(JNW)

At least 30 people – mostly homeless – have died in Ukraine. Deaths have also been reported in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, among others.

Temperatures plunged to -20C (-4F) on Monday.

Health officials in Ukraine say nearly 24,000 people have sought refuge in some 1,590 shelters over the past three days.

More than 600 people have sought treatment for frostbite and hypothermia during this time.

The authorities say they are planning to set up 150 more centres, as heavy snow was forecast in the region on Wednesday.

(BBC)

Karunaratne, who made his ODI debut during Sri Lanka’s tour of England last year, was involved in a century stand with Bhanuka Rajapaksa after the hosts had lost their first two wickets for just 22. The two youngsters combined to put on 132 in 23 overs, with Rajapaksa recording an almost run-a-ball 72. Karunaratne was denied a century when he was dismissed by Danny Briggs but by then Sri Lanka were comfortably placed to finish the job, with Thilina Kandamby sealing victory – and reaching his own half-century – with a six.

The Lions’ innings had been based around another significant contribution from Buttler, whose first limited-overs hundred brought England victory in Dambulla last week. The Somerset man was on the losing side this time, however, as the rest of England’s batsmen failed to make the most of their starts. Jonny Bairstow’s 31 was the next-best score as England’s momentum, particularly in the closing overs, was repeatedly checked by the tumble of wickets.

Sri Lanka A 263 for 4 (Karunaratne 94, Rajapaksa 72) beat England Lions 258 for 9 (Buttler 119, Prasanna 3-32) by six wickets
(ESPN)

The jobless rate in the 17 countries that use the single currency was 10.4% in December, unchanged from November’s figure which was revised up from 10.3%.

Some 16.5 million people were out of work in the eurozone in December, up 751,000 on the year before.

The highest unemployment rate remains in Spain (22.9%), while the lowest is in Austria (4.1%).

Unemployment has been rising throughout 2011, as the debt crisis in the region has continued. In December 2010, the unemployment rate in the euro area was 10%.

(BBC)

(JNW)

The Lions didn’t have the best of starts, losing three wickets for 57 after choosing to bat. The lower middle-order pair of Jos Buttler and Samit Patel hit 40s to rally around Kieswetter. Buttler added 48 during his stand with Kieswetter before he was dismissed by Seekkuge Prasanna. Patel and Kieswetter then scored a quick 100 off 12.4 overs to put the Lions on course for a substantial score. Kieswetter smashed six fours and as many sixes in his innings.

Sri Lanka A’s chase began quickly, with the openers Mahela Udawatte and Dimuth Karunaratne adding 64 in just over ten overs. However, quick strikes by Danny Briggs and Nathan Buck dismissed the pair and the middle order failed to compile significant partnerships to keep Sri Lanka A in the game. The sixth-wicket pair of Kushal Perera and Kosala Kulasekara added 65, but with five wickets down and the required rate increasing, the Lions held the edge. Patel and Briggs took three wickets apiece to bowl out Sri Lanka A for 226.

England Lions 293 for 9 (Kieswetter 112*, Patel 43) beat Sri Lanka A 226 (Perera 59, Briggs 3-31, Patel 3-55) by 67 runs 
(ESPN)

The International Monetary Fund has been one of those stressing the need for countries to cut their debts, but some fear this could hit growth.

The correct response to the eurozone debt crisis has been a major debate at World Economic Forum in Davos.

“We are not suggesting there should be fiscal consolidation across the board,” Ms Lagarde stressed.

“Some countries have to go full-speed ahead to do this fiscal consolidation, but other countries have space and room. They should explore what to do… in order to help themselves.

“It has to be tailor-made.”

One of those expressing concerns about the possible implications of fiscal consolidation at the gathering at the Swiss ski resort was US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

He told the annual meeting of political and business leaders on Friday that there was a risk of a recessionary “cycle” from austerity measures.

(BBC)

The Taliban have refused previously to recognise the government of President Hamid Karzai.

They have insisted they would only talk to the US and other Kabul allies.

A senior Afghan government official told the BBC: “Even if the Taliban office is established in Qatar we will obviously pursue other efforts in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey.”

He continued: “Saudi Arabia has played an important role in the past. We value that and look forward to continued support and contact with Saudi Arabia in continuing the peace process.”

The Taliban, contacted by the BBC, refused to comment on the move.

(BBC)

Sri Lanka Army’s first state-of-the-art Army Training Command Headquarters at Diyatalawa was declared open by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya today(29). (Army Media)