president: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Fort Magistrate issued an order on the General Secretary of the SJB, and several others preventing them from entering several areas including the President's Office, Finance Ministry and Galle Face from 2 PM to 7 PM on Monday (20).At the same time, Sri Lanka Police would be taking measures to prevent inconveniences from being caused to the public using the following roads.From Galle Face Round-About to N.S.A. Round-About in the Fort Police Jurisdiction.From N.S.A.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A writ application filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Temple University’s Vice President for Public Safety released a statement Sunday, regarding the shooting death of Officer Fitzgerald, reading, in part:"Officer Fitzgerald gave his life to selflessly serve and defend this community. The courage and bravery he displayed highlights the day-to-day sacrifice made by our Temple University police officers to keep our community safe.

Presidents Day 2023, consider soaking up some fun and interesting presidential facts.Throughout our nation's history, there have been quite a number of memorable leaders at the helm. This Presidents Day, take a look at interesting numerical info about America's leaders.Feb. 22, 1732 – Presidents Day takes place on Feb.

Jimmy Carter ATLANTA - People from all over the world are leaving kind notes and sharing their favorite photos of the 39th U.S. president, Jimmy Carter.In the wake of the announcement that Carter opted to spend the rest of his life at home receiving hospice care, surrounded by his loved ones, The Carter Center unveiled a new way for supporters to send messages of peace and comfort to him and his family."President Carter, you inspire Americans and citizens of the world to live a life of good work, loving relationships, and service to others. You will continue to inspire us and make a difference long after you leave this earth.

Tiger Woods of the United States (L) and Justin Thomas of the United States walk off the ninth tee during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Cliff H Tiger Woods still has some power in his swing, and he let his playing partners know about it on Thursday.After Justin Thomas failed to outdrive the 47-year-old Woods, the 15-time major champion handed him a tampon.The incident occurred on the ninth tee during the first round, but people started to take notice of what happened late Thursday night.Tiger Woods of the United States (L) and Justin Thomas of the United States walk off the ninth tee during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California.

It was 5.30 a.m. on a cold winter’s morning at Antonov Airport, when Vitalii Rudenko, a commander of the Ukrainian airfield’s national guard base, awoke to a phone call.

The Ukrainian flag flutters between buildings destroyed in bombardment, in the Ukrainian town of Borodianka, in the Kyiv region on April 17, 2022. (Photo by Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images) MUNICH (AP) - The United States has determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris said Saturday, insisting that "justice must be served" to the perpetrators.Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Harris said the international community has both a moral and a strategic interest in pursuing those crimes, pointing to a danger of other authoritarian governments taking advantage if international rules are undermined."Russian forces have pursued a widespread and systemic attack against a civilian population — gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape, and deportation," Harris said.

People walk past a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on February 18, 2023. - North Korea fired a suspected long-range ballistic missile on February 18, South Korea's mi SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea on Saturday fired a long-range missile from its capital into the sea off Japan, according to its neighbors, a day after it threatened to take strong measures against South Korea and the U.S.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019.

toxic Norfolk Southern train derailment that threatened the village of East Palestine.Gov. Mike DeWine said the move came following further discussions with the agency. In a joint statement on Friday, the governor and FEMA Regional Administrator Thomas Sivak said FEMA and Ohio had been in "constant contact" regarding emergency operations in the community. "U.S.

After economic recovery next year, Sri Lanka could decide future it wants via a ballot – President 

Colombo (News1st) – The Bar Assocation of Sri Lanka has charged that there is a concerted effort to prevent elections, to undermine the franchise of the people, and endanger the sovereignty of the people of Sri Lanka.FULL STATEMENT:"The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) expresses its deep concern over recent attempts by state authorities to disrupt the Local Authorities Elections, which are mandated by law to be held prior to March 19th, 2023. The BASL emphasizes that all elections are a vital part of Sri Lanka's democratic process and must not be hindered.The BASL notes several decisions by the government in recent weeks, purportedly aimed at managing public funds, have had the effect of preventing the Elections Commission from conducting the elections.

Dead Whale Queens NEW YORK - Another dead whale has been found on the shore of a local beach.A whale that is believed to be a juvenile minke whale was found at the Rockaway shoreline in Queens around Beach 29th St. at around 9 a.m.New York City Parks Department responded to monitor the area.Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation coordinated a plan for theexamination of the whale and disposal.Dead Whale Queens In a statement, the NYC Parks Department said: "We mourn the loss of this awe-inspiring creature."Clean Ocean Action said this was the 10th whale to wash ashore in the New York-New Jersey region since Dec.

