SLFP quits the government; 14 MPs to remain independent

WASHINGTON - Two men are behind bars after the FBI raided an apartment complex in Southeast D.C. Wednesday afternoon. FOX 5 has learned they're facing charges for impersonating members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to court documents, 40-year-old Arian Taherzadeh and 36-year-old Haider Ali have spent more than two years pretending to be officers or employees of the Federal Government. The FBI was tipped off after a U.S.

It's been 22 years since iconic pop group Blue formed - but what are the lads up to these days? Let's take a look...Back in the day, band members Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Simon Webbe stormed the noughties charts with their debut album, All Rise.Over four years, they released 16 singles and even collaborated with top music stars such as Elton John and Stevie Wonder.But shortly after in 2004, the lads left devastated fans all over when they announced they would be taking an indefinite hiatus.Five years later, in 2011, the group reformed for the Eurovision Song Contest where they came 11th. The pals then got came together again in 2013 thanks to ITV's Big Reunion and their following headline tour.Unfortunately, Blue were dropped by their record label in 2015 after their album, Colours, peaked at number 13 in the charts.However, skip to 2022 and they are set to put on a secret intimate show this weekend, release new music in the coming months and be heading out on tour once again.But let's take a look at what they've been up to individually over the years...In 2016, Duncan suffered a terrifying illness that almost left him wheelchair-bound.The star had two ­emergency operations on his back and was told by doctors he had faced death and might not ever walk again.He told The Mirror: “They said if they didn’t operate that same day I’d be paralysed because a nerve that was trapped would die.“I’d also lost control of my bladder.

NEW YORK - A man who moved into his daughter's college dorm and charmed her schoolmates with stories about his wisdom was convicted Wednesday of charges that he exploited the close-knit group, using threats and violence to enrich himself with millions of dollars.Lawrence Ray, 62, was convicted at a trial where weeks of testimony chronicled his psychologically manipulative relationship with young people he met in fall 2010 at Sarah Lawrence College, a small New York liberal arts school. Ray moved into his daughter's dorm after finishing a prison stint for a securities fraud conviction.Sentencing was set for Sept. 16 on charges including racketeering, conspiracy, forced labor, sex trafficking and obstruction of justice.

COLOMBO (News 1st); JVP Leader & Opposition Lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament on Thursday (7) that the opposition is prepared to consider any government proposal to address the present crisis, under one single condition, that is for the President to resign.“There are two main points centered around the struggle of the common people in Sri Lanka. One is that the present President must step down.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a visit to the Parliament on Thursday (7).The President was welcomed with applause from the government MPs who were present in the house. The visit by the Head of State came when Parliament was debating the present crisis situation for the second day.

A number of provinces are preparing to give fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines to older people after Canada’s vaccine advisory committee said it’s time for another booster.

A gym in the Phoenix area with a poster that was inspired by the Will Smith incident during the 2022 Oscars. PHOENIX - A gym in the Phoenix area has capitalized Will Smith's now-infamous slap of Chris Rock during the Academy Awards for a poster that appears to be aimed at those on their fitness journey.The poster was put up at a gym located near 24th Street and Osborn, and the gym is located near a fast food store in the area.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - 2020/06/12: A Toyota sign on car dealer during the daytime. The sky is blue with some clouds. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images) DETROIT (AP) - Toyota customers soon won't be able to get U.S.

As Ontario begins the process of expanding its fourth dose vaccination program, calls are increasing to improve the distribution of Paxlovid. The antiviral medication can help a patient if it’s administered within the first five days of COVID-19 symptoms, but doctors say that’s not happening.

