Sri Lanka will be led to the path of success – President

BOWDOIN, Maine (AP) - Four people were fatally shot at a house in Maine on Tuesday shortly before gunfire wounded three others on a busy highway, in a pair of crimes that are linked, authorities said. One person was in custody.Police closed a portion of the interstate highway and residents and businesses in the area were ordered to shelter in place for about 90 minutes before authorities determined there was no threat to the general public.The shootings are among a spate of recent mass killings that have shaken communities both large and small, including a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee; a bank in Louisville, Kentucky and a Sweet 16 party in a small city in Alabama.In Maine, police declined to discuss possible motive or identify the person in custody or the shooting victims.

Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, specifically for older individuals and those with compromised immune systems. The Food and Drug Administration also took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone, saying that anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it's a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get the newest formula, not the original shots. The FDA said those 65 or older can opt to roll up their sleeves again for another booster as long as it's been at least four months since their first dose of the so-called bivalent vaccine that targets omicron strains.

Lower Manhattan Tuesday afternoon. There were six workers inside the building on 37 Ann Street at the time of the incident. One of the six was killed and four were transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The mayor of a Montreal suburb publicly revealed herself Tuesday as the victim of ex-Parti Québécois legislator Harold LeBel, who was sentenced to eight months in prison after sexually assaulting her in 2017 when they were both PQ members.

Members of the media and public wait to enter the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center before the Dominion Voting Systems' defamation trial against FOX News in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Toronto Blue Jays veteran reliever Anthony Bass was not happy with how United Airlines staff treated his pregnant wife and two children during a recent flight, and he used social media to voice his frustrations.Bass said his pregnant wife, Sydney Rae Bass, who is the sister of Jessie James Decker, was forced down on her "hands and knees" to pick up the popcorn dropped by his 2-year-old daughter during a flight."The flight attendant @united just made my 22 week pregnant wife traveling with a 5 year old and 2 year old get on her hands and knees to pick up the popcorn mess by my youngest daughter," Bass tweeted. "Are you kidding me?!?!"Bass didn’t get the reception on Twitter that he may have thought would come when he sent out the tweet.One Twitter user said, "Genuinely curious who should clean up the mess your 2 year old made? As a parent of three kids I am the one responsible for them.""The cleaning crew they hire!" Bass responded.Jessie James Decker got involved on her Instagram Story as her sister told the camera that United gave her daughter's popcorn.The incident seems to have been resolved, at least in the eyes of Bass. "Thank you everyone for the support.

WASHINGTON TWP, N.J. - Firefighters are battling a raging wildfire in Washington Township that officials say is threatening over two dozen structures. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the fire has consumed 75 acres near Route 542 and River Road.It was first detected in the area of Bass River Fire Tower shortly before noon, according to the fire service. Since then, several roads have been closed including Route 542 between Wading River Bridge and Lovers Lane.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - JUNE 16: St. Luke's Work Well Clinic Medical Assistant Crissy Parmeter gives a tetanus shot to an Iowa resident at the St.

BENSALEM, Pa. - The former student of a Pennsylvania prep school is accused of using Instagram to make violent threats towards the school building.The Bensalem Police Department on Tuesday said a threat was made against Holy Ghost Prep School that caused a brief shelter-in-place. Authorities believe 30-year-old Christian DeFlorio, a former student at the school, posted the threatening video on Instagram. Police say DeFlorio is currently in Miami, Florida and not a threat to students at this time. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESDeFlorio owns a white 2019 Alfa Romeo with red interior and a Pennsylvania license place of KGE-2435, police said. He is being sought on charges of making Terroristic Threats and related charges.

Jacob Stevens, 13, died of an apparent overdose after partaking in a TikTok challenge to consume 12 to 14 Benadryl tablets, according to his father. (McClain High School of Ohio) A 13-year-old from Ohio is dead after attempting an apparent TikTok challenge that entailed consuming 12 to 14 Benadryl tablets — more than six times the recommended dosage, according to his family.Jacob Stevens, of Greenfield, Ohio, decided to partake in the challenge with his friends earlier this month and landed in the hospital, where he ultimately became brain-dead before his parents took him off life support, said Jacob's father, Justin Stevens, on social media."We tried to tell him to stay off TikTok.

