COVID-19 News & Perspective

Dinesh Schaffter Murder: Detectives yet to name a suspect

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted three major challenges facing Asia in his address at the Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo. Wickremesinghe said democratic values and human rights, climate change, & trade integration are key challenges.The President also emphasized the importance of respecting the diverse political systems and definitions of human rights across Asian countries.FUTURE OF ASIA is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world. Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global conferences in Asia.Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Japan on Thursday (25).President Wickremesinghe expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Japan to Sri Lanka in recovering from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.Earlir, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.The President outlined the economic recovery in the country and invited Japanese investments to return to the country, said the President's Media Division.The President will also meet the officials of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League, which is engaged in strengthening relations between the two countries, while promoting mutually beneficial cultural ties. During the visit, President Wickremesinghe also plans to engage with the Business Community during a Business Forum organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade

Talk of the Town | Can rule of law be fully implemented? | 24th May 2023

Lotto Max draw last year doesn’t come forward soon, it will expire and go down as the largest unclaimed prize in Canadian lottery history.On Tuesday, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) encouraged people to check their tickets for the June 28, 2022 draw, noting the ticket that won the jackpot was sold in Toronto’s Scarborough area.“This yet-to-be-claimed $70 million winning ticket will expire on June 28, 2023, unless the rightful ticket holder comes forward to OLG before then,” the OLG said.OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told Global News that if the winner doesn’t come forward soon, it will become the largest unclaimed prize in Canadian lottery history, surpassing a $15 million Lotto Max win from an August 2021 draw that was never claimed.In that case, the winning ticket was bought in British Columbia.“We’re hoping not to make history in this case,” Bitonti said.“Someone out there bought a Lotto Max ticket — put down five, ten, (or) $15 — for a chance to win a $70 million jackpot. And in this case, they did.

Yellowstone National Park had to euthanize a newborn bison calf this week after an unidentified visitor handled the wild animal, according to a release from the National Park Service.The bison calf was falling behind its herd and mother as they crossed the Lamar River in Wyoming on Saturday evening. Though park guests are warned not to interact with wildlife, a man approached the animal.In what appeared to be an attempt to hurry the calf along, the unidentified man touched the bison and pushed it up from the river and onto the roadway.The National Park Authority claimed after crossing the river, the bison calf was observed as it tried to approach and follow both cars and people in the park.Park rangers repeatedly tried to reunite the calf with its herd, but all efforts were unsuccessful.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chief incumbent of the Mihinthale Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Walawahengunaweve Dhammarathana Thero says he would walk the streets to collect funds for the National Poson Festival.The final meeting of the National Poson Committee gathered on Wednesday (24) with Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara chairing the session.The Chief incumbent of the Mihinthale Rajamaha Viharaya announced that the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board had issued a letter not to provide electricity until the payments are made for the Aloka Pooja.Following the committee meeting, Ven.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Four students of the Thillayadi Muslim Maha Vidyalaya who had assaulted the school's master in charge of sports and discipline were remanded until the 26th of May.According to the Police, the students had assaulted the master for advising them to groom their hair and beard to suit the school uniform.  The principal of the school turned back the students involved in the attack when they had visited the school to collect their admission slips for the G.C.E ordinary level exam.

