Pope Francis implores Putin to 'stop this spiral of violence and death' in Ukraine

The consumer-goods giant subjected its product range to broader scrutiny after ShareAction, a responsible investment charity, championed a resolution urging the company to do the reporting. Unilever’s rivals have yet to do the same.

Group 1 has seen various encounters being marred by rain and two points will go a long way towards sealing a berth in the semis for these two sides. The winner of the Group 1 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground could build a bit of a gap from the other candidates, with rain interruptions and abandonments leaving all the sides jostling for vital points.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health says that the remaining doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be disposed using appropriate methods.Accordingly, approximately 7 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will expire in two days on Monday, the 31st of October.The Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath said that after Monday, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be available in the country, until a new batch is imported.Dr.

In the last 24 hours, more than 2,161 patients recovered from the infection. Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 4,41,02,852 people have recovered from the disease. New Delhi: India reported 1,574 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Defence has declared a general amnesty for Tri-Forces absentees, enabling them to receive a legal discharge from their respective services.Accordingly, this period of general amnesty will be in force from 15.11.2022 until 31.12.2022.Therefore, the Tri-Forces personnel who have been absent without leave (AWOL) on or before 25.10.2022 will be able to receive their discharge from military service and if any amount is due, it should be settled prior to discharge.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Agriculture has received the first stock of 13,000 tons of Urea fertilizer today (28) under the World Bank concessional emergency loan of 110 million US dollars and accordingly, the government has decided to provide a 50 kg bag of urea fertilizer to paddy farmers at Rs.10,000.This step was taken to protect household food security, farming and rural incomes based on the demands made during several discussions with the intervention of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.This World Bank support complements the support of other development partners such as the Asian Development Bank and the United States Agency for International Development.Sri Lanka requires approximately 150,000 tonnes of urea fertilizer for paddy cultivation during the Maha season. Mr.

Val Chmerkovskiy revealed this Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to miss the Halloween episode of Dancing With The Stars.The 36-year-old heartthrob made the announcement in a shirtless Instagram video, saying that while 'I feel fine' he regrets having 'let some people down.'He shared that in his absence, his celebrity dance partner Gabby Windey of Bachelor Nation fame will be temporarily teamed up with pro Alan Bersten. Whoops: Val Chmerkovskiy revealed this Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to miss the Halloween episode of Dancing With The StarsVal said his diagnosis 'sucks majorly, for lack of a better, more profound word, but the good thing is that Gabby tested negative so we’re still in it.'On an optimistic note he pointed out that 'we have some awesome pros on the show, one of them being Alan, who’s gonna step in, learn the routine and partner Gabby this Monday.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A petition has been filed at the Supreme Court on Friday (28) seeking a ruling that the Inland Revenue Amendment Bill is in violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.The petition has been filed by Chartered Accountant Prasad Dassanayake.Dassanayake has pointed out in the petition that some of the clauses contained in the draft will damage the business sector, especially the import and export sector, and by imposing a heavy tax burden, the relevant sector may collapse entirely.The petitioner further requests that its articles be passed by a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament or via a referendum.Earlier, three parties filed petitions at the Supreme Court against the Inland Revenue Amendment Bill submitted by the government to Parliament on 21st October.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sub-Inspector has been interdicted by the Police and has been arrested by a special Police team which is conducting an investigation into the shooting of a 15-year old boy in Thihagoda, Matara.The Police Spokesperson said that during a scuffle with a police officer, the officer's firearm was accidentally discharged and the 15-year old was injured.   The Police said that steps were taken to inspect a suspicious three-wheeler in Naimbula,​​Thihagoda.Three people had fled while two others were taken into police custody.

