23 people gunned down in Sri Lanka in 2023; 239 murders in 146 days this year

LEBANON, Pa. - A week-long manhunt has come to an end after law enforcement scoured the state of Pennsylvania for the third, and final, suspect in a triple homicide that left two children dead.U.S. Marshals took Ivan Claudio Rosero, 27, into custody in Pennypack Park in Philadelphia around 7:45 p.m.

The Bank of Canada ended its interest rate pause on Wednesday as it looks to stamp out inflation and cool the country’s red-hot economy.

PHILADELPHIA - A man and woman who both pleaded guilty in a shooting that killed a 22-year-old at a popular cheesesteak shop in 2021 are expected to be sentenced Wednesday.David Padro Jr., 22, was fatally shot in the back when a fight turned deadly outside Pat's King of Steaks one night in July 2021. Witnesses said the fight was over a parking space, despite initial reports claiming it stemmed from a football rivalry, according to the DA's office.In March, 37-year-old Paul Burkert pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and weapons charges in connection to Padro's shooting death.MORE HEADLINES:Defense attorney A. Charles Peruto Jr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam from the Tamil National People's Front who was arrested earlier in the day, was released on bail after he was produced to the Killinochchi Magistrate's Court.He was arrested on Wednesday (7) morning for allegedly obstructing the duties of police officers in Jaffna, recently.Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam from the Tamil National People's Front was arrested at his Colpetty residence on Wednesday (7) morning.A special police team from Killinochchi has reached Colombo to make the arrest.The Parliamentarian was first taken to the Colpetty Police, and thereafter was taken to Killinochchi to be produced in court.

COLOMBO (News 1st); SJB MP Dr.

sarin into the rebel-held Ghouta district of Damascus.As the chemical clouds spread, residents began to froth at the mouth. Fluid oozed from their eyes and noses as they convulsed and suffocated.The Ghouta gas attack killed up to 1,400 people, many of them children, and was the latest display of the horrors of chemical warfare.Ten years later, Global News has traced a scientist accused of helping Syria develop its chemical weapons program to an Edmonton suburb.De-classified Canadian government documents allege that Ahmad Haytham Alyafi made a “significant contribution to the manufacturing of chemical weapons.”From 1974 to 1994, the chemical engineer worked at the military-run centre that produces chemical weapons for the Syrian regime, federal officials wrote in the documents.Alyafi “set up a plant he knew would manufacture chemical weapons; he therefore contributed significantly to their production,” according to the documents, which call his role “indispensable.”But when rescue workers were collecting bodies in Ghouta a decade ago, Alyafi was living in a 2,500-square-foot home on a cul-de-sac in Edmonton’s west end, the records show.“Mom and dad have been living with us at our house in Edmonton since the spring of 2013,” Alyafi’s son wrote in a 2019 letter sponsoring his parents for permanent residence in Canada.“My dad picks up the kids from school daily and they spend time with them on homework after school time,” wrote the son, who works in the Alberta construction industry.Immigration records from 2019 list the Syrian scientist as “currently residing in Canada.” The address he used was a four-bedroom home in Edmonton’s Glastonbury neighbourhood.Whether he remained in Edmonton was unclear.

Recalled Boppy Original Newborn Lounger (left), Boppy Preferred Newborn Lounger (middle), and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Lounger (right). (Credit: Provided/U.S.

British Columbia and Ontario will split the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.There were 15 available Maxmillion prizes of $1 million each, and five winning tickets were drawn.Two of the tickets are each shared between two winners, splitting the money, while one ticket will claim the entire $1 million prize.Three of the Maxmillion winners are in Ontario, one is in B.C.

PHILADELPHIA - An attempted robbery at a variety store in Philadelphia’s Olney section required the help of a bomb squad early Wednesday morning.An employee told police that three men entered the store on the 4700 block of North 5th Street with what appeared to be a stick of dynamite.It was actually an illegal improvised explosive device, which the suspects placed inside the money slot of an ATM inside the store, according to authorities.After attempting the light the fuse, which did not burn, police say the suspects fled the store and never returned. MORE HEADLINES:The store and surrounding area was evacuated by police as a bomb squad removed the device from the ATM, and put it in a safe container to transport back to headquarters.The explosive device was found to be a six-inches long, and one inch in diameter with a three-inch fuze."It will do damage to an ATM and it will cause very, very severe injuries to someone that's holding it or standing near it," said Chief Small. "So this is a very, very dangerous device."Small went on to say they were "very, very lucky" that the device did not explode.

