Current heavy rains expected to continue – Met Dept

COLOMBO (News 1st) -The Water Supply and Drainage Board says that the water supply to many areas including Peliyagoda and Wattala will be suspended for eight and a half hours starting 8.30 am tomorrow.The board said that due to a power cut in Sapugaskda area, the water supply to Biyagama water treatment plant has been affected.Accordingly, the areas affected by the watercut are, Peliyagoda, Wattala, Jaela, Katunayake, Seeduwa Municipal Council areas, Kelaniya, Wattala, Byagama, Mahara, Dompe, Katana, Minuwangoda, and Gampaha.

Covid-19 update: In India, the active caseload has declined to 12,553, according to the Union Health Ministry data. India has reported a single-day rise of 833 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 4,46,65,643, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The country's active caseload has declined to 12,553, which accounts for 0.03% of the total coronavirus infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An inmate who escaped from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Camp has been found in the Welikanda, Sinhapura forest.It was reported that he was lost in the forest and that he was found during a search operation conducted by the army.Police Media Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa says that the escaped inmate who was ill due to the lack of food was hospitalised, and had died later.Last Sunday, a brawl broke out between two groups at Kandakadu Rehabilitation Camp over a bucket used for bathing.

LINO LAKES, Minn. (FOX 9) - Today, 21-month-old Gabi is a happy and healthy girl who loves playing with her big sister and her parents.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has made it clear that his country will not be a part of any big power rivalry, especially in the Indian Ocean region."The total competition in the world has gone from US and Russia to US and China," said the President adding that whatever happens in Russia is a sideshow."Whether the US is in the Indian ocean we have no objections. We have no objections to the Japanese or the Chinese being there, as long as there is no rivalry. We are the literal states, and we have to look after our interests.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An audit report has revealed that a total of 158 million rupees for three years had been allocated for the drafting of a new constitution when the economy of the country was heading towards a downturn. The Auditor General's report revealed that a total of 20.8 million rupees had been spent to hold 38 meetings of the expert committee and 9 consultations with external parties to draft a new constitution from the 9th of October 2020 to the 12th of December 2021. The details were revealed in the Auditor General's report of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Reform for the year ending 31st December 2021. A sum of 816,480 rupees had been spent for 3 office spaces that have not been used, and another 435,348 rupees had been spent to furnish those offices. Each constitutional expert on the committee to draft the new constitution WAS paid 25,000 rupees for every meeting that they attended which came up to a total of 3.1 million. The constitutional experts were also paid 120,000 rupees for their transport. A total of 10 million 180,000 rupees had been spent for the payment of the monthly allowance of 200,000 rupees to the secretary of the panel, the allowance for the research assistant, and several other allowances. 4,768,000 rupees had been spent during the period from October 2020 to December 2021 for office space at the BMICH. The Auditor General's report further states that although by the 31st of December 2021 the committee had completed 15 months, they had still not completed their task. 

