Protecting the vulnerable is critical in overcoming crisis – World Bank

A GP surgery was locked down after a man allegedly poured liquid on the floor and threatened to ignite it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry made a startling revelation on Friday (14) that the previous Cabinet was not fully aware of the dire situation that the economy was falling into.Speaking at the launch of the book ' Poverty to prosperity: A review of the Korean development model ', the Minister spoke about a number of topics including government responsibility for the prevailing economic crisis and Sri Lanka's foreign policy. Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the Government learned the hard way that the economy is the heart of the country, and if it fails, all else fails. Pointing out that unfortunately, the Ministers of theprevious Cabinet were focusing on their specific areas, such as himself holding the portfolio of the Minister of Justice, Minister Sabry said that he was looking forward to new plans with regard to law reform, digitization, improved infrastructure and more recruitments in the sector, however, confessed that he was unaware of the country's deep economic troubles. Pointing out that if the country's Cabinet's economic literacy is a minimum, then the normal people should be worse in their case, the Minister said that without taxation, there is no future for the country."In 1981, 21% of our GDP was taxes. Today it has come down to 8.3%. So we can point fingers.

The people who carry the gene are less likely to experience a breakthrough infection Vaccines are the best way people can protect themselves against Covid but experts said that ones with a particular gene have a bigger antibody response following vaccination than others. Pointing out at a gene called HLA-DQB1*06, scientists say ‘About 30 to 40% of the UK population have this type.’ The people who carry this gene are less likely to experience a "breakthrough infection" over this time period.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, the Network that owns and operates Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, TV-1, News 1st, and Stein Studios has been appointed as the Official Television Rights Holders in Sri Lanka for the long-awaited ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.Every one of the 45 exciting matches will be telecast live on Sirasa TV, along with special telecasts on Shakthi TV and TV-1, for the benefit of cricket lovers in Sri Lanka where hopes are high that the island nation’s team will bring home the trophy.The world’s most coveted T20 title has been won twice by West Indies and once each by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and current defending champions Australia. The eighth edition of the tournament will be played out across seven cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart,  Perth, Sydney and Melbourne which will host the final.“We are delighted to be able to offer all Sri Lankans the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup on Sirasa TV. CMG has a deep history of strengthening cricket in Sri Lanka, led by our late Chairman Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe met with the World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Martin Raiser, and a World Bank delegation during the World Bank Annual Meetings 2022, to discuss options available to recover Sri Lanka's economy.The discussions were focused on the current creditworthiness of Sri Lanka, which is no longer entitled to source funding through the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), instead to work with the International Development Association (IDA) rating, which will grant Sri Lanka to obtain concessional loans. This process, which will entail a "reverse graduation" to IDA, will move Sri Lanka from an IBRD-only country to an IDA country.However, Sri Lanka will remain listed as a middle-income country.The IMF/WB also emphasized that access to this potential new concessional funding remains linked to deep reforms, an IMF program, and progress with a comprehensive debt treatment the process by the authorities of Sri Lanka. The VP and the WB Delegation said that sustained improvements in economic and social conditions by the Sri Lankan government could pave the way for Sri Lanka to graduate from IDA in the future.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - A 28-year-old man is critically injured after he was shot multiple times in North Philadelphia.According to officials, 25th District police responded to the shooting Thursday afternoon, about 2:45, on the 3200 block of North Front Street.When they arrived, officers found the 28-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his back and hip.MORE HEADLINES:Medics rushed him to Temple University Hospital where he was placed in critical condition.Police are investigating the shooting, though no weapons have been recovered and no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here.

Goalkeeper Yussef Hassan L of Qatar attends a public training session of Qatar national team in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Jassim bin Hamad stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Oct. 2, 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Audit Office had launched a Special Audit as per the order given by the court when granting leave to proceed concerning two FR applications that were filed claiming that the Fundamental Rights of the people were violated due to wrong economic management decisions taken by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government.Auditor General, W.P.C Wickramaratne stated that this investigation is being conducted based on an order by the Supreme Court, and a team led by a Deputy Auditor General was assigned to the investigation.The court ordered the following matters to be investigated;a. The decision made by the Monetary Board to set the value of the Sri Lankan rupee at Rs.