PHILADELPHIA - A man and woman are in critical condition after a double shooting erupted in West Philadelphia late Tuesday night.Shots were fired on the 800 block of Brooklyn Street shortly after 10 p.m.Both a man and woman were struck by the gunfire, and are said to be critically injured.MORE HEADLINES:The victims are both 39 years old, according to authorities.

Michael Grimm, the season 5 winner of “America’s Got Talent”, is currently hospitalized and sedated amid a mysterious illness.

FILE - Former US Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a meet and greet event hosted by the Polk County Republicans in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 23, 2023. Photographer: Rachel Mummey/Bloomberg via Getty Images DES MOINES, Iowa - Former Vice President Mike Pence promised "the best days of the greatest nation on earth are yet to come" in a video released Wednesday formally launching his campaign for the Republican nomination for president."Different times call for different leadership," Pence says in the video, released via Fox News and Twitter hours ahead of a kickoff event in Des Moines.

Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peters Square, Vatican City, on June 7, 2023. (Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) ROME - Pope Francis went to the hospital Wednesday to undergo abdominal surgery to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed because of a narrowing of the large intestine.The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.Francis' Fiat 500 car pulled out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m.

FILE - Apples Messages icon displayed on a phone screen is seen in this illustration photo taken on Aug. 26, 2021.

PHILADELPHIA - Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning across the western provinces to Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.U.S.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in April 2023, there were 5.9million people across Scotland, England and Wales, receiving financial support through Universal Credit (UC), a benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income with daily living costs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court has issued a restraining order prohibiting a group including the Convener of the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) from entering several locations in Colombo from 11am to 6pm on Wednesday (07).The order was issued after taking into consideration facts presented by the Officers-in-Charge of the Colombo Fort, Colpetty and Kompannavidiya Police Stations. The group is prohibited from entering the Temple Trees, Prime Minister’s office, President’s private residence, President’s office and Galle Face Green.The court order also prohibits the group from entering the area between the Galle Face Green Roundabout till the NSA Roundabout.The court order was issued on several people including the convener of the Inter University Bhikkhus' Federation Ven.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and Social Media Activist Bruno Divakara who were arrested, were remanded until the 21st of June.Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the 28th of May for allegedly making defamatory comments about Buddhism.She was arrested based on a complaint made to the Inspector General of Police by the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs. Social media activist Bruno Divakara was arrested by the Cyber Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department on the 31st of May.He was arrested for sharing her content.  

Slipknot percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan has announced that he will be sitting out of the band’s European tour.Clown took to social media to announce the news ahead of the band’s European tour kickoff in Austria today (June 7). Per his statement, Clown will not be participating in the tour to take care of his ailing wife “through some health issues”.“I would like to take a moment to tell everyone that I’m back home supporting my wife through some health issues, and I’ll be back on the road as soon as I can,” he wrote.

A thick layer of smog descended on parts of the province Tuesday as raging wildfires continue to burn in northwestern Quebec.

coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, pulling down the active caseload to 2,831, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Wednesday. Total reported cases, since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, stand at 4.49 crore, with death toll at 531,884. Health experts say hospital admissions have been on a decline as fewer cases of Covid-19 are being reported.

Morgan Wallen is sharing an update with his fans.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Six people have sustained injuries after a gas cylinder exploded in a restaurant in Delthota, Kandy.Police said the explosion was reported last night.The injured, aged between 25 and 40 years, have been admitted to the Kandy National Hospital and Delthota Hospital.

In a landmark court appearance, Prince Harry testified against the publisher of the Daily Mirror in London, shedding light on the personal toll of media intrusion. The proceedings provided a rare glimpse into the life of a senior Royal and the hostile relationship between Harry and the press.

