Flags fly half-mast in memory of the Queen

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The four adults who were arrested by the police during Sunday's (9) Aragalaya Heroe's Memorial at Galle Face Green were produced to court on Monday (10) after were released on personal bail of Rs.

People sit near a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un overseeing a missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on October 10, 2022. (Photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea’s recent barrage of missile launches were the simulated use of its tactical battlefield nuclear weapons to "hit and wipe out" potential South Korean and U.S.

fall season, temperatures won’t be the only thing changing across the country.The transition also marks the start of fall foliage, which makes for some spectacular photos of those vibrant red, yellow and orange leaves.However, peak fall foliage season is highly contingent on your location, and in some areas that can start as early as September and peak in either October or November.That good information to remember if any leaf peepers out there are wondering how to plan a fall foliage trip.While the color of leaves depends on the chlorophyll, weather conditions during the summer or early fall can play a big role in how magnificent the sights are.Chlorophyll is a pigment that helps give leave their color. It helps the trees create their own food thorough photosynthesis, which converts sunlight into chemical energy. The lack of chlorophyll can help reveal the sought-after yellow, orange and red colors, which are usually bountiful during rainier periods.Large deviations from average precipitation, either on the dry or wet sides, can greatly affect fall foliage season across the country."The drought is a big factor this year.

Each year, antibiotic-resistant neonatal infections result in the deaths of nearly 60,000 newborns. According to the Lancet, antibiotic-resistant neonatal infections caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide in just 2019. What are these infections? These are the infections where bacteria change over time and eventually develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.

NEW DELHI : Establishing a new milestone in the field of mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was launched virtually by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday. Acknowledging the mental health crisis in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need to establish a digital mental health network that will withstand the challenges amplified by the pandemic, Government of India announced National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) in the Union Budget 2022-23.

PHILADELPHIA - Hey Philadelphia, it's time to drop a few dollars in that swear jar!The "City of Brotherly Love" has also been named on of the top "Cities That Swear the Most in the U.S.," according to a new survey by Preply.com.Philadelphia tied for fourth place with Oklahoma City, Dallas and Indianapolis, averaging 25 swears per day per person.

PHILADELPHIA - A busy interstate became the scene of a crime twice this weekend after police say several shots rang out on I-95 in Philadelphia.It appears road rage may have lead to the first shooting on Saturday when a victim's car was struck by gunfire near the Girard Exit around 8:30 a.m.The victim told police a white Dodge Durango almost hit his vehicle when he tried to change lanes. Both drivers then reportedly got into a verbal argument driving side-by-side.Police say the Durango's passenger fired one round, hitting the victim's vehicle, then sped off a nearby exit.MORE HEADLINES:On Sunday, two vehicles reportedly opened fire with automatic weapons on a male victim and his passenger as they were exiting for the Walt Whitman Bridge just before 3 a.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the country needs a national policy that does not change with every government that comes to power and invited everyone to commit to building the country on one national policy without party differences.The President pointed out that to build a developed economy and raise Sri Lanka to the pinnacle of the world, a solid economic policy as well as political stability is a must. Hence, he invited everyone to join hands to discuss the national policy framework using the "Jathika Sabhawa" (National Council) as a platform.President Wickremesinghe stated this while declaring open the first life-saving pharmaceutical manufacturing plant established in Sri Lanka on Monday (10).The President also pointed out that he is working towards establishing a national policy to prepare an export economy using competitive and modern technology.Expressing his views further, the President said, “This company has taken steps to develop our export industry, not only to supply medicines needed domestically but also by producing medicines needed internationally. We sincerely hope that this project commenced by this young entrepreneur will progress to greater heights.

After finishing a tour in Afghanistan in 2013, Dionne Williamson felt emotionally numb. More warning signs appeared during several years of subsequent overseas postings. "It’s like I lost me somewhere," said Williamson, a Navy lieutenant commander who experienced disorientation, depression, memory loss and chronic exhaustion.

