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Scientists in China are developing the world’s first ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.

The humanoid will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose, experts said.

A prototype is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around 100,000 yuan (£10,000).

Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company Kaiwa Technology, is developing the machine.

The device he envisions is not simply an incubator but a humanoid that can replicate the entire process from conception to delivery, Asian media outlets report.

He said the artificial womb technology is already in a ‘mature stage’ and now needs to be implanted in the robot’s abdomen, ‘so that a real person and the robot can interact to achieve pregnancy’.

With regards to ethical and legal issues, he said: ‘We have held discussion forums with authorities in Guangdong Province and submitted related proposals while discussing policy and legislation.’

Experts have not yet provided any specifics on how the egg and sperm are fertilised and implanted in the artificial womb.

Dr Zhang’s revelations were made during an interview shared on Duoyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

Previously, scientists have successfully kept premature lambs alive for weeks using an artificial womb that looks like a plastic bag.

The ‘biobag’ provided everything the foetus needed to continue growing and maturing, including a nutrient–rich blood supply and a protective sac of amniotic fluid.

After 28 days of being in the bag, the lambs – which otherwise would likely have died – had put on weight and grown wool.

While the biobag acts like an incubator, allowing premature individuals to grow in an environment similar to the womb, scientists hope the pregnancy robot will be able to support the foetus from conception to delivery.

The development is reminiscent of the 2023 film The Pod Generation, where a tech giant offers couples the option of using detachable artificial wombs or ‘pods’ to share pregnancy.

If it comes to fruition, the humanoid pregnancy could be seen as a tool to help tackle rising rates of infertility in China.

Reports suggest the rates of infertility in China rose from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 18 per cent in 2020.

In response, local governments in China are including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization treatments in medical insurance coverage to support childbirth for infertile couples. (Daily Mail)

PM Harini Amarasuriya says that although Sri Lanka has already gained international recognition for gems and jewellery, exports have not grown to the expected level.

The Prime Minister said that the government is working to establish stable policies to enable the country to capture the international gem and jewellery market.

She made these remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of Gem City Ratnapura – 2025, an International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition aimed at taking Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry to the global stage.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Gem City Ratnapura – 2025 event will be held on 15, 16 and 17th August at the Grand Silveray Hotel, Pelmadulla.

The exhibition is organized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority with the aim of seeking the position of Sri Lanka among the world’s leading gem and jewellery markets alongside showcasing a wide variety of gemstones, gem and jewellery mining and processing techniques, laboratory services, as well as training and educational opportunities in the sector.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka thrives worldwide for its gems, and a significant portion of these are found in the Ratnapura District.

“However, we must question whether Ratnapura has truly received the recognition it deserves. The contribution made to the national economy by exporting high-quality gems from Ratnapura’s gem industry is considerable. Yet, we have still not reached the maximum potential export income from the gem and jewellery sector. Inconsistent policies have hindered the growth of this industry. The government is committed to establishing the necessary stable policies to achieve the industry’s ambitious export revenue goals. I extend my gratitude to the representatives from the United States, India, China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Pakistan for participating in this exhibition. I also invite them, and others who place trust in our national policies, to continue joining us in advancing gem and jewellery exports,” she said.

Addressing the event, Minister of Industry and Enterprise Development, Sunil Handunneththi, said a range of new policies, such as developing the diamond sector and introducing new laws to allow the direct export of rough gemstones, are already being prepared to help the gem and jewellery sector reach the challenging target of USD 1 billion in expected export revenue.

The event also saw the launch of Sri Lanka’s first government-owned gem and jewellery trade website, www.gemcityratnapura.com, equipped with the latest GovPay facility.

Postal workers at the Central Mail Exchange have launched a strike, citing 19 grievances including issues related to overtime payments and the mandatory fingerprint system for recording attendance.

Joint Postal Trade Union Association Convener, Chinthaka Bandara, confirmed the strike action, which follows the cancellation of all postal workers’ leave.

The protest is jointly backed by the Postal and Telecommunications Officers' Association and the Joint Postal Trade Union Front.

Workers had already withdrawn from overtime duties since yesterday morning, intensifying their trade union action.

Postmaster General P. Sathkumara, however, described the strike as unfair.

He stressed that overtime payment conditions and fingerprint-based attendance are government policy decisions, adding that 90 percent of the department’s total expenditure is already spent on salaries and overtime.

He further emphasized that postal services cannot operate outside government rules, regulations, and audit directives.

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte has passed away at the age of 57.

He was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Colombo at the time of his death, following a period of illness. He first entered Parliament in 2010 representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and last served as a Member of Parliament under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Ratwatte was a close relative of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration, he served as the State Minister of Prison Affairs and later as the State Minister of Industries.

During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure, he held the position of State Minister of Plantation Industries and Mahaweli Development.

The final rites of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who passed away today (15), will be held on Sunday at 5:00 PM at the family burial grounds in Nittawela, Kandy.

