Defense confident they will clear former Amtrak conductor in deadly 2015 Philadelphia derailment

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) states that due to the unexpected high energy demand during the weekend, the PUCSL has permitted for the existing power cuts to be extended.The decision has been reached at the Ceylon Electricity Board’s request, and accordingly, power cuts for areas P,Q,R,S,T,U,V and W between 9 AM until 3 PM will be extended by one hour for today (27).The existing power cut schedule for today (27) will be thus amended as follows;Sunday Groups PQRSTUVW:1 hour from 9 am until 3 pm2 hours from 3 PM to 11 PMGroups ABCDEFGHIJKL:2 hours and 15 minutes from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM 1 hour 15 minutes from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PMPower Cut Schedule: Click Here

After 31 years of broadcasting teen pregnancies, mysterious illnesses and its trademarked “Who’s the Father” segment, Maury is going off the air.

Covid-19 cases earlier this week, India on Sunday recorded decline in cases once again, logging 1,421 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the updated Union Health Ministry data. Additionally, a total of 149 Covid-19 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the data further stated. The country's active Covid-19 cases stood at 16,187 on Sunday, the Health Ministry data revealed.

Hong Kong government said in a statement.

An investigation is underway into how a teenager fell to his death late on Thursday at Icon Park in Orlando during the operation of a ride deemed the “tallest free-standing drop tower in the world.”

BOSTON - Boston authorities said one construction worker was killed when part of a building collapsed Saturday."This is a terrible tragedy," Mayor Michelle Wu said to reporters. "My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the worker here tonight.""Companies working at a partial building collapse at 1 Congress St.," the Boston Fire Department tweeted.According to Boston 25 News, the fire commissioner said the worker was in a bobcat when the floor collapsed and he fell 9 stories.

First Dates bartender Merlin ­Griffiths has given a health update amid his ongoing cancer battle. The Channel 4 star announced that he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September of last year. He told of how he was set to face a year of treatment with doctors telling him he has a 75% chance of living more than five years.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Nnanna Njoku #22 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates after defeating the Houston Cougars 50-44 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) ((Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images))SAN ANTONIO - Jermaine Samuels had 16 points and 10 rebounds as Villanova advanced to its third NCAA Final Four in the last six NCAA Tournaments with a grind-it-out 50-44 victory over Houston in the South Region final Saturday.Caleb Daniels added 14 points for the Wildcats (30-7), and fifth-year senior Collin Gillespie's only made field goal was a clutch shot late.With both teams willing to limit possessions, the first spot for this year's Final Four in New Orleans was settled in a game that was ugly to watch with all the missed shots.Villanova shot 28.8% from the field (15 of 52).

Today we are reporting 10,239 community cases, 848 hospitalisations and 4 deaths.

DEPTFORD, N.J. - "You can do anything you set your mind to!" That's the message female firefighters in Deptford are hoping to spread. As Women's History Month comes to a close, it's fitting that Saturday's shift at the Deptford Fire Department featured a company staffed by all women. It's a sight not often seen in the male-dominated field. "It’s very rare, very rare. I mean, we’ve had obviously a couple of us on duty for duty crews together, but this is the first time we’ve done a truck of just females running the station.""We run duty crews in Deptford and they are typically a five-person crew., Jennifer Smith said.

Lin-Manuel Miranda won't be hitting the Oscars red carpet on Sunday. The actor revealed on Saturday that he won't be attending the star-studded awards show out of an abundance of caution for public health.«Made it to Hollywood… This weekend, my wife tested ➕ for COVID,» Miranda, 42, wrote on Twitter. «She's doing fine.

Solar Orbiter (Credit: European Space Agency) The European Space Orbiter reached its closest approach to the sun Saturday, providing researchers with unprecedented detail. According to the European Space Agency, the spacecraft passed at about one-third of the sun-Earth distance, or 30 million miles, around 7:50 a.m. ET. The agency said the spacecraft is now in the orbit of the planet Mercury. The space mission is a project of the European Space Agency in conjunction with NASA.

RaDonda Vaught (Credit: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A former Tennessee nurse is guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of a patient who was accidentally given the wrong medication, a jury found Friday.

Visitors view aGrizzly Bear at the Bear and Wolf Recovery Center just outside of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Corbis via Getty Images) BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A Montana man who went missing while hiking earlier this week was killed in a suspected encounter with a grizzly bear north of Yellowstone National Park, authorities said Friday.The victim was identified as Craig Clouatre, 40, of Livingston.

Wilson Ventura-Cruz, 18, was arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder.  READING, Pa. - The Reading Police Department has announced the arrest of a suspect accused of fatally shooting a 19-year-old man on Friday. According to police, the shooting happened on the 1400 block of Schuylkill Avenue around 5:17 p.m. Officers arrived in the area and found the victim dead and were directed toward a car fleeing the scene of the shooting, police say. Authorities say officers located and stopped the vehicle in the 700 block of Schuylkill Avenue.Police identified the driver of the car as the shooting suspect, 18-year-old Wilson Ventura-Cruz, according to police. Ventura-Cruz was taken into custody and charged with 1st-degree murder and related charges. The Reading Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact authorities at 610-655-6116. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINES___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. - An Illinois man now holds the Missouri paddlefish state record, and he can thank Mother Nature for some of that title.Jim Dain snagged a monster 140-pound, 10-ounce paddlefish on March 18 at the Lake of the Ozarks. The latest record breaks the previous record of 140-pounds, 9-ounces set in 2015 on Table Rock Lake."We went last year and really didn’t have much luck.