recent study published in the journal ScienceAdvances took a deep look into the behavior and the preliminary genetic makeup of dogs living in Chernobyl – a scientific first, according to the study's authors.  Researchers began looking into the genetic structure of 302 dogs that are free-roaming within the power plant in Chernobyl since 2017. One of hundreds of dogs living in Chernobyl.  (Clean Futures Fund)"The dogs have continued to live and propagate in some well-defined regions, like the nuclear power plant area, Chernobyl City, which is where workers live some 15 kilometers or so away.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s week-long family vacation in Jamaica over the winter holidays cost taxpayers at least $162,000, and is drawing criticism that it shows he does not “understand the realities of everyday Canadians” from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins has revealed that she was rushed to hospital after a "worrying" health issue.The 60 year old actress, who is best-known for playing Cindy Beale in the BBC soap from 1988 to 1998, took to Twitter to share the news of her hospital dash as she thanked the NHS staff. She tweeted: "Thank you @ nhs @RoyalFreeNHS for seeing me this morning at 9 am ,been a Worrying time but hopefully now all ok." Michelle then added: "When it works the @NHSEngland is fantastic ! Don’t destroy it #Tories #savethenhs." The actress didn't clarify exactly what the health issue was, but her fans were quick to wish her well in the comments section of her post.

PHILADELPHIA - A man and his accomplice are a rock's throw away from a run in with police.Surveillance footage captured the moment a man threw a rock through the glass door of Bru Bar on Chestnut Street last week.Police say he and another male suspect then went inside, gathered numerous liquor bottles, and fled.MORE HEADLINES:They also damaged the bar's cash registers, according to authorities.

A bear eats iced fruits to cool off at the Rome zoo (Bioparco di Roma) as temperatures reach 36 degrees Celsius on June 27, 2019 in the Italian capital. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images) ROME (AP) - Authorities in northern Italy captured a bear that fatally mauled a runner and became the focus of a battle over what to do with Italy’s growing Alpine brown bear population that was once nearly extinct but has rebounded thanks to a European Union-funded project.Jj4, a 17-year-old female, was captured overnight in the Brenta national park in a tube trap baited by fresh fruit, said officials in the autonomous province of Trento.

Ireland Baldwin is keeping off of social media for a while.

A young woman who was driving through a rural part of New York state with friends is dead after they pulled into the wrong driveway and were met with gunfire, authorities said Monday.

New Delhi: India experienced a modest decline in daily covid-19 cases, with 7,000 new infections reported on Tuesday, down from the average 10,000 daily cases. However, hospitals across major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Gurugram are witnessing a significant influx of patients. Contrary to the government’s assertions of low hospitalizations, medical professionals from various hospitals confirm that covid-19 wards are operating at full capacity, accommodating patients across all age groups.

Boat in front of Philadelphia Skyline with Schuylkill River Park Boardwalk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - Middle class is a term we hear quite a bit when talking about social hierarchy.

PHILADELPHIA - Officers with the Philadelphia Police Department are investigating a daytime double shooting that left two teenagers injured on Tuesday. Authorities say the shooting occurred on the 5100 block of Brown Street in the North Philadelphia section of the city. According to police, a 17-year-old man was shot in the left leg before running to the 100 block of N 55th Street, where he was picked up by police and transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital. The teen was placed in stable condition, authorities say. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAnother person, identified only as an 18-year-old male, was shot in the chin, shoulder and head, according to investigators. He was also transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition, officials say. This is a developing story.

Authorities said they pulled over a woman who was speeding 135 mph because she was late for work. (Credit: Oklahoma Highway Patrol) OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma driver shocked authorities when she topped speeds at 135 miles per hour on the highway. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said they pulled over the woman who was driving in a 70 mph zone on the Kilpatrick Turnpike near Penn."The driver’s excuse was that she was late for work," authorities posted on Facebook.

FILE - Tenderized tip steak is packaged in the meat department of a supermarket in Princeton, Illinois, U.S., on April 26, 2012. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Drug-resistant "superbugs" were found in 40% of meat products randomly sampled at supermarkets, according to researchers in Spain – who called for better assessment in meat products and warned consumers about proper food handling. Scientists say antibiotic resistance is reaching dangerously high levels around the world, with research suggesting that superbugs — or strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most medications – have joined the ranks of the world’s leading infectious disease killers.RELATED: CDC flags increase in stomach bug that’s becoming 'extensively drug-resistant'The researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela-Lugo analyzed 100 meat products – 25 each of chicken, turkey, beef and pork – chosen at random from grocery stores in northwest Spain.They found that 40 out of 100 contained multidrug-resistant E.