Don Lemon startled some colleagues on CNN’s morning show Thursday with his implication that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, at age 51, was past her prime.Lemon, with "CNN This Morning" co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, was discussing Haley’s suggestion a day earlier that politicians over age 75 should be subject to mandatory mental competency tests. President Joe Biden is 80 while another GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is 76."Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry," Lemon said, explaining why he was "uncomfortable" with the age discussion.

(File Photo)  OCEAN CITY, N.J. - New Jersey utility regulators used a controversial law Friday enabling them to bypass local authorities and grant approvals needed for an offshore wind project to proceed.The state Board of Public Utilities granted Orsted, the Danish wind energy developer, approvals toward several easements and permits that authorities in Cape May County had refused to grant the company.They used an amendment to New Jersey's offshore wind law passed in 2021 and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy removing most local control over where offshore wind projects come ashore.

Sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepare material recovered in the Atlantic Ocean from a balloon for transport to federal agents at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Feb. 10, 2023. (Ryan Seelbach/U.S.

Revelers pose for a portrait during a street carnival parade of the "Loucura Suburbana" (Suburban Craziness) block at the Engenho de Dentro neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Photos by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images) RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil’s Carnival is back.Glittery and outrageous costumes are once again being prepared.

FILE IMAGE - The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is parked in West Reading, Pennsylvania on July 11, 2019. (Photo By MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images) Days after reports surfaced of a catalytic converter theft involving an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in Las Vegas, PETA has offered to pay for the replacement part and maintenance for one year if the company converts the vehicle to a vegan hot dog mobile.President Ingrid Newkirk made the offer to Carlos Abrams-Rivera, Executive Vice President and President of The Kraft Heinz Company - North America Zone, in a letter sent Thursday.

During a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on February 16th, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) EFF loan is expected to be received in March. The President also mentioned that the possibility of reducing bank interest rates is being considered in line with the gradual drop of inflation rate.The discussion was aimed at identifying the issues faced by small and large-scale rice mill owners and finding solutions to resolve them. The rice mill owners brought up the fact that the production cost of a kilogram of rice has increased due to various factors, including the rise in fuel prices, electricity charges, machinery maintenance costs, transportation costs, and all other production and administrative expenses.They noted that they would incur losses by selling their product at the current market price as it is lower than the production cost.The rice mill owners also pointed out the difficulty of paying a high interest rate of 28% on bank loans taken to purchase paddy. It was mentioned that the production cost of a kilogram of paddy has increased due to the rapid increase in prices of the agricultural inputs for paddy cultivation.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Disturbing video obtained by FOX 29 shows what appears to be a random, unprovoked attack at one of the busiest intersections on Temple University’s campus, while two security officers appear to be present.The video shows a group swarming a man by the SEPTA station at Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue and start attacking him Wednesday afternoon, just before 5 p.m.Students first saw it on the "Keep Us Safe TU" Instagram page."I shouldn’t be finding out attacks from an Instagram page," student Allison O’Toole said.Student Carmen Dephillippo added, "It was terrible and frightening.

ATLANTA - The Fulton County special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies illegally tried to overturn his electoral defeat in Georgia says they found that there was "no widespread fraud" in the state's 2020 presidential election.The report’s introduction and conclusion, along with a section in which the grand jurors expressed concerns that some witnesses may have lied under oath, were released Thursday. But any recommendations on potential criminal charges will remain under wraps for now.For nearly eight months, the grand jury has considered evidence and heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including high-profile Trump associates and top state officials. While the special grand jury, by law, cannot indict anyone, the jurors voted to have their findings made public.In the introduction, the special grand jury states that they received evidence or heard from 75 witnesses during the investigation.

The historic Temple of the Tooth Relic in the city of Kandy will host a Janaraja Perahara on February 19th, after 34 years.The procession has been organized to coincide with the 75th Independence Celebration, and it will be inaugurated under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.According to the Coordinating Officer and the Cultural Officer of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the procession will begin from the Magul Maduwa premises at 6.30 pm on February 19th. It will parade along the Dalada Street, Yatinuvara Street, Kanda Street, Raja Street, and return to the temple, marking the end of the event.

