Consular services back in operation

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - As school safety takes center stages across the Delaware Valley, police say a male juvenile brought a loaded firearm to a football game for a Pennsylvania high school.Police spotted the reported runaway juvenile at the Bethlehem Area School District Stadium around 8:20 p.m. for a Friday night game.When officers attempted to check on his wellbeing, he became uncooperative and tried to flee on foot.

Police patrol car with sirens off during a traffic control. via Getty Images Two men are facing attempted murder charges after an apparent road rage incident ended with a shootout.The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office in Florida said William Hale, 35, and Frank Allison, 43, have both been charged after the road rage incident on Saturday, Oct.

An art project to commemorate the thousands of people who died from Covid-19 has opened in Dublin.

Danielle Brooks celebrated the opening night of her Broadway show The Piano Lesson just days ago and she sadly has to take a break from performing as she just tested positive for COVID-19.

PHILADELPHIA - Several investigations are underway after Philadelphia police say three separate shootings leave four people injured, two critically, as the weekend begins.The first shooting unfolded just minutes after midnight Saturday on the 2000 block of South 9th Street in South Philadelphia. Police say a 34-year-old man was shot twice and transported to a local hospital in critical condition.Less than two hours later, a 61-year-old man was shot in the leg on the 2700 block of Bonsall Street around 1:40 a.m.

Covid-19 which is slowly rising. In its health bulletin, the health department informed that now total cases of the Covid-19 virus in the city stand at 20,04,787, while the death toll is 26,506. The city saw 112 cases on Friday with a test positivity rate of 1.75% while on Thursday, the number of cases was 130, with a positivity rate of 1.84%.

A deserted beach at the edge on an old Mauna Loa lava flow is viewed on December 16, 2016, in this aerial photo taken along the Kona Kohala Coast, Hawaii. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was the strongest of a series of temblors that struck Friday on Hawaii's Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet that scientists say is in a "state of heightened unrest."Smaller aftershocks followed, according to the U.S.

Fourth arrest made in H2O car rally in Wildwood. WILDWOOD, N.J. - A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged after the chaos of an unsanctioned car rally erupted on the streets of Wildwood and claimed the lives of two innocent people last month.Joshua Bocchino, 19, was wanted for assaulting a police officer during the H2Oi car rally that gathered in Wildwood on September 24.The unsanctioned car rally created chaotic scenes throughout the popular shore town, causing car crash, injuries, property damage and bridge closures.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund, Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf has said that Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country despite the decline in GDP.Speaking at an IMF press conference on the Asia and Pacific Region’s Economic Outlook, the Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF responded to questions raised about Sri Lanka's progress toward debt restructuring negotiation, the IMF's program timeline, and whether Sri Lanka could be downgraded to low-income status.She pointed out that it is difficult to predict a timeline because the process of debt negotiations takes time, and mentioned that timelines differ depending on who the creditors are and what is involved. "We certainly are supporting the process as much as we can. And we hope that everybody can work expeditiously to get a process underway, and discussions have started, including with support of all bilateral creditors that are involved," she said. Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf further speaking noted that with regard to the other multilateral lenders, the IMF is working very closely with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Investment Bank, on programs for Sri Lanka, which would assist in closing the financing gap. "But I want to say also very importantly that the policies under the other multilateral lenders in their areas of expertise will be important to resolve Sri Lanka's longer term growth problems," Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf emphasized.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that all should join together to solve the people’s food issues, casting traditional party politics aside.The President made this observation addressing the public officers at an awareness program on the multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centers to ensure food security and nutrition at Hardy Advanced Technological Institute Auditorium in Ampara this morning (15).The President further noted that no one would be allowed to starve despite the fact that the country is going through a very difficult time and pointed out the importance of successfully implementing the national food production program to prepare for a possible global food crisis in 2023.The president also said that the agriculture modernization program would be implemented from next year concurrent to the food security program.The implementation of the multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centers to ensure food security and nutrition in transforming the Ampara District also into a prosperous one with a blooming community was also discussed at length.The Ampara district contributes 22 percent to the national paddy harvest and discussions were also focused on making the paddy cultivation in the Yala and Maha seasons a success.It was also special feature that the President paid special attention to the issues faced by the government officials during the field work. The president was made aware of issues related to the agriculture and fisheries industry in the Ampara district and he directed the officials to address those issues.