GMB viewers were concerned when Kate Garraway was absent from the show on Friday morning.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Dengue Control Unit noted that multiple areas across seven provinces in Sri Lanka have been declared at Dengue High-Risk Zones.According to the latest data from the National Dengue Control Unit attached to the Ministry of Health Piliyandala, Homagama, Maharagama, Pitakotte, Kaduwela and Gothatuwa areas in the Colombo District have been declared as Dengue High-Risk Zones.13 MOH areas in the Gampaha District including Attanagalle, Biyagama, Divulaptiya, Ja-Ela, and Kelaniya have been declared as  Dengue High-Risk Zones.The Beruwala and Kalutara MOH areas in the Kalutara District are also Dengue High-Risk Zones.Three MOH areas in the Kandy District also are Dengue High-Risk Zones, while the same number exists in the North and Eastern provinces.Sri Lanka has recorded over 63,500 dengue cases so far in 2022, and a majority of these cases are from the Western Province.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – In recent months people were gunned down by mysterious shooters and concerns were raised on matters like how did these criminals get their hands on such weapons and who owned them.On Thursday (10) night, Sri Lanka Police arrested a man for the possession of weapons and ammunition prepared to be used in a crime in Deenagoda, Beruwala.The man was arrested close to the Berwala Railway Station for suspicious behaviour and based on the information extracted during questioning his house was searched, where the weapons and ammunition were discovered.Sri Lanka Police said they discovered a Repeater Shotgun, a 0.22 mm firearm, and a locally manufactured weapon.Police said that the locally manufactured firearm has been upgraded to be used as a sniper rifle with laser targetting.In addition, Sri Lanka Police said that the barrel used for this weapon was manufactured in Germany and was modified to fit 0.22 mm bullets.In addition to these three weapons 101 bullets compatible with a 12-bore shotgun, and 489 .022 mm bullets were found in the possession of the 49-year-old suspect.In 2018, the suspect was arrested by police on weapons manufacturing charges.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Attorney Nuwan Bopage was named as the 59th suspect in the case filed in court for illegally entering the President's House in Colombo.Upon considering the submissions made by the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau the Fort Chief Magistrate ordered to name the Attorney as a suspect.Attorney Nuwan Bopage is one who repeatedly represented Wasantha Mudalige and Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero who are detained under the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two business associates of a sanctioned al-Qa’ida financial facilitator and external operations plotter. The two individuals designated today are Mohamad Irshad Mohamad Haris Nizar and Musab Turkmen, who conducted businesses activities to assist Ahmed Luqman Talib (Talib), who was previously designated by OFAC for facilitating the international movement of individuals and finances in furtherance of al-Qa’ida’s objectives. Australian authorities arrested Talib on March 25, 2021, and days later charged him with plotting incursions into foreign states for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities.“Treasury is taking this action to further disrupt a transnational al-Qa’ida financial facilitation and operational plotting network,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Seven newly appointed Ambassadors and a High Commissioner to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (11).Accordingly, His Excellency Mr. Federico Salas Lotfe, the Mexican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Authorities in Vietnam have reported that the skipper of the large migrant boat that was rescued by its Navy was not among those who were rescued.Vietnam media quoting the rescued Sri Lankans reported that the captain of the iron-hulled ship LADY R3 abandoned the boat after it started drifting at sea, and then did not return.A border guard commander of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province had also confirmed the information.A Sri Lankan man had reportedly said that his group had traveled from Sri Lanka to Myanmar and from there they had boarded the LADY R3 boat to travel to Canada by sea.It is unclear if all 303 Sri Lankans traveled together or in groups to Myanmar, and how they made it to Myanmar, as investigations are pending.Before 303 Sri Lankan citizens were rescued by the Helios Leader Vessel on the afternoon of November 6th, their ship had been stalled for nearly 40 hours, unable to maneuver and was drifting freely. On the afternoon of November 8th, when the SAR 413 vessel from the Vietnamese Coast Guard organized to welcome the 303 Sri Lankan citizens from the Helios Leader vessel to shore, initially four men got off the ship, the rest refused to get off despite the persuasion of the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka, who took an entire hour to pursuade them to leave the Japanese freighter.At this time, the authorities considered the option for these four people to return to the Helios Leader, but they refused and said that if they returned, they would be beaten. Thereafter, all 303 Sri Lankans were taken off the Helios Leader in batches and brought ashore.For humanitarian reasons, the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Command for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue has arranged for 303

