Party: Last News

HADDON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - While walking across the Ben Franklin Bridge in 90 degree weather isn’t something most people would want to do, it was light work for Tom Turcich, after all he’s been through. On Saturday his World Walk came to an end where it all started, and what a journey it has been.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - One person was killed and nine others injured during a shooting in San Bernardino Friday night.  Officers with the San Bernardino Police Department responded to a strip mall in the 3600 block of E.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles Autism Challenge kicked off its fifth year of fundraising and races with a party at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday. Executive Director of the Eagles Autism Foundation Ryan Hammond said the charitable effort raised $4M this year for autism research and care. "The fact that every dollar is going into autism research and care is transformational," Hammond said. The Philadelphia Orchestra played a sensory-friendly performance at The Linc on Friday night. Cycling races of three different varieties will begin Saturday morning, followed by a 5K run-walk.Anna Henderson and her family from Wallingford will walk Saturday to support her 8-year-old son Josh who was diagnosed with autism at 3."I definitely don’t think Josh would be where he is today if he hadn’t had the diagnosis from CHOP therapies he’s received from local organizations, and they wouldn’t be able to do that without the funding received from the foundation," Anna said. To date, the foundation has raised more than $16M, but the Eagles' autism advocacy doesn't stop there.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Samagi Jana Balavegaya has decided to suspend the party membership of Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who obtained Cabinet positions on Friday (20).The Samagi Jana Balavegaya earlier said it would institute disciplinary action against its members who obtained ministerial positions in the government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickrmesinghe.SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament that is it against the policy of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya and its alliance, to join with the government.“We decided to engage with the government positively from the opposition, without joining the government,” the MP said on Friday (20).SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara obtained Ministerial positions on Friday (20).Harin Fernando was sworn in as the new Minister of Tourism and Lands.Manusha Nanayakkara was sworn in as the new Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment.

Andrea Horwath says she has tested positive for COVID-19, just two weeks before Ontarians head to the polls.Horwath made the announcement on Twitter early Thursday“Like many others in this pandemic, this morning I tested positive for COVID-19,” Horwath wrote.“We’re doing our best to keep everyone safe. I was looking forward to seeing folks in Northern Ontario,” she continued.

Jason Kenney has stepped down as leader of the United Conservative Party after narrowly winning the party’s leadership vote.Kenney received 51.4 per cent support in voting results released tonight in Calgary.He told supporters that the number is not what he hoped for and is not enough for him to continue on as leader.If Kenney had received less than 50 per cent plus one, he would have had to quit as per party rules and a leadership contest would have been called.Normally, leaders consider 75 to 80 per cent — or higher — the minimum credible mandate to continue leading their party.Kenney had earlier said he would accept a slim majority, because the voting pool was skewed by last-minute members interested only in scuttling his big-tent conservative party.“While 51 per cent of the vote passes the constitutional threshold of a majority, it clearly is not adequate support to continue on as leader,” Kenney said.“I’ve informed the president of the party of my intention to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party,” he said to gasps in the audience.“We need to move forward united. We need to put the past behind us.

Elon Musk attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue) Elon Musk says he will be crossing the aisle to vote for Republicans in the upcoming elections.Musk announced Monday that he would be voting for GOP candidates in the next election cycle after historically backing almost exclusively Democrats.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Two of the Pennsylvania Legislature's most powerful Republicans were in real danger of going down to defeat to challengers from the right Wednesday as vote counting continued in the primary election.State Sen. Pat Browne of Lehigh County was a few dozen votes behind school board member and pilot Jarrett Coleman, while state Rep. Stan Saylor of York County trailed Wendy Jo Fink, who promised to eliminate school property taxes.Both incumbents were attacked for being Harrisburg insiders.

