Covid tests on track to break the $1 billion mark
For the Covid-19 pathology test, the MBS sets a $42.50 rebate for public providers and $85.00 rebate for private providers. The Australian Government has paid abound $760 million for MBS funded COVID-19 pathology tests. In NSW, which recorded 145 new cases of the virus on Monday, 98,000 Covid tests were conducted as of 8pm Sunday. PCR tests, which require pathology testing inside a laboratory, remain the only tests available to the general public. 'The government and public and private pathology laboratories have successfully worked together on delivering Covid-19 pathology testing throughout the pandemic.'
Source:The Nation
July 26, 2021 04:07 UTC
Vladimir Putin boasts he can hit enemies with an 'unpreventable strike'
The Russian president told a navy day parade in St Petersburg: 'We are capable of detecting any underwater, above-water, airborne enemy and, if required, carry out an unpreventable strike.' It comes as military officials announced tests of advanced new weapons – some of which come from an arsenal Mr Putin has described as 'invincible'. Putin said Russia had secured its place among the world's leading naval powers, including by developing 'the latest hypersonic precision weapons still unrivalled in the world'. Russia was marking the 325th anniversary of the founding of its navy with ship parades at major ports on Sunday. Putin attended the main parade of more than 50 vessels in St. Petersburg, which included ships from the navies of Iran, Pakistan and India.
Source:The Nation
July 26, 2021 00:56 UTC
Snowdonia's quarries that 'roofed the 19th century world' could become next Unesco heritage site
By Daily Mail ReporterPublished: 20:17 EDT, 25 July 2021 | Updated: 20:58 EDT, 25 July 2021An area of Wales famed for its slate industry is bidding to become Britain’s next Unesco world heritage site. Snowdonia’s quarries are said to have ‘roofed the 19th century world’, including Copenhagen city hall and the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The slate landscape is up against bids from Bologna, Nice and the Ribeira Sacra wine district of Spain. Liverpool was stripped of world heritage status last week due to developments along its waterfront. Picturesque quarries in Snowdonia, Wales, which could become a Unesco World Heritage siteThe quarries (pictured), which 'roofed the world' in the 19th century, have competition Bologna, Nice and the Ribeira Sacra wine district in SpainBacking the Welsh bid, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the region as ‘an area of remarkable uniqueness and breath-taking beauty’.
Source:The Nation
July 26, 2021 00:22 UTC
Tokyo Olympics: Alex Yee bags silver in men's triathlon
On a quite astonishing morning in Tokyo, Alex Yee so nearly swam, cycled and ran to Britain's first gold medal of these Olympics, only to see a burly Norwegian in his rear view mirror. Kristian Blummenfelt was meant to shrink and disappear across 10km of blue carpet, but it just didn't happen. That breakaway never looked enough for Salvisberg, and for Brownlee the worry was that he had no advantage over Yee. Yee, an international standard 10k runner with a formidable personal best of 27 minutes and 51 seconds, took control after just a few hundred metres of the first of four loops. Going into the final lap we suddenly had a shootout between Yee and Blummenfelt.
Source:The Nation
July 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
Now THAT'S a hanging garden! Churchgoers knit 'flower tower' with 1,400 stunning DIY blooms
Now this church bell tower has really blossomed thanks to a drive that could be dubbed knit one, peal one. She hoped to get up to 500 blooms, but there are now 1,452 at St Margaret of Antioch in Barley, Hertfordshire. Volunteers, including care residents and children, knitted, crocheted and sewed the flowers which are attached to netting that cascades down the tower. We also have a pigeon and a duck.’The net that the flowers were stitched on to was donated by retired church warden Reg Cording. ‘The flowers are just another sign of their love for the village and its church.