ALSO READ: Deepti Sharma is the latest to be crucified by cricket’s self-appointed godmen Citing the example of school students, Kapil went on further. He said, "I went to a school once and the students said 'there is a lot of pressure'...

cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2023, according to recent estimates. These cost-of-living adjustments have been in place since 1975 as a way to adequately keep pace with inflation. The COLAs are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year to the corresponding quarter of the current year, according to the Social Security Administration. Beneficiaries can expect the final COLA to be released on Thursday following the release of the inflation figures for September, according to the Senior Citizens League, a group that lobbies for older adults. An 8.7%-boost would be the highest COLA increase since 1981 when the inflation adjustment was 11.2%. For the average retiree who got a monthly check of $1,656 this year, an adjustment of 8.7% would boost the payment by $144.10, the Senior Citizens League said. FILE - In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits alongside checks from the U.S.

(Army) – The Sri Lanka Army; the proud “Protector of the State” which led a sustained crusade against ruthless terrorism and brought durable peace to the Nation after more than three decades of human suffering celebrated its 73rd anniversary aka the Army Day on Monday (10 October) with grandeur at Panagoda, assuring that it would continue to be the leading gurantor of national security.Fluttering Army Flag and multi-coloured flags of all Regiments and formations which provided a dramatic backdrop for the day's formal spectacle in the premises where Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army added dignity and prominence to the commemoration as the Chief Guest, set the stage aptly ready for the day's proceedings in the glittering ceremony soon after the Army Chief's arrival was heralded.Typical of military formalities, a smartly-attired Guard Turnout salute greeted the day's Chief Guest as he entered the premises after the Centre Commandant, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Regimental Centre welcomed Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage to the location. This year’s Army Day parade commanded by Major General SUMN Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, Director General General Staff, together with Brigadier GWA Senevirathna USP psc, Director Research Concept and Doctrine, 2nd in Command consisted of 77 Officers and 652 Other Ranks of all 25 Regiments with Colours squads.

PHILADELPHIA - What a time to be a Philadelphia sports fan! The city started off the week with two wins under its belt - the Phillies and the Eagles!The victories began Saturday night when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 to sweep their National League wild-card series.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has decided to conduct an investigation on its own motion in to the incident where a peaceful protest at Galle Face Green on Sunday (9) was disperesed by Police.The Inspector General of Police was informed the HRCSL to submit within 24-hours the grounds that police decided as reasoning to disperse the said protest.Four people who were arrested during the protest at Galle Face Green on Sunday (9) were released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- each by the Fort Magistrate's Court on Monday (10).A 16-year-old boy who was detained along with the suspects, was released on Sunday (9) night.A group of members of the Aragalaya organized the demonstration to commemorate the activists who lost their lives contributing to the Aragalaya since the 9th of April. However even before the demonstration began, the police intervened and a heated situation arose.

REDDING, Calif. - Who knew getting injured by a runaway bull at a rodeo would actually lead to a cancer diagnosis? Paige King didn’t think so. The 25-year-old from Redding, California, said she took a trip to the local rodeo with her boyfriend back in May. King said during the last run, a bull broke out from the arena and was on the loose among spectators. RELATED: Genetically modified herpes virus shows promise in killing advanced cancer, study says"I looked to my left, and then all of a sudden, I look right back, and he’s [the bull] just coming right over the barrier right on top of us," she continued. King said she doesn’t exactly remember what happened next. "It’s something no one would ever think that would happen," Paige King said."I end up going to the ground, and all I can really remember after that is him [the bull] just picking me up," she added. King said she didn’t notice pain at first but her back eventually started to hurt. She said she believes the runaway bull’s hoof scraped her back leaving her with scratches, bruises, and fractures— which have now healed. But that was only the beginning of her medical journey. King said while getting checked out, doctors noticed a lump in her throat. She was then diagnosed with thyroid cancer. "I was just kind of taken back in shock.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - If there’s any comfort for Grace Adkins, it’s that her infant son won’t remember the medical hardships he endured before his first birthday. Her 10-month-old son Luke was born with congenital spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects the tissue. Luke’s cancer is currently in remission. Grace said she didn’t expect anything when her son was born on December 9, 2021. RELATED: Genetically modified herpes virus shows promise in killing advanced cancer, study says"My pregnancy was perfect," she told FOX Television Stations.

