Energy poverty and inequality in Sri Lanka
However, measurements of the extent and depth of energy poverty in Sri Lanka are generally absent and the research and discussion of energy poverty are largely missing in the policy and public domain in the country. This research study, using the 2016 Sri Lankan Household Income and Expenditure Survey data collected by the Census and Statistics Department, constructed the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) to examine the incidence, intensity, inequality, and determinants of energy poverty in Sri Lanka. The results revealed that the incidence of energy poverty in Sri Lanka is 71.6% and that the average intensity of simultaneous deprivations among the energy poor is 60.2%. Figure 1 presents the distribution of energy poverty at the District level, a further disaggregated visualisation of sub-national location-based energy poverty in the country. As such, this study also investigated the link between energy poverty and income poverty in the country.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 16:18 UTC
Google One VPN is now available in seven more countries
Google One offers a VPN service to its users, but it was limited to the United States until now. Finally, Mountain View decided to expand to seven more countries in Europe and North America, but it is still limited to subscribers with at least 2TB in their plan. Users with the cheapest three tiers (Free 15GB, 100GB, and 200GB) can’t get the VPN service separately; the price is actually for a 2TB plan. Another issue some users might have is availability - VPN by Google One is currently available on Android devices. But if you have an Android phone and a 2 TB plan, you can enable the VPN simply through the Benefits tab in the Google One app.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 16:18 UTC
Sir Andrew Pollard says No10 should scrap asymptomatic testing
Asymptomatic Covid testing should be wound down as the UK learns to live with the pandemic, one of the country's top coronavirus experts said today. Sir Andrew Pollard, who helped develop the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine, said only people who are unwell should be swabbed. Sir Andrew told the group of parliamentarians: 'The decision to boost or not should be scientifically driven. Sir Andrew, the chair of No10's advisory panel JCVI, said there should be a shift in the testing regime. Sir Andrew also told MPs that children who aren't unwell shouldn't have to self-isolate to curb the spread of Covid.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 16:03 UTC
How to Locate Your Complete Vaccination Record
However, there are ways to either locate your complete record, or at least prove you’ve gotten vaccinated in the past. Where to look for your childhood vaccination recordsAccording to the CDC, here are some potential ways to locate your vaccination records:G/O Media may get a commissionAsk parents or other caregivers if they have records of your childhood immunizations. Keep in mind that vaccination records are maintained at doctor’s office for a limited number of years. In order to avoid having to locate your records again, take the advice of the Immunization Action Coalition: deliver your proof of vaccination to either your healthcare provider or local public health clinic and ask them to enter your vaccination information into an official record. This will give you a “provider-verified” record, which is often a requirement for showing proof of vaccination anyway.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 13:30 UTC
Bureau Veritas introduces organic fertilizer analysis for Sri Lanka
In supporting the vision of the country and sector to embrace organic fertilizers to improve and achieve better standards of healthy living, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka, part of the global leader for testing, inspection and certification services, recently stepped up to expand its laboratory services to now offer organic fertilizer testing. Rasanga U. Hewage, Vice President, Central Asia Region at Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, said ‘We take great pride in supporting the government and country in its decision to ban chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adopt an organic approach to agriculture. Our organic fertilizer analysis will help farmers, planters, and businesses to get a head start in this process. Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka, as the apex testing and quality assurance body, has been at the forefront in maintaining and sustaining quality, robust standards of products and services. Established in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services with over 78,000 employees located in more than 1,600 offices and laboratories globally.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 13:07 UTC
'Code red' climate report: Chinese state media downplays Beijing's role
Chinese state media made no mention of the country's huge carbon emissions or pledge to reach net-neutral a decade later than most of the world as the UN released its 'code red' climate report on Monday. Also conspicuously absent from most Chinese reporting was mention of the 2050 net neutral emissions target that a vast majority of countries are committed to - perhaps to avoid comparison with Beijing's target to be net neutral by 2060. The only direct reference to China's emissions was a quote from Swiss scientist Gian-Kasper Plattner who praised the country's 'huge steps forward' in recent years. The People's Daily similarly did not make reference to the 2050 target, China's current emissions, or suggest the country should be taking action to cut them. China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, and experts say the world cannot win the fight against climate change unless Beijing makes massive reductions.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 13:07 UTC
Maldivian yacht builders establish facility in Hambantota Port
Sea Horse Yachts (Pvt) Ltd. recently entered into an agreement with the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) to set up a state-of-the-art yacht building facility at the port. The newly incorporated Sea Horse Yachts Ltd. (SHY), is a premium luxury yacht builder, located in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. SHY will be managed by a highly experienced team of experts from Sri Lanka, closely supported by British, European and South African innovators and designers. They have a long history in boating and life at sea and will engage with international partners to establish the state-of-the-art yacht building factory in Sri Lanka. Johnson Liu, CEO of HIPG, speaking at the ceremony, said the Hambantota Port Industrial Park is an international trade zone.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 12:11 UTC