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) – A youth who was injured in a shooting which occurred on Friday (28) evening in Tihagoda, ​​Matara has been hospitalized.Police said that during a scuffle with a police officer, the officer's firearm was accidentally discharged and the youth was injured.The injured individual was identified as a 16 year old.The Police said that steps were taken to inspect a suspicious three-wheeler in Naimbula,​​Thihagoda.Three people had fled while two others were taken into police custody.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved a power cut of 1 hour during the weekend and 2 hours on 31st October as follows;29th & 30th – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1 hour from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm31st – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1 hour during daytime and 1 hour during the night.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Another crucial discussion between the International Monetary Fund and Sri Lanka's creditors is due be held on November 3rd.The Presidential Media Division stated that the discussion will focus on debt restructuring in Sri Lanka. This has been previously discussed during a meeting between the resident representative of the International Monetary Fund and a group of other officials who are leaving the country after completing their tenure.The President's Media Division stated that special attention was paid to the previous measures of debt restructuring as well as the creditor's conference.Meanwhile, the call for applications for the program to identify those who are eligible to receive welfare benefit payments ends on 28th October.The program, which is being implemented on the advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is being implemented under the theme "Do not leave anyone behind".Accordingly, the deadline was closed after the number of applicants who have registered with the Welfare Benefit Board for state welfare benefits reached 2.4 million.

Health experts have issued an urgent warning about food poisoning as a "worrying" number of Scots are eating food that has gone off.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Crimes Division arrested a Former Lance Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army for links with organized crimes and drugs.Sri Lanka Police said that it arrested a Former Lance Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army for his connections with notorious underworld gangster, drug trafficker, and Wanter Criminal Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata.Harak Kata is currently in hiding in Dubai, and Police said that the Former Lance Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army has managed his finances here in Sri Lanka.6 grams of heroin were discovered from the possession of the suspects, and based on his statement a firearm and a hand grenade was recovered hidden under the new Kelani Bridge in Sedawatte.Information has also come to light that the 31-year-old suspect forged a passport to travel to Dubai and returned to the country in early October 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It was decided at the National Council Sub-Committee on Identifying Priorities in Formulating Short, Medium and Long Term Policies held recently (26) under the chairmanship of the Member of Parliament Namal Rajapakse to introduce Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance of government institutions.In order to streamline the government mechanism efficiently, the committee emphasized the need to prepare metrics to review the progress of government agencies and government officials.Thus, it was decided to discuss this matter with all the other services including the administrative service in the next week and start formulating policies.Officials representing the Ministry of Public Administration Home Affairs Provincial Councils and Local Government and Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association were present at this meeting.State Minister Ashoka Priyantha, Members of Parliament  Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Wajira Abeywardana and Sagara Kariyawasam were also present.

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.

The manager of a Scots nursery where a baby boy choked to death has been convicted of failing to ensure children were adequately monitored during mealtimes.

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.

By paying a nominal add-on premium, employees can upgrade their cover, which can even be continued in a personal capacity post-employment Employee benefits insurtech Healthysure has partnered ManipalCigna Health Insurance to launch India’s first flexi top-up insurance which allows employees to personalize and upgrade their corporate health insurance plans. By paying a nominal add-on premium, employees can upgrade their cover, which can even be continued in a personal capacity post-employment. They are thus able to eliminate the need of buying independent personal health cover and also save up to 90% of premium spending.

Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes are investing time in their spiritual side…

