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WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will announce the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve Wednesday as part of a response to recent production cuts announced by OPEC+ nations, and he will say more oil sales are possible this winter, as his administration rushes to be seen as pulling out all the stops ahead of next month’s midterm elections.Biden will deliver remarks Wednesday to announce the drawdown from the strategic reserve, senior administration officials said Tuesday on the condition of anonymity to outline Biden's plans.

FILE - The Supreme Court of the United States is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal seeking to give people born in American Samoa U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to raise the Government's debt ceiling for the year 2022. Speaking at the Cabinet decisions press conference on Tuesday (18), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the country currently can only take debt to the limit whic the Parliament hsa set, which is Rs.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A majority of U.S. adults expect America's relations with foreign adversaries like Russia and North Korea to grow more hostile, according to a new poll, a major shift in public opinion from four years ago under President Donald Trump.Two years into the Biden administration, 60% of U.S. adults say relations with adversaries will get worse, up from 26% four years ago at the same point in the Trump administration, according to the poll from the Pearson Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

SAN CLEMENTE, CA - MARCH 10: A caution sign sits on one of the Holtec HI-STORM UMAX dry storage containers at the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station south of San Clemente, CA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) - There is significant radioactive contamination at an elementary school in suburban St.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he had recently discussed Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring with the Chinese Finance Minister and he is optimistic that the discussions in this regard would be concluded successfully.The President further mentioned that the delegation headed by the State Minister of Finance, who is currently in Washington, held initial discussions yesterday (15) with the International Monetary Fund and the three main countries, China, India and Japan that have given loans to the country. He said that the government is giving priority to immediately solve the problem of the country’s bankruptcy and to ensure food security.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks following an observation tour of the cultivated lands in Rathumada-Weerakandawala area in Siambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat this morning (16).The President also discussed the progress of the implementation of the food security program in Monaragala district with government officials.He said that there is no problem with having debates and also recalled the statements made by some people that they would come forward and shed blood and said that one should live before shedding blood.The President mentioned that if a proper program is not implemented to provide food to the people, they will not have to shed blood but will starve to death.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says that they are ready for an election at anytime.A public meeting in the series of public rallies of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, titled – 'Let's stand together' – was held in Nawalapitiya on Sunday (16).The public meeting was held under the chairmanship of SLPP Leader and the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.Speaking at the event, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse admitted that although they may have made mistakes, there have been people in history who have made mistakes before. "When something goes wrong, we have a chance to fix it. We don't need to be ashamed," he said. He alleged that while many know the truth of what happened, many still act as if they do not know, and stick by their lies for the shame of not being able to take back their accusations.Acknowledging the protest which took place at the same location today, the former Prime Minister said that it is unclear what they demand, and he has no idea as to what they expect."We know there is a section of this country against us.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed all the District Secretaries to coordinate the relief work with the help of the Disaster Management centre for those affected by the prevailing bad weather conditions.The President has also mentioned that all necessary provisions have been allocated through the Ministry of Finance and has directed the officials to provide all necessary facilities including food and medicine to the affected people. He has advised the officials to pay special attention to the sanitary facilities of the affected people.The President further instructed the District Secretaries to work in coordination with all the Divisional Secretaries and officials of the line ministries to get the support of government officials and the armed forces in this relief program.According to the Disaster Management Centre report as of October 16 2022, 15,404 families in 52 Divisional Secretariats have been affected by the strong winds, landslides and floods that affected 11 districts namely Trincomalee, Galle, Kilinochchi, Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Kandy Hambantota and Kegalle.Due to the prevailing bad weather conditions, 03 people are reported dead and two people are reported injured across the island.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that all should join together to solve the people’s food issues, casting traditional party politics aside.The President made this observation addressing the public officers at an awareness program on the multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centers to ensure food security and nutrition at Hardy Advanced Technological Institute Auditorium in Ampara this morning (15).The President further noted that no one would be allowed to starve despite the fact that the country is going through a very difficult time and pointed out the importance of successfully implementing the national food production program to prepare for a possible global food crisis in 2023.The president also said that the agriculture modernization program would be implemented from next year concurrent to the food security program.The implementation of the multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centers to ensure food security and nutrition in transforming the Ampara District also into a prosperous one with a blooming community was also discussed at length.The Ampara district contributes 22 percent to the national paddy harvest and discussions were also focused on making the paddy cultivation in the Yala and Maha seasons a success.It was also special feature that the President paid special attention to the issues faced by the government officials during the field work. The president was made aware of issues related to the agriculture and fisheries industry in the Ampara district and he directed the officials to address those issues.

