Moratoria to Covid-hit enterprises, individuals tops Rs. 4,000 b
The Central Bank (CBSL) has implemented several schemes to assist pandemic affected borrowers through Financial Institutions (FIs) supervised by the CBSL. The schemes included extended repayment periods, concessionary rates of interest, working capital loans, debt moratoriums and restructuring or rescheduling of credit facilities for affected borrowers. In line with the concessionary schemes implemented by CBSL, FIs have approved over 2.9 million requests for concessions amounting to Rs. Through this three schemes, CBSL processed 62,574 applications leading to the release of Rs. As stated by the CBSL in its six-month Road Map for ensuring macro-economic and financial system stability, a liquidity support grant of Rs.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 14, 2021 02:27 UTC
Forex shortage: Special deposit accounts draw $ 500 million
By Asiri FernandoThe special deposit accounts (SDAs) established by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) last year aimed at seeking assistance to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak have drawn $ 500 million by the end of September, The Sunday Morning learnt. Responding to a query by The Sunday Morning, CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the scheme introduced in 2020 had attracted deposits of over $ 500 million by the end of September. According to the CBSL, SDAs are fixed deposits with a minimum tenure of six months and can be opened in any designated foreign currency or Sri Lankan rupees. SDAs can be rolled over up to a maximum period of 24 months from the date of placing the deposit. The SDA accounts will not be subject to procedural requirements of the regulations passed under the Foreign Exchange Act No.
Source:The Nation
November 14, 2021 02:12 UTC
WHO says global booster shots outpace vaccinations in poorer nations
In August, Dr. Tedros called for a global moratorium on boosters that he later extended until the end of the year. However, nations including Germany, Israel, Canada and the United States have gone ahead with booster programs. About 28.5 million Covid vaccine doses are given daily around the world. The United States recently authorized booster shots for certain recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech’s and Moderna’s vaccines, and everyone who took Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. This week, Colorado and California announced that they would allow booster shots for all vaccinated adults.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2021 22:14 UTC
The Weekly Authority: Edition #168
⚡ Welcome again to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 168th edition has landed, with all this week’s need-to-know news right here. GTA III’s opening cutscene The opening cutscene back in 2001 was a monumental moment for the gaming industry. GTA V: Mr. Philips The general consensus may be that GTA V doesn’t have a great storyline, but it does have Trevor, and one of its greatest missions is the Mr. Philips mission. Paula Beaton, Copy EditorThe Weekly Authority: Edition #167The Weekly Authority
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2021 17:40 UTC
Metaverse, schmetaverse — take me to the Icelandverse
Mark Zuckerberg’s extensive video about Facebook / Meta’s pivot to the metaverse has become something of a meme, but perhaps the best parody of the presentation was done this week by, of all places, the country of Iceland. The thing is, even though this is a parody, it’s actually an incredible sales pitch for the country of Iceland. Which makes sense, as the video was made by an organization whose mission is to promote the country. Metaverse, schmetaverse. I’m ready to go to the Icelandverse.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2021 06:01 UTC
Some Echo speakers can now detect people
Starting this week, newer Echo and Echo Dot speakers can use ultrasound to detect occupancy in your home and turn on and off other connected devices such as lights or your Fire TV. First mentioned at Amazon’s fall hardware event in September, the Echo and Echo Dot fourth-gen speakers can now emit an “inaudible ultrasound wave” to detect if there are people present in a room. This feature is similar to the motion-sensing newer Echo Show devices have, but those rely on their cameras to tell if there are people in the room. The Echo speakers don’t have cameras, so instead, the device detects movement by emitting an inaudible ultrasound wave that reflects off nearby objects before traveling back to the device’s microphones. Google also uses ultrasound in its Nest smart displays and Nest Mini speakers to detect how close a person is to the display or speaker and offer up different interfaces.
Source:The Nation
November 13, 2021 00:51 UTC
How to change your Gmail password
Edgar Cervantes / Android AuthorityGood online security dictates that you should change your password as often as possible. But a startling number of people still don’t actually know how to change their Gmail password. The process to change your Gmail password is so fast, you’ll have it done faster than boiling the water for your next cup of coffee. Read more: 10 best password manager apps for AndroidHow to change your Gmail password on your phone Although the following screenshots are on iOS, the steps are absolutely identical for Android. Mark O'Neill / Android AuthorityHow to change your Gmail password on the web First, make sure you’re signed into the Gmail account you want to change the password for.
