Provident: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Education, Susil Premjayanth has met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Novak.He met with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister during an official visit to Russia.The two dignitaries discussed obtaining fuel for Sri Lanka at length during the meeting, in addition to the welfare of Sri Lankan students who went to Russia for higher education.The Minister thanked Russia for its support provided to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 period.

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.

CENTER CITY - With so much violence gripping the city of Philadelphia, young people are taking a stand against the violence in their neighborhoods.On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, members of its city took to the streets to send a message to the chaos makers in the city, no one is backing down."I’m tired of our kids dying! They’re not growing old. They need to grow old.

Mattel releases a new Tina Turner doll to celebrate the music icon. (Photo courtesy of Mattel) A music icon is being honored by Mattel with her own doll.

LARGO, MARYLAND - "That was my soul mate, my life partner, my best friend, my lover," Craig Winn said. Winn was talking about his wife, Verna, who passed away inside of Jasper's earlier this week. Mr. Winn said they've been together for more than 40 years. The Odenton couple was out having lunch at Jasper's in Largo with family and friends on Wednesday."Once we finished, we all got our check and everyone decided to go to the restroom," Winn recalled. He noticed everyone had returned from the restroom except for Verna.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) called for critical amendments and public consultation on the proposed Anti-Corruption Law, which enables the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magisterial order.The controversial bill was introduced by the Ministry of Justice, and oversees the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magesterial order, for officials who are suspected to have carried out an offence under the proposed anti-corruption act. This law seeks to replace the Bribery Act, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law. According to the bill, any authorized officer of the Commission may without an order from a Magistrate and without a warrant arrest any person suspected of committing an offence under the provisions of this Act. Moreover, the section (58)1 of the proposed bill highlights that "an authorised officer of the Commission may apply in writing to the High Court for a warrant authorizing the covert monitoring of any conduct and recording of any communication if such officer has reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that a person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence under this Act."TISL notes that Sri Lanka does not lack laws to deal with bribery and corruption even at present, however the enforcement of the said laws remain inadequate. While the country is struggling to apply even the existing anti-corruption laws, the TISL seriously notes that the independence of any proposed anti-corruption body from the Executive could only be assured, if any

get a test through the free NHS programme.You must provide your employees with personal protective equipment free of charge if your risk assessment shows that PPE is needed in their role.If the employee has to buy their own PPE because you cannot provide it, you must reimburse them for it.You do not have to pay tax or National Insurance if you provide your employees with PPE or reimburse them for the cost of buying their own.If you do not reimburse the cost, your employee cannot claim tax relief on the expense.

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas - Former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for giving pitcher Tyler Skaggs pills laced with fentanyl that ended up killing him.In February, Kay was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.In 2019, the Angels were in Texas to play the Rangers when the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead inside of his Southlake hotel room with a mix of ethanol, fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.Investigators found pills inside Skaggs' hotel room that looked like oxycodone tablets. Analysis later revealed the pills were laced with fentanyl.Kay, the Angels communications director at the time, originally denied giving the pills to Skaggs in an interview with law enforcement.Investigators later found text messages from Skaggs asking Kay to stop by his room with pills on the night of his death.ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 12: Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels speaks to Eric Kay in the dugout before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Appeal Court recalled the arrest warrant issued on State Minister Sanath Nishantha on Thursday (13) evening.Sri Lankan State Minister Sanath Nishantha appeared in court on Thursday (13) after the Court of Appeal ordered his immediate arrest for failing to appear in court.The Judicial Services Commission and multiple Counsel had filed petitions with the Court of Appeal claiming that State Minister Sanath Nishantha has made comments that bring disrepute to the Judiciary and the Magistrates, during a press conference convened at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Head Office.The Court of Appeal had ordered the State Minister to appear in court on Thursday (13) to provide reasons as to why the court should not impose any punishment on him for the contempt of court allegations mentioned in the petitions.The application was called up in the presence of Court of Appeal Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and R.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan State Minister Sanath Nishantha appeared in court on Thursday (13) after the Court of Appeal ordered for his immediate arrest for failing to appear in court.The Judicial Services Commission and multiple Counsel had filed petitions with the Court of Appeal claiming that State Minister Sanath Nishantha has made comments that bring disrepute to the Judiciary and the Magistrates, during a press conference convened at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Head Office.The Court of Appeal had ordered the State Minister to appear in court on Thursday (13) to provide reasons as to why the court should not impose any punishment on him for the contempt of court allegations mentioned in the petitions.The application was called up in the presence of Court of Appeal Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and R.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal has ordered the IGP to immediately arrest State Minister Sanath Nishantha and produce him in court.The order was issued as State Minister Nishantha failed to appear in court on Thursday (13).The Judicial Services Commission and multiple Counsel had filed petitions with the Court of Appeal claiming that State Minister Sanath Nishantha has made comments that bring disrepute to the Judiciary and the Magistrates, during a press conference convened at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Head Office.The Court of Appeal had ordered the State Minister to appear in court on Thursday (13) to provide reasons as to why the court should not impose any punishment on him for the contempt of court allegations mentioned in the petitions.The application was called up in the presence of Court of Appeal Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, and R.

