President to chair Economic Council; EC will convene every week

Vladimir Putin is “constantly” accompanied by a doctor specialising in thyroid cancer as rumours of his ill health refuse to disappear, a new investigation shows.Surgeon Yevgeny Selivanov, of Moscow's Central Clinical Hospital, has flown to the Russian leader no less than 35 times in Black Sea resort Sochi, his favourite place of residence.The respected doctor’s thesis - showing his area of medical expertise - was entitled: ”Peculiarities of diagnostics and surgical treatment of elderly and senile patients with thyroid cancer".This follows reports that Putin is dying in agony from terminal bowel cancer, according to intelligence from the Pentagon and in Ukraine. His “puffy face” is a sign he is taking chemotherapy drugs or steroids and his unsmiling expression shows he is in constant pain, US sources say.The recent discovery by investigative media Project (or Proekt) media - blocked in Russia and now functioning from abroad - backs recent theories that Putin declared war when he was suffering medical problems hidden from the Russian people.

Vaccinated travellers entering Canada no longer need a pre-entry COVID-19 test.

The government has today issued new rules on how long people with Covid need to isolate for.

The requirements for flying into Canada just took another step towards “normal.” But as Tomasia DaSilva reports, there are still some rules and advice you should follow.

Indian firms could see a contraction in margins and the pace of ratings upgrades is expected to slow. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says that those arrested for protesting in Nugegoda CANNOT be charged under the PTA.54 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police. Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest. Police said that five officers were injured in the protest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigations Department has taken over the investigations on the Mirihana Protests, that took place on Thursday (31) night.Injuries :37 people were injured during the protest that took place in Pengiriwatte Road, Mirihana on Thursday (31) night.They are currently being treated at the Colombo National Hospital.Among the injured are 24 members of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force, 3 members from Sri Lanka Police, 3 Journalists, and 7 civilians.Arrests :53 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police. Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest.

Covid-19 pandemic began over two years ago, wearing the mask was our first line of defence against the deadly virus. But two years on, as India witnesses a steep decline in Covid-19 cases, several states have now announced that the Covid-19 masks are no longer mandatory. 

Doctors have noticed a reduction in the number of people contacting them with Covid-related queries, according to the Covid Lead with the Irish College of General Practicioners.

₹1,330 crore are settled

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Chris Rock of 'Fargo' attends the FX Networks' Star Walk Winter Press Tour 2020 at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 09, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES - A video of Chris Rock detailing the bullying and sexual assault he endured as a child has resurfaced after he was slapped by Will Smith on the Oscars stage. On Wednesday night, Rock performed in front of a sold-out crowd in Boston as part of his comedy tour.

RALEIGH, N.C. - An inmate at a North Carolina prison was assaulted by a group of inmates and killed, state officials said Tuesday.Semajs Short, 24, was attacked in a housing area at Bertie Correctional Institution by a number of other inmates around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, the N.C.

Coronavirus infection rates are continuing to rise in nine boroughs of Greater Manchester, according to the latest data.

The government has issued new rules for who will be able to get free Covid-19 tests from today, April 1, as free mass PCR and lateral flow testing is brought to an end. The free testing will continue to be available to a number of groups - and will mostly require those people to have symptoms already, apart from a small list of scenarios where asymptomatic testing will be given.

As First Nations delegates met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday, residential school survivors in Alberta were paying close attention.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says that those arrested for protesting in Nugegoda CANNOT be charged under the PTA.54 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police. Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest. Police said that five officers were injured in the protest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program, announced, IMFs Spokesperson Gerry Rice.“We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April,” he added. Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program. We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April.

Irish businesses are emerging stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic than their global counterparts, according to new research by EY Ireland.

While the dollar value may be low–some of the items stolen in a Vancouver break-in are priceless to their young owner. He is pleading for your help to get them back.

Rohan Campbell and Alexander Elliot, stars of the “Hardy Boys” television series, preview what’s set to come for the detective brothers in Season 2.

