Vigil planned for 3 years anniversary of Dulce Maria Alavez disappearance

Policy measures aimed at assisting troubled but viable businesses as pandemic supports wind down and debts fall due need to be targeted, scalable and equitable, new research from the Central Bank suggests.

FROM MARS have investigated some of the leading health conditions which could be life-threatening. The experts created the men’s health report by analysing different diseases and illnesses most prevalent across the world’s male population.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cascading global crises have left 54 countries including Sri Lanka – home to more than half of the world's poorest people — in dire need of debt relief, the UN said Tuesday (11).In a new report, the United Nations Development Programme warned that dozens of developing nations were facing a rapidly deepening debt crisis and that "the risks of inaction are dire".UNDP said without immediate relief, at least 54 countries would see rising poverty levels, and "desperately needed investments in climate adaptation and mitigation will not happen".That was worrisome since the affected countries were "among the most climate-vulnerable in the world".The agency's report, published ahead of meetings of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and also of G20 finance ministers in Washington, highlighted the need for swift action.But despite repeated warnings, "little has happened so far, and the risks have been growing," UNDP chief Achim Steiner told reporters in Geneva."That crisis is intensifying and threatening to spill over into an entrenched development crisis across dozens of countries across the world."The poor, indebted countries are facing converging economic pressures and many find it impossible to pay back their debt or access new financing.'Volatility'"Market conditions are shifting rapidly as a synchronised fiscal and monetary contraction and low growth are fuelling volatility around the globe," UNDP said.The UN agency said debt troubles had been brewing in many of the affected countries long before the Covid-19 pandemic hit."The rapid build-up in debt over the past decade has been consistently underestimated," it said.The freeze on debt repayment during the Covid crisis to lighten their burden

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to streamline the process of responding to letters, emails and phone calls addressed to government institutions. The president has focussed his attention on streamlining and expediting the process of responding to letters, emails, and phone calls by the public instead of them having to waste their time, effort, and money by having to come to these institutions personally to attend to their requirements. Accordingly, a special letter signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including provisions in replying to letters, e-mails and telephone calls addressed to government institutions, has been sent to all ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, and Heads of departments.Priority should be given to general letters from the public to government institutions, and in case final replies cannot be sent immediately, an interim reply stating that the letter has been received should be sent within one week and a final reply should be sent within four (04) weeks. In addition, for all official letters, the direct telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the staff officer in charge of the subject should be mentioned below the signature of the relevant letter when sending reply letters.Emails sent to public email addresses of relevant offices should be checked daily and a specific officer should be assigned for the purpose.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said there has been a "significant" increase in the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 over the last week.

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. New Delhi: India reported 1,957 new covid infections, while active cases declined to 27,374 in the last 24 hours, according to an update from the Union health ministry on Tuesday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will speak about the importance of mental health on a specially recorded show for BBC Radio One’s Newsbeat. William and Kate, both 40, led a discussion for World Mental Health Day on Monday for a special programme which will be aired on BBC Radio One, Radio One Extra and the Asian Network on Tuesday afternoon.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet has granted approval to downgrade Sri Lanka to a low-income country from a lower-middle income country, announced Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, the Cabinet Spokesperson on Tuesday (11)."Sri Lanka was a middle-income country as per the global classification.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Appeal Court on Tuesday (11) ordered to acquit and release the Ex-Chairman of the Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Saruwa Liyanage Sunil who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl, and was sentenced to 15-years Rigorous Imprisonment, from all the charges and punishments.Saruwa Liyanage Sunil was sentenced by the Colombo High Court on the 17th of January 202 and was also fined Rs. 200,000/-. He had filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal and it was taken up in the presence of Appel Court Justices P.

Japan has reopened its doors to tourists after two-and-a-half years of tough Covid-19 restrictions, with officials hoping an influx of travellers enticed by a weak yen will boost the economy.

PHILADELPHIA - After a beautiful Sunday, another cold night is on tap, with overnight lows dipping into the upper 30s in the colder suburbs and into the 40s across the city.Monday should be another beautiful day, with sunny skies and highs right around average, in the mid to upper 60s.High pressure off the coast is in control, which sets up Tuesday and Wednesday as nice days, as well.The next chance of rain could be Thursday, as a cold front makes its way into the region.For the latest forecasts and conditions, download the FOX 29 Weather Authority app.___SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear. Low: 43MONDAY: Sunny, pleasant.

