Pandemic lessons for casinos: 'Do you need a buffet?'

COLOMBO (News 1st)-  Former Norwegian government minister Erik Solheim has been appointed as a International Climate Adviser together to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed.He called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (12) and tweeted that the President has a great vision for green economic revocery and for Sri Lankan climate leadership.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 359.2355 Sell 369.9682GBP Buy 394.4249 Sell 410.2474EUR Buy 345.6770 Sell 360.3244JPY Buy 2.4481 Sell 2.5509AUD Buy 223.1069 Sell 233.9068

COLOMBO (News 1st)- Sri Lanka Police is seeking public assistance to locate and arrest the main suspect responsible for the brutal triple murder in Minuwangoda on 6th October 2022.Police said the suspects is currently in hiding, and his details are as follows:Name: Jayagodage Sanjeewa Don Sanjeewa Lakmal Age: 39 years NIC: 833214292 V Address: 10, Mahindarama Road, Sri Jayawardenapura KotteSri Lanka Police is requesting the public with any available information to contact the following the numbers:SSP Gampaha: 0718 591 608 ASP Gampaha: 0718 591 610 OIC Minuwangoda: 0718 591 612Minuwangoda Triple Murder:A triple homicide was reported from the Minuwangoda on the 6th of October 2022, and reports suggested that these murders are linked to an incident involving a kite and a argument between two boys dating back to 2017.A 51-year-old man and his two sons 23-years-old, and 24-year-old were brutally murdered adding more bodies to a string of murders.Multiple shooters had visited their residence on a motorcycle, and a car and carried out the murder.Unconfirmed reports said that the shooters were impersonating law enforcement personnel, and T-56 assault rifles were used for the murder.The shooters have chased away the mother and sister of the two young men out of the house before carrying out the shooting. 51-year-old Pushpakumara Silva alias Ralahamy died upon admission to the hospital, and his two sons 23-year-old Roshan Maduwanta and 24-year-old Suresh Jeewantha died on the spot.Sri Lanka Police and neighbours revealed to News 1st that a dispute incident involving a kite and a argument between two boys dating back to 2017.The 1st & 2nd Murders:On the 25th of August 2017, a young man was flying a kite in a field in Minuwangdoa

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,28,835 with 13 fatalities which includes four deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. India reported 2,139 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,46,18,533, while the active cases declined to 26,292, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

Danielle Smith, sworn in Tuesday as Alberta’s new premier, said she will shake up the top tier of the health system within three months and amend provincial human rights law to protect those who choose not to get vaccinated.

A now-former San Antonio police officer was charged Tuesday with two counts of aggravated assault by a peace officer for shooting and gravely wounding a teen who was eating a hamburger in his car in a McDonald’s parking lot.

Canada will fare better in the year ahead than some other global economies amid dire warnings Tuesday from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a looming downturn, according to economists who spoke to Global News.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe had attended the G24 Ministerial Meeting during the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.The meeting discussed a variety of new fiscal and economic issues emerged since the Covid 19 pandemic, along with renewed risks and financing burdens on many developing countries.At a time when Sri Lanka together with many other developing nations are facing multiple crises including high food inflation, debt problems and balance of payments issues and it is important to work together with the international community to raise the common voice of developing nations and secure necessary assistance from global financial institutions.The Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G-24) coordinates the position of developing countries on monetary and development issues in the deliberations and decisions of the IMF and the World Bank.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Monetary Board, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, has promoted Mrs. K M A N Daulagala, Assistant Governor and the Secretary to the Monetary Board, to the post of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) with effect from 07 October 2022. K M A N Daulagala has over 31 years of service at CBSL in different capacities in the areas of supervision and regulation of non-bank financial institutions, macroprudential surveillance, finance, international operations, risk management, regional development, human resource management and training and development. She has served as the Chief Accountant and Director of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions and Financial System Stability and has contributed towards strengthening the legal framework and governance in the non-bank financial institutions sector. Prior to the appointment as a Deputy Governor, Mrs.

PHILADELPHIA - A fire quickly consumed a string of row homes in West Philadelphia on Tuesday, putting over a dozen people out of their homes. Velice Hids, who lives on the 200 block of North Hobart Street, says she smelled smoke and heard a loud smack before running to the window to see where the startling noise could have come from. As soon as she looked out her window, she says she saw flames shooting from the row home across the street. "It was jumping from house to house.

