PAPER SHORTAGE: Exams in Western Province delayed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A shooting at a shopping mall in South Carolina’s capital has left multiple people injured, police said.Columbia police said the shooting occurred Saturday afternoon at Columbiana Centre."We have confirmed that people have been injured during the incident — they are receiving medical attention," police tweeted.

Connerjack Oswalt (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah - A 19-year-old man with autism found cold and sleeping in a Utah gas station parking lot has been reunited with his family almost three years after disappearing from California.Connerjack Oswalt was 17 when he left his family’s Clearlake, California home in September 2019. His parents had searched for him for years, handing out fliers, scanning social media and even moving back to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he was born, in case that’s where he ended up."I never stopped looking for him," Oswalt’s mother Suzanne Flint told the Associated Press.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Matthew Butler spent 27 years in the Army, but it took a day in jail to convince him his post-traumatic stress disorder was out of control.The recently retired Green Beret had already tried antidepressants, therapy and a support dog. But his arrest for punching a hole in his father's wall after his family tried to stage an intervention in Utah made it clear none of it was working."I had a nice house, I had a great job, whatever, but I was unable to sleep, had frequent nightmares, crippling anxiety, avoiding crowds," he said.

COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on hospital staffing levels.The health authorities in Montreal and the surrounding Monteregie and Laval areas have all posted messages on their social media accounts asking people to consult a pharmacist or call the province’s 811 health hotline for minor health problems instead of heading to a hospital.Quebec’s health minister has said hospitals are grappling with the dual challenges of COVID-19 and influenza at a time when some 13,000 health workers are off the job for reasons related to the virus.On Friday, the Outaouais health authority in Western Quebec announced it was suspending hospital visits until further notice, while the Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Chaudiere-Appalaches regions have recently announced early closures or service reduction at one or more of their facilities.Meanwhile, health authorities in several regions have posted messages urging people to be careful during Easter gatherings, especially if they will be around vulnerable people.They’re asking people to keep gatherings small, open windows for ventilation and to stay home if they feel they have symptoms of COVID-19 such as fatigue or a scratchy throat.

Mildreth Santamaria Tirado, 40, has been charged with Theft by Deception after attempting to scam an 80-year-old NJ man out of $15,000.  HAMILTON, N.J. - A woman in New York has been charged after attempting to scam a New Jersey man out of $15,000, police say. According to authorities, on April 15, an 80-year-old Hamilton resident said he received a phone call from a man claiming to work for the FBI. Police say the person on the phone told the 80-year-old that his daughter was in FBI custody for possession of 100 pounds of marijuana and that 10% of $200,000 would be needed to secure her release. The 80-year-old called the fake FBI employee back after securing $115,000 and the person stated that someone would come to pick the money up, according to police. Officials with the Hamilton Police Department say the 80-year-old victim was then able to reach his daughter to learn she was not in FBI custody and then he called police. Officers with the Hamilton Police Anti-Crime Unit located 40-year-old Mildreth Santamaria-Tirado of Corona, New York as she was speaking to the 80-year-old victim on the porch of his home attempting to pick up the $15,000, authorities say. Santamaria-Tirado was charged with Theft by Deception and released from police custody pending trial. ___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

John V. Kreiser of Hamilton, New Jersey, has been charged for allegedly exposing himself to a teenager.  HAMILTON, N.J. - A Hamilton, New Jersey, man is facing charges after allegedly exposing himself to a 17-year-old. According to the Hamilton Police Department, a 17-year-old reported that a man, who was later identified as John V.

Russian forces resumed scattered attacks on Kyiv, western Ukraine and beyond Saturday in an explosive reminder to Ukrainians and their Western supporters that the whole country remains under threat despite Russia’s pivot toward mounting a new offensive in the east.

PHILADELPHIA - At least 10 people have been shot Friday and Saturday during a violent stretch of days across Philadelphia. This comes after five people were killed and more than a dozen were injured in shootings across the city since Thursday. According to police, a 17-year-old was shot once in the left foot on Friday night around 9:50 p.m. near 33rd and Allegheny Avenue.