David Hinson (top left), Michael Caldwell (top right), Mahkiya Powell (bottom left), and Tonnaire McNair-Matthews (bottom right) are all facing charges connected to a multi-state scheme to lure drivers out of their cars after crashes.  WILMINGTON, Del. - Delaware State Police have arrested four men involved in a crime spree across the state and Pennsylvania in a scheme to lure drivers from their vehicles. According to authorities, on April 14, around 6:30 a.m., troopers responded to Marsh Road and Naamans Road for a suspicious vehicle. The report came from a 911 call where a driver said she was being "brake-checked' by a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police say the Jeep stopped in front of the driver, causing them to stop.

ATLANTA - Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church Atlanta and the founder of In Touch Ministries has died.FOX 5's Buck Lanford has confirmed First Baptist Atlanta Senior Pastor Anthony Georgia that the influential Atlanta faith leader passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday morning.For more than five decades, the pastor, broadcaster, and author served on the staff of First Baptist Atlanta. He was named Senior Pastor in 1971, becoming the 16th pastor at the historic church that was founded in 1848.

WASHINGTON - A toddler on Tuesday earned the title of one of the tiniest White House intruders after he squeezed through the metal fencing on the north side of the executive mansion.U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division officers, who are responsible for security at the White House, walked across the North Lawn to retrieve the tot and reunite him with his parents on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Not Tom Sandoval asking for someone else to take accountability for their actions…

Galen G. Weston, the public face and top executive behind the Loblaws grocery chain, will step down from his role as president by the end of the year.Loblaw Co.

Participants attend the 35th anniversary of 'International March of the Living' at the former Nazi-German Auschwitz Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Brzezinka, Poland on April 18, 2023. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) WARSAW, Poland - Thousands of people assembled Tuesday at the former site of Auschwitz for the March of the Living, a yearly Holocaust remembrance march that falls this year on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.Participants in the solemn event included Holocaust survivors who lived through the agony of Auschwitz or one of the other death camps where Nazi Germany sought to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe, and came close to doing so.Some attendees, including people from Israel and the United States, came face to face for the first time with something that has long been part of their psyche: the watchtowers, remains of gas chambers and the huge piles of shoes, suitcases and other objects that the victims brought with them on their final journey.RELATED: Holocaust survivors gather to mark 78th anniversary of Auschwitz liberationParticipants attend the 35th anniversary of 'International March of the Living' at the former Nazi-German Auschwitz Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Brzezinka, Poland on April 18, 2023.

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is being asked to decide under what circumstances businesses must accommodate the needs of religious employees.A case before the justices Tuesday involves a Christian mail carrier in rural Pennsylvania. He was told that as part of his job he’d need to start delivering Amazon.com packages on Sundays. He declined, saying his Sundays are for church and family.

US President Joe Biden speaks to the crowd during a celebration event at St. Muredachs Cathedral on April 14, 2023 in Ballina, Ireland.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Jake Gyllenhaal spent a lot of time together during the COVID lockdown.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon.The President revealed that the cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (23) with the heads of media organizations.The President's Media Division released the comments made by the President:"Firstly, let me thank everyone of the media for your presence here today. As you know I have requested all of you to be present here to tell you about the IMF agreement.We became a bankrupt country a year ago. This is the first time we have had to restructure our debt with the support of the IMF and our creditors.And this is the first occasion we’ve had to restructure our debt with the support of IMF and our creditors.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, was destroyed.He noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).Recalling that D.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister Indika Anuruddha commended the efforts made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a media briefing convened by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.He told reporters that it was Basil Rajapaksa who recommended that Wickremesinghe be handed over the task of taking the IMF program forward. "The initial step was taken during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. We had a few people in the Viyath Maga who were dragging the president's feet.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday (22) that he can only speak with the creditors, both multilateral and bilateral, and the private bondholders only if the Parliament is prepared to accept the IMF report.He urged the house to accept the report, and if there are any issues, it can be discussed with the IMF when the delegation returns to Sri Lanka.However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa noted that the report and the presentation by the President is not means to agree to the program proposed by the IMF."We cannot agree without proper examination and scrutiny, and a proper parliamentary debate," he added while requesting to sit in parliament and listen to the proposals that the opposition puts forward during the debate on the IMF report.He said the opposition is not ready to approve anything without proper examination and scrutiny.However, the President said the house should respond to him by the third week of April whether the parliament would approve the report, so that he could engage in the second round of talks with the IMF.  

