Alberta politicians react to premier’s threat to block health restrictions: ‘Just trust us’

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court decided to dismiss all the petitions filed seeking to quash the Cabinet’s decision to transfer 40% of the government-owned shares of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant to U.S. Company New Fortress Energy.The Supreme Court had made the decision to dismiss all the petitions without taking them up for examination as well.The petitions were dismissed by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda, LTB Dehideniya.Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya had noted that the five-judge bench had no intention to examine these applications, and the decision to dismiss them was made after considering all the facts that were presented in favor and against the applications.Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, General-Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sunil Handunnetti and Wasantha Samarasinghe from the JPV, Trade Unions, and multiple other groups filed the five petitions with the Supreme Court.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers, West Coast Power Pvt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa have been removed from their minesterial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.The PMD statement notes that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa removed Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila from their portfolios, as per the powers vested in him by the constitution,

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Minister Udaya Gammanpila on Friday (3) announced that the battle to free Sri Lanka from the US has begun.Speaking to reporters for the first time since he was stripped of his ministerial position by the President on Thursday (3), Gammanpila said that the country is moving towards an abyss as the economy is managed by a person who has no understanding of economics.Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa were removed from their ministerial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.Gammanpila said calls were made to solve the crisis from within and outside of the cabinet of ministers, however, as those calls fell on deaf ears, the launch of a resolution ‘Taking The Nation On The Correct Path’ to solve the economic crisis suffered by Sri Lanka, was implemented.He said rather the looking at this resolution as a solution to the crisis, the administration decided to move out both him and Wimal Weerawansa.Gammanpila said while in government there were restrictions when it came to criticizing the government, however, today he has the freedom to reveal those who are responsible for the destruction caused to the economy.He also went on to note that ‘The Ugly American’, 1958 political novel by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer that depicts the failures of the U.S.

Greater job losses. Since the start of the pandemic, women have suffered greater job losses than men -- a pattern that has continued into 2022. The Pew Research Center reported in June 2020 that 11.5 million women, compared to 9 million men, lost their jobs due to COVID-19 -- a reversal of historical trends with economic recessions.1Higher overall stress. Women also took a harder hit to their wellbeing: Globally, women report higher rates of stress, sadness and worry than men -- and they're more likely to report that their mental health was negatively affected by the pandemic.

Two of Hong Kong's largest retail chains have started rationing some food and drug items to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as Covid-19 cases soar.

Expect to start paying more for pretty much everything as gas prices are forecast to remain in record-high territory in B.C. for the foreseeable future.

A devastating milestone has been reached in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United Nations says more than one million people have been displaced by the war.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Thursday that Canada will become the first country to revoke Russia and Belarus’ status as a most-favoured-nation trade partner under law. This includes the imposition of 35 per cent tariffs on goods from both countries as Moscow’s war in Ukraine rages on.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was in agreement with Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen on Monday during question period in the House of Commons as the two sides found solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

The war in Ukraine comes with a horrific toll on the people involved: emotional and financial. It’s costing Russia an estimated $20 million a day to continue the invasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa revealed that he will not accept any ministerial position under the government of the incumbent President.Weerawansa was speaking reporters in Colombo, in his first-ever briefing after he and Udaya Gammanpila were stripped of their ministerial portfolios on Thursday (3) evening.Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa were removed from their ministerial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.The PMD statement notes that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa removed Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila from their portfolios, as per the powers vested in him by the constitution,Watch the Media Briefing Here: 

Transport Canada says.The department didn’t say why or for how long the aircraft — that was grounded on Tuesday — would be restricted to the airport but told Global News in an email Thursday that Transport Canada is working with Canada’s Border Services Agency to “assess the matter.” Cryptocurrency a ‘double-edged sword’ in Ukraine-Russia war, experts say They said they are trying to find out if there has been any violation of the recently announced Notice to Airman (NOTAM) that prohibits Russian aircraft from operating in Canadian airspace.Ottawa officially closed up the nation’s airspace on Feb. 24 while announcing a set of sanctions against Russia as the war against Ukraine rages on.