For moderate Covid-19 pneumonia patients, a low dose pulmonary radiotherapy to the treatment of patients as per institutional protocol may turn helpful in stopping the progression of the disease to severe stage, a Patna’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) study revealed. 

First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths has gushed over the NHS as he thanked them for saving his life as he shared a concerning selfie from his hospital bed. The 46-year-old connoisseur appeared to be physically drained as he shared the recovery snap on Twitter to update his loyal legion of fans about his ongoing cancer treatment.He confessed to his 44,000 followers on the social media platform that he was suffering from a few “aches and pains” but revealed he had “no tumour” online.

city's infection tally has increased to 18,68,033. The death toll stands at 26,160.

NEW DELHI :

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarian was confronted by angry locals when he was visiting Urubokka, a small town in the southern part of Sri Lanka.The MP was jeered off by the locals following a brief exchange of words. 

Smoke is seen rising over Darnytskyi District of Kyiv, Ukraine on April 16, 2022. (Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Russian forces resumed scattered attacks on Kyiv, western Ukraine and beyond Saturday in an explosive reminder to Ukrainians and their Western supporters that the whole country remains under threat despite Russia’s pivot toward mounting a new offensive in the east.Stung by the loss of its Black Sea flagship and indignant over what it alleged were Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Russia's military command had warned a day earlier of renewed attacks on Ukraine's capital and said it was targeting military sites.Associated Press reporters documented civilian deaths in strikes this week on the eastern city of Kharkiv, and each day brings new discoveries of civilian victims in a war that has shattered European security.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Demar Derozan (11) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) embrace after a Bucks win at the United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 4, 2022. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Imag Zach LaVine has an Olympic gold medal.

Every dog must have its day, and for Brady the pup, that day came on Wednesday. As Nicole Stillger explains, he helped save his owner after she took a big fall.

WHO official asserted, In order to protect our future, we must deal with the present. If we fail now to vaccinate everyone, if we fail to continue diagnosing, if we fail to find the people who can benefit from the treatment, then we will fail in the future.

The Canadian Open Squash Championships wrapped up Friday in memorable fashion. As Cami Kepke reports, it’s a landmark event for women in sport as Canada’s success on the international stage reaches new heights.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Eligio Bishop, the leader of the suspected cult Carbon Nation, made his first appearance before a DeKalb County judge on Friday facing charges of rape and false imprisonment."Prohibition on sexually explicit transmission, three counts of that, one count of rape and one count of false imprisonment," DeKalb County Magistrate Judge Abbi Taylor told Bishop during his first appearance. "Because of those charges, I am not able to set a bond in your case."Bishop, who has been in the DeKalb County jail since late Wednesday evening, made his first appearance by Zoom on Friday."Outstanding" was the only words Bishop spoke during the virtual court hearing.A preliminary hearing in the case has not yet been scheduled.SUSPECTED CULT LEADER ARRESTED ON RAPE, FALSE IMPRISONMENT CHARGES DURING DEKALB COUNTY RAIDEligio Bishop, who goes by Natureboy, was arrested by DeKalb County police on charges of rape, false imprisonment, and transmitting revenge porn.Bishop faces charges of rape, false imprisonment, and sending sexual explicit messages.

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga - A Floyd County man is charged with the murder of his grandmother and hiding her body in a freezer for months.Investigators said she was still alive and breathing when she was put into the appliance.Robert Tincher III, 29, was charged with the murder of his 82-year-old grandmother, Doris Cumming, and hiding her body in a freezer for months.Floyd County police said in December the elderly woman fell in the apartment the two shared. Investigator Brittany Werner said Tincher put her body in plastic bags.According to the warrant, Tincher dragged the woman through the apartment and "heard and saw numerous bones break".Police say Tincher then put her inside a freezer, while she was still alive."From what we determined, at the time, he believed she was still breathing and had some movement at the time she was going into the freezer," said Floyd County Investigator Brittany Werner.Police said Tincher stayed in the apartment with the freezer in the kitchen, for months.