Housing affordability in Ontario has eroded at a rate not seen in half a century over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report suggests, while home prices skyrocketed by 44 per cent across Doug Ford’s premiership.The new report by Generation Squeeze found that with current home prices, a new homebuyer would have to work full-time for nearly 22 years to save up enough money for a 20 per cent down payment on a home — up from 15 years in late 2019.“Ontario has just completely lost control of housing,” said Paul Kershaw, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia and the founder of Generation Squeeze, which studies housing affordability and standard of living across Canada.“We’ve never seen anything like this before in any province at any time in the last 50 years.” ‘I’ll never be able to afford property’: Housing costs key issue for Ontario voters The report, citing Canadian Real Estate Association data, found the average price for a home in Ontario rose to $871,688 by 2021, up 44 per cent from the inflation-adjusted price in 2018 — the year Ford was sworn in as premier.Meanwhile, wages have stagnated, particularly for the typical 25-to-34-year-old, which the report argues has led to “lost work” for those trying to save for a down payment.Over the first two years of the pandemic, Kershaw says those young Ontario residents have lost the value of six years of work that would otherwise be put toward home ownership.

NATO said Sweden and Finland would be “warmly welcomed” if the countries decided to apply for membership in the military alliance.Now, it appears at least one NATO nation doesn’t feel the same way.

FILE - Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Lt. Gov.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna have accosted two journalists covering parliamentary proceedings, within the parliament complex on Tuesday (17).The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Parliament Journalists Association Prageeth Perera and News 1st journalist Kasun Samaraweera were accosted while reporting on parliament affairs by MPs W. D.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  Ajith Rajapaksa was elected as the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday (17).The result of the ballot is as follows:MP Rohini Kaviratne: 78MP Ajith Rajapaksa: 109The Sri Lankan Parliament met for the first time under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe on Tuesday (17), and the proceedings took a tensed turn over the vote on selecting a new Deputy Speaker.The post for Deputy Speaker of Parliament was left vacant after Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya stepped down from the post, twice.The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) nominated MP Rohini Kaviratne, while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) nominated MP Ajith Rajapaksa to the post of Deputy Speaker.However, a majority of the Parliamentarians called on the speaker to terminate a vote without wasting time and money, and instruct the opposition leader and the prime minister to reach common ground on a suitable candidate, preferably a female candidate as requested by the Prime Minister.Leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa slammed the call for vote stating that a voting process costs Rs.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - As Pennsylvania Republicans prepare to choose a nominee for governor Tuesday, some party officials are twisted in knots over the possibility of a primary victory by a candidate many see as too far too the right to win statewide this fall.Doug Mastriano, a retired U.S. Army colonel and state senator since 2019, has led polls while spending a fraction of the money that some of the other eight candidates listed on the Republican primary ballot have spent.Mastriano recently won the endorsement of Donald Trump after working with the former president to overturn his loss in 2020's election in the presidential battleground state and helping spread Trump’s lies that widespread voter fraud cost him victory.

(Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images) HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania will hold its primary election on Tuesday with several hotly contested races on the ballot. Democrats and Republicans alike will head to the ballot box to decide who will represent their parties in several races including governor and U.S. Senate.For Republicans, the race looked for much of the campaign like a two-man contest between the Trump-endorsed Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Parliament met for the first time under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe on Tuesday (17), and the proceedings took a tensed turn over the vote on selecting a new Deputy Speaker.The post for Deputy Speaker of Parliament was left vacant after Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya stepped down from the post, twice.The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) nominated MP Rohini Kaviratne, while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) nominated MP Ajith Rajapaksa to the post of Deputy Speaker.However, a majority of the Parliamentarians called on the speaker to terminate a vote without wasting time and money, and instruct the opposition leader and the prime minister to reach common ground on a suitable candidate, preferably a female candidate as requested by the Prime Minister.Leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa slammed the call for vote stating that a voting process costs Rs. 9 Million from the tax payers money and by doing so, the entire parliament becomes a joke ifront of the people.MP Nimal Lanza from the Independent group of MPs threatened to walk out of the chamber if a vote is called for, while Former President Maithripala Sirisena and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party said the SLFP MPs would cast invalid votes if a vote goes ahead.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Independent MP Udaya Gammanpila said that the Group of 10 Parties that quit the SLPP-led Government have decided to support Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government.However, he said that the group will NOT accept any ministerial position, but will get involved in the 15 committees proposed by the Prime Minister to discuss the issues of the people, and provide solutions to them.The Former Minister speaking to reporters following a meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (16) said the Prime Minister called for everyone to cast aside their party differences and engage in a collective effort to solve the crisis.“We informed the Prime Minister that it was our group that called for an All-Party Government in a letter to the President dated the 8th of April 2022,” said the MP.The Prime Minister had noted that the need to form a National Council comprising of all the party leaders, said Gammanpila adding that 15 committee will be appointed and those committees will be chaired by the political parties that refuse to accept ministerial positions.Gammanpila said the Group of 10 Parties will NOT accept any ministerial position, but will support the efforts made on economic recovery.“The Prime Minister said the current status will be assessed. A new budget is to be presented where a program until December 2022 will be prepared,” said Gammanpila.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Former President Donald Trump's winning streak in U.S. Senate primaries is on the line Tuesday as voters in five states cast their ballots in midterm elections.Trump made bold endorsements in backing celebrity heart surgeon Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and U.S. Rep.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 6: Helium balloons congratulating recent graduates are tied to a railing outside Constitution Hall is viewed on June 6, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The nation's capital, the sixth largest metropolitan area in the country, draws mil As families start to gather in the coming weeks for high school and college graduation celebrations, power companies are warning about the dangers of releasing balloons into the air. Shiny, metallic balloons, also known as Mylar balloons, have a silvery coating that conducts electricity.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Opposition Leader has proposed the name of Rohini Kavirathne for the role of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Sagara Kariyawasam has stated that he proposes the name of Ajith Rajapaksa for the role of Deputy Speaker at the Parliament.It was decided at the recent meeting of the Party Leaders in Parliament to elect a representative to fill the vacancy in the post of Deputy Speaker, which fell vacant following the recent resignation of Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as the Deputy Speaker for the second time.

