Government: Latest News

SEND, care home staff and residents during an outbreak and for care home residents upon admission. This also includes some staff in prisons and immigration removal centres.Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Government Ministers have referred to those who incited violence during the Mirihana Protests as political extremists and not religious extremists.Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Dilum Amunugama, and Keheliya Rambukwella spoke to the media on Friday (1) to respond to concerns over the public protest that was held opposite the Mirihana residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday (31).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, it added.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.Referring to the word ‘Extremist’, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the Government had not referred to religious extremists.Sri Lankan Health Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella also echoed the same clarification noting that the Government referred to political extremists and not religious extremists.However, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama also said that the word “Extremist’ may have been wrongly used and said, instead, that

Albertans have seen their insurance rates skyrocket over the past couple of years. Now, the Opposition NDP wants to know why the UCP government has stopped requiring companies to publicly report their financials. Tom Vernon reports.

COVID-19 containment measures from March 31.

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

Airbus news release. The plane had one of four engines that used 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which consists of a combination of cooking oils and fatty acids. The flight took off from the Blagnac Airport in Toulouse, France, at 8:43 a.m. and returned safely, the company said. The SAF used to fuel the plane was produced in Normandy, France by TotalEnergies, a company that creates sustainable sources of energy for a global market, according to the company website. The fuel was created from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which is free of aromatics and sulfur, according to Airbus. This is the third flight an Airbus aircraft has executed using 100% SAF over the past year, the company said.

Ontario’s health minister said the provincial government is “staying the course” on it’s decision to life the mandatory masking mandate, despite experts saying the province is now experiencing the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Christine Elliott made the remarks during a funding announcement at North York General Hospital on Thursday.The minister was asked whether there have been talks about potentially reinstating the mandatory mask mandate which was lifted earlier this month.“We’re staying the course, we don’t anticipate that we’ll need to move back to mandatory masking,” she said. “Except in certain locations where it is mandatory, most of it is discretionary.”Elliott said people should be “patient” and “kind” with one another, noting that some may feel more comfortable to continue wearing a mask in public settings.

COVID-19 cases.The province reported bumps in virus cases and hospitalizations on Thursday and wastewater monitoring suggests cases have been rising throughout the month.NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the “complete silence” from the government and chief medical officer of health is disconcerting and called on them to provide guidance.

Ukraine had refused to carry out orders, sabotaged their own equipment and accidentally shot down one of their own aircraft.Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and raised fears of a wider confrontation between Russia and the United States.

COLOMBO (News 1st); When God gives rainfall and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation gives fuel, electricity will be supplied, says the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), M.M.C. Ferdinando.Speaking at a press conference today (31), the CEB Chairman stated that when the country receives a diesel ship, the power plants can be soon activated, which will reduce the duration of power cuts. A heated situation also arose when a journalist proceeded to question the Minister of Power, Pavithra Wannaarachchi with regard to the plan of the Government in the near future regarding the power crisis, to which the Minister responded saying she does not know when it will rain.However, the journalist responded, saying that if he wanted to know of the next time when it will rain, he would inquire the Meteorology Department, and not the Minister, she still proceeded to say that she has no knowledge of the next time when it will rain, and alleged that just because there is no power, the media should not attempt to strike fear into the general public with regard to the matter.What really is the status of the power sector in Sri Lanka?The CEB Chairman M.M.C.

'Serving the community since 1903' reads a proud proclamation on its website. Now Salford Lads Club, a jewel in Greater Manchester's cultural crown and a vital asset for the city's youth, has secured much-needed funding to continue doing just that.

Covid situation, and the preparedness of the government to deal with the pandemic, the NDMA has taken decisions that won't be any further need to invoke the provision of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board M.M.C. Ferdinando has said that Sri Lanka is forced to suspend the supply of electricity as the CEB cannot meet the demand.“We cannot generate over 300 MW of power from hydropower plants, and we need 800 MW of power from 6:30 PM to 10 PM daily from hydropower plants, and we cannot generate that requirement.

The Ford government says it is taking aim at planning and implementation slowdowns which it says are among the main causes of high housing costs. But the government is not adopting changes designed to increase population density in existing residential neighbourhoods because it says they’re too radical for municipalities.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Ministers & MPs were mum when questions were posed to them on the present crises, following events on Tuesday (29).Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva’s response to the crisis was “what country does not have a crisis?”.State Minister Sisira Jayakody noted that he was aware of the situation at filling stations, but did not prefer to comment any further.Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena admitted the fact that the people were struggling to survive, but only noted that the government is doing whatever it can.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost the majority in the National Assembly as MQM-P has decided to join hands with the combined Opposition to support their no-confidence motion against the PM.Following the late-night development, the PTI-led government lost the majority in the lower house.The National Assembly is expected to vote on April 3rd after the no-confidence motion is tabled against PM Khan.With 177 members, the Opposition now has more numbers in the National Assembly and they do not need the support of disgruntled PTI MNAs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Economists have raised concerns whether the Sri Lankan government’s decision to award Rs. 10,000/- as allowances for low-income families will ease the economic burden on the people, in the long term.Professor Aminda Methsila Perera, from the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, says that according to government calculations there are 3.1 million low-income families in the island nation, and it would require Rs.

