Russia’s military lost two jets, 13 tanks and a helicopter over the last 24 hours, Ukraine’s military claimed Friday, despite Putin claiming the annexation of four Ukrainian regions a few hours later.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detailed Russia’s combat losses between the beginning of the war on February 24 and September 30, as well as those from the last day.

It estimated that 59,080 Russian troops and military personnel had died in the fighting since the war started in february 2022, including 500 over on Friday.

They also said Russia had lost 13 tanks in the last day, and more than 2,300 since the beginning of the fighting. Russia lost two jets last friday, contributing to the 264 it has lost in total since the start of the conflict.

On Friday, Russia lost one helicopter to Ukrainian forces; it has lost 225 overall since February 24.

Incredibly, in the last 24 hours before the announcement, Russia lost 23 armored combat machines (APVs), six artillery systems, an anti-aircraft warfare system and eight UAVs.

Russia cannot replace the tanks and planes lost and has started pulling outdated models out of retirement to replace their losses.

When the sound of gunfire and exploding shells suddenly died away at midnight, the peaceful strains of Silent Night in German wafted across to the Allies in their trenches. Sung in an unfamiliar language, the much-loved notes came floating across the harsh, unforgiving landscape of no-man’s land. Soon the British joined in too, singing in their own language and the strange duet hung suspended over the battle-scarred trenches where lay the “living, dead and the damned,” in the words of a popular song by the Irish group Celtic Thunder. 

And for a while the stench of fear and death faded, to be replaced by a spirit of camaraderie and good cheer. 

At dawn, the first German soldiers bravely climbed out of their trenches, and approached the British lines, wary of being fired upon. Each side thought it to be a trick of some kind, ready to fire at the slightest provocation. Till they realised that the soldiers were unarmed and came in peace. 

Soon a swarm of officers and soldiers from both sides surged across battle scarred no-man’s land and greeted each other, shaking hands warmly and wishing each other Merry Christmas in their own native tongue. They buried their dead and shared cigarettes, chocolates, bottles of wine and food. 

In the spirit of Christmas Good Cheer, they posed for photographs together and looked at pictures of their loved ones at home. While they spoke different languages, the sentiments expressed were universal – of love, friendship and humanity- which are the same in all languages and need no words to understand. 

As they “Built a Soldier’s truce, along the front line”, in the words of the Celtic Thunder song.

Many of the soldiers were mere boys, less than twenty years old, fighting in an alien land for King and country, in a senseless war that they did not understand. In subhuman conditions of mud and slush and rotting bodies. The killing was on a scale never witnessed before in human history and an entire generation was lost in the trenches, on either side. Their memory is preserved only in the neat rows of thousands of white headstones adorned by red poppies, flowering in the war cemeteries of Flanders, Ypres, Verdun, Somme and other killing fields of the Western Front. 

As they lay in “some corner of a foreign field that would be forever England” as poet Rupert Brooke so poignantly said in his famous poem “Nineteen Fourteen: The Soldier.”

In 2014, a hundred years after that time, chocolate maker Sainsbury’s created an advertisement for their chocolates based on that incredible Christmas Truce and the true stories around it. Made with sensitivity and an eye for detail and authenticity, the advertisement shows the momentary surprise of British soldiers in their trenches as Christmas Carols come riding on the wind from the German side at night, as they willingly join in with the chorus in their own language.

This is followed by two soldiers, one British and one German, climbing out of their trenches disregarding the warnings of their mates, terror and tension writ large on their faces as they walk uncertainly across to the other side, their hands up in the air. The tension eases only when they are sure that the other side realises that they come in peace. 

They shake hands, introducing themselves to each other, simply as Jim and Otto. By then hundreds of soldiers from both sides have joined them and are mingling freely with each other. Some of them throw down their greatcoats on the ground in the time-honoured manner, to mark goalposts and engage in a game of light-hearted football, in war torn no -man’s land. 

When the call comes to return to battle, they wish each other well and reluctantly turn back towards their respective trenches as the fighting resumes. No one ever wants a war, but it has been thrust upon us, many times in the history of mankind.  Back in his trench, Otto realises that Jim has put a bar of Sainsbury’s chocolate given to him by a loved one, in his greatcoat pocket and the advert ends with a message celebrating the Christmas spirit of sharing. The unspoken feeling in his wistful smile is that if these two young men were to survive the War, they could easily become the best of friends. 

