WHO recognizes China’s accounting of 60,000 covid deaths

People across Lanarkshire have joined the UK’s biggest conversation on mental health stigma for Time to Talk Day.

As energy bills continue to rise, many households are turning to wood burning stoves as a cheaper alternative to stay warm.

Two years ago the first Bag o’ Chips walks around Perth for improved mental health began - now hundreds of people have been regularly going out with the group.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Friday (10).General Sahir Shamshad Mirza  arrived in Sri Lanka for a three day visit.Recalling the long-standing close relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan as friendly countries, the President joined General Zaheer Shamshad Mirza and others in a cordial conversation.General Sahir Shamshad Mirza also presented a momento to President Wickremesinghe.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Covid-19 Therapeutic Service has surpassed a major milestone - after being in operation for more than a year.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A minor tremor measuring a magnitude 3.0 was reported from Buttala on Friday (10).The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said the incident took place at approximately 12:11 in the afternoon.It added that the tremors were recorded at the Seismic Stations located in Pallekele, Mahakanadarawa, and Hakmana.According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) two other events were reported in the Indian Ocean.A M 4.6 tremor was recorded off the west coast of northern Sumatra, and M 4.7 tremor was recorded on the Carlsberg Ridge.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has granted permission for the 2023 Local Government Election to go ahead as planned by the National Election Commission.The Supreme Court had noted that the National Election Commission is bound to protect the people's franchise.Further, the Supreme Court noted that orders were not necessary on the matter as the National Election Commission had already undertaken to hold the Local Government Election in terms of the Law.The matter was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairaja, A. H.

COLOMBO (News 1st); General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan arrived in Sri Lanka for a three day visit.The visiting General and his entourage arrived in the island at the cordial invitation extended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil. Commencing the official tour in Sri Lanka, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M) visited the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff where the visiting General was formally received in a colourful Guard of Honour, accorded on his behalf by the troops of the Sri Lanka Army. Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza dedicated time for the discussions highlighting the importance of continued close relations between the two friendly nations and recalled the past memories and assistance readily extended to Sri Lanka, particularly during the height of the combat against the LTTE terrorism and remembered the bonds of understanding and goodwill that prevails between two forces throughout the years. Further, CDS conveyed his gratefulness to the Pakistan Defence Forces for the support extended to the defence sector of Sri Lanka in numerous means such as training and modern military equipment to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. At the same time, CDS thankfully emphasized the assistance extended during the disastrous situations and stated that he looked forward to continuing the strong ties in the same spirit in the future as well.As the cordial discussions drew to a close, General Shavendra Silva symbolized the existing sound working relations by presenting a special memento to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan while wishing him all

COLOMBO (News 1st); The application filed with the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend all activities related to the Local Government Election will be taken up on Friday (10).Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission said that the Finance Ministry is yet to respond to its request for funds for the expenses of the Local Government Election for February.NEC Chairman Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the delay in funding could lead to an issue in making payments for the Local Government Election.Recently, the National Election Commission made an official request from the Finance Ministry to release Rs.

Bloomberg: The International Monetary Fund said its approval for a $2.9 billion loan to bail out crisis-riddled Sri Lanka will depend on the island nation securing assurances on debt relief from its bilateral creditors.“Sri Lanka continues to engage with official bilateral creditors to obtain financing assurances and also continues to advance domestic reforms,” an IMF spokesperson said in a statement on the progress of its Extended Fund Facility to the South Asian nation. “As soon as adequate assurances are obtained and remaining requirements are met, including by the Sri Lankan authorities, the EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka can be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for approval.”The Paris Club – an informal group of rich western creditors — and India have provided formal support to the multilateral lender for the loan recast, leaving China — Sri Lanka’s biggest lender — as a holdout.

A new Covid strain has been identified by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as a likely contender to become the most dominant across the UK.

With agency inputs

Physical activity benefits even those at higher risk for complications People who exercise regularly had lower rates of hospitalization and death from Covid-19 in a study published recently in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

'Gloomy emotions'  China's leader has expressed similar concern about the impact of the outbreak on rural areas during the holidays. "Xi said he was primarily concerned about rural areas and rural residents after the country adjusted its Covid-19 response measures," state news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday -- a reference to the relaxing of China's strict virus curbs last month. He "stressed efforts to improve medical care for those most vulnerable to the virus in rural areas", Xinhua said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Sumitra Peiris passed away on Thursday (19).Sumitra Peries (born 24 March 1934) was the first qualified Sri Lankan woman filmmaker and was known by all as the "Poetess of Sinhala Cinema". Sumitra was married to the late, great Lester James Peries who was Considered as the father of Sri Lankan cinema.With over 10 films to her name, and having worked as screenwriter, director, producer and even editor of documentaries, Sumitra has emerged as one of the country’s foremost cultural icons.Sumitra also served as Sri Lanka's ambassador to France and Spain in 1996–1999 and was also appointed as the ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Nations by then- President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge. 