Rescue works continue for the coal miners, who are trapped under the rubbles, at the explosion site of a coal mine in Turkiye's northern Bartin province on October 15, 2022. (Photo by Kahraman Bekcili/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Funerals for miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey began Saturday as officials raised the death toll to at least 40 people.Desperate relatives had waited all night in the cold outside the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise's (TTK) mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, hoping for news.

Ohio are pleading for help in the state's Senate contest, afraid they may lose a winnable election unless national party leaders make major investments in the coming days.So far, the most powerful groups in Democratic politics have prioritized Senate pickup opportunities in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over Ohio, once a perennial swing state that veered right in the Trump era. But on the eve of the 2022 midterms, some public polls suggest Ohio is as competitive as the other swing states, leaving many Democrats here wondering why their party isn't backing Senate contender Tim Ryan more forcefully."Ohio’s just not a priority anymore.

The closing date for the acceptance of the applications to identify the families and individuals who require benefits under Welfare Benefits program initiated on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the theme of ‘Leave No One Behind’ is extended for October 28.The Welfare Benefit Board earlier had announced October 15 as the closing date for the application. Hence the opportunity is still remains open for those who are expecting subsidies and yet failed to submit their applications.The Welfare Benefit Board emphasizes that it is mandatory for all families or individuals receiving benefits under Samurdhi, Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons and Kidney Disease Assistance Program and people who are on the waiting list expecting subsidies to submit their applications under the new project.The relevant application form can be downloaded from the official website of the Welfare Benefits Board (www.wbb.gov.lk).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Trincomalee District Strategic Development Plan is not targeting elections, but a project that has been initiated to benefit future generations.The President said that Sri Lanka values India’s assistance in implementing the Trincomalee district development project, as our closest neighbour.He made this statement by joining the special discussion on the Trincomalee District Development Plan, held today (14) at the grounds of Trincomalee Orr’s Hill.He recollected the objections raised when the Trincomalee oil tanks were to be handed over to India, adding that the country would not have faced a fuel crisis if the decision to provide the oil tanks had received the green light to be fully implemented.Prior to the commencement of the discussion, President Wickremesinghe inspected several places proposed to be developed under the Trincomalee District Development Plan.The President was able to view the locations proposed under the Trincomalee District Development Plan from the Orr’s Hill vantage point.Further, following the discussion, the President also inspected the proposed project to develop the beach and recreation facilities near the Trincomalee Gandhi Roundabout, as a tourist attraction.Meanwhile, the President who also met a group of Trincomalee District regional journalists and had a cordial discussion.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, further commenting in the discussion regarding the Trincomalee District Development Plan said,“We are not initiating this project targeting the next election, but for the benefit of the next generation. In 2023 we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Independence.

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.

Plant Hardiness Zone map of the United States. (USDA/Oregon State University) NEW YORK - Planting trees on your property can have a number of benefits, including lowering your energy bills, cleaning the air you breathe, fighting climate change, and of course add some natural beauty to your view. Although you can buy trees from your local nursery or even from online vendors, U.S.

new cost-of-living adjustment (or COLA) is added to Social Security payments.The 8.7% raise is meant to help them with higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of more than $140 per month, according to government estimates.But what does the increase mean for the fund that helps pay Social Security benefits? And what should younger generations keep in mind? Here are some As to some Qs.When you work, some of your taxes fund Social Security.

