‘They were plotting to kills us’ – Wasantha reveals it all

PHILADELPHIA - Police in Reading, Pennsylvania, are investigating a swatting call from out of state that prompted a police presence at a fast food restaurant. Authorities say on Sunday, just before 10: 15 a.m., officers responded to a threat against the Wendy's on Lancaster Avenue. Police say information they received indicated an armed suspect was possibly hiding in a dumpster at the restaurant. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAccording to authorities, crews responded and cleared the dumpster. Police say the swatting call came from outside of the state. No additional information was released by authorities. 

(Adventure Aquarium)CAMDEN, N.J. - Congratulations are in order! The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has added a new - and very adorable - member to its penguin family."BABY ALERT!!! Adventure Aquarium’s little blue penguin parents Sheila (#8) and Spud (#3), are proud to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy, who hatched on February 15, weighing in at 37 grams," the aquarium announced Monday.MORE HEADLINES:The tiny hatchling has yet to be named, but the aquarium says to look out for a name reveal in the coming weeks!At the moment the baby blue chick is on exhibit, but will be taken behind the scenes at three weeks old to learn how to take to fish, grow and get ready for all his soon-to-be admirers.

(L) The recalled Lancaster Table & Seating High Chairs Model 164HIGHCMO – Mahogany (assembled), and (R) Lancaster Table & Seating High Chairs Model 164HIGHCBK – Black (assembled). (Credit: CPSC) Restaurant owners and diners with young children were recently put on notice after multiple high chairs broke with children in them, prompting a recall. The recall involves 22,400 Lancaster Table & Seating brand High Chairs in the U.S., in addition to about 52 sold in Canada, according to a Feb.

#COVID19 hospitalizations have risen 4 weeks in row—now worst in 7 weeks. https://t.co/4vOJbeV1xE Earlier this month, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared COVID continues to be a public health emergency of international concern.

(With inputs from agencies)  

Lorraine Kelly has given fans an update on her health following her recent absence from her morning ITV show.

FILE - Students walk to class at Rice University on Aug. 29, 2022, in Houston, Texas.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating a robbery that left a man injured in the Oxford Circle section of the city. According to police, the incident occurred on the 6200 block of Large Street Sunday evening at 10:36 p.m. Authorities say officers responded to th scene for reports of a person screaming. Investigators say two suspects demanded to be taken inside the home of a 45-year-old, but when he refused, he was hit in the head with a gun and then shot in the left leg. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe suspects then fled northbound on Large Street in a blue Honda before police arrived, authorities say. The man was transported to Albert Einstein medical Center, where he was placed in stable condition. Police say the investigation is active and ongoing. 

FILE - Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is pictured over the Cooper River to Charleston, South Carolina.

Eamonn Holmes and his son Declan attended Manchester United's cup-winning triumph over rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.The 63 year old Northern Irishman was pictured leaving the iconic Wembley Stadium once the Red Devils had lifted the Carabao Cup wheelchair-bound following a string of recent health setbacks. The former This Morning host seemed pretty chirpy as fans greeted him, and no wonder after Brazilian superstar Casemiro and in-form striker Marcus Rashford's goals earned Eamonn's team a first piece of silverware since the 2016-2017 season. Declan, who was seen wheeling his dad towards their waiting car, is Eamonn's 34 year old son from his first marriage to ex-wife Gabrielle Holmes.

The study found that the testes of the mice that just drank Pepsi or Coca-Cola were significantly increased on day 15 A new study has revealed that high doses of carbonated beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi may increase testicle size and testosterone levels. Consumption of carbonated drinks can also reduce the risk of prostate dysfunction and cancer. Previous studies have linked soda consumption to harm to reproductive functions, reduced sperm quantity, and reduced sperm motility.