By the end April 2023, Sri Lanka had fulfilled 25% of its trackable commitments under the IMF program. Two critical commitments, however, remains unfulfilled. According to PublicFinance.lk there appears to be three major issues affecting the progress of this commitment:Firstly, there is a significant lack of information available.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Janaka Ratnayake, the Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, said on Wednesday (24) that he is read to enter Sri Lankan Politics."Now I have the freedom to work for the people and undo political distortion," he told reporters after Parliament voted to remove him from the post of Chairman and member of the PUCSL.Janaka Ratnayake watched the live broadcast of the Parliamentary debate and vote held to remove him from the Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka, with his children.The resolution to remove Janaka Ratnayake from the post of Chairman and Member of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka was passed in Parliament on Wednesday (24).123 votes were cast in favor, while 77 MPs votes against it.The resolution to remove Janaka Ratnayake from the post of Chairman and Member of the Public Utilities Commission was supported by the MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, MPs and Ministers from opposition parties that support the government, and MPs who remain independent within the opposition.Duminda Dissanayake from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Independent MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, John Seneviratne, and Kumara Welgama supported the resolution in Parliament.Vadivel Suresh and A.H.M Fowzie who were elected to Parliament from the SJB also supported the resolution.24 MPs including those from the TNA and the Tamil National People's Front were not in parliament for the vote.The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya, Freedom People's Congress and the Jathika Janabalavegaya voted against the resolution.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka is expecting foreign direct investment inflows to rise by a fifth to $1.3 billion this year, a government official said on Wednesday, with India likely to play a lead role despite the Sri Lankan economy facing its worst crisis in decades.Although it was pushed to the brink last year by power cuts, chronic shortages of fuel and food and soaring inflation, Sri Lanka managed to raise its FDI by 38% to $1.08 billion, data from the Board of Investment (BoI) showed.Part of the bump came from India, which wants to keep China's expansion in its neighbour in check. India's Adani group signed up for two wind power plants worth $442 million last year.In the first quarter, Sri Lanka has already received proposals worth $600 million, said BoI Director General Renuka Weerakone, with 22 new projects and six expansions."The acid test is really in what comes in, that is what really helps the economy," she told Reuters.Sri Lanka is banking on information technology, solar and wind, bunkering and mineral processing to attract investments.India's MCS Group has signed a $20 million deal for mineral processing, the largest Sri Lanka has received so far in 2023, Weerakone said.Other countries are also keen."Japan is very interested in minerals, so is China," she said.

ATLANTA - Perhaps it should go without saying that any official government identification, one should be, well, properly attired, if not at very least wearing clothes.A post on the verified Georgia Department of Driver Services’ Facebook page on Tuesday seems to suggest some folks do not know that.The post features a graphic meme of a Neil deGrasse Tyson cutout with his hands up.The graphic reads "Please wear clothes when taking your selfies for your Digital Driver’s License and IDs."The post itself expands on that message reading:"Attention, lovely people of the digital era! Please take pictures with your clothes on when submitting them for your Digital Driver’s License and IDs. Let’s raise our virtual glasses and toast to the future.

Tina Turner got candid about her health, just two months before her death.In a March 9 post shared on her Instagram page, Turner said she regretted not taking care of her kidneys sooner, telling her followers that she put herself in «great danger» by not receiving medical care for her high blood pressure.«Today is International World Kidney Day. Why is it important? Because kidneys fail without pain. And that's why I'm telling you today: Show your kidneys love! They deserve it.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a licensed gun owner shot and wounded a man who smashed her car window with a crowbar during a rush hour road rage confrontation in Philadelphia. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 2200 block of Market Street just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for repots of a shooting victim. Police found a 22-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the groin and drove him to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters that the shooting happened about eight blocks away during a road rage incident at the intersection of 30th and Chestnut streets. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESInvestigators believe that during the confrontation the man approached a 27-year-old woman's car and smashed her passenger's side window with a crowbar. The woman, who police say is licensed to carry a firearm, fired one shot from inside her car that struck the man in the groin.

By Jehan PereraColombo (News 1st) – The discussions that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has commenced with the Tamil parties in the north and east were seen as a possible precursor to elections in those two provinces.  The president has an interest in holding some form of elections as the government’s moral legitimacy has been undermined by its refusal to conduct the local government elections on schedule.

health care to ease pressure on an NHS that is buckling under the strain of more than 7 million patients waiting for elective care. Private providers already supply extra capacity in hospitals for surgery and beds, and Sunak said he wants to give patients more choice.

FILE - Charles Quinton Brown Jr, U.S. general and chief of staff of the United States Air Force, smiles during his visit from Tactical Air Wing 73 "Steinhoff." (Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images)WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is tapping a history-making Air Force fighter pilot with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China’s rise to serve as the nation’s next top military officer, according to a senior administration official.The nomination of Air Force Gen.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are investigating two deadly broad daylight shootings in Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon that they say happened just 10 minutes apart.The spate of deadly violence happened just before 3 p.m. near the intersection of Gratz Street and Susquehanna Avenue when police say two people were shot. Both victims, ages 28 and 31, were driven to Temple University Hospital after they were each shot several times.