BioCoreRx is partnering with 2B3D to create a first-of-its-kind treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD. LiveNOW from FOX learns more about this virtual reality software.Facebook parent Meta unveiled a high-end virtual reality headset Tuesday with the hope that people will soon be using it to work and play in the still-elusive place called the "metaverse."The $1,500 Meta Quest Pro headset sports high-resolution sensors that let people see mixed virtual and augmented reality in full color, as well as eye tracking and so-called "natural facial expressions" that mimic the wearer's facial movements so their avatars appear natural when interacting with other avatars in virtual-reality environments.Formerly known as Facebook, Meta is in the midst of a corporate transformation that it says will take years to complete.

FILE IMAGE - The breakfast cereal aisle is pictured at a grocery store in Florida in an undated file image. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - The U.S.

The startup was founded in January 2021 by Samarth Sindhi. It provides solutions for patients with conditions like hair fall, sexual health, and weight loss, among others. Hyderabad-based direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup Good Health Company (Clinic) has secured $10 million in a Series A funding round, led by New York-based venture capital firm Left Lane Capital.

DREXEL HILL, Pa. - A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday ruled that Delaware County Memorial Hospital will temporarily remain open. Prospect Medical Holdings, the building's current owners, had planned to turn the hospital into an in-patient psychiatric facility. An executive with the health care system confirmed Prospect was not closing the facility but would provide few other details.A local foundation challenged the company in court and a hearing was held on Friday. RELATED COVERAGE:Dr.

King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in a ceremony that will embrace the past but look to the modern world after the 70-year reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.Tuesday’s announcement from Buckingham Palace comes amid speculation that the coronation will be shorter and less extravagant than the three-hour ceremony that installed Elizabeth in 1953, in keeping with Charles’ plans for a slimmed down monarchy. While the palace provided few details, British media reported that the guest list would be pared to 2,000 from 8,000.Charles will be crowned in a solemn religious ceremony conducted by Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, the palace said in a statement.

FILE - An Illinois farmer walks through a hog pen on his farm on Jan. 25, 2020, in Polo, Illinois.

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.

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.

PHILADELPHIA - Mental health experts say that more people are seeking therapy now than ever before. There's just one issue: there aren't enough therapists.

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. 

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBEFILE -Roller coaster riders throw their hands in the air as they ride "Goliath," the newest roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

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.

(Army) – The Sri Lanka Army; the proud “Protector of the State” which led a sustained crusade against ruthless terrorism and brought durable peace to the Nation after more than three decades of human suffering celebrated its 73rd anniversary aka the Army Day on Monday (10 October) with grandeur at Panagoda, assuring that it would continue to be the leading gurantor of national security.Fluttering Army Flag and multi-coloured flags of all Regiments and formations which provided a dramatic backdrop for the day's formal spectacle in the premises where Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army added dignity and prominence to the commemoration as the Chief Guest, set the stage aptly ready for the day's proceedings in the glittering ceremony soon after the Army Chief's arrival was heralded.Typical of military formalities, a smartly-attired Guard Turnout salute greeted the day's Chief Guest as he entered the premises after the Centre Commandant, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Regimental Centre welcomed Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage to the location. This year’s Army Day parade commanded by Major General SUMN Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, Director General General Staff, together with Brigadier GWA Senevirathna USP psc, Director Research Concept and Doctrine, 2nd in Command consisted of 77 Officers and 652 Other Ranks of all 25 Regiments with Colours squads.