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says in a statement that there is no other option but to raise taxes in a situation where 4 million of the 6.8 million families living in the country are demanding various subsidies. The relevant announcement further states that the people also have a responsibility to keep the poor people of the country alive. The announcement also emphasized that there is a huge deficit between the government's income and expenditure and to cover it, as inflation is close to 100 per cent, money cannot be printed anymore, so taxes should be levied as much as possible. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Inter-University Student Federation and the Inter-University Bhikku Federation staged a protest opposite the Terrorist Investigation Division in Narahenpita. The protest was staged demanding to protect the lives of Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and the convener of the Inter-University Student Federation, Wasantha Mudalige. A strong police force was deployed opposite the Terrorist Investigations Division in Narahenpita ahead of the protest by student activists.Watch Here:   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapiya says in a statement that there is no other option but to raise taxes in a situation where 4 million of the 6.8 million families living in the country are demanding various subsidies. The relevant announcement further states that the people also have a responsibility to keep the poor people of the country alive. The announcement also emphasized that there is a huge deficit between the government's income and expenditure and to cover it, as inflation is close to 100 per cent, money cannot be printed anymore, so taxes should be levied as much as possible. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Abeyasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the Criminal Investigations Department to appear in court on the 10th of December.The OIC of the CID has been summoned to show cause for the failure of the CID to conduct an investigation into the complaint filed regarding the dual citizenship of State Minister Diana Gamage. Appearing for Lakmal Herath Attorney-at-Law Gunarathne Vanninayake said that his client had lodged a complaint at the CID stating that State Minister Diana Gamage had concealed the fact that she has a British Passport and applied for a Sri Lankan passport. The counsel added that the CID had failed to investigate this complaint. The Counsel further pointed out that although a responsible public official had testified that the State Ministers' NIC and Birth Certificates are forgeries no further investigations have been conducted. After considering the facts the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the CID to appear in court on the 10th of next month.   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special petition was filed with the Supreme Court today challenging the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill that was added to the Parliament agenda on the 21st of October 2022.The petition was filed by Athula Saranga Ranaweera, a General Manager of a leading private company in Sri Lanka and seeks a determination from the Supreme Court that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill is inconsistent with the constitution of the country.The petitioner has named the Attorney General as the respondent.The petitioner claims that if the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill is passed it would cause grave injustice to the professionals and the general public.Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a Supreme Court determination on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill stating that clauses 15, 16, 22, 29,36, and 39 must be removed from the Bill or a Special Majority is required in Parliament for the passage of the Bill.The petition was filed through Attorneys H.M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka says that the enactment of the 21st Amendment must not be used as an excuse or mechanism to discontinue Chairpersons and members of Commissions whose services helped establish public faith in such Institutions. The Bar Association went on to note that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution regrettably does not completely restore the status quo ante which prevailed prior to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and does not place adequate checks and balances on the powers of the Executive President. It noted that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution rolled back the checks and balances which were introduced by the 19th Amendment on the exercise of executive power.The Bar Association of Sri Lanka calls upon the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and all political parties represented in Parliament, to firstly ensure the integrity of nominations to the Constitutional Council and to ensure that such nominations are devoid of partisanship and in a manner that will inspire public confidence.The BASL noted that for this purpose, it is important to ensure that the non-ex-officio members of the Constitutional Council appointed from among Members of Parliament and from among non-Members of Parliament be done in a transparent and open manner and to also ensure that those appointed will be acceptable to the members of the public and be persons of the highest integrity and reputation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board on Thursday (27) said that the 2.5% Social Security Contribution Tax will be added to the monthly electricity bill with effect from 1st October 2022.As per the Social Security Tax Act, electricity supply by Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to the Social 2.5% Security Contribution Tax.Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board will charge the said tax from the 1st of October, 2022.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake said that the PUCSL suggested the Ministry of Finance exempt electricity consumption from this tax. The Ministry of Finance has informed the PUCSL that according to the relevant Act, the electricity supply of the Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to this tax.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two chartered flights of essential medicines gifted by China will arrive in  Colombo on Thursday (27).The Chinese Embassy in Colombo said that the value of the essential medicines is 35 million RMB (1.8 billion LKR). The two chartered flights carrying essential medicines donated by China to Sri Lanka both departed Chengdu in North West China for Colombo earlier on Thursday (27th).The Chinese Embassy said that in June, and September 2022 China donated 23 Million RMB (1.2 bln LKR) worth of medicines to Sri Lanka.With a total volume of 151.25 cubic meters and a weight of 28.64 metric tons, the consignment consists of:1) 15,000 vials of Human Albumin Solution; 2) 330,300 doses of Rabies Vaccine for Human Use (Vero Cell) Freeze-dried; 3) 7,500 vials of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23); 4) 22,020 vials of Human Immunoglobulin (ph4) for IV use; 5) 170,240 syringes of Recombinant human granulocyte Colony-Stimulating factor injection.The consignments will be officially handed over to Sri Lankan authorities later on Thursday (27).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The need for peaceful co-existence and unity among the races is felt more strongly than at any time in history, in our country where different races live together and children in all parts of the island are working together without discrimination, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne said on Wednesday (26).The National Cadet Corps (NCC), including in the North and Eastern Provinces, is doing silent service to build harmony among nationalities supporting the government's program after lasting peace was restored in the country.The Defence Secretary made these remarks while gracing as the Chief Guest of the passing out parade of NCC Hermann Loos & De Soyza Championship – 2022 held at the NCC Training Centre at Rantembe.The Defence Secretary also said there is an opinion in society that children who are engaged in cadet activities during school period acquire leadership qualities, discipline, the persistent performance of their duties, the ability to face challenges and live with self-confidence when socializing as adults and it reflects well through them.He congratulated the cadets who won the national championship as well as all the other cadet platoons who competed very well in the competition. He also paid his gratitude to their parents for directing their children to the training activities of the NCC and for being a great strength to them.General Gunaratne in his address said that our children should be prepared to face the emerging world as future employment sector is undergoing a massive transformation and accordingly, digital technology methods such as artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, robotics etc.