The gasps in room 43 of the National Gallery in London capture the raw emotion of a shocking moment.

BELOVED Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane had been struggling with osteoarthritis for some time before his death on Friday. Fans became increasingly concerned about the star after he was pictured using a wheelchair that year, but in September 2020 Robbie revealed to the Daily Express that he was struggling with osteoarthritis. "I was fighting pain 24 hours a day when I was in National Treasure and Great Expectations.

Ontario College of Teachers says it has launched a review of its professional standards amid controversy surrounding an Oakville, Ont., teacher’s attire.The college confirmed to Global News on Friday that it has been reviewing its professional standards in response to a request by the province’s education minister.Images went viral online and in the media last month, appearing to show a teacher at Oakville Trafalgar High School wearing large prosthetic breasts in class.In response, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he asked the Ontario College of Teachers to review its standards. Ontario College of Teachers asked to review professional standards “In this province, in our schools, we celebrate our differences and we also believe that there must be the highest standards of professionalism in front of our kids,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy as of now has kept 36 relief teams ready to extend relief measures to people, in the backdrop of inclement weather conditions reported in several areas of the island.Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Western Naval Command has sent 02 relief and rescue teams to Rathnapura and 04 teams to Kalutara, on standby.In addition, 21 more relief and rescue teams in the Western Naval Command and 09 similar teams in the Southern Naval Command have been kept on their toes for swift deployment, if need be.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) called for critical amendments and public consultation on the proposed Anti-Corruption Law, which enables the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magisterial order.The controversial bill was introduced by the Ministry of Justice, and oversees the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magesterial order, for officials who are suspected to have carried out an offence under the proposed anti-corruption act. This law seeks to replace the Bribery Act, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law. According to the bill, any authorized officer of the Commission may without an order from a Magistrate and without a warrant arrest any person suspected of committing an offence under the provisions of this Act. Moreover, the section (58)1 of the proposed bill highlights that "an authorised officer of the Commission may apply in writing to the High Court for a warrant authorizing the covert monitoring of any conduct and recording of any communication if such officer has reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that a person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence under this Act."TISL notes that Sri Lanka does not lack laws to deal with bribery and corruption even at present, however the enforcement of the said laws remain inadequate. While the country is struggling to apply even the existing anti-corruption laws, the TISL seriously notes that the independence of any proposed anti-corruption body from the Executive could only be assured, if any

PHILADELPHIA - A massive police scene developed on the Ben Franklin Bridge after a train accident Friday night.The Delaware River Port Authority confirms that at least one person was struck by a train on the bridge around 9:30 p.m.SkyFOX was live over the scene as emergency crews lined the bridge to respond to the accident.MORE HEADLINES:The identity of the person has not been released, and their condition is still unknown at this time.Officials have also not said if anyone else was injured during the incident.

Dublin, CA - October 07: A recent social media trend has caused some children to vomit, sweat profusely and their tongues turn blue after participating in the One Chip Challenge. After several students conducted the challenge at Bay Area schools, mul EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Several students at a middle school in Edina, Minnesota had to be treated by school staff and paramedics Friday after attempting the "One Chip Challenge," a social media trend in which participants film their reactions after eating an extremely spicy tortilla chip. School officials at South View Middle School called an ambulance after several students complained of having difficulty breathing, while others had eye pain from exposure to the chip dust, according to an email sent by the school to parents. The email said the paramedics who treated the students found no indication that any of them had any severe allergic reaction or injuries.

Rescue works continue for the coal miners, who are trapped under the rubbles, at the explosion site of a coal mine in Turkiye's northern Bartin province on October 15, 2022. (Photo by Kahraman Bekcili/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Funerals for miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey began Saturday as officials raised the death toll to at least 40 people.Desperate relatives had waited all night in the cold outside the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise's (TTK) mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, hoping for news.

