US president says Covid pandemic 'is over'

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 2022 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index, a report released by OXFAM highlights that the pandemic alone has increased Sri Lanka's poverty by 27%.The report, which is the first detailed analysis looking at Governments' policies and actions to fight inequality during the first two years of the pandemic, presents an analysis of spending, tax and labour policies and actions of 161 governments during 2020–2022.In comparison with neighbouring countries, Sri Lanka has placed 111th in the report, while other countries include Nepal (112th), Bhutan (116th), India (123rd), Pakistan (126th), and Afghanistan (138th) out of the total 161.Two years ago, Sri Lanka ranked in 94th position among 158 countries in the 2020 Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index, and in comparison with this year, has gone down 17 places.The report highlights that Sri Lanka is the sixth lowest public services spender out of 161 countries and has been cutting the already low health and education budget shares by one-fifth each since 2019, due to a growing debt crisis which is absorbing 60% of the country's budget.The other countries that have ranked as low as Sri Lanka in public spending includes South Sudan, Timor Leste, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Uganda, Nepal and Yemen.

FILE - A farmer stands next to a row of newly planted organic tomatoes on April 23, 2015, in Firebaugh, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) California's ongoing drought is expected to impact the prices of key crops, driving food inflation even higher for consumers.The U.S.

It’s going to be a girl for Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey!

South Simcoe Police say two of their officers have died in the line of duty following a shooting in Innisfil, Ont. on Tuesday night.

This picture taken on October 12, 2022 shows a view of a mosaic floor dating to the Roman era being excavated in the city of al-Rastan in Syria's west-central province of Homs, after its discovery was announced by Syria's General Directorate of Antiq RASTAN, Syria - Syria uncovered a large intact mosaic that dates back to the Roman era, describing it Wednesday as the most important archaeological discovery since the country's conflict began 11 years ago.Journalists were shown the mosaic in the central town of Rastan near Homs, Syria’s third-largest city.The mosaic, at 120 square meters (around 1,300 square feet), was found in an old building that Syria's General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums had been excavating. Lebanese and Syrian businessmen from the neighboring country's Nabu Museum bought the property that dates back to the 4th century and donated it to the Syrian state.

The stranded pilot whales are pictured on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, on the west coast of the Chatham Islands, located about 500 miles east of New Zealand's main islands.

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.

Europe. "Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is still not over," WHO's Europe director, Hans Kluge, and ECDC's director, Andrea Ammon, said in a joint statement. "We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun." According to reports from WHO's region-wise data, Europe recorded a rise in Covid-19 cases in the week ended 2 October, clocking an increase of 8% from the prior week.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into television channel GB News after a guest likened the Covid-19 vaccine to "mass murder".The comments were made during an episode of Mark Steyn's programme which featured author and journalist Dr Naomi Wolf.After her appearance on the show, Ofcom received a staggering 411 complaints, following Dr Wolf's description of the coronavirus vaccine rollout strategy.READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes 'felt cheated' as 'beautiful' moment at Queen's funeral was 'ruined'A spokesperson for Ofcom said: "We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules designed to protect viewers from harmful material."Ofcom's investigation will examine whether the programme broke their rules which are designed to protect viewers from material that could be considered harmful.Dr Wolf was previously suspended from Twitter in June 2021 for spreading vaccine misinformation. In addition to this, she also caused controversy when she compared Dr Anthony Fauci, the top Covid adviser in the United States, to Satan.As a result of her actions, Dr Wolf was denounced as a conspiracy theorist.While speaking to presenter Mark on his programme she said: "It's sad that it takes a year for the rest of the world to catch up with what used to be called journalism."I'm not a contrarian, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I'm a journalist and I did a year ago what I've done for 35 years and which until 2020 led me to be a darling of the established media," she expressed.She continued: "But in 2020 and in 2021, when I was reporting accurately on women's health problems that women were reporting subsequent to the Moderna Covid-19 injection, specifically menstrual problems, I was denounced, smeared.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating after a man was struck twice during a shooting in Philadelphia's Olney section Wednesday morning.The 48-year-old was reportedly found shot twice in the back after driving his SUV to North 2nd Street around 2 a.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – As many Sri Lankans have cut down on their meals, the demand for staples has also seen a drop.Usually, more than 200 to 300 Sri Lankan fishing boats set out to sea, however after the economic crisis hit, coupled with an acute shortage of fuel most of the Sri Lankan fishermen have been forced to tie up their boats to the piers, hoping for better days."The demand for fish had slumped. The main reason for this is the high cost of fuel and the rising cost of living. A liter of fuel that cost only Rs.