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

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.

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

Ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the possibility of using nuclear weapons to escalate the war in Ukraine, a major question has been how Western allies would respond if that threat was carried out.

Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski speaks after he and the Belarusian human rights organization Vjasna were awarded the 2020 Right Livelihood Award during the 2020 awarding ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 3, 2020.

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

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February, the war-torn country has continued to fight back, reclaiming areas once taken by Russian troops and further working to push out the offensive. Ukrainian forces recently scored significant gains in the south, raising flags over the villages of Arkhanhelske, Myroliubivka, Khreshchenivka, Mykhalivka and Novovorontsovka. Speaking late Tuesday in his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said dozens of settlements had been retaken "from the Russian pseudo-referendum this week alone" in the four annexed regions. In the Kherson region, he listed eight villages that Ukrainian forces reclaimed, "and this is far from a complete list.

Russia faces a series of setbacks on the battlefield against Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin only knows how to do one thing, according to one of his most prominent critics: “escalate.”That’s because Putin views the prospect of losing power as an “existential threat,” according to Bill Browder, a U.S. investment fund manager who has influenced Western governments into clamping down on corrupt Russian officials.“If Putin were ever to lose power in Russia, he would lose all the money that he’s stolen over the last 22 years.

Ukraine is formally applying for a fast-track membership to the NATO military alliance, but experts say it will likely take years for the country to actually become a member.

Russia said Saturday it has withdrawn its troops from the once-occupied city of Lyman, as Ukraine’s eastern counteroffensive recaptures more territory.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the world is “not naïve” about who may be responsible for the apparent bombings that damaged Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, calling the acts “sabotage.”

Canada slapped new sanctions on Russian officials and elites Friday after President Vladimir Putin formally annexed four regions of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday Ukraine was formally applying for fast-track membership of the NATO military alliance and that Kyiv was ready for talks with Moscow, but not with President Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia’s annexation of a swath of Ukraine on Friday in a speech at the Kremlin but the event was overshadowed by one of Russia‘s worst battlefield defeats of the war, with one of its main garrisons surrounded.“People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever,” Putin told a crowd of officials in a ceremony in an ornate hall.“We will defend our land with all our strength and all our means,” he said, calling on “the Kyiv regime to immediately cease hostilities and return to the negotiation table.” Assaults on annexed Ukrainian territory will be an attack on Russia: Kremlin Putin’s proclamation of Russian rule over 15 per cent of Ukraine – the biggest annexation in Europe since the Second World War- has been firmly rejected by Western countries and even many of Russia’s close allies. UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres called it an illegal violation of the UN charter.It comes as Russian forces have faced setbacks on the battlefield, with one of the worst so far looming even as Putin spoke.

Picture taken on June 30, 2022 shows a street banner read as "Donetsk People Republic's square" in front of US embassy in Moscow. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images) MOSCOW - The U.S.

An ally of President Vladimir Putin issued a stark new nuclear warning to Ukraine and the West on Tuesday as referendums billed by Russia as a prelude to it annexing four Ukrainian regions entered their fifth and final day.