First batch of Moderna vaccine arrives in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has received the first batch of US-developed Moderna COVID-19 vaccines today (July 16), the Embassy of United States in Colombo said. The vaccine consignment is donated by the United States through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the fifth vaccine Sri Lanka will be adding to its national inoculation drive, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said. On April 30, the World Health Organization listed Moderna’s (MRNA.O) COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), thoroughly assessing the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, has also authorized its use across the European Union.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 04:18 UTC
Consignment of Moderna vaccines to be received today
July 16, 2021 by Mihi Perera No Comments1.5 million doses of Moderna vaccine are due to be delivered to Sri Lanka today (16) as a gift from the US Government. This is the first time in Sri Lanka that a consignment of this vaccine has been delivered under the Covax facility. Meanwhile, Minister of State Prof. Channa Jayasumana stated that 71 million doses of Sinopharm have been received so far. “The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer vaccine, which has a high efficacy of about 93%,” he said. Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that 13.5 percent of people over the age of 30 in the country have been given both doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 03:56 UTC
Isolation orders on two more areas lifted
July 16, 2021 07:48 amNational Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) says two localities in Jaffna and Puttalam districts were released from isolation status from this morning (July 16). Jaffna DistrictKayts police area• Naranthanai North-west GN Division Puttalam DistrictPuttalam police area• 9th Cross Road in JP RoadDisclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 03:00 UTC
NFL plans to play Black national anthem ahead of the 2021 season
The NFL announced plans to perform or play the black national anthem, before games during the beginning of this year's season, ESPN reports. 'Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing,' traditionally referred to as the black national anthem, will be performed before 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' during the season opener on September 10, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans. The NFL, in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, is also considering featuring names of victims who suffered police brutality on uniforms, helmets or patches on jerseys. Written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' is often referred to as the 'Black National Anthem.' In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, along with other NFL players, began kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of racial injustices.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 02:03 UTC
'Nobody should trust Wikipedia,' co-founder Larry Sanger warns
Well, it depends on what you think the truth is.’DailyMail.com has reached out to Wikipedia seeking comment. Sanger cited the entry on Joe Biden, which he says is a sanitized version that doesn’t include arguments from a GOP perspective. Hunter Biden was appointed to the board despite not having any experience in the energy sector. The Joe Biden entry on Wikipedia also makes no mention of Hunter Biden’s laptop. Joe and Hunter Biden have denied any impropriety.
Source:The Nation
July 16, 2021 00:11 UTC
On This Day – 16 July
1895 – Lancashire batsman Archie McLaren scores the first-ever quadruple-hundred (424) in first-class cricket against Somerset at TauntonToday is the 79th birthday of Australian tennis legend Margaret Court1942 – Australian tennis legend Margaret Smith Court was born today. He was the first male to set high-jump world record at Olympics with 2.36 mSouth African all-rounder Shaun Pollock in 48 today1973 – South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock was born today. He was the first South African to take 400 wickets1979 – American double-trap and skeet shooter Kim Rhode was born today. She won Olympic Gold in 1996, 2004, and 2012Welsh soccer winger Gareth Bale1989 – Welsh soccer winger Gareth Bale was born today. He started his club career at Tottenham Hotspur and then transferred to Real Madrid for a record price at that time of € 100.8 million (Rs.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 22:52 UTC
More than 90% of Mississippi COVID cases are among unvaccinated
More than 90 percent of active COVID-19 cases in Mississippi are among unvaccinated people, Governor Tate Reeves, a Republican, said at a news conference on Wednesday. He also stated that 90 percent of hospitalized patients in the state were unvaccinated. Mississippi Gov Tate Reeves encourages his state's residents to get vaccinated, as 90 percent of active COVID cases are among the unvaccinatedIncidence rate of the Detla variant in Mississippi. She also said that the Delta variant was primarily responsible for new cases in the county. In the United States, cases have surged by 84 percent over the last two weeks, from 12,540 average new cases a day on June 30, and 23,151 new cases on July 14.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 21:56 UTC
Sri Lanka trounce Uzbeks to qualify for Asiad
Significantly, Sri Lanka who were hampered by the absence of their three key players, including the main ‘setter’, had to take on a fancied Uzbek side which included much taller spikers who had invaluable European and Turkish Leagues experience. The second round saw the Lankans gaining total control of the proceedings, once enjoying a 11-4 lead in that round. By the time of the second technical time-out, they led 16-8 and ended up winning that round with relative ease by 25-13. In that moment, Tharusha Chamath’s fine serves gave Sri Lanka another four-in-a row and also the win in the third round by 25-22. The victory gave Sri Lanka a place in the September Asiad from the central Asian region.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 21:22 UTC
