Football's social media boycott reached 1.7BILLION as leading stars and sports joined in
English football's social media boycott in response to racism and abuse online reached 1.7 billion people after all major sports and leading personalities joined in, the EFL has revealed today. Leading sports stars, clubs and organisations took part in a four-day social media blackout, led by the EFL, to tackle abuse and discrimination from Friday April 30. The campaign was designed to force social media companies to take more effective action against users of their platforms, who are abusive to footballers and sports stars. England cricket captain Eoin Morgan echoed the ECB's demands that social media companies must do more to stamp out online abuse'We know a social media boycott alone is not enough. It is expected to enforce a duty of care on social media companies, establishing financial consequences for them if they fail to adequately protect users.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 08:48 UTC
COVID-19 virus spreading in Sri Lanka is of UK variant - Chief Epidemiologist
Health officials warn that the number of daily reported cases of COVID-19 infection may increase in the next few days. Commenting on this, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, said that a large number of COVID-19 cases have been reported so far. He stated that the virus that has spread in Sri Lanka is of the variant found in the United Kingdom (UK). He says that the UK variant must have entered Sri Lanka from someone who arrived in the country from abroad. The Chief Epidemiologist also added that the Indian variant of the virus entered Sri Lanka through an Indian national.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 08:15 UTC
Showers in south-western, north-western areas likely to enhance
The Department of Meteorology warns that the showery condition over the south-western and north-western parts of the island is likely to enhance during the next 24 hours. Showers or thundershowers can be expected at times in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western, Southern and North-western provinces. Meanwhile, heavy rains above 100 mm will occur at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers are expected at several places elsewhere during the evening or night. Wind speed can increase up to (40-50) kmph at times over in Western, Sabaragamuwa,Central, Southern, Northern, North central and North-western provinces.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 08:15 UTC
Cringeworthy snaps reveal VERY non-traditional antics at weddings
By Latoya Gayle For MailonlinePublished: 03:41 EDT, 13 May 2021 | Updated: 03:41 EDT, 13 May 2021Weddings are supposed to be one of the best day of your life but these photos prove things don't always go to plan. Guests from around the world shared photos of the bizarre and outrageous things they've spotted, with the best examples rounded up by My Health Gazette. One photo shows a bridal party posing with portable toilets, while another shows a guest who appears to have worn white to someone else's big day. Elsewhere is a snap of a wedding guest who could be mistaken for the bride because of her white floor-length gown. Here, FEMAIL rounds up some of the most shocking wedding moments...My Health Gazette has rounded up a selection of cringe-worthy wedding photos from around the world - including a bridal party who posed alongside portable toilets in BostonHere comes the bride?
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 08:06 UTC
Redmi Note 10S launched in India to take on Realme 8, Redmi Watch comes in tow
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android AuthorityXiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 10S and the Redmi Watch in India.The Redmi Note 10S starts at Rs 14,999, while the Redmi Watch comes in at Rs 3,999. The device expands the existing Redmi Note 10 lineup in the country which includes the Redmi Note 10, Note 10 Pro, and Note 10 Pro Max. You’ll get the standard 60Hz refresh rate on the Redmi Note 10S, the same as the vanilla Redmi Note 10. In the imaging department, the Redmi Note 10S one-ups the standard Note 10’s primary sensor. Redmi Note 10S India price and availabilityThe Redmi Note 10S will go on sale in India starting May 18 for Rs 14,999 (~$203) for the 64GB model and Rs 15,999 (~$217) for the 128GB variant.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 07:18 UTC
Driving tests: Learners face months of waiting to book
Frustrated learner drivers are finding they have to wait months on end to book a driving test after a surge in demand when lockdown restrictions lifted. Both car driving tests and lessons were suspended for months due to the pandemic until mid-April when thousands sought to book their exams after a long wait. It added this will increase as coronavirus restrictions lift whilst it is also recruiting new examiners to help reduce the backlog of driving tests caused by the pandemic. For the same period in 2019, some 53,000 theory tests expired. If a candidate fails their practical driving test and wants to resit it they have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 07:01 UTC
Eighteen more Covid-19 deaths reported on Wednesday
The Director-General of Health Services confirmed that Sri Lanka has reported 18 more deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday (May 12). As per the Department of Government Information, the reported deaths had occurred between May 09 and May 12. Among the deceased are 06 female patients and 12 male patients. They are identified as residents of Wanduramba, Imaduwa, Walasamulla, Mathugama, Melsiripura, Kurunegala, Alwwa, Moronthuduwa, Omalpe, Embilipitiya, Haldanduwana, Kandegedara, Passara, Colombo 05, Vavuniya, Thalgaswala, and Beruwala. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka has risen to 868.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 04:18 UTC
SAGE experts 'will hold emergency meeting over the spread of the Indian variant in UK'
AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine appears to be protecting people from the Indian variant of the virus, reports suggest. For this reason their data do not include every case of the Indian variant identified. Early results show immunity sparked by the jabs is still effective against the Indian variant, although scientists say more studies are needed. SAGE minutes from their meeting on May 5, and published yesterday, show Number 10's top scientists are already raising concerns over the Indian variant. Bolton is also being hit by an increase in coronavirus cases, which experts fear may be linked to the spread of the highly-infectious Indian variant.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 04:02 UTC
Sinopharm, Sputnik V jabs administered to more than 80,000 yesterday
Sri Lanka has vaccinated a total of 80,277 individuals with Sinopharm and Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines on Wednesday (May 12), says State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana. The Sinopharm vaccine was first administered to Chinese nationals residing in Sri Lanka after a consignment of 600,000 doses arrived on the island on March 31. Meanwhile, a total of 14,673 individuals in the country have received the Russia-made coronavirus vaccine’s first dose so far. Sri Lanka received the first batch of Sputnik V vaccine containing 15,000 doses on May 04. State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, stated that Sri Lanka is awaiting 600,000 more doses of the Russian vaccine within the next two weeks.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 03:45 UTC
448 arrested for quarantine law violations yesterday
Sri Lanka Police says that 448 persons have been arrested in connection with the offences of violating quarantine rules and regulations such as face masks and social distancing within yesterday. Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that up to date a total of 8,747 suspects have been arrested for the same offences since October 2020. He said that quarantine operations area being conducted continuously across the island. Meanwhile special operations have been conducted in Western Province yesterday and 380 places including gymnasiums, indoor sports centers and wine stores have been checked by police along with health authorities. He said that 25 persons have been arrested in connection with violations of quarantine rules and regulations at these locations.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 03:04 UTC
Laverton, Melbourne: Video shows a hoodie-wearing eshay setting fire to a train before walking away
The video released by police on Thursday morning showed the man casually pouring accelerant from a plastic water bottle over three seats on the train in Laverton in Melbourne's south-west. Police allege the man set fire to the train while it was stopped at Laverton station on March 16. In January a young 'eshay' with a mullet threatened to bash an adult on a Melbourne train, before declaring that he 'owns Frankston'. The term eshay is similar to the UK phrase 'chav' and can be interchangeable with 'lad', which in turn sometimes becomes 'adlay'. 'Eshay' may have started as 'eshay adlay' - pig Latin for 'he's lad' or be related to 'sesh', for a prolonged period of drug consumption.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 02:02 UTC
The $30 Kmart cleaning buy you need to know about
By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 21:25 EDT, 12 May 2021 | Updated: 02:57 EDT, 13 May 2021A $30 cleaning buy from Kmart has caught the attention of shoppers around Australia for its affordable pricetag and practical design. The new Rechargeable Cleaning Brush can be used to clean tight spaces, surfaces and grout around the home and features four interchangeable attachments. In the video the woman used the buy to clean various areas around the house, including the bathroom windows, tile grout, kitchen bench and filthy tray. The different attachments include a scouring pad, hard brush head, find brush head and crevice cleaning brush - which can all be used with water. The popular buy isn't available on the Kmart website, but customers have confirmed they have seen it in stores.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 01:30 UTC
‘Regaining momentum amidst continuing headwinds’
He stated that technology has played a key role in the transformation of cities and that has led to the emergence of the Digital City concept. He highlighted that digital jobs can thrive with new concepts such as Work from Home and Sri Lanka has the capacity to build on that. A Digital City is expected to have streamlined services relating to transport, health, education, and all the primary services that people look forward to. The discussion went on to show a clear pathway where Sri Lanka can adapt the Digital City concept in the long run. The next pillar is to streamline transportation within the city, from the city and into the city.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 01:06 UTC
Identity issues continuing to fuel Mid-East conflict
By Capt Elmo Jayawardena[email protected]A few months ago, I was in Hong Kong, visiting a well-known charity organisation called Crossroads. When the skies were friendly, it was a thrill to land at Kai Tak. Every time a pilot landed in Hong Kong in the olden days, there was that gleam in the eye. Dark grey clouds hung low, covering the mountains and the Chequered Board was hardly visible. I could not let this young man go and run through a flying career having never landed in Kai Tak.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 01:06 UTC
Kosgoda Tharaka shot dead by police
Notorious underworld figure “Kosgoda Tharaka”, who was under detention order with Peliyagoda Special Crimes Division, has been shot dead early this morning at Meerigama when he tried to attack police while recovering some weapons, police said. Tharaka Perera Wijesekara alias “Kosgoda Tharaka” is the main suspect in the Matara jewellery store heist in 2018, which resulted in the death of a police officer following a shoot-out between criminals and the police. He was arrested on June 22, 2018 after he had been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital with gunshot wounds, along with two more gang members, following the shootout with police during an armed robbery at a jewellery shop in Matara. Kosgoda Tharaka had been wanted in connection with murders and several other crimes.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 00:56 UTC