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that the government will be introducing a serious of reforms after the IMF Executive Board granted approval for a bailout package of the country.Increasing Public Revenue:– Reduce the primary deficit to 2.3% of the GDP by 2025.– Increase the government’s revenue up to 15% of the GDP by 2026 through our measures.– Raised the standard corporate income tax rate to 30% without sectoral tax holidays.– PAYE tax rate was increased from 8% to 15%.– The measures required to reduce the existing tax exemptions on Value Added Tax (VAT) will come into effect by 2025. Further, necessary measures will be taken to remove the simplified VAT system and expedite its reimbursement.–  Steps have also been taken to introduce tax on awards / substitutes and to introduce Estate Duty as a property tax by 2025, while providing an appropriate tax exemption allowance at a minimum.–  Revamping the property tax system and introducing a wealth transfer tax – Introduce a gift and inheritance taxManaging Expenditure:– Increase the allocations provided to cover the expenses through proper management of expenditure.– Adjustments in certain salary scales and pension schemes as part of the impact of inflation within the primary deficit targets.State Enterprises and Energy Cost: – Fuel prices will be determined based on the 2018 Price Formula.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the IMF bailout package has opened a new avenue to create a better future for the youth of the country."We have received an opportunity to uplift our motherland," he told the Parliament on Wednesday (22) adding that the bailout of US $3 Billion will be provided across four years. The President said that an immediate disbursement of US $330 Million was received by Sri Lanka from the IMF, noting immediate facilities to the tune of US $7 Billion will be available from the World Bank and other creditor agencies.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe tabled the agreement reached with the IMF for a bailout package, in Parliament on Wednesday (22). The President also made a special statement to the house. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to make a special statement in Parliament on Wednesday (22).In addition, the President is expected to table the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund.In a special statement following the approval of the extended credit facility by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (21), President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that Sri Lanka is no longer deemed bankrupt by the world.The President further stated that the loan facility serves as an assurance from the international community that Sri Lanka has the capacity to restructure its debt and resume normal transactions.Additionally, the President noted that the government is working to gradually lift import restrictions on essential goods, medicines, and tourism-related goods, as the foreign exchange situation improves.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (21) said that Sri Lanka will lift import restrictions gradually after the Executive Board of the IMF approved the country's bailout package."Yesterday, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund approved the Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka. That approval sends a signal that Sri Lanka has the strength to restructure its debt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that will enable Sri Lanka to access up to $7 billion in funding, reported the President's Media Division.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude for the support of the IMF and other international partners, said the PMD.It added that the President committed to full transparency in all discussions with financial institutions & creditors, & to achieve sustainable levels of debt through prudent fiscal management & an ambitious reform agenda.The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision & will help to improve Sri Lanka's standing in international capital markets, making it an attractive country for investors, talent, & tourists, said the President's Media Division.Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan.The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for ou economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs.

Colombo (News 1st) – It is of "utmost importance" that the next Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka "should be an officer whose service in the police force is exemplary and free of any blemish and able to restore public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police," stated the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.The BASL letter has been issued in response to news that the office of the IGP is due to fall vacant on the 23rd of March, 2023."It is of utmost importance that the best possible appointment be made to that office" the BASL urged the President."During the last few decades there has been a serious erosion of public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police. The lack of independence, politicisation, police brutality, custodial deaths, lack of professionalism have all contributed to the erosion of public confidence in the Police.

The “Satarawa Deepani” Felicitation Ceremony was held on Thursday (16) and it was held under the auspices of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.The “Satarawa Deepani” Felicitation Ceremony, was organized as per a concept of Minister Bandula Gunawardena.During the event, tributes were paid to a group of artists who had contributed to the artwork created by Bandula Gunawardena. Veteran artists such as Dharmasiri Bandaranaike, Parakrama Niriella, and Cyril Wickramage were presented with awards by the President in recognition of their contributions.Veteran artists such as Professor Ariyaratne Athugala, Kumara Thirimadura and Sarath Kothalawala were also appreciated during this event.The book “Subandhu Cinema Watha,” which chronicles the cinematic career of Bandula Gunawardena, was launched at the event. During the event,  “Pragna Bandhu” scholarships were awarded to students who are currently pursuing the G.C.E.