Non-Cash Benefit tax exemption only benefits MPs, says GMOA

Kyle Busch, who won at Fontana last week to earn his first victory for Richard Childress Racing, returns home to Las Vegas as the favorite to win the Pennzoil 400.  Busch's 61 career victories are the most among active drivers. But he’ll face tough competition from Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, and others competing on the 1.5-mile track.Hamlin has the longest active streak of top-10 finishes on 1.5-mile tracks at six.  Larson has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 starts at Las Vegas, and Chastain finished in the top three in both Las Vegas races in 2022, Nascar.com noted. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A Bombardier Challenger 300 XOJet charter passenger jet heads out to the runway at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in this aerial photo taken on June 1, 2021, in Santa Rosa, California.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is not “ruling out” making a public inquiry into foreign interference a condition for continuing the governance deal with the federal Liberals, but says that is not a decision he is making just yet.

Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart have scored the first 40 of this year’s Dancing On Ice.The 27-year-old Olympian skated to In My Blood by Shawn Mendes, which he chose because the lyrics conveyed his mental health journey after retirement from gymnastics. In the video before his performance, Wilson spoke about his feelings of “complete loneliness” after retiring from the sport and turning to drinking, gambling and painkillers – describing himself as being in a “scary place”.

climate change poses a profound, ongoing threat to national security and prosperity, including the possible loss of parts of British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces to rising sea levels.A newly released analysis by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service also foresees an increase in ideologically motivated violent extremism from people who want to speed up climate change solutions and those more interested in preserving their current way of life.

Mexico in the suspected femicide of a woman who has been identified by family members as Kiara Agnew of Dawson Creek, B.C.Agnew was with her boyfriend on what was supposed to be a dream trip to Mexico when her family said the Mayan Riviera vacation turned into a nightmare just days shy of her 24th birthday.“She didn’t want to lose her life at 23,” Agnew’s aunt Katlyn Levesque told Global News from New Brunswick Saturday.“It doesn’t feel like it’s real yet, I don’t want it to be real. I’ve never wanted something to be more false in my entire life.”Policías de la SSPyT de Solidaridad aseguraron a una persona de origen extranjero por el posible delito de feminicidio, tras ser encontrada una mujer sin vida con posibles marcas de violencia en un hotel ubicado en la colonia Xcalacoco.

An old recipe atop a cookbook from 1894 dusted with flour with vintage sifter and measuring cup in background. via Getty Images Old cookbooks could be worth a small fortune.Listings on eBay — a popular multinational auction website — show that some vintage cookbooks have been priced at hundreds or thousands of dollars.The cookbook that’s currently commanding the highest price on eBay is a 142-page spiral cookbook that’s entitled, "Arizona Cook Book: Indian, Mexican, Western, Arizona Products, Backpacking-Camping, Patio Barbecue," which has been listed for sale at $6,850.20 (original listing price: $9,786).$2 BILLS FROM 1890 COULD BE WORTH OVER $4,500: REPORTThe book was written by Al Fischer and was published in 1983 by Golden West Publishers.Other sellers on eBay and similar e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon and Etsy, have listed the book for under $20.The seller who’s hoping to sell the 40-year-old cookbook on southwestern cuisine has noted that the book is in "very good" condition and doesn’t have any "known wear or writing."Three other cookbooks that have a four-figure price tag on eBay at the time of publication include "The Australian Women’s Weekly: Great Ways with Steaks & Chops" from 1974 ($1,010.85), "Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book" from 1950 ($1,000) and a first-edition "La Methode Jacques Pepin: An Illustrated Guide to The Fundamental Techniques of Cooking" from 1976 ($1,000).Betty Crocker old cookbooks.

Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, his family confirmed Thursday.Nearly a year after announcing his battle with aphasia, the actor’s family, including ex-wife Demi Moore, current wife Emma Heming and his five daughters, shared a health update in a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website.“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the family said, noting that Willis’ condition has worsened in the past year. Read more: Tiny B.C.

