Indian military officers in Sri Lanka on study tour

TEL AVIV, Israel - Israel's largest trade union group launched a strike across a broad swath of sectors Monday, joining a surging protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the judiciary — a plan that is facing unprecedented opposition.The strike by the Histadrut umbrella group, which represents nearly 800,000 workers in health, transit and banking, among many other fields, could paralyze large parts of Israel's economy, which is already on shaky ground, ratcheting up the pressure on Netanyahu to suspend the overhaul.Departing flights out of the country's main international airport were grounded in protest, affecting thousands of travelers. Other sectors were also falling in line, with local governments, which manage pre-schools and other essential services, as well as a main doctors union announcing they would walk out.The growing resistance to the plan came hours after tens of thousands of people burst into the streets around the country in a spontaneous show of anger at Netanyahu’s decision to fire his defense minister after he called for a pause to the overhaul.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Two Baton Rouge police officers died Sunday when their helicopter crashed into a sugarcane field, Louisiana authorities said.The Robinson R-44 helicopter went out at 2 a.m.

INDIANA, Pa. - A dozen people were injured in the collapse of a second-story floor inside an apartment complex near a western Pennsylvania university over the weekend, authorities said.Seven people were taken to hospitals and five others were treated at the scene after the 11:50 p.m. Saturday collapse at Elm by Traverse Commons about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, state police told the Tribune-Review.Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the victims had injuries ranging from serious to minor.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia office found himself fighting back against crime during off-duty hours, but this time protecting his own property.Police say the officer witnessed two male suspects breaking into his Dodge vehicle on 75th Street and Buist Avenue in Eastwick just before 4 a.m.

In this photo illustration, the image of Elon Musk is displayed on a computer screen and the logo of twitter on a mobile phone in Ankara, Turkiye on October 06, 2022. Muhammed Selim Korkutata / Anadolu Agency Twitter CEO Elon Musk reportedly sent a notice to staff early Wednesday morning to remind them that working from home is not acceptable.According to Platformer managing editor Zoë Schiffer, Musk emailed employees at 2:30 in the morning, writing that "office is not optional." In the email, he complained that half of the San Francisco headquarters was empty the day before.Musk is not a fan of remote work.

PHILADELPHIA - A shooting involving a police officer and a suspect erupted on the street's of Philadelphia's East Mount Airy overnight.Police say an officer discharged their weapon several times, striking a suspect on the 1500 block of Johnson Street shortly after midnight Saturday.The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he is said to be in critical condition.

Colombo (News 1st) – The Stein Studios in Sri Lanka, one of South Asia's largest studio complex's, dedicated one of its' four international studios to legendary filmmaker and actor Gamini Fonseka on Friday (24). The studio in which the international franchise show 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' ('Lakshapathi' in Sinhala) is recorded, is now called The Gamini Fonseka Studio.All of Sri Lanka's most legendary actors, actresses and cinema personalities were present at the event on Friday as a mark of respect for the late Gamini Fonseka.Widely regarded as the King of Sri Lankan cinema, Fonseka dominated the silver screen in 1960s and 1970s. Apart from acting, he was the Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament from 1989 to 1994 and Governor of the North-Eastern Province from 1995 to 1998.In addition to being Sri Lanka's premier television production centre, the ultra modern Stein Studios, which is located in Ratmalana (a suburb in the Colombo district), is also one of the most preferred options for conventions in Sri Lanka and internationally.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry is on a working visit to South Africa from 21-25 March 2023 at the invitation of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Dr. Naledi Pandoor.  Minister Sabry is accompanied by Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr.

PEMBROOK, Ga. - Just before 9 a.m. Thursday, a crowd began to line up outside Liberty Auction in Pembroke, Georgia, in anticipation of an afternoon auction featuring items from the Murdaugh family's South Carolina Lowcountry hunting estate, where Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son in 2021."We came out of curiosity just to look at the Murdaugh items," one attendee told Fox News Digital, as was the consensus for most people at the event. Doors opened at noon, and by the time the auction began at 4 p.m., buyers found it difficult to move about inside the stuffy building. By the time bidding started, those who purchased items had to duck in and around other people to pick up their new belongings.Items from Alex Murdaugh’s Moselle estate were auctioned off in Pembroke, Georgia on March 23, 2023.