Health worker Nizam ud din (above) vaccinates a baby in a partly submerged village. ©WHO

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that left a 25-year-old man in critical condition.Officials say the shooting happened on the 1100 block of West Nevada Street, just after 5 o’clock early Wednesday evening, in North Philadelphia.The man was found in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including in his torso and in the back.Police rushed him to Temple University Hospital where he was placed in critical condition.An investigation into the shooting is active, though police say no weapon has been found and no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here.

A conceptual illustration depicting housing in the United States. via Getty Images Rapidly rising mortgage rates have more than doubled this year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – As many Sri Lankans have cut down on their meals, the demand for staples has also seen a drop.Usually, more than 200 to 300 Sri Lankan fishing boats set out to sea, however after the economic crisis hit, coupled with an acute shortage of fuel most of the Sri Lankan fishermen have been forced to tie up their boats to the piers, hoping for better days."The demand for fish had slumped. The main reason for this is the high cost of fuel and the rising cost of living. A liter of fuel that cost only Rs.

PHILADELPHIA - A vehicle was left riddled with bullet holes after police say a shooting erupted in Germantown Wednesday morning.Police say a 38-year-old man was shot multiple times on the 100 block of East Duval Street around 3 a.m.He reportedly drove himself to a local hospital, where he is said to be in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:The vehicle he was driving was shot at about 20 times, according to police.

Canada will fare better in the year ahead than some other global economies amid dire warnings Tuesday from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a looming downturn, according to economists who spoke to Global News.

Christina Aguilera is giving fans an expected gift. The iconic singer will be releasing a special new version of her famous song ‘Beautiful’ to mark World Mental Health Day and the 20th anniversary of her album ‘Stripped.’The 2002 hit song is known for having a very special message, with powerful lyrics and a music video that was incredibly inspiring at the time, and continues to uplift her fans during difficult times.The original video showed the many struggles people face everyday, and Christina decided to include issues that were not talked about or represented in the mainstream media in 2002.Now the singer has announced that a new video will be released October 19.

Orlando Bloom is opening up about a dark period in his life.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – After the economic crisis hit, the prices of books spiked by over 50% due to import costs, forcing Sri Lankans to look for the alternative.Almost every Sri Lankan knows about the Lotus Tower standing tall in Colombo built at a massive cost of USD 113 Million. But, this is not about a structure that added a colossal weight on to Sri Lanka's debt.Tucked away not far from the Lotus Tower, is a line of book shops.Now, these are not your ordinary books shops with publications fresh out of the press.These are Colombo's second hand book shops that have been catering to book worms over the years.One of the main reasons why these establishments are popular among readers, is that the second books here are cheap and are in good condition.However, when Sri Lanka's economic crisis hit, these book stores were also in dire straits."Business is not that great because of the low number of customers. There is a demand for second hand books.

(Reuters) – The annual IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington D.C. from Monday (10) to Saturday will include talks on several emerging markets squeezed by rising inflation and borrowing costs against a backdrop of slowing global growth.The economic hit from Russia's invasion of Ukraine has added to pressures that surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic and have led many smaller developing economies to turn to the International Monetary Fund in recent months for help.The IMF has approved programs or financing facilities for 10 countries since the start of the Ukraine war on Feb.

Policy measures aimed at assisting troubled but viable businesses as pandemic supports wind down and debts fall due need to be targeted, scalable and equitable, new research from the Central Bank suggests.