This moving story is a wonderful affirmation that even in the darkest of times, in the heat of war in the most dreadful of situations, there can be great humanity and grace shining through, in ordinary folk. And that is a message that the world needs today more than ever before, in these fractured, divisive times.

For it holds a great promise for mankind when two nations locked in deadly, mortal kombat, can on Christmas Day, lay aside their arms and share smokes, play a game and wish each other happiness.

More than a hundred years on, the incredible graciousness and magnanimity of that moving event, continues to tug at heartstrings and raise goose pimples. And although the advert was made to honour the amazing Christmas Truce and the people engaged in that War, it also honours and commemorates the sacrifices of anyone who has ever served their country and donned a uniform, anywhere in the world. 

While carrying at the same time, a wonderful message of the Christmas and New Year Spirit that is relevant and cherished, even today. 

Though ancient history records many stories of caring for sick and elderly by institutions and individuals, Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing in the 19^th century.  

To ensure standards are maintained for patience at all times nurses were taught ethics, knowledge, and techniques related to management in nursing. In earlier days many young women were attracted to this noblest profession, and later males too joined in. Caring for the needy had been always a challenge. The ongoing pandemic has relived many stories of nursing staff’s courage and heroism from all over the world. By now they have stretched their services above and beyond, but still continue their efforts in supporting patience and saving lives.

Who can predict what lays in the future? Any medical crises will make the nursing staff tiring and stressed. It is time that health authorities take appropriate measures to ensure nursing staff’s wellbeing further.

 Below given facts highlights their present-day role and challenges.

Statistics courtesy by International council of Nurses.

We thank you for your services.

I share my views on “Jayasri” with a lot of pride as not only they are world-renowned musicians but as they are my relatives too. I had the pleasure of growing with them and within the family circle, they were known as Aiya, Malli. Even to date majority of the elderly relatives affectionately call them, Aiya & Malli. 

Daily at dawn, they paddle the bicycle from home to the Naththandiya railway station to catch the train. I too join from Kochchikade railway station and get onto the same compartment. The destination is Marist Stella College Negombo. What fun we had traveling together to school, While Rohitha was an academic star in our school I and Rohan were known to be a little notorious. My mother’s frequently used term was “birds of same feathers flocks together” and she was right as usual, we flocked together looking for trouble.

Let’s go to the next chapter, since there are many shocking historical facts I don’t want to write.

They had a gift for music even as kids. I recall Rev. Bro. Milton who was a music lover himself gave them guitar lessons. They performed for the first time in front of an audience at a college event. Rohan sang and Rohitha was at drums. It was indeed a good start for the twins to begin their musical journey and what a memory they left for the audience that day.

Our time was spent listening to a lot of pop music. Whether it be Rap Roots, Rock Reggae, or Dancehall we grew up listening to different types of music in that era. It would be too long to write all the good and embracing moments we encountered. Let’s leave that part to another day.   

Uncle Jayalath, Rohitha, and Rohan’s father was a real cool guy. Respect and discipline were on top of his priority list. Things moved faster and methodically under his supervision. He financed and managed the band “Serendib” and everything was running like a Swiss watch. No wonder, uncle Jayalath was an ex-serviceman. Serendib saga continued and they became one of the best pop cover bands in Sri Lanka. They reached their peak in the early nineties and a temporary setback occurred when Anil, their keyboardist joined another musical band. Subsequently, they found Anton, whose skills were second to none. The real turn up took effective when Rohitha had to leave to Europe for higher studies. Younger brother Rohan, now been a season guy took over, with his father backing him up and started moving forward.  

‘We actually talked musics… We grew up with it’

Successful years passed by. Then Aiya wanted Malli to come to Austria and join him. With the twins teaming up, Austria itself was to embrace a dramatic musical change.  Twins were getting some exposure by now and they put their talents and experience to the practice. It worked and they were heading for success. The Austrians went crazy and went on to name them as the local Milli Vanilli.

