Twitter trial against Elon Musk begins October 17th
Twitter now has an exact start date for its trial against Elon Musk over his attempt to withdraw from his $44 billion purchase offer. The Vergenotes Delaware Court of Chancery Judge Kathaleen McCormick has scheduled the lawsuit's trial for October 17th. Twitter had pressed for a four-day trial starting in September. Musk's attorneys wanted to push the trial to February 2023, arguing that they needed more time to collect and interpret data on Twitter's volume of fake accounts and bots. That, in turn, may let Twitter either force completion of the deal or demand compensation for a broken agreement.
Source:The Nation
August 30, 2022 21:49 UTC
10 Frequently Misunderstood Works of Literature
Either way, here are 10 of the most commonly misunderstood works of literature. Heathcliff and Cathy’s relationship may have the passion expected of a great love story, but it is ultimately dark and destructive. To Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 is really about the mind-numbing effect of TV, which, in the novel, turns people away from literature. McCandless stirs up opposing opinions: some view him as an inspirational figure of freedom; others believe he was merely foolish. On the other hand, Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film understands that Herbert’s novel is actually about how overzealous belief in leaders has dangerous consequences.
Source:The Nation
August 27, 2022 19:57 UTC
MIUI 13 on Android 13 beta arrives for Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro
Android 13 is now official and smartphone manufacturers are jumping on the hype train to announce their public beta. Xiaomi’s MIUI account posted on Twitter that Android 13 beta is now available for Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro smartphones with global ROM. The first 200 users for each model will get the chance to test the new OS on a first-come-first-serve basis. MIUI 13 on Android 13 for Xiaomi 12All applicants should follow a special Telegram channel for details on the OTA update. The update for Xiaomi 12 is version 13.0.4.0 TLCMIXM, while the Xiaomi 12 Pro is MIUI 13.0.4.0 TLBMIXM.
Source:The Nation
August 27, 2022 09:56 UTC
Amazon knocks $100 off Samsung's Freestyle smart projector
Samsung debuted its Freestyle smart projector earlier this year at CES as a portable home theater gadget with auto focus and auto leveling features, making it easier to watch anything, anywhere. Normally priced at $900, the Freestyle projector is down to $798 at Amazon right now, which is just about $100 off. If you'd rather invest in a new TV than a projector for your home theater setup, some of Samsung's 2022 smart TVs have also been discounted on Amazon. The 85-inch Class Neo QLED Mini LED 4K TV is a whopping $700 off and down to $3,298, which is an all-time low. Elsewhere, Samsung's 65-inch Q80B Series QLED 4K set is $200 off and down to $1,298, while the 65-inch Class Neo QLED 8K Mini LED TV is $500 off and on sale for $4,498.
Source:The Nation
August 26, 2022 16:39 UTC
Monkeypox can spread to pet dogs, doctors report
The CDC has for months advised people with monkeypox to avoid household pets, but the guidance is gaining new attention after a dog reportedly caught the virus. NEW YORK — Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, since the animals could be at risk of catching the virus. The two men were infected with monkeypox after having sex with other partners and wound up with lesions and other symptoms. Monkeypox infections have been detected in rodents and other wild animals, which can spread the virus to humans. But the authors called it the first report of monkeypox infection in a domesticated animal like a dog or cat.
Source:The Nation
August 26, 2022 15:07 UTC
Gota’s life on the run
Gota’s life on the run View(s):Under virtual ’hotel arrest’ in Bangkok, thoughts turn homeboundThe people asked for Gota to go home, not for him to flee the country. Or having long stays at 7-star hotels in the world’s capitals, leaving the Lankan public to pick up the tab? Are the people to believe Cabinet Minister Bandula Gunawardena, the cabinet-appointed cabinet mouthpiece when he states that the State paid the bill? He may even come to hold ‘hotel arrest’ in Thailand, infinitely better than life at home. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom’.
Source:Sunday Times
August 21, 2022 19:12 UTC
Ranil’s political alchemy and bid to make gold
Ranil’s political alchemy and bid to make gold View(s):President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken on the role of an alchemist of sorts. Wickremesinghe’s chosen specialty appears to be Political Alchemy: Mixing up ‘base politicians’ together with other ingredients to produce pure gold recognised worldwide in the 21st Century — the All American Mighty Dollar which could save Sri Lanka from the financial and political crisis it is sinking in. All such events would have a backlash on Ranil’s Political Alchemy of turning out US dollars with IMF and international assistance. Last Thursday’s use of well-armed and uniformed security forces against a peaceful protest of student leaders with tear gas and water cannon would certainly not help in his Political Alchemy or even with his Western democratic supporters. (The writer is a former editor of The Sunday Island, The Island, and consultant editor of the Sunday Leader)
Source:Sunday Times
August 21, 2022 07:00 UTC
High drama at Bangalore summit; Prabhakaran gives Rajiv a slip
High drama at Bangalore summit; Prabhakaran gives Rajiv a slip View(s):Veteran civil servant, diplomat and politician Sarath Amunugama has published volume two of his autobiography ‘Paris and Back’. The Bangalore Oberoi was completed but had not been declared open. In Bangalore, Rajiv shifted the Indian position by suggesting two Provincial Councils — North and East — which as two entities could evolve a system of cooperation at the ground level. However, he was forced to be in attendance in Bangalore but reportedly refused to meet the Sri Lankan President. Some years later both Rajiv and Prabhakaran had premature and violent deaths as a consequence of the Bangalore impasse.
