President to meet SLPP MPs today (20)

Analysis: our current shots could soon be updated to target new variants rather than the ancestral strain

Macau has locked down one of the city's most famous hotels, the Grand Lisboa, after more than a dozen Covid-19 cases were found there, with infections spreading rapidly in the world's biggest gambling hub.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 53 persons who were attempting to illegally migrate from the country by sea, during separate search operations carried out in beach areas of Erakkandi, Trincomalee and Talpadu, Mannar on the night of 05th July 2022. The operations also led to the apprehension of 02 human smugglers.Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations covering the sea and coastal areas around the island with the aim of suppressing illegal migration and other forms of illegal activities.

A predatory paedophile who repeatedly raped a schoolgirl and molested another girl has died after contracting Covid-19 in prison.

PHILADELPHIA - Perfect beach and fireworks weather was in store for the Fourth of July. Temperatures were in the high 80s across the Delaware Valley. Overnight temperatures will drop into the 60s for a clear, starry night. Temperatures will remain in the high 80s for a muggy morning before Tuesday evening storms. The humidity will increase throughout the day on Tuesday with heavy rain, lightning, and strong gusts of wind at night. Chances of rain are expected off-and-on for the rest of the week, until a beautiful weekend takes over.SEVEN-DAY FORECASTTUESDAY: PM storms.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva has sent his letter of resignation to the President following an allegation made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament yesterday citing a social media report that a Cabinet Minister had solicited a bribe from Japan’s Taisei Corporation.The Minister said that though he is NOT the cabinet minister in question, the project by the Taisei Corporation comes under his purview, and therefore the public may assume that he is the alleged Minister in question who solicited a bribe.He called on the President to conduct an independent investigation into the allegation, in order to protect the good name of the government and his innocence.Nimal Siripala said he was resigning to pave the way for an independent and impartial investigation.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Investment Promotion Dhammika Perera has extended his support to the People’s Struggle and called for the immediate resignation of Finance Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe.‘Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister has planned for disaster,’ he told gathering in Colombo adding that the Finance Minister has no plan to resolve the current dollar crisis.He said that all of Sri Lanka’s economic challenges are linked to the dollar crisis and the Finance Minister has planned to borrow money from friends.“The Minister of Finance has no future in cash-flow planning for the country,” he said adding that the Minister delayed all matters relating to dollar earnings, borrowings, bridging finances, available credit lines, and essential goods credit lines.Minister Dhammika Perera said for these reasons the Finance Minister should resign.

Patrick Brown, a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership race, has been disqualified, according to a statement released by the party on Tuesday.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 13 people for unruly conduct at a filling station in Wellawaya on Tuesday (5) night.Authorities said that a group had attacked the filling station with stones and bottles after they were informed that the fuel stocks were over.Sri Lanka Police said that one police officer was injured and 20 motorcycles were also seized.

NEW DELHI: India recorded 16,159 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, pushing active cases in the country to 1,15,212, as per data released by the Union health ministry. With this, total covid cases reported in the country so far stand at 4,35,47,809. About 28 people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 525,270.

coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,35,31,650, while the active cases increased to 1,14,475, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death toll climbed to 5,25,242 with 19 new fatalities. The active cases comprise 0.26 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.53 per cent, the ministry said.

A majority of First Nations chiefs in Canada have voted against the suspension of Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The post-mortem examination on the inmate who died at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, in Polonnaruwa revealed that injuries inflicted all over his body by a blunt weapon had resulted in internal complications leading to his death.Four Sergeants attached to the Sri Lanka Army and Air Force were arrested by the Welikanda police over the incident on July 1st.

