COVID-19: Delhi reports 61 fresh cases, tally climbs to climbed to 20,04,963

A special award was gifted to all NHS Tayside staff at this year’s STAR Awards for their incredible work saving numerous lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health officials have warned about two mutant strains of coronavirus that have emerged in the UK.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Private vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter the Yala National Park without a guide from the Department of Wildlife.Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka's Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation told News 1st that this decision is temporary and will be in effect until the investigation on the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park is complete.He said that the Department of Wildlife will report the matter to the Tissamaharama Court to institute necessary legal action.In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation is conducting its own investigation on the six tour guides, and one forest ranger who were present at the time of the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park.A total of seven Park Rangers have been interdicted until the investigations are over, and they are charged with dereliction of duty, and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The matter was also raised during Wednesday's (26) cabinet briefing, and Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

The country’s active caseload has declined to 19,798, while the total tally of covid cases has risen to 4.46 crore so far New Delhi: India reported 2,208 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, as per the union health ministry data on Friday. The country’s active caseload has declined to 19,798 while the total tally of covid cases has risen to 4.46 crore so far. The death toll has increased to 5,28,999 so far with 12 fatalities reported in a day.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was turned away from the Bandaranaike International Airport by Immigration and Emigration Department officials on Friday (28) morning.Airport Immigration and Emigration said the former politician was turned away based on a court order barring overseas travel.Ranjan Ramanayake speaking to News 1st said that an overseas travel ban was imposed on him with regard to case filed over the distribution rice during the COVID-19 pandemic era.Ramanayake said the case was concluded and the overseas travel ban was lifted, however the relevant agencies had not been informed of the matter.He said that action will be taken on Friday (28) to resolve the matter, adding that he was to fly to the United States of America to attend an event.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said that the number of Dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka has increased threefold compared to 2021.So far in 2022, more than 62,000 Dengue cases have been reported.Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr Sudath Samaraweera says 60 people have died from Dengue this year, adding that a majority of the victims were children and those below the age of 50 years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business will convene today (27) under the leadership of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.The meeting is scheduled to commence at 11.30 AM at the Parliament.Discussions will focus on the future proceedings of Parliament. Reportedly, the Budget presentation and the Budget debate will also be taken up for discussion during the meeting.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam emphasized that dual citizens should be allowed to enter the Parliament. Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters, Kariyawasam stressed this point taking into example the newly appointed British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.Pointing out that the concept of a global village is now prevalent in the world, the SLPP General Secretary said that instead, some parties are attempting to drag the country back into tribalism.He said that England, as a country where Protestant Christianity is used as the official religion, a Hindu of Indian origin was appointed as the Prime Minister, which speaks for the UK's acceptance towards those of a different origin, in contrast to that of Sri Lanka. "The question of whether we, as a country are moving towards tribalism, I think was best answered for those who brought amendments such as the 22nd Amendemnt, by England last week," he said.However, the question remains, wheter the example taken by Kariyawasam is comparable to the situation in Sri Lanka? The current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was born on the 12th of May 1980 at the Southampton Hospital in Britain . Which means he was a British citizen by Birth.