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) – Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army in his Army Day Message (October 10) aka 73rd Anniversary Day says the prime responsibility of the Sri Lanka Army is to identify the threats to national security and protect the Constitution and democracy in the country and our unity as one would help to overcome any challenge that may pose in the future. " I encourage you to avoid procrastination and discharge your duties effectively to reach the goals of the organization and serve the best interestas of the Nation, " Here follows the full text of his message;Today, the Sri Lanka Army marks its 73 years of illustrious forward march since its inception as the proud “Protector of the State” that continues to render an unparalleled service for safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of our beloved motherland. As the Commander of the Army, I take great pride and pleasure in extending my warmest wishes on the occasion of the 73rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.I fervently consider this is the aptest moment to retrospect on the successful journey of the Sri Lanka Army spanned more than seven decades since its founding on 10 October 1949. The Army has become what it is today owing to the exceptional services rendered by former Commanders, Officers, Other Ranks, and civil employees who served and retired. Thus, I honor their selfless commitment and dedication on this remarkable day. I also consider it our prime duty to pay our utmost tribute and respect to the war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding our motherland and bringing peace and harmony to our country to create a better future for the Nation, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded and

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Medical Specialists of the Ministry of Health have written to the President not to reverse the proposal on reducing the retirement age in the public sector to 60 years.The Medical Specialists of the Ministry of Health feel that bringing down the retirement age of medical specialists to 60 years will not harm the health service or postgraduate medical education as claimed by the lobbying group that is against the move.They said that though around 250 medical specialists are expected to retire, a fair number of specialists will be available to replace them.This includes 200 specialists who recently returned after completing overseas training, 525 specialists due to arrive in the country within the next two years after completing their training overseas, and 300 trainees who have completed local postgraduate specialty training with eligibility to cover up duties as acting specialists.They said that out of the 250 medical specialists who will retire, the majority are from sub-specialty fields where there are currently enough specialists available in the country.They added that if any specialty is left with a shortage, there is a provision for recruitment on a contract basis. They further added that the younger generation with newer skills and knowledge can provide a better and more efficient service in terms of patient care and post-graduate training if an opportunity is given.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed to expedite the program to provide welfare benefits to 3.1 million low-income families in Sri Lanka.This program has been planned to cover all the districts of the country under the theme ‘Don’t Leave Anyone Behind’. Under this program, the benefits will be available for the families or individuals receiving benefits under Samurdhi, Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, and Kidney Disease Assistance Program. People who are on the waiting list expecting subsidies as well as people who are affected by the current economic crisis and who are expecting government welfare benefits will also receive this benefit, the Minister revealed.Minister also said that calling for applications has already started and the closing date has been extended to October 15.The relevant application form can be downloaded via the www.wbb.gov.lkBy calling for new applications, the government hopes to include all eligible beneficiaries and to provide benefits to all those who deserve benefits through the Social Welfare Benefit Board, the Minister further said.Denying the rumor that has been circulating among the public regarding the cut-down of the allowances according to the agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said the government needs to organize the data in a correct system. It needs to include the group who are currently receiving welfare benefits as well as the group who are not receiving welfare benefits but are expecting. We expect to gather all the information and give the allowance to the necessary, appropriate, and correct individual."We are united in the national responsibility that no one should be left behind.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels conducted a tourism promotion workshop in Namur, Belgium recently.The Governor of the Namur Province, Denis Mathen, inaugurated the workshop and spoke in favor of promoting Sri Lanka as a holiday destination for the people in the province. This is the first time a Sri Lanka tourism promotion event has been held in the French-speaking Walloon region.Around 50 tour operators and agents travel journalists, travel media and TV professionals, travel bloggers, social media influencers, representatives of airlines, and decision-makers from the Belgian tourism industry attended the event. The local TV channel, Walloon TV, provided media coverage for the event, which added further outreach to Sri Lanka's tourism.Delivering the welcome address, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, Grace Asirwatham said that, popularly endorsed as one of the best tourist destinations in the world, Sri Lanka was an extremely safe, secure, and serene destination for visitors. Further, Ambassador Asirwatham explained the post-COVID-19 situation in the country and informed that the country was fully open to tourists from all over the world. She also prevailed on the travel agencies to include Sri Lanka in their list of countries as one of the best destinations for Belgian travelers.Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Antwerp Monique De Decker, Managing Director of Andrew The Travel Company (Pvt) Ltd Mahen Kariyawasan, and Advisor of the Classic Destinations Ruwan De Alwis, made presentations to promote the diverse tourist attractions in Sri Lanka including mainstream and niche products. The administrator of Public Market Michele le Grand-Decharneux shared her best experience with the Sri Lanka