Meanwhile I too had decided to move to Canada. I use to chit-chatting with them more often. I remember one-day Rohitha said, they are more focused on playing reggae versions in clubs and concerts. This was really good news for me since, instantly my mind said this would be the opportunity for them to move to the international stage one day.  I believed this was a great move as the Caribbean music especially the versions from Jamaica was loved by all. Rohan and Rohitha’s skill and their unique style of music composing had many similarities to reggae music. As a result of that decision, their names are now besides the legends, UB 40, Alpha Blondy, Wailers, Morgan Heritage plus heavy rock bands like Scorpions. 

Jayasiri’s finest moment came when they won the European Music Awards in 2003 and indeed it was a proud moment for all Sri Lankans and Maristonians.

Edmonton, Canada performance in 2018.

Good musicians Great performers.

Bono, Penélope and more stars in animated series on vaccine importance

With the health concerns of one Covid 19 vaccine, some countries have imposed temporary halts on vaccinating their population against the Pandemic. Concerns have arisen whether it is the correct decision after all.  As usual, someone can come to the conclusion, if these decisions were based on political reasoning or scientific reasoning. Further adding fuel to the fire it’s believed that few so-called “rich” countries have stockpiled vaccination doses in addition to their requirements. Where will all these lead? Some low-income countries have not got a single vaccination dose to date. Will some be left behind at the end? What will be the solution way forward?

What is the best Vaccine? What ever you can get – WHO

Meanwhile, ONE Campaign an organization based in the United States has taken the initiative to produce a seven-episode animation release called” Pandemica” to draw positive global attention on vaccine access to all, in order to bring an end to the current pandemic crises. The animated episodes will be released in the United States, Canada, some countries in Europe and Africa, and South Africa in few days.

Renowned celebrities have shown their concerns too and have agreed to join the campaign to help voice the animated characters. Their effort is to bring awareness to the importance of vaccinating everyone against the Pandemic. U2 frontman, Penelope Cruz, David Oyelowo, and many more will lend voices to the success of this animated series. They believe creating opportunities for all to be vaccinated will help to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

No matter what the final outcome may be their efforts are to be commended. Looking at a positive perspective we must hope for better results as animation-based movies and TV series and their messages have managed to bring powerful messages to all ages and groups. 

The series is illustrated by artist Andrew Rae with animation by Titmouse and music and sound design by Father, and created and produced in partnership with Hive.

Andrew Rae work – “The science of Happiness” published in the New York Times.

Who is this Andrew Rae?

Andrew Rae is an illustrator who uses simple hand rendered line and a combination of paper, felt pens, watercolour, ipad, iMac and Wacom pads and screens to render irreverent images of characters, ghouls, robots, machines and creatures which are used in an editorial, publishing, advertising, animation and mural context. He is a regular contributor to The New York Times Magazine and has worked for many clients worldwide including Apple, The London Science Museum, Google and The Guardian.

He was art director on the award winning BBC animation Monkey Dust, his graphic novel “Moonhead and the Music Machine” is published by Nobrow and he has illustrated “This is Warhol”, “This is Dali”, “Where’s Warhol” and “My Crazy Inventions Sketchbook” published by Laurence King. He currently lives and works in London near Highgate Cemetery.

The decision ushered in a shift in its centre of gravity from the ‘developed’ to the ‘developing’ world.

This in turn helped convince Kwame Nkrumah in the run up to Ghana’s independence in 1957 that his own radical, Pan-Africanist agenda was wholly compatible with Commonwealth membership. Ghana became a member not because Britain wanted it to, but because Nkrumah wanted it.

Thereafter, the struggle to free Southern Africa from white minority rule – in Rhodesia which illegally declared its independence in 1965, and South Africa under the policy of apartheid – became the issue that gave the Commonwealth a sense of mission and purpose.

An organizational milestone came in 1965 when a secretariat was created at the urging of Nkrumah and Ugandan leader, Milton Obote. Zimbabwe joined the Commonwealth in 1980 after gaining independence in what appeared to be a major victory for the Commonwealth.

The organization had played a major role in ensuring an orderly transfer of power. Although by the same token, Zimbabwe’s departure from the Commonwealth in 2003 seemed to many to be a failure of Commonwealth diplomacy.

When Lusophone Mozambique joined in 1995, the door was opened to other states that had not been colonized by the British. With its joining shared values apparently became more of a uniting factor than a shared history.

Rwanda joined in 2009. It is the only other current member not to have links to the British Empire. In short, the development of the Commonwealth has owed at least as much to African as to British diplomacy.