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - The New Jersey Attorney General's Office said it's investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting Tuesday night in Cherry Hill. Officials say the deadly shooting happened around 2 p.m.

student safety and environmental benefits, according to a new study released Tuesday.Applied Information, a developer of connected, intelligent transportation system solutions, hooked up two school buses, one diesel, and the other propane powered, with Connected Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in Alpharetta, Georgia.The technology allowed the school buses to request green light priority at 62 traffic signals along their routes as they each served students in the Fulton County School System.Data showed that both school buses had "a clear and measurable reduction" in travel time, according to firm Kimley-Horn, which prepared the study report."These solutions applied across the national fleet of approximately 500,000 school buses would prove significant time and fuel savings as well as substantial reductions in CO2 emissions," said Bryan Mulligan, President of Applied Information.Officials also say the technology can help improve student behavior aboard the buses and address the school bus driver shortage that about 86% of the nation’s school districts are experiencing."The pilot showed we can use this technology to make our fleet more efficient and serve more students safely in a shorter amount of time, all while reducing our fuel bill and helping the environment," said Trey Stow, Director of Transportation – Operations for Fulton County Schools.Stow said that the district school buses use roughly around 25,000 gallons of fuel a week.

PHILADELPHIA - A judge threw out murder charges Tuesday against a former Philadelphia police officer accused of fatally shooting a Black man in the back as he ran. Ryan Pownall, 40, was facing third-degree murder charges in the 2017 shootingof 30-year-old David Jones. Pownall is accused of shooting Jones in the back as he ran from a traffic stop. Court records show that the third-degree charge, as well as reckless endangerment and weapons counts, were ‘quashed’ Tuesday after a motions hearing before a common pleas court. RELATED COVERAGE:FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby responded to the dropped charges in a statement, reading in-part: "We promised a vigorous defense against all the charges and happy to see that all criminal charges were dismissed...

Vials of the COVID-19 vaccine bivalent booster from Pfizer-BioNTech (left) and Moderna. (Photo Courtesy of N.Y.

Police say a man is dead after he was shot inside a property in Stenton on Tuesday night.  PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead in Stenton on Tuesday night. Just after 8 p.m., police say they responded to the 1400 block of East Sharpnack Street for reports of a shooting inside a property.Upon arrival, police say they found a 58-year-old man who had been shot one time in the back. Medics transported the victim to Albert Einstein Medical Center where authorities say he was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. Weapons were recovered in this incident and one male is in custody, according to police. 

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 24: Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Lt.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Honda says it will build a $3.5 billion joint-venture battery factory in rural southern Ohio and hire 2,200 people to staff it as the company starts to turn the state into its North American electric vehicle hub.Honda, which announced its first Ohio factory 45 years ago, also plans to invest $700 million and add 300 jobs at three of its own Ohio factories to prepare them to start making EVs and components.The battery plant, to be built jointly with LG Energy Solution of South Korea, could see a total investment of $4.4 billion. The plant site is off Interstate 71 in Fayette County, about 40 miles southwest of the state capital of Columbus.In addition, Honda's assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty, northeast of Columbus, and its engine plant in Anna north of Dayton, will share in the $700 million investment.

Ryan Seacrest? He's tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing the «usual symptoms.» The good news? Being sidelined means the TV host has time to catch up on his shows, especially those involving food.The host took to Instagram on Tuesday and revealed that he's currently in quarantine after contracting the virus a few days ago. Seacrest, 47, expressed shock at how he avoided the virus for so long.In any event, Seacrest will step away from his TV duties for the time being in hopes of making a quick recovery.

Tom Brady is getting candid about maintaining his mental health. During a new episode of his podcast, , Brady broached the topic in a special episode aired on World Mental Health Day Monday.«Everyone has different situations in their life, and children, and you worry about their mental health, you worry about your parents, obviously yourself,» Brady began.

A bout of COVID-19 infection may not be enough for long-lasting immunity as the virus continues to mutate and new variants emerge.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand's government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry's main lobby group, said the plan would "rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand" and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn't decrease food production.FILE - A photo taken on August 10, 2022, shows cows being milked on a dairy farm near Cambridge in New Zealand's Waikato region.

