Indian lawmakers pass farm bills amid uproar in Parliament

COLOMBO (News 1st); Although the country is being ruled by the Government in a manner which ensures the freedom of the people, that freedom is being misused by many, says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking at the event of distribution of 100,000 Mahaweli Ranbima deeds at the Mahaweli Stadium in Embilipitiya today (26), the President stated that especially today, himself and the present Government is ruling the country in a way which democracy is ensured.President Rajapaksa also said that the cause of the foreign exchange crisis is not his own fault or the fault of the government.The 100,000 Mahaweli Ranbima deed program is being implemented in line with the Government’s policy statement, “Vision of Prosperity”. Under this program, the Government plans to complete the distribution of 100,000 land deeds to farmers in the Mahaweli areas before the end of next year.35,000 deeds settled under the first phase will be handed over to farmers in 10 Mahaweli zones, and deeds were symbolically awarded to 30 persons today.The President further went onto state that although there are many complaints about the lack of power and electricity in the country, the previous Government did not take any action to implement a single power plant in the country after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa established the Norochcholai power plant.President reiterated that he has been able to reaffirm the security of the country.Citing the promises made to implement a green agriculture in the policy statement, the President said that unfortunately the intent was not able to be communicated to the farmers in the correct manner, and many remained misinformed.

Queen’s battle with Covid has now made her able to “relate” with Brits after going through symptoms and sacrificing time with family, according to an expert.Her Majesty, 95, tested positive for the virus last Sunday and has since postponed virtual engagements while she recovers from mild cold-like symptoms. However, the Queen was able to have a telephone audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday.

Mainland China reported 249 new confirmed coronavirus infections for yesterday, health officials said, up from 224 a day earlier, with a record number of imported cases including dozens among arrivals from Hong Kong, where infections are surging.

An Ayrshire man who survived two car crashes, a coma, losing his leg and even Covid-19 has been selected to represent Team GB at the upcoming Paralympics.

John Mayer has tested positive for COVID-19 a second time, leading to the next four shows on his ‘Sob Rock’ tour being pushed back to May.The songster shared his diagnosis overnight (February 25), confirming that alongside himself, several members in his band have also wound up with the virus. It comes just days after Mayer’s touring drummer tested positive, with Questlove stepping in to fill his role at the band’s New York City gig.Whelp.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A FedEx driver is caught on video cruising around Detroit with an alleged prostitute in his truck. The driver makes some curious stops, and even some deliveries -- before dropping her off.Peter Anderson thought he’d seen it all until Wednesday.

The first Jollibee restaurant in the province helps generate some excitement for a part of the city that’s been struggling to overcome the impacts of the pandemic. Emad Agahi reports.

Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, including approved vaccines.If you’re travelling to England from within the Common Travel Area (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and haven’t been anywhere else within the 10 days before you arrive, there are no entry requirements for coming into England.If you’ve been to a country or territory outside the Common Travel Area within the 10 days before you arrive in England, you must follow the rules for entering England from that country.

Some of the hundreds of dogs brought to B.C. from Afghanistan have come full circle and are training to help B.C.’s military veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. Kylie Stanton reports.

Despite seemingly impossible odds of resisting Russia’s vast military, many Ukrainians are still unwilling to yield in the face of an overwhelming invasion. Dawna Friesen looks at how civilians and soldiers alike are standing their ground.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s fate is being decided right now, as Russian forces close in on Kyiv. Journalist Joe Federman of the Associated Press reports from Ukraine’s capital on the escalating anxiety and chaos, and the resistance among Ukrainians.

As Russian soldiers converge on Kyiv, they have been slowed by a determined defense from Ukrainian armed forces and a growing number of civilians who are taking up arms against the invasion.While Moscow has made it clear its goal is to topple the Ukrainian government it’s facing dogged opposition both in the country and from the international community.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with one count of open murder and two counts of first-degree kidnapping after the body of a four-year-old boy in Las Vegas was found in a freezer. According to police, the boy’s body was found after his sibling passed a note to her teacher from her mother that she was being held against her will by her boyfriend and didn’t know the whereabouts of her son.

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic was how long it lasted here and then the speed at which most restrictions were lifted.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Police launched an investigation on Friday (25) after the carcass of a Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) was discovered from an estate in Norton Bridge.Police received information that a dead Leopard was sighted inside a tea estate in Vidulipura in Wimalasurendra Gama located within the Norton Bridge Police jurisdiction.Initial investigations revealed that the leopard was injured in two areas on the back and another serious wound on its forward right leg.The leopard is believed to be around 6 years of age, and is a species native to Sri Lanka.Officers from the Nallatanniya Wildlife Office had visited the site and taken away the carcass for further investigations.