PHILADELPHIA - The frost is back this morning, but it won't last long on this beautiful fall day!Temperatures in the 30s and 40s kick off Monday morning with quite the chill. However, the sun brings some warmer weather with the high of the day reaching 69 degrees!A sunny and pleasant Monday makes way for a perfect fall Tuesday with temperatures reaching into the 70s and sunshine all day long.That sun lasts until Thursday, when the Delaware Valley will see its first chance of rain for the week.___MONDAY: Sunny, pleasant.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (10) will likely take up a proposal for Sri Lanka to revert from a middle-income country to a low-income country.This is with the aim of obtaining concessionary funding from the International Development Association (IDA) — an arm of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries.The decision has been taken after considering the financial constraints, including lack of foreign reserves, inflation, and difficulty in meeting debt payments. The government also has taken into consideration the claim that some former officials had manipulated figures to push Sri Lanka to a middle-income country.The move effectively will mean that Sri Lanka will be seeking a ‘reverse graduation’ to IDA on the grounds that the country lacks creditworthiness to borrow on market terms, including from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) — the lending arm of the World Bank – and, therefore, requires concessional resources to finance the country’s development programs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Bank in its October 2022 update says that it will be imperative to protect the poor and vulnerable by providing immediate additional assistance to the poorest in need, while comprehensively reforming the social protection system.The World Bank warns that poverty has increased sharply since 2021, and it is likely to increase further in the absence of effective mitigation measures and made several recommendations.– In the short run, increasing financing for social assistance should be a priority. – The government will need to invest in the establishment and operationalization of the Welfare Benefits Board and a Social Registry. – The generosity of cash transfers needs to be revisited, particularly for some vulnerable groups– Sri Lanka also needs to adopt more modern payment systems for cash transfer programs.– Given its increasing vulnerability to shocks, Sri Lanka would also benefit from developing a social protection system that can scale up and phase out where needed.– In the medium to long term, Sri Lanka needs to transition to a more fiscally sustainable and inclusive social insurance and aged care system.– Sri Lanka also needs to strengthen its productive inclusion programs.– Finally, a social protection strategy is needed to guide the overall social protection reformThe World Bank said that Rising debt vulnerabilities and weak competitiveness, resulting from years of risky borrowing and poor fiscal and monetary policy choices, along with weak governance, led to an unsustainable debt and a severe balance of payments crisis. It warned that a delayed response allowed the crisis to spread to all key sectors of the economy.The World Bank said that a significant economic contraction is

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage has turned down a request made by Sri Lanka Police to issue an order against the protest planned for Monday (10) evening at Galle Face Green.President's Counsel Saliya Pieris, appearing for the Rights of Lawyers, and Professions movement told the Court that engaging in peaceful assembly is a fundamental right.He pointed out that multiple political parties had held protests at Galle Face Green on previous occasions.After considering the submissions, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage noted that there is no evidence to claim that anything illegal or violent will take place at the protest.The Magistrate noted that there are no obstructions towards any protest that does not obstruct the rights of others, and further noted that if any act of violence does take place, Sri Lanka Police has the power to take action to prevent such from taking place. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Federation For Health Professionals warned that if the retirement age for one particular profession is extended, it would protest against such decisions.The Federation For Health Professionals in a statement said that the government had reached a policy decision to bring down the retirement age of all public sector employees to 60 years.It notes that reports have revealed an attempt being made by a Cabinet Sub-Committee to reverse this decision for one particular profession in the health sector.The Federation For Health Professionals strongly condemns the attempts to completely disregard its contribution towards implementing the government's policies.The Federation For Health Professionals warned that trade union action would be inevitable if the cabinet of ministers decided to reach a decision that would not treat all health sector professions equally.Around twenty trade unions representing health professionals had signed the letter requesting that the retirement age policy not be reversed.