International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, the official channel for foreign fighters, will only consider recruits with combat experience. The Ukrainian military is now urging those without military experience to stay at home.“Our main priority is combat experience and all of them have to understand their role and place,” Anton Myronovych, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, tells Global News.“We don’t need mercenaries who think they may make some money or something like that.”This phenomenon has also raised questions about what will happen when these people return home.For Canadian foreign fighters, in particular, Veteran Affairs has said it bears no responsibility for physical or psychological injuries acquired by anyone, since Global Affairs has advised against travel to Ukraine.On February 27, three days after Russia launched its invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a call for foreign volunteers to help fight for his country’s freedom — an international legion that would operate as part of Ukraine’s military.The next day, he signed a decree waiving visas for any foreigners who wished to join the fight and launched a website outlining how to apply to the newly created International Legion.In the month since, thousands of foreigners have applied to be part of the group.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The President’s Media Division announced on Friday (1) that an organized group of extremists were among those who were protesting at Jubilee Post, Nugegoda.The statement noted that the group acted in an unruly manner, and noted that this group armed with iron clubs, machetes, and sticks, had provoked the protesters and marched towards the President’s residence in Pengiriwatte, Mirihana.The President’s Media Division in a statement noted that most of those who acted in a violent manner were arrested, and it was identified that a majority of them were an organized group of extremists.They have spearheaded the campaign calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka.The President’s Media Division also said that those who were arrested revealed that this unruly situation was created with the intention of enraging the public via planned anonymous social media gatherings.

Canadian families are feeling the financial squeeze with the high cost of living.

Covid-19 cases, India on Friday reported 1,335 new Covid-19 cases, according to Union Health Ministry data. Additionally, the country is witnessing a further drop in active cases, with the active caseload at 13,672 on Friday, the Health Ministry data further revealed.

Texas man was arrested on Wednesday after police found human remains in his home while responding to a wellness call.The remains are believed to be of the man’s son, police say.In a press release, the New Boston Police Department wrote that they received a request for a wellness call from a neighbour.When authorities arrived at the address Wednesday evening, a man named David McMichael answered the door. Trial set for Florida man charged with human smuggling after family found frozen in Manitoba According to the police report, when officers asked McMichael if he knew why they were there, “McMichael advised them it was because he had a body in his kitchen.”McMichael reportedly told police the body belonged to his son, who died in May 2018.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 45 people who engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night in Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police.Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest.Police said that five officers were injured in the protest.Meanwhile, the Nugegoda-Maharagama 119 road has been closed.The Police further stated only the residents can travel on the relevant road until further notice.

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. - Authorities are searching for a person of interest in possible New Jersey package theft ring who police believe is impersonating as a delivery driver. The investigation started after a Burlington County woman said her purse and a flash drive filled with pictures of her late mother was stolen from her car Thursday night."Completely violated, not being able to get those irreplaceable items back it just weighs on you, it sucks," the woman who asked to remain anonymous said. The thieves allegedly used her stolen credit cards and her home address to order 2 iPhone 13's valued at $1300 each. Home security camera shows a person dressed in a FedEx uniform knock on the woman's door just after the packages were dropped off. The family knew something was wrong, and her son followed the suspected imposter FedEx driver to a van with stolen license plates. "My son questioned him are you really a Fed Ex employee or are you here just to steal these iPhones off my mom," she said.

A new University of Alberta study suggests young kids with pandemic-related reading challenges can catch up quickly with a deliberate and sustained set of lessons. Dan Grummett reports.

FILE - A photo illustration of water in a clear glass drinking glass. WASHINGTON - Upholding a Trump-era environmental policy, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it will not regulate a drinking water contaminant that has been linked to brain damage in infants.The agency said the Trump administration's decision in 2020 not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water was made with the "best available peer reviewed science." The chemical is used in rocket fuel and fireworks.At the time, Trump's EPA said perchlorate was not found widely enough in drinking water or "at levels of public health concern" to warrant federal regulation.

Global’s Keith Baldrey on whether the recent increase in new cases in B.C. is a sign of another wave of COVID-19

LEBANON, Pa. - A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call.