Canada’s preeminent ufologist has seen an uptick in reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in recent days suggesting more Canadians are turning their eyes to the sky after U.S. fighter jets shot down three separate objects over the weekend.

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Upper Merion Police Department has arrested four suspects in connection with check fraud and mail thefts in the town. According to police, in late winter and early spring of 2022, the department received numerous reports from town residents about stolen checks and missing mail. The thefts involved United States Postal Service mailboxes throughout the township, residential mailboxes and overnight drop mailboxes at a USPS service facility located on Allendale Road in King of Prussia, authorities say. RELATED: 'It's very brazen': Police investigating rash of mailbox thefts in Upper Merion, King of PrussiaOfficials say victims realized their stolen checks had been altered and cashed at banks across the Philadelphia area and in other states. Some residents had checks stolen that were set to be used for payment of federal, state or local taxes and some for personal medical procedures, police say. According to authorities, there have been 307 documented cases of mail theft that resulted in a loss of more than $2 million to victims. Police say they believe the number is higher as cases go unreported and victims work with their banks to report the fraud. Efforts from the Upper Merion Police Department's Internet Crime and Technology Unit helped lead to the identification of four suspects, per police. Nearly 200 search warrants were issued in the multi-agency investigation, according to officials. Police identified and arrested Davon Broughton, 27, of Camden, John Klotz, 18, of Camden, Kayla Massa, 26, of Camden and Joshua Crews, 39, of Las Vegas, in connection with the crime. Davon Broughton pictured in a booking photo from Upper Merion Police.  (Upper Merion Police Department)Authorities say the

Paige Turley has revealed that she has had to have a mole removed. The former Love Island winner took to Instagram on Wednesday, where she informed her followers of the surgery, which took place after she received concerning health check results. Paige, 25, shared a montage video of herself at a doctor's appointment before laying out on a medical bed and lifting up her top ahead of the procedure, as she thanked her fans for their messages following her recent CT scan.

Boardwalk game store, Wildwood, New Jersey; ca. 1978..

the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that while he believes the film will do well at the box office — it’s also irked some people and even prompted death threats."Look, this is mental," Frake-Waterfield, 31, told the news outlet. "I've had petitions to stop it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says that with the increase in the electricity tariff by 66%, power cuts will no longer be imposed from Thursday (16).Speaking to reporters in Colombo, the Minister said the electricity tariff increase was a difficult decision to make, but it was one that had to be taken.He further said that the Ceylon Electricity Board will start making direct purchases related to fuel and coal.The Minister said that the Bank of Ceylon will be providing an additional loan of Rs. 22 Billion for coal procurement, while a request was made for an additional Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Freedom People's Congress in a letter to the Prime Minister have requested for Parliament to be summoned immediately, under Standing Order 16.The letter bearing the signature of the General Secretary of the Freedom Peoples' Congress notes that the decision to indefinitely delay the issuing of ballot papers for the Local Government Election is a threat to Sri Lanka's democracy.The letter further notes that the National Election Commission had observed that the reason for the decision to indefinitely delay the issuing of ballot papers for the Local Government Election was that the Treasury had failed to deliver funds for printing, and based on that the Government Printer had refused to go ahead with the printing process.It notes that Parliament should convene immediately as Public Representatives, as the legislators, are bound to control the undemocratic situation, and managed the situation as well.14 MPs had signed the letter that was addressed to the Prime Minister.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Freedom People's Congress in a letter to the Prime Minister have requested for Parliament to be summoned immediately, under Standing Order 16.The letter bearing the signature of the General Secretary of the Freedom Peoples' Congress notes that the decision to indefinitely delay the issuing of ballot papers for the Local Government Election is a threat to Sri Lanka's democracy.The letter further notes that the National Election Commission had observed that the reason for the decision to indefinitely delay the issuing of ballot papers for the Local Government Election was that the Treasury had failed to deliver funds for printing, and based on that the Government Printer had refused to go ahead with the printing process.It notes that Parliament should convene immediately as Public Representatives, as the legislators, are bound to control the undemocratic situation, and managed the situation as well.14 MPs had signed the letter that was addressed to the Prime Minister.

