Russian Ambassador assures support for Sri Lanka

The judge appointed to chair the independent public inquiry into the handling of the Covid pandemic in Scotland is resigning from the role.

Man shot 20 times in Kensington double shooting. PHILADELPHIA - A shooting erupted in Kensington Monday afternoon, leaving streets riddled with nearly 30 bullets and prompting several schools to go into lockdown.Police say a 21-year-old was pronounced dead after reportedly being struck 20 times by gunfire on the 1900 block of East Wishart Street around noon.A second victim, a man in his 20s, was shot seven times, and is said to be in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:Police say five schools in the area were placed on lockdown at the time: Conwell Middle School, Frances E.

The number of patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 has jumped in the biggest rise since the peak of the last wave of infection, sparking fears that a new wave could be upon us in time for a potential "twindemic" of both coronavirus and flu.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying wanted offenders in connection with a deadly double shooting in Kingsessing. Police say the shooting occurred on September 3, around 3:30 a.m., on the 5100 block of Woodland Avenue. Authorities say two male suspects and the two victims were having a conversation when one of the suspects pulled out a gun and fired at the two victims. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESPolice are investigating a double shooting that killed two men Saturday morning.The suspects were in a blue-colored Dodge Charger with dark tinted windows and black wheel rims, according to police. Police say they are also searching for persons of interest, a woman and a man, who may have witnessed something. According to police, the two suspects were caught on surveillance video interacting with the persons of interest inside of a club. The City of Philadelphia is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the homicide. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 215-686-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online. 

Members of the Project DYNAMO rescue organization talk with a resident in a storm damaged home in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 on Sanibel Island, Florida. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. - There was no time to waste.

PORTLAND, Ore. - At least 50 people in one Oregon neighborhood woke up to their tires slashed, according to authorities.The Portland Police Bureau said the incidents took place in the northeast area of the capital city. Officers said they responded to the first report of vandalism Saturday morning in the 2800 block of Northeast 72nd Avenue. The victim reported the car had two tires punctured overnight. Officers then found more cars with similar damage in the area.RELATED: Tires slashed across Queen Village, Society Hill has residents frustratedAt first, investigators found more than 30 drivers reported having their tires slashed within the area of Northeast 72nd Avenue and Northeast 77th Avenue.

Ringo Starr has had to make the decision to cancel six of his upcoming tour dates after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Ringo Starr fans: the former Beatle and his All Starr Band won’t be stopping in at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre on Tuesday as planned.True North Sports + Entertainment confirmed Monday that the band’s tour has been put on hold due to Starr, 82, contracting COVID-19. Paul McCartney marks 80th birthday with Springsteen, 60,000 fans The plug has also been pulled on shows in Saskatoon, Lethbridge, Alta., and two B.C.

Andre Shuford  PHILADELPHIA - A man and two girls were struck by a fleeing vehicle last month, and now police say a man is wanted in connection to the hit-and-run.Andre Shuford, 53, is accused of hitting all three victims at the intersection of 56th and Vine streets on September 2, then leaving them behind.Two girls, ages 5 and 3, sustained "bodily injuries," and a 43-year-old man suffered non-fatal injuries to his head and hip, according to police. Authorities say the 5-year-old girl was airlifted to CHOP in critical condition, but her current condition is not known. The younger child and man were said to be in stable condition.MORE HEADLINES:The striking vehicle was later found abandoned blocks away near the intersection of 53rd and Race streets. An active arrest warrant has been issued for Shuford, who police say is 5 feet 9 inches tall and 210 pounds with brown eyes.

PHILADELPHIA - A man and woman became the latest victims of a carjacking as the terrifying crime continues to rise across Philadelphia.Police say four masked men, each armed with a handgun, ambushed the victims at a Sunoco gas station at Wissahickon Avenue and Rittenhouse Lane Saturday night.Both victims, a 30-year-old woman and 29-year-old man, were reportedly carjacked at gunpoint. Three-hundred dollars was also stolen from the pair.MORE HEADLINES:The suspects, who arrived in a white van, fled with the victims' vehicle, a red 2022 Chrysler sedan.No arrests have been made, and no weapons recovered.