EGG HARBOR, Twp. - Authorities in New Jersey say a young boy was tased in the head during "hose play" with a close family friend. Officers from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department were called to a home in West Atlantic City Monday afternoon for reports medical emergency.Police found an unconscious and unresponsive 12-year-old boy who they say had been shot in the head with taser.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Investigators in Connecticut believe they've pinpointed a batch of school cafeteria milk tainted with sanitizer that sickened several children in New Jersey this week.The Connecticut Department of Agriculture said its investigating Guida’s Dairy in New Britain regarding its 1% low-fat half-pint milk cartons with a sell by date of APR 11. State investors believe the issue is limited to milk within a specific time range of 4:30 and 7:30 and code stamped on the cartons. They said the batch had "limited distribution in New Jersey." Out of an abundance of caution, Guida’s Dairy has asked all its institutional customers with 1% lowfat half pint milk cartons with a sell-by date of APR 11 to dispose the product. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Health on Wednesday encouraged public schools to remove Guida's 1% Lowfat Milk from circulation in their cafeterias.

Today we are reporting 13,475 community cases, 764 hospitalisations and 17 deaths.

PHOENIX - Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has signed bills banning transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams and prohibiting gender reassignment surgeries for minors.The governor described Senate bills 1138 and 1165 as legislation to "protect female athletes" and "to ensure that individuals undergoing irreversible gender reassignment surgery are of adult age.""This legislation is common-sense and narrowly-targeted to address these two specific issues ⁠— while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness as every individual in our society," Ducey said in a Twitter thread.Two GOP governors last week bucked conservatives in their party and vetoed bills in Indiana and Utah requiring trans girls to play on boys sports teams.Republicans have said blocking transgender players from girls sports teams would protect the integrity of women’s sports, fearing that trans athletes would have an advantage.Many point to the transgender collegiate swimmer Lia Thomas, who won an individual title at the NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Championship last week.But there are few trans athletes in Arizona schools.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The President’s Office said on Thursday (17) that there was no truth to the reports that claim that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had asked CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to resign.It stated that a local newspaper report claiming that the IMF delegation had laid down such a condition is a total canard.The IMF did not discuss officials and the talks covered only the monetary issues, said the President’s Media Division.It went on to note that the President and the Government have the fullest confidence in the CBSL Governor and there is no reason whatsoever to seek his resignation.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has started discussions with international monetary agencies and other friendly nations on its debt servicing obligations, said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (16), in a televised address to the nation.“We need to clear the deficit and increase our foreign reserves,” said the President, adding that the government is in talks with various factions to implement necessary processes that would not be detrimental to Sri Lanka.‘We held talks with the International Monetary Fund yesterday (15). We hope to secure a process that would see us service our annual debt installments and sovereign bonds,” said the President adding that it was decided to further work with the IMF after studying the pros and cons of the proposed process.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that certain decisions made by him in the past attributed to the control of import expenses, and that is why vehicle imports were suspended two years ago, and local industries were encouraged to boost production.The President said the main issue faced when controlling import expenses is the rapidly rising petroleum prices in the world market.“Over 20% of our import expenses are spent on petroleum products.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa leading a protest opposite the President’s Office in Colombo on Tuesday (15) said that the government that promised relief, has only brought about the burden to the people.Sajith Premadasa was clear in his message to the government “Go home or allow the people to decide at a Presidential Election.”“The government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa must leave if they cannot do what they were elected to do, and let us carry on with governance,” he told the protestors.“We cannot bear this suffering anymore,” Premadasa told a gathering of thousands of protestors in Colombo, adding that the Rajapaksa Government, the Rajapaksa Family are responsible for the suffering and the time is now to send them home.“We are here to tell the government that ruined this country, to go home,” he said.Heavy security was experienced around the President’s Office when the protest was taking place, with protestors also making attempts to break through the police cordon to make their way into the premises.He said the Samagi Jana Balavegaya led government will bring back the Sri Lankan identity that was lost as a result of the actions of the present government.Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told the protestors that it is time to be prepared to save the country from the brink of destruction.“Thousands have come here with no fear of bullets, tear gas, bombs, water cannons, and even baton charges,” he said in a message aimed at the government.Commenting on the fuel crisis, Premadasa said that three middle-eastern governments have promised to supply fuel for two years with no up-front payment to a Samagi Jana Balavegaya led government.He said