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Full moon also known as "Hunter's Moon" rises behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, as seen from Jersey City of New Jersey in United States on October 21, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images LOS ANGELES - Yes, it's that time of year again.

(Reuters) – Japan has not yet reached an agreement to co-chair a debt summit with Sri Lanka's creditors, a government official in Tokyo said on Thursday, as the island nation struggles to find a way out of a crippling economic crisis.Sri Lanka has to renegotiate around $30 billion of foreign debt, including with bilateral creditors such as China, Japan, and India, with one of them likely to co-chair the talks."We have not reached such an agreement. It might be their wishful thinking but the situation remains unchanged," a senior Japanese government official with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on condition of anonymity.The denial from Tokyo came less than an hour after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said on Thursday that Japan had agreed to co-chair the meeting with negotiators.Wickremesinghe's office later issued a clarification saying Sri Lanka had requested Japan to co-chair the summit.

The Hercules statue and dig site are pictured in provided images. (Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports) Archeologists recently unearthed a nearly 2,000-year-old statue depicting Hercules, one of the best-known heroes in ancient mythology, while working in northeastern Greece. During an excavation on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka hopes to reach a common agreement with creditor nations including Japan, China & India.He told Parliament on Thursday (6) that the country already commenced dialogues with Ambassadors from other countries, that have already provided debt to Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe said that after reaching an agreement with the creditor nations, and private lenders Sri Lanka will be able to secure an IMF assurance.The President said thereafter, Sri Lanka will be able to access bridging finace with lenders like the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.He said that Sri Lanka hopes to access around USD 1 Billion through bridging finace.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Japan has said that it is ready to assist Sri Lanka in the Credit Reconciliation process, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament on Thursday (6) morning.He also said that Japan has agreed to co-chair the summit in negotiation with the Debit countries,The President further said that the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide USD 500 Million loan to Sri Lanka.All steps have been taken to provide fertilizer & seeds required for upcoming Maha season, President Wickremesinghe also told the Parliament.Watch Here:  

Bloomberg – Paris Club creditors reached out to China and India to coordinate Sri Lanka’s debt-restructuring talks, according to a person familiar with the matter, in an attempt to bring major global creditors together to rework the obligations of emerging economies.The club, an informal group of mostly rich, western bilateral creditors, is awaiting a response from both countries after it sent an official request in late August to work together, said an official who declined to be identified because talks are continuing.Coordinating on Sri Lanka may result in the formation of an official creditors committee or simply holding regular meetings to share information on debt treatment, the official said.Sri Lanka’s presidency said it’s unaware of the efforts by the club. An Asian diplomat in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, confirmed that the Paris Club had been in contact with the country’s non-Paris Club creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Petroleum Distributors Association said that it decided to call off the trade union action, and place orders for fuel from Wednesday (5).Kapila Naotunna, the Secretary of the Petroleum Distributors Association said this decision was reached after a solution was provided by the subject minister regarding their concerns. The Petroleum Distributors Association stepped away from placing orders for fuel from Tuesday (4) morning.This was in protest against the decision taken by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to recover the 45% discounts awarded to Distributors.As the Petroleum Distributors Association stepped away from placing orders for fuel, long queues were seen leading to filling stations across Sri Lanka.Although the Petroleum Distributors Association suspended their trade union action, fuel queues were witnessed at many areas on Wednesday (5) morning.