JENKINTOWN, Pa. - A longtime tradition in Jenkintown is no more and community members are not happy.First Covid stopped it. Now, the annual homecoming bonfire is over for good. But, why? Students say the large bonfire anchors the annual homecoming tradition."I was going to go this year.

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump’s plea to step into the legal fight over the FBI search of his Florida estate.The justices did not otherwise comment in turning away Trump’s emergency appeal.Trump had pressed the court on an issue relating to classified documents seized in the search authorized by a federal judge of Mar-a-Lago.The Trump team was asking the justices to overturn a lower court ruling and permit an independent arbiter, or special master, to review the roughly 100 documents with classified markings that were taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago.A three-judge panel from the Atlanta-based U.S.

FILE - Feminine hygiene products for sale at CVS Pharmacy. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) CVS Health will lower the price of its store-branded menstrual products in stores and pay the sales tax on those products in 12 U.S.

WASHINGTON - The House Jan. 6 committee is set to unveil "surprising" details including evidence from Donald Trump’s Secret Service about the 2021 attack on the U.S.

 COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan State Minister Sanath Nishantha was given a strong warning by the country's Court of Appeal on Thursday (13).On Thursday (13) morning, the Court of Appeal ordered the IGP to immediately arrest State Minister Sanath Nishantha and produce him in court as he failed to appear in court as ordered.However, moment later the State Minister appeared in court, and the warrant for his arrest was recalled by the Court of Appeal.Justices of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and Ratnapriya Gurusinghe strongly warned the State Minister noting that insulting the judiciary, and challenging the powers of the judges is a serious offense, and stressed that the State Minister as a Public Representative and Member of Parliament must bear that in mind at all times. Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne inquired from the State Minister as to whether he was aware of the consequences faced by those who had previously committed contempt of court, and considering the fact that the State Minister appeared in court moment after the warrant was issued, decided to recall the warrant.Justice Karunaratne strong warned the State Minister to ensure that he appears in court on time, and postponed the matter to the 10th of November.He also pointed out to the State Minister that the Judicial Services Commission, of which all of Sri Lanka's Magistrate's and District Judges hold membership, had filed a complaint seeking proper punishment on the State Minister as his comments during a media briefing on the 23rd of August 2022 at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna after very serious.Earlier in the day, Counsel Shantha Jayawardena requested court for the case to be postponed to another date, as his client, the

WASHINGTON - Millions of Social Security recipients will learn soon just how high a boost they'll get in their benefits next year.The increase to be announced Thursday, expected to be the largest in 40 years, is fueled by record-high inflation and is meant to help cover the higher cost of food, fuel, and other goods and services. How well it does that depends on inflation next year.The boost in benefits will be coupled with a 3% drop in Medicare Part B premiums, meaning retirees will get the full impact of the jump in Social Security benefits.The announcement comes just weeks before the midterm elections, and at a time when Democrats and Republicans are sparring about high prices now and how best to shore up the program financially in the future.President Joe Biden has pledged to protect both Social Security and Medicare.

Antonio Lamotta, Joshua Macias (Philadelphia Police Department) PHILADELPHIA - Two supporters of President Donald Trump arrested after driving a Hummer with guns and ammunition to a Philadelphia site where votes were being counted in November 2020 were convicted of weapons charges Wednesday but acquitted of election interference.Prosecutors argued that Vets for Trump co-founder Joshua Macias and co-defendant Antonio LaMotta, both of Virginia, planned a mass shooting as the outcome of the presidential election remained uncertain.However, Common Pleas Court Judge Lucretia Clemons rejected that theory, finding the men guilty only of bringing weapons to the city without a permit on Nov. 5, 2020.RELATED COVERAGELaMotta is separately charged with federal misdemeanor offenses stemming from his alleged illegal entry of the U.S.