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

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

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

no one matched all six numbers on Tuesday. The current jackpot, which also comes with a $248.7 million cash option, would be the 11th-largest prize in the 20-year history of the game, according to lottery officials. The current Mega Millions prize began Aug. 2 after a $1.337 billion ticket was won in Illinois on July 29.The winning numbers are drawn for the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot in history, $1,28B, took place on Friday, July 29, 2022.In addition to the massive jackpot in July, four other top prizes have been awarded so far this year — beginning with $426 million in California on Jan. 28, officials said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (12) formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, who was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, and expressed his best wishes.Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is a proud product of Mahanama College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 16th intake, in the Executive branch. On successful completion of his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1989.

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

PHILADELPHIA - A vehicle was left riddled with bullet holes after police say a shooting erupted in Germantown Wednesday morning.Police say a 38-year-old man was shot multiple times on the 100 block of East Duval Street around 3 a.m.He reportedly drove himself to a local hospital, where he is said to be in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:The vehicle he was driving was shot at about 20 times, according to police.

PHILADELPHIA - Emergency crews are on the scene after police say three SWAT officers were shot as a barricade situation unfolded in North Philadlphia Wednesday morning.Police say shots rang out while officers were serving a homicide arrest warrant on the 800 block of 10th Street.Three SWAT officers were reportedly shot and injured, and transported to a local hospital.MORE HEADLINES:SkyFOX was live over the emergency situation where police say a barricade situation unfolded following the shooting.Three people were handcuffed by police as FOX 29 arrived at scene.The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear at this time, and the condition of the officers is unknown.This is a developing story.

Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason has revealed he recently collapsed after contracting "seriously bad" Covid-19.The TV legend, 82, was speaking to BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay about his new book, when he revealed that he recently collapsed while getting out of bed one night when he had covid-19 during the Summer.The Open All Hours star said: "I got it seriously bad."Because all the muscles weren't working, I collapsed and I fell against the radiator... I was so weak, I couldn't get up."READ NEXT: Only Fools, Skins and Gavin and Stacey - British TV remakes that flopped in the USSaying that he tried to get out of bed to go to the toilet, Sir David explained that he had to use the bed to try and stand up as his muscles "weren't working.""I crawled to the bed.

Chloe Ferry recently found herself in a state of confusion after she mistook the reading on her negative coronavirus test as a positive one. On Tuesday evening (Oct 11), the 27-year-old Geordie Shore star took to Instagram to inform her followers that she and her mother Liz were feeling under the weather.After being advised to take a Covid test, Chloe was left distraught when she thought she had contracted the virus due to one line being present on her results.READ MORE: Chloe Ferry branded 'most beautiful' as she wows in nude bodysuit following splitHowever the TV personality quickly returned to her platform to share that she read the test incorrectly.Speaking directly to the camera she said: "If I do not laugh, I'm going to scream."She continued: "So obviously me and mum got the same bug, so we just done a Covid test, but we started panicking thinking 'oh my God like what if we've got Covid, I've been around my friends' like we just started thinking the worst."So we've done the Covid test, we're both as thick as each other honestly.

PHILADELPHIA - A pedestrian was injured after police say a driver caused a crash while under the influence early Wednesday morning.Police say the driver slammed into a parked car, then hit a woman walking on the 3300 block of Kensington Avenue around midnight.MORE HEADLINES:The driver was reportedly under the influence at the time, and arrested on the scene.The woman broke her leg, and is said to be in stable condition at a local hospital.