Ecobank Group Launches 2021 edition of its Fintech Challenge
The pan-African banking group, Ecobank group, is inviting African Fintech entrepreneurs to join the 4th edition of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge. The Fintech Challenge is in line with the Bank’s commitment to championing digitization by giving innovative African start-ups the opportunity to promote their fintech solutions. (https://Ecobankfintechchallenge.com)All selected Finalists will be inducted into the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship following the Finals and Awards ceremony slated for November 2021. Access to Ecobank’s Pan-African Banking Sandbox: Fellows will be given access to Ecobank’s APIs to test and improve their products for the pan-African market. The Challenge resulted in Ecobank successfully launching the Ecobank Investor App, originally developed by Finance Mobile, a start-up from the 2017 Ecobank Fintech Fellows cohort.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 12:11 UTC
How a young entrepreneur finds worth in plastic waste
As industrialisation and population increase, Sri Lanka is battling a threatening matter; the growth in irresponsible plastic waste disposal/management. A labour of loveNow, 30, he recalled why he started the company, attributing it to the love he has for keeping the environment free of plastic waste. I then realised that I needed to venture out and diversify my business by not only limiting it to collecting PET plastic but also other types of plastic waste, too,” mentioned Pathum. Additionally, he required a team of employees who understood the trade while securing funds to buy a space to store plastic waste collected. Astonished that plastic waste is becoming a widely recognisable problem, he is on a quest to be part of a system that can provide viable solutions to this issue.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 11:26 UTC
John Stones signs fresh FIVE-year deal at Manchester City
By Danny Gallagher For MailonlinePublished: 05:10 EDT, 10 August 2021 | Updated: 05:55 EDT, 10 August 2021John Stones has been rewarded for his Manchester City rebirth by signing a fresh, long-term deal at the Etihad. Stones has put pen to paper on a five-year deal worth £250,000 a week, keeping him with the north west club until the age of 32. Manager Pep Guardiola has rewarded Stones for regaining his place in his starting XI, having seen the defender fall down the pecking order in 2019-20. The 27-year-old's contract was due to run out in June next year but he has agreed a new deal worth £250,000 a week until 2026. After signing the deal Stones said: 'I couldn't be happier.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 09:22 UTC
China supports SL’s pandemic control measures with new medical donations
China has reiterated its support towards assisting Sri Lanka with pandemic control measures through a series of new medical donations. The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong at a meeting with Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday (09) discussed the list of medical items which will be donated as detailed below:400 Oximeters40 Hi-Flow O2 Therapy Machines65 BiPAP machines22 Ventilators150 O2 Concentrators1200 O2 Cylinders (Jumbo)Zhenhong further assured that despite China’s huge domestic demand, Sri Lanka will always be prioritised in terms of medical equipment and vaccine supplies. Minister Wanniarachchi thanked China for all the support it has extended to Sri Lanka and discussed the prospects of Sri Lankan medical students in their final year who need to return to China to complete their studies.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 08:15 UTC
Top 10 Deadliest Children’s Games
Many of the games kids design themselves for the playground and the home are downright ridiculous in their inherent danger. And as crazy as it is, a lot of the mass-produced, high-budget games kids buy can be the worst of all. With that in mind, here are ten of the most dangerous children’s games ever invented, sold, and/or played. 7 Any Eating ChallengeDoctors Reveal What Happens When You Eat A Tide PodSpeaking of dangerous games kids play online: eating challenges. Not to mention, there have been cases with people mistaking toy guns for real guns.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 08:02 UTC
Top 10 Worst Things About Being an Astronaut
With that in mind, here are ten of the worst things about being an astronaut. 10 The Training is a NightmareWhat it takes to become an astronaut | How does NASA select astronauts? As astronaut Chris Hadfield put it, “The toilet is right there in the middle of everything. Indeed, NASA astronaut Bill McArthur and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev both suffered hearing loss after their 2006 stay on the ISS. Then there’s the lack of gravity, which forces astronauts to tie themselves to a wall to avoid bumping around their cabin.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 06:56 UTC
Results Day 2021: Anxious A-level students suffer sleepless night
Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level and GCSE results this week. A-level and AS level results day is Tuesday, August 10 and GCSE results day is Thursday, August 12. The Scottish Highers results are also being released on A-level results day. Last summer, the fiasco around grading led to thousands of A-level students having their results downgraded from school estimates by a controversial algorithm, before Ofqual announced a U-turn. AS and A-level exams will be held in October, while GCSE exams will take place in November and December.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 06:56 UTC
Morgues have exceeded capacity, private hospitals also at limit: AMS
The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has stated that Sri Lanka has reached its maximum healthcare capacity in almost all healthcare facilities throughout the country. “State morgues have already exceeded their storage capacity. The situation is equally grim even if one has financial means as the private sector is also stretched to its limit,” the AMS said in a statement. In light of this, the AMS stated that it is of the opinion that tougher movement restrictions should be imposed sooner than later as there is no time left for complacency. In our opinion, the measures to be taken could even amount to a rigorously implemented curfew as this may be the only successful means of curtailing people’s movement in a country like ours,” the AMS stated.
Source:The Nation
August 10, 2021 06:22 UTC