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s finance minister held talks with a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official on Monday, two sources said, as the island nation seeks help to deal with its plunging reserves, a sliding currency, and surging inflation, according to Reuters.It was reported that IMF’s Asia Pacific Director had led a delegation to Sri Lanka.It was earlier reported that a Senior Official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will pay a visit to Sri Lanka on Monday (14) and Tuesday (15) to brief Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the IMF assessment of the current economic crisis.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Twitter-sphere is abuzz with two new #hashtags that have started to trend among pro & anti-government activists.The two hashtags are #WeAreWithGota and #GoHomeGota.According to the local newswire website, several Government officials have extended their support to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa can resolve the current economic crisis of Sri Lanka, the Additional Director General of the Government Information Department Milinda Rajapaksa assured on Monday (14).

The visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdulla Al Saud paid a courtesy calls on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa followed by a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to address the nation on 16th March, said the President’s Media Division on Monday (14).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), stated with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the projects that have been implemented with the assistance of the ADB have made significant strides and he pledged to support Sri Lanka’s development efforts continuously.Asakawa made these remarks when he met with President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat, on Thursday (10).The ADB President also said that special attention will be paid to support small and medium scale enterprises as well as private sector entrepreneurial development.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US $ 750 million as concessional loans last year. Asakawa said that loans worth US $ 2 billion would be allocated for operational projects this year.The ADB President assured assistance in the efforts to revive the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and the development of human capital, which has suffered a setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The President thanked the ADB for providing nearly US $ 600 million worth of loans and financial assistance to Sri Lanka to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.The President said Sri Lanka seeks the assistance of the Asian Development Bank for green agriculture, renewable energy generation and foreign direct investment in industrial zones.The government aims to achieve 70% of the total energy generation from renewable sources.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that Sri Lankans should work patiently in the difficult times that have arisen.Participating in the International Women’s Day celebrations in Colombo, the Prime Minister also inaugurated a program to introduce 10 foreign languages ​​to school children in line with international standards.The Prime Minister addressing the event stated that while acknowledging that the country is in a very difficult situation today, the women in the country are affected when there is a shortage of electricity, diesel and gas.When the country was closed down and garment factories remained open, a certain group demanded for the factories to be closed because it would lead to a ‘garment cluster’, the Prime Minister stated.“The President closed down the country while warning that it would lead to people suffering even more. But today it has come true.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an extraordinary gazette amending the Duties and Functions of the State Minister of Defence, State Minister of Disaster Management, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); The state-of-the-art cement manufacturing facility of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., was inaugurated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (7).A BOI venture, the Lanwa Sanstha facility spread across 63 acres is located in Hambantota’s Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone, and saw an investment of US $ 100 Mn.The total capacity of the plant would be 4mn MT per annum and is one of the largest such facilities in the whole of South Asia.The President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also placed the foundation stone for the proposed steel factory at the premises which will cover 250 acres, with an investment of US $ 400 Mn.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has advised the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to name the late ceremonial tusker ‘Nadungamuwe Raja’ as a National Treasure.Further, he had noted to conserve the remains of the Tusker for future generations.The President’s Media Division said that a team from the National Museum was dispatched to Gampaha, where the remains of the ceremonial tusker are currently placed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Deputy Police Chief Ravindra Seneviratne filed a Fundamental Rights application with the Supreme Court on Monday (7) seeking an order to prevent his arrest.Ravindra Seneviratne was also the Former Head of the Criminal Investigations Department.The Former DIG in his application sought an interim order preventing any attempt to arrest him based on the contents of the B report produced to the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court on charges that include the failure to properly investigate Zaharan Hashim, who led the suicide bomb attacks on 21st April 2019.In addition, the Former DIG also sought an interim order restraining President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from issuing a detention order as the Minister of Defense to arrest him under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.The petitioner also seeks an order quashing the B report filed against him in connection with a fraudulent investigation report allegedly made on an anonymous petition.The Former DIG has requested the court to order his immediate release if he is arrested and to pay Rs. 100 million as compensation.Assistant Superintendent of Police Meryl Ranjan Lamahewa of the CID, Women Inspector Niroshani Pathirana among 14 others were named as the respondents in the application.The Former DIG pointed out that he could be arrested at any time on the basis of that report, thereby violating his fundamental rights.