Samsung’s free TV service is now available on the web
TL;DR Samsung has quietly made its free TV Plus service available on the web . You no longer have to buy a Samsung phone or TV to try the company’s Plus service. Both Protocol and Android Central note that Samsung made its free TV offering available on the web, letting you stream on virtually any device with a browser. The move puts Samsung TV Plus into competition with other free services, including Pluto TV and Fox’s Tubi. Streaming services often need large audiences to thrive, and the web version could help TV Plus grow.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 16:41 UTC
Freedom Day WILL go ahead on Monday... but with caveats
Sajid Javid today confirmed that the government is pulling the trigger on 'Freedom Day' by axing almost all legal restrictions from next Monday - despite pleading for people need to keep wearing masks and not rush back to offices. Health Secretary Sajid Javid (right) laid out the details of Freedom Day in a statement to MPs this afternoon. Transport services such as the London Underground may decide to make wearing masks a condition of travel. Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan is still considering a bid to force passengers to keep wearing masks on trains, Tube and buses in London. The PM is expected to give final approval for Stage 4 of the roadmap tomorrow, with almost all legal restrictions set to be lifted.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 15:00 UTC
Second phase of CSE digitalization begins
The second phase of the Colombo Stock Exchange digitalization process was launched recently at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) along with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) commenced the digital advancement in Sri Lanka’s capital market with the launch of the first phase of the digitalization of the Stock Market last September and it was intended to ensure uninterrupted access, facilitate investor participation, enhance operational efficiencies and service standards in the capital market. The stock market authority said that following the digitalization of the capital market, more than 65,000 new investors have entered the market and 17,000 new Central Depository (CDS) accounts have been opened with the capability to swiftly download the stock market information. With digitalization, investors will be able to make transactions in Sinhala, Tamil, or English from anywhere in the world, receive monthly publications, exchange and modify information, as well as to open accounts for local companies. Jayasundera, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission Viraj Dayaratne PC, Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange Dumith Fernando, and other members of the Board of Directors were also present, President’s Media Division stated.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 14:15 UTC
A Look At Recommerce: The Second-Hand Economy
To further underscore the importance recommerce has to eBay’s platform, users, and more, eBay has recently released their 2020 Recommerce Report. If young consumers are forming attachments to recommerce now, that buying pattern may continue for years down the line. If they don’t eliminate their purchase entirely, they tend to favor a more affordable used good over something new. Buying a used good means the water, energy, and resources that would have produced a new good don’t have to be consumed, and selling a used good postpones its trip to the landfill. In the industries of apparel and electronics alone, recommerce on eBay conserved 720,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 14:03 UTC
Sri Lanka reports 31 more COVID-19 deaths
July 12, 2021 07:35 pmThe Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 31 more COVID-19 related fatalities that have occurred yesterday (July 12). The new development has pushed the official death toll due to the virus in Sri Lanka to 3,533. According to the data released by the Department of Government Information, the new victims confirmed today include 15 females and 16 males. None of them are aged below 30 years, five victims are between 30-59 years and the remaining 26 are aged 60 and above.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 14:03 UTC
Nothing ear (1) will be 20% cheaper in India
Nothing has revealed the ear (1) will be priced at €99/£99/$99 but some markets will get it even cheaper than that. The upcoming earphones with ANC will be sold in India for INR5,999, which is about $80, said Manu Sharma - VP and general manager at Nothing. Quick math shows the price is 20% cheaper than the American one and even more than the European and British ones where devices are traditionally more expensive due to tariffs. Later, in a press release we received, Sharma has confirmed the earbuds will be sold on Flipkart, which isn’t surprising - the tech company already confirmed the sales of the ear (1) will be predominantly online. The full specs sheet and actual availability dates will be unveiled on July 27 at 14:00 BST (18:30 IST).
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 13:30 UTC
OnePlus confirms Nord 2 display specs: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?