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES - 2022/05/13: Far Right candidate for Pennsylvania Governor Doug Mastriano speaks to his supporters in Wilkes-Barre. Doug Mastriano is a Pennsylvania GOP candidate for Governor.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accepted the President’s invitation to form an interim government.In a letter to the President on Thursday (12), Premadasa said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya led opposition is willing to form a new interim government in Sri Lanka subject to conditions.One of the conditions put forward by Sajith Premadasa is that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution should be implemented with the support of all political parties within two weeks.Further, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must resign within a stipulated time period.The third condition is that the President work together with all the political parties to work towards abolishing the Executive Presidency via the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.The fourth condition is that the President must call for Parliamentary Elections to award the people an opportunity to elect a new stable government, following the implementation of the aforementioned constitutional reforms, establishing the rule of law, and returning the people’s lives to normalcy.Sajith Premadasa said that he has a sustainable program to control the fall of the economy and for the implementation of the constitutional reforms.He said he is prepared to for discussions on the swearing in of the new government, and on the period of the said new government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Two of the most respected members of the clergy Venerable (Dr) Omalpe Sobitha Thero, Chief Sanghanayake (Dakshina Lankawa) of the Ramana Sect/Nikaya, and Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith have unconditionally opposed the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the nation’s Prime Minister.Venerable (Dr) Omalpe Sobitha Thero speaking to reporters in Colombo said that the appointment of Wickremesinghe to the vacant post of Prime Minister is ‘against due process, unconstitutional, and unethical.’The Venerable Thero said that Wickremesinghe is not suitable to be appointed to the post of Prime Minister.“The people are asking for one thing, but are being offered something completely different,” said the Venerable Thero, adding the Mahanayake Thero’s have made a clear directive with respect to the appointment of a new administration.He said the appointment of Wickremesinghe would be seen as a direct disregard of the directive.“The entire country is aware that Ranil Wickremesinghe is not a leader who has won the hearts of the people,” the Venerable Thero added.He is a National List MP and is not a leader who can realize the aspirations of the people, said the Venerable Thero, adding that Wickremesinghe is being appointed for some other personal reason, and not because the people want him as the PM.‘This is a decision being made for the sole protection of the Rajapaksa’s,’ said the Venerable Thero.He noted that one person is being given power by breaking away MPs from other parties, sometimes forcibly or by offering them money.Ranil Wickremesinghe’s appointment to the post of Prime Minister cannot be accepted, said His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Thursday (12).Speaking to reporters in