Ocala, Fla. after a mother of four was shot and killed on Friday during a dispute with her neighbour.Ajike (AJ) Owens, who is Black, was shot through the closed front door of her neighbour’s home around 9 p.m.

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the world, and that number is likely to dramatically increase in the next decade, especially among children, according to a recent report.The 2023 report, released June 1 by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, found a surge of new cases of IBD among children under the age of six over the past five years, warning the disease can lead to growth stunting, delay of puberty and deficits in bone development.IBD, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can lead to debilitating symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss and potentially life-threatening complications, according to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.“We are seeing that the number of new diagnoses made year after year still continues to climb in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease,” Dr.

Parole Board of Canada granted Michael White full parole in late May.“Given your assessed low risk, employment stability and your demonstrated abilities to live a law-abiding lifestyle the board does not find that your risk would be undue on an expanded form of conditional release,” the board said in a written decision.“Therefore, full parole is granted.”White was convicted in 2006 of second-degree murder and offering an indignity to a dead body in the death of his wife.Liana White was four months pregnant with the couple’s second child when she was fatally stabbed in July 2005.She was reported missing after her SUV was discovered in a park near the White home in northwest Edmonton.In the days that followed, White held a high-profile news conference outside the family’s home on Warwick Crescent in the Dunluce neighbourhood and organized searches for her body.It was during one of those searches that White and Liana’s mother found her badly decomposed body in a ditch near St. Albert.The parole board noted that Michael White had disposed of his wife’s body and “cleaned up” evidence from his crime.During his trial, police tesified officers who had been following White saw him retrieve two garbage bags from an area on the city’s outskirts two days after his wife’s disappearance; he later putting them out for garbage pickup.Investigators instead collected the bags and found they contained clothing, paper towels and latex gloves that had Liana White’s blood on them, as well as a broken lamp and other items.

PHILADELPHIA - Three Philadelphia restaurateurs won prestigious awards for their eateries at a ceremony Monday night. Fork, High Street, Kalaya and Friday, Saturday, Sunday all took home James Beard Food Awards during a ceremony in Chicago that was streamed to YouTube."It's been surreal to be quite honest," Ellen Yin from High Street Hospitality Group said. She opened FORK over two decades ago helping to make Old City a restaurant destination. "I fell in love with this industry when I was a teenager, but it took me 25 years to realize that a restaurant is where I felt a true sense of belonging," said Yin, who owns both Fork and High Street. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, a restaurant in Center City, was named 'Outstanding restaurant.

COLOMBO (News 1st); MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has been arrested.The MP was arrested at his residence in Colpetty, by a special Police team which arrived from Kilinochchi. Police Spokesman Attorney SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the MP was arrested regarding an incident which took place during a meeting in Maruthankerny, involving Police officers.An overseas travel ban was imposed on MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam on Tuesday (06), after Police tabled facts regarding the incident to the Kilinochchi Magistrate's Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The number of high risk Medical Officer of Health divisions for dengue has increased to 67.Dr. Lahiru Kodithuwakku of the National Dengue Control Unit said the number of dengue cases in 28 MOH divisions had increased in comparison to last week.41,098 dengue cases have been reported so far this year.The highest number of patients, 9,100, are reported from the Gampaha district of the Western Province.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Views will be obtained from representatives of electronic media organizations on Wednesday (07), regarding the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill.Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media Anusha Palpita said a discussion will be held at the Parliament Complex at 2pm on Wednesday (07).Members of the Cabinet sub-committee that drafted the bill including Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara said three incidents of exam fraud have been reported at three exam centers, for the GCE Ordinary Level Examination.The Department of Examinations said a candidate sitting for the exam at the examination center located at the Wellassa Central College in Bibile had used her mobile phone to send the mathematics question paper to a teacher and get answers via WhatsApp.Invigilators had caught two candidates using their phones to send the mathematics question paper to teachers separately at the examination center at Henegama Central College.The Department of Examinations said five students had used social media to forward the mathematics question paper to teachers and obtain answers at the examination center at the Davisamara College in Seeduwa.The law will be strictly implemented against the candidates and others involved in these incidents.

season 5 winner of, is currently hospitalized and sedated amid a mysterious illness.The 44-year-old singer's wife, Lucie Zolverva-Grimm, took to her husband's Instagram account on Tuesday and shared an update with friends and family about Grimm's condition. He's currently in intensive care and has been hospitalized since Memorial Day.