Source:The Nation
July 26, 2021 00:00 UTC
That's tan-tastic news! Spain is not expected to be added to the amber-plus list
It is believed that the country will be taken off the 'amber-plus' list as government officials seemed to admit the Beta variant threat was contained. Sources claim the Delta variant prevalent in Britain is spreading faster than the Beta variant in Europe, and would 'out-compete' it in the coming weeks, The Times reports. And despite a rise in case rates, it remains unlikely that Greece and Spain will be put on the amber-plus list. At present double-jabbed holidaymakers returning from France must quarantine for up to ten days because it is on the amber-plus list. Labour said the holiday plans of nearly six million Britons could be ruined if Spain and Greece were added to the amber-plus list.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 22:52 UTC
KELLY BROOK, now 41, reveals: Why I'm no longer chasing marriage, babies... or a super skinny body
‘Most people sitting at home watching have got children — and I didn’t have the same life as that audience. Loose Women wasn’t for me. Today, Kelly, 41, is a summery vision in a canary yellow sundress by F&F for Tesco (with whom she has an endorsement deal). Loose Women wasn’t for me. Pictured: Kelly with Jeremy Parisi‘If I don’t watch it then I creep up to a size 14 or 16, but a size 10 to 12 is where I feel my happiest.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 21:22 UTC
Week 29 in review: Nord2 5G, Realme GT Master Edition, Poco F3 GT official
Samsung also confirmed that the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Z Fold3 5G are coming on August 11. Realme unveiled the GT Master Edition and GT Master Exploration Edition. The GT Master Exploration Edition comes with a curved 6.55-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. Realme GT Master Edition comes in grey, white and gradient colors. Realme GT Master Exploration Edition comes in grey and apricot colors.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 20:37 UTC
Suresh Subramaniam’s message from Tokyo 2020
NOC of SL President Suresh SubramaniamHere is Sri Lanka National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Suresh Subramaniam’s message from the 32nd Summer Olympics in Tokyo, now on. After much uncertainty and waiting for more than a year, we’re finally in Tokyo and the much-awaited Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has officially begun. Tokyo 2020 marks Sri Lanka’s 18th appearance at the Summer Olympics. This time, the team consists of nine athletes, five women and four men, to compete in seven different sports at the Games. Though small, the Sri Lankan contingent is highly motivated, proceeding with their preparations while carefully following the health guidelines.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 19:07 UTC
Sampath customers to be able to accept Amex payments
Sampath Bank customers can already accept Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay International online payments through the Sampath Payment Gateway. With this partnership, Sampath Bank becomes the first local bank in Sri Lanka to enable its customers to access online payment transactions across these six major issuer networks. To start accepting online payments for American Express, Diners Club, and Discover Network, Sampath Bank customers need to apply online for a merchant account with Paycorp International. Sampath Bank Card Centre Head Darshin Pathinayake said: “At Sampath Bank, we have always strived to leverage emerging technologies to deliver innovative solutions that transform Sri Lanka’s financial services landscape and add more value to the nation. Sampath Bank business and government customers can now seamlessly accept payments from six of the world’s major issuers, which will help drive sales and business growth.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC
‘The cinema industry is going downhill’
I’ve always had a passion for the cinema industry because my mother used to act in movies, and many film directors would come to our house and I would hear them discussing the industry and it was very interesting to listen to. What are your thoughts on the cinema industry in Sri Lanka? They have no plans, nor has any government paid serious attention to the industry, or had any plans to develop it. Nevertheless, there are lots of young people who are getting interested in the local cinema industry, but I don’t know whether we have enough opportunities for them. I was able to attend the award ceremony, which was a major event in the cinema world, and I was on par with all the cinema directors and actors which was quite memorable.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC
GoSL to make $ 1 b bond payment today
By Imsha IqbalThe Government of Sri Lanka is expected to settle a $ 1 billion-worth International Sovereign Bond (ISB) payment today (26) that is maturing tomorrow (27), The Morning Business learns. Sri Lanka is obliged to settle about $ 29 billion of foreign currency debt which is due by 2026. Last week (19), Singapore-based Moody’s Investors Service placed Sri Lanka as Caa1 rating foreign currency long-term issuer as well as the senior unsecured debt ratings under review for downgrade. These resources should enable Sri Lanka to meet its remaining debt maturities through the rest of this year, including a $ 1 billion international sovereign bond maturing in July. However, the authorities have yet to specify their plans for meeting the country’s foreign currency debt-servicing needs for 2022 and the medium term.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC
Inflation remains unchanged in June
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) remained unchanged at 6.1% in June 2021 due to the statistical effect of the high base prevailing in June 2020. Meanwhile, food inflation (Y-o-Y) decreased to 9.8% in June 2021 from 10.3% in May 2021 and non-food inflation (Y-o-Y) increased to 2.9% in June 2021 from 2.5% in May 2021. The NCPI, measured on an annual average basis, also remained unchanged at 5.4% in June 2021. Accordingly, within the food category, increases were observed mainly in the prices of rice, vegetables, coconut oil, and fresh fish. Further, year-on-year core inflation decreased marginally to 4.1% in June 2021 from 4.2% in May 2021, while annual average core inflation remained unchanged at 4.4% in June 2021.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC
Lockdown-induced lethargy a concern: Survey
The survey pointed out that increased physical inactivity was reported during the Covid-19 lockdown period in Sri Lanka. Unlike other countries, citizens could drive to the shop or go for a walk in the park, whereas the Sri Lankan authorities completely restricted people’s movements. With regards to physical activity changes, more than half of the respondents (52.4%) declared that their daily exercise routine has reduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Regular physical activity is a key public health behaviour as it has a remarkable impact on both mental and physical well-being. Reduced physical activity could contribute to weight gain during the pandemic period.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC
Transforming the food delivery industry from within
The pandemic has seen delivery platforms (food and otherwise) become something of a lifeline in times of lockdown and travel restrictions. Sri Lanka’s delivery platform market is dominated by a couple of giants, local and international, and a few smaller home-grown delivery platforms. YouFoodie is arguably the newest delivery platform to enter the market, having been launched in January 2021. “YouFoodie is a 110% owned company – we use Sri Lankan technology, and Sri Lankan based products (even our delivery bags and uniforms are locally made). We believe in Sri Lankan products and we believe in Sri Lankan people,” Seelanatha said, adding that YouFoodie is the only Sri Lankan delivery platform to have their own in-house customer service hotline.
Source:The Nation
July 25, 2021 18:56 UTC