His remains will be placed at his residence in Mahaiyawa, Kandy, from tonight for public respects.

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya says that a more systematic approach is currently being implemented to curb underworld activities than the methods previously in place.

He made this statement today after visiting the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters in Kandy.

Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic this morning and paid homage to the sacred relics.

Thereafter, the IGP called on the Anunayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect, Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Satish Gamage, attached to the Cultural Division of the Police Field Force Headquarters, was arrested in connection with serious allegations of bribery and money laundering.

According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, he is accused of operating three bank accounts under another individual’s name, through which he allegedly received illicit funds from organized criminals, individuals seeking police services, and other unlawful sources.

Investigators revealed that SSP Gamage is suspected of accepting nearly Rs. 14 million in bribes and laundering the money through these concealed accounts.

All leave for postal employees has been cancelled after a group employees planned to go on strike from tomorrow.

According to Chinthaka Bandara, convener of the Joint Postal Trade Union Association, The Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Association and the Joint Postal Trade Union Front cited 19 issues, including overtime payments and the use of fingerprint machines to record attendance, as reasons for the planned strike.

Postal employees have also begun withdrawing from overtime services since this morning.

In response, Postmaster General P. Sathkumara issued a statement this afternoon calling the trade union action “very unfair.”

He said that policies on overtime payments and attendance recording are government decisions, and noted that 90 percent of the department’s total costs are spent on salaries and overtime.

The Postmaster General emphasized that the department cannot operate outside government rules, regulations, and audit instructions.

A meeting between Minister of Energy Engineer Kumara Jayakody and the Ambassador of Oman to Sri Lanka, Ahmed Ali Said Al Rashid, took place this afternoon (14) at the Ministry of Energy premises.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries. Both parties emphasized the importance of addressing regional energy needs, exploring emerging trends in the sector, and working collaboratively to respond to global crises and challenges.

During the meeting, the Minister expressed his appreciation for Oman as a close and valued partner and highlighted the various investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka. He encouraged Oman to consider investing in the country’s energy sector.

Ambassador Al Rashid noted that he is aware of the favorable investment climate currently prevailing in Sri Lanka and stated that he would take steps to inform both the Omani government and private sector about potential investment opportunities in the energy sector. He further expressed Oman’s willingness to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.

United States Navy Ship (USS) Santa Barbara (LCS 32) arrived at the port of Colombo on a replacement purpose today (16).

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

The 127.6 m – long Littoral Combat ship is a part of the U.S – 7th fleet and is commanded by Commander A. J. Ochs, said Sri Lanka Navy.

During their stay in Colombo, the crew of the ship is expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country.

Meanwhile, USS Santa Barbara is scheduled to depart the island on 22 Aug.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has granted approval for the Bill to establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority in Sri Lanka.

According to a Parliament statement, the Bill was approved at the meeting of the COPF held this week (12) under the acting chairmanship of MP Rauf Hakeem.

Due to the overseas travel of the Chairperson of the COPF, MP Harsha de Silva, opposition MP Rauf Hakeem was appointed as the acting chairperson of the committee.

The Bill, which was discussed on several occasions in the COPF, provides for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority as an independent regulatory body.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority has been proposed to be established with a broad scope to standardize betting and gaming establishments in Sri Lanka, minimize social harm, develop the tourism sector and grow the economy.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).

According to the President’s Office, the President extended his best wishes to the new IGP, who, in turn, presented a commemorative gift to the President.

Priyantha Weerasooriya becomes the 37th IGP of Sri Lanka. 

He is also the first IGP to have risen through all three ranks, Police Constable, Sub-Inspector, and Assistant Superintendent, before being appointed to the top post. 

The National Housing Development Authority says government apartment complexes in the Colombo District over 40 years old are planned to be redeveloped next year.

This was revealed during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held in Parliament recently (06), chaired by the MP S.M. Marikkar.

Officials from the National Housing Development Authority informed the committee that there are 45 apartment housing projects over 40 years old within the Colombo District, comprising approximately 10,000 housing units.

Accordingly, the committee chairman instructed the officials to submit a report within a month detailing how these redevelopment projects will be implemented, including decisions regarding current residents of those housing complexes.

The officials further stated that technical and valuation reports on the current condition of the buildings in these complexes will be obtained and that the redevelopment projects are expected to be implemented under a public-private partnership model. Based on that, the chairman also instructed that a comprehensive report including all relevant information be submitted to the Sectoral Oversight Committee.

Additionally, the officials pointed out that there are around 45,000 housing units that were initiated between 2015 and 2019 but were abandoned due to various reasons. A plan has now been formulated to complete the construction of these houses within three years.

The meeting also included discussions on the need to increase investments in condominium development projects, and the officials drew the committee’s attention to the challenges faced in attracting investment in this sector.

Consequently, the chairman instructed the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to propose a legally viable mechanism to facilitate coordination between different ministries and expedite the issuance of necessary permits to resolve these issues and implement the projects effectively.