Brenda Lucki said Wednesday she is stepping down as the head of Canada’s national police force.Lucki will exit the top job on March 17, she said in a statement. She was appointed in 2018 and was the first woman to permanently hold the role.She has faced intense criticism in recent years for the RCMP’s handling of multiple crises, including the mass shooting in Nova Scotia and the response to the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa and at border crossings across the country.Multiple sources told Global News the government was not planning to extend Lucki’s mandate.“Today I announced that I have made a personal decision to retire.

The underside of a Toyota Prius where a catalytic converter was stolen by thieves, at Militoâs Auto Repair in Lincoln Park on Aug. 24, 2022.

Payton Gendron arrives for a hearing at the Erie County Courthouse on May 19, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) BUFFALO, N.Y. - A white supremacist is set to be sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for killing 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket in an attack fueled by racist conspiracy theories he encountered online.Payton Gendron is scheduled to appear in Erie County Court, where he pleaded guilty in November to charges including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate. The terrorism charge carries an automatic life sentence.Relatives of several victims are expected to speak during the hearing, giving them an opportunity to address the judge and the killer responsible for their sorrow.A grand jury has indicted the accused gunman in the Buffalo, New York, grocery store shooting that left 10 dead and three others wounded on a first-degree murder charge.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Senator Bob Casey (D- PA) addresses supporters before former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally for statewide Democratic candidates on September 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Midterm elect HARRISBURG - Democratic Sen.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Edwin J. Torres/Governor's Office)PHILADELPHIA - Democratic Gov.

Michigan state representative Ranjeev Puri doesn’t want your condolences — he wants real change.After a gunman killed three students and wounded five others at Michigan State University on Monday night, Puri, a Democratic legislator, released a statement beginning with one powerful, strongly worded sentence: “F— your thoughts and prayers.” Read more: Three people killed after shootings at Michigan State University, police say Read next: Part of the Sun breaks free and forms a strange vortex, baffling scientists Puri said the shooting has caused “unimaginable trauma and grief” to the Michigan State University community.Today, we begin to collectively heal from the horrific events which transpired, tomorrow we work. My official statement regarding the Michigan State University shooting is below:Fuck your thoughts and prayers.

PHILADELPHIA - The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to hire Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to be their next head coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal hasn’t been completed.Gannon replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired last month after going 4-13 in his fourth season. Gannon becomes Arizona's fourth coach in seven years.The 40-year-old Gannon has been Philadelphia's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, helping rebuild a defense that helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl last Sunday.The Eagles had the NFL's No.

Ashton Kutcher has been open about the health issues he's battled for the past few years, but now he's revealing how those struggles led him to pushing himself at the South Pole. "I had a weird autoimmune disorder three years ago," he shared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden." "So last year, I was like, 'I am just going to push myself to the end of my physical capacity in every form.'" As part of this mission, he said, "I went to the South Pole, I ran a marathon, I went ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls.’ I was just going to push it as far as I can just to get the self-confidence that I'm fully back, which I am." During the trip, Kutcher climbed a mountain and was given the opportunity to name it – and his mind instantly went to his wife Mila Kunis.

UNSPECIFIED: 78th Annual GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS -- Pictured in this screengrab released on February 28, (l-r) Co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler speak onstage at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast on February 28, 2021.

(Reuters) – Officials from China, India, Saudi Arabia and Group of Seven nations will participate in a first virtual meeting of a new sovereign debt roundtable on Friday, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday, confirming an earlier Reuters report.The roundtable will also include officials from countries that have requested debt treatments under the Group of 20 common framework – Ethiopia, Zambia and Ghana – as well as middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka, Suriname and Ecuador, which have faced their own debt crises, three sources had earlier said.The meeting will be co-chaired by the IMF, the World Bank and India, the current leader of the Group of 20, and comes a week before G20 finance officials are due to gather in Bengaluru, India, from Feb. 23-25.