It’s offering largely the same display as the original Nord. Now, the Chinese manufacturer has revealed display details, and they look very familiar. This means the Nord 2 essentially has the same screen as the original Nord, which was equipped with a 6.44-inch 90Hz OLED panel and HDR10+ support. The original Nord offered an FHD+ resolution, so we’re guessing the successor is equipped with a similar display resolution too. Nevertheless, a 90Hz OLED panel is still pretty solid for a mid-range phone in 2021.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 13:18 UTC
Limited inter-provincial transport services available from Wednesday
The government has taken a decision to commence limited inter-provincial transport facilities from Wednesday (July 14). However, these services will only be available for those who are engaged in essential services, State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama. Speaking to the media at a vaccine drive in Kandy, the State Minister said that railway services too would commence in parallel to this program. He said, “Limited transport services will commence from Wednesday. In addition, the rules laid down for public servants and private-sector essential service employees who travel between the provinces must be followed.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 12:00 UTC
Sri Lanka receives ICU equipment to battle COVID-19 pandemic
UNICEF today handed over a consignment of critical equipment to the Ministry of Health, to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka. The supplies include essential intensive care unit equipment such as ventilators, nebulizers, multipara monitors, and pulse oximeters. The equipment was handed to Lakshmi Somatunga, the Additional Secretary for Public health Services, representing the Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi by Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative to Sri Lanka, and David McKinnon, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. This kind of collaboration, before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that by working together, we can save lives and help improve services to respond to urgent needs”. Speaking during the handover, Mr Skoog said, “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has supported the efforts of the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that critical healthcare is provided, especially to the most vulnerable, including women and children”.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 11:26 UTC
COPE Committee directs NHDA to submit report on recruitment
The COPE Committee has directed the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) to submit a report on recruitment within a month, including overstaffing. Meanwhile, it was revealed at the COPE Committee that Rs. 583 million had been paid for the 3700 trained officers recruited to the National Housing Development Authority during the period 2017-2019. The National Housing Development Authority informed the Committee that legal action would be taken to reclaim the land. The committee meeting was convened to examine the current performance of the National Housing Development Authority.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 11:02 UTC
Sajith joins discussion on X-Press Pearl disaster
A discussion was held this morning, chaired by Justice Minister Ali Sabry, with regard to seeking compensation for the damage caused by the fire onboard the ‘X-Press Pearl’ containership. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunwardena, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and other officials. The discussion focused on Sri Lanka seeking compensation from the operator of the ill-fated feeder for the environmental damages caused by the ship’s sinking. Meanwhile State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says that compensation for fishermen effected by X-Press Pearl disaster will be deposited to their bank accounts from today (12). The chemical-laden feeder containership X-Press Pearl sank on June 2 and touched the sea bottom off Colombo Port in Sri Lanka after burning for almost two weeks.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 09:33 UTC
Sri Lanka reports another 1,804 coronavirus recoveries
July 12, 2021 03:12 pmThe Ministry of Health reported that another 1,804 coronavirus patients have been discharged after completing their recovery, within the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of Covid-19 recoveries in the country to 246,241. Sri Lanka has reported a total of 274,538 positive cases of Covid-19 so far while 24,795 infected patients are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 09:33 UTC
Oil spill reported in Hambantota Port yesterday
An oil spill occurred at the Hambantota Port at approximately 6pm on Sunday, 11th of July 2021, the port said in a statement today. The incident occurred whilst a bunkering barge was refueling a commercial vessel that had called at the port. Immediate action was initiated by the port as per the Standard Operational Policy and Emergency Response Plan to contain and clean the pollutant with booms laid to curb the spread. “We immediately informed the Marine Environment Protection Authority(MEPA) and the Harbour Master as per our emergency response plan, and we hope to complete the ongoing cleaning operations within the next few days,”says Ravi Jayawickreme,CEO of HambantotaInternational Port Service.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 09:00 UTC
Jeff Bezos congratulates Richard Branson on his maiden space voyage
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos has offered his congratulations to Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson on his maiden voyage into space. Tourists are expected to pay 250,000 US dollars (£180,000) for a spaceflight on Virgin Galactic, which includes four minutes of zero gravity. Prior to the flight, Bezos had posted a photo of Branson with the caption: 'wishing you and the whole team a successful and safe flight tomorrow. Jeff Bezos posts a message to Richard Branson (pictured) on July 10, 2021: @richardbranson wishing you and the whole team a successful and safe flight tomorrow. On the ground, Michael Colglazier, chief executive of Virgin Galactic, said: 'This is a landmark moment for Virgin Galactic.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 08:48 UTC
Cannabis cultivation and export act soon: MP Diana Gamage
Speaking to The Morning, Gamage stated that an act is currently being prepared to this effect and the subject is in continuous discussion with the nation’s top Ayurvedic doctors. When queried on her thoughts on the recreational use of cannabis in Sri Lanka, Gamage stated that classifying cannabis as a drug is where “it all went wrong”. In April this year, she proposed in Parliament that Sri Lanka should legalise the cultivation and export of medicinal cannabis to other countries. It is accepted globally, over 50 countries engage in cannabis cultivation. Gamage noted that she plans on continuously pursuing this initiative and will stand as an advocate for the cause.
Source:The Nation
July 12, 2021 08:37 UTC