She was only 28 years old and had no reason to believe she was anything other than perfectly healthy, except for a few headaches.

New Zealand’s government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry’s main lobby group, said the plan would “rip the guts out of small town New Zealand” and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn’t decrease food production.“Our plan was to keep farmers farming,” Hoggard said.

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,28,822 with eight fatalities which includes three deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. India logged 1,957 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,16,394, while the active cases dipped to 27,374, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll climbed to 5,28,822 with eight fatalities which includes three deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is dead after police say he was shot multiple times Monday night in Southwest Philadelphia. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 800 block of South 48th Street just before 9 p.m.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A mobile phone was recovered from the cell occupied by Thilini Priyamali, who was arrested for financial fraud, at the Welikada Prison.The mobile device was handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department.Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake told News 1st that the device was recovered by the Sri Lanka Prisons Emergency Action and Tactical Force on Sunday (9) night.He said the Superintendent of the Welikada Prison is leading an internal investigation into the matter.At the same time, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Dayasiri Jayasekera, and MP Nalaka Godahewa filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department seeking an investigation into statements alleging that they were involved in transactions with the woman in question.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by three runs in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 2022 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday (October 10).Winning the toss, the Bangladesh women's team captain opted to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 2022.Batting first, Sri Lanka managed to score 83 for the loss of five wickets in 18.1 overs before heavy rain stopped the match. Later, the fate of the match was set following the Duckworth-Lewis method (D/L method). To win the match, Bangladesh needed 41 runs in seven overs.In reply, Bangladesh managed to score 37 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted seven overs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It is no secret that the prevailing economic crisis has led to the disruption of the day-to-day lives of the general public. How many families have been impacted by this unprecedented economic crisis? Has sufficient attention been given to those who are severely affected? The Gammadda Door to Door initiative continues to identify a range of issues faced by average Sri Lankans. On Monday (10), which was Day Six of the Sixth edition of the Gammadda Door to Door program, the team that completed it's tour in the Jaffna district reached the Killinochchi district.They visited the Malayalapuram area in the Karachchi Divisional Secretariat, where most of the residents are day-wage earners.Unfortunately, the economic crisis left them with no work, ruining their chances of providing for their families. Gammadda teams in the Ratnapura district visited Handagirigoda, Handagiriya, Kolonna andSuriyakanda villages in the Welligepola Divisional Secretariat and met with the poverty-stricken estate workers living in Suriyakanda. People in this area do not have the luxury of enjoying cell phone services as the area lacks the basic facilities. Unlike most areas in Sri Lanka children in the area do not have access to online education.Gammadda teams in the Polonnaruwa district toured many areas in the Hingurakgoda Divisional Secretariat. On top of the economic crisis, people in this area face wild elephant threats. 

PHILADELPHIA - Organizers are taking to the streets in Philadelphia's most troubled neighborhoods to help bring an end to the spread of gun violence that continues to impact communities. Damarr Dabney leads a team of ‘violence interrupters’ currently whose goal is stem arguments and retaliations before the combatants resort to violence. "We’re not afraid of these kids, these are our kids, they need to feel accepted," Dabney said. "Our goal is to squash the beef or retaliation."Ceasefire Philadelphia is following the Cure Violence model, which looks at violence as a disease.

FILE - Toyota logo seen outside a Toyota dealership. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Toyota Motor Corp.

Police say two men are injured after a double shooting in Olney where one man was shot inside his vehicle with a toddler in the back seat. PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting that left two men injured, one of which was sitting inside his vehicle with a toddler as he was shot in Olney on Monday night. Just after 5 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting at Rising Sun Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.

NEW YORK - Fans of "Back to the Future" were in for a special surprise when its two stars, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, reunited on stage to talk about the movie 37 years after it was released.The two stars appeared at a panel for the popular sci-fi films at Comic Con in New York on Saturday.