The Gammadda Movement stepped up its on-going efforts to support impoverished rural communities, by distributing Emergency Food Ration Packs.The Food Aid that began as soon as Sri Lanka’s economic crisis intensified months ago, has continued unabated, with the need for a square meal increasing almost daily.Sri Lankan families, and in particular children, are at risk of malnutrition as a result of economic hardships and failing crops, according to humanitarian organisations including UNICEF.“Despite the despondency, Sri Lankans both here and overseas had come forward to help. This is what makes our people special.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President to re-institute the cabinet sub-committee on the cost of living to recommend policy and practical resolutions to the Cabinet of Ministers to maintain the cost of living at a stable position.Accordingly, the composition of the cabinet sub-committee on the cost of living will be as follows;• President – (Chairman)• Prime Minister• Minister of Fisheries• Minister of Transport and Highways• Minister of Agriculture• Minister of Plantation Industries• Minister of Electricity and Power• Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food SecurityFurthermore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to appoint the Food Security Committee with the Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security as the chair, and the participation of the Secretaries of the relevant Ministries.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) System Control DGM & System Control Chief Engineer Kudahewa has been placed on compulsory leave for June 9th Power Failure.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) recommended investigations on Power Failure & Operation of Sojitz & Westcoast Power plants out of the schedule incurring a cost of Rs.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 05: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Darick Hall #25 after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on July 5, 2022 in Ph PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Schwarber homered twice, running his NL-best total to 25, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 11-0 on Tuesday night.J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run shot and a sacrifice fly as the Phillies won for the fourth time in five games.

STRATFORD, N.J. - For nearly 50 years, a Stratford, New Jersey man has set out on a walk every day, turning friends into family with every step. Joe Motolla has called Stratford his home since 1977, and he’s known for his long, daily walks around town.His community-building exercise will soon come to an end, though, as Joe’s family is selling their family home and moving. But, before the move, Joe’s kids planned a surprise for him.Andrew Motolla, Joe’s son, printed the typical walking route and handed it out to people around town, inviting the neighborhood to pop out and join Joe on his final walk around Stratford on Tuesday. "Joe goes out of his way to seek you out, to talk to you, to share a story, or just to hear how you’re doing," said a close neighbor, Matt Sheehan.

₹500 will also be levied on the violators who will not follow the guidelines of wearing masks. The Chennai Corporation in a press release on Tuesday stated that,"For the past two weeks, there has been a slight surge in COVID-19 cases in Chennai. We are requesting the public to wear masks in public places like theatres and malls.

A person films a Gorgosaurus Skeleton on display during a press preview at Sotheby’s on July 05, 2022 in New York City. NEW YORK (AP) - The fossilized skeleton of a T.

HOBOKEN, N.J. - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a package of gun safety bills into law on Tuesday as the country recovers after yet another mass shooting."There are those who think it this is all just the price of living in the United States.

covid affects the respiratory system more than the digestive one. “COVID predominantly affects the lungs rather than the intestine and digestive.

Today we are reporting 10,290 community cases and 522 current hospitalisations.

General views of the Amazon Delivery Station and Amazon Fulfillment Center on June 24, 2022 in Burbank, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) Amazon employees are now barred from accessing buildings and working areas if they are not scheduled to work that day, the company announced.The policy shift comes amid a feud with unions, who have criticized the policy as potentially hindering their ability to hold union drives and meetings.Employees are also barred from accessing the buildings before or after their shift, under the new policy.The Amazon.com, Inc.

PHILADELPHIA - Residents in New Jersey and Delaware heard a full siren test on Tuesday night from a nuclear generating station. The alarm sounded from the Salem Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations just before 7:30 p.m.Officials say the tests happen on the first Tuesday of each calendar quarter. The next test is schedule for October. More information can be found about the tests on the New Jersey Emergency Management website.

Robert Crimo III, the suspected gunman in the Highland Park mass shooting in Illinois, have retained attorneys and released a statement Tuesday afternoon. According to a series of tweets posted by Steve Greenberg, a criminal defense attorney at Greenberg Trial Lawyers, the family of Crimo has asked the law firm to represent them after reaching out on Monday. "The parents of the accused Highland Park shooter have retained us to represent them," Greenberg tweeted.  "They wish that we share the following: ‘We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the paradegoers, the community and our own,’" the tweets continued.

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - The parents of a little boy who was found alone after a mass shooting at the Highland Park Independence Day parade were identified as two of the victims killed after a gunman opened fire on the crowd.Community members rushed the little boy to safety, and cared for him in while the search for his family started. His parents, Irina and Kelvin McCarthy were residents of highland park, and were shot and killed during the parade Monday.Irina was 35 years old, and Kevin was 37.SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE CONTENTAccording to a GoFundMe account started by community members, their little boy is just 2 years old.He was reunited with his grandparents Monday, but is now left in an unimaginable position.Forty-five people were injured or killed in the attack, which was thought to have been planned by the alleged gunman, Robert Crimo III, for several weeks.On Tuesday, the Lake County Coroner's Office identified six of the seven victims who died in the attack, which included Irina and Kevin.The seventh victim died at a hospital outside of Lake County.