Liam Gallagher has shared a poignant new video for ‘Too Good For Giving Up’ and teamed up with mental health charity Talk Club.The new video was announced over the weekend, with Gallagher explaining how he’d teamed up with Talk Club for the release of the ‘C’mon, You Know’ track. Talk Club is an organisation that works to help support male mental health.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Feminist Collective for Economic Justice has strongly condemned the violence against peaceful protesters by the current regime in Sri Lanka.In a statement, it said that the world witnessed in horror as a mother and child were violently dragged away by the police, and a father in retreat with his child from police advancing in riot gear.It added that Sunday's (9) actions of the state are a poignant reminder of an authoritarian rule that is not subtle but blatantly undemocratic. The Feminist Collective for Economic Justice demands the ceasing of all such illegal, illegitimate, and brutal acts by the state.They also demand the release of all persons arrested for protesting peacefully.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Following controversy over grounded aircraft by its government, Russia's Aeroflot resumed services to Sri Lanka on Monday (10).With the arrival of an Aeroflot Flight on Monday (10) to the Katunayake International Airpor the Moscow-Colombo route will be reinstated, on conditions being promised by the Sri Lankan government that none of its planes will be grounded or arrested.On 2nd June 2022, SU289, A330-343 aircraft was scheduled to depart from Colombo to Moscow with 191 passengers and 13 crew members, but it was not allowed, as the owner of the aircraft – Celestial Aviation of Ireland had filed a case against the airline, for a pending arbitration on the lease of the aircraft in London.Following the legal dispute, Aeroflot also announced that it was suspending commercial flights between Colombo and Moscow.Aeroflot is the oldest international airline that operated flights to Colombo, and it has been operating the Moscow-Colombo route since 1964.Russia remains the third largest tourism source market year-to-date with 51,300 arrivals, behind India and UK.The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow in September announced that Aeroflot, the national carrier of the Russian Federation, will resume flight operations to Sri Lanka with effect from the 09th October 2022.The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka played a pivotal role by making a diplomatic representation with the Government of the Russian Federation in order to resume Aeroflot’s flights on this route.Given that the Russian Federation could be regarded as an important tourist traffic source to Sri Lanka at this trying time, the Embassy was of the view that this flight resumption will be of vital importance to Sri

Waiting period: When you buy a health insurance policy, your coverage doesn’t start immediately. This restriction protects insurers from misuse of such policies to cover pre-existing ailments and pre-anticipated immediate medical costs. However, even during this period, medical expenses due to accidents are covered.

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: India reported 2,424 fresh covid infections in the last 24 hours, while active cases stood at 28,079, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Monday.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre needs to steer away from “fringe issues” if he aims to lead not only the party but the country.“He understands that to become prime minister, he needs to speak to the aspirations of regular Canadians, not to fringe issues.” Alberta’s premier-designate wants ‘greater’ provincial autonomy, but is it her 1st priority? Kenney also believes that Poilievre is “wise beyond his years.”“He’s a brilliant young man,” he said.According to a recent poll from the end of last month, Poilievre overtook Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the best leader for the country.“Since the moment he was elected leader, he’s demonstrated great discipline in focusing on the kitchen-table issues that matter to ordinary Canadian families,” said Kenney.However, Poilievre has had a number of interactions with fringe movements in Canada.Most recently, a Global News analysis of 50 of Polievre’s official YouTube videos showed that they included a hidden tag appealing to a misogynistic online movement that Canada’s intelligence agencies view as a danger.The tag, #mgtow, is an acronym for “Men Going Their Own Way” — a mostly-online movement consisting of anti-feminists who cut women completely out of their lives.The Conservative leader has also drawn criticism for his support of the convoy protest that paralyzed downtown Ottawa and blockaded border crossings in February.Poilievre chose to walk with James Topp, an activist with connections to convoy figures who have marched across the nation to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates.After posing for a photograph with Jeremy Mackenzie — the de-facto leader of a far-right group called Diagalon who was arrested on a Canada-wide warrant for

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army in his Army Day Message (October 10) aka 73rd Anniversary Day says the prime responsibility of the Sri Lanka Army is to identify the threats to national security and protect the Constitution and democracy in the country and our unity as one would help to overcome any challenge that may pose in the future. " I encourage you to avoid procrastination and discharge your duties effectively to reach the goals of the organization and serve the best interestas of the Nation, " Here follows the full text of his message;Today, the Sri Lanka Army marks its 73 years of illustrious forward march since its inception as the proud “Protector of the State” that continues to render an unparalleled service for safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of our beloved motherland. As the Commander of the Army, I take great pride and pleasure in extending my warmest wishes on the occasion of the 73rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.I fervently consider this is the aptest moment to retrospect on the successful journey of the Sri Lanka Army spanned more than seven decades since its founding on 10 October 1949. The Army has become what it is today owing to the exceptional services rendered by former Commanders, Officers, Other Ranks, and civil employees who served and retired. Thus, I honor their selfless commitment and dedication on this remarkable day. I also consider it our prime duty to pay our utmost tribute and respect to the war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding our motherland and bringing peace and harmony to our country to create a better future for the Nation, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were wounded and

Kanye West‘s Twitter and Instagram accounts were restricted over the weekend, with the social media platforms saying they removed the rapper’s posts after online users condemned them as anti-Semitic.

