Latest News - Sri Lanka Closes Down Schools, Offices and Schools Due to Lack of Dollars Needed for Import of Fuel

In the latest news, Sri Lanka closes down offices and schools due to lack of dollars needed for import of fuel. The country is in the middle of a food crisis in the north-eastern Afar region. Meanwhile, England have broken the world record for team total in ODI cricket. And, in the political arena, Pakistan's FATF remains on its 'grey list', putting the country at a higher risk of being labelled a terrorist state.

Sri Lankan government shuts down schools, offices due to lack of dollars to pay for imported fuel

In an effort to save on fuel costs, the Sri Lankan government has announced the closure of schools and public offices for two weeks. Some people are even abandoning their cars and relying on bicycles or public transport to get around. In addition, the government has closed many urban schools and some universities and given civil servants every Friday off for three months. Meanwhile, many families have reportedly cut back on food consumption and are depending on government handouts and donations to help them survive.

As the lack of dollars to pay for imported fuel gets worse, Sri Lankan authorities are forced to close schools and offices for two weeks. Those who must work can't afford to wait so long. Schools are closed until Friday, but parents are forced to wait two days or even 50 hours in fuel queues. Children accompany their parents in fuel queues and are concerned about their welfare. Besides, the government has also ordered the reduction of public sector staff due to a lack of private cars.

Food crisis erupts in Ethiopia's northern-eastern Afar region

The food crisis in the country's north-eastern Afar region has reached unprecedented levels, with malnutrition rates for children under five exceeding the emergency threshold of 15 percent. In the Afar region, conflict-driven displacement is pushing up malnutrition rates for children under five. The situation is expected to worsen as fighting escalates on the Tigray-Afar border, forcing even more communities to flee their homes and into the grip of hunger. This humanitarian situation is expected to persist until 2022, as a continuous flow of humanitarian aid is necessary.

According to the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), Ethiopia's north-eastern Afar region has seen a more than two-fold increase in hunger rates over the past five months. The fighting in the region has also wiped out almost half of the annual crop, and more than two-thirds of households have gone for days without food. While the government denies a famine, the situation is dire and the world is scrambling to get help.

England break world record for highest team total in ODI history

A four-wicket win over the Netherlands has helped England break the world record for highest team total in OD I cricket. The team's score of 498/4 in 50 overs, which is equal to the highest score in ODI history, saw England break the previous record of 496-4 set by Surrey against Gloucestershire in 2007. The run chase was difficult, but the England batsmen made the total look effortless.

After an indifferent start in the series, England stepped up their game and hit a record total against the Netherlands. The side reached 498-4 in the first ODI, which was good enough for a world record. Jos Buttler scored 162 not out of 71 balls and Phil Salt hit a century. England's bowlers bowled a weak Netherlands attack, which helped them reach a record total.

FATF keeps Pakistan on 'grey list'

The Financial Action Task Force has placed Pakistan on its 'grey list', which includes countries with strategic deficiencies in combating terrorist financing and money laundering. The FATF will decide whether Pakistan should be removed from the list at its meeting in Berlin on Friday. The decision could have a significant impact on Pakistan's foreign direct investment and portfolio flows. However, the country may not need to be on the list for too long.

The FATF's 'grey list' is a list of countries whose financial systems are deemed unsuitable for terrorism. Pakistan has a relatively low foreign exchange reserve and a weak economy. Its membership in the grey list has caused it to face difficulties in accessing international lending instruments. A recent USD 6 billion loan contract from the IMF stressed that Pakistan's financial system should be in compliance with FATF recommendations.

UK accuses Russia of'sham' trial of 2 captured men in eastern Ukraine

On Thursday, the UK accused Russia of holding a'sham' trial of two captured men in eastern Ukraine. Both British citizens, Shaun Pinner and Andy Huynh, went missing near Kharkiv. According to reports in Russian state media, the men were captured by Russian-backed forces while fighting with Ukrainian troops. The case has sparked international outrage, with the UK calling for a fair trial.

Meanwhile, in a video posted Tuesday on Twitter, Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty shared pictures showing citizens' reactions to the Russian attack on Kharkiv. The photos depict the aftermath of the conflict in the eastern Ukraine city. The two men may be sentenced to death in the Russian-backed breakaway regions. Russia says it cannot be trusted, but it is imposing control over the Crimean peninsula.