Some Canadian universities requiring masks despite lifting of provincial mandates

FILE - Actor and co-founder of Water.org, Matt Damon, speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2022 Meeting on Sept. 20, 2022, in New York City.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” in connection with the concept of an all-party Government, which was a major demand that emerged from the people's protests; the Aragalaya, was passed within the Parliament without a vote on Tuesday (20)However, several parties objected to the move, stating that it is not a mechanism that fulfills people's expectations.According to the resolution passed today, the members of the National Council will be chaired by the Speaker, while the members constitute of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Organizer of the ruling party.Apart from that, not more than 35 members decided by the Leaders of the political parties should be appointed for the council.The assembly will be entrusted with setting common priorities to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, agreeing on short- and medium-term common minimum programs in relation to economic stabilization and organization of special meetings attended by ministers, chairpersons of special committees and youth observers of youth organizations.The council will also posses the ability to call reports from current functioning committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that a few showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in the Uva province and Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the evening or night.Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere over the island.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:A few showers will occur in the sea area off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.Winds:Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph.Wind speed may increase up to (45-55) kmph at times the sea area off the coast extends from Puttalam to   Kankasanturai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle, Matara, and Hambantota may be rough at times.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 29: U.S. Air Force Space Command Gen. John "Jay" Raymond stands next to the flag of the newly established U.S.

Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General and head of the Public Health Agency, Dr Andrew Old, will hold a media briefing today in Auckland at 12 noon today to provide an update on the COVID-19 response.

migrants flown to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary Tuesday for engaging in a "fraudulent and discriminatory scheme" to relocate them.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, alleges that the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington, "which was completely false," and were induced with perks such as $10 McDonald's gift certificates."No human being should be used as a political pawn," said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, which is seeking class-action status in the lawsuit filed on behalf of several migrants who were aboard last week's flights and Alianza Americas, a network of advocacy groups.DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, which also names Secretary of Transportation Jared W.

Halloween spending will reach a new record this year as participation in the holiday spikes despite the tumultuous economy. The nation's largest retail trade group projected that Halloween spending will reach a new record this year as participation in the holiday spikes despite the tumultuous economy. Total spending, which includes costumes, decorations and parties, is expected to notch a record $10.6 billion, outpacing last year's record figure of $10.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The trade group projected that participation in Halloween activities will reach pre-pandemic levels, with 69% of consumers planning to celebrate, the NRF reported. Last year, Halloween participation was 65% but in 2019, it was around 68%.

The puppies found in the suitcase. (Credit: Guilford County Animal Services) GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. - A bizarre scenario played out in North Carolina that led to the rescue of four puppies. The Guilford County Animal Services said on September 17, some good Samaritans saw a suitcase that was "moving" along the side of the highway and stopped. They noticed the luggage was zipped except for one small part.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 18: Owner Jimmy Haslam watches the game against the New York Jets from the sideline at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) BEREA, Ohio (AP) - A fan was arrested for allegedly throwing a plastic water bottle and hitting Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam during the closing moments of Sunday's 31-30 home loss to the New York Jets.Cleveland police said Tuesday that Jeffrey Miller, 51, of Rocky River, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and failure to comply.

LOS ANGELES - In an exclusive interview with FOX 11's Elex Michaelson, Los Angeles mayoral candidate and Congresswoman Karen Bass discussed her two guns being stolen from her home.Bass, who called the incident "very traumatic," told Michaelson her guns were registered, locked in a safe box, and stashed away in a closet before they were stolen by the suspects over the weekend.Bass revealed two suspects have since been arrested. The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed the two men were 42-year-old Patricio Munoz and 24-year-old Juan Espinoza.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Karen Bass says two guns stolen from her house during break inFollowing the burglary, FOX 11 filed a public record request in hopes of gaining more information on the incident.

COVID-19 vaccine mandate at the border, a senior government source has told Global News.However, the source said the plan still needs to be “finalized” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before it can be officially announced. ArriveCAN: A look at the federal government’s plan for the contentious app A spokesperson for Transport Canada referred questions about the decision to the Public Health Agency of Canada, which did not immediately reply to an email.The current border measures are set to expire on Sept.

Niagara Falls, Ont., says he keeps dreaming of an event with the prime minister and Ontario’s premier cutting a “massive ribbon” at the Canada-U.S. border signaling Canada is once again open for business.Jim Diodati made that suggestion as a number of Canadian MPs and border-city mayors published another open letter to Ottawa demanding the elimination of all remaining COVID-19 restrictions still in effect along the northern border.“It’s been a long haul, especially in a border community that relies on tourism specifically,” Diodati told 900 CHML’s Bill Kelly Show.