Ukraine says it will posthumously honour a group of Ukrainian border guards who were killed after they reportedly told an officer on board a Russian navy warship to “go f— yourself” when asked to surrender.

Canada’s automotive sector and other industries gearing up for an end to the chip shortages of the past year might be waiting longer for relief as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens key supply chains in semiconductor production.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital early Saturday as explosions reverberated through the city and the president urged the country to "stand firm" against the siege that could determine its future. He refused American help to evacuate, saying: "The fight is here."Hundreds of casualties were reported in the fighting, which included shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools.

WASHINGTON - Huggy Wuggy, a popular character from an online video game, is raising concerns among some parents of elementary school aged children.According to Parents.com – the name sounds cute and cuddly – but the character is quite the opposite.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherHere's what they say you should now about the new social media trend:SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 5 DC ON YOUTUBEWhat is Huggy Wuggy?The character is an evil villain in a 2021 horror PC game called Poppy Playtime. It's a survival horror game set in an abandoned toy factory and the Huggy Wuggy character tries to hunt down the players while singing them creepy songs.HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINEWhat are kids doing?Some schools are warning parents that kids are offering classmates hugs while recreating the songs sung by the Huggy Wuggy character.Where are kids finding Huggy Wuggy?Parents.com says kids may have access to the game or may be able to watch the videos on YouTube or TikTok.

PHILADELPHIA - Ukraine immigrants were among a crowd of Philadelphians who gathered near City Hall on Friday to rally support for Ukraine as it continues to fight a Russian invasion from Russia. Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital Friday while the president grimly predicted that the conflict would soon intensify, and fears of wider war in Europe triggered new international efforts to make Moscow stop, including direct sanctions on President Vladimir Putin.Amid reports of hundreds of casualties — including shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools — there also were growing signs that Russia may be seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s government, which U.S. officials have described as Putin’s ultimate objective.

coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 42,905,844 while the active cases declined to 1,21,881, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll climbed to 5,13,481 with 255 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

MILWAUKEE - A suspect was shot by Milwaukee police after he allegedly opened fire inside the District 5 lobby on Friday, Feb. 25.Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the suspect, identified as a 23-year-old Milwaukee man, walked in around 3 p.m.

Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey has an update on B.C.’s rapid testing rollout and why the program is expected to be accelerated.

British Columbia’s Liberal opposition called for Russian products to be pulled from BC Liquor Stores.“I’m calling on the NDP to immediately pull Russian spirits from @bcliquorstores and cease all imports of such products by the BCLDB,” Kevin Falcon wrote on Twitter. Ukraine’s president warns of ‘difficult’ night as Russia closes in on Kyiv “We should do all we can to support the people of Ukraine and not benefit Putin’s regime while this unprovoked aggression continues.”Asked about the proposal earlier Friday, B.C.

Bianco is a baseball coach for Cherry Hill National Athletic League and employs minors in his business, Bianco Landscaping Maintenance, LLC. CHERRY HILL, N.J. - A former New Jersey baseball coach and landscaping business owner accused of sexually assaulting a preteen is facing additional charges after four more victims came forward.Thomas Bianco, 20, was charged Wednesday with sexual assault and child endangerment of a 12-year-old, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The victim was allegedly assaulted on multiple occasions in Bianco's car, prosecutors said. Over the next two days, Bianco was charged with more than a dozen counts of third degree endangering the welfare of a child, as well as invasion of privacy and promoting obscene material to a minor after four 13-year-old victims came forward.Bianco had been a baseball coach for Cherry Hill National Athletic League.

LOS ANGELES - Cities in the United States and across the globe are displaying blue and yellow lights, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, in a show of solidarity with the European nation as it grapples with a full-on invasion from neighboring Russia.The Empire State Building was illuminated with blue and yellow lights in a display of support for Ukraine currently under siege by Russian forces."Tonight, the Empire State Building will shine its tower lights in the colors of the Ukrainian flag," wrote the official Twitter account for the Empire State Building. In Dallas, the Ukrainian flag’s colors could be seen shining throughout the Texas city’s skyline. In Cincinnati, Ohio, a sister city to Kharkiv, Ukraine, the Duke Energy Convention Center was also lit up as a hat tip to Ukraine.Roughly 200 miles to the north, in Sandusky, Ohio, a tribute to Ukraine could also be found.Tributes to Ukraine could also be seen in Paris, London, Melbourne, Berlin and Rome, Reuters reported. Berlin, which stood as the front line during the Cold War until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, sent a clear signal to the Kremlin when it lit up the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the city’s most famous landmark, in blue and yellow."We are showing our solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the many Berliners with Ukrainian roots but also with the many Russians who want peace in Russia and Ukraine," Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said in a statement."They all want nothing more than an end to the escalation and a peaceful settlement to this threatening conflict," she added.A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military action in the breakaway regions of Ukraine, Russian forces appear to be closing in on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.Explosions

