Court issues order preventing IUSF Convener & others from protesting

PHILADELPHIA - Mayor Jim Kenney and other city leaders announced the progress of their gun violence intervention program on Tuesday. City workers, law enforcement officials, and volunteers came up with a program that targets gang and group violence. The program, which launched in August 2020, is an evidence-based approach to gun violence.The program's creation is based on the premise that only about 0.5 of one percent of the city’s population may be linked to 60 to 70 percent of shootings and homicides.Program Director, Deion Sumpter, says they track social media activity and meet weekly with law enforcement and other partners to discuss those very individuals and how to approach them.

loss of privacy to the risk of internet addiction to the rapid spread of harmful content, especially among kids."My most negative opinion is we don’t have any privacy anymore because everything about us is now recorded someplace and accessible to somebody who has enough intense desire to get it," said Cooper, who spoke with The Associated Press at the telecom industry’s biggest trade show in Barcelona, where he was receiving a lifetime award.Yet the 94-year-old self-described dreamer also marvels at how far cellphone design and capabilities have advanced, and he believes the technology’s best days may still be ahead of it in areas such as education and health care.LEFT: Dr. Martin Cooper with the first portable handset.

The remains of an Argentinian man who disappeared earlier this month may have just turned up in the stomach of a shark that was captured by local fishermen.

A JetBlue Airways jet sits on the tarmac at O'Hare Airport October 26, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. JetBlue today announced the start of service to the city.

The pitch clock is seen behind Kolten Wong #16 and Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners in a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) By the time Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis actually saw a pitch from Arizona’s Joe Mantiply, the count was already at a ball and a strike.Both the hitter and pitcher were penalized at the start of Davis’ at-bat to lead off the top of the third inning of Monday’s spring training game, the latest odd twist in baseball’s speed-up rules.

About $441 billion in student loan balances are eligible for forgiveness under the plan, according to one report. (iStock) The Supreme Court will hear two cases against President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan on Tuesday.

Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, speaks during the 2023 State of the State Address at the New Jersey State House in Trenton, New Jersey, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

A New Jersey man attempted to board a flight with an AR-15 rifle, handguns, a Taser and a fake U.S. Marshal's badge, according to a federal complaint.

Unaware of the contest, Dawn Sagar ate the chip after taking a photo to send to her friends for Valentine’s Day. (Credit: Dawn Sagar) UNITED KINGDOM - A woman from England says she has eaten a heart-shaped chip that could have won her more than $100,000. Dawn Sagar, from Oswestry in Shropshire, told FOX Television Stations that she pulled the snack from a bag of Walkers but did not know the chip, known as a crisp across the pond, could be valuable. "At first I didn't realize that crisp would be worth money as I hadn't heard about the competition," Sagar shared.

TOPSHOT - Iranian high school students sit for their university entrance examination in Tehran on June 25, 2009. Iran has jailed more than 140 political activists, journalists and university lecturers since the disputed election which returned Presid DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Over the past three months, hundreds of young girls attending different schools in Iran have become overpowered by what are believed to be noxious fumes wafting into their classrooms, with some ending up weakened on hospital beds.Officials in Iran's theocracy initially dismissed these incidents, but now describe them as intentional attacks involving some 30 schools identified in local media reports, with some speculating they could be aimed at trying to close schools for girls in this country of over 80 million people.The reported attacks come at a sensitive time for Iran, which already has faced months of protests after the September death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the country's morality police.RELATED: Feds say Iranian-backed gang behind Brooklyn assassination attemptThe authorities have not named suspects, but the attacks have raised fears that other girls could be poisoned apparently just for seeking an education — something that's never been challenged before in the over 40 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Richard Gere is recovering.

Idaho student murders case, which led to the arrest of suspect Bryan Kohberger at his parents' house in the Pocono Mountains nearly seven weeks after the slayings.Police seized a number of new items at the home, including medical-style gloves, a black sweatshirt, size 13 Nike sneakers, and they also took a buccal scrub. Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University during the attack, is accused of ambushing four University of Idaho students in the middle of the night on Nov. 13, 2022.

A man has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after a child received 'serious injuries' in a terrifying attempted kidnapping near a park in Bolton.

WASHINGTON - Conservative justices holding the Supreme Court's majority are skeptically questioning President Joe Biden's plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans.In arguments on Tuesday stretching well beyond the allotted two hours, Chief Justice John Roberts led his conservative colleagues in questioning the administration's authority to broadly cancel federal student loans because of the COVID-19 emergency.A student speaks as student loan borrowers gather at the Supreme Court the evening before the court hears two cases on student loan relief to state the relief is legal and needs to happen immediately on Feb. 27, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Manson family member Linda Kasabian, star witness in the Sharon Tate and LaBianca murder trial, at a press conference in Los Angeles, after being granted immunity from prosecution in the Manson Family trial, US, 19th August 1970. (Photo by Michael Oc LOS ANGELES - Linda Kasabian, member of Charles Manson's "Family" who later testified against the cult leader and other members, has died.