LOS ANGELES - More disciplinary actions could be taken against Will Smith over his on-stage slap of Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday it is expected to meet this Friday, sooner than the originally scheduled date of April 18 to discuss possible disciplinary action against Smith. The meeting was moved up after Smith announced his resignation from The Academy last week.Academy President David Rubin sent a letter to board members saying that in light of Smith's resignation, "suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies."Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android."It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion," Rubin wrote.  A statement was released by Smith's spokesperson following the actor's decision to step down from The Academy.The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Wednesday said that Will Smith was asked to leave Sunday's Oscar ceremony after hitting Chris Rock but refused to do so."I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Lawmaker Harin Fernando has called on parliament to appoint his Samagi Jana Balavegaya colleague Dr. Harsha De Silva as President for at least six months.“If there is absolutely no one, appoint Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); TNA Parliamentarian M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Education announced that the 3rd school term 2021 for Government schools and Government approved private schools will end on Wednesday (6).The Secretary to the Ministry of Education said the 2022 school year begins on the 18th of April 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando told Parliament that the President will NOT resign.He made this comment while speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (6)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday (5) urged authorities in Sri Lanka to defuse tensions peacefully, after a state of emergency was declared in response to protests over the country’s deepening economic crisis.OHCHR said that the situation has worsened and that there have been shortages of food and fuel, along with power cuts, prompting new protests by desperate Sri Lankans.Following the state of emergency and other restrictions, Liz Throssell, Spokesperson for OHCHR said her office was “concerned that such measures are aimed at preventing or discouraging people from legitimately expressing their grievances through peaceful protests, and that they frustrate the exchange of views on matters of public interest”.Deteriorating situationPublic frustration has been rising in recent months with largely peaceful demonstrations taking place across the country.However, amid sudden shortages in fuel, cooking gas and essential food items; worsening inflation, currency devaluation and rolling power cuts over the past two weeks, the situation has worsened.“This led to further protests by Sri Lankans left desperate by the rising cost of living and difficulties to obtain basic items,” Ms.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw of “controlling the narrative” around COVID-19 in court on Tuesday.Hinshaw took the stand at a civil trial on Monday, maintaining that public health restrictions were necessary to protect the province’s health-care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.Several churches and individuals in Alberta filed a constitutional challenge against the province in December 2020, accusing the government of violating Albertans’ rights by imposing public health orders and restrictions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner says she hopes her bill to help grow the cryptocurrency sector will get Canadian legislators talking about it in a non-polarized way.

COVID-19.The province’s interim health director made the announcement Tuesday, following a meeting between government and health officials the previous evening.“It’s not over yet and we have to rest vigilant,” Dr. Luc Boileau said, referring to the health crisis.

COVID-19 mandates still in place.Guelph Eramosa Township Coun. Corey Woods, who is unvaccinated and tested positive for the virus last Thursday, accused the federal and provincial governments of fear-mongering and said society is villainizing people who choose not to get the required shots.

Thousands of businesses across Greater Manchester can claim business rate relief from the council, but the deadline is fast approaching. The funding, offering financial help with business rates for companies across Greater Manchester is part of the £1.5 billion government package to support businesses affected by Covid.

As COVID restrictions ease Perth city centre is still reeling from months of closures and restrictions.

COLOMBO (News 1st); It is time to abolish the Executive Presidency, says the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Making a statement at the Parliament today (05), the Opposition Leader said that although many are calling for the abolishment of the 20th amendment, however time has arrived to amend the Executive Presidency.He further stated that although the Executive Presidency may be abolished, an Executive Prime Minister who is able to do things according to his wishes is also unnecessary. Emphasizing that there should be a checks and balances system, the Opposition Leader said that a large amount of executive power should not be centralized on any person. Citing an incident which took place at the Parliament mere moments earlier, the Opposition Leader stated that with such acts, Premadasa said that such methods of bribery were used to gain allegiance with the 20th Amendment at Parliament. Therefore, he added, the entire Government, starting from the President, must resign.Proposal to abolish Executive Presidency must be brought to Parliament this week.Will not accept any ministerial position, and power will ONLY be obtained with the blessings of the people.– #Opposition Leader #Sajith Premadasa#lka #SriLanka #SLnews #News1st #Parliament— Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) April 5, 2022There should be no voice in Parliament, apart from the voice heard from the streets.The people want a change in government, the Parliament must understand it.– #Opposition Leader #Sajith Premadasa#lka #SriLanka #SLnews #News1st #Parliament— Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) April 5, 2022

COLOMBO (News 1st); TNA Member of Parliament M. A Sumanthiran commenting on the Proclamation of Emergency, noted that such notification must be placed in Parliament and approved/disapproved at the earliest possible opportunity.Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (5) he informed the government to place the said notification in Parliament on Wednesday (6) for Parliament to decide whether Parliament will approve it or not.“Otherwise they are misusing the powers by allowing it to remain for 14 days, and then lapse,” he told the house, adding that anything done within those 14 days would be deemed legal, and that is an abuse of the process, the public security ordinance, and the provisions of the constitution.“As the constitution has mandated, even now, we can suspend the standing orders and place the proclamation of emergency for a vote in this Parliament now,” said the MP.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stepped down.In a letter to the President, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said he decided to resign from the position following a decision made by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentary Group to remain independent.The SLFP, a party that forms the ruling coalition, quit the government on Monday (4).

Global’s Keith Baldrey has more on Premier John Horgan announcing he’s tested positive for COVID-19, and a preview of what the province is expected to announce about COVID restrictions on Tuesday.