Andrea Skinner resigning from her position as Hockey Canada’s interim board of directors chair is “definitely not enough” to make a difference at the scandal-ridden national sports body, according to former Canadian Olympic skier Allison Forsyth.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Police officers who act on illegal orders must remember that someday they will have to pay for their illegal activities, warned the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka Saliya Pieris, PC in a post on his personal Facebook account."I have seen police officers who engaged in unlawful acts and violated the rights of people in order to satisfy their bosses, having to pay for their misdeeds," he said.Some paid by way of compensation and loss of their promotions. Others had to face jail terms after being found guilty of criminal acts, he added."When these things happened, their masters were nowhere around to protect them.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today is Day six of the 6th Edition of the Gammadda Door to Door Program, and the Gammadda teams were deployed across three districts today (10) as well.The Gammadda teams engaged in the Door to Door program are currently based in the Ratnapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kilinochchi Districts.The Gammadda Door to Door program is joined by the University of Peradeniya as well. Gammadda is well known among all Sri Lankans, young and old, as the people's force that brings about a new beginning for the villages and towns of Sri Lanka.Gammadda implements these projects by identifying the real needs of the local population.The needs of the people were identified following an extensive and streamlined study of the findings in the Gammadda Door to Door program that was implemented five times before along with the University of Peradeniya.The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Economic Crisis have forced the people of Sri Lanka to undergo various hardships.

Covid-19: A decline of 514 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The active cases comprise 0.06 per cent of the total infections. India saw a single day rise of 2,424 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,14,437, while the active cases have declined to 28,079, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Police Department has arrested a man they say shot a pregnant woman in the head as she slept in a car with four other members of her family, including three children.Christopher Stamat Jr., 21, was taken into custody on Saturday and charged with six felonies, including attempted first-degree murder. According to TPD, the homeless family of five was sleeping in their car on October 5 around 4:30 a.m. near 2200 North Oregon Avenue when the suspect opened fire, striking the woman in the head. Witnesses said they spotted a dark-colored car leaving the scene and surveillance video captured a black 2-door 300 series 2012 BMW in the area at the time of the shooting. In addition to obtaining the license tag, detectives say the car they were looking for has unique identifiers such as stickers and black rims.

Isaiah Simmons of the Arizona Cardinals pressures Jalen Hurts during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) ((Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images))GLENDALE, Ariz. - Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles remained the NFL's only unbeaten team, beating Arizona 20-17 on Sunday after Matt Ammendola's late field-goal attempt for the Cardinals sailed wide right.The Eagles improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2004, when they won their first seven games and finished 13-3.The Cardinals never led, but looked as if they would push the game into overtime until Ammendola missed the 43-yarder.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 16-year-old boy who was arrested yesterday (10) during an event held at the Galle Face Green to mark the aragalaya protests, has been released.Sri Lanka Police on Monday (9) arrested five people during a protest at Galle Face Green.A group of members of the Aragalaya organized the demonstration to commemorate the activists who lost their lives contributing to the Aragalaya since the 9th of April. However even before the demonstration began, the police intervened and a heated situation arose.Watch:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Dairy producers in Sri Lanka have confirmed that dairy production has dropped by 30%.The Chairman of the Dairy Producers Association A.

