector. We have taken great care to streamline the investment process, so it is more in line with what international investors expect. The SLTDA has also established an Investment Relations Unit (IRU) to expedite the approval of all tourism investments.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
Fitch downgrades AMW Capital Leasing due to persisting import ban
Fitch Ratings has downgraded AMW Capital Leasing And Finance PLC’s (AMWCL) National Long-Term Rating to “A(lka)”, from “AA-(lka)”. Ltd. (AMW), a large importer of motor vehicles in Sri Lanka that owns 90% of AMWCL, will extend extraordinary support to AMWCL, if needed. AMW and AMWCL share a common brand, which means there could be reputational damage to AMW should AMWCL default. Fitch sees meaningful integration, largely through board representation from both AMW and its ultimate parent, Al Futtaim. Its franchise benefits from its linkages to AMW, but its market share among finance and leasing companies remains small.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
A WNPS Youth Skills Workshop: Reptiles need protection too
Reptiles and amphibians are a wonderfully diverse group that, to be honest, get a very unfair rap. On 14 August, the WNPS Youth Wing, the youth-led arm of the Wildlife and Nature Preservation Society (WNPS), Sri Lanka’s oldest (and the world’s third oldest) nature protection society, will host their next Youth Skills Workshop, an online webinar aimed at building awareness and imparting skills on wildlife issues and skills. Dr. Somaweera is an evolutionary biologist with a broad research interest in how reptiles adapt to a changing world. Growing up, Dr. Somaweera shared that he had always been very passionate about understanding things that a lot of people were scared of or didn’t focus on. “I see a good trend in the youth at the moment,” Dr Somaweera said, adding: “Social media and channels like National Geographic have helped.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
Ranjith Bandara to steer National Trade Policy
Policy to be launched before end 2021BY Cassendra DooleProf. Ranjith Bandara has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Trade Policy Committee, The Morning Business learns. Speaking to The Morning Business, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said that the new National Trade Policy Committee was implemented recently and discussions were held via Zoom. “Because of the current situation, we held Zoom meetings and discussed the new National Trade Policy Committee and the other relevant details. On 1 August 2017, the National Trade Policy was approved by the Cabinet of the former Government by the then Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade. In March 2021 Dr. Gunawardana said that the obtaining of public comments and opinions on the National Trade Policy was to take place.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
Central Bank completes asset management company blueprint
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has completed the preparation of the blueprint on forming a national asset management company as the policy paper that was presented with the CBSL annual report, The Morning Business learns. Speaking on the CBSL policy paper on forming the national asset management, Fitch Ratings Head Maninda Wickramasinghe expressed his optimistic point of view. “In the CBSL annual report there is a policy paper that is being discussed about a national asset management company. Adding to what is being said thus far, Wickramasinghe stated: “As recently as 2009, countries like Spain and Ireland faced a similar situation where the countries addressed this (asset management).”Pinpointing on asset management, he said that it allows the restructured debt to international capital markets which Malaysia achieved. Accordingly, there is an opportunity for Sri Lanka in terms of asset management.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
Breaking into the music industry
Jayson began his career in 2015, when, after watching Hardwell play at Tomorrowland, he realised that his passion lay with music. A remix of ALOKE by local singer Iraj that Jayson did went viral, again bringing his name into the forefront of the music industry. “I was playing gigs just before the last lockdown, and as things seemed like it was getting better for the music industry, it all went downhill right after the lockdown,” he said. Hithama Pire was the first Sinhalese track released by that label. He also added that the biggest lesson he learned from working on music virtually was patience.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:33 UTC
With 1,010 new COVID cases, daily count climbs to 2,938
August 9, 2021 10:50 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health reports that another 1,010 persons have tested positive for Covid-19 today, pushing the daily count of new cases to 2,938. This brings the tally of confirmed cases of coronavirus identified in the country to 332,947. Sri Lanka’s total recoveries stand at 295,518 while over 32,318 COVID-19 positive patients are currently being treated at hospitals. The death toll in Sri Lanka due to the virus is 5,222.
Source:The Nation
August 09, 2021 18:00 UTC