PHILADELPHIA - Crowds of people gathered on the parkway to enjoy a fireworks show on the Fourth of July before chaos ensued as gunfire erupted. A massive police presence responded to the 2500 block of Spring Garden Street around 10 p.m. after two police officers suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds at Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America celebration on Monday night. Law enforcement officials say the bullets were in a downward trajectory, so they are investigating the possibility of someone firing shots into the air. Less than a day later, witnesses are recalling the events leading up to the madness as the community tries to cope with the pressing issue of the city’s gun violence. Jon McCann, of Bridesburg, says he was recording the fireworks show when all of a sudden, people started to run.

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 25: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is looked at after being hit with a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres June 25, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by D PHILADELPHIA - Bryce Harper has three pins in his left thumb, a cast on his left hand and an unyielding belief that he will return from injury this season to try and lead the Phillies to their first playoff appearance in 11 years."I'll be back," Harper said.With those three words, Harper injected genuine expectations in the franchise and the fan base that the reigning NL MVP will play again at some point this season — and with a hope the Phillies are still in the wild-card hunt when he returns.Harper declined to put a timetable on when he could he return to the lineup as the feared designated hitter in the middle of the order that led the team on a summer surge and put Philadelphia in the thick of a real pennant race."I don’t want to give anybody a timetable because I don’t know," Harper said.

Longtime Burger King employee Kevin Ford recently celebrated his 27-year anniversary of working for the fast-food chain, and despite not having missed a day of work in that time, he was given a paltry goodie bag as a thank you for his dedication and loyalty.

In this photo illustration, the social media application logo, TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) PRICHARD, Alabama - A social media superstar is grieving the loss of her son, sharing an emotional post Tuesday.

MEXICO CITY - Mexico’s president submitted a bill Tuesday to end daylight saving time, putting an end to the practice of changing clocks twice a year.Health Secretary Jorge Alcocer said Mexico should return to "God’s clock," or standard time, arguing that setting clocks back or forward damages people’s health.That would mean darkness falling an hour earlier on summer afternoons."The recommendable thing is to return to standard time, which is when the solar clock coincides with the people's clock, the clock of God," Alcocer argued.Mexicans set their clocks ahead this year on April 3, and are scheduled to set them back on Oct. 30.

PHILADELPHIA - Family members of a Philadelphia teenager who drown in a community pool claim lifeguards were reluctant to search the water for the girl after she went missing. Kaylee Alston, 17, was visiting family members at Franklin Commons Apartments in Bensalem last weekend. Family members say she went missing an hour before the community pool closed at 8 p.m., and they urged lifeguards to search the water.Witnesses say the guards were initially reluctant to go in the pool because the water was murky, and the bottom was not visible.

FILE - Bradford Freeman, assigned to ‘Easy’ Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, prepares to meet friends on his porch on Sept. 3, 2020, in Mississippi.

ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia prosecutor investigating the conduct of former President Donald Trump and his allies after the 2020 election is subpoenaing U.S. Sen.

Public Health Scotland have released a new report that investigates the changes to the severity of Covid-19 and its impact on hospitals in Scotland. The report has found that the changing strains and variants are now causing less hospitalisations.

The more transmissible Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are now dominant in all parts of the United States, with BA.5 again steadily expanding its scope, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said today in its latest weekly estimates.

Officials say while Armstrong was on the run, she cut her hair shoulder-length and dyed it dark brown, as well as wore a bandage on her nose claiming she had a surfboarding accident. AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin, Texas, woman accused of killing cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson is back in Travis County after being transported from a jail in Harris County.Around 2:45 p.m.

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - A seventh victim has died after a gunman fired more than 70 rounds with an AR-15-style gun at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park Monday.Over 30 people were injured in the attack, which was thought to have been planned by the alleged gunman, Robert Crimo III, for several weeks.The shooting occurred at a spot on the parade route where many residents had staked out prime viewing points early in the day for the annual celebration. Dozens of fired bullets sent hundreds of parade-goers — some visibly bloodied — fleeing. Investigators who have interrogated the suspect and reviewed his social media posts have not determined a motive for the attack or found any indication that he targeted anyone by race, religion or other protected status, Lake County Major Crime Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said.The suspect was also allegedly disguised as a woman at the time of the shooting."Investigators do believe he did this to conceal his facial tattoos and his identity and help him during the escape with the other people who were fleeing the chaos," said Covelli.After the shooting, the suspect blended in with the crowd and walked to his mother's home in the area where he borrowed her vehicle, Covelli said.

