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Funny old world:The week’s offbeat news
Falling stars: Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo looks to the heavens as Brentford celebrate their fourth goal against United Falling stars: Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo looks to the heavens as Brentford celebrate their fourth goal against UnitedRoute the Capuchin monkey, seen here in a handout image from the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office, is the prime suspect in a mystery over a 911 call from a California zoo
Route the Capuchin monkey, seen here in a handout image from the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office, is the prime suspect in a mystery over a 911 call from a California zooIn Japan, authorities have been embarassed by data breaches after drinking sessionsIn Japan, authorities have been embarassed by data breaches after drinking sessionsIt took firefighters eight hours to get the man out of the collapsed tunnel in Rome
It took firefighters eight hours to get the man out of the collapsed tunnel in RomeBlack bears, the one in Montana who had been with her cubs, are found all over North America Black bears, the one in Montana who had been with her cubs, are found all over North America From a monkey with a mobile phone to Manchester United’s mounting woes. Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world.
– How we laughed –
For those who are not fans of the English Premier League’s most popular football club, Manchester United’s losing streak is cause enough for a smile.And with their expensively assembled side languishing bottom of England’s Premier League, Elon Musk could not resist adding another layer of hilarity to their misery.
“I’m buying Manchester United,” the world’s richest man tweeted after the team lost again to little Brentford, only to walk back his offer hours later saying, “No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter.”
We are not sure who this reflects worse on, failing United or Musk who previously said he was buying Twitter only to pull out.
– Right man for the job –
But that was nothing to the incredulity that greeted the appointment of a man as the first “period dignity officer” at a Scottish local authority.Former tennis star Martina Navratilova smashed Tayside Council’s “ridiculous” decision.
“Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate?” she asked on Twitter.
Women’s rights campaigner Susan Dalgety wondered “why anyone thought it was a good idea to appoint a bloke.”
“I think being a man will help me to break down barriers,” said James Grant as the brickbats flew.
“Although affecting women directly, periods are an issue for everyone,” he said.
– Monkeying around –
Technology marches on as do primates, who have moved from typewriters to mobile phones with California cops rushing to a zoo after an emergency call — only to find it had been placed by a cheeky monkey.
Dispatchers sent officers to investigate after the 911 call from Zoo to You in San Luis Obispo County mysteriously disconnected. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, they discovered that “Route the Capuchin monkey had apparently picked up the zoo’s cell phone… which was in the zoo’s golf cart.”
Capuchins are particularly inquisitive creatures, who enjoy poking and pressing objects.
“And that’s what Route did… just so happened it was in the right combination of numbers to call us,” police said.
– Japan’s hangover blues –
Another week, another drunk middle-aged Japanese official causing chaos.After a tipsy salaryman mislaid personal data on all 460,000 inhabitants of the city of Amagasaki on his way home after a night out in June, a police officer lost sensitive information on 400 people after falling asleep drunk in the street in the western Hyogo region.The lost investigation documents contained personal details of around 400 people — including a criminal suspect.
– Hole lot of trouble –
Beyond Japan, it has been a terrible week for crooks, with a suspected Italian robber having to be rescued from a tunnel his gang tried to burrow into a bank.
The tunnel collapsed, trapping the man between an empty shop and the vault near the Vatican. Firefighters took eight hours to dig him out.
– Su-bear-u –
A mummy bear got stuck in a US couple’s car after somehow opening the door by the handle but struggling to get out again once inside.Mike Pilati called the sheriff in Red Lodge, Montana, but was told wildlife officials could only come the following day.Unable to listen to the bear “crunching up” his car any more, the next morning Pilati gingerly opened the car door with a stick “and the bear came roaring out”.
Unfortunately the ursine intruder badly mangled the interior of the Subaru car and left a lot of smell.But Pilati’s wife Maria said they still found reason to smile. They now call their car a “Su-bear-ru”.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