RCMP in Fort St. John, B.C., have issued an Amber Alert for two abducted children, possibly travelling with their mother and father.

Philadelphia Police Cruiser PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are looking into several violent incidents that left at least six people injured Friday night and Saturday morning. According to Philadelphia police, officers with the 25th District responded to the 1200 block of West Silver Street around 9:54 p.m. A 26-year-old man was found inside a residence on the 2700 block of North 11th Street with multiple gunshot wounds, police say. He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he is in stable condition, according to officials. At 10:44 p.m., officers responded to the 7900 block of Roosevelt Boulevard and found a 28-year-old with a graze wound to the chest, authorities say. Officials say, the shooting incident happened on the 2600 block of Ryan Avenue and the victim is in stable condition at Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital. At 12:30 a.m., a shooting victim flagged down police on the 3600 block of Roosevelt Boulevard with a gunshot wound to the buttocks, according to police. Authorities say the shooting happened near Harbison Avenue and Comly Street and the man is at Albert Einstein Medical Center in stable condition. One hour later, officers with the 16th district responded to a call for a shooting victim in a vehicle at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, police say. According to police, the shooting happened on the 5100 block of Haverford Avenue and a 25-year-old man was shot in the thigh. He is in stable condition, police say. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINESOfficials say a 40-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a car on the 2300 block of North 22nd Street around 1:33 a.m. According to authorities, a person was driving southbound on 22nd Street when it veered

Dozens of members with the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to a fire in Kensington on Saturday morning.  PHILADELPHIA - More than 80 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department jumped into action to fight a Saturday morning fire in Kensington. According to fire officials, the fire took place on the 3000 block of Kensington Avenue around 11:50 a.m. It took over one hour to put the fire out. Officials did not release any information on the cause of the fire. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINES___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Ukraine is developing into a prolonged stalemate, which experts predict will be devastating to the forces on both sides of the conflict as well as to the Ukrainian people.Russia’s unexpected failures on the battlefield have led to a downward spiral in morale amongst its troops that stands in stark contrast to the Ukrainians, according to the latest assessments, who have managed to hold back Russian advances and have even managed to regain territory in recent days.“The Russian commanders have really set their troops up for failure by designing a very stupid invasion and executing it very badly,” said Fred Kagan, a senior fellow and director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C.“The ineffectiveness of the campaign is so clear, and the ferociousness of the Ukrainian defence is so obvious … (that) it’s created an equalizer where neither side can move much from where they are now.” How the war in Ukraine stands a month after Russia’s invasion — and what may be next In both his remarks to Global News and an assessment published this week by the Institute for the Study of War, Kagan makes clear a stalemate does not mean the war is over, or that its outcome is certain. Either side could still win, he says — though victory will come at a very high cost.“The damage and devastation to Ukrainian cities is likely to increase even in a period of stalemate,” he said.But he also echoed comments from U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - This weekend, union members are voting on a tentative agreement that was reached between the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Minneapolis Public Schools to end the strike. If union members approve the agreement, the educators will return to work on Monday, March 28, and students would return to class on Tuesday, March, 29.MPS announced at 4 a.m. Friday, March 25 that a tentative contract agreement has been reached with the MFT and Education Support Professionals (ESPs), ending the strike if ratified.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP) - President Joe Biden on Saturday marveled at the spirit and resolve of Ukrainian refugees in the aftermath of Russia’s deadly invasion as he embraced mothers and children and promised enduring support from Western powers.Biden, while in Poland's capital, listened intently as children described the perilous flight from neighboring Ukraine with their parents. Smiling broadly, he lifted up a young girl in a pink coat and told her she reminded him of his granddaughters.

Hidetoshi Nishijima and Toko Miura in “Drive My Car,” directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Photo: Sideshow/Janus Films CHICAGO - Despite the usual snubs, flubs and surprises, the Academy Award nominations were actually pretty solid this year.

TRENTON, N.J. - A nine-year-old girl has died after being shot in Trenton on Friday, authorities with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office say. According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting happened around 7:30 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); News 1st, Sri Lanka’s Most Trusted News Brand was awarded the Best News Network at the Raigam Tele’s for 2020.News 1st also bagged many more awards at the colorful awards night held in Colombo on Saturday (26).News 1st’s Purawatha wins Best TV Documentary of the YearNews 1st’s Mawatha wins Best Television Discussion Program (Produced by Lahiru Madushanka)News 1st’s Jayamal Ratnayake wins Best English News Presenter for 2020News 1st’s Riyas Haris wins Best News Report Of The Year (2021)News 1st’s Randhika Sapuarachchi wins Best Sinhala Language News Presenter (2021)News 1st’s Tharusha Nadeera wins Best English News Presenter (2021)News 1st’s Sharlan Benedict wins Best Television Host for 2020News 1st’s NIDAHASA wins Best Discussion Program of the Year,2020.