New Delhi: Lengthy school closures due to the pandemic have undone years of gradual gains in learning levels among India’s school-age students, with a major education report released on Wednesday reporting elementary reading and maths skills comparable to pre-2012 levels. Nearly 43% of class V students tested by education non-profit Pratham Education Foundation could read a class II level text and 26% could divide numbers. In 2012, the figures were 47% and 25%, respectively.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India has told the International Monetary Fund that it confirms its strong support for Sri Lanka's prospective EFF-supported program.According to a letter seen by News 1st from Indian authorities to IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva, India had noted it will commit to supporting Sri Lanka with financing/ debt relief consistent with restoring Sri Lanka's public debt sustainability under the IMF -supported program and ensuring that the program is fully financed as projected by IMF staff."In this context, we commit to continuing negotiations with the Sri Lankan government along with the Paris Club on a medium-to-long term debt treatment through maturity extension and interest rate reduction or any other financial operations that would deliver similar financing/ debt relief," noted the letter.According to this letter seen by News 1st, India says that the financing/ debt relief provided by Export-Import Bank of India will be consistent with restoring debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program."We look forward to continuing cordial and in-depth discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities, IMF and the Paris Club with a view to finalizing the specifics of this financingj debt relief in the coming weeks," the letter added. However, it had noted that the Sri Lankan authorities are expected to seek equitable debt treatments from all commercial creditors and other official bilateral creditors, as well as adequate financing contributions from the multilateral development banks. Sri Lanka requires the backing of China and India – its biggest bilateral lenders – to reach a final agreement with the IMF on the $2.9 billion loan that is essential to help the country emerge from its worst financial crisis in seven

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman and members of the Election Commission assured the Supreme Court again on Wednesday (18) that the Local Government Election will be held on time as per the Local Authorities Elections Act and the relevant regulations.The assurance was given to the Supreme Court by President's Counsel Saliya Pieris on behalf of the Chairman and members of the Election CommissionPresident's Counsel Romesh De Silva, and Sandeepa Jayawardena along with other Senior Counsel appearing for the interests of MPs Dayasiri Jayasekera, Lakshman Kiriella, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – China has expressed opposition over the invitation extended to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka Hu Wei recently called on the Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu chapter of Siam Nikaya, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Theroand stated that the government and people of China including in the Tibet Autonomous Region strongly oppose any foreign country to receive the Dalai Lama in any name.A statement from the Chinese Embassy on twitter noted that this is because the 14th Dalai Lama is absolutely not a "simple monk" as he self-claimed, but the head of the feudal serfdom and the theocracy in Tibet prior to 1951, a political exile disguised as a religious figure who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and attempting to split Tibet from China.Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka Hu Wei has emphasized that China and Sri Lanka have been firmly supporting each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, including the Tibet related issue. He had noted that both sides especially the Buddhist communities must prevent a sneaky visit of the Dalai Lama to the island to promote "Tibetan independence" and safeguard the China-Sri Lanka historical relations from being damaged.Sri Lankan Buddhist monks recently invited exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to make his first visit to the island

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has responded to the comments made by US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung in a recent interview with the BBC.The Chinese Embassy in a statement said that their US colleague should commit to self-examination rather than play the blame game.Full Statement: “China, China, China!”, our US colleague starts chanting this infamous mantra and blaming China as a “spoiler” to the island’s negotiation with the IMF during her recent interview with a UK television program on Sri Lanka’s debt issue. Before her baseless accusing and lecturing, our US colleague should have at least asked herself: Who is the single largest shareholder of the IMF with a veto power over major policy decisions? Who is keeping printing US dollar, with more than $3 trillion in 2020 alone? Who are those private creditors owning 40% of Sri Lanka’s total external debt stock with the highest interest rates? Who sued Sri Lanka in its federal court immediately after the island’s default?The public may also like to know how the US have walked the talk to help the Sri Lankan people when they have already received 10000 MT of rice, 9000 Liters of diesel, 5 billion LKR of medicines and 3 million fabric meters of school uniform materials gifted by China?  They may also question what are the political pre-conditions of the US Aid, while being assured by China’s “No strings attached” commitment and practice.Isn’t it hypocrisy at its finest for our US colleague to play the blame game instead of a self-examination? After all, why didn’t the US take decisive actions in the IMF for a more comfortable solution for Sri Lanka?or extend grant to the island with the rocket amount of US dollars they print every year, instead of sowing discord

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The visiting high level delegation of China’s Communist Party (CPC) led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou told Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that Sri Lanka would have “some good news soon” with regard to debt restructuring.The visiting high level delegation of China’s Communist Party (CPC) led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou, Head of the CPC International Department assured Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that China would stand by Sri Lanka in the current economic crisis.He told the Prime Minister that Sri Lanka is a very special friend of China and they are considering how China could assist Sri Lanka to get over the current crisis.Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had noted that Sri Lanka was looking forward to China’s support in restructuring its debt at the moment and further strengthening its economy in the near future.The Prime Minister's Media Division said that Vice Minister Chen Zhou had assured China’s assistance to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.Vice Minister Zhou had noted that Several Ministries and financial institutes of China are working closely on this issue for quite a long period, and he is confident that Sri Lanka will have good news very soon.