Priority for EVs if import ban relaxed
By Imsha IqbalThe Ministry of Environment has emphasised on importing Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the grounds of easing the importation of motor vehicles to the country by the Government, The Morning Business learns. Apart from the approval for the strategic plan in order to popularise the use of EVs, the Media Secretary said there are three other factors that were considered as well. Thus, the recommendations proposed by this technical committee are expected to finalise this strategic plan to be presented to the Cabinet. Therefore, the Ministry looks forward to suggesting the use of solar power in generating electricity for these vehicle charging stations. According to the statistics provided by the Department of Motor Traffic, the total number of fossil fuel motor vehicles that have been registered by the end of the year 2020 has exceeded the mark of 8 million.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:52 UTC
‘Fertiliser ban creates brand new problems’
“Our tea is globally recognised, but when our Government makes such a claim, and imposes a fertiliser ban, they are essentially saying our tea is not healthy. Governments should not do business,” he said, adding: “When Governments try to do business, disaster strikes. He further stated that many countries have fallen because governments try to take control of the business. The tea industry feeds the rural economy driven by 500,000 smallholders, estate workers, 550-600 operating factories and many more involved up until the point of export. As a result, the CTTA highlights that this ban will impact the livelihoods of 3 million people.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:18 UTC
A wandering soul – Samu Senanayaka
Samu Senanayaka is a travel content creator known for her vibrant photography and gorgeous landscape shots, featuring herself as a beautiful centrepiece who guides you through Sri Lanka’s many iconic destinations. Samu shared that she is a medical student from Ambalangoda, and that travelling has pretty much been ingrained within her from a very young age. She shared that while she has been travelling for many years now, she only thought to share her journey online very recently. Samu shared that traveling is indeed her hobby and she loves it dearly, and so, all she wishes is to be able to travel. “I kindly request all of them to please travel to your heart’s content and enjoy, but please protect it for our future.”INSTAGRAM: @wandered_soul_sl
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:18 UTC
Film Junkyard: Intensifying The Cut
Ken spoke to Junkyard Theory last week about his extensive career in film editing. “There’s a lot of experimentation processes and ideas because what’s on paper might not work well in the actual situation. The full interview with Ken is available on the Junkyard Theory YouTube channel. Junkyard Theory is Sri Lanka’s first and only film education platform that brings on veteran filmmakers from Hollywood as guest speakers. Their webinars, hosted by Akash Sunethkumara, have been recognised on industry sites such as ‘No Film School’, and the team now runs film courses for upcoming filmmakers in the country.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:18 UTC
China’s post-pandemic economic rebound loses steam
The Chinese economy’s sharp rebound from the corona virus pandemic has now slowed, official figures show. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 7.9% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same time last year. Official figures for June also showed better-than-expected growth for retail sales and industrial production. “China’s economy sustained a steady recovery with the production and demand picking up,” the NBS said in a statement. In April, official figures showed that China’s economy grew a record 18.3% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter last year.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:18 UTC
World TUs’ Federation calls for protestors’ release
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraThe World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), while condemning the arrest and subsequent forcible direction to quarantine the protestors including trade unionists during the recent protests in Sri Lanka, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the arrested protestors. “We denounce the illegal arrests of trade unionists and activists who struggle for the rights and interests of workers, peasants, and students. The international class-oriented trade union movements support the demands of the trade union movements in Sri Lanka,” it added. The Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF), the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) had organised the demonstration against the proposed KNDU Bill. The first World Trade Union Congress (held in Paris from 3 to 8 October 1945), which voted to establish the WFTU, was attended by delegates representing 67 million workers from 56 national organisations from 55 countries and 20 international organisations.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 19:06 UTC
Global recovery is bypassing the poorest countries
Even as the wealthiest nations begin to enjoy a return to prosperity and a semblance of normality, the pandemic continues to ravage the poorest countries. Maternal and child mortality is on the upswing in IDA countries because of reduced access to health services and food. In 2020, the pandemic all but halted economic growth in IDA countries and caused per capita income to shrink by 2.3%. Under the circumstances, IDA countries increasingly will need support in the form of grants or zero-interest loans. IDA countries are eager to do both.
Source:The Nation
July 15, 2021 18:56 UTC