Cardi B and Offset share the love this Valentine’s Day with McDonald’s first-ever duo meal. CHICAGO - Rappers Cardi B and Offset are sharing their love for Valentine's Day by launching their own McDonald's meal for two. It's the first-ever celebrity duo meal for the fast-food chain. The meal can be shared with a plus-one, best friend or anyone else. The Cardi B meal includes a  cheeseburger with BBQ sauce and a large Coca-Cola.

FILE IMAGE - A freshman student unlocks her locker at a high school near Fort Collins, Colorado, on Aug. 17, 2021.

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas - Authorities in Texas are working to identify the human remains discovered by a family’s dog.Luling Police said on Feb. 9, a resident on Hackberry Avenue notified officers after finding a human skull in their yard.The family said their pet dog had been bringing back bones for a week, but then brought a human skull from an unknown location.RELATED: Knot what you see every day: Remains of 1884 shipwreck discovered on Massachusetts beachThe family— originally thinking the bones were from an animal— had collected the remains and placed them in a plastic bag.Upon further investigation, officers discovered the dog was retrieving the bones from an abandoned structure near the family’s home.

The Queen Consort has confirmed to have contracted Covid, according to Buckingham Palace.

(FOX 2) - Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin said while much remains unknown about the object that was shot down by the U.S. military over Lake Huron this weekend, it was not a national security concern.Amid speculation the latest sighting was from a foreign government after a Chinese balloon determined to be used for spying was downed by the U.S.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, attempted to distance himself from suggestions of fraud in his first public appearance since his company’s collapse stunned investors and left creditors facing losses totaling billions of dollars.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County may once again bring back the indoor mask mandate.According to Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, if the county reaches the CDC's high transmission and hospitalization categories, masking may be required indoors – again.According to the LA County Public Health's new COVID-19 numbers from Wednesday, Dec. 1, the county reports 4,493 new cases, 1,164 new hospitalizations and 14 new deaths.As of Thursday evening, LA County's community transmission level stands at medium, with the case rate of 165.3 per 100,000 people; new COVID-19 hospitalizations of 11.9 per 100,000 people and 5.6% of staffed inpatient beds being used by COVID-19 patients, according to data from the CDC.

Three years to the day after the World Health Organization sounded the highest level of global alert over Covid-19, it said the pandemic remains an international emergency.

Colombo (News1st) – The National Election Commission said on Monday (13) that the Government Printer has stated that if funds are not provided ballot papers will not be printed, posing a fresh hurdle to the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled to be held on the 9th of March.There was no immediate comment from the Government Printer.Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the government of attempting to prevent the elections from being held, while government officials have continuously stated that there is a shortage of funds for the elections due to the country's economic situation.There is also a case currently before the Supreme Court with regard to the elections that has been scheduled to be taken up on the 23rd of February.

COVID-19 — and who haven’t already been infected — need to get a booster dose, Quebec’s public health director said Thursday.The vast majority of Quebecers have hybrid immunity — protection through vaccination and through a SARS-CoV-2 infection — making regular boosters unnecessary, at least for this winter and spring, Dr. Luc Boileau told reporters.“People with hybrid immunity have a very good protection against a severe form of the illness,” Boileau said.