The federal government is promising $2 billion in top-up payments to provinces and territories, to help relieve pandemic-driven surgery backlogs. But Abigail Bimman explains why experts believe money isn’t the answer.

universal health-care system is “at risk” amid unprecedented pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, says the country’s health minister.As a result, Ottawa is pledging an additional $2 billion in top-up health transfers to the provinces in a bid to help them resolve backlogs in surgeries, Jean-Yves Duclos announced on Friday.“Two years after the beginning of the worst pandemic the world has known in over a century, we need to acknowledge that if we do not act quickly and decisively, the long term survival of the universal and public health system Canadians cherish is at risk,” said Duclos.Duclos said delays in surgeries, diagnostics and treatments existed before the pandemic but that after five successive waves of COVID-19 in the span of two years, provincial health systems are struggling.The transfer comes in addition to the $4-billion top-up provided to the provinces in March 2021.More to come.

As concerns rise over Russia potentially using chemical weapons in Ukraine, NATO leaders warn they will take action that will bring “widespread consequences” against Moscow if it crosses that line.

PHILADELPHIA - Temple University's director of public safety resigned Thursday amid a surge of violence near campus and a staffing shortage on the university's police force.Director Charles Leone will officially step down on Apr. 29 after spending more than 40 years at Temple, the school said. The resignation comes days after Temple's police union reported that it's facing a staffing crisis that has impacted campus safety.

COVID-19 restrictions — including a rule mandating masks in all public spaces — health officials say the number of people in hospital and ICU due to the virus has risen.The week-over-week increase comes despite a drop in hospitalizations and ICU admissions reported in the last 24 hours. COVID-19: 4 more deaths, increase in hospitalizations reported in Manitoba According to numbers released by the province Thursday, Manitoba saw 128 new hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 and 11 new admissions to intensive care units due to the virus over the past week.That’s a 4.9 per cent increase in hospitalizations and a 57.1 per cent jump in ICU numbers.But while the overall numbers appeared to be on the rise in the last week, data reported on the province’s online COVID-19 dashboard show 369 people were in hospital with the virus as of Thursday morning, down 18 from Wednesday.The province says the of number people in ICU as a result of COVID-19 also fell to 18 as of Thursday morning, four fewer than had been reported 24 hours earlier.Meanwhile, health officials reported four additional deaths linked to the virus Thursday and released information about the 15 Manitobans with COVID-19 who have died over the past week.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Western allies opened the first of three summits Thursday focused on increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over his war in Ukraine while tending to the economic and security fallout spreading across Europe and the world.Biden and the leaders of other NATO countries met at the alliance's headquarters where they posed for a group photo memorializing the urgent gathering before retreating behind closed doors for their summit, which was expected to last several hours.Over the course of Thursday, the European diplomatic capital is hosting an emergency NATO summit as well as a gathering of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and a summit of the 27 members of the European Union.

Tens of thousands of Canadian seniors are still waiting to do their 2021 taxes through no fault of their own. As Tomasia DaSilva reports, the delay is due to a federal government error.

COVID-19 situation continues to improve.According to the provincial COVID-19 dashboard, there are now 380 Manitobans hospitalized with the virus — a drop from 388 on Monday. The province said 178 of that number are active cases.

COVID-19 amid a jump in hospitalizations Tuesday.There were 1,043 patients being treated for the disease in hospitals across the province, an increase of 41 compared with the previous day. This comes after 100 people were admitted and 59 left.Of those hospitalized, 46 Quebecers were in intensive care units — a decrease of two in the past 24-hour period.The daily tally included 1,383 new novel coronavirus cases, but this number is not reflective of the situation since PCR screening is limited to high-risk groups.

WUZHOU, China - Mud-stained wallets. Bank cards.

China locked down an industrial city of nine million people overnight and reported more than 4,000 virus cases, as the nation's "zero-Covid" strategy is confronted by an Omicron wave.

PHILADELPHIA - The so-called ‘great resignation’ has left a lot of industries without proper staffing and the field of education has not been immune to shortages. While the pandemic has played a role, some believe the writing was on the blackboard before COVID-19. The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) says they have seen a decline in available teachers over the last decade.