FILE- An elephant munches on hay while moving about inside her enclosure at the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, California. (Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) FRESNO, Calif. - Mabu saunters across a grassy field and raises his long, gray trunk to wrangle food from a hole carved inside a large boulder, captivating the attention of a girl propped up on her father's shoulders.At this zoo in a central California farming community, the 32-year-old African elephant is key not only to drawing visitors but also to ensuring there are elephants for zoogoers to see in the years to come — a future some animal lovers want to avoid.Over the past year, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo has been pulled into a growing global debate over the future of elephants in zoos.

PHILADELPHIA - Several Philadelphia neighborhoods nearly missed the Eagles playing in the Super Bowl this month thanks to an act of vandalism, and now police are looking for the suspect.A Xfinity employee was working near the 2700 block of Tulip Street following reports of cable services outages in Kensington and Fishtown on February 12.Investigators later found that a vandalism suspect had cut five major fiber optic lines, affecting about 17,000 customers.MORE HEADLINES:Surveillance footage captured the man driving a white Ford 4-door pickup truck, rummaging in the truck bed and walking around the area.The cut lines caused service outages in the area, but crews were able to restore service to all customers by the time Super Bowl LVII kicked off between the Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.Police say the estimated damage to equipment is $10,000.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

LIMERICK, Pa. - A Chick-fil-A in Montgomery County is taking action after they say a series of "unacceptable behaviors" by kids and young teens has forced them to "protect" their guests, staff and building."We contemplated long and hard before posting this, but decided it was time," the Chick-fil-A on Buckwalter Road in Limerick said in a Facebook post that has since gathered significant support.As of last week, all children under the age of 16 are now required to be accompanied by an adult when dining inside the Montgomery County fast food restaurant.Chick-fil-A says the ban is in response to the repeated "unacceptable behaviors" of unaccompanied children and teens, including volume and explicit language, mistreatment of property, disrespect of employees and unsafe behaviors."As you can imagine, this is not a pleasant experience. We want to provide a comfortable and safe environment for our guests and our staff, and also to protect our building.

Ozzy Osbourne is setting the record straight. On the latest episode of SiriusXM's Ozzy Speaks, Osbourne sat down with co-host Billy Morrison and gave an update on his health and touring status.“I’ve been working my guts out to try and get back on my feet. I’ve come to the point where Sharon says to me, ‘You know what, the truth of the marriage, you can't keep booking tours and failing, canceling," the singing legend said. Earlier this month, Osbourne made the difficult decision to end his touring career.

Reading, PA - May 10: Pennsylvania State Rep and Democratic Leader Joanna E. McClinton speaks in front of Reading City Hall. After a tour through downtown Reading, Pennsylvania and Reading's Keystone Opportunity Zone with Pennsylvania House of Repres HARRISBURG, Pa. - Philadelphia state Rep.

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s foundation has announced a new collaboration to help create therapy allotments and gardens offering mental health support in south Wales. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the site where the first garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun in Wales on Tuesday to mark the announcement of the social enterprise partnership. The royal couple’s charitable organisation is working with Life at No.27 – a horticultural therapy and mental health counselling provider – to scale up its gardening mission, with six gardens eventually being created across south Wales.

People across Lanarkshire have joined the UK’s biggest conversation on mental health stigma for Time to Talk Day.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has granted permission for the 2023 Local Government Election to go ahead as planned by the National Election Commission.The Supreme Court had noted that the National Election Commission is bound to protect the people's franchise.Further, the Supreme Court noted that orders were not necessary on the matter as the National Election Commission had already undertaken to hold the Local Government Election in terms of the Law.The matter was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairaja, A. H.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The application filed with the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend all activities related to the Local Government Election will be taken up on Friday (10).Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

Britney Spears is having a tough time, according to those closest to her.

The budding Lanarkshire entrepreneur going for glory on hit TV show the Apprentice has had to leave the show.

The Court of Appeal has extended the interim order preventing the collection of the PAYE tax from the salaries of judges till the petition is supported.The government recently imposed taxes between 6% to 36% on the salaries of those earning more than 100,000 rupees a month. The Judicial Services Officers Union filed an appeal with the court challenging the decision, and the court issued an interim order suspending the collection of PAYE tax from Judges.When the matter was taken up today (09 Feb.), before a judge bench, comprising Justices Dhammika Ganepola, Neil Iddawela and Sobhitha Rajakaruna the interim order issued to prevent the collection of the PAYE tax from the salaries of judges was extended. The petition will be taken up again on the 21st of this month.   