Selena Gomez has COVID.The Calm Down singer shared the news on her Instagram stories on Wednesday morning as she was seen laying on a sofa with a fur blanket over her as her dogs rested nearby.In her caption, the 30-year-old Wizards Of Waverly Place vet told her followers that they need to take COVID seriously because it is still out there. Ill at home: Selena Gomez has COVID. The singer shared the news on her Instagram stories on Wednesday morning as she was seen laying on a sofa with a fur blanket over her as her dogs rested nearby'I'm not going to be on Fallon tonight,' her noted began.'I ended up getting covid but am resting and feeling ok.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – While the SLPP General Secretary says that dual citizens should be allowed to make decisions on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, the United National Party took a different stance.The Vice President of the UNP, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that he opposed dual citizens taking seats in the Parliament, and Sri Lanka should only be ruled by Sri Lankans who care and think about the country.Otherwise, he pointed out, any dual citizen has the right to go to a different country in the future and act in the way that they desire without facing repercussions of their actions. Meanwhile, SJB MP S.M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health is preparing to establish a database by spending almost a billion rupees, however no progress has been made with regard to the infamour #DataScam.The approval of the National Medicnes Regulatory Authority is essential for every medicine and medical device imported to Sri Lanka.With the COVID-19 pandemic, most of these activities take place online, and an advertisement published by the NMRA on October 15th, 2020 confirmed this.The functions of the NMRA were carried out online using the Lanka Government Cloud for uploading important data related to medicinesand medical devices.However, the data belonging to the NMRA which was available on the Lanka Government Cloud suddenly went missing, and later it was revealed that it was deliberate deletion.A complaint on data going missing from the NMRA Cloud was filed with the CID on July 23rd, 2021.A software engineer attached to the private company that managed the NMRA system was accused of deleting the data.However, the database did not even have the minimum security measure or a backup facility.The issue went to the Courts on 6th October 2021 where the gravity of the missing data was disclosed.Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris revealed at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that medicine racketeer made undue advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic that was spreading across Sri Lanka at the time.In court it was revealed that the systems operator from the private company that managed the NMRA cloud had deleted data for a period of seven long hours.Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris emphasized that all those involved in this crime should be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice as they are

Earlier, it was said that the incident was an accident involving the explosion of a gas-powered car. Sources now indicate that Mubeen was not driving a gas vehicle, but a petrol vehicle and the early triggering of the cylinder could have been an accident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Coconut cultivations across multiple districts have been severely affected due to the Coconut White Fly infestation.The Coconut White Fly, which was reported for the first time from the Kegalle district in 2019, is currently widespread in several districts.The Assistant Director of the Coconut Research Institute, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security focused on terminating the service of police officers who have not fulfilled required medical standards.The matter was discussed at the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security held in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas.The Members of Parliament who were present said that there are many officers in the police service who are not in good health condition for a long time and they do not engage in difficult duties following the submission of medical certificates.It was discussed at the meeting that some of these officers are not suffering from health problems and because of this, officers who are always performing their duties properly are getting inconvenienced.Thus, the Inspector General of Police pointed out that there are about 4,000 police officers who are not at the standard level of health condition for a long period of time. Accordingly, Minister Tiran Alas advised that the police department should prepare the necessary proposal regarding the removal of police officers who are not at the standard level of health condition for a long period of time and send it to the ministry. Also, the Inspector General of Police pointed out that a large number of police officers will retire this year and therefore there will be vacancies of about 16,000 police officers this year.Also, there was a discussion on the reported incidents of police officers using drugs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and the Finance Secretary have both echoed that the process to stabilize the economy is going to be a painful process.However, the Minister of Mass Media, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – ‘Sri Lanka Leopard Dynasty’ by Thivanka Rukshan Perera will become the first ever Sri Lanka documentary to be aired on National Geographic – WILD.News 1st's Senitha Senanayake reports, that ‘Sri Lanka Leopard Dynasty’ produced by ‘Thivanka Rukshan Perera and Aegle Creations PVT Ltd – Sri Lanka’ will air on National Geographic – WILD from November 13th to 30th this year. It will initially make its premiere on German Television (on November 13th, 2022) thereafter there will be a global release on Nat Geo WILD, where it will be dubbed and shown in different languages. The director, writer and editor of the film – ‘Thivanka Rukshan Perera’ – is an alumni of Academy of Art University in San Francisco, USA and a BFA (Hon) – in Motion Picture and Television.According to Thivanka, this documentary was produced with much difficulty, as it faced numerous obstacles including the COVID pandemic that restricted travel for many months.However, “Sri Lanka – Leopard Dynasty” was successfully completed by 2021 and acquired by National Geographic the following year. Currently, it is being dubbed to be shown in different languages worldwide later this year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recommended to the Secretary to the Ministry of Lands Chulananda Perera to update the Land Reforms Commission Act and carry out the necessary measures to restructure its operations.Accordingly, COPE recommended that a report be given within 6 weeks, based on the action taken in this regard.These recommendations were made when the Committee on Public Enterprises met in Parliament last (Oct. 21) under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Prof.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 'Stabilization is a very very painful process', was a statement made by the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe at this morning's (25) launch of the report on the 'state of the economy' published by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). The report contains national policy frameworks for recovery and policy adjustments for stabilization that were tabled and discussed by the board of the IPS and the Governor.