Kari Tikkinen and a handful of others are hoping to learn more about whether treatments given during the acute phase of Covid-19 can reduce the risk of experiencing symptoms months later.

Covid cases have significantly declined in the country, international flights are all set to resume operations from tomorrow, 27 March. This comes after two years of Covid pandemic induced ban on international travel. 

COVID-19.In a tweet Friday evening, LeBlanc said he tested positive on a rapid test and his symptoms were mild.“I am fully vaccinated and received two booster doses,” he said. “In keeping with public health guidelines, I will be isolating and working from home.”This evening, I tested positive for COVID-19 on a rapid test.

A North Vancouver family is breathing easier tonight now that their beloved grandmother is safe in Canada, after fleeing the violence in Ukraine. Kristen Robinson has the details and the emotional reunion.

#COVID19 is on the rise in many countries. @DrMikeRyan explains the dangerous ‘double effect’ of opening up too quickly and high Omicron transmissibility. The good news is vaccination also has a double effect:1️⃣ saves lives2️⃣ protects health systems pic.twitter.com/Dpn0Gj0iIE

An undercover officer was shot at in Southwest Philadelphia.  PHILADELPHIA - An undercover officer is home recovering after his car was shot at overnight in Southwest Philadelphia, according to authorities. Police say the car he was in was hit by a bullet on the driver's side around 2:30 a.m. near S 58th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard.

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Spring officially commenced on 20 March, and we've already started to see the weather brighten up over recent days. The evenings are beginning to become brighter and the temperature is already on the increase, as we all get prepared for summertime. Clocks are now set to go forward on Sunday 27 March at 01:00, allowing more daylight in the evenings and less in the mornings.

PTI. The government is currently mulling if such people should pay for the precaution doses and if these doses should be made available at private vaccination centres.

COVID vaccines became freely available in the U.S., one fourth of American adults remain unvaccinated, and a picture of the economic cost of vaccine hesitancy is emerging. It points to financial risk for individuals, companies and publicly funded programs.Vaccine hesitancy likely already accounts for tens of billions of dollars in preventable U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund issued a press release highlighting recommendations to be made to ensure that Sri Lanka regains its economic stability under article IV, and have highlighted the importance of shielding the domestic financial sector from offshore banking activities in the Port City.According to the IMF, the Port City is an important opportunity for investment promotion and for testing growth-enhancing structural reforms. However, to maximize its benefits while minimizing associated risks, there is a need to ring-fence tax concessions, ensure compliance with international tax and AML/CFT standards and to shield the domestic financial sector from offshore banking activities in the Port City.Moreover, the tax concessions offered in the Port City should be clearly codified and carefully ringfenced through rigorous regulations while the administration should exercise its discretionary power in granting tax concessions and exemptions given, the IMF adds.In IMF staff’s view, Sri Lanka’s debt is unsustainable.

A 14-year-old boy fell to his death late at night from a free-fall amusement park ride that is taller than the Statue of Liberty along a busy street in the heart of Orlando’s tourist district.

Taylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer for rock band Foo Fighters, has died, the band announced late Friday.

Moscow signaled on Friday it was scaling back its ambitions in Ukraine to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists in the East as Ukrainian forces went on the offensive to recapture towns outside the capital Kyiv.

PLF) for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated.

AUSTIN, Texas - The teen driver who survived being hit by a tornado says he is getting a new job and a North Texas car dealer wants to give him a new truck.Video of 16-year-old Riley Leon and his red truck has been viewed thousands of times since the Texas tornado on Monday in Elgin. Riley told FOX 7 he was going back home from a job interview at Whataburger.A company spokesperson said Thursday it was her understanding he has been hired at their Manor location, but was awaiting confirmation from their Human Resources department that he has officially been hired.Riley told FOX 7 his red truck was hauled away by the family’s insurance company. He provided a picture of the truck before it was smashed by the storm and earlier explained its a personal loss.

The Canadian veterans who raised money for three ambulances and medical supplies are on the ground in Ukraine, and already making a difference. Rumina Daya reports.

Brandon Bostian (R) faces charges including causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment in the deadly derailment.  PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia jury has reached a verdict in the deadly 2015 Amtrak derailment case, finding the engineer not guilty on all counts.The weeklong trial went to the jury on Thursday as they weighed criminal charges against engineer Brandon Bostian. However, the jury restarted their deliberations on Friday after one of the jurors experienced a death in the family and was replaced with an alternate. Bostian, 38, faced multiple charges in connection with the crash that left eight people dead and more than 200 others injured.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia judge will let a jury weigh criminal charges against an Amtrak engineer charged in a deadly 2015 derailment — although she expressed skepticism that the trial evidence this past week supports the charges.The on-again, off-again case against engineer Brandon Bostian, 38, could go to a jury Thursday afternoon. The charges include causing a catastrophe, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.Eight people died and more than 200 people were injured when the train rounded a curve at more than twice the speed limit and derailed.In court Thursday, Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott said she was reserving judgment on whether or not the evidence was sufficient to prove the crimes charged.