FROM MARS have investigated some of the leading health conditions which could be life-threatening. The experts created the men’s health report by analysing different diseases and illnesses most prevalent across the world’s male population.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cascading global crises have left 54 countries including Sri Lanka – home to more than half of the world's poorest people — in dire need of debt relief, the UN said Tuesday (11).In a new report, the United Nations Development Programme warned that dozens of developing nations were facing a rapidly deepening debt crisis and that "the risks of inaction are dire".UNDP said without immediate relief, at least 54 countries would see rising poverty levels, and "desperately needed investments in climate adaptation and mitigation will not happen".That was worrisome since the affected countries were "among the most climate-vulnerable in the world".The agency's report, published ahead of meetings of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and also of G20 finance ministers in Washington, highlighted the need for swift action.But despite repeated warnings, "little has happened so far, and the risks have been growing," UNDP chief Achim Steiner told reporters in Geneva."That crisis is intensifying and threatening to spill over into an entrenched development crisis across dozens of countries across the world."The poor, indebted countries are facing converging economic pressures and many find it impossible to pay back their debt or access new financing.'Volatility'"Market conditions are shifting rapidly as a synchronised fiscal and monetary contraction and low growth are fuelling volatility around the globe," UNDP said.The UN agency said debt troubles had been brewing in many of the affected countries long before the Covid-19 pandemic hit."The rapid build-up in debt over the past decade has been consistently underestimated," it said.The freeze on debt repayment during the Covid crisis to lighten their burden

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet has granted approval to downgrade Sri Lanka to a low-income country from a lower-middle income country, announced Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, the Cabinet Spokesperson on Tuesday (11)."Sri Lanka was a middle-income country as per the global classification.

Japan has reopened its doors to tourists after two-and-a-half years of tough Covid-19 restrictions, with officials hoping an influx of travellers enticed by a weak yen will boost the economy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It is no secret that the prevailing economic crisis has led to the disruption of the day-to-day lives of the general public. How many families have been impacted by this unprecedented economic crisis? Has sufficient attention been given to those who are severely affected? The Gammadda Door to Door initiative continues to identify a range of issues faced by average Sri Lankans. On Monday (10), which was Day Six of the Sixth edition of the Gammadda Door to Door program, the team that completed it's tour in the Jaffna district reached the Killinochchi district.They visited the Malayalapuram area in the Karachchi Divisional Secretariat, where most of the residents are day-wage earners.Unfortunately, the economic crisis left them with no work, ruining their chances of providing for their families. Gammadda teams in the Ratnapura district visited Handagirigoda, Handagiriya, Kolonna andSuriyakanda villages in the Welligepola Divisional Secretariat and met with the poverty-stricken estate workers living in Suriyakanda. People in this area do not have the luxury of enjoying cell phone services as the area lacks the basic facilities. Unlike most areas in Sri Lanka children in the area do not have access to online education.Gammadda teams in the Polonnaruwa district toured many areas in the Hingurakgoda Divisional Secretariat. On top of the economic crisis, people in this area face wild elephant threats. 

Liam Gallagher, Selena Gomez, Frank Turner, Bros frontman Matt Goss, and Frightened Rabbit have been sharing messages on social media about the importance of speaking openly about mental health issues.Gallagher today (October 10) shared a poignant new video for ‘Too Good For Giving Up’ and teamed up with mental health charity Talk Club, which was founded by Ben Akers after he lost his childhood best friend, Steve Yates, to suicide in 2014.He also messaged Louis Tomlinson on Twitter, writing: “Yes Louis, it’s LG. How are you feeling? Out of 10? It’s good to talk,” before he tagged Talk Club, World Mental Health Day and his new music vid.@Louis_Tomlinson Yes Louis, it’s LG.

NEW DELHI : Establishing a new milestone in the field of mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was launched virtually by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday. Acknowledging the mental health crisis in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need to establish a digital mental health network that will withstand the challenges amplified by the pandemic, Government of India announced National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) in the Union Budget 2022-23.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Bank in its October 2022 update says that it will be imperative to protect the poor and vulnerable by providing immediate additional assistance to the poorest in need, while comprehensively reforming the social protection system.The World Bank warns that poverty has increased sharply since 2021, and it is likely to increase further in the absence of effective mitigation measures and made several recommendations.– In the short run, increasing financing for social assistance should be a priority. – The government will need to invest in the establishment and operationalization of the Welfare Benefits Board and a Social Registry. – The generosity of cash transfers needs to be revisited, particularly for some vulnerable groups– Sri Lanka also needs to adopt more modern payment systems for cash transfer programs.– Given its increasing vulnerability to shocks, Sri Lanka would also benefit from developing a social protection system that can scale up and phase out where needed.– In the medium to long term, Sri Lanka needs to transition to a more fiscally sustainable and inclusive social insurance and aged care system.– Sri Lanka also needs to strengthen its productive inclusion programs.– Finally, a social protection strategy is needed to guide the overall social protection reformThe World Bank said that Rising debt vulnerabilities and weak competitiveness, resulting from years of risky borrowing and poor fiscal and monetary policy choices, along with weak governance, led to an unsustainable debt and a severe balance of payments crisis. It warned that a delayed response allowed the crisis to spread to all key sectors of the economy.The World Bank said that a significant economic contraction is