Reece Donnelly has quit The Apprentice due to health reasons, it has been confirmed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court pointed out to the Criminal Investigations Department that MP Diana Gamage can be arrested as it appears that she had violated the Immigration and Emigration Law.Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis pointed out the matter to the CID when a private plaint filed by Lakmal Herath was taken up for consideration. The complaint filed with the court notes that MP Diana Gamage is NOT a Sri Lankan Citizen and that she is a British Citizen.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy has instructed the Treasury Secretary to only provide provisions for essential government expenses in order to maintain public services until the state revenue situation improves.The list of expenditure to be funded include salaries, debt servicing, pensions, medical supplies for hospitals, subsidies for low-income groups, scholarships, farmers’ pensions, school nutrition programs, payments for war heroes and disabled soldiers, utility payments, food supplies for hospitals and prisons, among others.This move is expected to have a significant impact on the economy, as it will prioritize the most important needs of the people and prevent funds from being misused. The Treasury has stressed the importance of sticking to the list of essential expenditure, as releasing funds for any other purpose could negatively impact the people and slow down the country’s economic recovery.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Military and Police Units equipped in riot gear were seen stationed at multiple locations in Fort, Colombo as Trade Unions launched protests against the governments' unjust tax regime.Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions are protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals' Trade Union Collective launched a 24-hour token strike across all Private and State hospitals.The Federation of University Teachers' Association also decided to engage in a one-day token strike.Trade Unions from the electricity, water supply, petroleum and port sectors organized joint protests in Fort, Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Port sector trade unions announced a work-to-rule action in the morning, and joined the protest in the afternoon.The water supply, petroleum and power supply sector trade unions announced that they will take sick leave on Wednesday (8) and join the protest without reporting to work.Activities across hospitals, universities, divisional secretaries, and other sectors affected by the trade union action launched by the Professionals' Trade Union CollectiveHowever, the Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union stated that although they support the protest against the unjust tax regime, they will be taking necessary measures to supply electricity without disruption. A.G.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Fort Magistrate's Court rejected a request by the police to issue an order preventing protests against the unjust tax regime, from proceeding to several roads in Fort, Colombo.Sri Lanka Police had requested an order preventing the protests in Colombo from entering the Fort Police Jurisdiction, and this request was turned down by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Wednesday (8).While rejecting the request, the Fort Magistrate noted that those engaged in the protests have the right to engage in peaceful protests and marches, as per the provisions of the constitution.The Magistrate however ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.At the same time, the court also rejected a request made by the Cinnamon Gardens Police to issue an order preventing protestors from entering into several roads in Colombo.Sri Lanka Police requested the Colombo Chief Magistrate to issue an order preventing protestors from entering Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Mahagamasekera Mawatha, Thurstan Road, and Ernest De Silva Mawatha.While rejecting the request, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that the amount of traffic to his Diddly Squat Farm shop prevented people from getting to the local health centre for their Covid vaccinations.

This took place in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Office. Meanwhile, High Court Judge M. A. R. Marikkar was also sworn in as an appellate court judge before the President.

Sri Lanka's President and Prime Minister issued statements to mark the 75th Independence Day.In his message, President Ranil Wickremesinghe says there is a new economic and social reform agenda before the country with the objectives focusing first on recovery and then on renewed development. The Head of State stated it is imperative for us to unite in its implementation so that we can emerge with a high level of economic prosperity. He pledged to make the extremely difficult though vital decisions to achieve this goal with courage and determination. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in his message to mark the 75th Independence Day said "today, we not only celebrate our freedom, but also pay tribute to the ones who fought for it, to the ones who held a vision for our country, and to the ones who sacrificed themselves for the same." The Premier says the bravery, heroic acts as well as untold miseries suffered by our forefathers during their struggle for freedom of the Motherland must not be allowed to fade away from our memories.The Prime Minister adds the government has taken a series of measures to ensure recovery of the economy, and increase agricultural production to attain self-sufficiency and food security. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also issued a statement to mark the 75th Independence Day. He stated "despite the fact that Sri Lanka has been independent for 75 years, we have failed to make that independence meaningful on national, social, educational, and religious levels."The Opposition Leader stated being trapped in "narrow chauvinism and communalism" is not the way to experience true freedom.

President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President's Counsel Saliya Pieris has raised concerns over peaceful protesters, who were detained while they were staging the 'Satyagraha for freedom' yesterday in Maradana, being denied access to lawyers.He stressed that the Police detaining access to legal counsel is in direct violation of Enforced Disappearance Act No.5 of 2018 which requires Police to give access to lawyers and relatives.Police last night dispersed a group of peaceful activists staging a Satyagraha opposite Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana.Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that four people have been arrested.Posting on social media President's Counsel Saliya Pieris further stressed that "Independence and freedom must be for the people and not limited to those in power."