READ MORE: Beatles legend Ringo Starr, 82, forced to cancel two gigs after 'sudden illness'But it was revealed today that the illness was in fact covid after the star's representation shared an update on his health."Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band were forced to cancel their recent shows at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Michigan and at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN due to illness," the update said.They added: "It has been confirmed today that Ringo has Covid and the tour will be on hold while Ringo recuperates."They went on to say that the drummer is "recovering at home" and hopes to resume the tour "as soon as possible."The band were also forced to postpone their Sunday night show in Minnesota and announced the sad news to their fans on Twitter.They said: "He and the band send peace and love to all the fans who were planning to come out and see the show," before confirming as rescheduled date would be announced soon.A statement shared by the venue on Facebook confirmed the original news that Saturday night's show would be cancelled.

Ringo Starr has been forced to cancel his US tour dates after catching Covid.The former Beatles musician, 82, was set to play a string of dates in America with his band All-Starr before he fell ill.The drummer is said to be "recuperating at home" after it was confirmed the star had caught Covid.Two shows had preivously been cancelled at the last minute after the musician fell ill at the weekend.The musician's spokeperson confirmed: "Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band were forced to cancel their recent shows at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Michigan and at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN due to illness."It has been confirmed today that Ringo has Covid and the tour will be on hold while Ringo recuperates."As of today the following shows have been canceled: October 2 Prior Lake, MN - Mystic Lake Casino, October 4 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada Life Centre, October 5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Sasktel Centre, October 6 Lethbridge, Alberta - Enmax Centre, October 8 Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Centre, October 9 Penticton, BC - South Okanagon Events Centre.They went on: "Ringo hopes to resume as soon as possible and is recovering at home."As always, he and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them back out on the road soon," his representatives added to The Mirror.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fuel Distributors' Association says that it will step away from placing orders for fuel from 8 AM on Tuesday (4)This is in protest against the decision taken by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to recover the 45% discounts awarded to Fuel Distributors.Kapila Naotunna, the Secretary of the association said that they will refrain from placing orders against this move. The Private Tanker Owners Association said that it will only deliver fuel stocks that have already been ordered.

The sun sets behind a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of the Crew-5 astronaut launch. (Image: SpaceX) CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Operations at Florida's spaceport are getting back to normal after Hurricane Ian's rampage throughout the state. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting Wednesday, Oct.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Starting in January, it wiill no longer be illegal to jaywalk in California, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill decriminalizing it.The new law, the Freedom to Walk Act, says you can cross the street anywhere outside of an intersection, but only if it's safe to do so.Police will still be able to stop or ticket you if crossing the street puts you in danger of being hit.The author of the bill, Assemblyman Phil Ting, (D-San Francisco,) argued jaywalking bills are arbitrarily enforced, and unequally impact poor people and people of color."It should not be a criminal offense to safely cross the street.

PHILADELPHIA - John Whitehead's untimely death came more than 20 years after his song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" topped the charts, but his murder remains unsolved nearly another 20 years later."I feel like I did 18 years ago. It still hurts," his daughter Lakia said.

Katie Couric provided an update after receiving her stage 1A breast cancer diagnosis in September.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Police Sergeant who foiled a money heist in Thambuttegama was rewarded on Monday (3).Police Sergeant Buddhika Kumara was hailed a hero when he prevented a heist of Rs. 22.3 Million in Thambuttegama disregarding his own safety.The Police Sergeant was invited to the Ministry of Public Security on Monday (3) where he was recognized for his bravery by the Minister of Public Security, the Inspector General of Police, and other Senior Ranks of Sri Lanka Police.Police Sergeant Buddhika Kumara was promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector and was awarded a cash prize of Rs.

PHILADELPHIA - Homicide detectives with the Philadelphia Police department are investigating a double shooting that left a woman dead and a man hospitalized Monday morning, police say. According to authorities, the shooting occurred on the 5800 block of Angora Terrace in Southwest Philadelphia around 5:17 a.m. Officials say officers responded to a residence and found a woman, 48, unresponsive on the floor of a second-floor hallway with a gunshot wound to the back. Medics pronounced the woman dead on scene at 7:30 a.m., according to police. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAnother man, who is listed as a John Doe, was found in a middle bedroom on the second floor with a gunshot wound to the head and left eye, authorities say. According to officials, he was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition. Police say two firearms were recovered from the scene and no arrests have been made at this time This is a developing story.

