China sees 1st Covid-19 death in almost 6 months

Blue's Clues original host Steve Burns recently revealed that his co-star Donovan Patton stepped up and took care of him while he was sick with COVID.The 49-year-old actor told PEOPLE that he and Patton - who took over as host of the children's show when Burns left in 2002 - 'have been friends for a long time now.'Burns continued: 'I know his family. He took care of me when I had COVID.

 

Colombo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that new laws to ensure food security are expected to be introduced in the future.He made this statement while briefing representatives of the Joint Mechanism Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.Plans are being made to present the related bills to parliament soon, President Wickremesinghe said.He also highlighted the need to obtain accurate data in establishing food security and the nutritional status of the people.Speaking at the meeting, the President stressed that there have been disparities in the data available at the national level and at the regional level which should be rectified immediately, a PMD statement added.

 

Colombo (News 1st) – The 26-year-old driver of the car that crashed in Colpetty on Saturday morning killing one person, who fled overseas within hours of the accident, and arrested on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport from Dubai this morning (12th) has been remanded until 16 December.Police on Monday said that they would seek Interpol assistance to have him extradited to Sri Lanka. Police said he had been driving the Mercedes-Benz that crashed into a parked three-wheeler on Galle Road around dawn on Saturday killing the 58-year-old driver of the 3-wheeler.

(Reuters) – The executive board of the International Monetary Fund is not expected to formally approve Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout before year-end, a key step required for the embattled country to receive funding, two sources familiar with the matter said.Seeking a way out of its worst economic crisis in decades, Sri Lanka reached an IMF staff-level agreement in June with the deal subject to approval and contingent on Sri Lanka authorities following through with previously agreed measures.Sri Lanka said in September it expected the board to approve the deal by year-end. Progress has been slow in recent months, and Sri Lanka's finance minister acknowledged last month the request might extend into January.Sri Lanka has to secure prior financing assurances from creditors, put its heavy debt burden on a sustainable path and increase public revenue before the global lender will disburse the funds.

New Delhi: Welcoming the new year and saying goodbye to the old one is a celebratory affair indeed. But did India’s business world have a good year? Perhaps not. In the years leading into 2022, companies had used low interest rates and surplus liquidity as an opportunity to bring down their debts and increase current assets.

NEW DELHI : New Delhi Easing covid-19 restrictions in China may lead to an increase in demand and prices of metals, but the uptick maybe limited, said industry experts. As the largest consumer of commodities, a pick-up in demand in China can help lift global metals demand and prices amid recessionary concerns in developed economies such as the US and Europe. Rising demand and prices in China will also be key to prevent cheap imports to India and help improve domestic steel prices.

A West Lothian man is fronting a new campaign from a national mental health programme to help more veterans open up about their mental health.

Colombo (News 1st) – Veteran vocalist, lyricist and composer Nihal Nelson passed away on Tuesday (13). He was 76 years old at the time of his demise.Nihal Nelson was one of the most influential singers in Sri Lanka and considered ‘undefeated on the concert stage’.Nelson holds the record for the most albums recorded by a Sri Lankan artist with 113 albums. Nihal Nelson was born on 1946 in Moratuwa, and received his primary education from Innocent Maria Mixed School which is currently known as Rawathawaththa Methodist College.After passing grade 8, he entered Moratu Maha Vidyalaya where he completed A/L in 1960.Nelson married Malini Sriyalatha in 1974. He was among the first Sri Lankan vocalists to release a cassette in 1978 with Gune Ayyage Kamare.

Colombo (News 1st) – The ten students who were arrested on Tuesday (13) over the assault carried out on former Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University Senior Professor Athula Senaratne and his son have been remanded until 22 December 2022.The suspects were produced before the Kandy Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (13).The arrests were carried out after they surrendered themselves to the Peradeniya Police Station.The suspects, aged between 23 and 25, are residents of Nittambuwa, Sandalangala, Giritale, Matale, Henegamuwa and Galagamwatta.Police said another two suspects have been identified, adding that investigations are underway to apprehend them.A group of students attacked the former Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University, Senior Professor Athula Senaratne and his son, and caused damage to his house on Saturday (10) night.Chairman of the University Grants Commission Professor Sampath Amaratunga stated that 300 students were involved in the attack, and stern legal action will be taken against them.The 12 students involved in the attack have been expelled from the university.

Perth and Kinross health chiefs are anticipating a "more challenging" winter due to an increase in demand across all health and social care services.

Colombo (News 1st) – Inter University Student's Federation Convernor Wasantha Mudalige has been further remanded until the 17th of January.This was after he was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte today.The Magistrate ordered the Terrorist Investigation Division to complete the investigations expeditiously and report their findings to court.