President Biden’s plan to forgo more than $400 billion in federally backed student loan debt.Lawmakers approved a resolution disapproving of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that was announced last year and is now stalled because of an ongoing legal challenge. The Supreme Court is expected to consider the legality of Biden’s plan later this summer.On Wednesday, lawmakers voted 218-203 in an attempt to speed up the process and end Biden’s plan through legislation.

Photos via Getty Images. Pictured is Twitter CEO Elon Musk and Florida Gov.

PHILADELPHIA - The Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia says he is ready to launch his 5-year strategic plan and believes safety for students and staff is his top priority.In an interview with FOX 29's Jeff Cole, Watlington, who arrived in the city nearly one year ago, said "we must win this war on gun violence in our city, and it’s a shared responsibility between the school district, the city, police department and parents."Watlington will present his Strategic Plan to the School Board Thursday. It was drawn up after months of meetings around the city, with the help of a consulting firm that was paid $450,000.The board will find that improving student achievement places third in the Superintendent’s list of priorities. Watlington believes schools need to be safe havens for students and staff to make the most of their educational opportunities, but the onus for safety isn't only on the school district.MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"For teachers to do their jobs schools have to be safe, students and staff must be safe," Watlington, 54, said.

The head of a far-reaching UK inquiry into the government's handling of the Covid pandemic is threatening legal action to obtain former prime minister Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages and diaries, according to correspondence released Wednesday. Heather Hallett's demand for the unredacted documentation came after Johnson was embroiled in new drama about alleged breaches of his own government's Covid lockdowns, which police are now investigating.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are searching for a hit-and-run driver who they say is accused of three crashes on the same night in Philadelphia, including one that claimed the life of a young man. Neera Nicolas-Hudson, 32, is alleged to have been behind the wheel of a 2005 Ford Mustang on Dec. 26 when she struck a man riding a scooter on the 100 block of North Delaware Avenue.Nicolas-Hudson fled the scene of the crash, according to police, and hit a bicyclist near the intersection of Broad and Spring Garden streets. The victims of both crashes were taken to Philadelphia hospitals and placed in stable condition.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is facing federal charges for the first time after being indicted on 22 financial fraud charges over allegations that the disgraced former attorney schemed to steal settlement money from clients.The indictments unsealed Wednesday don't appear to reveal any new allegations against Murdaugh, a once prominent attorney in South Carolina who is serving a life sentence without parole for killing his wife and younger son. He is also awaiting trial on around 100 other state charges including insurance fraud, tax evasion and theft.But Murdaugh's lawyers indicated he is talking with federal prosecutors and added this part of his legal difficulties may be resolved soon.READ MORE: Murdaugh Moselle estate items sell for big bucks as buyers descend on South Carolina auction"Alex has been cooperating with the United States Attorneys’ Office and federal agencies in their investigation of a broad range of activities.

Tina Turner, the American-born “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” died Tuesday at the age of 83.On Wednesday, a representative for Turner said she died peacefully at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after a long illness. She became a Swiss citizen a decade ago.Turner was best known for her dynamic stage presence, powerful pipes, and long, muscular legs, churning out a run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ’70s with her then-husband, Ike Turner.Ike Turner discovered her at age 17 when she grabbed the mic to sing at his club show in St.

Sarah Jayne Dunn looked pretty in pink as she unveiled a new rose-coloured hairdo and talked to fans about having an 'ultimate health screening.' The Hollyoaks turned OnlyFans star, who has a young son, decided to have tests as a mum now in her 40s.

The remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB. (Credit: Kelsey Wicks/ Catholic News Agency) GOWER, Mo. - An inexplicable mystery in Missouri is gaining attention after a nun’s exhumed body was found still intact nearly four years after her death.Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB, died May 29, 2019. The Diocese of Kansas City-St.