Lanarkshire charity EK Dementia Carers Group has revealed it is under intense pressure post-pandemic as it fights to continue to provide a much-needed service to the local community amid the current cost of living crisis.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force arrested a 27-year-old man from Thamankaduwa, Gallella for possessing 118 stones believed to be gems.The STF said that the raid was carried out on the Akkaraipattu main road following an intelligence tip received by the officials of the Kalavanchikudi camp.Therefore, 188 stones of various colours suspected to be gems were seized from the possession of the suspect.In addition, a Gemstone Testing and Identification device were taken into custody.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Several civil organizations visited the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to request China to support Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts.However, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo reportedly refused to accept the letter from the civil organizations.The Liberal Democratic Youth Collective, The Sarvapakshika Aragalakaruwo (A movement formed after the people's struggle) and several other groups visited the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to request China to support Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts.Sri Lanka Police did not allow the activists to approach the Embassy and hand over the letter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lankan court on Friday (11) imposed a travel ban on State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage.The Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered to prevent the State Minister from travelling overseas until the 17th of December 2022.The case filed against the citizenship of the State Minister was called up via a motion that was filed by Attorney Gunaratna Wanninayake and several other counsels.On Thursday (10) the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court ordered the OIC of the Criminal Investigations Department to immediately investigate whether State Minister Diana Gamage is remaining in Sri Lanka without a valid visa, and submit a progress report to the court on the 15th of December.Attorney Gunaratna Wanninayake told reporters outside the court that attempts were made earlier to undermine this investigation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne during an inspection visit made to the CSD Headquarters in Katubedda on Thursday (10) noted that in addition to the three-armed forces and the police, the Civil Security Department (CSD) also contributed a lot for the dawn of peace, that the people rejoice today.The Defence Secretary while addressing CSD staffers recalled the hardships experienced during the conflict also mentioned the dedicated service rendered by the former CSD members during the battle to eradicate terrorism from the island.  “Those pointed their finger towards the armed forces during the recent turmoil weren’t aware of the hardships their parents had gone through during terrorist war”, he said citing several recent incidents.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said that 60,000 MT of coal was imported to the country on Thursday (10) and unloading will take place on Friday (11).CEB Spokesperson Andrew Navamuni said the shipment of coal was from South Africa and so far three coal shipments have reached the country in recent weeks.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley and the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung were seen at the Lanka IOC Terminals in Trincomalee together accompanied by diplomatic staff on Thursday (10).The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the diplomats were welcomed by the staff at Lanka IOC who briefed the two diplomats on its operations that contribute to energy security of Sri Lanka.The Indian High Commissioner also flagged off the first delivery of Lanka Super Diesel from the Trinco Terminal for Sri Lankan market. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Fertilizer Office says that a cargo vessel carrying 22,000 MT of fertilizer is scheduled to arrive in the country from Malaysia next week.The Director of the National Fertilizer Office Chandana Lokuge says that the relevant fertilizer will be used for the maha season cultivationEarlier, 13,000 MT of Urea fertilizer was brought to Sri Lanka and the relevant fertilizer was distributed to farmers across the country.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced in Parliament yesterday (10) that special security arrangements as done in previous years will be implemented in connection with the Budget speech for the year 2023 to be made by the Minister of Finance on Monday the 14th of November 2022.Accordingly, today (11) the entire Parliament building including the restrooms and wardrobes of the Members of Parliament will be subjected to security inspection.On the 14th, when the budget is presented in Parliament, galleries will be restricted only to the Diplomatic Corps. As the Members’ car park will be kept closed on this day the vehicles of the Members will be directed to the relevant Car Parks. The Speaker also requested the Members of Parliament to arrive in Parliament on that day in a Chauffeur-driven vehicle as far as possible. The speaker also informed that Valet parking of the self-driven vehicles of the Members of Parliament will be attended to by the Chauffeurs of the Parliament Staff who will be deployed at the Members’ Entrance.In addition, special traffic arrangements will be adopted by the Traffic Police and the nearest Police Stations in the area on this day. The speaker also informed that the cooperation of all Members of Parliament is kindly expected towards the aforementioned special security arrangements.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special meeting was held in Parliament to discuss the draft bill for the establishment of the Budget Office of the Parliament.The special meeting was attended by the Party leaders and members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.    The Members of Parliament who were present had a lengthy discussion on the draft bill related to the establishment of the budget office of the parliament. Also, it was decided to meet again in two weeks after further study of this bill.