Jagmeet Singh is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to hold a public inquiry into alleged Chinese election interference, joining several high-profile officials making the same ask.Singh, whose party is upholding Trudeau’s Liberal minority government, said in a statement Monday that while his party accepts the outcome of the 2021 election, serious allegations of foreign interference made in recent media reports need a “thorough, transparent and independent investigation.” Read more: Liberals ignored CSIS warning on 2019 candidate accused in Chinese interference probe, sources say Read next: ‘We kind of missed the landing’: Alberta premier on awkward handshake with prime minister “When Canadians learn about possible foreign interference through leaked documents, confidence in our democracy is put at risk,” Singh said.“The way to stop alleged secret Chinese interference is to refuse to keep their secrets for them.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Convener of the Inter-University Students' Federation Wasantha Mudalige and sixty-one others who were arrested and remanded for allegedly trespassing into the Education Ministry were released on bail. They were produced to the Kaduwela Chief Magistrate on Monday (27) and were released on personal bail of Rs.

Jean Smart’s “Hacks” co-stars are sharing an update on her health following a recent heart procedure.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - A California man made the Guinness World Records book for the most consecutive visits to Disneyland. Jeff Reitz has visited the Anaheim theme park for 2,995 consecutive days; that's a total of eight years, three months, and 13 days.According to Guinness World Records, Reitz started his journey in 2012."It started as a joke between friends when Disneyland announced they were giving an ‘Extra Disney Day’ when they announced the Leap Day 24-hour event in 2012," Jeff told Guinness World Records. RELATED: Reopening of Mickey's Toontown delayed, Disneyland announcesAfter visiting for 366 days, Disneyland presented Reitz with a gift basket along with certificate of Honorary Citizenship. Reitz told Guinness World Records that he hoped to reach the 3,000 consecutive visit mark, but the coronavirus pandemic stopped his Disneyland streak on March 14, 2020. "I have not set a return date yet, but now I think it would be really fun to return with my Guinness World Records title certificate to get pictures where I earned it — inside Disneyland," said Jeff.

Red Lobster is launching its first-ever line of frozen seafood products. (Credit: Provided photo / Red Lobster) ORLANDO, Fla. - Red Lobster is coming to a grocery store frozen aisle near you. The Orlando, Florida-based restaurant chain announced the launch of its first-ever line of frozen seafood products at U.S.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 06: A sign hangs outside of a Chick-fil-A restaurant on May 06, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicken prices have risen sharply this year as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand, fueled in part, by the popularity of new chic MONTGOMERY COUNTY - A Chick-fil-A in Montgomery County is taking action after they say a series of "unacceptable behaviors" by kids and young teens has forced them to "protect" their guests, staff and building."We contemplated long and hard before posting this, but decided it was time," the Chick-fil-A on Buckwalter Road in Royersford said in a Facebook post that has since gathered significant support.As of last week, all children under the age of 16 are now required to be accompanied by an adult when dining inside the Montgomery County fast food restaurant.Chick-fil-A says the ban is in response to the repeated "unacceptable behaviors" of unaccompanied children and teens, including volume and explicit language, mistreatment of property, disrespect of employees and unsafe behaviors."As you can imagine, this is not a pleasant experience.

KINGSESSING - A Philadelphia firefighter was seriously injured while fighting a house fire Saturday morning.Officials with the department said the firefighter Randy Ballinger was working with his colleagues to douse a fire on the 1100 block of South Paxon Street early Saturday morning, around 7 a.m., in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood.According to authorities, the firefighter was seriously injured after falling from the roof of the two-story rowhome that was on fire.MORE HEADLINES:The man’s colleagues on the scene began to treat his multiple injuries, and he was then rushed by medics to a local hospital for treatment.According to a fundraiser for Ballinger, he suffered a concussion, torn aorta, collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken pelvis, a compound ankle fracture and multiple bone fractures in both his legs. A GoFundMe has since raised over $45,000 for Ballinger's medical expenses. Approximately seven people were displaced as a result of the fire.

8FILE - Former kickboxer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan (not seen) leave court with police cars after their trial in Bucharest, Romania on Feb. 1, 2023.

FILE - An iPhone prompting to enter the passcode is seen on Oct. 25, 2017.

A former member of the National Public Health Emergency Team has said that Ireland imposed measures during the Covid-19 pandemic that excessively limited basic freedoms.

