WHO seeks to take political heat out of virus origins debate

The World Health Organization said on Friday it was setting up a new group to trace the origins of the coronavirus, seeking to end what it called “political point-scoring” that had hampered investigations.

China cities declare rain ‘red alerts' as flood death toll hits 21

Five cities in the central Chinese province of Hubei have declared “red alerts” after torrential rain left 21 people dead and forced the evacuation of nearly 6,000 people, state media reported.

Hospital network will cripple if no lockdown imposed soon: Dr. Abeysinghe

Health sector employees were getting infected with the coronavirus which is on the verge of paralysing the hospital network

Age Restrictions On AstraZeneca Shot Ended Reports Of Rare Clots: UK Scientists

LONDON, AUG 11 (REUTERS) - No new cases of rare and severe blood clots following vaccination with AstraZeneca’s COVID shot have been reported in Britain in recent weeks after a decision to restrict its use in under40s, British scientists said on Wednesday.

Amanda Knox Accuses New Movie Of Cashing In On Her Case

Amanda Knox is complaining angrily that the new Matt Damon movie “Stillwater” - a drama about a young American jailed in Europe for a killing she insists she did not commit, cashes in on her own ordeal.

Australia's Capital Goes Into Snap Lockdown

CANBERRA AFP AUG12, 2021 - Australia’s capital Canberra was ordered into a seven-day lockdown Thursday, after a single Covid-19 case was detected in the city that has largely avoided virus restrictions.

South China Sea Becomes Flashpoint Despite War On Covid Virus

While the people all over the world are fighting what appears to be a losing battle against an invisible virus which keeps transforming itself into more virulent forms to stay ahead of any anti-virus medication or vaccines, big powers show no intention of setting aside their power games and pay their total attention on the war against the virus.

Vaccination Does Not Cause Complication To Pregnancy: Dr. Pradeep De Silva

No complications have been reported so far in children born to mothers who have received the COVID vaccine

Indian wrestler Phogat suspended for Olympics misconduct

India’s top wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been suspended for misconduct at the Tokyo Olympics, where she had been one of the country’s top medal hopes, the national federation said Wednesday.

West Indies ‘starting from scratch' before Pakistan Test series

West Indies and Pakistan commence a two-Test series at Sabina Park in Jamaica today with head coach Phil Simmons concerned about the readiness of the home players for what is expected to be a formidable challenge from talented but mercurial opponents.

LAHIRU THIRIMANNE: LEAVING FOR AUSTRALIA THIS MONTH

Sri Lanka’s top-order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne is leaving for Australia this month, it is learnt. According to reliable sources in Sri Lanka, the 32-year old Thirimanne will not play domestic matches this season.

Global warming; A problem for SL too: Dr. Anil Jasinghe

The island states are most likely to be affected by the environmental damage caused by global warming and the impact on countries such as Sri Lanka, in particular, is very high, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Curfew will prevent 1, 200 additional COVID deaths: Medical expert

Immediate imposition of curfew will prevent at least 1,200 additional deaths

Dialog Powers SLC Invitational T20 League

Dialog Axiata PLC has come forth as the title sponsor for the upcoming SLC Invitational T20 League which will be played from August 12 to 14 at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.

ICC Prepares Bid For Cricket's Inclusion In 2028 LA Games

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing a bid for the game’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the governing body said yesterday.

Japan Apologises For SL Woman's Death In Immigration Detention

Sandamali was detained for overstaying her visa after seeking police protection, reportedly to escape an abusive relationship. Pledges to bring in reforms in system. The detention centre in Nagoya in Central Japan “lacked a system to assess the health of detainees and provide medical services. Human Rights campaigners have long criticised conditions in Japanese detention centres

SL Soccerites Out To Improve FIFA Rankings

Sri Lanka will look to improve their FIFA Rankings when they compete in two major international football tournaments in October, this year.

The Public Would Have Assailed Protesting Teachers: Keheliya

Expresses his gratitude for calling off street protests. He said he would not change his stance in calling certain striking teachers and principals as a miserable lot. In the wake of fast spreading pandemic. All successive governments since 1994 failed to find a solution to service and salary issues of the teachers and principals. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is committed to resolve the salary anomalies and service related shortcomings of teachers and principals

OLYMPICS RELATED COVID-19 CASES INCREASES BY 28

The number of Covid-19 positive cases among those who were involved with the Olympic Games rose to 458 yesterday, a day after the conclusion of Tokyo 2020.

Sri Lanka to compete at Asian Youth Para Games

The National Paralympics Committee of Sri Lanka (NPCSL) are planning to field a contingent of around eight to ten athletes for the fourth Asian Youth Para Games, which will be held from December 5 to 9 in Manama, Bahrain.

Shavendra responds to Ranil's criticism

Says decisions taken by the Task Force are collective and not individual decisions. The people are very pleased with the vaccination being carried out by the Armed Forces, especially the Army

Indian fishermen vandalize fishing gear valued Rs.20Mn in Delft: Ministry

Minister Devananda urged to engage India for compensation. Local fishers complain of inability to do fishing due to unlawful acts. The fisheries representatives informed the Minister that it had been extremely difficult for them to engage in fisheries because of poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters

Delta variant like a Tornado hitting all countries

No party should do politics at this hour. No decision on booster shots yet

SL's War On Delta Only To Worsen

With the coming three weeks extremely crucial for Sri Lanka, Health experts have urged people to restrict movement and avoid going out unnecessarily. With beds running out in the main hospitals across the country and no beds available in the Western Province, doctors predict that daily deaths from the COVID-19 will hit at least 200 per day, the health services said. Major hospitals witnessing several deaths per day, are running out of capacity to store the bodies. Doctors are presently battling to provide supportive care to the patients while a COVID-19 outbreak is also spreading among health workers. In addition to more COVID-19 deaths which will be witnessed in the coming weeks, deaths caused by other illnesses will also increase, as people with other sicknesses are presently afraid to visit hospitals. Doctors say that while they were managing to provide oxygen to all patients who required it presently, in a week’s time they may start witnessing deaths due to lack of oxygen

Sunshine Holdings Reports Strong 1Q; But Concerned Over Chemical Fertilizer Ban

Sunshine Holdings PLC reported robust sales in the three months to June (1Q22) powered by its expansive interests into healthcare, consumer goods and agri businesses, but the company is concerned that the recent ban on chemical fertilizer could have a bearing on its plantation sector represented by tea, rubber and palm oil.

One should not harbour negative attitudes towards China

Any pact for financial cooperation should be modelled on the Rubber-Rice Pact

Asia Rugby Sevens 2021 Korean leg cancelled

Asia Rugby (AR) announced the cancellation of the South Korean leg of the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series. This was the first leg of the three-leg series for 2021 which was to be hosted by South Korea on September 4-5 in Incheon.

Japan COVID cases hit 1 million

With a record 15,645 new cases reported on Friday, the total since the pandemic began last year is now above one million

RESURGENT TALIBAN TAKE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, KILL AFGHAN GOV'T SPOKESMAN

The Taliban captured an Afghan provincial capital and assassinated the government’s top media officer in Kabul on Friday, dealing twin high-profile blows to the Western-backed administration.

Thousands flee in Greece as wildfires sweep through Mediterranean

ATHENS, AUG 6 (REUTERS) - Thousands of people fled their homes on the outskirts of Athens on Friday as emergency crews struggled to stop wildfires from spreading to more towns while scorching winds fuelled blazes across Greece for the fourth day.