LOS ANGELES - Following backlash over racially charged remarks, Nury Martinez has resigned from the Los Angeles City Council, she announced Wednesday. Martinez released a statement saying in part, "It is with a broken heart that I resign my seat for Council District 6, the community I grew up in and my home. To my constituents - Serving you has been a privilege and one that I don’t give up lightly.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a dignified manner that reflects national and religious unity.Steps have been taken to celebrate the 75th Independence Day celebrations on the 04th of February 2023 at the Galle Face Green with all pomp and pageantry under the theme, “Let’s stand together”.A discussion on the organization of the 75th Independence Day commemoration was held under the chairmanship of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s Office this afternoon (12). The President issued these instructions during this discussion.Numerous events and programs have been organized in conjunction with the Independence Day commemoration and special cycle race, school tournament, historical and rare book exhibition are among the main features planned.In addition, marking this special occasion, a housing project of 2000 houses has been planned in Colombo and Gampaha districts.On the 04th and 05th of February, all national parks will be open to the public free of charge and a commemorative stamp will be issued in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day celebrations.The organizing committee of the Independence Day celebrations comprises 10 sub-committees and an open invitation is extended to the public to witness the Independence Day celebrations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Member of the Economic Center of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the Government's recent tax revision has a risk of being backfired, and alleged that the proposal was not brought before the Parliament and neither the Parliament Finance Committe for approval beforehand. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday (12), the MP alleged that the tax revsion is one of the moved which are stipulated in the IMF agreement, that was hidden from the public. Speaking further, the SJB MP said that these proposed 'dictatorial' tax amendments should be discussed more, and should be implemented gradually, in a step-by-step fashion rather than in a matter of a week or two. If these tax revisions are implemented without consulting with the public, it would result in disastrous circumstances, including being backfired, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On the sidelines of the poppy flower campaign launched to commemorate war veterans, the President of Sri Lanka Naval Association, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Rtd) pinned a poppy flower on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters today (12). The poppy flower campaign was originally adopted to commemorate those war veterans who perished for their country during World War I and II. Presently, the exchange of poppies symbolizes honoring the supreme sacrifice made by the veterans of the armed forces for the Motherland. As such, in commemoration of all naval war veterans, the President of the Sri Lanka Naval Association pinned this poppy flower on the Commander of the Navy today.The Vice President of the Sri Lanka Naval Association, Rear Admiral Manil Mendis (Rtd) and several members of the association were also present on this occasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal on Wednesday (12) set a date to issue the order with regard to the writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena requesting to annul the notice issued on him to appear at the Fort Magistrate's Court on 14th October where he is named as a suspect in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks case. Accordingly, the Court of Appeal will issue the relevant order at 9:30 in the morning on 14th October.A bench comprising of Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola issued the order after the petition was taken up in Court today.Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya appeared on behalf of the Attorney General while President's Counsel Rienzi Arsecularatne represented the plaintiffs including Rev. Fr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that using children as shields in demonstrations is a serious offence according to the law of the country and advised the Sri Lanka Police to take immediate measures to prevent the perpetuation of such conduct.President Wickremesinghe issued these instructions during the special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (12) on the protection of children’s rights.Highlighting sub-section 13 of Article 27 of the Constitution, “The State shall promote with special care the interests of children and youth, to ensure their full development, physical, mental, moral, religious and social, and to protect them from exploitation and discrimination,” the President emphasized that protecting children is the prime responsibility of a government.Steps were also taken to assign the responsibilities of child protection to the Sri Lanka Police and related government institutions.The President upheld the need for an Act to protect children’s rights to prevent them from being used for sexual activities and protect their fundamental rights. He also advised the officials to discuss this issue with the Attorney General to take necessary steps in this regard.The President drew attention to the detention of the children, who were among the people who were arrested for illegally migrating to India, and therefore separated from their parents. He said that this situation needs to be rectified immediately and arrangements made to return the children to their parents.The President also requested special attention to be paid to the education of children in orphanages and the protection of their rights and advised the officials to submit a report on those with special