WhatsApp seems to be facing a glitch as a number of users are reporting issues with sending and receiving texts on the app. Downdetector, a website that tracks online outages across the globe, has shown a sharp spike in the number of users reporting WhatsApp’s outage. Downdetector is reporting a major spike with over the 6000 reports online.

Active cases in the country has reached to 22,594 across the country taking the total tally of covid cases to more than 4.46 crore New Delhi: India has reported 826 new covid case in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry said on Tuesday. Active cases in the country has reached to 22,594 across the country taking the total tally of covid cases to more than 4.46 crore. Total death figure has reached 528,980 in the last two years.

But what exactly is brain fog, and is it limited to COVID? It is what it sounds like Brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, but rather the description patients tend to use for their symptoms. Brain fog is what doctors refer to as “cognitive dysfunction". This describes problems with closely linked tasks such as concentration, information processing, memory, thinking and reasoning, and making sense of language.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Legal action has been taken against 100 people who sold bread at a low weight.The Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Attorney Shantha Niriella said that continuous operations are being carried out across the country to trace traders selling bread at low weight.A loaf of bread should be 450g.An individual business owner who sells bread without the relevant weight will be fined Rs.1,000/- to Rs.10,000/-.A fine of 10,000/- to 10,0000/- rupees will be imposed on companies that sell bread at low weight.The Consumer Affairs Authority requested the general public to report the traders who are selling bread at a high price via the hotline 1977.

House prices in Edinburgh and Glasgow have boomed as workers returned to the office.

The COVID-19 pandemic claimed thousands of Sri Lankan lives, and News 1st revealed questionable transactions that took place during the height of the pandemic.Approximately 7 Million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are to expire on Monday, 31st of October 2022.The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health repeatedly requested the people of Sri Lanka to obtain the vaccine doses before delay.Pfizer Inc expects to roughly quadruple the price of its COVID-19 vaccine to about $110 to $130 per dose after the United States government's current purchase program expires.Approximately 7 Million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are to expire, and if it does the value of those vaccines as per the current market rate would be astronomical.While vaccine stocks are about to expire leading to another colossal waste, Sri Lanka also lost a large sum of money when it delayed placing orders for the vaccine.In February 2020, Sri Lanka recorded its first even COVID-19 infection and it didn't take long for the coronavirus to spread across the country.What did Sri Lanka do when other countries devoted their resources to developing a vaccine?Sri Lankan MPs and Minister dropped pots into rivers, and the so-called miracle tonic Dhammika Paniya was promoted widely – while there was absolutely no interest in procuring the vaccines.Experts in the field of medicine repeatedly called for the government to procure vaccines, however as Sri Lankan authorities opted to myth over science, the procurement of much-needed vaccines was delayed.On the 30th of December 2020, the UK granted approval for the emergency use of the AstraZeneca vaccine prompting many other countries to place immediate orders for the vaccines.As it was also produced by the

The region’s over-50s are being urged to arrange their flu and coronavirus vaccines.

Covid-19 update: The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,28,961 with four more fatalities. With 1,994 fresh cases, India's Covid-19 tally has climbed to 4,46,42,742, while the number of active cases of the infection has declined to 23,432, the Union health ministry said on Sunday. The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,28,961 with four more fatalities, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.