FILE - The game ball stands on a pedestal that says 10 Years of NWSL on the pitch before the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Houston Dash at Red Bull Arena on July 31, 2022, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira WASHINGTON - An independent investigation into the scandals that erupted in the National Women's Soccer League last season found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the sport, impacting multiple teams, coaches, and players, according to a report released Monday."Abuse in the NWSL is rooted in a deeper culture in women’s soccer, beginning in youth leagues, that normalizes verbally abusive coaching and blurs boundaries between coaches and players," former acting U.S.

STOCKHOLM - Three scientists jointly won this year's Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for their work on quantum information science that has significant applications, for example in the field of encryption.Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger were cited by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for "pioneering quantum information science.""Quantum information science is a vibrant and rapidly developing field," said Eva Olsson, a member of the Nobel committee.

NEW DELHI : Scientists from the department of biotechnology are working with manufacturers Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech on next generation covid-19 vaccines—a single dose without any need for boosters to protect against new variants. “Our aim is that these next generation covid vaccines should not be repeated with multiple doses. Only one vaccine dose should be enough to provide long- lasting immunity and should be able to protect from future viruses.

Katie Couric provided an update after receiving her stage 1A breast cancer diagnosis in September.

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is beginning its new term, welcoming the public back to the courtroom and hearing arguments for the first time since issuing a landmark ruling stripping away women’s constitutional protections for abortion.Monday's session also is the first time new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court's first Black female justice, will participate in arguments. And the public is back for the first time since the court closed in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.In this handout provided by the Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, Members of the Supreme Court (L-R) Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M.

scientist Svante Paabo won this year’s Nobel Prize in medicine Monday for his discoveries on human evolution that provided key insights into our immune system and what makes us unique compared with our extinct cousins, the award's panel said.Paabo has spearheaded the development of new techniques that allowed researchers to compare the genome of modern humans and that of other hominins — the Neanderthals and Denisovans.FILE - Neanderthal researcher Svante Pääbo is pictured on July 9, 2018, in Hamburg. (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images) While Neanderthal bones were first discovered in the mid-19th century, only by unlocking their DNA — often referred to as the code of life — have scientists been able to fully understand the links between species.This included the time when modern humans and Neanderthals diverged as a species, determined to be around 800,000 years ago, said Anna Wedell, chair of the Nobel Committee."Paabo and his team also surprisingly found that gene flow had occurred from Neanderthals to Homo sapiens, demonstrating that they had children together during periods of co-existence," she said.This transfer of genes between hominin species affects how the immune system of modern humans reacts to infections, such as the coronavirus.

PHILADELPHIA - J.T. Realmuto's Phillies now need just one more victory — or one more loss by the Milwaukee Brewers — to end Philadelphia's 11-year postseason drought.And the three-time All-Star catcher in his ninth season in the big leagues finally wants a taste of the playoffs himself, too.So of course Realmuto is keeping tabs on what the Brewers do, watching them on a cellphone in the clubhouse after helping Philadelphia beat the Washington Nationals 8-1 Sunday in a game shortened to six innings by a downpour."This is what you play for, obviously.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy's latest Off Shore Patrol Vessel, orginally used by the US Coast Guard called port in Guam.Sri Lanka Navy officially took delivery of the EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Douglas Munro, provided by the United States, on 26th October 2021.Subsequently, she was designated with the Pennant Number P 627 in SLN Fleet and underwent certain modernization equipped to suit the operational needs of the Sri Lanka Navy. The ship departed for Sri Lanka from the Port of Seattle, United States on 03rd September 2022.Having covered a long sea voyage of about 5898 nautical miles (10923km) in the Pacific Ocean, P 627 called at Port Apra in Guam for replenishment on 02nd October.During the passage she is also expected to make port calls at Manila in the Philippines and Changi in Singapore for replenishment and services. Meanwhile, P 627 is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Colombo in the first week of November 2022.

I am 28 years old and recently got married. I am covered in my corporate health Insurance policy but want to buy health insurance for my wife. Please advise what options are available and what things I should consider before buying health Insurance. - Sachin It is good to hear that you know the importance of having an insurance plan.