BERLIN - Temperatures on Earth will shoot past a key danger point unless greenhouse gas emissions fall faster than countries have committed, the world’s top body of climate scientists said Monday, warning of the consequences of inaction but also noting hopeful signs of progress.U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change revealed "a litany of broken climate promises" by governments and corporations, accusing them of stoking global warming by clinging to harmful fossil fuels."It is a file of shame, cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track toward an unlivable world," he said.Governments agreed in the 2015 Paris accord to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) this century, ideally no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

Free Covid testing for most people in the UK ended this month as part of the government's plans to live with the virus. In England, lateral flow tests (LFTs) are no longer available for free, unless you are a patient in hospital, at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus and eligible for Covid-19 treatments, or you work in an NHS or social care setting.

The people’s power can no longer be contained by the chains of corruption(COLOMBO); Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) strongly condemns the attempts of the President and the administration to stifle the constitutionally enshrined freedoms of expression and lawful assembly of the citizens through the use of emergency regulations, curfew and social media blackouts.TISL said that as an independent local organization that has been working in Sri Lanka for the past two decades with the mission to fight corruption, it stands in solidarity with the people across the country who are mobilizing independently against the corrupt in a non-violent manner.TISL notes that the current situation in the country has been caused by decades of misuse and mismanagement of public resources on a large scale, systemic corruption coupled with kleptocracy, and an overall lack of transparency and accountability in both governance as well as in the public service sector.The people have now delivered their message loud and clear. The dormant voices of the people of this country have joined in unison to create a powerful shockwave that might have taken most of those in power by surprise.Sri Lankans should be vigilant at this point as chaos at the highest levels affords the opportunity for political maneuvering and for those with ulterior motives to rise to power.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a protest that took place close to the Carlton House in Tangalle.A large crowd gathered at the road leading to Carlton House in Tangalle on Monday (4) morning to protest against the government.Carlton House is considered the private residence of the Rajapaksa Family.The protestors were demanding the government resign and also against the mismanagement of the economy.

Lateral Flow Tests are a quick and easy way to check if you have been infected with coronavirus.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Protests have erupted across Sri Lanka since the weekend against the government’s failure to properly manage the economy and over the shortage of essentials.These protestors have been demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa leave and that his government also resign.On Monday (4), Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had offered to award ministerial positions to all political parties, urging them to come together to solve the crisis that has plagued the nation.His offer came a day after one of his former ministers, Wimal Weerawansa, proposed to form an all-party interim government to solve the crisis.On Sunday (3), one of the main political parties in the ruling coalition, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party warned that if a caretaker government is not appointed, all SLFP MPs would resign from their posts and remain independent in Parliament.However, late Sunday (3) night, Sri Lanka’s cabinet ministers resigned en masse after protests over the government’s handling of the worst economic crisis in decades.Massive nationwide protests were planned via social media with ZERO political affiliation or support, and the government on Saturday (2) imposed a social media blackout that was lifted on Sunday (3) evening.However, the Public Emergency proclamation made by the President is still in effect.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa even issued an extraordinary gazette declaring that no person shall be on any public road, railway, public park, public recreation ground, or other public ground or the seashore in such areas, during the period of the curfew.However, protestors defied the curfew and took the streets on Sunday (3) to voice their anger and frustrations.Sunday (3) saw massive protests in several parts of the

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has appointed a new Cabinet of Ministers following the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers on Sunday (3) night.Minister of External Affairs : Professor G. L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has appointed a new Cabinet of Ministers following the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers on Sunday (3) night.Minister of External Affairs : Professor G. L.

wrote that it took her a while to get her thoughts together before sharing. "I love #WillSmith very much. @chrisrock didn’t deserve to be hit. Period," she wrote. "My heart aches for what has happened.