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today is Day six of the 6th Edition of the Gammadda Door to Door Program, and the Gammadda teams were deployed across three districts today (10) as well.The Gammadda teams engaged in the Door to Door program are currently based in the Ratnapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kilinochchi Districts.The Gammadda Door to Door program is joined by the University of Peradeniya as well. Gammadda is well known among all Sri Lankans, young and old, as the people's force that brings about a new beginning for the villages and towns of Sri Lanka.Gammadda implements these projects by identifying the real needs of the local population.The needs of the people were identified following an extensive and streamlined study of the findings in the Gammadda Door to Door program that was implemented five times before along with the University of Peradeniya.The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Economic Crisis have forced the people of Sri Lanka to undergo various hardships.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place today (10) and will go on to October 16 at the IMF and World Bank Group headquarters, in Washington DC.Sri Lanka decided to send eight representatives for the annual summit of the IMF and the World Bank.Sri Lanka's delegation will be led by State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe.Also, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Finance Secretary, and several others will accompany to the State Minister.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called the attack that damaged the huge bridge connecting Russia to its annexed territory of Crimea "a terrorist act" masterminded by Ukrainian special services.The Kerch Bridge, which holds important strategic and symbolic value to Russia in its faltering war in Ukraine, was hit a day earlier by what Moscow has said was a truck bomb. Road and rail traffic on the bridge were temporarily halted, damaging a vital supply route for the Kremlin’s forces."There’s no doubt it was a terrorist act directed at the destruction of critically important civilian infrastructure of the Russian Federation," Putin said during a meeting with the chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating a daytime shooting that unfolded in Kensington Sunday afternoon.A 29-year-old man was reportedly shot multiple times inside a store on the 3100 block of Kensington Avenue around 12:30 p.m.He is said to be in critical condition after being transported to a local hospital.MORE HEADLINES:No arrests have been made, and no weapons recovered at this time.

Man, woman critical after Philadelphia shootings. PHILADELPHIA - Overnight shootings in Philadelphia left a man and woman in critical condition Saturday morning.Police say the first shooting rang out on the 400 block of East Allegheny Avenue in Kensington just before 2 a.m. A 37-year-old woman was found shot once in the stomach and once in the lower back.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Transport Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has requested for anyone who knows the method for freeing the country from its current crisis to come forward. The Minister said that as the Government has announced that it has defaulted on its debt, if anyone can indeed teach the Government on how to get out of its situation, that would bring them glory in this world and a blessing in the hereafter.He also stated that the Government of USA has filed a lawsuit alleging that Sri Lanka has not paid part of the debt it has taken by issuing sovereign bonds, and said that Sri Lanka does not have the expertise to face such a case. Therefore, the Government has assigned the responsibility of providing legal advice to a company called Clifford and Sons, and had chosen a company called Lazard to prepare a system to get us out of the crisis. "There is no political solution for this.

GLADIATOR star Russell Crowe has donated £5,000 to help save an independent book shop. The Oscar-winning actor contributed to a crowdfunding campaign launched this week.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Supreme Court Justice Buwaneka Pandukabaya Aluwihare PC took oath as the Acting Chief Justice in the presence President Ranil Wickremesinghe.He took oaths at the President's Office on Sunday (09).Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake also participated the event.