PHILADELPHIA - Today is the day to take part in all those outdoor fall activities!A cool morning will make way for some beautiful weather as temperatures are set to reach a high of 72 degrees. Sun will take over the skies for most of the day, until clouds start to increase later this evening.However, in Atlanta, a chance of thunderstorms could mean a rain delay for the Phillies game today!Back in Philadelphia, Wednesday's clouds will turn to storms with heavy rain expected throughout the day.

Also Read: Be prepared for a more dangerous Covid that beats vaccines BF.7 can escape the antibodies from earlier illnesses or vaccinations better than the many other omicron sub-variants, according to two studies. The new variation known as the "Omicron spawn" is growing quickly and might take over within a few weeks, researchers warn. The prevalence of BF.7 has doubled in the United States over the past two weeks, rising from 0.8% to 1.7%.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways said that steps have been taken to increase the security of trains that are in operation.Railways General Manager W. A.

Shanghai reported 38 new infections, all of which were found in its quarantine system. The country that first reported Covid-19 cases in December 2019, now remains the only major government that is still grappling to control the spread of the fatal virus.  Several schools across the city have suspended in-person classes as the fear of Covid-19 infection spread grows.  At least five districts have closed entertainment venues, including cinemas, bars and gyms, in an effort to stamp out transmission, according to statements issued by Covid prevention offices.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Police Illegal Assets Investigations Division arrested one person over a money scam of over Rs.11.6 million.According to the Police, the suspect has used social media to scam people across the country, to obtain gifts and cash deposits.The 30-year-old suspect is a resident of Angoda.He will be produced to the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today (12).

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 08: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the National Baptist Convention on September 08, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The National Baptist Convention was formed in 1886, and gathers church members and leaders from around the WASHINGTON (AP) - Attending funerals on behalf of the United States is normally a straightforward assignment for a vice president, but Kamala Harris will confront controversy at nearly every turn as she visits Asia for the memorial honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.American allies are seeking clarity after mixed messages over whether President Joe Biden would send troops to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, a potential conflict that could swiftly engulf the rest of the region.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, is perhaps best known as an election denier who was at the U.S. Capitol on Jan.

Reuters, WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward warned that richer nations must not step back from tackling Covid-19 as a global problem now, ahead of future potential waves of infection. Aylward co-ordinates the ACT-Accelerator, a partnership between WHO and other global health bodies to help poorer countries access COVID-19 tools.

A nurse at a Walgreens pharmacy near Florida International University’s Tamiami campus in Miami-Dade shows a patient the newly formulated Moderna bivalent vaccine on Sept. 7, 2022. (Howard Cohen/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) U.S.

SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico - President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona, while Bermuda and Canada's Atlantic provinces prepared for a major blast from the Category 4 storm.Speaking at a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in New York, Biden said, "We’re all in this together."Biden noted that hundreds of FEMA and other federal officials are already on the ground in Puerto Rico, where Fiona caused an island-wide blackout.More than 60% of power customers remained without energy on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water — and local officials admitted they could not say when service would be fully restored.Biden said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is: "We’re with you. We’re not going to walk away."US President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell take part in a briefing on Hurricane Fiona's impact on Puerto Rico at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 2 Office in New York on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met US President Joe Biden at the reception hosted by the President of the United States and Dr.

The head of the World Health Organization has tempered his assertion that the end of the Covid-19 pandemic was near, warning that declaring the crisis over was "still a long way off".

#InAMinutewithMint Is the #Covid-19 pandemic over?... more#InAMinutewithMint Is the #Covid-19 pandemic over? At least that’s what US President Joe Biden says. But has the pandemic really ended? What do the numbers show? Watch@Alisha2494 explain In a Minute with Mint.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A 99-day run of falling gasoline prices — a streak that gave consumers a glimmer of hope that red-hot inflation might be cooling — has ended, with pump prices still much higher than a year ago.The nationwide average price for a gallon ticked up less than a penny Wednesday, to $3.68 a gallon, according to AAA. That's down from the record $5.02 average in mid-June.The question now is whether Wednesday’s increase is just a blip or the precursor to the return of higher prices.

