Trucker protest, days-long blockade at U.S.-Canada border shuts down auto factories

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer states that the protection of Journalists and Activists play a fundamental role in ensuring a democratic society. In a tweet, she further stated that while their protection is vital to ensure freedom of expression, transparency and accountability. The silencing of critical voices, undermines public debate, freedom and the human rights of everyone. #Journalists & #activists play a fundamental role in ensuring a democratic society and their protection is vital to ensure freedom of expression, transparency and accountability.

EastEnders actress, 45, had an honest chat with OK! Magazine about how she copes with her fibromyalgia diagnosis. In the interview, she spoke about how she preferred not to discuss her weight but did reveal that the 80/20 rule diet is the diet which “works for me”.The Love Actually star also shared that a cold shower helps ease her fibromyalgia symptoms.The busy mum-of-one has recently turned her hand to modelling, after being signed to Elite model agency.The agency has also represented modelling icons such as Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.She posed for photographs during a photoshoot with the magazine and looked incredible.Madonna, 63, spreads her legs in latest risqué snapsWhen it comes to finding the right diet, this isn’t something that has always been easy for The Masked Singer star.However, the star highlighted the importance of just being “the best version” of herself.She said: “I think it takes a long time to work out what your own recipe is."It's taken me such a long time to look through all the stuff that's out there, and do just what works for me."So it's not as simple as just going on a crazy diet."I just feel it's really important to encourage women to just be the best version of themselves.”Giving more details about her diet, she added: “The 80/20 rule is what works for me.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 40,000 metric tons of fuel purchased by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation from the Indian Oil Corporation reached the Colombo Port on Tuesday (15).The IOC had submitted a quotation for fuel supplies based on a request by the Energy Ministry while the IOC has also granted them a 60-day period to make the payment.The Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, speaking at the event stated that while Sri Lanka is undergoing a large foreign exchange crisis, therefore has been experiencing difficulties in financing oil imports. However, the Minister added that Sri Lanka could not wait until the US$ 500Mn credit line is finalized, and the country was in need of fuel urgently due to the newly created demand which came from the power sector. Reiterating that friends in need are friends indeed, the Minister emphasized that India has proven itself a good friend of Sri Lanka, not by words, but by actions. The Indian High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagley also speaking at the event said that this as two countries have shared history and also underwent difficulties due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, India is committed to stand by Sri Lanka at this time of crisis.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board said that a decision will be made on Tuesday (15) on the number of hours that it would impose power outages in the country.Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission also noted that power cuts would be inevitable given the present fuel crisis as well as decreasing water levels at major reservoirs.The Public Utilities Commission to Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will reach a final decision today, on the proposed schedule and methodology for Power Cuts amidst the prevailing power crisis in the country.The PUCSL pointed out that disruptions to the supply of electricity are highly likely in the coming weeks, given the prevailing fuel crisis and the declining water levels at the reservoirs of Hydropower Plants.Speaking to News 1st this morning, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission to Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Ratnayake said the remaining hydropower reserves should be used sparingly to manage the hydropower generation in the coming two months.He said in order to manage the remaining resources, power cuts are required.However, the PUCSL Chairman also emphasized that the schedule for power cuts will be prepared in a manner to minimize the inconveniences faced by the consumers.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Tuesday (15) called on the masses to respond at the appropriate time to the attempts being made to suppress the truth through intimidation.“If Shehan Malaka did not go live on social media, the country would have never known that he was being forcefully taken away by a group in a white van. He had the courage to reveal this to the country,” said His Eminence.He slammed the police over its conduct in arresting people adding that Sri Lanka Police must be present in uniform when making an arrest and must use a police jeep for such purpose.“Police officers must read the charges against any accused when making an arrest,” he said adding that the Shehan Malaka was not arrested, but abducted in broad daylight.His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith termed such conduct as uncivilized and immoral, which is not suitable for a democratic community.The Archbishop of Colombo also took a blow at the present Attorney General, noting that he is a public servant and NOT a political stooge.He said the Attorney General who is expected to enforce the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, is making attempts to arrest those who are calling for justice over the Terror Attacks.“I request the people to understand the conspiratorial conduct of the government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister granted approval on Monday (14) to provide 15 kg of wheat flour per month at a concessionary rate to 115,867 beneficiary families working in the estate sector.According to the Department of Government Information approval was granted to the Finance Minister’s proposal ‘Implementation of proposals to minimize economic constraints confronted by the public’, on the 18th of January 2022.A committee led by the Trade Minister had thereafter issued a recommendation considering the resolution for wheat flour relief for estate worker families, and thus the recommendations were approved.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister on Monday (14) granted approval to prepare a road map and strategic plan to make Sri Lanka a Carbon-Net Zero country by 2050.The Department of Government Information in a statement said that ” If a country is to reach a carbon-Net zero, it must primarily reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and increase its carbon dioxide-absorbing ecosystems.”According to the statement, the Cabinet had identified the need to develop the road map and strategic plan to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka Carbon-Net Zero.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Environment to design a road map that is revised every 05 years after reviewing the progress and to formulate a five-year strategic plan, and appoint a committee of experts to do so.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers had extensively discussed the need to integrate non-motorized modes of transport, especially cycling, into the national transport system.“The use of non-motorized transport has a positive effect on reducing air pollution as well as on health, air quality, environment, climate change, and personal finances,” said the Department of Government Information on Tuesday (15).Therefore, it has been identified that non-motor systems should be integrated with existing transport systems to maximize economic and environmental benefits, it added.Accordingly, taking into consideration the submissions made by the Minister of Environment, the relevant Ministries and Institutions agreed to take the following steps under a joint approach.– Marking of bicycle lanes suitable for existing roads and upgrading of existing pedestrian lanes– Steps to include bicycle and pedestrian lanes for future roads– Taking necessary measures to encourage the use of bicycles for the staff of government offices– Providing necessary facilities for office cyclists including parking and access.