(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) HARRISBURG - A Republican proposal to prevent transgender girls from competing in girls' school sports passed the Pennsylvania House Education Committee on Tuesday, over Democratic opposition.The 15-9 party-line vote advanced the "Save Women's Sports Act" bill so it can be considered by the GOP-majority chamber. It would restrict players to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth.The bill says athletic teams designated for women or girls may not be open to "students of the male sex," and would give students and schools a route to sue, including against athletic organizations.

The government has issued a statement clarifying who will be able to get free Covid testing from April 1, Friday, when mass PCR and lateral flow testing is brought to an end. The free testing available to a small number of groups will be symptomatic - meaning that those taking tests must already be showing symptoms.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Republican proposal to prevent transgender girls from competing in girls' school sports passed the Pennsylvania House Education Committee on Tuesday, over Democratic opposition.The 15-9 party-line vote advanced the "Save Women's Sports Act" bill so it can be considered by the GOP-majority chamber. It would restrict players to male or female teams based on their reproductive organs, biology or genetics at birth.The bill says athletic teams designated for women or girls may not be open to "students of the male sex," and would give students and schools a route to sue if they feel harmed by violations of that rule.

oil and gas industry will need to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 42 per cent from current levels by 2030 if the country is to meet its new targets.The emissions reduction plan tabled in the House of Commons today by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault forecasts that electricity emissions will be almost zero by the end of the decade but it will take longer to see real progress from the transportation sector.The plan is a legislated requirement under the net-zero emissions law the government passed last year.

Ontario didn’t replenish PPE stockpiles before COVID-19, long-term care commission says The plan includes new legislation that would, among other measures, make permanent a $3-an-hour wage enhancement for PSWs that the government has been extending for a few months at a time since 2020.The legislation would also require annual reporting on supplies of personal protective equipment, and require the province to have a provincial emergency plan that is updated every five years.The government is also announcing $81 million over two years to expand a program in which nursing graduates can receive full tuition reimbursement in exchange for committing to practice in an underserved community for two years.

COVID-19 pandemic has led to longer wait times for operations in the province. Quebec’s upcoming health-reform plan leaked This prong of the plan is already in place with about 15 private clinics, according to the government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila is preparing to move the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution that will prevent foreign nationals from seizing power in Sri Lankan politics.Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Tuesday (29), Gammanpila dismissed claims that his group is attempting to secure the votes lost by the Rajapaksas, and use them for Namal Rajapaksa’s election campaign for the future.“Unfortunately for Namal, with the end of this government, the political journey of the Rajapaksas will come to an end,” said Gammanpila adding it would also end the eight-decade-long nepotism that plagued Sri Lankan politics.“We have no intention of re-electing a Rajapaksa, because no matter which one of them comes to power, it is Basil Rajapaksa who will govern the country,” he said.Udaya Gammanpila said that a measure to address this issue, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution will be moved in April 2022 in Parliament that will NOT allow any dual citizen to take office in Sri Lanka.Former Minister & Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Udaya Gammanpila on Tuesday (29) revealed a process within the constitution that would allow to dissolve parliament and call for elections.He said a new leader will emerge to take this cause forward.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry has issued a clarification with regard to the security pacts signed with India over a Floating Dock, Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft, and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo (MRCC).The recently signed maritime security pacts with the Government of India will neither result in hindrance nor threat to the national security of Sri Lanka, as misinterpreted by several print and electronic media, said the Ministry of Defence.The receipt of the Floating Dock Facility from the government of India at no cost has been projected to reduce the annual outlay of Rs. 600 million for outsourced docking repairs and this proposal has been in the pipeline since the year 2015.The Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft is basically deployed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and to deliver information to various required platforms.The unavailability of this capability was the motive for bilateral dialogues between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka during the last couple of years and it was agreed upon to provide one Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft to Sri Lanka free of charge, it added.Accordingly, during the period earmarked for the manufacturing process of said aircraft’ the Government of India will lend a similar aircraft which will be piloted by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) pilots.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's district attorney is calling for a multi-million dollar forensics lab after President Joe Biden offered billions to pay for state and local governments to hire more police.District Attorney Larry Krasner made his pitch for a beefed up forensics lab Monday while reporting the details of a 26-year-old convicted of a gun-felony despite a key piece of forensics equipment being broken. Krasner said Bashir Moore was arrested on New Year’s Eve in 2019 for firing his weapon into the air. Police never found Moore’s gun, but convicted him by using gun residue even when a key piece of equipment needed in the investigation was broken at the time.Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said the city needs a new multi-million dollar forensics crime lab to help thwart gun crimes in Philadelphia.