FLORENCE TWP., N.J. - An early morning two-alarm fire forces nearly a dozen people from their homes, as investigators work to figure out what sparked the flames. And, it’s the quick action of a nearby firefighter that spotted smoke coming from the building that very well could have saved lives."A tremendous response by our resources," Florence Township Fire Department administrator Robert Tharp said.As crews from the Florence Township, New Jersey, Fire Department checked for any hot spots and searched for a cause into the fire at Tollgate Plaza that left 11 people displaced.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Temple University students say they are keeping their guard up, after two students were victims of a robbery near campus, the second Saturday night in a row."I saw it on Citizens App. Omg…that’s horrifying," Temple freshman Amya Jones said."Just kinda used to it, at this point," junior Bill Van Veen added.Philadelphia police say Saturday night, just before 11 o’clock, two males and a female were robbed at 17th and Norris Streets. Investigators say both male victims were physically assaulted.Temple University confirms that two of the victims are Temple students.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place today (10) and will go on to October 16 at the IMF and World Bank Group headquarters, in Washington DC.Sri Lanka decided to send eight representatives for the annual summit of the IMF and the World Bank.Sri Lanka's delegation will be led by State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe.Also, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Finance Secretary, and several others will accompany to the State Minister.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Justice has introduced a new controversial anti-corruption bill that would see the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magesterial order, for officials who are suspected to have carried out an offence under the proposed anti-corruption act. The Minister of Justice, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, speaking to News 1st said that the bill was drafted based upon the UN convention against corruption, which has been ratified by Sri Lanka in 2004. The Minister said that the existing bribery and corruption commission does not have the power that is proposed in the current bill, while it is important to make the commission independent without any political party or any affiliations. In addition, the Minister said that it has been proposed to dissolve the existing laws with regard to assets and liabilities, which will be included within the proposed bill. Moreover, whistleblower rights will also be protected, the Minister said. According to the bill, any authorized officer of the Commission may without an order from a Magistrate and without a warrant arrest any person suspected of committing an offence under the provisions of this Act. The Minister emphasized that this is NOT a quasi-judicial power, as the Police too is able to arrest people without a warrant. Section (58)1 of the proposed bill highlights that "an authorised officer of the Commission may apply in writing to the High Court for a warrant authorizing the covert monitoring of any conduct and recording of any communication if such officer has reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that a person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence under this Act,".The

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of showers will occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night.Heavy showers of about 100mm can be expected at some places in Uva, Eastern, and North-central provinces.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea area off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee. Showers will occur at a few places in the other sea areas.Winds:Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Police say two officers were involved in an accident while on-duty in Southwest Philadelphia.Officials say two officers from the 12th District were on patrol and driving west on the 6300 block of Woodland Avenue late Sunday, just before 5 p.m.The two officers, in their vehicle, collided with a black Chrysler near the intersection, damaging both vehicles.MORE HEADLINES:The officers and the driver of the Chrysler, a 49-year-old woman, were all taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where they were all treated for non-life threatening injuries.There were no additional details regarding the accident.

Mailboxes sit outside of a Morris Plains, New Jersey post office on August 17, 2020 in Morris Plains, New Jersey. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus’ historic exploration voyage to the Americas, though the holiday has seen a recent shift in observance to becoming Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is intentionally celebrated on Columbus Day in a call-out to the violence and harm Columbus and other explorers of the age brought about to the Americas.

When Lightspeed Commerce Inc. staff headed back to their Montreal office this year after a pandemic hiatus, they found a space double the size of their last with a restaurant serving free meals, a smoothie bar and a barista to craft custom drinks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called the attack that damaged the huge bridge connecting Russia to its annexed territory of Crimea "a terrorist act" masterminded by Ukrainian special services.The Kerch Bridge, which holds important strategic and symbolic value to Russia in its faltering war in Ukraine, was hit a day earlier by what Moscow has said was a truck bomb. Road and rail traffic on the bridge were temporarily halted, damaging a vital supply route for the Kremlin’s forces."There’s no doubt it was a terrorist act directed at the destruction of critically important civilian infrastructure of the Russian Federation," Putin said during a meeting with the chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin.

FORT MEYERS BEACH, Fla. - Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida, the town of Fort Myers Beach is now allowing residents and business owners to return to the area to begin the next steps of the recovery process.Most residents of Fort Myers Beach have been off the island since being evacuated when Hurricane Ian approached the area at the end of September."Since the storm, the efforts to save lives and recover the remains of lost loved ones have been the top priority," Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy said. "We are now ready to move to the next step in the recovery process."Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force 2 team member R.

LOGAN - Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a 45-year-old man in Philadelphia’s Logan section.Officials say the shooting happened on the 5200 block of Sydenham Street Sunday afternoon, just after 4 o’clock.Responding officers found the man had been shot twice in the chest, when they arrived at the scene.MORE HEADLINES:He was rushed by police to Einstein Medical Center, where he died.Police are actively investigating the shooting, though, they say, no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here.