Some people in Edmonton are angry with the way police handled the other side of the trucker convoy response on the weekend. While many drivers got away with blaring their horns and making noise in violation of a noise injunction, a large group of Edmonton Police Service officers showed up to threaten counter-protests with arrests and fines.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Monday (14) assured the Cabinet of Ministers that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) as well as 9 other funds will be exempted from the 25% Surcharge Tax proposed in the 2022 Budget.It had been proposed in the 2022 Budget to impose a 25% Surcharge Tax on individuals or companies earning an annual taxable income of Rs. 2,000 million or more.Concerns were voiced by experts, opposition politicians as well as members of the government itself that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) would also be subjected to the surcharge tax.They cited that any fund that exceeds Rs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the never-before-used Emergencies Act on Monday, amid ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

Interim Conservative Party Leader Candice Bergen reacted Monday evening to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoking the Emergencies Act to help put an end to the anti-COVID-19 mandates protests. “Conservatives want to see the end of the blockades, we want them ended peacefully and quickly and in a way that Canadians feel that they’ve been listened to, heard and respected by their prime minister.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney responds after 11 people were arrested and guns, ammunition and body armor were seized by RCMP at the Coutts border crossing protest.

Alberta RCMP say they have detained 11 people after an investigation at the Coutts border crossing led to the seizure of more than dozen long guns, hand guns, ammunition and body armour.

The Polaris Dawn crew is pictured in a provided image. (Photo credit: Polaris Program / John Kraus) LOS ANGELES - Plans for three more crewed SpaceX private missions were announced this week, the first of which is targeted for launch later this year and will again be commanded by Jared Isaacman — a billionaire tech entrepreneur who previously experienced his own SpaceX flight. If all goes well, the last of the three missions could be the first crewed flight aboard SpaceX’s Starship, the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built.Isaacman, who founded the credit card processing company Shift4Payments, on Monday unveiled the Polaris Program— which aims to launch up to three human spaceflight missions in the future.