MARION COUNTY, Fla. - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old student at Lake Weir Middle School broke into her grandparents’ safe and stole about $13,500 in cash – half her grandmother’s life savings left over after she’d sold her house. Then, the sheriff’s office says the girl started handing the cash out to people at school.Parents got a voicemail from Lake Weir Middle School’s principal about that incident Thursday, asking the adults to give their kids a call.  Michelle Spaulding obliged."That’s when she was like, ‘Yeah, mom! The child did come up to me and ask me if I wanted $100,'" said Spaulding.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that proposals for the restructuring of the power sector are expected to be submitted to the Parliament next month.In a Twitter message, the Minister said that he has received the report of the Cabinet Appointed Committee on Power Sector Reforms.The Minister added the report will be handed over to the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera informed the National Council that the report of the committee on to the restructuring of the energy sector will be submitted to the National Council within two weeks.At the same time, the Minister informed that the National Council is also expected to be informed about the proposed measures to be taken for the various energy generation projects proposed to be launched by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board.The National Council met on 20th October under the Chairmanship of the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.Institutions such as the Sri Lanka Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were called before the National Council where the officials presented ideas and proposals related to the progress of the energy sector.MP Namal Rajapaksa, as the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy, and the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to Economic Stabilization, Patali Champika Ranawaka informed the National Council about the progress and the expected future work of the committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health says that no final decision has been taken so far with regard to the COVID-19 vaccines which are due to expire.A senior official of the Ministry said that the vaccines are due to expire on October 31st.The consignment of vaccines which is due to expire amounts to over a million, the Health Ministry added.

India reported 2,112 new infections raising the COVID-19 tally to 4,46,40,748, while the number of active cases declined to 24,043, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll climbed to 5,28,957 with four fatalities which includes three deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. One death has been reported from West Bengal in a span of 24 hours.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Criminal Investigation Department has been requested to conduct an investigation into the case of an illegally imported Hummer vehicle being given to the same person who imported it at an auction held after it was impounded.This investigstion is being conducted based on a notification by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Inspector General of Police on the advice of the State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya.The vehicle in question was illegally imported to Sri Lanka on February 22nd, 2021.The State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya had previously called for a report from the Director General of Customs regarding the incident, and the Ministry of Finance announced that this step was taken based on the recommendations of the report.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Indian Navy on Friday (21) intercepted a 'suspicious' boat on Palk Bay, reports PTI.According to the report, the boat was observed by the Indian Navy ship on patrol in Palk Bay near the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the early hours of Friday."Despite repeated warnings, the boat did not stop. The (Navy) ship, as per standard operating procedures, fired warning shots to stop the boat.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Criminal Investigation Department has been requested to conduct an investigation into the case of an illegally imported Hummer vehicle being given to the same person who imported it at an auction held after it was impounded.This investigstion is being conducted based on a notification by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Inspector General of Police on the advice of the State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya.The vehicle in question was illegally imported to Sri Lanka on February 22nd, 2021.The State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya had previously called for a report from the Director General of Customs regarding the incident, and the Ministry of Finance announced that this step was taken based on the recommendations of the report.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating after a man was found inside a car in West Philadelphia injured from a shooting. According to authorities, police responded to 38th Street and Girard Avenue for reports of a person with a gun on Thursday night around 10:15 p.m.Officials say a 53-year-old man was found inside a Chrysler Pacifica suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, abdomen and left arm. The man was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition, according to police. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAuthorities say the shooting took place near where the victim was located, on the 3800 block of Cambridge Street. The investigation is ongoing and active, police say. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's pverall rate of inflation as measured by NCPI for the month of September 2022 has risen to 73.7%, the Department of Census and Statistics reports. The NCPI for all items for the month of September 2022 is 256.2 and it records an increase of 5.8 in index points compared to August 2022.For the September 2022, Month-on-Month change recorded as 2.3% compared to August 2022.The overall rate of inflation as measured by NCPI on Year-on-Year basis is 73.7% in September 2022 and inflation calculated for the August 2022 was 70.2%.With respect to September 2021, the reported inflation for the month of September 2022 was mainly due to the higher price levels prevailed in both food and non-food groups.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Chinese vessel has reached Sri Lankan shores to assist in the salvage operations of the X-Press Pearl vessel that sand in Sri Lankan waters.The X-Press Pearl burnt and sank off the coast of Sri Lanka in May 2021, reportedly after two ports had refused to off-load a container leaking nitric acid – typically used in fertilizers and explosives – because they lacked the expertise and facilities to tend to the leak. This produced an ecological catastrophe.Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority told News 1st that the Chinese salvage team will cut the vessel in half, and move the two parts of the vessel away from Sri Lanka.This operation will commence once favourable weather conditions prevail, and salvage operation will also include the removal of debris from the Sri Lankan ocean floor in an area of one square kilometer around the shipwreck.Incident Overview:On May 20, 2021, the Singapore -flagged Containership, ‘X-Press Pearl’ reported smoke from the cargo hold while at Colombo anchorage, Sri Lanka.On May 21, the vessel reported fire on deck.