Source:The Nation
November 12, 2021 20:05 UTC
Budget 2022- Cigarette price to increase
November 12, 2021 05:57 pmFinance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, in his budget speech for the fiscal year 2022, said the tax on cigarettes is proposed to be increased with immediate effect. Accordingly, the current retail price of a stick of a cigarette will be moved up by Rs. In addition, the excise tax is proposed to be increased with immediate effect. An additional revenue of Rs. 25 billion is expected through this tax increase.
Source:The Nation
November 12, 2021 19:02 UTC
Boy, five, has lost ability to walk without support after being diagnosed with childhood dementia – nation.lk – The Nation Newspaper
A chunk of Chinese satellite almost hit the International Space Station. They dodged it – but the space junk problem is getting worse – The Conversation AU
Source:The Nation
November 12, 2021 17:27 UTC
vivo Y76 5G acquires multiple certifications
Earlier this week vivo launched its Y76s 5G in China. The phone sports a 6.58-inch FHD+ LCD, a Dimensity 810 chipset and a 50MP primary camera. It seems the same device will soon be available in international markets as the vivo Y76 5G which was spotted in multiple certification listings from NCC, NBTC, SIRIM and IMDA agencies. vivo Y76 5G (V2124) NCC certification photosThe design of the Y76 5G (vivo V2124) is identical to that of the Y76s 5G with a flat display and waterdrop notch while the back houses a rectangular camera cutout for the 50MP main cam and 2MP macro shooter. We’ll update you when the Y76 5G goes official.
Source:The Nation
November 12, 2021 10:59 UTC
NTB PBT recovers in first nine months
The Nations Trust Bank (NTB) Group recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs. Supporting the loan growth and economic recovery efforts, average yields on loans reduced by 350 bps. A net reduction in yields in the FIS portfolio also contributed to the decline in net interest income. Positive flows in the past due buckets together with lower exposures in most risk buckets, reflects a 193 bps reduction in the non-performing loan ratio. The impact stemming from the rate differential in income tax and deferred tax relating to the financial year ended 31 December 2020 was reversed using the applicable new tax rate of 24%.
Source:The Nation
November 12, 2021 07:02 UTC
Capturing innovation and value creation through financial reporting
In such a world, integrated financial reporting has slowly become the bedrock for modern business. This level of integrated reporting, governed by global best practices and guarded by external assurers, promotes transparency, disclosure and trust. Creating opportunity from complexityCreating value is important for all stakeholders, and integrated financial reporting in its essence is centered on value creation. It forces teams to determine the company’s business model, embracing its governance, enterprise risk management, strategy, and internal controls. In ConclusionIntegrated financial reporting isn’t merely a mandatory reporting guideline but a recipe that helps transform businesses year on year as balanced, responsible entities.
Source:The Nation
November 11, 2021 19:01 UTC
World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Who has qualified? Who's in danger? Groups, fixtures, format
The qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, particularly for the European teams, are now reaching the business end. The 2022 World Cup, which will be the first-ever winter tournament, will be held in QatarGareth Southgate's England face Albania and San Marino in their remaining qualifiersWho has already qualified? Just three nations have officially confirmed their spot in the 2022 World Cup, of course one being Qatar. As mentioned above, it's the top four who will qualify for the World Cup, with the team in fifth going into the inter-confederation play-off. In another difference to Euro 2020, there also won't be a third-place play-off taking place at the World Cup.
Source:The Nation
November 11, 2021 15:09 UTC
Govt. has done everything possible to control Covid situ: Keheliya
While speaking on the prevailing pandemic situation, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that as a Government, all that could be done to control the spread of the virus has been done. The Minister further stressed to the media yesterday (10) that it is now up to the people to act responsibly and urged the public to support the Government to eradicate Covid-19. Referring to the rise in Covid patients in the last couple of days, Rambukwella added that if the situation escalates further, economic issues are imminent. “If the covid situation escalates again, economic issues following the Covid-19 crisis will come to light and we will have to suffer. We request people to maintain good behavior to ensure that such a situation does not occur,” said Rambukwella.
Source:The Nation
November 11, 2021 11:04 UTC
COVID-resistant people inspire new vaccine tactic
Vaccines are largely aimed at the spike protein, which covers the outer surface of the COVID virus. However, these rare T-cells were able to look inside the virus and find the proteins that are necessary for it to replicate. It means targeting these proteins with a vaccine could give some protection against all coronaviruses and new COVID variants. Dr Alexander Edwards, from the University of Reading, said: “Insights from this study could be critical in the design of a different type of vaccine. “Hopefully this study will lead to further advances in vaccine development, as we need all the types of vaccine we can get.”Source: BBC-Agencies
Source:The Nation
November 11, 2021 08:07 UTC