Chrystia Freeland was photographed holding a scarf bearing colours associated with a far-right Ukrainian paramilitary group from the Second World War this past weekend.Both her office and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress suggest the questions and criticism she has received about it online is linked to a pattern of Russian-backed disinformation targeting members of the Ukrainian community.The Twitter account for Freeland shared photos of the federal finance minister at a Ukrainian solidarity march in Toronto on Sunday holding a black-and-red scarf with the Ukrainian phrase “Slava Ukraini,” which translates to “Glory to Ukraine,” written in Cyrillic. Canada targets Russia and Belarus with tariffs, sends more lethal aid to Ukraine Toronto Mayor John Tory was in the group and his account also shared photos of the moment, including one that showed the other side of the scarf, which had the phrase “Heroyam Slava,” or “Glory to heroes.” Neither Tory nor Freeland are touching the scarf in that photo.Both accounts deleted the photos the next day. Freeland then issued an identical tweet about her presence at the march organized to show solidarity with Ukraine after Russia launched a multi-pronged attack on the sovereign country.

COVID-19 may have more than one variant of the virus attacking them, according to a pair of new studies published earlier this year.Researchers for the two studies — one published in January, the other in February — say their evidence suggests less dominant variants may be simultaneously present in the same infected individual, with some cloaking themselves from the immune system.That could make it difficult for infected patients to get rid of COVID-19 from their systems entirely, said Kapil Gupta, lead author of the January study, in a statement Tuesday.“Some of these variants may use kidney or spleen cells as their niche to hide, while the body is busy defending against the dominant virus type,” Gupta said. Arthritis drug cuts risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: U.K.

WARSAW - The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to one of the largest humanitarian crises in a century, with many fleeing Ukrainians searching for refuge in neighboring countries. The United Nations said Thursday that 1 million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion less than a week ago, an exodus without precedent in this century for its speed.The tally from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees amounts to more than 2% of Ukraine’s population — which the World Bank counted at 44 million at the end of 2020 — on the move across borders in just seven days.

PHILADELPHIA - Gas prices continue to skyrocket across the country as the war in Ukraine intensifies, and some believe prices will continue to balloon in the weeks ahead.According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Philadelphia is just below $4.

DREXEL HILL, Pa. - Four women were honored Thursday for their selfless actions in saving four aboard a medical helicopter that crashed in Delaware County two months ago. Kathyrn Donofrio, Emma Gray, Tina Hamilton, and Jewel Singles sprung into action when a Eurocopter EC135 medical helicopter piloted by 52-year-old Danial Moore fell from the sky on Jan. 11. The chopper was on its way to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with an infant patient aboard and two others.

COVID-19 case tally rose to 42,951,556 with 6,396 people testing positive for the infection in a day while active cases declined to 69,897, according to Union Health Ministry data on Friday.

Cheryl Burke is opening up about her efforts to get in touch with her emotions and embrace her feelings following her split from Matthew Lawrence.The pro took to Instagram on Thursday to share a video with her fans and followers about how she's «been really trying to feel my feelings for the first time.»According to Burke, she's been reading up on different philosophies and schools of thought regarding the power of mindfulness and self-reflection, but that it hasn't been an easy road.«It has been an interesting journey so far, to say the least,» Burke, 37, shared. «It's been scary, because I'm so used to pushing through, because of my athleticism and dancing in general.

Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, was under attack by Russian troops and shelling, officials said, sparking a fire at a nearby administrative building.There has been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops, the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar  Dmytro Orlov said in an online post, adding that there had been casualties without giving details.Orlov and other Ukrainian officials said earlier that a fire had broken out at the nuclear plant itself, but the state emergency services agency later confirmed the fire had broken out at a training building outside the plant perimeter.The agency said the third power unit of six at the station was disconnected, adding only one power unit was currently operating. It added constant shelling was preventing firefighters from accessing the fire, which continued to burn on one floor after covering the three top floors of the building.