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program ‘Leave No One Behind’ targeting low-income families, which was initiated as per the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has so far received 2.3 million applications, according to the Welfare Benefit Board.The applications are being promptly entered into the system through Welfare Benefit Information Units established in 341 Divisional Secretariats throughout the country and as of today (12), 624,714 applications have been entered into the system.It is expected that the 600,000 families that have been downgraded to the low-income category, in the face of the second COVID-19 wave and the economic crisis faced by the country, as reported by the United Nations Development Program, are also eligible to apply for this Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program. This is in addition to the 3.3 million families that are currently receiving welfare benefits or those who are already on the waiting list.Accordingly, it is estimated that 3.9 million families would apply for this social welfare program.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A country’s security is not only ensured militarily but is also secured through food and economic security, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized.The President said this during the progress review meeting of the National Food Security and Nutrition Assurance Program held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (11).Emphasizing that urgent measures should be taken to provide the country with fuel and food, the President said that if necessary, he could intervene through state security regulations.The President also noted that if the implementation of the food security and nutrition assurance program is hampered due to the collapse of the state machinery, he is ready to intervene at any moment to resolve these issues.President Ranil Wickremesinghe also pointed out the need to modernize agriculture and enact legislation on food security through this program.The multi-sectoral joint mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centres to ensure food security and nutrition was recently implemented across the island under the theme “No citizen should be allowed to starve due to the lack of food”, on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Also, the progress of the program at the district level was examined during this discussion and it was stated that rural economic revitalization committees have been established at the village level in all districts and programs have been initiated to ensure food security and nutrition.Discussions also centred on the issues that could arise during the cultivation process in the relevant districts, while special attention was placed on the supply of fertilizer, land issues, unavailability of seeds and the crop damage caused by wild animals.President

A brazen Ayrshire business chief has been banned from being a company director for ten years after spending the majority of a Covid loan on herself.

COLOMBO (News 1st)-  Former Norwegian government minister Erik Solheim has been appointed as a International Climate Adviser together to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed.He called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (12) and tweeted that the President has a great vision for green economic revocery and for Sri Lankan climate leadership.

PHILADELPHIA - A judge threw out murder charges Tuesday against a former Philadelphia police officer accused of fatally shooting a Black man in the back as he ran. Ryan Pownall, 40, was facing third-degree murder charges in the 2017 shootingof 30-year-old David Jones. Pownall is accused of shooting Jones in the back as he ran from a traffic stop. Court records show that the third-degree charge, as well as reckless endangerment and weapons counts, were ‘quashed’ Tuesday after a motions hearing before a common pleas court. RELATED COVERAGE:FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby responded to the dropped charges in a statement, reading in-part: "We promised a vigorous defense against all the charges and happy to see that all criminal charges were dismissed...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Honda says it will build a $3.5 billion joint-venture battery factory in rural southern Ohio and hire 2,200 people to staff it as the company starts to turn the state into its North American electric vehicle hub.Honda, which announced its first Ohio factory 45 years ago, also plans to invest $700 million and add 300 jobs at three of its own Ohio factories to prepare them to start making EVs and components.The battery plant, to be built jointly with LG Energy Solution of South Korea, could see a total investment of $4.4 billion. The plant site is off Interstate 71 in Fayette County, about 40 miles southwest of the state capital of Columbus.In addition, Honda's assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty, northeast of Columbus, and its engine plant in Anna north of Dayton, will share in the $700 million investment.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand's government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry's main lobby group, said the plan would "rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand" and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn't decrease food production.FILE - A photo taken on August 10, 2022, shows cows being milked on a dairy farm near Cambridge in New Zealand's Waikato region.

WASHINGTON (AP) - All but lost in the shadow of major contests for U.S. Senate and governor, voters in some battleground states will be deciding ballot proposals this November that could reshape the way they vote in the next presidential election.In Arizona, scene of the closest presidential contest in 2020, the question is whether to require more identification to vote in the future.

Republicans are demanding more information from President Biden's Department of Education amid reports that blue states across the country are using billions of taxpayer dollars from the Democrats' $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package to push core tenets of critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, which the Democrats passed in March 2021 without any Republican support, was billed by the Democratic Party as a necessity for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Testimony in the Darrell Brooks trial shifts for the prosecution team on Tuesday, Oct. 11 as the state begins to focus its case on the six fatal victims of the November 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack. The first person called to the stand Tuesday was Kelly Grabow.

Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow was open to talks with the West on the Ukraine war but had yet to receive any serious proposal to negotiate.In an interview on state TV, Lavrov said Russia was willing to engage with the United States or with Turkey on ways to end the war, now in its eight month.His emphasis on Russia’s receptiveness to talks came after a series of stinging defeats since the start of September that have swung the momentum of the conflict in favour of Ukraine. Trudeau ‘appalled’ by Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians, vows accountability Lavrov said officials including White House national security spokesman John Kirby had said the United States was open to talks but that Russia had refused.“This is a lie,” Lavrov said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is to seek eligibility for IDA loans while remaining as a middle-income country and the government stated that Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country.Sri Lanka no longer qualifies for International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loans due to a downgrade of the country’s credit rating.Therefore, the Cabinet approved a proposal yesterday (10) to request the World Bank to grant the country eligibility to obtain loans offered by the International Development Association (IDA).This is with the aim of obtaining concessionary funding from the International Development Association (IDA) — an arm of the World Bank that helps the world’s vulnerable countries. This facility is called “Gap”.Twelve countries including Indonesia have availed themselves of this facility when they were facing economic downturn similar to Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to streamline the process of responding to letters, emails and phone calls addressed to government institutions. The president has focussed his attention on streamlining and expediting the process of responding to letters, emails, and phone calls by the public instead of them having to waste their time, effort, and money by having to come to these institutions personally to attend to their requirements. Accordingly, a special letter signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including provisions in replying to letters, e-mails and telephone calls addressed to government institutions, has been sent to all ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, and Heads of departments.Priority should be given to general letters from the public to government institutions, and in case final replies cannot be sent immediately, an interim reply stating that the letter has been received should be sent within one week and a final reply should be sent within four (04) weeks. In addition, for all official letters, the direct telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the staff officer in charge of the subject should be mentioned below the signature of the relevant letter when sending reply letters.Emails sent to public email addresses of relevant offices should be checked daily and a specific officer should be assigned for the purpose.

New Zealand’s government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry’s main lobby group, said the plan would “rip the guts out of small town New Zealand” and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn’t decrease food production.“Our plan was to keep farmers farming,” Hoggard said.

Ukraine on Monday.The strikes targeted downtown Kyiv, among other Ukrainian cities, and killed at least 14 people. Nearly 100 more were wounded, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.“I’m appalled by Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

LOS ANGELES - Nury Martinez on Monday announced her resignation as Los Angeles City Council president amid backlash over racist comments made about Councilman Mike Bonin's Black son that were revealed in a leaked recording from last fall.  She has resigned from her position as council president but maintains her seat on the council. RELATED: Bonin calls on LA City Council to remove Martinez as president over racist comments on his sonMartinez issued the following statement Monday morning:"I take responsibility for what I said and there are no excuses for those comments. I’m so sorry. I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words: to my colleagues, their families, especially to Mike, Sean, and your son.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez called Monday for freezing all U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia, delivering one of the strongest expressions yet of U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The four adults who were arrested by the police during Sunday's (9) Aragalaya Heroe's Memorial at Galle Face Green were produced to court on Monday (10) after were released on personal bail of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the country needs a national policy that does not change with every government that comes to power and invited everyone to commit to building the country on one national policy without party differences.The President pointed out that to build a developed economy and raise Sri Lanka to the pinnacle of the world, a solid economic policy as well as political stability is a must. Hence, he invited everyone to join hands to discuss the national policy framework using the "Jathika Sabhawa" (National Council) as a platform.President Wickremesinghe stated this while declaring open the first life-saving pharmaceutical manufacturing plant established in Sri Lanka on Monday (10).The President also pointed out that he is working towards establishing a national policy to prepare an export economy using competitive and modern technology.Expressing his views further, the President said, “This company has taken steps to develop our export industry, not only to supply medicines needed domestically but also by producing medicines needed internationally. We sincerely hope that this project commenced by this young entrepreneur will progress to greater heights.