Justin Bieber is pulling the plug on the remaining shows of his Justice World Tour due to his health.A statement on the tour’s official Instagram account says all remaining dates of the tour, up to and including March 25, 2023, are postponed to next year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Although the President attempted to push the idea that he accepted the challenge of leading the country forward through an economic crisis as there was no one else qualified to take up the challenge, the question remains whether he accepted it because he did not have a choice, or whether he was chosen to oversee the return of the Rajapaksas. Speaking at the Parliament, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Rajapaksa camp was pushed against the wall, and they chose Wickremesinghe as the President to see them through the current crisis. "Therefore, he is not the one who accepted this challenge, but he is the chosen one," Dissanayake said.He emphasized that he too remains ready to accept this very same position and challenged the President to hold an election to appoint a leader and government.Citing the statement by President alleging that some political parties are ready to take power over dead bodies, Dissanayake challenged the President to name such parties."We have to accept that a Government and an individual cannot come out of this crisis. Society should be united for this.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Justice Dr.Wijayadasa Rajapaksa says the latest resolution adopted on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council would have an effect on the proposed IMF bailout as well as the GSP+ concession. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Reforms attributes the change of stances Sri Lanka as a nation adopted from time to time and the breakdown of the general public's trust in its leaders to the UNHRC resolution being passed.The Minister warned that this development has pushed Sri Lanka into a perilous situation. The resolution presented at the 51st Session of the UNHRC by the core group on Sri Lanka was passed yesterday.9 out of the 19 facts presented in the resolution concerned the economic crisis in the country and recent violations of human rights.20 countries voted in favour of the resolution while 7 opposed it. 20 countries including India, Japan and Nepal abstained from voting. The Minister of Justice pointed out that he will continue to hand in hand with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite steps to introduce democratic reforms while working with the international community through a mutual understanding.

A new Covid-19 wave appears to be brewing in Europe as cooler weather arrives, with public health experts warning that vaccine fatigue and confusion over types of available vaccines will likely limit booster uptake.

PHILADELPHIA - As city and community leaders try to find ways to protect kids from the gun violence crisis, a new program at several Philadelphia schools aims to keep students safe after the final bell rings.The folks in the blue vests outside West Philadelphia High School are community members paid to monitor dismissal, as part of the "Safe Path" program just instituted this year at eight Philly schools. The goal is to help reduce violence and make sure kids get home safely.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden said Thursday that the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" is at the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russian officials speak of the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in the eight-month invasion of Ukraine.Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "a guy I know fairly well" and the Russian leader was "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons."Biden added, "We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis." He suggested the threat from Putin is real "because his military is — you might say — significantly underperforming."Marine One carrying US President Joe Biden lands at the Wall Street landing zone in New York on Oct. 6, 2022.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting in West Philadelphia that left a woman in critical condition on Thursday morning, according to police. Authorities say police responded to the 700 block of South 60th Street at 1:18 a.m. According to officials, a woman was found lying on the steps of a friend's home, bleeding heavily from her head. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESChief Inspector Scott Small says the woman is undergoing surgery at Presbyterian Hospital and is in extremely critical condition. Investigators believe the woman was shot by someone across the street as she was walking up the stairs, but are unsure if she was targeted, police say. This is a developing story.

Mulayam Singh ji is still critical and on life saving drugs, he is being treated in the ICU Medanta hospital, Gurugram, by a comprehensive team of specialists." Samajwadi Party patriarch has been under treatment since August 22 for his regular medical checkups and examinations. On Sunday suddenly his health deteriorated after which he was shifted to ICU in Medanta Hospital. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and enquired about his father Mulayam Singh Yadav's health, said sources.

BANGKOK - At least 24 children and 11 adults were killed Thursday in an attack that began at a childcare center in northeastern Thailand, authorities said. The gunman then fled the scene, shooting from his car as he drove home, where he killed his wife and child before taking his own life, police said.The initial attack came at about 12:30 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The prices of smartphones in Sri Lanka have increased by 70% to 100% over the past few months.In January this year, an android smartphone was priced from Rs. 20,000/- updates, however, the prices have now increased."The lowest original phone is around Rs.