Ukrainian military has released a statement thanking a marine for allegedly sacrificing himself in order to demolish a bridge that would allow Russian tanks to advance.The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released the statement Friday via social media, reporting that Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Skakun, a battalion engineer, had voluntarily undertaken a mission to mine out the support structure of the Genichesky Bridge near the Kyiv before Russian forces could cross it. Shakun did not have time to flee the blast zone before detonating the explosives, and informed his battalion that he would be blowing it up regardless.The Armed Forces reported that the subsequent explosion was immediate and thwarted Russian efforts to mobilize their tank column over the bridge.Ukraine forces blew up the bridge about 30 miles north of Kyiv on Thursday in order to thwart the advance of Russian tanks toward the capital city, according to reports.The nation’s airborne assault troops targeted the bridge, which crosses the Teteriv River at Ivankiv, helping ground forces stop a Russian tank convoy, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, according to Newsweek.The invasion efforts reportedly included Russian troops commandeering Ukrainian military vehicles and donning Ukrainian military uniforms in order to ease their way into the city, reports said.Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, noted that the last time foreigners attacked Kyiv took place in 1941.RELATED: Ukraine crisis: How you can helpA Ukrainian military tank is seen near Potemkin Stairs in the centre of Odessa after Russia's military operation in Ukraine on Feb.

Russian forces continue to invade Ukraine. Vancouver Pastor Mykhailo Ozorovych tells Paul Haysom that about his family who are living in one of the towns that have been bombed.

COVID-19 struck, bringing back new restrictions and keeping people away.Now, another effort is underway.The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal has released a new study called Relaunching Downtown Montreal with 29 recommendations to bring back office workers and visitors.The CEO of the Chamber and the Quebec Minister Responsible for Montreal held a joint discussion Friday morning talking about the plans.“The government is very aware of the situation of downtown Montreal,” Chantal Rouleau, the Minister Responsible for Montreal, said. Montrealers returning to work after city takes hit amid COVID-19 Experts say elected officials, employers and business owners shouldn’t expect a return overnight.

Tempe Diablo Stadium SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Officials with Major League Baseball say a week after pushing back the start of the exhibition season, spring training games in both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues will not be played until at least March 8.The decision was made amid the ongoing MLB lockout. Here's what you should know about the situation, as it stands now.With the Cactus League, spring training was supposed to start on Feb.

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The growth in hospitalisations and patients in ICU is not unexpected, has been planned for and is another reminder that vaccination is our best defence against COVID-19.

MILWAUKEE - A 23-year-old Milwaukee man entered Milwaukee Police District 5 shortly after 3 p.m. Friday and fired several shots at police, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said.Officers returned fire as the suspect fled on foot out of the building.

Russian forces pressed on with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Americans are wondering how they can help the Ukrainian people in their time of suffering. Charity Navigator has put together a list of some of the top-rated nonprofits that are aiding in relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine. These charities have earned high ratings for their financial efficiency and for clarity and transparency about their operations. Charity Navigator helps charitable givers make "intelligent giving decisions" by providing objective ratings and analysis of the financial health and accountability of America's largest charities. The following nonprofits are "engaged in relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding region," according to Charity Navigator. While any decision to give should be carefully considered, the groups below earned three or more stars from Charity Navigator.Ukrainian refugees and a child seen at a train station in Przemysl, Poland on Feb. 24, 2022.

PHILADELPHIA - Prosecutors in the trial of Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian told jurors Bostian was "grossly negligent" when his train derailed in 2015 killing eight.Bostian, 38, is charged with 8 counts of involuntary manslaughter and hundreds of charges of reckless endangerment in the crash along the Frankford Curve.The prosecution in opening statements argued Bostian "had one job and it was to control the speed of his train", but he failed.Christopher Phillips, a prosecutor in the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, said Bostian "had no chance of making that turn" when all 7 train cars derailed while on the "most dangerous part of the track," the Frankford Curve.The defense lays the blame squarely on the backs of what it calls "criminals" who threw rocks at two trains that night as Bostian was rolling through on his train.The trial began Thursday for Brandon Bostian, the Amtrak engineer charged in a deadly high-speed derailment that occurred back in 2015 in Philadelphia."This is the fault of the rock-throwers," defense attorney Robert Goggin said. "They caused the catastrophe." The defense also claims Amtrak failed to take precautions knowing the rock-throwers were out there along the rails. The first witnesses were police officers and a medical examiner, who took jurors through a series of pictures and described the injuries of the dead.Another witness described, after being thrown from the train, and calling for help, she asked Bostian several times to use his cell phone to call her father before he relented and gave her the phone.One of those injured in the Amtrak Train 188 derailment last year was Lenny Knobbs.