Two studies to be presented at upcoming professional society meetings suggest that some long COVID-19 symptoms may be related to the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the vagus nerve and that the use of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP)—which increases blood flow—can improve some of those symptoms, respectively.

Chief political correspondent David Akin has the latest on the Ottawa protests, as police moved in over the weekend to clear the blockage at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario.

Addressing a news conference Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed that military intervention on civilians should be avoided “at all costs.” This is why, he said, the solution is focused on police forces, enforcing existing laws and protecting public order are the ways to deal with the ongoing trucker protests and border blockades.

Gogglebox star Stephen Webb has pulled out of this Friday's episode after testing positive with coronavirus. The 50-year-old hairdresser from Brighton who appears on the show alongside his partner Daniel Lustig said he is "gutted" that he won't be taking part in the new series just yet.Sharing the news with his fans on Instagram, Stephen posted a video and wrote a message which read: "Gogglebox Back this Friday C4 9pm , gutted we won’t be back for episode 1 looking forward to seeing everyone #gogglebox #goggleboxfriday #goggleboxfamily."Holding his dog in his short video clip while his partner could also be seen sitting behind him through a window, Stephen said: "This is a message for the Gogglebox crew."Good luck filming this week, can't wait to see you Friday, I need a laugh.He added: "I'm off, we can't film this week because I've got covid."Looking through the window, Daniel chimed: "We locked him up in this room for everyone's benefit."Stephen then panned the camera around the space to show fans where he was currently isolating.He continued: "Look at my little room.

Justin Trudeau is expected to announce Monday he will invoke emergency powers to support provinces in ending the blockades and public disorder that have gripped Ottawa for 18 days, Global News has confirmed.One national security source and one source that participated in a Monday morning Liberal national caucus meeting said the government is poised to invoke the act and that senior officials are preparing for an imminent announcement.Multiple sources have also told Global News federal officials are weighing options for the military to help law enforcement with logistics. But there is no plan at this time, according to the sources, to have the military help police in dealing with civilians or deploying into the streets.What exactly are the powers coming into play? Let’s take a look.First, a quick history recap: the Emergencies Act is not the War Measures Act.The War Measures Act was the controversial piece of legislation that Trudeau’s father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, used back in 1970 during the October Crisis, which saw a series of terrorist attacks by a Quebec separatist group.The law allowed the federal government to suspend civil liberties, and it was in response to questions over how far Trudeau senior would go in suspending these liberties that he offered the infamous phrase: “Just watch me.”That law, however, was repealed and replaced in 1988.

Camilla, the wife of British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, has tested positive for coronavirus.“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating,” Clarence House said in a statement. “We continue to follow government guidelines.” Ivan Reitman, producer, ‘Ghostbusters’ director, dies at age 75 The 73-year-old Charles tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time last week.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Netizens have expressed serious concerns over the sighting of two unregistered Cadillac Escalade Full-Sized SUVs being transported along the Southern Expressway.Each vehicle costs over 50 Million Sri Lankan Rupees, and duty of over 30 Million Sri Lankan Rupees is due per vehicle.When News 1st raised questions about these vehicles from Sri Lanka Customs, we did not get a clear response.Customs Spokesperson Sudaththa Silva told News 1st that information can be provided after looking into the matter further.Questions are being raised across many platforms as to who owns these vehicles, and how were they imported to the country at a time when a forex shortage has held up over 2,000 freight containers with essential goods at the port?Shouldn’t there be a proper explanation from the authorities over such events?

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has now tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19, days after her husband, Prince Charles, also tested positive.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, the Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo on Monday (14) expressed concern over the return of the white van culture in Sri Lanka.Commenting on the arrest of Activist Shehan Malaka Gamage, he noted that the activist was arrested by force by a group who arrived in a white van and claimed to be personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department.“We cannot approve this conduct, as such a culture is not something that is good for democracy,” he warned.“Everyone has the freedom to speak and express.