HATBORO, Pa. - A viral video of a racist rant by a customer, yelling offensive things directed at the business owner, is posted on TikTok and has been viewed over and over, shared on multiple platforms and it’s sparking outrage."You feel frustrated. It’s something that I was not expecting," said Omar Quinones. He’s the owner of Amy’s Pizzeria in Hatboro.Captured on video, the woman is seen yelling, "You give me my money back! I'm not giving my money to some illegal immigrant."It happened at Amy’s Pizzeria, Thursday night.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Two bicyclists are dead and 11 others have been hospitalized after a pickup truck struck a group of bicyclists in Goodyear, police said Saturday.The collision happened near MC-85 and Cotton Lane just before 8 a.m. on Feb.

A Pilatus PC-12/45 in Los Angeles, California. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) STAGECOACH, Nev. (AP - A medical transport flight that crashed in a mountainous area in northern Nevada, killing five all five people aboard the plane including a patient, apparently broke apart before hitting the ground, authorities said Sunday.The National Transportation Safety Board has sent in a seven-member team of investigators to the site of Friday night’s crash near Stagecoach."How do we know if the airplane broke up in flight? We found parts of the airplane one-half to three-quarters of a mile away" from the crash scene, NTSB Vice Chair Bruce Landsberg said at a news briefing in Carson City.Landsberg said in the afternoon briefing that a team spent all day looking for pieces of the downed plane.

SOCIETY HILL - On the final weekend of Black History Month, Philadelphia leaders welcomed Dr. Bernice King for a forum at the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E Church.Morgan Lloyd, with the African American Museum in Philadelphia, said the hope is people will take away a feeling of community and empowerment."Black History Month is a continual thing," said Lloyd. "We’re here at this historical institution that was one of the foundations for our Black abolitionists and a huge community here in the city.

COLOMBO (News 1st); An individual who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the protest staged by the Jathika Jana Balavegaya in Colombo on Sunday (27) has died.General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva speaking to reporters in Colombo on Monday (27) said a peaceful protest by the JJB was attacked, and as a result of an attack around 28 people were hospitalized due to injuries. "Two people were in critical condition.

(Reuters) – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's investment arm, said it will provide Sri Lanka a $400 million cross-currency swap facility to help fund essential imports.Three private banks, which together deal with over 30% of Sri Lanka's remittances and exports, will receive the facility to fund essential imports, including medicine, food and fertiliser, the IFC said in a statement on Monday (27).The funds will provide a much needed foreign exchange cushion for Sri Lanka, which is grappling with its worst financial crisis in over seven decades partly triggered by a severe shortage of dollars.The island nation's economy is estimated to have contracted by 9.2% in 2022 and is expected to shrink a further 4.2% in 2023, according to World Bank data."We expect this financing to boost confidence in the investor community, attract fresh capital inflows to support the Sri Lankan economy," said Joon Young Park, IFC's Portfolio Manager, Financial Institutions Group for South Asia.IFC is also working on further plans to support client banks with other long-term funding and advisory services in the future, the statement added.Sri Lanka signed a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $2.9 billion bailout last September but has to put its debt on a sustainable repayment track before the funds can be disbursed.

  Concluding her official visit, ‘INS Sukanya’ will depart the island on 01st March and she is expected to engage in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a ship of the Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo.About INS Sukanya:The Sukanya Class offshore patrol vessels are in service with the Indian Navy. The first three ships were built by Korea Tacoma, while four were constructed at the Hindustan Shipyard in India.The lead ship in class, INS Sukanya (P50), was commissioned in August 1989.

COLOMBO (News 1st); SJB Parliamentarian Mayantha Dissanayake said that he will step down from the post of Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance.

Madonna‘s eldest sibling, Anthony Ciccone, has died, a family member said Saturday. He was 66.The announcement was made on Instagram by musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone.“My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening.