According to a recent media report, in answer to an RTI inquiry, ICMR and CDSCO acknowledged ‘multiple side-effects’ of COVID-19 vaccinations. The Union Health Ministry has reiterated that only a small percentage of patients who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may develop serious adverse events depending on certain predisposing circumstances, refuting the reports of various side effects of the vaccine.

₹3.6 trillion packaged food market. “During lockdown, we saw in-home consumption growing with home becoming the new social hub. Convenient food products that are high on trust and hygiene along with easy accessibility were key factors for consumers that have contributed to the uptick in demand for packaged snacks," Anshul Khanna, senior director and category head, foods, PepsiCo India, said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A young woman was found murdered with her throat slit close to Race Course, Colombo on Tuesday (17) afternoon.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa speaking to News 1st said that the deceased was identified as a 24-year-old Science Faculty student of the University of Colombo.She was attacked by a male at around 12 noon, said Police adding that an investigation is underway.

The country's cumulative Covid tally has gone up to 4.46 crore (4,46,81,233). India has recorded lowest single-day Covid-19 cases since March 2020, with the country reporting 89 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Home Ministry data updated on Tuesday.  With this, the country's cumulative Covid tally has gone up to 4.46 crore (4,46,81,233). The active cases declined to 2,035 that comprise 0.01 percent of the total infections.

Steven Spielberg shared that his fears over the Covid-19 pandemic inspired him to make his latest film, The Fabelmans, which is based on his life.'I was terrified this was an end-of-days, and epic-level event, I mean an extinction-level event, that was happening to the world,' the legendary movie director, 76 — who picked up a Best Director Golden Globe for the film last week — revealed in a new interview with the Daily Star.He said his fear made him decide which movie he truly needed to make, in case it would his last one: 'If I got the chance to make one more movie, it was going to be this story.'  Important to him: Steven Spielberg shared that his fears over the Covid-19 pandemic inspired him to make his latest film, The Fabelmans, which is based on his life; Pictured 2022The Jaws director said, 'By the time I had serious discussions about writing this, we'd lost 250,000 Americans to Covid.' The filmmaker explained that he told his family that if there was going to be 'one thing I was able to leave behind' it would be that movie. Spielberg added that like the rest of the world he was glued to watching different news outlets and following the trajectory of the pandemic. 'Terrified': 'I was terrified this was an end-of-days, and epic-level event, I mean an extinction-level event, that was happening to the world,' Spielberg, 76, said in an interview with Daily Star 'All the experts that were coming out and the denial from the White House that this wasn't so bad, it was just like a passing flu epidemic,' he remembered.'I really thought were were not heading in a good direction and this was not going to end well for many of us.

Michelle Pfeiffer took to Instagram to explain why she missed the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night.The Scarface star, 64, was nominated in the Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television category for her work in The First Lady, however she could not attend after testing positive for COVID-19.The Hollywood legend - who was going to present Jeff Bridges with a Lifetime Achievement Award - shared a photo of her fellow actor explaining how disappointed she was to miss the special moment. MIA: Michelle Pfeiffer took to Instagram to explain that she missed the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night after testing positive for Covid 'I'm so sorry to be missing the Critics Choice Awards today.

(With inputs from PTI)

Jeff Bridges is opening up about his recent health battles.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou called on Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Sunday (15).Former Minister Pavithra Vanniarachchi, MP Namal Rajapaksa, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam attended the meeting as well.A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou landed at the Bandranaike International Airport, on Saturday (Jan.

Edited excerpts: There is a lot of talk of a possible fourth wave as China is seeing sudden surge. What is the situation in India? We have observed during the last six weeks, the covid-19 cases have not increased. In fact, as a result of enhanced testing from the middle of December, the number of testing is now between 200,000 to 250,000 per day.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack benefited from a Government-backed £2million Covid loan, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

Covid-19 continues to spread en masse in several coutnries across the globe.