FILE - A visitor takes a picture of Luis Berrueco, "Saint Francis before Pope Honorius III, (c, 1710) on display at the Press Preview For LACMAs "Archive Of The World" Exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on June 8, 2022, in Los Angeles, Ca Between shutdowns of businesses and schools, social lives upended, and job losses, the pandemic brought dramatic changes to many aspects of life. One result of such a turbulent time now appears to be less exploration of one’s own city, according to new research. A paper, published in late April in the journal Nature Communications, suggests that people are making fewer visits to museums, leisure venues, transport sites, and coffee shops post-pandemic. The study, led by a team of MIT researchers, specifically looked at the movement of people in four U.S.

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a victory speech after defeating Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep.

PHILADELPHIA - As several Philadelphia schools continue to struggle with asbestos, at least one is already likely to stay closed to students and staff all of next year as well.Frankford High School first closed its door last month after asbestos was discovered on school grounds, including on the first floor where the cafeteria is. In a letter to the school community, the district announced that "unexpected" damage could also force the school to stay shut the next academic year for "necessary environmental and other work, including HVAC, and repairs needed throughout the facility."Officials say they are currently working on an in-person learning location for Frankford students.RELATED COVERAGE: Frankford High School to be closed for rest of school year after asbestos discoveryDamaged pipe wrap in the first-floor hallway and cafeteria above existing ductwork and drop ceilings is what ultimately led to the decision to shut the school, according to the district.Asbestos damage was also found on the third and fourth floors, throughout the structure and in floor tiles.The district also addressed questions regarding potential exposure for students and staff."There is no way to accurately calculate potential exposure in a school, given the number of people, movement in the building, areas of damage, and the invisible nature of potential fibers. The presence of asbestos materials itself is not a risk.

Dyno Nobel site at Warkworth near Singleton (Photo by Fairfax Media via Getty Images via Getty Images) Approximately 61,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used as both fertilizer and an ingredient in explosives, went missing when it was shipped by rail from Wyoming to California last month, prompting officials to begin investigating the mysterious disappearance. Ammonium nitrate was used in 1995 at an attack on the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The explosion killed 168 people and injured approximately 850.On April 12, a railcar loaded with 30 tons of the chemical left Cheyenne, Wyoming.

South Carolina were treated to a surprise Tuesday morning as a loud boom made its presence felt and heard throughout the state.A Nest Doorbell camera outside a home in Mount Pleasant captured the loud event on video just after 8:40 a.m.The South Carolina Emergency Management Division received reports from Greenville, Columbia and Charleston regarding the loud noise and reached out to several agencies to figure out what was responsible."Getting several questions about a large boom/rumble in the Charleston area earlier this morning," emergency management officials posted on Twitter. "We have no reports of any earthquakes at this time.

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. - A woman will serve time behind bars for putting the lives of two young children entrusted to her care at risk.Stephanie Gregory, of Galloway, pleaded guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.The 58-year-old admitted to not properly feeding a 9-year-old girl, causing her to be hospitalized for severe malnutrition.She also admitted that another child, a 6-year-old, witnessed her striking the older child.MORE HEADLINES:Both children were in Gregory's legal care in 2020, according to officials.Gregory is now ordered to serve five years concurrent in New Jersey State Prison, as well as having no contact with the victims or their biological mother. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Global Slavery Index, a comprehensive resource by the Walk Free organization, which provides valuable insights into the prevalence of modern slavery around the world was published on Wednesday (24). It serves as a tool for understanding the scale and scope of this issue, highlighting the countries and regions most affected by slavery.The report reveals that an estimated 50 million individuals were living in conditions of modern slavery in 2021, which is an increase of 10 million since 2016.

Votes against: 77  

CENTRAL ISLIP - Hip-hop artist Fetty Wap returned to court Wednesday, where he was sentenced to six years on federal drug charges. Back in August, he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy drug charge admitting to participating in drug trafficking that brought illegal substances from the West Coast to Long Island. He wore a tan jumpsuit and waved at his family (who filled one side of the courtroom). Rapper Fetty Wap, best known for his 2015 hit 'Trap Queen,' was one of six people arrested for allegedly conspiring to sell and possess drugs throughout Long Island and New Jersey.The defense attorney asked for the minimum sentence of 60 months, saying it’s a sad day for her client, a success story will be sentenced, and he will rise above as he never avoided this day.The judge said the one thing you cannot escape is that there were other choices for you before she imposed the sentence. She also said, "Good luck Mr.