NEW YORK - Emergency personnel responded after a package with suspicious white powder was delivered to the mail room for the New York City building housing the Manhattan District Attorney's office, according to police. A law enforcement source confirmed there was a note saying "Alvin – I’ll kill you" in the envelope. District Attorney Alvin Bragg is currently weighing whether to proceed with an indictment against former President Donald Trump for alleged hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016.The envelope delivered by the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Bar Association of Sri Lanka in a letter to the Inspector General of Police had requested that Sri Lanka Police take necessary action to ensure the safety of the President of the BASL Saliya Pieris.The letter to the IGP relates to the protest that took pace opposite the chamber of Saliya Pieris, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.BASL said that it was made aware the said protest relates to Mr. Pieris conducting his professional duties with regard to a particular client. "We are of the view the said protest seriously hinders his right to represent a client, a professional right which has been safeguarded by law," it added."Therefore, we strongly demand that you take action to ensure that Mr.

A Creetown man is calling for better support for people suffering from long Covid.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The body of a seven-year-old girl who was reported missing after attempting to cross a water-way in the Bogoda Village in Hali-Ela was recovered.A search operation is underway to locate a ten-year-old boy who also remains missing. The unfortunate incident of two young children being washed away by strong currents while attempting to cross a water-way was reported on Thursday (23).According to reports, the two children were looking for their mother, who had gone to work.The mother was serving as a domestic aide for a daily wage, and she was employed at a neighboring house at the time.However, as she was late to come back home, the two children had gone out in search of her during a heavy downpour.Unfortunately, they were washed away by the currents when attempting to cross a water-way named the Pihilla Kandura not far from their home.Locals said that the currents reached dangerous levels due to the heavy downpour.The mother of the two children had returned home at around 5 in the evening, and as her children were missing, she had gone out in search of them.Locals banded together and started to search for the missing kids with their mother,The umbrella used by the children was located close to the water-way, and it was suspected that they may have been washed away by the gushing waters.Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Army launched an extensive search and recovered the body of the seven-year-old girl at around 10 PM on Thursday (23), around one kilometer away from the house in another waterway, locally referred to as the Dodangolla Oya.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe had noted that if Sri Lanka's debt is not restructured, Sri Lanka would have had a foreign debt burden of 06 billion dollars per year for many years to come. "Because it is difficult to pay, the debt payment is temporarily suspended and this process is used to restructure the debt," he told a meeting at the President's Office on Thursday (22)."We are unable to pay under the current terms, so we are asking the commercial institutions and private sectors and the respective governments that have granted us loans, to give us a relief period," he had noted, said the President's Media Division.The PMD also quoted the Central Bank Governor as saying that the first step in that process is the assurance given by the bilateral countries, and the International Monetary Fund has set targets for debt sustainability.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon.The President revealed that the cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (23) with the heads of media organizations.The President's Media Division released the comments made by the President:"Firstly, let me thank everyone of the media for your presence here today. As you know I have requested all of you to be present here to tell you about the IMF agreement.We became a bankrupt country a year ago. This is the first time we have had to restructure our debt with the support of the IMF and our creditors.And this is the first occasion we’ve had to restructure our debt with the support of IMF and our creditors.

ROUND ROCK, TX - DECEMBER 02: Rapper Afroman performs onstage during the Texas Ballpark Tour at Dell Diamond on December 2, 2018 in Round Rock, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage) WINCHESTER, Ohio (AP) - Seven law enforcement officers have sued rap artist Afroman, accusing him of improperly using footage from a police raid on his Ohio home last year in his music videos.Four deputies, two sergeants and a detective with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office brought the suit earlier this month, claiming invasion of privacy.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy (centre) speaking to the media outside the Old Bailey, in central London, after wealthy Nigerian politician Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and medical "middleman" Dr Obinna Obeta were found guilty of c LONDON - A senior Nigerian politician and his wife were found guilty Thursday of conspiring to transport a street trader to the U.K. as part of an organ-harvesting plot.Ike Ekweremadu, who was deputy president of the Nigerian Senate and a lawyer, and his wife, Beatrice, were accused of arranging the travel of a 21-year-old man to the U.K.