BEIJING : The World Health Organization has appealed to China to keep releasing information about its wave of COVID-19 infections after the government announced nearly 60,000 deaths since early December following weeks of complaints it was failing to tell the world what was happening. The announcement Saturday was the first official death toll since the ruling Communist Party abruptly dropped anti-virus restrictions in December despite a surge in infections that flooded hospitals. That left the WHO and other governments appealing for information, while the United States, South Korea and others imposed controls on visitors from China.

 

to report patients needing more frequent touch-ups, but a found that Botox could be less effective after Covid vaccination. The key word there is could, though: the report states that Botox “might be less effective" post-vaccination, noting that “further research is required" to reach any conclusion—especially because the study was only conducted on 45 people. “More research is needed [on the topic],” , MD, board-certified dermatologist at points out.

Jamie Lee Curtis is in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. The actress, 64, announced the news on social media on Friday. 'F**k COVID!' wrote the star, who looked healthy on Tuesday evening at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.The icon added that this means she will have to miss Sunday's Critics Choice Awards where she is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quarantine: Jamie Lee Curtis, 64, will be sitting out the  Critics Choice awards and other festivities after testing positive for Covid FridayShe wrote, 'Sadly, this head cheerleader is not going to be at all the weekend festivities cheering on her friends and colleagues.

Although we may not be facing lockdowns or tough restrictions any more, Covid still continues to affect people every day.

₹2,400 per tonne from the previous week to align with global prices, while India rebar prices rose by ₹1,800 a tonne. However domestic HRC prices are at modest discounts to Chinese imports, but at a premium to the imports from South Korea and Japan.

A Covid variant has been named as the strain that could become dominant in the UK, experts have warned.

Long Covid subtype impacting cardiac and renal systems was the most common—34% of patients fell into this category Even though infections related to COVID are significantly mild now, what it still worrying is the long-term effects of the disease, i.e long COVID.  Till now, much about the condition has remained unclear, including how long it lasts and researchers have been studying the symptoms to understand more about the disease. Now, a new study has revealed that there are as many as 4 subtypes of long COVID, and many of the symptoms are serious.

died aged 88.The late star’s husband, director John D Hancock, confirmed the sad news that his wife had died in her sleep on January 8.The pair had been married for 48 years, after first tying the knot in 1975.Dorothy died surrounded by her husband and her caretaker, Marcia Brodhacker, her representation has confirmed.The Hollywood actress had tragically been battling Alzheimer's disease for the past 10 years, according to Variety.Dorothy made her film debut in 1970’s X-rated movie End of the Road.From there, she went on to star alongside Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland in the Oscar-nominated film Klute the following year.Some fans might also recognise the actress from 1973’s road movie Scarecrow.She also became a huge local star in the town of Michiana, Michigan after shooting the 1989 Christmas film Prancer on location there.Dorothy also co-wrote and starred in 2015 drama The Looking Glass, which served as her final role.She returned to acting for the part after spending decades away from showbiz, with her husband John directing the movie.The production saw Dorothy star as a woman with dementia symptoms who looked after her troubled teen granddaughter and the film was set in the couple’s Indiana home.John is an established stage and film director, probably best known for his sports drama film Bang the Drum Slowly.Dorothy was born on May 9, 1934, and raised in the Yorkville area of Manhattan.She attended Washington Irving High School and the School of Industrial Arts in New York.The star first started out as a model, travelling to Europe and appearing on covers of Life magazine and Vogue.Before she met husband John, she was married to director Aram A.

BBC – Sri Lanka's central bank has urged China and India to agree a write-down of their loans as soon as possible, reported the BBC on Thursday (12).The crisis-hit Indian Ocean state defaulted on its debt repayments and negotiated a $2.9bn (£2.4bn) bailout.But the International Monetary Fund will not release the cash until China and India first agree to reduce Sri Lanka's billions of dollars of debt.The governor of Sri Lanka's central bank told BBC Newsnight it was in the interest of all parties to act quickly.Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said: "The sooner they give us finance assurances that would be better for both [sides], as a creditor, as a debtor.""That will help us to start repaying their obligations," he added."We don't want to be in this kind of situation, not meeting the obligations, for too long.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held talks with the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China Wu Fulin on Tuesday (10).During the video conference both sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and Sri Lanka's current debt issues, said the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.The two sides agreed to further strengthen exchanges and collaboration on the resolution of Sri Lanka's debt issues, and help the island's economic recovery and sustainable development

Over 15 lakh passengers have been traced & out of them over 200 passengers have been detected as Covid positive. Owing to the sudden COVID surge globally, Centre is tracing all the airports to ensure that no new variant enters the country.

Sore throat: Currently, it is the most common symptom of COVID and also, the earliest sign to identify that you have contracted the virus.  How does it feel? Usually, the symptom starts affecting the first week itself.  The patients complain of feeling discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in their throats. It can also lead to difficulty in swallowing your food.