Brexit Offers Britain Chance To Do Financial Services Differently – Minister

REUTERS, 27TH DECEMBER, 2020 - Brexit offers Britain a chance to do things differently in financial services, finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday, but it will co-operate with the European Union on an approach to the sector despite little detail on the topic in its trade deal.

Trump refuses to budge over aid bill, imperiling jobless benefits for millions

WASHINGTON (REUTERS), 26 DEC, 2020 - Millions of Americans are about to see their jobless benefits expire on Saturday as President Donald Trump has so far refused to sign into law a $2.3 trillion pandemic aid and spending package, insisting that it did not do enough to help everyday people.

CONVERGENCE OF AGRARIAN DISCONTENT IN SOUTH ASIA

With protests becoming catalysts for anti-authoritarian struggle, the air is ripe for new visions of rural emancipation

LET'S NOT HAVE BRUSHES WITH THE LAW!

Christmas is associated with such a festive jeer that it looks unthinkable to make people remain low key during this period. Already we see posts on social media regarding people driving on the expressways to get to their party destinations.

ASTRA ZENECA-OXFORD COVID VACCINE

THE CURRENT VARIANT MORE VIRULENT THAN THAT OF THE FIRST WAVE

Christmas message of President

Christmas is also a joyous occasion for Christian families to get-together, exchange gifts, forget enmity and renew bonds”

UNHRC AND THE TAMIL PARTIES' DESPERATION

Tamil nationalistic politics which have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and related politics seems to be gaining momentum with the next session of the United Nations Huma Rights Council (UNHRC) early next year.

Kusal Perera likely to play as opener- Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne, yesterday hinted that Kusal Perera - the hero of the country’s successful tour of South Africa early last year – would be in line to open the batting in order to fill the slot left vacant by Oshada Fernando who is unlikely to recover from injury in time for the first Test against South Africa.

DIALOG EXTEND PARTNERSHIP WITH SLC FOR THREE MORE YEARS

Dialog Axiata PLC will continue its long-standing partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as the Official National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket until 2023.

Joseph and Mary unified in obedience, trek to Bethlehem, for the fulfillment of the Prophecy

“But You Bethlehem of Ephrathah who are one of the little clans of Judah from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2)

CHRISTMAS HERALDS THE BIRTH OF THE ETERNAL GALILEAN

Two thousand years ago there lived in the humble sea-side hamlet of Nazareth to the south of Galilee in Palestine, a carpenter’s son by the name of Jesus.

Trippier Suspended For 10 Weeks Over Betting Breaches

Atletico Madrid and England right-back, Kieran Trippier has been suspended for 10 weeks and fined 70,000 pounds (US$ 94,052.00) following a breach of betting rules, the Football Association (FA) said yesterday.

EU Acts To Prepare Path To Brexit Trade Deal

European Union member states have started to prepare their procedure to implement a new trade deal with the United Kingdom from Jan. 1, three diplomatic sources in the bloc told Reuters, indicating that agreement could be imminent

Covid-19 Vaccine Deliveries Begin From Belgium To EU Countries

The delivery of the new Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, approved by the European Union this week, began on Wednesday to prepare for the first vaccine shots in the bloc to be given at the weekend.

US Loses One Life Every 33 Seconds To Covid-19

In the United States last week, someone died from Covid-19 every 33 seconds.

Russia summons French, German Swedish envoys over Navalny case

Russia summoned the heads of the French, German and Swedish embassies to its Foreign Ministry in Moscow to discuss the case of dissident Alexei Navalny.

‘SRI LANKA ARMY WAY FORWARD STRATEGY 2020-2025' LAUNCHED

The Sri Lanka Army, yesterday launched its much-researched and meticulously compiled ‘Sri Lanka Army Way Forward Strategy 20202025’ (SLAWFS) policy document at the Army HQ.

U.S. issues additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials

The United States on Monday imposed additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses.

Nepal PM seeks control of communist party, rivals ‘sack' him as party boss

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attempted to consolidate his control over the Nepal Communist Party on Tuesday

Jacques Kallis joins coaching team for Sri Lanka tour

South Africa legend Jacques Kallis will join England as batting consultant for their tour of Sri Lanka in January.

Indian Farmers Vow To Carry On Protests Despite Cold, Deaths

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers, protesting over agricultural laws that they say threaten their livelihoods, have vowed to carry on their around-the-clock sit-ins despite cold weather that has already led to some deaths among them.

EU Agency Recommends Authorizing Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends coronavirus vaccine jointly produced by BioNTech and Pfizer.

Sri Lanka Badminton Picks Elite Squad Of 12

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) has formed an Elite Squad of 12 players who it regards as its best prospects over the next three-year period until 2022.

New Amami Factory Opens In Kadawatha

The new factory for Amami brand products in Kadawatha was recently declared open by Ranil de Silva, the first Sri Lankan to manufacture and supply amenity kits for tourist hotel services.

UK Cut Off Over New Coronavirus Variant Fears

The list of European Union countries stopping flights from Britain continued to grow on Sunday as alarmed officials reacted to a new, highly contagious variant of the coronavirus that has sent London and south-eastern England into lockdown.

Trump downplays impact of massive hacking, questions Russian involvement

US, (REUTERS), 19 DEC, 2020 - U.S. President Donald Trump, in his first comments about a widespread data breach across the U.S. government, on Saturday downplayed the cyber espionage campaign and questioned whether Russia was to blame as alleged by his own top diplomat.

Central Crusaders win inaugural Li Ning – Lanka Shuttle Challenge

Central Crusaders led by Buwaneka Goonathilake emerged champions of the inaugural Li Ning – Lanka Shuttle Challenge after overcoming Sachin Dias-led Southern Stars 4-2 at Sri Lanka Badminton courts in Colombo yesterday.

South Korea sets record COVID-19 cases as prison reports major outbreak

SEOU L (REUTER S), 20 DEC, 2020 - South Korea reported a record 1,097 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, including an outbreak in a Seoul prison that infected 185 as the country’s latest wave of COVID-19 worsens.

LOCKDOWNS TIGHTENED ACROSS BRITAIN OVER NEW CORONAVIRUS VARIANT FEARS

Lockdown rules in London and parts of south and eastern England have been tightened due to concerns about a new variant of the coronavirus, as Scotland and Wales took their own measures in response to the new strain.

CDB among Business Today Top 30 for second year

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB), which now stands among the Top Five Largest NBFIs in the country, added to its significant collective of accolades by being recognized within the Business Today (BT) Top 30.