An observational study of Italian healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 who didn't require hospitalization suggests a link between two or three doses of vaccine and a lower prevalence of long COVID.

A new study shows that the proportion of children diagnosed as having COVID-19 and croup was significantly higher during the Omicron surge than in earlier waves dominated by other variants.Croup is an upper airway infection generally affecting chi

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring three sectors as essential public services.1. All services connected to the supply of electricity2. The supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel3. All service, work, or labour, of any description whatsoever, necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, and the reception, care feeding and treatment, of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institution.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra has told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that India, as a close friend, will will extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in overcoming the difficult situation.The Indian Foreign Secretary met with the President in Colombo on Thursday (23).The Foreign Secretary is accompanied by Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance of India, Ajay Seth, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Dr. V.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister for Home Affairs of Australia Clare O’Neill has said that the Australian government will assist Sri Lanka in overcoming the present economic crisis in compliance with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) framework.Claire O’Neill, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, made these remarks when she called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo, on Monday (20).The “Zero Chance” campaign for illegal migration and human trafficking was the policy of the previous Conservative Government of Australia. Home Minister Claire stated the same was the policy of the new government too, which represents the Labour Party.President Rajapaksa explaining the steps that he had taken when he was the Defence Secretary to prevent illegal migration, said that the Navy is taking such actions as are necessary to prevent illegal migration.President Rajapaksa appreciated the support of the Australian Government in providing naval, technical and material assistance and noted that the two countries were working closely together.Australia is on high alert for security in the Indian Ocean.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police detained a group of people who obstructed the entrances to the President’s Office.Protestors at GotaGoGama obstructed all entrances to the President’s Office, reported Sri Lanka Police on Monday (20).Police said that the protestors moved towards the two other gates leading to the President’s Office early morning on Monday (20) and completely obstructed the path, by setting up two make-shift tents.The GotaGoGama protest demanding the immediate resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is on the 73rd Day on Monday (20).The Occupy Galle Face protest started on the 9th of April 2022 and has been going on daily, despite adverse weather and the 9th May Black Monday attacks on the protest site.Protestors blame the government for the mismanagement of the economy, which has sent prices of goods skyrocketing and the country’s reserves plummeting to levels reaching a record low.GotaGoGama also has a network of nationwide branches that popped up to support the main protest against the President and the Government.Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years.Sri Lanka is seeking to restructure debts of more than $50bn it owes to foreign creditors, to make it more manageable to repay.A chronic shortage of foreign currency and soaring inflation have led to a severe shortage of medicines, fuel and other essentials.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed to streamline the distribution of fuel stocks that are available in the country, as well as the shipment due to arrive in the next few days.The President noted that the Finance Minister and the Central Bank with the involvement of State & Private Banks have drafted plans to open Letters of Credit (LCs) to facilitate the process of placing orders for fuel shipments.The President had made these comments during a meeting on Friday (17) on the distribution of Petrol, Diesel, and LP Gas.At the meeting attention was drawn towards inking agreements with suppliers for long-term fuel purchasing.The President’s Media Unit said that Public Transport will be given priority in fuel distribution.The President has said that SLTB owned filling stations should be used to deliver fuel for Private Buses, Tourist Coaches, and School Vans.The President also ordered for identified filling stations to deliver fuel for essential services, and the Sri Lanka Army and Police Special Task Force to provide security to filling stations.Security forces were ordered by the President to strictly enforce the law against fuel hoarders.The meeting also discussed to streamline the distribution of gas, and place new orders for LP Gas.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A protest took place in Colombo on Thursday (16) against the secret dealings between the Sri Lankan Government and the Adani Group in India.Recent controversial and retracted remarks by the Former Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board linked Indian influence on Sri Lankan Energy Projects.M.M. C Ferdinando, the chairman of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), resigned on the 14th of June 2022, three days after he claimed before a parliamentary panel that he was told by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressuring him to give the wind power project directly to the Adani Group.The allegations involve a 500-Megawatt renewable energy project in Sri Lanka’s Mannar district.A letter dated the 25th of November 2021 from the now-resigned Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board to the then-Secretary of Finance S.