The Commonwealth as currently constituted is not a particularly effective organization. Membership carries few economic benefits, unless one believes the rather flimsy research from the Secretariat pointing to a Commonwealth trade advantage. The lack of consistent comparative data on trade costs, and the wide variations in the extent to which Commonwealth countries trade with fellow members, make it very difficult to prove the existence of this ‘advantage’.

It had been suggested that Brexit would deepen economic ties with Commonwealth members in Africa. But a recent trade summit between the UK and African countries produced very little.

This, plus the pandemic, has taken the shine off some earlier predictions of a boom in UK-African trade.

Meanwhile, the secretariat itself and its development arm have seen their budgets slashed in recent years. Donors have withdrawn or withheld funding in some very public displays of no-confidence in the leadership of the current secretary general, Patricia Scotland.

Finally, its record in enforcing adherence to shared Commonwealth values, particularly in the field of human rights and democracy, is far from impressive.

In 2013, the organisation adopted a charter full of laudable aspirations about justice, democracy and human rights. As such, membership signals to the broader international community that countries share those aspirations.

Yet the Commonwealth took no action when in January 2021, long-serving Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni clung to power after a deeply-flawed electoral process.

Other repressive regimes have found the Commonwealth a useful mechanism for ‘reputation laundering’. In 2013, President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka hosted the Commonwealth summit. At the time, his government stood accused of presiding over war crimes in the country’s bloody civil war. In hosting the heads of government meeting, he clearly hoped that the Commonwealth’s benign image would distract attention from the accusations.

Paul Kagame of Rwanda seems to be hoping for a similar boost to his reputation when he hosts the heads of government meeting in June. This is despite repeated signs that he is intolerant of opposition.

It’s important to remember that despite its Imperial origins, the Commonwealth also has a strong radical tradition. In the 1960s and ‘70s it played a leading role in condemning racial discrimination, most notably with its landmark Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles in 1971.

In the 1980s and ’90s it campaigned for debt relief for some of the world’s poorest nations.

The organization consists of a variety of networks developed over decades. These include a range of organizations such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

In recent times, campaigners have used these networks to raise awareness around climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and other global issues. They have often challenged the policies of their own governments.

Online technology offers fresh opportunities to reinvigorate these networks by connecting grassroots activists around the world, and in the process reconnecting the Commonwealth to its radical past.

If it is to continue to be relevant to Africa in the 21st Century, that radicalism certainly needs to be rediscovered.

1. Get enough sleep! Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a day, while adolescents need at least 8 hours.
2. Develop good sleeping habits such as sticking to a sleep schedule.
3. If you have a sleep disorder or have symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your physician about treatment options.
4. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy. Be sure to check the label on any medications or talk to your pharmacist.

Drowsy Driving Is Similar to Drunk Driving

Your body needs adequate sleep on a daily basis. The more hours of sleep you miss, the harder it is for you to think and perform as well as you would like. Lack of sleep can make you less alert and affect your coordination, judgement, and reaction time while driving. This is known as cognitive impairment.

Studies have shown that going too long without sleep can impair your ability to drive the same way as drinking too much alcohol.

• Being awake for at least 18 hours is the same as someone having a blood content (BAC) of 0.05%.^10-12
• Being awake for at least 24 hours is equal to having a blood alcohol content of 0.10%. This is higher than the legal limit (0.08% BAC) in Sri Lanka.^12-13

Additionally, drowsiness increases the effect of even low amounts of alcohol.

80 mg is 0.08 grams. 0.08 grams of alcohol in 100 ml is 0.08% This can also be expressed as 80 mg/dL or a BAC of 0.08.

Lack of sleep can make you less alert and affect your coordination, judgement, and reaction time while driving. This is known as cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that going too long without sleep can impair your ability to drive the same way as drinking too much alcohol..

Who Is More Likely to Drive Drowsy?

• Drivers who do not get enough sleep.
• Commercial drivers who operate vehicles such as tow trucks, tractor trailers, and buses.
• Shift workers (work the night shift or long shifts).
• Drivers with untreated sleep disorders such as one where breathing repeatedly stops and starts (sleep apnea).
• Drivers who use medications that make them sleepy.

Canada is a damn great country. It seems like a family of people vs citizens. Sure families have their issues, they really do but they’re still family.