FILE-This aerial view shows the Controlled Thermal Resources (CRT) drilling rig in Calipatria, California, Today it is desolate but huge reserves of lithium are inside. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) NEWRY, Maine - The race is on to produce more lithium in the United States.The U.S.

With the March 31 deadline looming large, Ontario finally signed a deal with the federal government to achieve $10 per day childcare by 2025. Ontario is the last jurisdiction in Canada to get on board, experts and advocates say the real work in pulling off the plan must now take place.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka has sought an additional credit line of $1 billion from India to import essentials amid its worst economic crisis in decades, two sources said on Monday (28), as the Indian foreign minister began talks with the government of its neighbor.The island nation is struggling to pay for essential imports of food and fuel after a 70% drop in foreign exchange reserves since January 2020 led to a currency devaluation and efforts to seek help from global lenders.New Delhi has indicated it would meet the request for the new line, to be used for importing essential items such as rice, wheat flour, pulses, sugar and medicines, said one of the sources briefed on the matter.“Sri Lanka has requested an additional $1 billion credit line from India for imports of essentials,” the second source said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 15: U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) walks through the Capitol Building on October 15, 2013 in Washington, DC.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government has decided to hold a debate on the International Monetary Fund report on recovering Sri Lanka’s debt sustainaibility.Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando stated that the Parliament had decided to hold the debate within the first week of April.Representatives of several parties, including UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, called on the Government to hold a Parliamentary debate on the report.

TB symptoms did not seek treatment, according to a 2019-21 nationwide government survey released on World TB Day on Thursday.

Hong Kong government said in a statement.

PTI. The government is currently mulling if such people should pay for the precaution doses and if these doses should be made available at private vaccination centres.

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.

Ontario government says it is providing over $13.6 million to hospitals in the Region of Waterloo to reimburse the lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris made the announcement on Friday which will see $8.1 million for Grand River Hospital, $2.5 million for St. Mary’s General hospital and $2.9 million for Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the Russia-Ukraine war during virtually addressing in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 17, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) KHARKIV, Ukraine - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukrainians to keep up their resistance to Russia’s invading forces, saying "every minute determines our fate, our future, whether we will live."During a nightly video address, Zelenskyy said late Thursday that, "With every day of our defense, we are getting closer to the peace that we need so much.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has invited the Tamil National Alliance to work with him and the government.“Politically you can take any stand, but for the people, we must work together. I am ready for that.

WARSAW, Poland - President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland as his final stop in Europe this week offers a chance to underscore the U.S. commitment to protect a key NATO member on Ukraine’s doorstep, and thank Poles for their generous welcome to refugees fleeing Russia's invasion.But Poland is also a complicated ally whose populist leaders are accused by some European partners of riding roughshod over democratic norms, and many liberal Poles will be seeking a sign that the U.S. remembers its role in promoting democracy.The two-day visit starting Friday follows a trio of emergency war summits in Brussels.

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On Tuesday, Ferreri stated that she is a single mother of six children, but her biography on her government website says otherwise. Jessica Nyznik reports.

Rogers Communications Inc.’s acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.’s broadcasting services, but will force the company to meet a series of conditions it laid out Thursday.The approval from the broadcasting regulator is the latest of several hurdles Rogers must clear as it tries to close the $26-billion deal it signed in March 2021 that will see it acquire 16 cable services based in Western Canada, a national satellite television service and other broadcast and television services.“The commission is of the view that the application, subject to the modifications … is the best possible proposal given the circumstances and that this transaction would not diminish the diversity of voices in Canada,” the report reads.

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique told the House of Commons’ Public Safety Committee on Thursday that police deemed the so-called “Freedom Convoy” a threat to national security one week before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

PHILADELPHIA - The federal government opened its bribery trial against Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and his wife Dawn Chavous by accusing the pair of selling Johnson’s office for personal gain.Johnson, who represents the 2nd. Council District which includes parts of Center City, South and Southwest Philadelphia, is accused of taking more than $66k in bribes disguised as fees paid to his wife’s consulting company.Federal prosecutors claim Johnson pressed for a zoning change to help increase the sale price of the former Royal Theater on South Street.

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MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - In Miami Beach, authorities say they've had enough with the violence during spring break and are limiting alcohol sales in certain areas this weekend where a curfew is in effect.On Wednesday, city leaders ordered that "the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverage(s) for off-premises consumption, with or without payment or consideration, therefore, shall be prohibited in the curfew area after 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022, after 6 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022; and after 6 p.m.

U.S. government.