The suspect is also dead. Police said they believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while his mother was hospitalized after being injured in what police believe was a struggle with her son that began after the shots were first fired.

Crystal and Brian Clark hope they can save a life by sharing their own heartbreaking story of losing their children from a falling tree accident. (Crystal Clark) An Indiana mother and father are alerting people about an overlooked danger after the tragic loss of their two young children last year.On April 23, 2022, Crystal and Brian Clark, along with their son Xander, 9 and daughter, Ziva, 8, went out to Indian Oaks, a nearby campground that the family frequently visited.It had been fairly windy that day but the sun was shining, Crystal Clark told Fox News Digital."I decided after [lunch] we should go for a golf cart ride because it was a beautiful day," Crystal Clark added.After seeing some friends go for a ride, the Clarks decided to do the same and meet up at their favorite fishing spot."Ziva was taking their fish off [the line] 'cause that was one of her favorites things to do, and then she'd kiss it and then she'd toss it back in the water," said Crystal Clark."She loved everything," she added. "She loved every animal, fish or not."Xander was very excited to go fishing that day, but the family decided to instead go for one more ride on the golf cart, with the parents in the front and the kids in the back, before settling down to fish."The trails are always open.

Read more: At least 2 earthquakes felt in northern Alberta on Tuesday In November, parts of Alberta near the northwestern town of Peace River were rocked by a series of quakes culminating in one that reached a 5.6 magnitude.Residents reported being knocked to their knees. The earth was pushed upward by more than three centimetres — enough to register on satellites.Oilpatch techniques, such as deep disposal wells that inject wastewater kilometres underground, can induce earthquakes.

Researchers also found that patients with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes and even anxiety or depression were more likely to develop long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms. Those who were previously hospitalized or admitted to intensive care for Covid also were at higher risk Women, overweight people and those above age 40 are among the groups that have a greater risk of developing long Covid, according to a report published Thursday that makes the case for better pandemic treatment and support. Researchers also found that patients with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes and even anxiety or depression were more likely to develop long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms.

Police investigate at Denvers East High School after a shooting there on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) DENVER - A 17-year-old student was found dead in a wooded mountain area outside Denver late Wednesday after authorities say he wounded two administrators in a shooting at his Denver high school where students and parents were already fed up about a rash of recent violence and lack of action by officials.The shooting occurred earlier Wednesday at East High School in Denver, not far from downtown, while two administrators searched Austin Lyle for weapons, a daily requirement because of the boy’s behavioral issues, authorities said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several leaders of opposition political parties in Sri Lanka led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with Ambassadors and Delegates representing 12 countries in Colombo on Wednesday (22) evening.According to reports, the objective of the meeting was to discuss the current state of affairs in Sri Lanka.The discussion was mainly focused on Sri Lanka's Democracy, Constitution, and the Local Government Election.The Opposition Leader had requested the foreign missions to extend support to Sri Lanka Internationally.The foreign diplomats who attended the meeting, according to the office of the opposition leader, were:– Sarah Hulton, High Commissioner, High Commission of the United Kingdom in Sri Lanka– Denis Chaibi, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka– Michael Appleton, High Commissioner, New Zealand High Commission in Sri Lanka– Julie J Chung, Ambassador, Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka– Anouk Baron, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka– Dr Francesco Perale, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka  – Vinod Jacob, Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of the Republic of India in Sri Lanka– Katsuki Kotaro, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka– Lalita Kapur, Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka– Aurélien MAILLET, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in Sri Lanka– Daniel Blood, Counsellor (Political), High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka– Ozaki Takeshi, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka.However, in Parliament on Thursday (23), Government Minister Prasanna Ranatunga alleged that the opposition had met with the foreign diplomats to