Colombo (News1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana says the letter submitted by a group of Parliamentarians stating that the National Election Commission violated their privileges, will be forwarded to the Committee on Parliamentary Business.He stated it will be submitted to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee based on the decision taken by the party leaders.The Speaker said the Parliamentary Privileges Committee has not yet been appointed for the new Parliament session.The Speaker said therefore the letter will be presented at the next party leaders meeting.He added, a group of MPs submitted the letter to him on Thursday (9).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Professionals' Trade Unions will meet on Monday to discuss the measures that will be taken against the government's unjust tax regime, to levy excessive taxes from 6 percent to 36 percent for monthly incomes exceeding 100,000 rupees. The meeting will be held at the head office of the Government Medical Officers' Association.The Professionals' Trade Unions consists of 40 trade unions including the GMOA, FUTA, Faculty of Medicine Teachers Association, CEB Engineer's Union and the Ceylon Bank Employees' Union.

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.   

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging older people with a physical or mental health condition, or a disability, to check if they are entitled to claim a benefit worth either £61.85 or £92.40 every week.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Bank employees reported to work dressed in Black to protest against the government's tax regime.The Ceylon Bank Employees Union said that all members reported to work dressed in Black in support of the National Protest Day.The Ceylon Bank Employees Union also said that the government has failed to respond to the amendments put forward by the professionals with regard to the new tax policy, and thus strict trade union action will be instituted.Over 3,000 bank employees from Public, Private and International Banks joined the protest.The Inland Revenue Department on Wednesday (8) issued a circular on exempting non-cash benefits provided to employees including vehicle, fuel allowances, housing, medical benefits etc. from the PAYE tax.These also include the value of company shares or the share options offered by employers, the value of the telephone allowances and concessionary rate loans obtained by employees. However, the Government Medical Officers' Association alleged that the amendments to the PAYE Tax were made to benefit only the 225 MPs in Parliament.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Non-cash benefits were removed from the PAYE tax category, said President’s Trade Union Director General Saman Ratnapriya on Wednesday (8).A Senior Official from the Finance Ministry also confirmed that the relevant circular was issued.The government's controversial new tax law, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, was passed in Parliament and the new tax regime imposed an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs.

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); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that if the country continues according to the existing plan, Sri Lanka can rise out of bankruptcy by 2026.While delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session, President Wickremesinghe said that people will realize the importance of the present unpopular decisions in two to three years."Due to the measures taken, we have been successful in reducing the burden gradually. Now there is stability in the economy. People are comfortable.

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.

Gemma Collins has revealed that an ambulance was called to her home last night (Monday) following a health scare.

GEMMA Collins has revealed an ambulance rushed to her home in a late night health scare. The podcast and TV star, 42, shared a picture of a paramedic in her kitchen on Instagram and wrote: "Thank you to all the amazing people that helped me this evening." She followed it with a picture of the ambulance outside and added a message in favour of the ongoing nursing and ambulance service strikes.

Gemma Atkinson was left terrified when she gave birth for the first time in July 2019, as severe complications led to her haemorrhaging, and concerned doctors were forced to perform an emergency C-section.The experience was so traumatic that the 38-year-old initially vowed never to give birth again, so when fans noticed that she seemed to be "breathless" during her Instagram videos while pregnant with baby number two, they spoke up.One fan urged Gemma to have her iron levels checked, only for the star to hit back and reassure her that breathlessness was "common" in pregnancy.The message from a concerned fan read: "Have u had your iron levels checked missus u sound a bit breathless, that can be a sign of low iron in pregnancy [ask] your midwife to run some bloods for u x (sic)."Gemma, who revealed last month that she was expecting her first baby boy with Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, sparked alarm due to the level of trauma she'd endured the first time around.The presenter replied: "I've been asked this a lot.Thanks for concern", but then added: "My bloods are checked regularly as is my [blood pressure]."Both before and during pregnancy (because I find it amazing how our bodies work) my results are spot-on and luckily have been for years," she continued."In fact, [at] my last blood pressure check a week ago I was told 'Gosh you are as chilled as you look'…"She then added that the tell-tale signs everyone had been so concerned about were actually "common"."Breathlessness is common in pregnancy due to everything shifting and moving about to make room," she wrote."I'm across my health and in very good hands with my midwife too."Gemma originally shared her baby news just weeks earlier, confessing on Instagram that