Civil servants have been given top roles on Scotland’s troubled Covid-19 Public Inquiry - despite claims the probe is “independent”.

PRINCETON, N.J. - A Princeton University student from Ohio who went missing near campus roughly a week ago was found dead Thursday, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.Misrach Ewunetie, 20, was found by an employee at about 1 p.m. behind tennis courts on the campus facilities grounds, Onofri said. There were no obvious signs of injury "her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature," but an official cause of death will be determined after a medical examiner’s review, he said."Misrach’s death is an unthinkable tragedy.

Jenna Ortega had to "shower in cold water" during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 20-year-old actress was shooting the title role in Netflix series 'Wednesday' in Romania when the pandemic broke out and explained that the entire cast was left without hot water in their accommodation because there were no repair workers available to fix a faulty boiler. She said: " I mean, we were out there for seven, eight months in Romania.

PHILADELPHIA - A man was shot and killed during what police believe was a botched robbery attempt Thursday night in Philadelphia's Fairmount section. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 2700 block of Swain Street just before 9 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has been ranked 48 among 100 countries in the Freedom on the Net 2022 Index.While the Government of Sri Lanka announced plans to implement strict control plans on social media, Sri Lanka has been given a very bad rating at  the in the newest Freedom of the Net report for 2022. China has been ranked worst, while Myanmar, Iran, Cuba and Vietnam occupy the top five positions, while Sri Lanka has been ranked at 48. Iceland had the best ranking. Sri Lanka's rank has reduced, according to the report, due to social media platforms being blocked, political, social or religious content being blocked and pro-Government commentators manipulating online discussions.However, other factors which contributed to the ranking also are; new law or directive increasing censorship or punishment being passed, Blogger or ICT user arrested, imprisoned, or in prolonged detention for political or social content, a blogger or an ICT user being physically attacked or killed (including in custody), and technical attacks against news outlets, government critics, or civil society.

Also Read: Do you have COVID cough? Here’s how to find out Everyone should use a mask when going outside, especially in crowded areas, Guleria advises. Although it is expected that new variants may emerge and that existing types will continue to mutate, the current circumstance is different.

A rapidly spreading Covid strain has been dubbed the Nightmare Variant after it was found to double infections in a matter of days.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A decision has been taken to wind up operations of the “Covid 19 Health and Social Security Fund”, which was established to provide relief to those affected by the Covid 19 epidemic, and Cabinet approval has been obtained for it.The Secretary of the Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund, Dr Tharaka Liyanapathirana notified the public that the “Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund” at the Bank of Ceylon, account number 85737373 has been closed down effective from October 18th and requested the public not to donate to this fund from now on.He also notified donors not to send cheques or money towards this fund, to the Presidential Secretariat.The secretary of the Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund extended his appreciation to the donors who contributed to this fund to make this program implemented throughout the country during the Covid-19 epidemic, a success.The Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund had received a total of Rs. 2,207,164,785.58 (Rs.

Hong Kong is unlikely to make any major changes to Covid restrictions for inbound travelers before a banking summit next month, but is considering concessions including allowing attendees to leave the city via private jet should they test positive for the virus. The health bureau is in discussions with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to finalize details for the two-day summit set for early November, including what to do if a participant is infected, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly.

pregnancy-related deaths last year, according to a government report released on Wednesday. It says that it is a crisis that has disproportionately claimed Black and Hispanic women as victims. The report lays out trends across the country for expectant mothers and their newborn babies, the news agency AP reported.

Meanwhile, states have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: India reported 2,141 new covid infections in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said in an update on Thursday. Active cases now stand at 25,510, with total reported cases since the pandemic hit in early 2020 at more than 4.46 crore.