Colombo (News 1st) – Ten students have been arrested on Tuesday (13) over the assault carried out on former Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University Senior Professor Athula Senaratne and his son.The arrests were carried out after they surrendered themselves to the Peradeniya Police Station.The suspects, aged between 23 and 25, are residents of Nittambuwa, Sandalangala, Giritale, Matale, Henegamuwa and Galagamwatta.Police said another two suspects have been identified, adding that investigations are underway to apprehend them.A group of students attacked the former Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University, Senior Professor Athula Senaratne and his son, and caused damage to his house on Saturday (10) night.Chairman of the University Grants Commission Professor Sampath Amaratunga stated that 300 students were involved in the attack, and stern legal action will be taken against them.The 12 students involved in the attack have been expelled from the university.

Captain Lee Rosbach announced he was leaving the 197ft yacht St. David due to persistent mobility issues on Monday's episode of Below Deck, calling it 'one of the most humbling experiences of my life.'The 73-year-old great grandfather - whose No. 1 fan is Christina Applegate - was forced to use crutches to get around the vessel due to nerve damage he suffered after undergoing back surgery ahead of season 10.'My injury, it's getting worse.

Colombo (News 1st) – The 26-year-old driver of the car that crashed in Colpetty on Saturday morning killing one person, who fled overseas within hours of the accident, was arrested on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport from Dubai this morning (12th), police said.Police on Monday said that they would seek Interpol assistance to have him extradited to Sri Lanka. Police said he had been driving the Mercedes-Benz that crashed into a parked three-wheeler on Galle Road around dawn on Saturday killing the 58-year-old driver of the 3-wheeler.

George Lopez was forced to drop out of a gig announcing the nominations for the 80th annual Golden Globes on Monday morning after testing positive for COVID-19.The 61-year-old television personality was set to appear on NBC Monday morning live from Beverly Hills in order to present the nods for the highly-anticipated award show.Instead his daughter Mayan Lopez and actress Selenis Leyva - who both star with him on sitcom Lopez Vs. Lopez - took over the announcements.

Thank goodness!

Las Vegas is reacting to Céline Dion‘s recent diagnosis.

KATE Garraway today revealed her husband Derek Draper is facing a very lengthy wait for Long Covid care. The former political lobbyist is suffering from the life-changing impacts of his near-death battle with coronavirus.

Last month, health professionals from around Scotland gathered at O2 Academy in Edinburgh to celebrate the hard work done by those in the industry over the past year.

A doctor who shook a ‘difficult' patient, shouted at them and slapped them across the face before saying to colleagues “that felt good,” has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Convenor of the Inter-University Students Federation Wasantha Mudalige has been further remanded until tomorrow (13).He was remanded until further advice is received by the Attorney General.He was produced before the Colombo Additional Magistrate's Court today by prison officials.He was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and held under detention orders for 89 days before he was produced in Court on the 17th of November.

With a steady fall in covid cases across the country, several state governments have eased travel norms and mandatory wearing of masks. NEW DELHI: India reported 408 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, while active cases fell to 5,881, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Thursday. Total reported cases in the country since the pandemic hit in 2020 now stands at 4,46,70,483, and death toll at 530,601.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Human Rights Watch quoting economists says that the economic situation in Sri Lanka could deteriorate rapidly without action by foreign creditors, placing the basic needs of millions of people in further jeopardy.To stabilize the economy, international creditors should agree to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt so the country can secure final approval for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and financing from other global agencies, it added.In April, Sri Lanka defaulted on over US$50 billion in debts to international creditors. In September, it reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout.

With discerning cinema audiences having moved online for entertainment, niche films in international languages are struggling to find takers in cinemas. With discerning cinema audiences having moved online for entertainment during covid pandemic, smaller, niche films in several international languages are struggling to find takers in cinemas. These include small scale Hollywood films or movies from Korea and Iran that were originally popular in the big metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and could make up to Rs.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Ice Cube lost out on a $9 million project — all because he refused to do the responsible thing and get the COVID-19 vaccine before filming started.

It was a match made in heaven for a pair of keyworkers who tied the knot after winning their £10,000 dream wedding thanks to their hard work during the pandemic.

A Lanarkshire teacher has been left unable to read books after a crippling long COVID battle.

Ice Cube confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19.The 53-year-old rapper-actor, appearing on the podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game Monday, said, 'I turned down a movie because I didn’t want to get the motherf***ing jab.'He continued: 'I didn’t want get the jab - f*** that jab; f*** y'all for trying to make me get it. I don’t know how Hollywood feels about me right now.' The latest: Ice Cube, 53, confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19The comments came more than a year after reports in October of 2021 that he had been passed over for a role in the Sony comedy Oh Hell No as producers wanted all cast vaccinated for the shoot.The entertainer, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, said he 'turned down $9 million' in not getting vaccinated to appear in the film, which is slated to star Jack Black and be directed by Kitao Sakurai.

₹40,000. This happened because of the pandemic as rents were lower as people working remotely had still not returned to the city. Post-pandemic, rents have surged and this very apartment now commands a monthly rent of ₹50,000-55,000," she said.