India to propose China, other creditors take haircuts on loans(Reuters) – India is drafting a proposal for G20 countries to help debtor nations badly hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic and Ukraine war, by asking lenders including China, the world's largest sovereign creditor, to take a large haircut on loans.Two Indian government sources told Reuters of the proposal as finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of 20 prepared to meet in Bengaluru next week.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Power & Energy Minister & relevant officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply is made available for electricity customers once the PUCSL tariff revision is implemented.The President's Media Division also said that the President gave directives to provide concessions for low-income families and provide solar rooftop systems for religious places & government educational institutions when the new tariff revision comes into effect.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that power outages will not be imposed from Thursday (16), as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka granted approval to the 66% electricity tariff hike.A source from the Ministry of Power and Energy speaking to News 1st said that a decision will be reached in the future with regard to those who are unable to settle their electricity bills.The Public Utilities Commission has approved a 66 percent hike in electricity tariffs with effect from Wednesday (15).It was with the agreement of the three members of the PUCSL except the Chairman of the Commission Janaka RatnayakeIn order to generate an additional income of Rs.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - More than half a dozen whales have washed up dead on Jersey beaches since last fall and, according to NOAA. Skeptical shore residents are calling into question the underwater surveying going on in preparation for the offshore wind farm.

These are strawberries from California, but by mid-June, the field in background at Verrill Farm will be ready for picking. Plants are covered with a straw bedding.

READ MORE: Home, artifacts discovered at Harriet Tubman's birthplace in Dorchester CountyCongress designated February 22, George Washington's birthday, as a holiday for all federal workers in 1885. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Law changed the date to the third Monday in February.The Lincoln Memorial - the iconic temple built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln - turns 100 years old Monday.The Uniform Monday Holiday Law aimed to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers, according to History, shifting several federal holidays from specific dates to predetermined Mondays.The position of the holiday between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln, born on February 12, gave rise to the popular name of Presidents' Day, according to the National Archives.Presidents' Day is now popularly seen as a day to recognize the lives and achievements of all of America’s chief executives.President Abraham Lincoln's cottage is a historic site nestled in Northwest D.C.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - The Ohio village upended by a freight train derailment and the intentional burning of some of the hazardous chemicals on board has invited affected residents to a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to discuss lingering questions.And there are still plenty — about the huge plumes of smoke, the persisting odors, the reports of sick or dead animals, the potential impact on drinking water, all the cleaning up. Even as school has resumed and trains are rolling by again, things aren't the same.In and around East Palestine, near the Pennsylvania state line, people are asking whether the air and water around them is safe for people, pets and livestock.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government will not give into the demands of protestors.He noted that just, because certain groups strike demanding the removal of certain officials, the government will not remove anyone arbitrarily as there is a procedure that has to be followed and the government will follow the rules and act accordingly.He was addressing the launch of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University at the Trace City in Colombo on Wednesday (15).He said that the responsibility to address such issues rests to a large extent with the Universities. The President noted that even at the point of the new Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) being inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University, two strikes were in progress. One was staged at the Ruhuna University demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor and another one demanded the removal of the General Manager of a state Corporation.President Wickremesinghe further stated that the removal of the General Manager is a matter of the government. “Just, because there is a strike we will not remove him.

the deadly attack more puzzling.His brother, Michael McRae, told Fox News Digital that his brother "changed" after their mother died in September 2020, and Anthony stopped taking care of himself, quit his job, wouldn't look for work and spent all his time playing video games."He lived a sheltered world," Michael told Fox News Digital in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. "He started changing. He was getting more and more bitter and angry.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Senator Bob Casey (D- PA) addresses supporters before former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally for statewide Democratic candidates on September 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Midterm elect HARRISBURG - Democratic Sen.

Dr Nick Axten in the early 1970s and on the day of his graduation. (Credit: University of Bristol) BRISTOL, England - A 76-year-old University of Bristol student finally received his doctorate more than 50 years after starting. In 1970, Dr. Nick Axten received a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to pursue his doctorate in mathematical sociology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. But five years later, he had to leave the university and returned to the United Kingdom without obtaining his degree. RELATED: These are the most and least educated states in AmericaOn Valentine's Day 2023, Axten was awarded his doctorate from the University of Bristol in front of his wife, Claire, and their 11-year-old granddaughter, Freya.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Edwin J. Torres/Governor's Office)PHILADELPHIA - Democratic Gov.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Two students killed in the Michigan State University shooting Monday were graduates of Grosse Pointe Public Schools, the district said.Read: Everything we've learned about the 8 students shotBoth victims graduated in 2021.Superintendent Jon Dean said Brian Fraser was a graduate of Grosse Pointe South, while Arielle Anderson graduated from Grosse Pointe North. Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson Michigan State University police initially said Anderson was not being identified to respect her family's wishes, but Dean identified her after the district spoke with her family. "As a proud Spartan parent (my daughter graduated from MSU last winter) my heart broke last night when I learned of the shooting at MSU.