In this undated surveillance image released by the Stockton Police Department, a person is shown from behind, in Stockton, Calif. Rewards totaling $85,000 have been offered for information leading to an arrest in five fatal shootings since July in St STOCKTON Calif., - Rewards totaling $85,000 have been offered for information leading to an arrest in five fatal shootings since July in Stockton, Calif., that investigators believe are related, police said.After reviewing surveillance footage, detectives have located an unidentified "person of interest" in the killings, Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden wrote on the department’s Facebook page Saturday. Police released a grainy still image of a person filmed from behind, dressed all in black and wearing a black cap.The latest killing occurred shortly before 2 a.m.

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is beginning its new term, welcoming the public back to the courtroom and hearing arguments for the first time since issuing a landmark ruling stripping away women’s constitutional protections for abortion.Monday's session also is the first time new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court's first Black female justice, will participate in arguments. And the public is back for the first time since the court closed in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.In this handout provided by the Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, Members of the Supreme Court (L-R) Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M.

Authorities in the Ukrainian capital have asked residents to resume wearing face masks due to a surge in Covid cases and a health system battered by the Russian invasion.

sex worker rights groups is in Ontario Superior Court Monday asking for several sections of the Criminal Code to be deemed unconstitutional.The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform says sections of the law that criminalize advertising sexual services and communicating to buy or sell sexual services violate workers’ Charter rights.

‘Frustrating’ and ‘devastating’: The domino effect of family doctor, LTC shortages on ERs My children were one and three years old when I was blindsided with the diagnosis. I say blindsided because, up until the day my family doctor called to give me the results of my biopsy, everyone had assured me “it’s probably nothing. You’re too young to be diagnosed with cancer.”Technically, they weren’t wrong: breast cancer in women under the age of 40 is rare.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in cordial conversation with King Charles III on Sunday (19).World leaders who were in London to attended the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on the 18th of September.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who participated in the event, having a friendly conversation with King Charles III, said the President's Media Division.Senior Professor Mrs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that cricket team captain Dasun Shanaka and the team took advantage of their defeats and made themselves stronger to advance forward to the Asian Cup.The President, speaking further, said that it is not difficult to lead the country towards victory in the face of the world if the team continues to think in the same way.The President also pointed out that working together as a team helped them to win.President Ranil Wickremesinghe was addressing the felictation ceremony held for the Sri Lankan athletes who won their respective Asia-level wins; the Cricket team and the team which won the Asian Netball Championship, in addition to the medalists of Commonwealth Games.Meanwhile, at the request of Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket took steps to present Rs. 2 million to each player in the Netball team symbolizing its support towards the sport.Sri Lanka won 4 medals in the 22nd Commonwealth Games held recently in Birmingham, Britain.Palitha Bandara won the silver medal in the discus throw event in the para sports category, while Yupun Abeykoon won the 100m event, Nethmi Ahimsa Poruthota in the women's 57kg wrestling competition and Dilanka Isuru Kumara won the bronze medals in the weightlifting 55kg category.The silver medalist was awarded Rs.10 million from the sports fund, each bronze medalist was awarded Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has been appointed the Acting Minister of Finance.The MP has been appointed to this position due to the departure of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Minister of Finance, to attend the funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II.MP Siyambalapitiya, who entered the Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna national list, is currently also the State Minister of Finance.