WASHINGTON - The House pushed ahead Wednesday with legislation that would revamp the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election as lawmakers accelerate their response to the the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to remain in power.The legislation would overhaul an arcane 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act that governs, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners.

NEW YORK - President Joe Biden is ready to make the case to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly that Russia's "naked aggression" in Ukraine is an affront to the heart of what the international body stands for as he looks to rally allies to stand firm in backing the Ukrainian resistance.Biden, during his time at the U.N.

India reported 4,510 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Wednesday. As a result, active cases currently stand at 46,216. The active caseload comprise 0.10 per cent of the total infections.

GEORGETOWN, De. - A small Delaware airport was flooded on Tuesday with state leaders and local non-profit organizations in preparation for a possible plane full of migrants being sent from Texas. Delaware Costal Airport in Georgetown was reportedly the latest destination for migrants being shipped by southern Republican governors to northern Blue states. This comes just days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent two buses with about 100 migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris' residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C.Some who were at the airport on Tuesday believe that the sending migrants northbound is part of a political stunt being carried out by Republican leaders ahead of the midterm elections. MORE ON IMMIGRATION"They’re using our people for political stunts, It’s just sad and tragic," Rossana Arteaga-Lopenza from non-profit Casa de Venezuela Delaware told FOX 29. Earlier this year, Abbott announced new directives as part of the state's border security efforts, including an order that directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses of migrants to Washington D.C. Philadelphia officials began preparing to receive buses of migrants if Abbott targeted the city, but Delaware, where President Joe Biden grew up and attended college, looks to be the next destination.The normally quiet runway at Delaware Costal Airport was abuzz on Tuesday amid reports of a possible plane full of migrants from Texas.

At a routine press briefing today, two White House officials fielded questions about President Joe Biden's recent off-the-cuff comment during a news program that the pandemic is over, while acknowledging that COVID is still a problem.When a reporter asked if Biden would carry the "pandemi

FILE - U.S. President Joe Biden arrives for an event in the Rose Garden of the White House Sept. 15, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Last night during a "60 Minutes" interview, President Joe Biden said the pandemic is over, though COVID-19 is still a problem, which prompted swift and sharp criticism among some public health experts.

NEW YORK (AP) - When President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive student loan debt, many borrowers who kept making payments during the pandemic wondered if they'd made the right choice.Borrowers who paid down their debt during a pandemic freeze that started in March 2020 can in fact get a refund — and then apply for forgiveness – but the process for doing that hasn’t always been clear.If you think you’re eligible, here’s what you need to know:Borrowers who hold eligible federal student loans and have made voluntary payments since March 13, 2020, can get a refund, according to the Department of Education.For some people, that refund will be automatic. You can get a refund without applying if your payments brought your loan balance below the maximum debt relief amount: $10,000 for all borrowers, and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

@JoeBiden — you’re wrong. Pandemic is not over. Almost 3,000 Americans are dying from #COVID19 every single week.A weekly 9/11 is a very big deal.

LONDON - The world is preparing to say its last goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II as her state funeral is set for Monday.Events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral on Monday cap 10 days of national mourning and are expected to be watched by hundreds of thousands of people packed onto the streets of London and millions around the world. The late monarch died Sept. 8 at 96 years old.

Joe Biden urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to not use tactical nuclear or chemical weapons in the wake of setbacks in Ukraine, in a CBS News interview to air on Sunday.Ukraine’s military drove back Russian forces in a lightning rout in the northeast of the country this week, putting Putin under pressure from nationalists at home to regain the initiative. UN to allow Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to virtually address next week’s world leaders summit Putin has warned that Moscow would respond more forcefully if its troops were put under further pressure, raising concerns that he could at some point use unconventional means like small nuclear or chemical weaponsAsked by a “60 Minutes” reporter what he would say to Putin if he was considering using such weapons, Biden said: “Don’t.