MATT Hancock MP has been slammed by I'm A Celebrity viewers after offering up a "cringey" excuse for breaking Covid rules. The shamed former health secretary was exposed by The Sun last year when he cheated on his wife Martha Hoyer Millar with his closest aide Gina Coladangelo, 43 - breaking his own lockdown rules in the process.

I'M A Celebrity viewers turned on Babatúndé Aléshé after saying he believed a bonkers conspiracy theory about the Covid vaccine - before making a VERY quick U-turn. The Celebrity Gogglebox star was having a frank discussion with Matt Hancock MP about rumours that swirled during the coronavirus pandemic. Babatunde told Matt: “I’m a conspiracy theorist.

“There’s a very visceral gut reaction to Matt Hancock as he’s there as a very famous face of the time that was miserable for the entire country and we’re still living with the consequences of.“There will be people watching whose grief is still very, very raw from losing people.“They won’t see that rawness of grief and sadness in the way that Matt Hancock is behaving on screen, because he’s laughing and having fun and trying to get to know a new group of people,” she added.“I think if they don’t see that, they are going to not feel healed in any way.

Kate Garraway has shared her reaction to seeing former Health Secretary Matt Hancock on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! after her husband's health battles.

Drew Barrymore revealed she has COVID-19 and will be sitting out of her talk show The Drew Barrymore Show until she has recovered, adding that she feels 'good.'The 47-year-old actress announced Ross Matthews and 50 Cent will be taking over her show until she is back in the Instagram post shared on Thursday morning.'So only good news to reports!!! Maybe some other special surprises too!' Drew added, alongside a selfie from bed with her cat. Get well soon: Drew Barrymore revealed she has COVID-19 and sitting out of her talk show The Drew Barrymore Show until she has recoveredDrew was laying on her bed sporting eye glasses besides her cat Lucky.The mom of two wrote: 'I've got covid and lucky the cat! I'm good and will be back soon.

I'm A Celebrity campmate Mike Tindall is reportedly being investigated for potentially breaching the show's strict Covid-19 rules.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The ‘Muthu Raja’ tusker at the Kande Viharaya Temple in Aluthgama was handed over to the Thailand Embassy in Sri Lanka to be sent overseas for treatment.‘Muthu Raja’ is one of the two tuskers which were donated to Sri Lanka from Thailand by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge, ‘Muthu Raja’ will be sent to Thailand for treatment.The tusker was at the Kande Viharaya Temple in Aluthgama for the past 25 years and fell ill several times.The tusker's feet and legs were covered with fertilizer bags in recent times after wounds were reported on its feet.On Wednesday (9) Thai Embassy Officials visited the tusker to inquire into its current condition.The tusker will be flown to Thailand after being kept at the Dehiwala Zoological Garden for a few days of treatment.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe President told the Parliament on Thursday (10) that the IMF had requested not to release the agreement reached between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund until the current round of negotiations are complete.The President said that previously when the country approached the IMF, talks were only with the International Monetary Fund, however, this time around discussions need to take place with other countries as well."Japan is speaking India and China because they are not members of the Paris Club. Amendments may take place," the President told the house"IMF says don't release it till we finish this round of negotiations. I won't put anyone in to trouble.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Backbench Business Committee debate on the UK response to the human rights and economic situation in Sri Lanka took place on Wednesday (9) in the House of Commons chamber.UK MPs called for Sri Lanka to cut down on its military spending to overcome the economic crisis.UK MP Elliot Colburn noted that for Sri Lanka to be rescued, it needs to reduce its military spending, which stands at $1.86 billion per annum. "All of Sri Lanka’s projections for emerging out of the economic crisis are predicated on the country retaining its generalised scheme of preferences and trade concession. That annual trade concession is worth more than $500 million and has boosted Sri Lanka’s exports to EU member states over the years," said the MP adding that however, Sri Lanka has failed to meet the key labour and human rights requirements for receiving that preferential treatment, and the EU recently issued a warning that it is set to lose its concession if it continues to ignore its obligations. "As a key stakeholder at the IMF, the UK Government should propose conditions on any IMF financial assistance for Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis, including that Sri Lanka should carry out a strategic defence and security review to reduce its military spending, remove the military from engaging in commercial activities, meet the criteria for GSP+, and re-engage with the UNHRC process.