Colombo (News 1st) – Violence broke out in Maradana close to the city centre in Sri Lanka’s capital city as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of peaceful protesters practicing a satyagraha.

State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across Great Britain, including 981,399 living in Scotland. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance Contributions.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board informed the Supreme Court on Friday (3) that it would be withdrawing the assurance that it gave to refrain from imposing power cuts until the Contempt of Court application filed by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is taken up for consideration, and the matter is concluded.President's Counsel Romesh De Silva appearing for the CEB made the announcement to the court.The matter was taken up in the presence of Justices Gamini Amarasekera, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe, and Shiran Gunaratne for consideration.Thereafter, the President's Counsel noted that the assurance will be withdrawn with effect from Friday (3).President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appearing for the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka requested for an interim order to prevent the CEB from imposing Power Cuts during the period of the Advanced Level Examination is over, if the respondent is withdrawing the assurance that it gave to the Supreme Court on Thursday (2).However, the Supreme Court rejected the request and fixed the matter to be taken up again on the 7th of February at 1:30 PM.The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka had moved to the Supreme Court against the Ceylon Electricity Board for failing to follow the directive to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity until the end of the G. C.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board has assured the Supreme Court that it would refrain from imposing power cuts until the Contempt of Court application filed by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is taken up for consideration, and the matter is concluded.President's Counsel Uditha Egalahewa appearing for the Ceylon Electricity Board made the assurance to the court and pointed out that during the said period no power outages will take place.The matter was called up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices P. Padman Surasena, Yasatha Kodagoda, and Shiran Gunaratne on Thursday (2).The application will be taken up for consideration at 11:30 AM on Friday (3).The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka moved to the Supreme Court against the Ceylon Electricity Board for failing to follow the directive to provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity until the end of the G.

Ozzy Osbourne has been forced to cancel his UK and Europe tour after updating fans on his health.

COLOMBO (News 1st); US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said it is important for Sri Lanka to go ahead with the March elections.She spoke to reporters in Colombo and said that the people of Sri Lanka must be allowed to have a voice in their future."It is vital time for Sri Lanka to strengthen its democracy, its governance, and its reconciliation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The International Federation for Human Rights in a new report detailing the relentless repression of a peaceful protest movement noted that the Sri Lankan authorities systematically violated international human rights law and standards with complete impunity in their crackdown on the Aragalaya.The protest movement, called aragalaya [“struggle” in Sinhala], was triggered by the government’s protracted economic mismanagement and the growing public discontent over corruption and nepotism. The protests, which initially started in the country’s capital, Colombo, quickly spread across all nine provinces of Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Convener of Inter University Students' Federation Wasantha Mudalige was released on Tuesday (31) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court in connection with the case that was filed against him for allegedly committing offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).Mudalige was arrested in August 2022 under the emergency regulations and was held for 89 days under the provisions of the PTA, and later on 21st November 2022 was moved to remand custody.He has been in remand since then, and will return to remand custody for other pending cases filed against him.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court is expected to deliver its ruling on bail for Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation. Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation, was escorted to the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court on Tuesday (31) morning.Mudalige was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terorrism Act, and remains in remand custody pending advice from the Attorney General. Activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation engaged in a silent protest opposite the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court when IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige was escorted to the court. The Keselwatte Police had sought an order from court to prevent the silent protest from continuing, citing that it inconvenienced the public. However, Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis rejected the request and advised the police to act as per the powers vested with Sri Lanka Police if the protest was in fact an inconvenience to the public.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 12,000 affidavits signed seeking the release of Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation who remains in remand custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, were handed over to the Attorney General on Monday (30).Student activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation along with activists from Mass Organizations visited the Attorney General's Department on Monday (30) morning to hand over 12,000 affidavits that were signed seeking the release of Wasantha MudaligeThese 12,000 affidavits claim that the signees were also engaged in the public protests that took place since March 2022 to bring about change by ending a corrupt and inefficient governance that burdened the people with a failed economy.The signees also claim they were involved in the protests that took place on the 9th of July 2022.They also note that the Inter-University Student's Federation was just one organization among many that took part in those protests, and that Wasantha Mudalige is just one student leader who took part in the demonstrations.These 12,000 affidavits claim that they too should be treated in the same manner as Wasantha Mudalige.The group attempted to hand over these affidavits from the back entrance to the Attorney General's Department, however, those attempts were futile.Thereafter, two representatives were allowed to enter the Attorney General's Department and the affidavits were taken inside the using a Police Jeep."If Wasantha Mudalige is a terrorist for his involvement in the Aragalaya, then the millions who joined the protests are also terrorists.

Regular listeners of Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast show were left confused this morning when the star was absent from her slot due to illness.

Lethal new pills on the street have sparked a major warning they could fuel Scotland’s drug death toll.