Lovecraft Country heartthrob Jonathan Majors has emerged as the latest smoldering cover star of Men's Health.The 33-year-old showcased his chiseled beefcake physique, flexing his astonishing muscles as he posed shirtless on the cover.He wore nothing but a tiny pair of shorts as he rose up out of a swimming pool, shooting his best supermodel stare at the camera for the magazine. Looking fab: Lovecraft Country heartthrob Jonathan Majors has emerged as the latest smoldering cover star of Men's HealthJonathan's shoot for the inside of the magazine showed him engaged in athletic activities including one of him dangling upside down from a set of pull-up bars.The Hollywood hunk, who has two Belgian Malinois called Captain and Hero, appeared in a charming snap with one of his dogs perched across his shoulders.

PHILADELPHIA - City leaders gathered outside Roxborough High School on Tuesday at announce thousands in security funding, two weeks after 14-year-old Nicholas Elizalde was killed and four others were wounded in an ambush shooting that erupted following a football scrimmage. The half million dollars will be used to improve cameras, install new door locks, and place new fire alarms among other improvements. Elizalde's mother joined politicians and educators at the school on Tuesday, and described the pain of losing her son to gun violence plaguing the city. "We’re in a state of emergency," she said.  "We’re in a war and no one has the luxury of sitting on the bench, I was the best mom that I knew how to be, I tucked my son in every night."Inside the school there’s a dream wall where students write of their dreams.

DREXEL HILL, Pa. - A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday ruled that Delaware County Memorial Hospital will temporarily remain open. Prospect Medical Holdings, the building's current owners, had planned to turn the hospital into an in-patient psychiatric facility. An executive with the health care system confirmed Prospect was not closing the facility but would provide few other details.A local foundation challenged the company in court and a hearing was held on Friday. RELATED COVERAGE:Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia family is mourning the loss of their loved one after a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed in the city’s West Oak Lane section.Authorities say at around 6:48 p.m. on Monday, police responded to the 6500 block of North Smedley Street, where they found the 13-year-old suffering multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face. The boy was rushed to Einstein Hospital where authorities say he was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m. Monday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) - All but lost in the shadow of major contests for U.S. Senate and governor, voters in some battleground states will be deciding ballot proposals this November that could reshape the way they vote in the next presidential election.In Arizona, scene of the closest presidential contest in 2020, the question is whether to require more identification to vote in the future.

A new global estimate of people who experienced long-COVID symptoms after having symptomatic COVID infection suggests that 6.2% reported one of three long-term symptom clusters, an international research group reported yesterday in JAMA.The experts, called the Global Burden of Disease Long

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 4 of 10 Americans didn't follow public health measures or lied about being compliant, mostly because they wanted life to feel normal and exercise their personal freedoms, reveals a survey published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.

Ryan Seacrest has revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.The host announced the news Tuesday via his social media while in quarantine.'I don't know how I avoided it for so long but unfortunately I tested positive  for COVID-19 a few days ago and I'm currently in quarantine,' the 47-year-old Live With Kelly and Ryan co-host wrote.  The latest: Ryan Seacrest has revealed he tested positive for COVID-19The host shared the news Tuesday, October 11 via his Twitter from his home in Newark, New Jersey, adding: 'I hope to make a quick recovery.'Ryan also asked for TV show recommendations from his followers as he stays home to recover: 'I'll be in bed watching TV this week so please let me know if you have any recommendations (especially for any foodie shows!)' Ryan currently serves as a co-host for Live With Kelly and Ryan as well as host of American Idol; he has co-hosted with Kelly Ripa for Live on a permanent basis since May 2017 and serves as host to Idol since 2002The star also hosts radio shows, including American Top 40 and On Air With Ryan Seacrest.

Ancient fridge. Credit: P.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A spacecraft that plowed into a small, harmless asteroid millions of miles away succeeded in shifting its orbit, NASA said Tuesday in announcing the results of its save-the-world test.The space agency attempted the first test of its kind two weeks ago to see if in the future a killer rock could be nudged out of Earth’s way."This mission shows that NASA is trying to be ready for whatever the universe throws at us," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said during a briefing at NASA headquarters in Washington.The Dart spacecraft carved a crater into the asteroid Dimorphos on Sept. 26, hurling debris out into space and creating a cometlike trail of dust and rubble stretching several thousand miles (kilometers).