Wawa offering reward after robberies.  PHILADELPHIA - Wawa is taking action in the search for an armed robber in Philadelphia.Police say the man in his 50s stole $250 from a Wawa on Castor Avenue on September 8.Just three days later, the same suspect reportedly stop;e $200 from a different Wawa on Roosevelt Boulevard.MORE HEADLINES:Police say he was armed with a handgun during both robberies.A $,5000 is being offered by Wawa for any information leading to the suspect's arrest.

Christopher Pozzi, 51, was arrested by West Deptford Police and charged with animal cruelty after he was caught on camera physically abusing a cat. WEST DEPTFORD, N.J. - West Deptford Police arrested a man who they say caused extensive injuries to a cat at an apartment complex in Gloucester County.On Sunday, at around 10:14 p.m., West Deptford Police say they responded to the area of Forrest Creek Lane in the Forrest Creek Apartment Complex in West Deptford to speak with a woman who they say had a doorbell camera video of a man abusing a cat. Patrol Officer Madeline Brunck says the video shows a man picking up the cat over his head and violently throwing it onto the concrete floor several times.

Chad Kroeger, frontman for Canadian rock band Nickelback, has revealed that everyone has been pronouncing his last name wrong all of these years.Speaking to Loudwire on a recent podcast, Kroeger explained that his surname is often butchered; people have been saying Kroh-ger, like the U.S. grocery store chain.However, the Hanna, Alta.-born musician insists it should be pronounced the same as Freddy Krueger, the terrifying Nightmare on Elm Street serial killer.“It’s Kroo-ger, don’t trust the internet,” the musician said.He says he’s been slow to correct people because he doesn’t want to come across the wrong way.“If I just stop and go, ‘Actually, it’s Kroeger,’ I’m gonna look like such a d**k.

(Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) A new Gallup poll shows nearly 50% of Americans — and probably more — are "quiet quitting" while on the job. Quiet quitting is continuing to work but doing the bare minimum in order avoid burnout and keep collecting a paycheck.In addition, Gallup said in the second quarter of 2022, the number of engaged workers remained at 32% but the number of disengaged workers increased to 18%, making the ratio of engaged to actively disengaged employees at 1.8 to 1, the lowest in almost a decade.Researchers added the drop in engagement began in the second half of 2021 citing "clarity of expectations, opportunities to learn and grow, feeling cared about, and a connection to the organization's mission or purpose" as contributing factors to the friction between employees and their bosses. RELATED: 'Quiet quitting' is nothing newLeah Gorham spoke with FOX Television Stations about pivoting to a new career.Notably, Gallup found that the drop in engagement and employer satisfaction was among the remote Gen Z population and younger millennials who are 35 years old and younger. The number has gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key takeaways from the poll found:Gallup does offer tips for companies to resolve the quiet quitting crisis.

FERNLEY, NEVADA, UNITED STATES - 2022/05/30: American flags seen at a veterans cemetery. People attended a Memorial day event at a veterans cemetery.

GEORGETOWN, De. - A small Delaware airport was flooded on Tuesday with state leaders and local non-profit organizations in preparation for a possible plane full of migrants being sent from Texas. Delaware Costal Airport in Georgetown was reportedly the latest destination for migrants being shipped by southern Republican governors to northern Blue states. This comes just days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent two buses with about 100 migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris' residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C.Some who were at the airport on Tuesday believe that the sending migrants northbound is part of a political stunt being carried out by Republican leaders ahead of the midterm elections. MORE ON IMMIGRATION"They’re using our people for political stunts, It’s just sad and tragic," Rossana Arteaga-Lopenza from non-profit Casa de Venezuela Delaware told FOX 29. Earlier this year, Abbott announced new directives as part of the state's border security efforts, including an order that directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses of migrants to Washington D.C. Philadelphia officials began preparing to receive buses of migrants if Abbott targeted the city, but Delaware, where President Joe Biden grew up and attended college, looks to be the next destination.The normally quiet runway at Delaware Costal Airport was abuzz on Tuesday amid reports of a possible plane full of migrants from Texas.