RICHMOND, Va. - A 19-year-old allegedly shot seven people, and killed two of them, police said, following a high school graduation ceremony Tuesday near Virginia Commonwealth University in downtown Richmond.The suspect tried to flee but was arrested and will be charged with two counts of second-degree murder, Interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said in a nighttime news conference at which he confirmed the two fatalities.Five others were wounded by the gunfire outside the Virginia capital’s Altria Theater and in an adjacent park. At least 12 others were injured or treated for anxiety due to the mayhem, according to police."As they heard the gunfire, it was obviously chaos," Edwards said.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 6: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on June 6, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo b PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber hit a leadoff homer, Taijuan Walker threw seven scoreless innings and the Philadelphia Phillies won their fourth straight, 1-0 over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.Walker (5-3) allowed two hits, Seranthony Dominguez worked the eighth and Craig Kimbrel completed the three-hitter, striking out the side in order for his ninth save in as many chances.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The family of a man who died after trying to save his son from strong currents at a Santa Cruz beach, is preparing to lay him to rest.Loved ones will honor the life of Srinivasa Murthy Jonnalagadda Wednesday at the Chapel of Angles funeral home in Fremont, according to a verified GoFundMe page.Tragedy struck on Memorial Day when Jonnalagadda took his family, including his 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, to Panther Beach in Santa Cruz.Jonnalagadda's son was in the water, when a large tide knocked the boy over, followed by subsequent waves that pulled him further into the ocean, the family wrote on the GoFundMe."Srinivasa suddenly realized that his son was struggling to get out of the water," the family said. "Despite not knowing how to swim, he ran into the waters to help his son out to safety."Srinivasa Murthy Jonnalagadda died after he tried to rescue his son from the water at Santa Cruz's Panther Beach on Memorial Day.A good Samaritan also went into the water to help, and was able to rescue the boy."He (Jonnalagadda) however was unfortunately dragged by the riptide into deeper waters and horrifically drowned as his family helplessly bore witness," loved ones wrote.First responders were able to pull Jonnalagadda from the water and on to the shore.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Firefighters in New Jersey are battling another wildfire that sparked Tuesday as the state continue to navigate through a dangerous dry stretch. The New Jersey Forrest Fire Service said a blaze that broke around East Commodore Boulevard and Cedar Swamp Road in Jackson Township late Tuesday afternoon. At last check, officials said the fire had consumed about 15 acres of forest and was completely uncontained.The fire comes just days after a massive forest fire torched thousands of acres of woods in Burlington County, which prompted some evacuations and threatened nearby properties.New Jersey has endured a dangerous dry spell recently that fire officials say has helped provided ‘fuel’ for wildfires to run rampant.

RICHMOND, Va. - Seven people were shot, three of them with life-threatening injuries, after gunfire rang out near Virginia Commonwealth University in downtown Richmond following a high school graduation ceremony Tuesday, according to police and school district officials.Two suspects were taken into custody after the incident, Interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said at a news conference.Edwards said officers inside a theater where the graduation was taking place heard the gunfire, went outside and saw multiple victims with gunshot wounds.Four had injuries that were not life-threatening, he said. Police did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the community."We're going to do everything we can to bring the individuals involved in this to justice," Mayor Levar Stoney said at the news conference.