Justin Trudeau is under increasing cross-partisan pressure to call an independent inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian politics.The push for some form of public inquiry isn’t limited to the Liberals’ political opponents, but former senior national security officials and a former close confidant of the prime minister. Read more: Canada needs an inquiry into Chinese election interference: ex-spymaster Read next: Part of the Sun breaks free and forms a strange vortex, baffling scientists “Some form of non-partisan deep look has to happen here,” Gerald Butts, Trudeau’s former principal secretary, told Global News in an interview Sunday.Butts, now the vice chairman of the Eurasia Group, said there are a number of ways the government could commission a non-partisan investigation, including a public inquiry, Royal commission or a commission of inquiry.“We have many tools at our disposal,” Butts said, adding that while recent reports have focused on Chinese political interference, the issue is broader.“It’s not going to get at the heart of the problem if we just pick one election cycle and one country.”Global News reported Saturday that Dick Fadden, the former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and a longtime senior national security official, said he could see no “compelling reason” not to hold a public inquiry into foreign interference.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The quality report with regard to the consignment of eggs that will be imported to Sri Lanka from India is expected to be received on Tuesday (28).The report is expected from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India and once the report is approved, the shipment of 2 million Indian eggs will reach Sri Lanka.The Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security said that the respective indian companies via laboratory tests have confirmed that there is no presence or risk of Bird Flu at their farms.The Ministry said that once the eggs reach Sri Lanka the country's Health Ministry will also conduct tests on the quality and standards.Thereafter, the eggs will be delivered to bakeries, and hotels in the country.The Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security said that an eggs is expected to be sold for a price of Rs.

WEST PHILADELPHIA - Dozens of families received support, resources and life-saving training during the Community Health Partnership Clinic in the Cobbs Creek.The partnership is between the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Health Equity and Community of Compassion CDC."We’re dealing with both kinds of trauma, both physical trauma and mental trauma. We were really intentional on finding partners who provide consistent and ongoing support for these families," said Dr.

SOCIETY HILL - On the final weekend of Black History Month, Philadelphia leaders welcomed Dr. Bernice King for a forum at the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E Church.Morgan Lloyd, with the African American Museum in Philadelphia, said the hope is people will take away a feeling of community and empowerment."Black History Month is a continual thing," said Lloyd. "We’re here at this historical institution that was one of the foundations for our Black abolitionists and a huge community here in the city.

EAST MOUNT AIRY - Philadelphia police are investigating vandalism of an Islamic community center and mosque. Police and mosque leaders would like to find the person responsible.It happened Friday night into Saturday at Masjidullah and it’s caught on their cameras.They do feel this was intentional and deliberate.The cameras show a man getting off the bus, heading directly to their building and taking out supplies.MORE HEADLINES:Fortunately, they say the outpouring of support from the community and other religious organizations shows whatever the person was trying to accomplish didn’t work.Surveillance video at Masjidullah shows a man exiting the bus at Washington Lane and Limekiln Pike Friday night, walk up to their front entrance, then turn away and immediately head to the back of the building.It was at the back of the building leaders say the man, who they do not recognize, spray-painted and physically used a can of paint to vandalize doors and a brand-new refrigerator for their food pantry.Philadelphia Police Northwest Detectives are investigating."We were totally shocked about what we saw," Resident Imam Idris Abdul-Zahir said.

KINGSESSING - A Philadelphia firefighter was seriously injured while fighting a house fire Saturday morning.Officials with the department said the firefighter was working with his colleagues to douse a fire on the 1100 block of South Paxon Street early Saturday morning, around 7 a.m., in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood.According to authorities, the firefighter was seriously injured after falling from the roof of the two-story rowhome that was on fire.MORE HEADLINES:The man’s colleagues on the scene began to treat his multiple injuries, and he was then rushed by medics to a local hospital for treatment.Fire officials did not release any further information regarding the firefighter’s condition.Approximately seven people were displaced as a result of the fire.