Ukraine on Monday.The strikes targeted downtown Kyiv, among other Ukrainian cities, and killed at least 14 people. Nearly 100 more were wounded, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.“I’m appalled by Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology announced that showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island during the evening or night.Fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected at some places in Uva, Eastern, and North-central provinces.Several spells of showers will occur in coastal areas of the Western province and Galle and Matara districts.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.Winds:Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil.   State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Hambanthota to Pottuvil will sometimes be fairly rough.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting that left a teenager critically injured in West Oak Lane on Monday night. At around 6:48 p.m., police responded to the 6500 block of North Smedley Street where they say they found a 13-year-old boy who had been shot multiple times in the head and face. The victim was transported to Einstein Hospital where police say he was placed in critical condition. Authorities say no weapons were recovered, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the police. 

nasal-spray version of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University researchers and AstraZeneca Plc, on human beings did not yield the desired protection, according to the news agency Reuters. The University of Oxford, in an official statement, said that the antibody response in the respiratory mucous membranes was seen in only a minority of participants in the trial, which was in the first of usually three phases of clinical testing.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia woman is facing charges in connection to the death of a toddler who police say died from blunt force trauma while being cared for over the summer. Jendayi Mawusi, 25, surrendered to police on Monday and was charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Mawusi's charges stem from the death of 3-year-old Hope Jones who investigators say died in early July while in the care of Kiana Casey. Casey was previously charged with third-degree murder, aggravated assault of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child. RELATED COVERAGE: Philadelphia woman charged with murder of 3-year-old girl who was in her care, DA saysA Philadelphia Medical Examiner later determined that the cause of Jones's death was blunt force trauma. The District Attorney's Office later described the deadly injuries inflicted on Jones as "extensive and disturbing."A spokesperson for Philadelphia's Department of Human Services said Jones was in their custody, receiving kinship/foster care services.

LOS ANGELES - Nury Martinez on Monday announced her resignation as Los Angeles City Council president amid backlash over racist comments made about Councilman Mike Bonin's Black son that were revealed in a leaked recording from last fall.  She has resigned from her position as council president but maintains her seat on the council. RELATED: Bonin calls on LA City Council to remove Martinez as president over racist comments on his sonMartinez issued the following statement Monday morning:"I take responsibility for what I said and there are no excuses for those comments. I’m so sorry. I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words: to my colleagues, their families, especially to Mike, Sean, and your son.

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.

Three boaters who failed to return from a fishing trip Saturday evening, October 8, were rescued on Sunday after being found "fending off sharks" in waters about 25 miles off the Louisiana coast, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) said.Two people from a sunken fishing boat were fending off sharks in the Gulf of Mexico when a crew rescued them and one other person from waters off the Louisiana coastline, the Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard launched a search after a relative reported the three people failed to return from a fishing trip Saturday evening.The 24-foot (7.3-meter), center-console fishing boat sank about 10 a.m. Saturday and stranded the three people without communication devices, the Coast Guard said in a news release.The three were wearing lifejackets and one was showing signs of hypothermia when they were rescued Sunday about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) offshore from Empire, Louisiana, a small community southeast of New Orleans.

Map generated to show location of an accident where a North Carolina man died after his GPS led him to a defunct bridge that dropped off into a creek on Sept. 30. A North Carolina man is dead after his GPS led him to a defunct bridge that dropped off into a creek on Sept.

PHILADELPHIA - A clear, blue sky was overhead the Delaware Valley on Monday with lots of sun and mild temperatures. Temperatures lingered in the mid to high 60s in the city and throughout the suburbs, giving us a spring-like feel to kickstart the week. Overnight temperatures will drop into the 40s with a moonlit sky and light winds to bring a crisp, fall-like air into Tuesday. Forecasters say you should have your jackets ready to go for a chilly morning commute before things warm up in the afternoon.

Photo collage: (Left) Photo illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images. (Right) Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A California man is in trouble for reportedly using Snapchat to sell "ghost guns."Andrew Jace Larrabure-Tuma, 20, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to using the social media platform to sell guns that he bought kits for online, also known as "ghost gun kits".He bought them "from a company called Polymer80, a licensed firearms manufacturer in Nevada, and manufactured his own firearms and then sold the guns he had manufactured," read a news release from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).He was caught when he sold guns to undercover officers and a "confidential informant."Larrabure-Tuma isn't legally allowed to buy guns in California, ATF said."A search warrant was executed at Larrabure-Tuma’s residence in Sacramento and law enforcement officers found what appeared to be a firearm manufacturing operation, including partially complete firearms, firearm kits from Polymer80, firearm parts, tools for manufacturing and finishing firearms, firearm accessories, completed firearms, and ammunition," the news release read.He will be sentenced just after the new year and could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.RELATED: Biden administration crackdown on 'ghost guns' takes effectAn April 2022 news release from the White House describes these firearms as, "unserialized, privately-made firearms."Adding, "Law enforcement are increasingly recovering at crime scenes in cities across the country.