Corrie star Kym Marsh has had to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after testing positive for Covid.

People are being warned that a "highly contagious" respiratory virus could be on the rise during the winter.

The Scottish Parliament's COVID-19 Recovery Committee will meet with employees and service users of two Lanarkshire employment support organisations next week.

primary obstacles to luring them back in, but fear of being exposed to the coronavirus remains a factor for one in four workers, and that rate is even higher among some demographics.To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.

A Scots teacher has been left unable to read books after a crippling long covid battle. Melanie More, 28, struggles with a variety of cognitive and physical issues - leaving her 90 per cent housebound.

A Scots bride has opened up about how she managed to pull of her dream Disney wedding in just six months - despite Covid nearly ruining everything.

India's active cases have also declined to 6,209. Covid-19 cases in India have been declining for the past few days as the country is reporting single-day rise of less than 500 infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Government’s intention was to resume the negotiations on free trade agreements said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake.It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the east region linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).Further, the Secretary to the President invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries.He made these observations during an awareness session on the resumption of negotiations of free trade agreements held for Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees at the Finance Ministry on November (16).Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industries, and the members of the National Trade Negotiation Committee also participated.The contours of Global trade have been significantly changed in recent years by bringing regional and global production networks as driving factors of international trade where Sri Lanka has not yet been engaged to tap the potential.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department arrested a woman linked to trafficking women to Oman, where they are auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.The CID told News 1st on Monday (21) that the woman was operating the sex trafficking ring from Oman and was arrested after she surrendered to the Criminal Investigations Department.The CID said that it had been investigating her for several weeks, and she was not living at any of the four registered addresses.However, on Monday (21) morning, she surrendered to detectives and following her arrest three in total have been apprehended for their links to trafficking women to Oman.On Saturday 19th October 2022, Sri Lanka's Immigration and Emigration Department arrested a 40-year-old man at the Katunayake Airport for engaging in human smuggling.He was arrested when returning to Sri Lanka from Dubai and was identified as a resident of Wattala who was operating a Foreign Employment Agency in Maradana, Colombo 10.Thereafter, on Sunday (20) another suspect connected to the human trafficking ring was arrested from Avissawella.He was identified as a broker who sends Sri Lankan women to the Middle Easter, where they are smuggled from Abu Dhabi to Oman to be sold as sex slaves.The suspect was arrested based on the complaints made filed by Sri Lankan women stranded in the Middle East.Safe-House Abuse: Around 90 women who were subject to multiple forms of physical and mental abuse are currently given shelter at a safe house operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman.However, this safe house lacks the most basic facilities to accommodate a single woman, let alone 90 of them.These Sri Lankan women, some of who were auctioned for sex, are at this safe house

People in Ayrshire are being encouraged to take advantage of a number of drop-in centres where they can receive Covid-19 boosters and flu vaccines, starting this weekend.

An Ayrshire politician has blasted what he's described as an 'undemocratic money grab' from the Scottish Government.

CORONATION Street bombshell Beverley Callard has taken to social media to candidly talk about her battle with her mental health. The soap star, best known for her role as Liz Mcdonald in Coronation Street, opened up in a post to her Instagram where she admitted she was battling "demons of depression".

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka has postponed a round of debt restructuring talks initially expected to be held on Thursday to allow central bank and treasury officials to provide clarifications sought by the country's creditors, its state minister of finance said.The island nation formally kicked off the talks in September after securing a preliminary $2.9 billion bailout with the International Monetary Fund, a step on a path out of the country's worst financial crisis in a decade.But it needs to secure financing assurances from key creditors including China, Japan and India before the funds can be disbursed."There are different concerns that different creditors want cleared so it was decided that these clarifications would be communicated first and then new dates would be set for another round of talks," state minister Shehan Semasinghe Semasinghe told Reuters on Thursday."The dates are yet to be decided."Semasinghe did not provide details on the creditors' concerns or what exactly was being discussed between them and Sri Lanka's central bank and treasury officials.Sri Lanka had earlier set a target of getting board level IMF approval in December for the planned four-year programme."We are focusing on financing assurances. As of now no bilateral creditor has informed us that they are not going to support us," Semasinghe added."We have a target and we are pushing hard to meet it in December."Sri Lankan officials have also had talks with representatives from China EXIM Bank and China Development Bank which together hold about $4.3 billion in loans given to fund large infrastructure projects over the last 20 years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lanka Army Major and two others died in a tragic motor accident in Gamgaluwa on Thursday (17) night.Sri Lanka Police said the car in which they were travelling veered off the road and crashed into a tree.The deceased were a Sri Lanka Army Major attached to the Saliyapura Military Camp, and two of his relatives.Two others who were injured were admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,30,553 with seven fatalities which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. India logged 656 new coronavirus infections taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,46,67,967, while the active cases declined to 7,034, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,553 with seven fatalities which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.