PHILADELPHIA - It's about to be a beautiful day at the ballpark!A chilly 40-degree start to the morning will quickly climb into the 70s Saturday afternoon reaching a high of 74 degrees.If you're head to the Phillies game today, get ready for some sun and perfect fall weather! Temperatures are set to reach 71 degree by first pitch at 2:07 p.m. and stay steady for most of the game.Sunday temperatures remain around the same with a high or 69 degrees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warning issued to several places.Accordingly, level 3 (Red) notices have been issued to Walallawita, Ingiriya, Palindanuwara and Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretariat Division(s) (DSD) of the Kalutara District, the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat of the Nuwara Eliya District, and the Kalawana and Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat Divisions and its surrounding areas.Level 2 (Amber) warnings have been issued to Dodangoda, Horana, Bandaragama, Millaniya, Mathugama and Agalawatta Divisional Secretariats of Kalutara, Ruwanwella, Warakapola and Dehiowita Divisional Secretariats of the Kegalle District, and the Kuruwita, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Elapatha, Ratnapura, Kiriella and Pelmadulla Divisional Secretariats of the Ratnapura District.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Disaster Management Center says that three people have died, while over 55,000 have been displaced due to the continuing inclement weather conditions.Moreover, the DMC warned to expect more severe weather on Sunday (16).Meanwhile, an amber advisory has been issued for Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces and Galle and Matara Districts by the Meteorological Department.According to the Meteorological Department, the current heavy rains are expected to continue, due to the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ – The region where the Northern Hemispheric wind and the Southern Hemispheric wind converge) located in the vicinity of the island.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere over the Island during the afternoon or night.

Matt Goss, 54, has opened up about his rare muscle condition in order to give children growing up with the syndrome more confidence.The star also praised Strictly Come Dancing for the way they have handled his condition, adding that the BBC show has helped him both physically and mentally.Matt has revealed just how much Strictly has done for his self-esteem after being born with a “very rare” condition. The musician was born with Poland syndrome, which is a condition characterised by webbing of the fingers and of underdevelopment of chest muscle, according to the NHS.Matt has shared that he has “one pectoral muscle on the right side instead of two.The lower one is missing, but the upper one is fine and strong.”When Matt was the frontman of Bros, he used to “pose covering that side of his chest”.However, he now has plans to reshoot campaigns thanks to the newfound confidence Strictly Come Dancing has given him. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Matt said: “My posture has improved since being on Strictly. I want to say to the judges, you’ve made me want to improve this and be proud of my posture. “I want to thank them.This is a journey for me – every week I am getting stronger.”He went on to praise Strictly’s costume team, who had been “kind and discreet” when it came to outfit fittings.Matt explained: “It has been one of my favourite things about the Strictly experience.The costume team were relative strangers at the beginning, but from the start, they’ve always been very kind and discreet – it has really touched me.“If I get a jacket made it will pull on the right side more.

Reuters, WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward warned that richer nations must not step back from tackling Covid-19 as a global problem now, ahead of future potential waves of infection. Aylward co-ordinates the ACT-Accelerator, a partnership between WHO and other global health bodies to help poorer countries access COVID-19 tools.

₹2,832 crore loan to Gujarat for augmenting health services with a special focus on adolescent girls and disease surveillance in the state. The Executive Board of Directors has given nod to the loan, said the multilateral funding agency as quoted by PTI.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Wickremesinghe joined the 23rd Colombo National Book Fair at the BMICH this morning (22).He noted that a special book exhibition including books and documents of rare and historical value that have been taken from Sri Lanka to foreign countries is expected to be organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Commemoration.The President also said that he expected to obtain the support of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association for the Independence Commemorative Book Exhibition.The President, who arrived at the book exhibition this morning, was received by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, Samantha Indivara, and the group.Sri Lanka Foundation Chairman Saman Athaudahetti, members of the Book Publishers Association,  Vijitha Yapa, H.D.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government Medical Officers Association points out the decision to retire state sector employees after the age of 60 has put the lives of patients receiving treatment in hospitals at risk because many doctors will be forced to retire from December.The GMOA says as a result of this decision scheduled surgeries will have to be abandoned. The Association of Medical Specialists said that nearly 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022 as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration amending the retirement age of state employees. The Association revealed that under the directive, 43 specialists of the Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of the Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, and 09 specialists of the Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.It was proposed in the Interim Budget 2022 to amend the retirement age of state sector employees to 60 years, from the 65 years age requirement implemented in 2021.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st, 2022.