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that a majority of the country wants him to solve the crisis.Speaking to ABC Australia's Foreign Correspondent program Ranil Wickremesinghe said "I'm the one who said the correct thing, go to the IMF. That's why there is confidence backing me.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka – India Free Trade Agreement would be revived and upgraded into a comprehensive economic and technological partnership.The President noted that he would establish an international trade office which will deal with all the international trade negotiations.He pointed out Sri Lanka and India gradually have to wean themselves out of the barriers to investment and the non-tariff barriers to trade specially in relation to Sri Lanka Indo economic relations.He made these observations addressing the Sri Lanka India Society (SLIS) get together held at the in Colombo on Thursday (15) evening to mark the 75th anniversary of independence of India."We will revive and upgrade the Free Trade Agreement into a comprehensive economic and technological partnership. We started that in 2018 and 2019. Then I found recently that it has been stuck somewhere in the department of Commerce with a large number of committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two newly appointed Ambassadors to Sri Lanka handed over their credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today (16).Her Excellency Mrs. Bonnie Horbach, the Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka and His Excellency Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka will NOT participate in any military alliance, and certainly does not want the problems of the pacific coming in to the Indian Ocean, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Wednesday (14).Wickremesinghe speaking on Sri Lanka's position in the geo-political stage said the country's importance has appreciated and depreciated.However, he said that the geo-politics of the Indian ocean has unfortunately made Sri Lanka the punching bag for Hambantota. "It is not a military port. Though we are a commercial port it shows our strategic importance that many people come to conclusions which are unwarranted," he said.The President said that he hopes the next agreement Sri Lanka come to with China will not cause such speculation and such agreements will only be about debt reduction for Sri Lanka. "We don't participate in military alliance, and we certainly do not want the problems of the pacific coming in to the Indian Ocean.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A preliminary round of discussions were held between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens to explore the opportunities for investment in  renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka.The discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (14) with the participation of a group of Australian investors.President Wickremesinghe has emphasized priority for encouraging new investments in the renewable energy sector as a solution to the current electricity crisis and to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that a national plan should be implemented to ensure food security and nutrition in Sri Lanka.He made this observation addressing the inaugural program of the establishment of the Multi-sector Combined Mechanism for empowering Rural Economic Revitalization Centers to ensure food security and nutrition.The program was held at the President's Office on Tuesday(13).The president pointed out that agriculture should be made a foreign exchange earning sector by way of enhancing production and competitiveness through the modernization of agriculture.The President who emphasized the need to work in an organized and collective manner to solve the food issue in the face of the global food crisis said that everyone should join hands with the government's new program to ensure food security and nutrition.The President’s statement is as follows;-The government has got to face the challenge of provision of food to all since the country experienced a minus seven economy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces granted approval to appoint Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force, with effect from 12 September 2022.Accordingly, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, officially handed over the letter of appointment to Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa today.Air Vice Marshal RAUP Rajapaksa RSP and two Bars, USP, MSc (MOA) USA, MSc (Def Stu) in Mgt, MA in IS&S (UK), BSc (Def Stu), MIM (SL), rcds, psc joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as an Officer Cadet in the General Duties Pilot Branch in 1988. Having undergone his Basic Combat Training at Kotelawala Defence Academy, Basic Flying Training at No.