What I didn’t like

It’s crazy expensive. Gas, food, hydro. I used to go into Loblaws and be totally taken aback by prices and I moved to Toronto from New York City. We’re supposed to be the expensive place.

I won’t say the Canadian people are the most polite. I think that is a complete fallacy.

Where I worked in Toronto they were quick to talk about a shooting that would occur in the USA or some racially charged incident there…but I wouldn’t hear them discuss the same incidents that would occur a few miles away within Toronto.

I found it boring. Toronto is Canada’s largest city. I’d compare that to Minneapolis or Phoenix in terms of being large.

What I liked about Canada.

Less “red tape” when I moved there with my husband (same sex couple) I was waiting for a struggle at the border to obtain my work visa. In the USA you’d fight for something like that and it would take ages. I stepped up to the counter at the border ready to rumble! They took my paperwork, looked it over, asked for $150 and gave me a visa. It might have taken 3 minutes. A few days later I went to get my S.I.N. card. (Social Security card equivalent) It was just as simple.

I felt safer there. I slept better there because I worried less. Even though I didn’t find Canada to be “polite” I felt people would stand up for me if it was necessary and not ignore me. I felt included there. I felt people cared that you existed.

I liked watching Canadian television and seeing numerous cultures represented like Asians and Indians that rarely get seen on U.S. television as being part of the American culture. In Canada they were shown on an equal level and not “other-ized”. Even though I thought it was a completely sophomoric show “Little Mosque on the Prairie” would never make it onto a U.S. television station but I was super happy to see it on a Canadian one.

I’m not going to say which country is better than another. I don’t live in Canada any longer but I really miss it nonetheless.

I am a professional avionics systems engineer in the United States. My family and I have decided to move to Canada to be closer to her side of the family. (Vancouver British Columbia area). The wife and kids are Canadian citizens and I applied for permanent residency.

We are well established in the United States and make a good salary however its hard to put a price on being close to family where they will be able to help guide and raise our children, something which is extremely important to us as we have not received that support from my family located nearby.

I would be lying if I told you all I was not worried about job opportunities in the greater Vancouver area. However, the quality of life in regards to culture, education, and health care, coupled with a supportive family environment I believe will more than makeup for a decrease in salary. I also respect that your country has figured out how to keep police from killing its citizens and found ways to better educate your children and provide medical to all citizens.

What really sealed the deal for me is when I learned that my extended family located in BC pays an effective tax rate lower then I do in the United States. I have to pay 22% Federal 8.98% state income tax. My property taxes are 4,800 per year on a house valued at 200K. We also have a 7% sales tax. This is not including the outrageous prices for health care and the future education of our children. By the way, I live in a so-called conservative state Iowa in the supposed cheap mid-west which is run by republicans. I know home prices, gasoline, and you have HST in BC. However, I have a plug-in electric hybrid car where I will use little if any gas and will be able to stay rent-free while we save up for a down payment on a home.

Although I am concerned about finding a suitable job, I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and 14 years in the aviation industry, I feel that I will most likely have to switch industries, I also do not expect to earn as much as I currently do. However what I will tell all of you that no matter how much money I make it never fills the void of lack of family support, quality of life, etc. I am also consistently worried when sick or injured to go to the doctor due to the costs. My deductible is $13,500 for my family. My wife and I have forgone going to the doctor/emergency room when we probably should have due to fear of the cost. Also, the insurance provided by your employer does not do you much good if you are laid off like those 40 million.

For those considering a move to the USA. I would not advise it at this time. The political divisiveness is exhausting (both parties really do not represent the interests of the majority of the people). No one is willing to hear anyone of an opposing viewpoint out. Many people here have the I got mine so F U attitude. Corporations rule this country and are in control of both political parties you are completely expendable. The second the business case is not there for your employment you are gone (at-will employment) usually means at their will you are let go with little or no notice. Business and the military is where most of our tax dollars go when 40 million people are out of work. Yes, you can make more money here but money will never fill your soul. Additionally, by the time you pay all the taxes extra costs for medical and education I think it is roughly a wash. I also believe it is a better family environment That’s why we have decided to make the move even with my job concerns.

I am lucky to have a supporting family that is willing to allow us to stay when them while we get settled in the Vancouver area and I look for work. Any advice for tackling the job market there would be most welcome or if you all have any further questions about the US or any other comments.