NEW DELHI : Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report released on Tuesday showed that the Gini coefficient for India hit a peak of 82.3 in 2020 and remained the same at the end of 2021. The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality with a higher figure denoting higher levels of inequality. The Gini remained unchanged in 2021 from 2020 even as the household wealth in India saw a sharp jump for the same period.

Woman dies after being hit by a car. PHILADELPHIA - A woman is dead after police say she was hit by a car on a busy Philadelphia road Tuesday morning.Police say the woman was walking against traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard when she was hit by a vehicle near Friendship Street.The woman, whose identity is unknown at this time, was pronounced dead on the scene.MORE HEADLINES:The driver of the vehicle reportedly stayed on the scene.

COVID-19 bivalent booster.The Cambridge Pinebush Vaccination Clinic, which closed its doors at the end of March, will officially be back in business on Monday.

At a routine press briefing today, two White House officials fielded questions about President Joe Biden's recent off-the-cuff comment during a news program that the pandemic is over, while acknowledging that COVID is still a problem.When a reporter asked if Biden would carry the "pandemi

TikTok trend targeting children and teens.The social media dare encourages minors susceptible to peer pressure to make what has been called “sleepy chicken,” a meal likely as dangerous as it is disgusting. Viral video shows live frog found in London, Ont.

Child bit by dog. PHILADELPHIA - A vicious dog attack has left a one-year-old girl in critical condition, and two dogs shot in Northeast Philadelphia.Police say the child was attacked by two dogs inside a home on the 2200 block of Brighton Street just before noon Tuesday.She reportedly suffered several bites throughout her body, and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:Both dogs were shot by someone inside the house, according to police.

Deputies have recovered two bodies in the search for missing teens Lyric Woods and Devin Carter. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)A homicide investigation is underway after North Carolina deputies found two bodies with bullet wounds amid a search for two missing teens in Orange County, according to authorities.A pair of men riding four-wheel ATVs found the remains of a Black male and White female around 3 p.m.

LEGO Masters" host Will Arnett says the LEGO-building talent on season three of the family-friendly FOX series is on another level."We have to challenge them more, you know, really make sure that we bring great challenges to them that are really going to showcase their talents. So it's kind of a lot of pressure on us," he explained.

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, US healthcare workers (HCWs) had a lower overall increase in unemployment than those in other professions, but HCWs in lower-paying roles were more likely than their more highly compensated counterparts to be jobless, findings that may have implications for patients and the labor force, according to a study published yesterday in JAMA.

Yet, as gains in capital markets can be volatile and subject to quick reversal, these wealth estimates don’t support the case for a new wealth tax. The global economy at large had a subdued 2021 while trying to recover from covid-caused disruptions, but asset-holding households fared rather well.

Another Covid requirement in Spain is being rolled back, while the Netherlands has axed all travel rules and requirements. The Dutch move marks the first time unvaccinated visitors will be allowed entry.

An Instagram model has publicly claimed she had an affair with the married frontman of Maroon 5, Adam Levine.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  According to the latest circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration regarding the retirement age limit of state employees, 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022.In the proposal for this year presented to the Parliament in 2021, the retirement age of all State employees was extended to 65 years.However, the revised budget presented recently lowered the retirement age of Government employees to 60.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st 2022.Under this directive, existing specialist doctors at provincial and primary hospitals will have to be transferred to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of specialist doctorsThe association stated that it is not possible to transfer specialist doctors without filling the vacancies first.Usually, only specialist doctors who are already trained abroad can be transferred in this manner.However, in view of the current crisis in the country, a significant group of specialist doctors are likely to remain abroad, the Association of Specialist Doctors said.In that situation, the entire health service, including remote hospitals may also collapse, the Association of Specialist Doctors emphasized.The association points out that according to the new circular, 43 specialists of Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and 09 specialists of Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Mahanayake Theros of the four main Buddhist Sects in the country have called on the President to prepare an electricity tariff policy that would provide relief to places of worship.A letter by the Mahanayake Theros adds that the people who have been battered by the economic crisis have been making contributions to the survival of the temples across the country, disregarding religious and other differences.The Mahanayake Theros urge that the existing economic crisis be solved soon to create a more secure nation. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Former Philadelphia Eagles player Herb Lusk speaks during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis wraps up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Herbert Lusk II died at the age of 69 on Monday, according to the city council's president."North Philadelphia and our city lost a true friend yesterday; Rev.