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is of the view that the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe should demonstrate his ability to establish a consensus among the political parties in Parliament as soon as possible.Issuing a statement with regard to the appointment of the PM, the BASL states that he should endeavour to build a representative Government of National Unity to implement a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in the interests of the people. Citing the earlier proposals of the BASL, which denotes that the Government should establish an Interim Government of National Unity consisting of 15 Cabinet Ministers, and the the Prime Minister being a Member of Parliament who is able to establish a consensus among all political parties recognized by the Speaker in Parliament on the national economy and to enact necessary reforms, the association states that  it was necessary to appoint a Prime Minister who is able to establish a consensus among all political parties within Parliament, rather than merely relying on the existence of a parliamentary majority.It is also imperative that the Government establishes a clear timeline to introduce critical constitutional amendments proposed by the BASL, including the introduction of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and the abolition of the executive presidency. In this period of tremendous uncertainty, disaffection and suffering it is vital that the new Government acts with transparency and purpose of vision so as to restore confidence among the citizens of this country and the various international and domestic actors whose assistance is required in this moment of crisis, the BASL addds.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided NOT to be part of any government led by newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.The SLFP will NOT accept any position in government, and will NOT be a part of the government, said Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, & Former President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday (13).The President and the Prime Minister have extended invitations to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to join the new government that will be formed under the leadership of Wickremesinghe.The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party had discussed the invitation and the current status of the country at length, and thereafter had reached the decision NOT to join Wickremesinghe’s government.

PHILADELPHIA - A Pennsylvania man was convicted of sexually assaulting one of his wife's bridesmaids days before the couple's wedding.A Monroe County jury on Friday found 31-year-old Daniel J. Carney guilty of attempted sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, simple assault and indecent assault.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed to News 1st that the SLPP party would support the Wickremesinghe-led Government.He added that the SLPP parliamentary group would meet The President tomorrow, at 10:00 AM.The SLPP announcement comes in the wake of all main opposition parties announcing their decision to stay away from joining a government under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Premiership.This would effectively mean that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe could end up as the head of a Government solely with Pohottuwa MP’s.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa said that the Independent Parliamentarians have no faith that the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe to the post of Prime Minister will bring about stability.“Ranil Wickremesinghe is also responsible for this crisis. During his 4 year administration USD 12 Bn worth of loans were obtained at premium interest rates,” he added.If then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has stepped down weeks ago, he would not be forced to go into hiding, said Wimal Weerawansa, the Leader of the National Freedom Front.“Had he stepped down before, his loyalists would not have been victims of violence,’ he said adding that individuals like Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Sanath Nishantha did not allow Rajapaksa to step down in a peaceful manner.“We called for him to step down, because we knew that this situation would occur,” he noting that, the former Prime Minister did not understand their concerns.He went on to note that PM Rajapaksa refused to step down and the crisis continued, leading to a the most horrible decision that they could make, which was to amass crowds at Temple Trees and incite them to attack peaceful protestors in Galle Face.Weerawansa said the Independent Parliamentarians held discussions with almost all political parties to form a new interim government, however unfortunately, none of those parties responded in the positive.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The newly-appointed Cabinet of Ministers will be appointed according to current necessities, and will only be a Cabinet appointed to build the country for a certain period of time, says the Deputy Leader of the United National Party, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.Speaking to media at UNP party headquarters, Sirikotha today (13), the UNP Deputy Leader stated that the new Cabinet will also not go forth with outdated systems of governance where the cabinet ministers are given privileges.He pointed out that the Cabinet will comprise of representatives of many parties, and put forth a mechanism approved by the people after much discussion. “We are hoping to move forward with a proper program which involves everyone in Parliament.

Jemma Melvin in Fortnum and Mason, central London, with her lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle that beat 5,000 desserts to become the official pudding of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. Picture date: Friday May 13, 2022.

The Queen has been spotted making her way to The Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park, Windsor Castle, after missing the first day.The monarch was pictured beaming on 13 May as she sat in the front seat of a car with a pair of sunglasses to shield her eyes. Smiling for the cameras, the Queen, 96, donned a black jumper with a white shirt underneath alongside a pair of pearl earrings for the outing. She wore a hint of make up, too, as she had some pink blush with a bright pink lipstick on.

NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Dr.

NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Barnette walks off the stage after speaking during a Republican leadership forum at Newtown Athletic Club on May 11, 2022 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. In the May 17 Republican prim HARRISBURG - Sensing a threat in Pennsylvania’s U.S.