Meth disguised as onions in a shipment pallet (Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection) SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Officials with the U.S.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday that Canada will be placing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Empty spot where Russian vodka was once stocked at Jacob Liquor Exchange in Wichita, Kansas. WICHITA, Kan. - One Kansas liquor store is standing in solidary with Ukraine after it took all Russian vodkas off its shelves Friday, and they hope to inspire others to take a similar stand. After news broke on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Jacob Liquor Exchange located in Wichita, decided to pull the more than 100 bottles of Russian vodkas and keep them in storage in the event someone specifically asked for one of them, FOX 4 KC reported. "This is obviously a small sanction but it could make ripples and we wanted to show that we are not supporting what’s going on," Jamie Stratton, Jacob Liquor Exchange partner and wine director, told FOX TV Stations.

COVID-19 in Alberta continued to drop slowly Friday as the province announced there were 1,295 people with the virus in the province’s hospitals.Of that number, 88 people are receiving care in the ICU. COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to slowly decline in Alberta That compares to 1,357 in hospital with 92 in the ICU on Thursday.The province also announced an additional 13 COVID-19 deaths had been reported over the past 24 hours.

PERKASIE, Pa. - The owner of a small, rarely used airstrip just south of where a single-engine plane crashed in a Perkasie neighborhood killing both aboard said he was not aware of the pilot's plan to land. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continued to survey the crash site hours after a Beech 35-C33 plane crashed near the intersection of Victoria Lane and Brittany Lane around 5 p.m. Thursday. According to a report from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the small plane with two aboard took off from Doylestown Airport with a destination of Gunden Airstrip. Gunden is a bumpy plot of land that happens to have an FAA-certified landing strip.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 24, 2022: Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen during a meeting with members of Russian business community in the Moscow Kremlin. Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS (Photo by Alexei N BRUSSELS - With a military intervention in Ukraine off the table, and countries around the world looking to heap more financial punishment on Moscow, the United States, Britain and European Union said Friday they will move to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.The Russian military is in the middle of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The EU’s unanimous decision, part of a broader sanctions package, indicated that Western powers are moving toward unprecedented measures to try to force Putin to stop the brutal invasion of Russia’s neighbor and from unleashing a major war in Europe.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A key tool that helps meteorologists predict weather conditions will soon be limited due to a nationwide helium shortage.The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, said they will be switching from twice-daily weather balloon launches to once per day in the morning beginning March 1. However, if significant weather conditions develop, they will have the ability to launch additional weather balloons.The reduction of launches will have no impact on severe weather operations, the NWS said, or their ability to warn on dangerous storms.NWS offices across the country typically launch weather balloons twice a day, once around 7-8 a.m.

arts venue says they’ll be following the province’s suggestion.Starting Tuesday, Manitoba will no longer require places like restaurants, gyms and concert venues to check for vaccine proof.However, places like the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra says they’ll be taking matters in to their own hands.“If you look at our audience, they do tend to be a little on the older side, many of them over 45 over 55, so they feel like they’re in that age bracket where it puts them at a high risk,” says Ryan Diduck, the senior director of public engagement with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.The WSO says they’ll be temporarily keeping vaccine and mask requirements in place until at least the end of March. They also say they plan on keeping their capacity at 50 per cent until the current season ends in mid-May.“We’ve listened to our patrons and decided to keep these in place until a least the end of march,” he says.It’s a decision that lawyers say is acceptable.

As Russian forces bear down on the Ukrainian capital, UBC political science professor Allen Sens speaks with our Jennifer Palma on what could come next.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the military alliance will deploy elements of its quick response force and broader allied response force to Eastern European member states amid fears that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could spread to other regions.

students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined the new set of measures for communities where COVID-19 is easing its grip, with less of a focus on positive test results and more on what’s happening at hospitals.The new system greatly changes the look of the CDC’s risk map and puts more than 70% of the U.S. population in counties where the coronavirus is posing a low or medium threat to hospitals.