The first batch of women de-miners of the Army who have completed the internationally-acclaimed Humanitarian De-mining Course of high standards had the privilege of getting their insignia pinned from the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage after they were invited to the Army HQ on Wednesday (22).Extending his best wishes to those women soldiers, now fully-fledged to undertake overseas UN Peacekeeping Missions, the Army Chief highlighted the significance of their achievement to the Army and the motherland.A group of 3 Lady Officers and 51 female Other Ranks, having undergone the De-mining Course for women soldiers which began in December 2021 under two batches at both Engineers' Brigade Headquarters in Boo Oya and 10 Field Engineers HQ in Mailaddy, Jaffna thus received their insignia from the Commander of the Army during the brief occasion.The De-mining Course, inclusive of field operations drew to a close early this year after they sat for the final examination phase under the close supervision of Major General MK Jayawardena RSP USP ndu, Chief Field Engineer and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Engineers.The Commander of the Army in his brief talk commended their sustained courage for completion of the Humanitarian De-mining Course in keeping with scheduled time frame, and congratulated them for undertaking such a challenge with determination and fearlessness. He also reminded the gathering that their contribution in the future for world peace as women de-miners of Sri Lanka would go into the Army history and keep the national flag flying bringing international admiration.Three Lady Officers and 51 Other Ranks who had graduated in the De-mining Course for women de-miners are currently performing de-

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters this morning (23rd March 2023).The operation led to the seizure of 2 Indian trawlers with 12 Indian nationals poaching in the Sea of Sri Lanka off Analaitivu and Kovilan, Jaffna.The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.As an extension of these operations, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off Analaitivu and Kovilan. In this operation, the Navy held 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 12 Indian fishers continuing to remain in Sri Lankan waters.The seized trawlers together with 12 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Navy is conducting operations to stop illegal fishing by foreign fishermen in the island waters.

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the 84th National Day of Pakistan to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant and progressive state.On the occasion, the High Commissioner, Maj. General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), added that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Sri Lanka which are based on mutual trust and understanding.

A delegation of 19 Indian Armed Forces officers led by Group Captain Yunus Syed Muzaffar from the 46th Indian Higher Air Command Course conducted at College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad arrived in Sri Lanka as part of Strategic Study Tour from 20-24 March 2023.The visit is focused on interactions with senior defence hierarchy as well as visits to military establishments and industrial organizations to broaden the vision of the trainees.The delegation started their visit by paying homage to the martyrs of Indian Peace Keeping Force at the memorial in Battaramulla followed by interactions with High Commissioner of India,Gopal Baglay, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, and Air Marshal S.K Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force. The delegation is also scheduled to visit Galle, Hambantota, Diyatalawa, Kandy and Katunayake and interact with various agencies to get deeper insights about Sri Lanka. India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy seeks to promote institutional linkages between the Armed Forces of India and Sri Lanka.  Such Study Tours help strengthen the existing bonds of camaraderie and enhance people to people connect to achieve regional peace, security and stability. A few members of the delegation, including the head of the delegation, called on the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and symbolic mementos were exchanged to mark the event.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, was destroyed.He noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).Recalling that D.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); United State is partnering with Sri Lanka to improve water management to support communities that are facing challenges in accessing clean drinking water.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, joined Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister Jeewan Thondaman in celebrating World Water Day on Wednesday (22), where she made these remarks."It seems a little ironic to talk about water conservation in a country that annually averages benefits from about 2,000 millimeters of rain. But the reality is this generous gift from nature doesn’t benefit all Sri Lankans as much as it could, with less than half of rural Sri Lankans having access to piped water," said the Ambassdor."That is why I’m so proud that the United States is partnering with Sri Lanka to improve water management.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States, working in collaboration with renowned American humanitarian donor organizations, has achieved a significant milestone in provision of free medicine and medical supplies to Sri Lanka from July to present date. Eight consignments have already been sent to the Ministry of Health. The total value of the 8 consignments is approximately US Dollars 27 million. At current exchange rate, this is worth nearly Sri Lankan Rupees 10 billion. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, who reached out to US donor organizations last year, has conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the three donors, Heart to Heart International, Hope Worldwide and Americares for their generosity which has proved timely and potentially lifesaving for hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans in dire need.The Ambassador intends to continue working with humanitarian organizations and agencies to provide assistance to vulnerable segments of the population.

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister Indika Anuruddha commended the efforts made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a media briefing convened by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.He told reporters that it was Basil Rajapaksa who recommended that Wickremesinghe be handed over the task of taking the IMF program forward. "The initial step was taken during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. We had a few people in the Viyath Maga who were dragging the president's feet.

Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant, which is widely regarded as safe for healthy adults at about 400 milligrams per day, or roughly the equivalent of four or five cups brewed at home.Coffee has been associated with multiple health benefits and even a lower risk of dying, based on large studies that observed participants’ behavior. Despite research that has shown moderate coffee consumption doesn’t raise the risk of heart rhythm problems, some professional medical societies still caution against consuming caffeine.The latest research:Researchers outfitted 100 healthy volunteers with gadgets that continuously monitored their heart function, daily steps, sleep patterns and blood sugar.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation into an incident where a man had attacked an electrician with a sharp weapon in Koralawella, Moratuwa.Sri Lanka Police said that the attacker had taken away the hands of the victim after chopping them off. Sri Lanka Police said the incident took place following a heated exchange of words between two neighboring families at around 7 PM on Tuesday (21) night.The 40-year-old man whose hands were amputated was rushed to the Panadura General Hospital for treatment.CCTV cameras had captured the moment of the attacks, and also the manner in which the attacker walked away with another man's amputated hands.An investigation is underway to locate and arrest the suspect.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The bodies of three young men, who were reported missing after going for a swim in the Ellewala Falls in Wellawaya, were recovered on Wednesday (22) morning by Sri Lanka Navy divers. A group of ten young men from Kalmunai on an excursion has decided to go for a swim at the Ella-Wala Falls in Wellawaya on Tuesday (21).Sri Lanka Police said that one of the men drowned, and three others attempted to rescue him, however, they were swept away by strong currents.The body of one of the missing men was recovered on Tuesday (21) evening.Despite the inclement weather conditions, the local police and villagers launched a search and rescue operation to locate the three other missing, however, their efforts were future.On Wednesday (22), Sri Lanka Navy divers launched a search and recovered the bodies of the three men inside a 13 feet deep hole.The deceased were identified as 20 and 21 years old men from Kalmunakudy, Samanthurai, and Saithamaruthu.Drowning incidents were reported from the Ellewala Falls in Wellawaya in the recent past, and the most recent was reported in February 2022, where three lives were lost.

A new savings vehicle for Canadians saving towards their first home purchase will technically be available starting April 1, but financial institutions who spoke to Global News say they won’t be ready to offer the account on that date and Ottawa offered no timeline for when deposits might start flowing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday (22) that he can only speak with the creditors, both multilateral and bilateral, and the private bondholders only if the Parliament is prepared to accept the IMF report.He urged the house to accept the report, and if there are any issues, it can be discussed with the IMF when the delegation returns to Sri Lanka.However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa noted that the report and the presentation by the President is not means to agree to the program proposed by the IMF."We cannot agree without proper examination and scrutiny, and a proper parliamentary debate," he added while requesting to sit in parliament and listen to the proposals that the opposition puts forward during the debate on the IMF report.He said the opposition is not ready to approve anything without proper examination and scrutiny.However, the President said the house should respond to him by the third week of April whether the parliament would approve the report, so that he could engage in the second round of talks with the IMF.  

The Sri Lanka Navy released 146 sea turtle hatchlings at Panama beach on 21st March 2023, in a bid to save these endangered marine animal.The Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda was also in attendance on this occasion where the hatchlings were released. As part of the Turtle Conservation Project of the Sri Lanka Navy, the eggs of these hatchlings were conserved at the Turtle Conservation Unit in SLNS Mahanaga.Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera the Navy conducts a Turtle Conservation Project in a bid to save these endangered marine species. The project ensures the conservation of sea turtle eggs and the safe release of hatchlings into the ocean. Apart from the navy-managed Turtle Conservation Centre in Panama area similar initiatives are being conducted in Mirissa, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Balapitiya, Bentota, Moragolla, Panadura, Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala, Wellawatta, Nilaveli, and Pasikuda by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.The eggs of released sea turtle hatchlings were conserved by the Turtle Conservation Unit at SLNS Mahanaga in the Southeastern Naval Command. Further, the unit has thus far released 14,027 sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean, since its establishment.Moreover, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard conserved eggs and released 10755 hatchlings into the ocean in 2022.Meanwhile, thus far in 2023 it has sent 5886 hatchlings into their natural habitat.