Bradley Gillespie (L) and James Lee (R). (Photos: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction) LIMA, Ohio (AP) - One of two inmates who escaped from an Ohio prison was captured early Wednesday in Kentucky after a police pursuit of a stolen car the men were believed to be in ended in a crash and a foot chase, authorities said.James Lee, 47, was captured at the scene but Bradley Gillespie, 50, remained at large.

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania man has been arrested for running what authorities call a gun trafficking operation connected to several homicides and violent crimes. In a press conference held Wednesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the arrest of 23-year-old Tamir Hartsock of Glenside, Pennsylvania. Hartsock faces numerous felony charges for straw purchasing and trafficking 15 firearms, of which four were recovered and connected to homicides and crimes in Philadelphia. Investigators say Hartsock purchased his first two guns on September 9, 2020, shortly after his 21st birthday.

A common and widespread virus may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to scientists.

As "Beat Shazam" host Jamie Foxx recovers from his "medical complication" that reportedly left him hospitalized for weeks, Nick Cannon knows he has big hosting shoes to fill. During the season premiere of the musical game show, Cannon, 42, was quick to address Foxx’s, 55, absence. "Welcome to ‘Beat Shazam.’ Now I know what you all are thinking, 'That ain't Jamie Foxx.' And you are absolutely right.

A Target store. (FOX 9)NEW YORK (AP) - Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers."Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work," Target said in a statement Tuesday.

the Supreme Court can do to "adhere to the highest standards" of ethical conduct, an acknowledgment that recent reporting about the justices' ethical missteps is having an effect on public perception of the court.Speaking at a law dinner Tuesday where he was honored with an award, Roberts provided no specifics but said the justices "are continuing to look at the things we can do to give practical effect to that commitment."He said he is "confident there are ways to do that consistent with our status as an independent branch of government and the Constitution’s separation of powers."The court has resisted adopting an ethics code of its own, and Roberts has raised questions about whether Congress could impose a code of conduct on the court.All nine justices recently signed a statement of ethics that Roberts provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee. His remarks Tuesday suggested he knows that statement is not enough to quiet critics.Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts attends President Joe Bidens State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S.

WEST GLACIER, Mont. - A 28-year-old woman from Kansas has died after falling into a creek in Glacier National Park and being swept into a gorge, park officials said.The woman fell from a rocky overhang into Avalanche Creek on Monday afternoon, spokesperson Gina Kerzman said.RELATED: Man drowns after getting stuck in waist-deep mud flats in AlaskaBystanders waded into the creek and pulled the woman out. They performed CPR and called 911.

Jeff Bridges is opening up about his health struggles.

COLOMBO (News 1st); MP Ali Sabri Raheem who was detained by Sri Lanka Customs for illegally carrying gold and mobile phones was released, and he visited parliament.The MP who previously extended his support to the government, voted against the resolution moved by the government.Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to News 1st that MP said that he saw nothing wrong with Janaka Ratnayake, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, but he voted against the resolution as the government did not step into clear him with regard to his detention by Sri Lanka Customs."I faced an incident recently. I did nothing wrong. The goods were in the possession of an associate.

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage PHILADELPHIA - Eight-time Grammy award winner Usher will join Philadelphia's Roots Picnic as a special guest performer, Live Nation exclusively told FOX 29. The Roots Picnic will take place at The Mann in Fairmount Park from June 2nd to June 4th. Usher is taking the place of Diddy, who was set to co-headline the event with The Roots and Lauryn Hill.

New Delhi: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday proposed a global approach to healthcare that encompasses digital health and medical countermeasures at the 76th session of the World Health Assembly. Mandaviya called for equity in access to safe, high-quality, and cost-effective health solutions across all nations.

If you’re a regular online shopper — especially if you’re under the age of 30 or so — you’ve probably seen the name Shein, and might have bought an outfit or two from the retailer.