The suspects pictured here are wanted in connection with a robbery in Penn's Landing.  PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are searching for three suspects wanted in connection with a robbery in Penn's Landing. According to authorities, the incident happened on Thursday at 5:40 p.m. Police say a 25-year-old man was at Penn's Landing when the three suspects surrounded him and demanded his belongings. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAfter he complied and gave the suspects his chain, he was punched and knocked to the ground before the suspects took his Jordan sneakers, vaping device and bike, according to investigators. The suspects then fled and were last seen through Penns Landing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia police at 215-686-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online. 

PHILADELPHIA - Sometimes special people come into our lives in the most unexpected ways, like shopping at your local food store.Nancy Ostroff has been a customer at the Amce Market in North Philadelphia for 60 years. However, one day, store manager Sue Thomas noticed that Nancy was missing."She literally tracked me down to find out where I was, and what was wrong," Nancy said.Sue found out Nancy had been in an accident, and needed food in her house. So, she got a list and did all the shopping for her."We don't know sometimes what people go through in their life until you get to know people," Sue said.

A fireplace is shown in an undated file image. (Photo by Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Americans are likely going to pay more to heat their home over the winter months. The average cost of heating a household is set to increase by 17.2% this winter, compared to winter last year, according to a forecast by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), an educational and policy organization for federal programs that help low-income families pay their utility bills. The group expects the average winter heating bill to increase from $1,025 to $1,202, which would be the highest figure in over a decade. U.S.

(With inputs from ANI)  

UKRAINE - 2022/02/10: In this photo illustration, a Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) logo is displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) NEW YORK - Rockstar Games, a video game publisher, confirmed that early development footage of "Grand Theft Auto 6" was illegally accessed and downloaded. The company posted on Twitter that it suffered a "network intrusion" in which a third party illegally gained access to confidential files, including the next unreleased installment of "Grand Theft Auto.""We are extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way," the company posted.

Alexander Boysie (left), Ronnie Bridgelal (center,) and Justin Ramsaran (right) were charged in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident in Delaware.  LEWES, Del. - Delaware State Police say three men from New York have been charged in connection with a shoplifting incident at a Lowes before they led police on a chase down a Delaware highway. According to authorities, Alexander Boysie, 18, Justin Ramsaran, 19, and Ronnie Bridgelal, 20, all of New York, face an array of charges, including shoplifting, criminal mischief, conspiracy, resisting arrest and related charges. Delaware State Police say the incident happened just after 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Lowes store on Plantation Road in Lewes. Two men were seen exiting the store with a large quantity of copper wire before they got into a Chrysler 300 with a Florida license plate and a third man in the car quickly sped away after the other two men got in, officials say.

Thousands have lined up for gruelling hours to pay their last respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London, U.K., and one Montrealer is standing out among them.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health says that the medicines ordered for the hospitals are currently being received.The Secretary of the Ministry of Health Janaka Sri Chandragupta said that despite the shortage of medicine, the operations at hospitals have not been hampered.The Director of the National Hospital Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government the reason for imposing low levies on tobacco and alcohol at a time when food inflation in the country is rapidly rising. Speaking at the Parliament, the Opposition Leader said that the country's food inflation rate is over 90%, however the inflation rate of tobacco and alcohol products is merely over 36%, and questioned as the why the Government is not taking steps to increase the price of such goods. He alleged that the ties between alcohol companies, politicians and treasury officials have resulted in the prices being maintained at a low without being subject to increases.In response, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated that excise duty on tobacco products is levied on a unit basis depending on the length of the product, while excise duty is levied on alcohol products based on its strength. He further stated that in addition to these excise duties, a 15% value-added tax VAT on sales will be levied with effect from October 1st, along with a 2.5% social security contribution tax on turnover."In addition, these cigarettes and alcohol have been subject to a higher income tax rate of 40%.

The Executive Director of the World Health Organization's Emergencies Programme has said he has never seen the scale of threats and abuse against health staff and others as he has experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mary Starks has won $100,000 twice. (Iowa Lottery) An Iowa woman has now won two $100,000 lottery prizes in a little more than two years.Mary Starks' latest $100,000 prize came in the Iowa Lottery's "Hit It Big!" scratch game.

UNITED NATIONS - In an alarming assessment, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told world leaders Tuesday that nations are "gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction" and aren’t ready or willing to tackle the major challenges that threaten the future of humanity and the fate of the planet.Speaking at the opening of the General Assembly’s annual top-level meeting, the U.N.