PHILADELPHIA - Temple University's police union claims it's facing a staffing crisis that is greatly impacting campus safety as gun violence continues to rage in North Philadelphia.The union says it's operating at 60% of its typical workforce and each officer has worked about 42 overtime shifts since last July.On Monday, the union said on its Facebook page that it "cannot perform adequate community policing techniques that we have done in the past to reduce crime in the community." This comes as the Philadelphia Police Department shared new information about a recent shooting on Temple's during which investigators believe a 15-year-old gunman opened fire on a car full of teenage girls. Authorities say a 15-year-old boy is facing charges in three different shootings this month, including a shooting last Friday that left two teen girls injured and another that critically wounded a 14-year-old.Police Captain John Walker told reporters that the girl's car turned onto the 1500 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue just before 10 p.m.

A pair of studies today estimated the COVID-19 pandemic's potential effects on cancer deaths, with one predicting rising US cancer deaths over the next decade owing to screening deficits, and the other suggesting that cancer surgery delays in Ontario could lead to poorer survival rates.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Education has decided to conduct the final term examinations for the schools in the Western Province, as previously planned.Education Secretary Kapila Perera said all the term examinations will be concluded before the 6th of April 2022.A paper shortage in cash-strapped Sri Lanka has led to final term tests for grades 9, 10, and 11 in Western province schools being postponed until after the April holidays, it was reported earlier, with tests for grades 6, 7, and 8 to be held at the school level.Education Secretary Kapila Perera said the shortage in the Western Province was resolved, and therefore the examinations will go ahead as planned.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A group of people enraged over the Sri Lankan government’s inability to address the present shortage, took to the streets on Monday (21) morning, demanding they be delivered Kerosene.The locals from Orugodawatte protested by blocking the Baseline Road in Colombo from the Orugodawatte Junction demanding Kerosene. After protesting for around an hour, the group moved away from the road and allowed the flow of traffic.

Cancer surgery delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic could affect long-term survival for many patients, a new Canadian study shows.

COVID-19 mask mandate has lifted for most settings in the province.As of Monday, individuals are no longer required by the province to wear a mask, except for in certain settings including public transit, long-term care and retirement homes, congregate care and living facilities, homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, other health-care settings, shelters, and jails.Masking requirements have also been lifted in schools, as has cohorting.

Despite seen as Ukraine’s safe haven, fears are rising in Lviv after the city’s Danylo Halytskyi International Airport was hit with Russian missiles. Mercedes Stephenson reports on the damage, and what the attack signifies.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 as the province continues efforts to control the spread of the virus.That’s according to new data, released by the provincial government on Saturday. Studies show mask mandates ‘consistently’ reduce COVID transmission, Ontario science table says The data also said 185 people in Ontario were being treated for COVID-19 in an intensive care unit (ICU).Both the number of people in hospital and ICU dropped on Saturday compared to numbers reported a day earlier.On Friday, the province reported 615 people in hospital with 193 in intensive care.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Electricity Board states that the printing of electricity bills has been hampered due to the shortage of paper.Its Additional General Manager and Media Spokesperson Andrew Navamani stated to News 1st that meter readers have been notified to issue bills to electricity consumers in writing.The Additional General Manager further stated that if there are any issues with regard to electricity bills, such issues can be resolved by visiting the Ceylon Electricity Board website.Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy Wasantha Perera said that the CEB has been instructed to set up an electronic billing system if a majority of consumers wish to do so.

COVID-19 have died as the number of hospitalizations linked to the virus continued to drop Friday.The latest deaths, reported on the province’s online COVID-19 dashboard, bring Manitoba’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,726. Manitoba goes mask-free, many businesses, people remain cautious The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 fell to 382 as of Friday morning, 13 fewer than had been reported 24 hours earlier.As of Friday, 13 people are in ICU with the virus, down four from Thursday.Numbers released by the province Thursday show COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped 15.6 per cent from the previous week and ICU admissions linked to the virus were down 68.2 per cent over the previous week.Manitoba lifted all remaining COVID-19 public health orders Tuesday, including a mask mandate that had required face coverings to be worn in public spaces.