The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for Covid-19.

Camilla has tested positive for coronavirus, a spokesperson for Clarence House has confirmed. A spokesperson said today: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating.

Police in Windsor, Ont. on Sunday weren’t asking anti-COVID-19 mandate protesters to leave.

Read on to understand the critical symptoms of long COVID and how it can affect your body. 

Two members of a Canadian counter-terrorism unit are under investigation for allegedly participating in thetrucker convoy protest in Ottawa, Ont., against COVID-19 restrictions, Global News has confirmed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A petition was filed with the Supreme Court on Monday (14) challenging the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Amendment Bill that was produced in Parliament to amend the Prevention of Terrorisms (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979.The special petition seeks a Supreme Court ruling that the bill violates the constitution of Sri Lanka.It was filed by Dr.

The mayor of Ottawa says he’s reached a back channel deal with protest organizers to limit their demonstration to the area immediately surrounding Parliament Hill. The agreement calls for vehicles to roll out of residential neighbourhoods over the next 24 hours.

Surrey RCMP Sgt. Elenore Sturko provides an update on enforcement at a protest blockading the Pacific Highway border crossing on Sunday. Four people have been arrested for mischief.

Several ​Edmontonians are not happy about the level of enforcement by police in Saturday’s trucker convoy. While many people are disappointed by the noise amid an injunction to stop it, it was how police handled a counter protest that pushed some people to their tipping point.

Ottawa’s mayor says he’s reached a “backchannel” deal with convoy organizers to limit the three-week occupation’s to the area immediately surrounding Parliament Hill.

COVID-19 measures continued into a second day, Surrey RCMP said.Highway 15 remained closed between 1st and 8th Avenue, according to DriveBC, and highway traffic cameras showed access to the route blocked by police vehicles.Surrey RCMP said Sunday the border crossing was closed an all vehicle access to the border area south of 8th Avenue was suspended.“Safety is our priority in this situation, this is a very high emotion protest where we want to do as much as we can to try and keep people calm, even as we move forward with arrests,” Surrey RCMP Sgt. Elenore Sturko said.Police formed a line around 12:30 p.m.

Coronavirus infection rates across the region have fallen by almost 40 per cent, figures have revealed.

the blockades that have snarled cross-border traffic and paralyzed the City of Ottawa.“Certainly,” responded Minister Bill Blair when asked Sunday if his government was prepared to invoke the Emergencies Act, rarely-used legislation that grants federal authorities exceptional powers to address national threats.“I want to assure you that we recognize the threat to Canada, to Canadians, to our livelihoods and to our prosperity that these protests represent. This isn’t about vaccines anymore.

Police removed protesters that have been blocking the Ambassador bridge in Windsor, Ont., on Sunday. They also made an arrest when drivers refused to remove their vehicles. Sean O’Shea has the details.

COVID-19 on Sunday, a drop that comes a day before the province prepares to allow gyms and spas to reopen for business.The Health Department says 2,081 people are in hospital with the disease after 121 patients were admitted in the past 24 hours and 183 were discharged.#COVID19 – En date du 12 février, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/pwoUoaBgaF pic.twitter.com/zwEv6UuVP9— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 13, 2022It says the number of overall virus-related hospitalizations is down by 62.Officials say 140 patients are listed in intensive care, a drop of 13.The province is also reporting 1,870 new cases confirmed by molecular testing, which is limited to certain higher-risk groups.They say 25,040 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered on Saturday, and 49 per cent of provincial residents have received their third dose.

Police clear a roadway at the Ambassador Bridge US-Canada border crossing blocked by truckers as they protest anti-vaccine mandates in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images) Police moved in to clear and arrest the remaining protesters near the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing on Sunday, trying to end a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions that has hurt the economy of both nations even as they held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.Local and national police formed a joint command center in Ottawa, where protests have paralyzed downtown, infuriated residents who are fed up with police inaction and turned up pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.The protests have reverberated across the country and beyond, with similar convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

All this week anti-COVID-19 vaccine mandate protesters said that if police came they wouldn’t leave their blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., but when push came to shove that’s exactly what they did. Sean O’Shea reports.