CHICAGO - A lawsuit was filed against the City of Chicago and Mayor Lori Lightfoot Wednesday, claiming she used obscene language and defamed a former Chicago Park District lawyer who was involved in the Christopher Columbus statue controversy in 2021.George Smyrniotis, who served as First Deputy General Counsel for the district, alleged that Lightfoot berated him over a Zoom call, damaging his reputation and leading to the loss of his job as well as causing him emotional distress.The Columbus statue was removed from Arrigo Park in Little Italy in the summer of 2020 after it had become the target of protests and unrest after the murder of George Floyd.DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 NEWS APPOn behalf of the Chicago Park District, Smyrniotis penned a letter of agreement with the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), allowing them to briefly display the statue at the 2021 Christopher Columbus Day parade.Lightfoot allegedly took umbrage to the agreement, telling an Italian-American leader she would pull the permit for the parade if the statue made an appearance, according to the lawsuit.An Italian American group is suing the city of Chicago to restore the Christopher Columbus statue that was removed during protests last year.She then berated Smyrniotis and his General Counsel Timothy King in a Zoom call on the night of the parade, the lawsuit claims."You d****, what the f*** were you thinking? You make some kind of secret agreement with Italians, what you are doing, you are out there measuring your d**** with the Italians seeing whose got the biggest d***, you are out there stroking your d**** over the Columbus statue, I am trying to keep Chicago Police officers from being shot and you are trying to get them shot.

A 69-year-old man was shot and killed after he withdrew money from an ATM inside a bank, police say. PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a man was shot and killed shortly after he withdrew money from an ATM inside a bank Thursday night in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the Citizens Bank on the 5700 block of Germantown Avenue just after 8 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has delivered 8 key points to the government to be considered to overcome the present economic challenges.These measures are as follows:a) introducing measures to discourage non-essential and non-urgent imports urgently based on the previous recommendation made by the Central Bankb) increasing fuel prices and electricity tariffs immediately, to reflect the costc) incentivising foreign remittances and investments furtherd) implementing energy conservation measures, while accelerating the move towards renewable energye) increasing government revenue through suitable tax increases on a sustained basisf) mobilising foreign financing and non-debt forex inflows on an urgent basisg) monetising the non-strategic and underutilised assets, andh) postponing non-essential and non-urgent capital projects.The above measures would ensure that a coordinated approach is adopted to overcome the challenging economic circumstances faced by the country and to prudently exit the COVID-relatedpolicy accommodation, said the Central Bank.

COVID-19 health measures in the province, saying it could prolong the pandemic.In an open letter sent to Premier Jason Kenney and top-ranking United Conservative officials, about 25 people with varied experience in public health, infectious diseases and social epidemiology say the government is using selective data to support its desired policies. Alberta business group slams decision to eliminate COVID-19 vaccine passport program The letter comes after an announcement Tuesday from Premier Jason Kenney that detailed a phased approach to drop all COVID-19 public health measures in the province.Alberta’s vaccine passport program has now ended and masking requirements for children under 12 are to end Monday, with most remaining measures to be lifted in March.The letter also says the group is concerned the government is removing freedoms from municipalities, post-secondary institutions and school boards to make risk-informed decisions to protect public health.They say it is a “reckless” plan considering waning immunity after two vaccine doses, slow uptake for third doses and lagging vaccination of Alberta children.

Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program is no more and soon, other COVID-19 health restrictions will also be lifted. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney joined Gord Steinke to talk about the timing and where the province goes from here.

It was designed to curb spiking COVID-19 case rates and to encourage vaccination, but Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the passport program has done its job. Some businesses are applauding the move while others say it’s far too premature to eliminate the provincial restrictions exemption program.

There was a ton of information to unpack from Tuesday’s COVID-19 announcement by Premier Jason Kenney, including the end of the mask mandates for students.

COVID-19 decreased slightly on Wednesday as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expired.Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the restrictions exemption program would be lifted at midnight. The REP came into effect in September, and required Albertans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test result to obtain entry to businesses operating under the program.