COLOMBO (News 1st): A preliminary discussion was held on Monday (12) between the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka focusing on several areas where the ADB can provide support and bilateral cooperation to the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the current crisis, said the President's Media Division.The discussion was held at the President's Office in Colombo.The discussion was held with a group of representatives including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Director General of the South Asian Department of the Asian Development Bank Kenichi Yokoyama.This discussion was attended by Chen Chen, Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, Utsav Kumar, Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, and Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Staff to the President.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungon who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (11) for a two-day official visit, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (12).The Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Dhammika Dasanayake is also scheduled to meet Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.The Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungon is scheduled to meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe tomorrow (13).The officer in charge of the airport said that Dhammika Dasanayake came to the Katunayake Airport special guest room to welcome him.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given an ultimatium to the political parties to decide on electoral reforms."I'm going to call the parliament to say once and for all that they must agree on electoral reform. This has been going on. The parties are arguing among themselves.

COLOMBO (News 1st); USAID Administrator Samantha Power told Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesighe that political reform agenda and the economic agenda go hand in hand.She said that the United States trying to engage the business community to look at Sri Lanka now and to see the opportunities that exist here.She also highlighted Sri Lanka’s vibrant private sector and said measures should be taken to unleash the potential of the private sector. "You have such an incredible private sector, such entrepreneurship.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday (11) congratulated the unbeaten Sri Lankan Netball team after they were crowned Asian Netball Champions having defeated Singapore.Sri Lanka beat hosts Singapore 63 – 53 to clinch the Asian Netball Championships 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be attending the fueneral of late Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom, the Presidential Media Division stated.President Ranil Wickramasinghe expressed his condolences over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.President Ranil Wickramasinghe who arrived at the British High Commission met British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton and extended his condolences over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.President Ranil Wickramasinghe was welcomed by the British High Commissioner.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several Opposition MPs have taken to questioning the President on his decision taken to appoint 37 new State Ministers, and MP Ajith P. Perera pointed out that although President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that he has learned his lessons from the People's Protests; the 'Aragalaya', he has now appointed 37 State Ministers. Speaking to media, MP Ajith P.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former minister Namal Rajapaksa announced that a new coalition will be established under the leadership of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.Speaking at an SLPP meeting held in Dedigama, the MP said that the situation today would have proven to be different if former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa implemented law against those who incited violence via social media.However, MP Rajapaksa said that he is happy that the current President Ranil Wickremesinghe is implementing the law against them, as there is a challenging period ahead of Sri Lanka. Stating that his political camp collapsed in an unexpected manner, MP Rajapaksa said that the mistake which they made was that they changed the people after promising to change the system, however let the newly appointed people function with the unchanged, old system. "There is no purpose if the President travels in a single car, if the children at villages are still travelling on bicycles.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe advised officials to revise the circulars immediately if it impedes on the implementation of development projects.The President chaired a discussion at the President's Office on Friday (09) to examine the progress of several development projects in the country based on Indian investment cooperation, said the President's Media Division.Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vinod K.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has declared the 19th of September 2022 a Day of Mourning in view of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued the directive to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs on Friday (9).The President's Media Division also noted that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast until the 19th of September 2022.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he was saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. "She was a symbol of stability and endurance, and she will be greatly missed. My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth" tweeted the President.Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.She died peacefully on Thursday (8) afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer.The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family and that her loss would be "deeply felt" around the world.He said: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother."I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."During the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held".The King and his wife, Camilla, now Queen Consort, will return to London on Friday, Buckingham Palace said.

COLOMBO (News 1);  Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed that all public buildings must lower the National Flag to Half-Mast in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday (8).The President had given the instructions to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.The President's Media Division said a period of mourning will be announced in due course.President Ranil Wickremesighe said he was saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. "She was a symbol of stability and endurance, and she will be greatly missed. My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth," tweeted the President.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed concern over the ill-health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who is also the Head of the Commonwealth. The President has wished Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth her a speedy recovery, said the President's Media Division.The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace has said.All the Queen's children are either at, or are travelling to, her Scottish estate near Aberdeen."Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," a statement said.The Queen is comfortable, it added.Prince Charles has travelled there with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.The Duke of York and the Count and Countess of Wessex are travelling to the Scottish estate, about 40 miles (64km) west of Aberdeen.The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was already in Scotland undertaking engagements.The Duke of Cambridge is also on his way, with the Duchess of Cambridge remaining in Windsor with their children.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had been in Germany, are travelling to Balmoral, a spokesperson for the couple said.The announcement comes after the Queen, 96, pulled out of a meeting of her Privy Council on Wednesday, with doctors advising her to rest.There are clearly pressing concerns for the Queen's health – much more explicitly put than before and without any reference to this only being about difficulties with mobility.There are also warnings against unfounded speculation, such as that she might have had a fall.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka appointed over 30 new Ministers of State on Thursday (8) at the President's Office in Colombo. The State Ministers took oaths in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Jagath Pushpakumara – State Minister Foreign Employment Ranjith Siyambalapitiya – State Minister of FinanceLasantha Alagiyawanna – State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama – State Minister of Investment PromotionKanaka Herath – State Minister of TechnologyJanaka Wakkumbura – State Minister of Provincial Councils, and Local GovernmentShehan Semasinghe – State Minister of FinanceMohan Priyadarshana De Silva – State Minister of Agriculture Thenuka Vidanagamage – State Minister of Urban Development and HousingPramitha Bandara Tennakoon – State Minister of SecurityRohana Dissanayake – State Minister of Sports and Youth AffairsArundhika Fernando – State Minister of Urban Development and Housing Vijitha Berugoda – State Minister of Piriven Education Lohan Ratwatte – State Minister of Plantation Industries Tharaka Balasuriya – State Minister of External Affairs Sanath Nishantha- State Minister of Water Supply Indika Anurudhdha – State Minister of Power and Energy Siripala Gamlath – State Minister of HighwaysShantha Bandara – State Minister of Media Anuradha Jayaratne  – State Minister of Justice and Prisons AffairsS.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 36 State Ministers will take oaths in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (8) at the President's Office. According to a Senior Cabinet Minister, 36 new State Ministers will be sworn in. A Senior Cabinet Minister also said that several MPs representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) are among the new State Ministers.