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IMF MD and President Wickremesinghe focus on Financial Reforms and Debt Restructuring initiatives

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In a crucial meeting held during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, met with President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss vital economic matters.

During the meeting, Ms. Georgieva and President Wickremesinghe delved into the ongoing financial sector reforms and the substantial progress made in debt restructuring initiatives. The IMF Managing Director commended the Sri Lankan government for its effective measures in curbing inflation and nurturing a conducive environment for business growth, as well as the flourishing tourism industry. She expressed her satisfaction with the government’s commitment to enhancing the overall economic landscape.

(PMD)



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At least 21 killed in Spain after crash involving high-speed trains

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The foyer of the hospital close to the crash site, Caseta Municipal, filled with affected passengers [BBC]

At least 21 people have been killed after a crash involving high-speed trains in southern Spain, as authorities warn the death toll could rise overnight.

More than 30 are being treated for serious injuries in hospital, Spain’s transport minister Oscar Puente said.

The incident happened near the town of Adamuz, close to the city of Cordoba, when a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crossed over onto another track, the rail network operator Adif said.

The derailed train then collided with an oncoming train, travelling from Madrid to Huelva. Andalusian emergency services said at least 73 people in total were injured in the collision.

The incident appeared to be “extremely strange”, Puente added, because the train derailed on a straight stretch of track, which had been refurbished in May last year.

The official cause is not yet known. An investigation is not expected to determine what happened for at least a month.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the country will endure a “night of deep pain”.

Iryo, a private rail company that operated the journey from Malaga, said around 300 passengers were on board the train that first derailed, while the other train – operated by Renfe – had around 100 passengers.

The mayor of Adamuz, Rafael Moreno, was one of the first people on the scene of the accident. He described it as like “a nightmare”.

In a post on X, the Emergency Agency of Andalucía urged any crash survivors to post on social media that they are alive.

The twisted wreckage of the train made it difficult to recover survivors and bodies, rescue crews said.

Cordoba fire chief Francisco Carmona told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE: “We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work.”

A map of Spain highlighting a section of the country’s high‑speed rail network. A blue line marks the high‑speed rail route running between Madrid in central Spain and Málaga in the south. A red dot marks Adamuz in the province of Córdoba near the midpoint of the route, where the two trains collided.

According to Adif, the crash happened about ten minutes after the train left Malaga at 18:40 local time (17:40 GMT). The company said it was setting up spaces for relatives of victims at Atocha, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva stations.

All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident and will remain close on Monday. The company said it will keep terminals open overnight for impacted passengers.

The type of train involved in the crash was a Freccia 1000, which can reach top speeds of 400 km/h (250 mph), a spokesperson for the Italian rail company Ferrovie dello Stato told the Reuters news agency.

The Spanish Red Cross has deployed emergency support services to the scene, while also offering counselling to families nearby.

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez from the Red Cross told RNE radio: “The families are going through a situation of great anxiety due to the lack of information. These are very distressing moments.”

Salvador Jimenez, a journalist with RTVE who was on one of the trains, said the impact felt like an “earthquake”.

“I was in the first carriage. There was a moment when it felt like an earthquake and the train had indeed derailed,” Jimenez said.

In his latest update on X, he said he was among a group of passengers waiting in the “freezing cold night” for buses to transport them to a local sports centre.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia said they were following news of the disaster with “with great concern”.

“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead, as well as our love and wishes for a swift recovery to the injured,” the royal palace said on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have both offered condolences in statements.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire Spanish people. France stands by your side,” Macron wrote on social media.

In 2013, Spain suffered its worst high-speed train derailment in Galicia, north-west Spain, which left 80 people dead and 140 others injured.

[BBC]

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U – 19 World Cup: Mahboob, Sadat star for Afghanistan against West Indies

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Mahboob Khan smashed 86 off 69 balls [Cricinfo]

Contrasting half-centuries from Oman Sadat and Mahboob Khan set up Afghanistan’s 13 run win over West Indies. They wrapped up the win when Nooristani Omarzai bagged his fourth wicket. With two wins in as many games, Afghanistan have locked in their Super Sixes spot.

After Afghanistan opted to bat, Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai put on 86 for the opening wicket before Vitel Lawes, the sixth bowler West Indies used in 18 overs, created a brief stutter. He struck three times in eight overs as Afghanistan lost 3 for 24. Mahboob then steadied the ship in Sadat’s company, adding 77 for the fourth wicket. While Sadat took 68 balls to get to his fifty, Mahboob got there in 54, before accelerating. Mahboob scored 36 off his next 15 balls as Afghanistan scored 79 off the last ten overs to post 262 for 7.

In reply, only Jewel Andrew, who has played eight internationals for West Indies’ senior side, and 15 CPL matches, offered some resistance. He scored 57 off 70 balls, laced with four fours and three sixes, and was the eighth wicket to fall with the score on 101.

West Indies had lost their first four wickets inside 11 overs. While Wahidullah Zadran started the slide in the first powerplay with his offspin, seamer Omarzai’s strikes through the middle overs was too much for West Indies, who were bowled out for 124.

Brief scores:
Afghanistan Under 19s  262 for 6 in 50 overs (Osman Sadat 88, Mahboob Khan  86; Jakeem  Pollard 3-39, Vitel Lawes 3-48) beat West Indies Under 19s 124 in 33.2 overs (Jewel Andrew 57; Nooristani Omarzai 4-16, Khatir Stanikzai 3-20, Wahidullah Zadran 3-36) by 138 runs

[Cricinfo]

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U – 19 World Cup: Rew, Mayes lead England to victory

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Thomas Rew finished on 86* [Cricinfo]

England have confirmed their place in the Super Sixes of the Under 19 World Cup 2026 after crushing hosts Zimbabwe to register successive wins in the group stage. Captain Thomas Rew (86*) and Ben Mayes (77*) led the chase of 209 in Harare. England asked Zimbabwe to bat first, and struck third ball as Alex French got Nathaniel Hlabangana for a duck.

From there onwards, each time a partnership looked stable for Zimbabwe, England hit back to disrupt their momentum. There were stands of 30, 45 and 32 for the second, third and fourth wickets, respectively, with Luke Hands, Farhan Ahmed and Ralphie Albert among the wickets.

All Zimbabwe batters from Nos. 3-6 scored at least 30 but none passed captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere’s 45 not out. England’s Manny Lumsden got three wickets.

In reply, England got off to a quick start. They were two down within seven overs, but had also scored 48. Rew and Mayes had got together on the fifth ball of that over, and their union remained unbroken on 167. Rew was the first to get to fifty off 30 balls by smashing Dhruv Patel for a six in the 18th over. Mayes got a run-a-ball half-century in the 22nd over, as England clubbed the final 64 runs in seven overs to win with a whopping 22 overs to spare.

Zimbabwe’s loss came after their first game, against Scotland, was washed out. They face Pakistan next, and could find it tough to enter the next round.

Brief scores:
England Under 19s  209 for 2 in 28 overs (Thomas Rew 86*, Ben Mayes 77*; Shelton  Mazvitorera 2-54) beat Zimbabwe Under 19a  208 for 9 in 50 overs (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 45*;  Manny Lumsden 3-38, Farhan Ahmed 2-33, Ralphie Albert 2-49) by eight wickets

[Cricinfo]

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