cat again.While living in Edmonton, their Siamese cat Kiki got out and never came home.“She’s always been such a great cat. She just wants you to pet her, anyone whose met her knows that you don’t want to lose this cat,” Antev said.For months, after the eight-year-old cat escaped, Antev said she and her and her family worked hard to try and find her.They put up signs, door-knocked, and handed out posters in their neighbourhood with zero success.“We put out food for her, we put out a trap, but we never caught anything — not her or anything else.”Almost a year after Kiki went missing, Antev and her family moved to Ontario.“We kind of almost gave up hope that we would find her at that point, we also had a lot of coyotes that lived in the neighborhood and we were really scared about that.”After the move, Antev said her husband tried to get her to change her phone number to an Ontario area code.Since it was the number listed on Kiki’s microchip however, she refused — holding out hope that one day Kiki would be found.Meanwhile, the missing cat had made her way to Hana Kadri’s home in Rapperswill — a new neighbourhood in the Castledowns area of northwest Edmonton, that’s less than a 10-minute drive away from where she went missing.After she saw the small cat on her backyard cameras, Kadri started leaving out food.“I was home so I would see her come eat, and she would come three times a day for food, so I posted on a local Facebook page to see if she belonged to anyone,” said Kadri.With the help of a neighbour, Kadri trapped Kiki and she was taken to the vet — where her microchip was scanned, and Antev was called.“Five years later I got a call from the vet saying ‘we have Kiki,’” she said.“I just started sobbing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers have decided to resign and have submitted their letters of resignation to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, Rajapaksa will continue to function as the Prime Minister, said Dinesh Gunwardena who was the Minister of Education until today (3). The Cabinet of Ministers can be viewed here : https://www.presidentsoffice.gov.lk/index.php/cabinet-ministers/

An Afghan farmer cuts into a poppy bulb to extract the sap, which will be used to make opium, in a field May 6, 2002 in the village of Markhanai in the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban announced a ban Sunday on poppy production, even as farmers across the country began harvesting the bright red flower that produces the opium used to make heroin.The order warns farmers that their crops will be burned and they can be jailed if they proceed with the harvest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A massive protest took place on Sunday (3) evening at the Wijerama Junction close to the Sri Jayawardenapura University.University Students were joined by local residents in this protest, and when they reached the Wijerama Junction they were met with a heavy security forces presence.Sri Lanka Police, The three-armed Force, and the Police Riot Police were seen stationed on the path of the protestors who defied the curfew and stepped out onto the streets to voice their anger over the present situation in the country.As they were not allowed to proceed, they positioned themselves opposite the barricade and carried out a protest, with songs and chants.At the same time, well-known lecturer Upul Shantha Sannasgala, also known as ‘Sannasgala Sir’ visited the Wijerama Junction and condemned the actions of the government.

Ukraine says it’s run out of the initial rounds of ammunition Canada sent the country in February and needs more. The Canadian government is considering the request, but it will come at a cost to our military. Mercedes Stephenson has more.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Freedom Party in a letter to the President has called for a caretaker government to be appointed to address the crises that have plagued the country.The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has informed the President that if the necessary steps are not taken to appoint a caretaker government, all 14 SLFP MPs in government will resign from their positions and remain independent in Parliament.SLFPs Chandima Weerakkody told reporters on Sunday (3) that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party does NOT agree with imposing a Public Emergency.The country is not facing a terror threat, therefore imposing a public emergency for the sole protection of public representatives from the people cannot be accepted, he said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government states that the Public Emergency & the Curfew were declared to ensure that the peace, normal way of life, as well as public & property, is protected.A statement from the Department of Government Information noted that the Sri Lankan Government is bound to protect public peace, as well as public and private property, whilst ensuring the right to speech, expression, and protest peacefully.It added that the government had pledged to protect and promote all democratic rights including the Right to Freedom of Expression, Speech, and Protest Peacefully.It went on to note that after the incumbent President was elected to power, water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges were not enforced on any peaceful protest or demonstration.It added that on some occasions the representatives of protestors were allowed to enter the President’s Office for talks and solutions were provided to the issues.The Department of Government Information said that on the 31st of March 2022, a group acted in an unruly manner during a protest and cause serious damage to public and private property, while some were also injured.It stressed that Public Emergency and Curfew were imposed in accordance with the accepted legal provisions, and to protect the lives of the people, public peace, as well as public and private property.

₹900 per dose plus GST and was waiting for directions to supply it to the Centre. However, the price of the vaccine for the government was not mentioned.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stated that a letter will be handed over to the President on Saturday (2) requesting immediate solutions to the major problems faced by the people.The Propaganda Secretary to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Shantha Bandara said that this action will be taken as per the decision of the party central committee which met on Friday (1) night.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A blanket closure of social media is NOT permissible under any circumstances, because it is not inciting the people, but the people are expressing their legitimate right, said the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka has blocked access to Social Media following a request by the Ministry of Defense. This was confirmed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology.The move comes after the government decided to impose an nationwide curfew that came into effect from 6 PM on Saturday (2) to 6 AM on Monday (4).

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has blocked access to Social Media following a request by the Ministry of Defense. This was confirmed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology.The move comes after the government decided to impose an nation-wide curfew that came into effect from 6 PM on Saturday (2) to 6 AM on Monday (4).Nation-wide Protests :Nation-wide ‘Peoples Protests’, were planned for Sunday (3), most publicly affirming zero political affiliation.