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.

₹5 crore worth of sales as the industry struggled greatly during the pandemic, and artisans went through severe suffering Following two muted years, the India Craft Week, a platform that brings artisans, designers and luxury brands together, is expecting a revival in business with its upcoming edition. In its fourth edition, about 150 artisans, makers, craft brands, museums, organizations will attend its week in Delhi towards the end of the month. This, the organisation said, is the second largest craft week in the world after its international counterpart, London Craft Week.“The entire crafts industry is rising from the ashes and we too must have a new beginning.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2021/08/17: A few dozen Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protesters rally on Foley Square demanding citizenship now for all undocumented immigrants. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images HOUSTON (AP) - A federal judge ruled Friday that the current version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S.

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) – Several roads have been inundated due to the prevailing showery condition across Sri Lanka.Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre (Kalutara district) said water levels, in a section along the Aluthgama – Mathugama road near the Welipenna Interchange of the Southern Expressway, measured up to 1.5 feet.

With employment insurance premiums set to rise in the new year, both employers and workers are calling on the federal government to step in and rescue the program from the considerable amount of debt it has fallen into since the COVID-19 pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Reservoirs near hydropower plants have received considerable rainfall.The spokesperson of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Andrew Nawamuni said that the reservoirs associated with Victoria, Randenigala, Rantabe, Castle Ree, and other power plants have received heavy rainfall in recent days.He said the water levels of the reservoirs have reached 77% of the total capacity. The Ceylon Electricity Board said that Hydropower generation serves for 50% of electricity added to the national grid.

Florida grandfather has been arrested and charged after he returned a rental car and employees later found his granddaughter — a toddler — in the backseat.According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, employees at Hertz car rental at Daytona Beach International Airport discovered the young child on Monday evening. She was locked in the car, which had been returned about 45 minutes earlier to an unshaded parking lot.

Kevin Spacey’s civil sex abuse trial will go on after one of Spacey's lead lawyers tested positive for COVID-19, a judge said Thursday. U.S. District Judge Lewis A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology warns cloudy sky is expected in most parts of the island due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and North-Western provinces. Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central provinces and Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere over the Island during the afternoon or night. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm can be expected in some places.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island. Heavy showers may occur at several places in the deep and shallow sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota.Winds:Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. A sudden increase of wind speed (up to 60-70 kmph) is expected in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota due to active cloudiness in the sea area to the south-west and south-east of Sri Lanka.State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota will be fairly rough at times.The possibility for sudden roughness, associated with a sudden increase in wind speed due to active cloudiness in the sea area from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota is high.Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard in the

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The low-level atmospheric disturbance persists in the vicinity of the island, warned the Met Department.Therefore, the prevailing showery condition is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and North-Western provinces.Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected in some places in these provinces.

PHILADELPHIA - A third person has been arrested and charged in connection with chaos that erupted at an unsanctioned car rally in Wildwood. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Police Department Chief Robert Regalbuto announced the arrest of 18-year-old Zion Diaz of Hammonton, New Jersey, on Wednesday. Officials say on Wednesday morning, detectives executed a search warrant at Diaz' residence and arrested him without incident. According to the Prosecutor's Office, he was charged with 4th-degree riot and released on a summons. Sutherland says Diaz was identified as a person who instructed others at the unsanctioned rally to block intersections, do burnouts and block police cars from responding to emergency calls when chaos erupted in the streets of Wildwood on September 24. After the chaos, there were several reports of car crashes, injuries and damaged storefronts. One crash turned deadly, claiming the lives of 18-year-old Linday Weakland and 34-year-old Timothy Ogden, according to officials. Chaos erupted in Wildwood Crest Saturday night as an unsanctioned car rally took over the streets and, ultimately, killed two people.Police say Gerald J.

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.