WASHINGTON - House investigators said Thursday they have issued subpoenas to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and four other GOP lawmakers as part of their probe into the violent Jan. 6 insurrection, an extraordinary step that has little precedent and is certain to further inflame partisan tensions over the 2021 attack.The Jan.

Anthony F. Nero (Montgomery County District Attorney's Office) MONTGOMERY COUNTY - A Montgomery County man has been sentenced to over three years in prison in connection to a shooting at the county's Democratic Party headquarters last year.Anthony Francis Nero, 48, pleaded guilty to federal charges of sending threatening communications and cyberstalking in January.Nero admitted that he warned the office they should "probably beef up security" in a threatening email in January 2021, a day after the riot at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leader of the National People’s Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the need for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign, and thereafter an interim government can be formed for a period of six months.He further said that the NPP is ready to take control of the Interim Government that will be formed, adding that the support of other parties is required, and if that does not happen the NPP would function in the opposition.Anura Kumara Dissanayake said authorities must arrest the Temple Trees conspirators who created the violence in the country, and produce them before the law.“It is clear that Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers, MPs, Pradeshiya Sabha members, and others used state power to plan the violence,” he said calling on authorities to arrest them and produce them in court.Further, he called on the law enforcement agencies, including the IGP and the Police, to take action to maintain the law and the peace in the country.Dissanayake said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must immediately step down as his ‘solutions’ to the issues have not led to any form of stability in the country.He also called on the Speaker to function as the Acting President, given that Sri Lanka does not have a Prime Minister.He said the Government and Parliament do not represent the public mandate, and since there is no public trust on the government, a new government must be formed.Dissanayake speaking to the media said the NPP is prepared to take control of the interim government, until an election is called for to establish a new government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankans woke up to heavy military presence on the streets of Colombo and suburbs on Day-2 of the nation-wide curfew that was imposed to prevent an escalation of violence.Violence broke out on Monday (9th May) after pro-government supporters stormed two peaceful protest camps GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama in Colombo, where Sri Lankans were demanding the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister.A nation-wide curfew was imposed on Monday (9), however, crowds angered by the attacks on peaceful protests attacked buses and vehicles that transported the Rajapaksa supporters.This also led to attacks on the offices and residences of ruling party politicians across many parts of the island.The Combat Riders Squadron of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces, as well as Armored Personnel Carriers were deployed for mobile patrols across many areas.“While the curfew is in force today too, troops after placing roadblocks conduct search roles and facilitate the movement of vehicles, engaged in emergency essential needs of the country. Instructions have been given to the tri-services to stop vehicles without proper movement approvals.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Parliament speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has decided to handover a letter containing the proposals by party leaders to the President.The decision was reached at the Party Leaders meeting on Wednesday (11).Party Leaders will meet on Thursday (12) at the Parliament Complex once again to discuss the present situation in the country,

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the Party Leaders meeting will be held at 3 PM via Zoom on Wednesday (11).The current political state in the country, and the upcoming Parliament week will be discussed at this meeting.On Tuesday (10), the Speaker decided to cancel the party leaders meeting citing security concerns of MPs.

NEW YORK - Brooklyn-based rapper Casanova, who was one of 18 people indicted in connection with a litany of gang-related crimes including racketeering, murder, drugs, firearms, and fraud offenses has pleaded guilty to various charges.Casanova, whose real name is Caswell Senior, admitted to a shooting and a robbery and being a gang leader in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang.He is the 13th person to plead guilty in the case.As part of the racketeering conspiracy offense, Senior admitted to participating in a shooting in Florida on July 5, 2020, a robbery in New York City on August 5, 2018, and conspiring to traffic over 100 kilograms of marijuana.According to the indictment, between 2004 and 2020, Senior was part of a racketeering conspiracy with the Gorilla Stone gang.He admitted that on or about July 5, 2020, while at a party in Florida that included gang members, he shot someone during a gambling dispute.He also said that as part of an August 5, 2018 robbery in Manhattan, a victim was restrained and suffered serious bodily injury. He also admitted to helping to traffic at least 100 kilograms of marijuana.Senior, 35, of Montville, New Jersey, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Philip M.