Does your home or office hold the key to solving the climate crisis? Experts say yes Siddall made the comments Wednesday during an interview in Calgary, where he was attending the grand opening of AIMCo’s new office in that city.AIMCo — which is responsible for the investments of pension, endowment and government funds in Alberta, with $163.8 billion of assets under management as of the end of last year — has approximately 600 employees spread across offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, London, U.K., and Luxembourg.Since the lifting of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, those employees have been able to decide within their individual teams how often they want to come into the physical office — with the company suggesting that two days a week be the “starting place” for that conversation, but no firm rules to that effect.“Our philosophy at AIMCo is we’re all adults,” Siddall said. “Where you do this work doesn’t matter.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after prosecutors say he admitted to carrying out six murders as a hitman, four of which were at the bidding of a drug trafficker. Ernest Pressley, 42, was arrested in September 2018 after local and federal authorities connected him to the murder of a victim identified as "S.S." According to investigators, the man was found shot to death in the parking lot of a Philadelphia apartment complex near the 7400 block of Malvern Avenue days before the arrest.Surveillance footage showed Pressley with the victim and other men the night before the deadly shooting. Pressley was arrested on Sept.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say a man suffered critical injuries after a dirt bike crash in North Philadelphia Tuesday night.A 26-year-old man was riding his dirt bike when he reportedly lost control and struck a tree on the 3500 block of North Broad Street.He was transported to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:Temple Police responded to the crash, since it occurred near campus.Police say he was traveling with other drivers, but no other injuries were reported.

PHILADELPHIA - Michelle Obama plans a six-city tour this fall in support of her new book, "The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times," beginning mid-November in Washington. D.C.

China has long been a coveted assignment for business executives and diplomats, a prestigious posting in a rising power and a valuable addition to one’s résumé.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva gave instructions to the relevant officials in Parliament, to expand the operations of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other institutions under the ministry to increase efficiency. The Minister said that like in many countries of the world, in Sri Lanka too, women are already working as crane operators in the port and steps will be taken to recruit more in the future.The Minister stated the above at the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Ports, Shipping and Aviation held on Tuesday (20).The committee also agreed to the regulation under Civil Aviation to be submitted to Parliament for approval on the 22nd. The purpose of this is to correct a printing error in the Civil Aviation Services (Issue of Licenses to Personnel and Training Institutions) orders published by Extraordinary Gazette.

LOS ANGELES - In an exclusive interview with FOX 11's Elex Michaelson, Los Angeles mayoral candidate and Congresswoman Karen Bass discussed her two guns being stolen from her home.Bass, who called the incident "very traumatic," told Michaelson her guns were registered, locked in a safe box, and stashed away in a closet before they were stolen by the suspects over the weekend.Bass revealed two suspects have since been arrested. The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed the two men were 42-year-old Patricio Munoz and 24-year-old Juan Espinoza.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Karen Bass says two guns stolen from her house during break inFollowing the burglary, FOX 11 filed a public record request in hopes of gaining more information on the incident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  According to the latest circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration regarding the retirement age limit of state employees, 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022.In the proposal for this year presented to the Parliament in 2021, the retirement age of all State employees was extended to 65 years.However, the revised budget presented recently lowered the retirement age of Government employees to 60.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st 2022.Under this directive, existing specialist doctors at provincial and primary hospitals will have to be transferred to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of specialist doctorsThe association stated that it is not possible to transfer specialist doctors without filling the vacancies first.Usually, only specialist doctors who are already trained abroad can be transferred in this manner.However, in view of the current crisis in the country, a significant group of specialist doctors are likely to remain abroad, the Association of Specialist Doctors said.In that situation, the entire health service, including remote hospitals may also collapse, the Association of Specialist Doctors emphasized.The association points out that according to the new circular, 43 specialists of Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and 09 specialists of Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Former Philadelphia Eagles player Herb Lusk speaks during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis wraps up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Herbert Lusk II died at the age of 69 on Monday, according to the city council's president."North Philadelphia and our city lost a true friend yesterday; Rev.

