Gaza cancer patients are dying at two to three times the pace they did before the start of the genocide in the territory, as Israel blocks many from travelling for treatment after destroying the only local specialised facility. Israel blew up Gaza's specialised cancer hospital last year after claiming that troops found a tunnel used by Hamas running beneath it, a claim that they have yet to substantiate. That means that an estimated 17,000 Gazans with cancer have no local option for chemotherapy or other advanced therapy. Practically no Palestinians can afford to travel for treatment, and those who can face Israeli restrictions. The military imposes strict caps on daily crossings to Egypt, despite a 2025 Israel-Hamas "ceasefire" deal that requires free movement in and out. Asked for comment, COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls access to Gaza, said it coordinates medical evacuations with the World Health Organisation. To depart, Gazans mus...
Sri Lanka's inflation rate dropped to minus 1.7% year-on-year in November, following a decrease to minus 0.7% in October, according to official data released on Monday. The drop marks a significant recovery for the country after enduring its worst financial crisis in decades. The National Consumer Price Index (LKNCPI), which tracks broad retail price inflation, showed food prices remained stable at 0.0% in November, down from 1.3% in October. Prices in the non-food category fell to minus 3.1%, an improvement from minus 2.3% in the previous month. Analysts attribute the decline in inflation to various factors, including reductions in power tariffs, fuel prices, and the appreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee. This marks the lowest inflation rate Sri Lanka has seen in nine years, signaling the stabilization of its economy. Shehan Cooray, head of research at Acuity Stockbrokers, noted that inflation is expected to remain at these levels for the first two months of 2025. However, he also cautioned that if foreign exchange pressures arise, particularly from resumed vehicle imports, inflation could gradually rise, though it is unlikely to exceed 4%. Sri Lanka experienced record inflation in 2022, largely due to a financial crisis triggered by a sharp decline in dollar reserves. The country began to stabilize after securing a $2.9-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in March 2023. Following the low inflation rate, Sri Lanka’s central bank set a new policy rate of 8% last month, easing monetary settings to support further economic recovery. Sri Lanka's economy is projected to grow by 4.5-5% in 2024, slightly surpassing the World Bank’s estimate of 4.4%, according to central bank data.
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