Alberta government’s decision to eliminate a proof-of-vaccine program, calling it “akin to ripping the Band-Aid off before the wound has healed.”The Calgary Chamber of Commerce issued a strongly worded statement Tuesday evening, just hours after Premier Jason Kenney announced that businesses will no longer have to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from patrons as of midnight. COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program, or REP, was introduced last fall in an effort to curb spiking case rates and encourage vaccination.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced the province’s public health restrictions will now be lifting, while a blockade of protesters demanding an end to mandates resumes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Coutts. Heather Yourex-West looks at the province’s plan, and whether it will be enough to satiate demonstrators.

Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine passport program will cease to exist when the clock strikes midnight on Feb. 9, and almost all public health restrictions will be lifted March 1 if the situation in hospitals continues to improve, Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday.

Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta’s vaccine passport will end almost Tuesday at midnight and most other big COVID-19 health rules will be gone in three weeks from now. Dan Grummett, Tom Vernon and Morgan Black have team coverage on what is happening, how the health-care system is doing and how Albertans feel about the changes.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces the Restrictions Exemption Program will end at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2022.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney responds to a question about municipalities and the provincial governments being on the same page when it comes to COVID-19 policy.

Premier Jason Kenney says the Restriction Exemption Program has been “extremely tough” on businesses in rural Alberta with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces that all mask mandates for children 12 and under will be removed.

Premier Jason Kenney announces the final two steps in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta based on hospitalizations.

Alberta is preparing to bid farewell to the Restrictions Exemption Program — the province’s version of the vaccine passport — following hints from Premier Jason Kenney.

Jason Kenney promised last week the government’s COVID-19 cabinet committee would vote to remove the province’s vaccine passport — the Restrictions Exemption Program — early this week, despite the numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the province. Further word has yet to come.“We can — and must — get on with our lives, restore our freedoms, and live with joy, not fear,” the premier tweeted Friday.Kenney reinforced his message on the Roy Green Show on Saturday, saying a plan will be released early this week to lift nearly all public health measures.“It will be data-based.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has made a significant shift over the past few days – going from saying COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted in late March, to much sooner.

Premier Jason Kenney says Albertans should expect to learn next week the province’s plan to lift COVID-19 public health measures, including the Restrictions Exemption Program.

Although traffic is moving again at the international border crossing near Coutts, Alberta, demonstrators say they will resume their blockade if COVID-19 restrictions are not lifted. As Heather Yourex-West reports, there are signs Alberta Premier Jason Kenney may be bowing to the pressure.

COVID-19: City of Calgary updates vaccine passport bylaw, including age and ID requirements The city’s vaccine passport bylaw has been in effect since September 2021, which made it mandatory for certain Calgary businesses like bars, restaurants and movie theatres to opt into the provincial passport system.Changes were made to the bylaw in November 2021 — and again last month — to better align it with the provincial program.Due to the language in the bylaw, it “ceases to have effect” if the province’s program is scrapped.City officials said the mask bylaw, however, would be unaffected by the change.Premier Jason Kenney announced early this week that his government is hoping to remove some public health restrictions, including the vaccine passport program, by the end of the month if the province’s COVID-19 situation improves sufficiently to warrant the changes.Kourtney Penner, the city councillor for Ward 11 and chair of the city’s emergency management committee, has made a request to city administration and CEMA for an update on the impacts to the city. COVID-19 causing Calgary Transit staffing shortages, route changes, cancellations “We do know that there would be impacts and we would have to respond accordingly,” Penner told Global News.

It’s no secret many members of Premier Jason Kenney’s caucus are fed up with Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions, but now Global News has obtained a series of recent emails showing how frustrations are boiling over. Tom Vernon reports.

More officers have been called in to help with an illegal blockade at the Coutts border crossing according to RCMP as the protest enters its fifth day.

The RCMP made an attempt to remove the blockade of truckers and protesters in Coutts, Alberta. They’re demanding an end to COVID-19 and vaccine restrictions, after days of jamming a key route connecting to the U.S.

Premier Jason Kenney said on Tuesday he is optimistic Alberta will be able to ease public health restrictions and scrap the restrictions exemption program vaccine passport by the end of the month. Quinn Ohler explains.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the province is looking at a staged approach to relaxing public health measures when the data supports the timing.