Experts are warning not to delay getting the Covid-19 booster vaccine as new strains of the virus sweep the country. One in 50 people have coronavirus and almost 10,000 patients are in hospital with the disease, according to the latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Christina Aguilera is giving fans an expected gift. The iconic singer will be releasing a special new version of her famous song ‘Beautiful’ to mark World Mental Health Day and the 20th anniversary of her album ‘Stripped.’The 2002 hit song is known for having a very special message, with powerful lyrics and a music video that was incredibly inspiring at the time, and continues to uplift her fans during difficult times.The original video showed the many struggles people face everyday, and Christina decided to include issues that were not talked about or represented in the mainstream media in 2002.Now the singer has announced that a new video will be released October 19.

Now that King Charles III has taken the role of monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, he will be crowned on May 6, 2023, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, according to the Buckingham Palace.

Orlando Bloom is opening up about a dark period in his life.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a lower appeals court decision Tuesday regarding how rules for mail-in ballots had been applied in a Pennsylvania election, adding an element of uncertainty about voting procedures four weeks ahead of the state's high-stakes elections for governor and U.S.

Jose Sanchez MERCER COUNTY, N.J. - A music teacher could spend 10 years in prison after being charged in connection to child sex abuse materials, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.Officials determined 58-year-old Jose Sanchez viewed and shared child sex abuse materials after an investigation this month.Sanchez is reportedly a music instructor for children, who teaches private lessons in a studio in West Windsor.MORE HEADLINES:He was arrested, and his electronic devices were seized by detectives on October 7.He is being charged with third-degree possession of child pornography and second-degree file sharing of child pornography.  

King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in a ceremony that will embrace the past but look to the modern world after the 70-year reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.Tuesday’s announcement from Buckingham Palace comes amid speculation that the coronation will be shorter and less extravagant than the three-hour ceremony that installed Elizabeth in 1953, in keeping with Charles’ plans for a slimmed down monarchy. While the palace provided few details, British media reported that the guest list would be pared to 2,000 from 8,000.Charles will be crowned in a solemn religious ceremony conducted by Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, the palace said in a statement.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A road rage incident could have turned violent after police say a driver pulled a gun in Gloucester Township this past weekend.Police responded to reports of an "erratic" driver near Blackwood Clementon Road and Peters Lane around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.The victim told police that the driver rolled down his window and pointed a chrome-plated handgun at him.MORE HEADLINES:Kyle Boyce, 34, was quickly located at his home, along with his vehicle.

Meghan Markle is revealing how Prince Harry helped her when her mental health was suffering.

said on her podcast that it was who found her first professional referral when she was at her “worst point.” “My husband had found a referral for me to call,” the Duchess of Sussex told her guest, Hindi language film star Deepika Padukone. “And I called this woman—she didn't know I was even calling her. And she was checking out at the grocery store.

A California man has been charged with the kidnapping and killing of a family of four, including an eight-month-old girl.

Hockey Canada’s CEO and entire board of directors will leave the organization after facing fierce criticism for its handling of alleged sexual assaults.

Some of the people who died in the stabbing massacre on James Smith Cree Nation last month were killed because they were trying to help others, RCMP say.

Man stabbed at Bertucci's in Delaware County.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Prosecutors dropped charges against Adnan Syed on Tuesday in the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a case that was chronicled in the first season of the hit podcast "Serial," according to a lawyer affiliated with Syed's case.Laura Nirider, a co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law who accompanied Syed when he walked out of prison last month, tweeted: "Breaking news: After the latest round of DNA testing generated results that, like previous rounds of testing, excluded Adnan Syed, he has now been formally exonerated!"Erica Suter, a lawyer who has represented Syed in court during his push to be freed, confirmed the news to The Baltimore Sun.The prosecutor’s office didn’t immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment.A Baltimore judge last month overturned Syed's murder conviction and ordered him released from prison, where the 41-year-old had spent more than two decades. Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn also gave prosecutors 30 days in which to decide whether to retry Syed or drop the charges.Adnan Syed leaves the courthouse after being released from prison Monday, Sept.