DOVER, Del. - The company that privatized operations at the port of Wilmington several years ago owes more than $21 million in damages for breaching an agreement to buy the port’s former stevedoring firm, a Delaware judge ruled Monday.Vice Chancellor Lori Will also found GT USA Wilmington in contempt for violating a court confidentiality order by using materials it obtained in defending itself in a 2018 lawsuit filed by Murphy Marine Services to negotiate a deal with one of Murphy Marine’s largest customers.Monday’s ruling came more than a year after a different Chancery Court judge ruled that GT was bound by the terms of a 2018 letter agreement regarding the purchase and sale of 100% of the equity interest of Murphy Marine.Will ruled Monday that GT violated the binding letter agreement by refusing to negotiate a definitive purchase agreement with Murphy Marine. She also said GT improperly used information obtained from Murphy Marine during the lawsuit to negotiate its own stevedoring contract with Dole Fresh Fruit Company.Officials with GT USA Wilmington did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.GT USA Wilmington is a subsidiary of port management company Gulftainer, which is based in the United Arab Emirates.

FILE - Downtown Denver skyline, photographed from the Jacquard Hotel rooftop in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 14, 2018.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will resume its attestation and verification service from Tuesday (20), following a recent computer system breakdown.Moreover, the MFA stated that the attestation and verification services at regional offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matara have also been resolved, and all other services of the consular division will also be provided.For further details the visiting service seekers may contact;Consular Affairs Division, Colombo 01    0112338812/0112338843 Regional Office, Jaffna                                0212215970 Regional Office, Trincomalee                    0262223182 Regional Office, Kandy                               0812384410 Regional Office, Kurunegala                     0372225941 Regional Office, Matara                             0412226697  

COLOMBO (News 1st); A petition against the increase of the electricity bill was signed at Colombo Fort on Monday (19).The program to sign the relevant petition was organized by the National Bhikku Front.A large number of people gathered to sign the petition protesting the unsustainable increase in the prices of goods and cost of living.Ven.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - There are many ways for airline passengers to get through long-haul flights, but some Southwest fliers didn’t expect a ukulele class. Passengers from Long Beach, California to Honolulu, Hawaii were surprised with music lessons on Friday.The Guitar Center, an instrument retailer, worked with the airline to arrange the surprise in an effort to welcome them to Hawaii. RELATED: Couple marries inside North Carolina airport after first meeting on flightPassengers onboard the Boeing 737-800 were given a Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukulele along with a Road Runner carrying case.Southwest passengers were given in-flight ukulele lessons.  (Guitar Center)Guitar Center instructors taught the fliers how to play "Hello, Aloha. How are you?" during the flight."I’ve taught students through Guitar Center Lessons since 2014, but never in an airplane," said instructor Alexandra Windsor in a news release.

Team India's pacer Mohammed Shami's T20I comeback will be delayed and has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 series against Australia starting from this week. The pacer was ruled out after he was detected being positive for Covid-19. Mohammed Shami will be replaced by another veteran pacer 35-year-old Umesh Yadav, who played last of his seven T20Is about more than three years ago against Australia is back in the scheme of things, having recovered from a quadriceps injury.

NEW YORK - The wave of attempted book banning and restrictions continues to intensify, the American Library Association reported Friday. Numbers for 2022 already approach last year’s totals, which were the highest in decades."I’ve never seen anything like this," says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting in Wissinoming after a man suffered several gunshots Saturday afternoon.The victim, a 43-year-old man, suffered two shots in the back and one shot in the upper arm on the 5300 block of Ditman Street just before 1 p.m.He was transported to a local hospital, where he was placed in critical but stable condition.MORE HEADLINES:No arrest has been made, and no weapon recovered.

A cheetah in India (Credit: Press Information Bureau) NEW DELHI (AP) - Seven decades after cheetahs died out in India, they’re back.Eight big cats from Namibia made the long trek Saturday in a chartered cargo flight to the northern Indian city of Gwalior, part of an ambitious and hotly contested plan to reintroduce cheetahs to the South Asian country.Then they were moved to their new home: a sprawling national park in the heart of India where scientists hope the world’s fastest land animal will roam again.RELATED: Huge 8-foot alligator carries new hatchlings in Oklahoma: videoIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the cats into their enclosure Saturday morning. The cats emerged from their cage, tentatively at first while continuously scanning their new surroundings."When the cheetah will run again … grasslands will be restored, biodiversity will increase and eco-tourism will get a boost," said Modi.Cheetahs were once widespread in India and became extinct in 1952 from hunting and loss of habitat.

Restaurants are facing a bumpy road to recovery after years of pandemic-related challenges. They’re now dealing with rising expenses, low customer counts, high debt and low profitability, according to Restaurants Canada.