Source:Sunday Times
August 21, 2022 07:00 UTC
The end of contemporary history
The end of contemporary history View(s):By Joschka Fischer, exclusively for the Sunday Times in Sri LankaI cannot recall a time during the past 75 years when there has been such a massive accumulation of major and minor shocks. The world today is dealing with intensifying climate change, a pandemic, major wars, surging inflation, disruptions to international trade and supply chains, and acute food and energy shortages. In short, we are witnessing the denouement of the Pax Americana that underpinned international relations for more than 70 years following World War II. And US leaders mistakenly believed China’s inclusion in the World Trade Organisation and other multilateral arrangements would inevitably lead to its democratisation. COVID-19 and climate change have fundamentally altered the global economic and political calculus and will continue to do so.
Source:Sunday Times
August 07, 2022 13:04 UTC
The task of keeping Ranil on the straight and narrow
If you are unhappy with Uncle Ranil now, the blame for that rests on you too. Some say that even though he is not there, Uncle Ranil has to dance to his tune. You speak of laying down conditions to join Uncle Ranil. Now, the tables have turned: If it suits him, Uncle Ranil might even appoint you as PM! That is to keep Uncle Ranil on the straight and narrow.
Source:Sunday Times
August 07, 2022 01:05 UTC
32 Sri Lankans leaving for overseas jobs every hour
32 Sri Lankans leaving for overseas jobs every hour View(s):By Kapila BandaraFaced with vistas of bankruptcy and hunger, 32 Sri Lankans boarded a flight every hour, every day, the numbers having more than quadrupled in the first 181 days of this year, external sector data from the Central Bank have revealed. Most Sri Lankans are now leaving by themselves without the intervention of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, or job agents. Sri Lankans working overseas remain the single largest net foreign exchange earners of Sri Lanka and by working offshore they also keep the national unemployment rate artificially low. In the six month to June, Sri Lankans overseas sent in US$ 1.61 billion (Rs 576.02 billion). The CBSL data show that in June this year, overseas workers contributed US$ 274 million to the national coffers.
Source:Sunday Times
August 07, 2022 01:05 UTC
Story behind Gotabaya Rajapaksa's dramatic escape
Sunday Times Newspaper report on How President Gotabaya Rajapaksa escaped on 9th JulyPresident Rajapaksa heeded the advice of the security chiefs to make a quick getaway and thus prevent a bloodbath. This is an Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) from the United States Coast Guard and gifted to Sri Lanka. It is not immediately clear whether President Rajapaksa and party disembarked in Trincomalee and flew to the airport in SLAF helicopters or took off from onboard the frigate. With the mobile phones operational, this was how President Rajapaksa telephoned Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to inform him that he would send in his resignation on July 13. He also kept in touch with an immediate circle using his mobile telephone from the AOPV.
Source:Sunday Times
July 18, 2022 04:29 UTC
The story behind Gotabaya’s dramatic escape from Lanka
All this while, President Rajapaksa, a source revealed, was near the BIA weighing options to make a hurried getaway from Sri Lanka. Hence, how permission for a military aircraft to land in Male was sought by the Sri Lanka government remains a critical question. Before he became a cabinet minister in Sri Lanka, his mode of travel to Los Angeles has been via Economy Class. The saga of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing Sri Lanka did not originate at the Bandaranaike International Airport that Tuesday night. This is an Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) from the United States Coast Guard and gifted to Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
July 17, 2022 09:34 UTC
UAL in Top 10 in Corporate Reporting Transparency
UAL in Top 10 in Corporate Reporting Transparency View(s):Union Assurance PLC (UAL) has become the first insurer to reach the Top 10 in Transparency in Corporate Reporting, according to Transparency International Sri Lanka’s (TISL) 2022 report. This achievement is a testament to the rigorous transparent reporting practices followed by the company, UAL said in a media release. It is an independent assessment of corporate disclosure practices, which ranks companies based on three areas crucial to prevent and combat corruption – reporting on anti-corruption programmes, transparency in organisational holdings, and key financial information on domestic operations. UAL Chief Financial Officer, Asha Perera, noted that the company has a strong culture of corporate accountability. Known for its strong ethical values, JKH was ranked number one in Transparency in Corporate Reporting in TISL’s 2022 report.
Source:Sunday Times
July 17, 2022 07:13 UTC
Oh, what a fall was there my countrymen!
Oh, what a fall was there my countrymen! View(s):Quoted above are Mark Antony’s words to the citizens of Rome at the fall of the mighty Caesar. True enough Gotabaya Rajapaksa played an important role as defence secretary to defeat a secessionist enemy and end the war. Among many epitaphs that would surely be written about Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brief presidency one could well be “From grace to disgrace”. They do not need the desire for political change and a new political cultured to be tainted by internal dissension, instability and chaos.
Source:Sunday Times
July 17, 2022 07:13 UTC