RICHMOND, Va. - A shooting near Virginia Commonwealth University in downtown Richmond following a high school graduation ceremony injured multiple people Tuesday, according to police and school district officials.There was no longer an active threat to the community, police spokeswoman Tracy Walker said.Richmond Public Schools confirmed on its website a shooting occurred after the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony in Monroe Park, which is near VCU's campus. All schools in the district will be closed Wednesday due to the incident. According to the school district, the shooting took place after the Huguenot High School graduation Tuesday afternoon. It wasn’t immediately clear what led to the shooting or whether students were among the injured."My administration continues monitoring the terrible shooting in the heart of Richmond tonight," Gov.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a pair of thieves broke into a Philadelphia supermarket early Tuesday morning and tried to steal from a CoinStar machine, but they didn't get away with a dime. The break-in happened around 5 a.m. at the ACME on the 6600 block of Oxford Avenue in the city's Lawndale section, according to police. A witness told police they heard loud banging and saw two men running out of the store.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ven.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Venerable Rajanganaye Saddhatissa Thero was arrested in Anuradhapra on the charge of making comments that harm religious coexistence in Sri Lanka.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa speaking to News 1st said that the Venerable Thero was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department on Monday (29) morning. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police have arrested two men for chopping off another person's wrist following a dispute.Sri Lanka Police said that an argument had broken out in Weragampita, Matara while flying kites, and the heated exchange led to the left wrist of an 18-year-old youth being chopped off.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that the argument broke out when one person told two others to put down their kites, as he could not fly his kite.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lanka woman was among the six people who died in a fire that broke out at a hotel in Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi.General Manager of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Gamini Senarath told News 1st that the woman in question had gone to Abu Dhabi for employment on a tourist visa in 2021.He said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi is working on ascertaining the identity of the deceased.He also added that information with regard a report that a Sri Lankan woman died after falling off a high-rise in Malaysia is being obtained via the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia.However, he said no definite information is available over such an incident.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that a complaint had been filed with the Kobeigane Police citing that a 42-year-old woman had died in Malaysia.It is reported that the woman had gone to Malaysia to serve as a domestic aide in December 2022. 

COLOMBO (News 1st). The Deputy Principal of a school in Ambalangoda was injured following a shooting on Friday (26) morning close to the Balapitiya Court Complex.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that two motorcycle gunmen had opened fire at the victim and fled the scene.The injured man was identified as a 44-year-old, and Sri Lanka Police said that he was a relative of notorious criminal Kosgoda Suji.Gunmen opened fire at him when he was traveling on the road, and the Police Spokesperson said the injured man was admitted to the hospital.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 17 more students with regard to the incident where a school teacher in Puttlam was assaulted earlier in the week.Sri Lanka Police said that the students will be produced in court on Friday (26).Four other students of the Thillayadi Muslim Maha Vidyalaya who had assaulted the school's master in charge of sports and discipline were arrested and 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.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A woman from Panadura had died during the course of arrest by Sri Lanka Police on Thursday (25) morning.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that the Panadura Range Crimes Division is conducting an investigation in to the incident.Officers attached to the Panadura North Police had visited the residence of the 52-year-old woman in question located in Diggala, Panadura in order to ascertain information over illegal liquor peddling.The police officers had later arrested her and decided to take her to the police station.However, the family of the woman claimed they urged police not to take her citing that she was ill and was a patient at the Panadura Hospital.The family said Sri Lanka Police disregarded these claims, and that the woman stressed that she was not feeling well when she was getting into a three-wheeler.The family also claimed that the police officers refused to take her to a hospital, and they (the family) had to call for a vehicle to take her to the hospital.However, upon admission the woman had passed away and the remains were placed at the Panadura Base Hospital for the post-mortem examination.Sri Lanka Police said the woman had fallen ill while being moved to the police station, and she was arrested for the possession of illegal liquor.Police also said that the family was advised to hospitalize the woman, and she died upon admission to the hospital.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 37-year-old man was gunned down on the Heenatigala Road in Unawatuna, Habaraduwa on Wednesday (24) morning.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that two unidentified motorcycle gunmen had opened fire at the victim when he was traveling in a three-wheeler with his wife after dropping off their children at school.The victim was a father of three from Kanattawatte in Heenatigala.He was employed as a three-wheeler driver, and once served in the Sri Lanka Army as well.Sri Lanka Police said that the victim was charged with murder and spent time behind bars, and was later released on bail.The wife of the victim was injured in the shooting, and she was admitted to the local hospital.The gunmen had fled the scene following the shooting, and investigations are underway.