COVID-19 data as she has done throughout the pandemic.“With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable and the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily COVID-19 numbers,” Christine Elliott said Friday.She noted that updated data will still be available on the province’s website. Ontario COVID numbers: 615 people in hospital, 193 in intensive care Throughout the pandemic, Elliott would tweet the latest COVID-19 figures daily, providing an update on the epidemiological situation in the province.The province has shifted towards “living with and managing COVID-19,” a plan which includes lifting all public health measures by the end of April.On Monday, the mask mandate will lift for most public settings in the province.With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable & the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily #COVID19 numbers.There are no changes to available data.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Russian forces struck Ukrainian cities from a distance again on Friday, hitting sites in the capital Kyiv and the country’s west as their ground offensive inched forward under fierce Ukrainian resistance.The war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin ground into its fourth week as his troops have failed to take Kyiv — a major objective in their hopes of forcing a settlement or dictating the country’s future political alignments.Missiles and shelling struck the edges of Kyiv as well as Lviv, close to Ukraine’s western border with NATO countries such as Poland.LVIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Smoke is seen above buildings close to the airport on March 18, 2022, in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Getty Images) Late Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nighttime video address to the nation that he is thankful to U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be "stuck on the ground" unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded."We have reached a pivot point," Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press.

COVID-19-related bylaws the day Ontario eases some pandemic safety measures.A special meeting on Monday will address the future of a pair of rules surrounding face coverings and physical distancing.The forum will happen after the latest pandemic Scarsin forecast from Hamilton Public Health that will be revealed earlier in the day. Studies show mask mandates ‘consistently’ reduce COVID transmission, Ontario science table says As per revised Public Health Ontario guidelines, masks will be no longer be required in most social settings such as restaurants, gyms, large event spaces and even schools early next week.“Under Provincial direction, masks will still be required in some settings including public transit, long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings after March 21,” city spokesperson Jasmine Graham said in an email on Thursday.However, the province will extend the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) on March 28 and keep a number of other directives and orders in place until April 27.Dr.

COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday as patient numbers fell sharply.Health authorities issued the roundup a bit later than scheduled, saying the release of the daily tally had been “exceptionally delayed.”Pandemic-related hospitalizations stood at 1,034, a drop of 39. This comes after 63 people were admitted in the past day, while 102 were discharged.There were 50 intensive care cases related to the disease, a decrease of six compared with the previous day.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Liro Gas was unable to source the US $ 8 Million on Wednesday (16) to settle payment for a gas shipment that reached Sri Lanka.According to Litro Gas, a shipment is valued at approximately US $ 3 Million, however, due to arrears and demurrages, the supplier is seeking the US $ 8 Million from Sri Lanka.According to reports, the demurrages per day for this particular shipment is US $ 4,500/-, and Litro Gas revealed that it has payments to the tune of US $ 18 Million as demurrages to the supplier.Where did it all go wrong?If Litro Gas has opted for a long-term tender process, the payment for shipments could have been better managed.Notably, the long-term tender of Litro Gas lapsed on the 28th of February 2022, and even at that time, Litro Gas has not taken any measures to finalize the renewal of the long-term tender.Litro Gas has noted several reasons for the cause.– The failed attempt to introduce a full functioning Siyolit (Pvt) Ltd, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) incorporated for Sri Lanka’s gas sector– Crises that followed after reducing the weight of the domestic LP gas cylinders and distributing them to the local market– Gas related accidents that were reported from across Sri LankaWhat is the situation at the moment?Although the long-term tender awarded to a foreign supplier has expired, Litro Gas Lanka continues to purchase gas from the same company.When a supply agreement is signed, the supplier usually agrees to supply at least 10 percent more or less of the total consignment.Is gas being imported under this agreement?Higher costs can’t be prevented when spot purchases are made for gas.Last year, the chairman of Litro Gas criticized the supplier and blamed a mafia behind the transaction.Is a