abortion rights across the country Wednesday, leaving the fate of Roe v. Wade once again at serious risk of being overturned.The Senate bill, which would have codified the 50-year-old court ruling as federal law among other guarantees to access, was doomed to fail.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that a new Prime Minister and Government that can command a majority in Parliament and can gain the confidence of the Sri Lankan people will be appointed this week.The President also said that after appointing the new Prime Minister, and Government a constitutional amendment will be moved to enact the content of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will vest more powers with the Parliament.” The new government’s Prime Minister will be awarded the opportunity to produce a new program and take this country forward,” said the President.Commenting on the calls to abolish the Presidency, Rajapaksa said that the new government, after establishing stability in the country, will be allowed to discuss the matter with all parties and adopt the necessary measures.“At this time while protecting the people and property, and without allowing the country to fall, I request your support to continuously maintain the state mechanism to provide what is necessary for the day to day lives of the people,” said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Speaking on the violence that took place in the nation earlier this week, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vehemently condemned the root cause of the violence and said that the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to conduct investigations.“The murders, assaults, acts of intimidation, destruction of property, and the series of heinous acts that followed cannot be justified at all,” said the President.“From the moment these events took place, the Defence Secretary, Commanders of the Armed Forces, The Head of Intelligence, as well as the Security Council was convened and measures were taken to bring calm to the country,” he said,

COLOMBO (News1st); Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will ONLY accept the post of Prime Minister, when the President resigns, said Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Lakshman Kiriella.“The Opposition produced to No-Confidence motions against the Government and the President. Since the Prime Minister stepped down, only the NCM against the President remains,” he told the media on Wednesday (11).He said the NCM against the President was to be discussed at the Party Leaders meeting scheduled for Tuesday (10), and then following the cancellation it will be discussed on Wednesday (11).The MP said the No-Confidence Motion against the President will be discussed at the next parliament session.Lakshman Kiriella said the President must resign immediately, and thereafter Sajith Premadasa is prepared to accept the post of Prime Minister.“This president is not accepted locally or internationally,” he told the media.“The people question the existence of a President who cannot protect the lives of the people, as well the lives and property of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna politicians,” he added.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned voters unhappy with soaring inflation and his stalled domestic agenda against turning power over to "ultra-MAGA" Republicans in the midterm elections as he increasingly tries to cast former President Donald Trump and his adherents as a political foil.Speaking at the White House less than six months before the elections, Biden acknowledged that he could "taste" the country’s dissatisfaction with Washington, particularly over rising prices, but he sought to channel the anger against the GOP."Look, I know you’ve got to be frustrated," he said. "I know, I can taste it.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Party Leaders meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow (11), has been canceled.The meeting, which was due to take place at the Parliament, has been cancelled taking to account the problematic situation which has arisen regarding the security of the MPs, said Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.Accordingly, the party leadership meeting is expected to be held next Monday (16), and that too is uncertain, the Speaker added.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Angry Sri Lankans have attacked a number homes and other property owned by ruling party Ministers, MPs, and even local government members.The residences and property of the following SLPP politicians were attacked on Monday (9).Ex-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (Carlton House in Weeraketiya & Medamulana Walawwa)Rajapaksa Family (D. A.

Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano delivers his speech during a rally against vaccination mandates. Protesters gathered on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol to protest against covid-19 vaccination mandates.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A ruling party Member of Parliament was killed and property owned by many other Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna politicians were attacked following the violent attacks on peaceful protestors in Colombo’s GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama protests sites on Monday (9).Following the attacks on the two main protest sites, SLPP Polonnaruwa District MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala’s vehicle was mobbed by a group when it reached Nittambuwa on Monday (9) afternoon.Following an altercation, shots were fired, and the MP died.Moreover, a 27-year-old male also died in the shooting, said the Director of the Wathupitiwala Hospital.Property Attacked :The offices of Former Minister Johnston Fernando located in Kurunegala and Lillie Street, Colombo was attacked by angry crowds on Monday (9) afternoon.In addition, a taverns owned by Johnston Fernando was also set on fire.The Negombo residence of the Former Minister Nimal Lanza was also attacked on Monday (9) afternoon.The Moratuwa residence of Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando was set on fire.Ruling party Trade Leader Mahinda Kahandagamage’s residence in Vauxhall Street, Colombo was also attacked.