China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) had occurred while the lockdown was just getting underway. "We were completely preoccupied with the COVID challenge. Please appreciate the anonymity of what Prime Minister Modi did.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court on Tuesday (7) sentenced to death a father of two who was found guilty of killing a young man suspected of having an affair with his wife.He was accused of stabbing the man 16-times resulting in his death.Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe sentenced the accused Asika Maduka to death after the prosecution proved the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.The Attorney General had filed the case against the accused for killing Sadun Prasad in Mutuwal on the 12th of March 2018.The complaint noted that the accused was an employee at a local government institution, and on one particular day he had returned home to find his wife missing.The complaint also noted that the accused had started searching for his wife in his three-wheeler and during the search he had seen his wife traveling in a three-wheeler with the victim.It also noted that the accused had chased after them, and had an argument with both his wife and the victim.The complaint further noted that thereafter, the lifeless body of the victim was found on the street.

An expert has outlined the potential problems that can arise as a result of going to the toilet when you don't really need.

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (1) granted bail to Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation, in three separate cases. Attorney Nuwan Bopage speaking to News 1st said that three cases against Wasantha Mudalige were called up in court on Wednesday (1).He said that based on the fact that he was remanded for a prolonged period, and that the PTA charges were dropped in court on Tuesday (31), the Fort Magistrate granted bail for all three cases.The Attorney said that Wasantha Mudalige will be brought to court later in the day, to secure his release on bail.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Convener of Inter University Students' Federation Wasantha Mudalige was released on Tuesday (31) by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court in connection with the case that was filed against him for allegedly committing offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).Mudalige was arrested in August 2022 under the emergency regulations and was held for 89 days under the provisions of the PTA, and later on 21st November 2022 was moved to remand custody.He has been in remand since then, and will return to remand custody for other pending cases filed against him.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court is expected to deliver its ruling on bail for Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation. Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation, was escorted to the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court on Tuesday (31) morning.Mudalige was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terorrism Act, and remains in remand custody pending advice from the Attorney General. Activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation engaged in a silent protest opposite the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court when IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige was escorted to the court. The Keselwatte Police had sought an order from court to prevent the silent protest from continuing, citing that it inconvenienced the public. However, Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis rejected the request and advised the police to act as per the powers vested with Sri Lanka Police if the protest was in fact an inconvenience to the public.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 12,000 affidavits signed seeking the release of Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation who remains in remand custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, were handed over to the Attorney General on Monday (30).Student activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation along with activists from Mass Organizations visited the Attorney General's Department on Monday (30) morning to hand over 12,000 affidavits that were signed seeking the release of Wasantha MudaligeThese 12,000 affidavits claim that the signees were also engaged in the public protests that took place since March 2022 to bring about change by ending a corrupt and inefficient governance that burdened the people with a failed economy.The signees also claim they were involved in the protests that took place on the 9th of July 2022.They also note that the Inter-University Student's Federation was just one organization among many that took part in those protests, and that Wasantha Mudalige is just one student leader who took part in the demonstrations.These 12,000 affidavits claim that they too should be treated in the same manner as Wasantha Mudalige.The group attempted to hand over these affidavits from the back entrance to the Attorney General's Department, however, those attempts were futile.Thereafter, two representatives were allowed to enter the Attorney General's Department and the affidavits were taken inside the using a Police Jeep."If Wasantha Mudalige is a terrorist for his involvement in the Aragalaya, then the millions who joined the protests are also terrorists.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Three members of the same family died following a fire at their residence on Thursday (26) night in Mankadawala, Elayapattuwa.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that a woman (30), and her daughter (10) and son (5) died in the tragedy.He added that the husband of the deceased woman had attempted to rescue the family, however he had suffered burn injuries and was moved for treatment.

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is understood to be making a landmark return to Dundee, three years after the city's second turn at the event was kiboshed by Covid. The Record understands from festival insiders that the City of Discovery will play host to the annual festival on May 26-28, boasting a world-class line-up of big hitters.

Bristol Palin is getting real about what she’s been through on the operating table.

FORMER HOLLYOAKS star Hollie-Jay Bowes revealed that she's been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The actress - who played Michaela McQueen in the Channel 4 soap - said she was relieved to receive the news after being on a waiting list for three years. Hollie-Jay, 34, who also plays Debs Rafferty in the new series of BBC's Waterloo Road, will be part of a new storyline with pupil Kelly Jo Rafferty, played by Alicia Forde, in which she learns whether she has ADHD.