Josh Hazlewood conceded just five runs in the Super Over as T20 World Cup champion Australia edged Sri Lanka on Sunday after the second game of their series finished in a tie.Australia Innings:Australia was sent in to bat in Sydney and posted 164 for 6, with Josh Inglis scoring 48 from 32 balls to lead the scoring.Dushmantha Chameera took 2 for 30, including wickets with consecutive balls in the 19th over to remove Steve Smith (14) and Marcus Stoinis (19), and Wanindu Hasaranga returned 2 for 33.Sri Lanka Innings:Sri Lanka was always behind in the run chase after losing wickets in the first, third and fifth overs to slip to 25 for 3, but opener Pathum Nissanka’s 73 from 53 deliveries kept the visiting team in contention.Sri Lanka needed 46 from the last 18 balls for victory and, when Hasaranga was run out for 34 on the last ball of the 19th over, still needed 19 off the last over from Stoinis to win the match and level the series.They scored 18 , with Maheesh Teekshana hitting the second ball he faced for six and Chameera hitting a four down the ground on the last ball to level the scores.Super Over :With the Super Over in play Hazlewood, who returned 3 for 22 in his four overs in regulation, bowled two dot balls and a bye, which resulted in Dinesh Chandimal being run out by a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell as Sri Lanka slipped to 1- 1. The Sri Lankans managed to get to 5 for 1 after six balls.Maxwell took a single off Hasaranga from the first ball of Australia’s Super Over and Stoinis did the rest, driving down the ground for consecutive boundaries to secure the victory with three balls to spare.

Ont.’s Ambassador Bridge.Dozens of trucks, cars, pickups and vans have blocked traffic in both directions at Canada’s busiest border crossing to the U.S. for several days.

Those opposed to vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 measures gathered near the Pacific Highway truck crossing Saturday – where police say convoy vehicles broke through RCMP barricades. Paul Johnson reports.

KATE Garraway has revealed the heartbreaking conversations she has with her husband Derek since Covid made him struggle to communicate. The Good Morning Britain presenter admits her other half is still unable to speak, but they still have a "deep connection" and have found a "new way" to love each other. Asked whether they can have conversations, Kate tells You: "Not really.

Seoul (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has called on the world to pledge to not be warmongers and war criminals but peacemakers and sacrifice in whatever way required to benefit humanity forever with bestowed peace.Sirisena was speaking at the World Summit 2022 (Summit for Peace on the Korean Peninsula) in Seoul, South Korea.World Summit 2022 (Summit for Peace on the Korean Peninsula) gathered world leaders and a worldwide virtual audience around topics related to peaceful reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.It featured keynote speakers from around the world on a range of topics related to the peaceful reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula. Many speakers are from the 157 countries that have diplomatic ties with both North and South Korea.“The experiences in the unification of Germany and Vietnam show how two contrasting political ideologies could positively merge.

Day 16 of what the prime minister and police are calling an illegal occupation in our nation’s capital. All available officers are being deployed to enforce safety and to encourage protesters to leave, but the disruption continues.

COLOMBO (News 1st); In an operation conducted in seas north of Talaimannar in the dark hours of 12th February 2022, Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize 02 Indian trawlers with 12 Indian fishermen, whilst poaching in Sri Lankan waters.Sri Lanka Navy is conducting regular patrols and operations to curb illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters, considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and the sustainability of fishery resources of Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne visiting the North Central Naval Command to review its operational readiness on 12th February 2022, gave necessary directives to beef up the operational efficiency of fleet units and naval establishments of the Command.Further, he emphasized the importance of curbing all forms of illegal activities including illegal fishing practices and ensuring the security of Sri Lankan waters.