PHILADELPHIA - When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it jump started the midterm elections with a thunderclap.

PHILADELPHIA - A breast cancer diagnosis turned a daughter's love for her mother and passion for sewing into a hobby that helps women recovering from the disease.When Katelynn Devinney's mother was recovering from breast cancer she, like many other women, had to deal with the discomfort of drains and how to keep the cords comfortable under her clothing, so Katelynn came up with a plan. After a mastectomy in January doctors put drains in Patricia Fitt's chest to allow her body to get rid of excess fluid. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"The drains will pull. They tug at your skin, they hurt," Patricia told FOX 29's Monica Evans. During recovery, Patricia says she was given a sweatshirt with pockets to put the drains in and wanted another one, but they were very expensive.

People walk outside the Barnes & Noble book store on Fifth Avenue in New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images) If you're looking for something new to read or want to add a new book to your current collection, Barnes & Noble has released its list of the 10 best books for 2022.The well-known bookseller’s list of reading material has a little something for everyone from former child TV star Jeannette McCurdy, former first lady Michelle Obama and one book about chemistry. Here is the list of the 10 best books, according to Barnes & Noble.1) "I’m Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy Jeannette McCurdy, a former actress on the popular Nickelodeon shows "iCarly" and "Sam & Cat," wrote a memoir detailing her challenges as a former child actor dealing with eating disorders, addiction, and a turbulent relationship with her mother.

has revealed some of America’s Halloween candy obsessions — and the country is pretty evenly split over the top sweet treats. Instacart has the stats on the top 10 most popular candies from Halloween 2021, giving insight as to what can be expected in the candy bowls again this year. Instacart calculated the top candies based on the weight of each candy sold during October 2021, and found Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups reigned supreme. More than 116 tons were sold. Coming in second was peanut M&M’s, with 92 tons sold. Instacart’s data dig even further, revealing where you are more likely to find either of the rival peanut-y chocolatey treats. "While every type of candy is loved across the U.S.

FILE - A CSX freight train is seen in Orlando. A pay dispute between rail workers and unions threatens a nationwide freight rail strike as early as Sept.

A US study of almost 17,000 patients finds modest two-dose Pfizer COVID vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization and emergency department (ED) admission for Omicron BA.1 (the original Omicron variant) and the BA.2 subvariant, but three-dose VE was 79% and 71% for hospitalization, respectively, and 72% and 21%  for ED visits.Also, VE 3 months or more after the third dose remained high except f

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Witness testimony resumed Monday morning, Oct. 10 in the Darrell Brooks trial, charged in the November 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack.

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

FILE - Travelers collect their luggage at baggage claim after arriving at O'Hare International Airport on March 11, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) The websites for some major U.S.

Media gather outside the Countess of Chester Hospital on July 3, 2018 in Chester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) LONDON (AP) - A hospital neonatal nurse in Britain accused of killing seven babies and trying to kill 10 others poisoned two infants deliberately with insulin, a British prosecutor said Monday.Lucy Letby, 32, has been charged with murder in the deaths of five baby boys and two girls, and the attempted murder of five boys and five girls, while she worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England between 2015 and 2016.Letby earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.Opening her trial at Manchester Crown Court, prosecutor Nick Johnson said beginning in 2015, the hospital saw a significant rise in the number of babies who were dying or suffering "serious catastrophic collapses.""Babies who had not been unstable at all suddenly deteriorated.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Ancient Mars may have had an environment capable of harboring an underground world teeming with microscopic organisms, French scientists reported Monday.But if they existed, these simple life forms would have altered the atmosphere so profoundly that they triggered a Martian Ice Age and snuffed themselves out, the researchers concluded.The findings provide a bleak view of the ways of the cosmos. Life — even simple life like microbes — "might actually commonly cause its own demise," said the study's lead author, Boris Sauterey, now a post-doctoral researcher at Sorbonne University.The results "are a bit gloomy, but I think they are also very stimulating.," he said in an email.

The risk of maternal critical care admission and preterm birth were much lower amid dominance of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant than during the Delta-dominant period, finds a Scottish study published late last week in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.