LONDON - Air India unveiled orders Tuesday for 470 Boeing and Airbus passenger jets as it races to tap surging demand for increasingly affordable air travel from the nation's growing ranks of middle-class consumers.India’s largest international airline and second-largest domestic carrier is buying 220 Boeing aircraft valued at $34 billion. It marks the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that any agreement inked by Sri Lanka must be transparent.Premadasa was speaking at the SJB Economic Summit 'The Blue Print' in Colombo on Tuesday (14), and said the International Monetary Fund agreement is integral to Sri Lanka to come out of bankruptcy."Where we will differ is the way we negotiate, the substance, and the issues. We will be taking a pro-people, pro-business approach, he said.Sajith Premadasa also went on to note that the present executive presidency, together with the Prime Minister has manipulated and connived to prevent the election from being held, because they lack a mandate.The Opposition Leader said that the SJB will work with everyone, and not do anything that is detrimental to the interest of any country."What we will do is, we will promote our national interests.

FILE - The T-Mobile logo is seen outside a shop in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images) BELLEVUE, Wash. - Customers of wireless provider T-Mobile US Inc.

FILE - Nikki Haley visits "Hannity" at Fox News Channel Studios on Jan. 20, 2023, in New York City.

 COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan who died in the earthquakes in Turkiye on the 6th of February was buried in Hatay/Antakya in Turkiye, confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (14).The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara had been working to ascertain the welfare of the sixteen Sri Lankans who were living in the area affected by the earthquake and tremors, in coordination with the  Türkiye authorities. It was confirmed that 15 of them, contacted by the Embassy are safe, while a Sri Lankan female who was living in Hatay/Antakya Province in Türkiye, was reported missing. The Embassy was able to confirm the fate of the Sri Lankan concerned and also noted the unfortunate death of the missing Sri Lankan.The identity of the deceased Sri Lankan is withheld at the request of the family. Burial of the human remains of the deceased already took place in Hatay/Antakya, in line with regulations imposed by the health authorities, said the Foreign Ministry.Death toll from earthquakes went past 37,000.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - AUGUST 29: An elderly woman plays slot machines in a casino on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on August 29 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. After new casinos opened in neighboring states, four of the city's top casinos closed in 2014, l TRENTON, N.J. - Atlantic City casino dealers pushing for a smoking ban received support from several state lawmakers Monday at a long-awaited hearing on a bill that would end smoking inside the nine casinos.Dealers, cocktail servers and other casino workers — some of them with breathing ailments and other health problems they suspect are related to secondhand smoke from casino patrons — testified before a state Senate panel in favor of a law that would close a loophole in the state’s 2006 indoor smoking law.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission has informed the Political Party Secretaries that it will not be able to direct the ballot papers for Postal Voting tomorrow (15), as previously planned. This was revealed by the Secretaries of the Political Parties who met with the National Election Commission on Tuesday (14) morning.Earlier, Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the current state of affairs surrounding the election will be discussed at the meeting. Election Monitors were also summoned for this meeting.The Secretaries of the Political Parties  revealed that the National Election Commission is yet to decide on whether or not the Local Government Election will be held on the 9th of March 2023. They also noted that the National Election Commission is likely to face an issue concerning the Ballot Papers required for postal voting.Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary for the United National Party told reporters that the UNP has never called for a delay in elections."How can one even ask for funds from President Ranil Wickremesinghe, after he took over a country that was literally bankrupt," he told the media while leaving the National Election Commission premises.He said that based on the meeting with the NEC it is likely the election would be delayed."If the government says it does not have the funds, if the Government Printer says it cannot print the ballot papers without payment, it is the National Election Commission that needs to decide on the matter," he added.Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya told reporters that the National Election Commission had given an undertaking to go ahead with

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (13) approved a proposal submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by the people and providing immediate relief in the face of the current economic situation.Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a measure to provide 10 kg of rice to 02 million low-income families each in March and April. This will provide immediate relief to families in need and help improve their overall well-being.It has also been decided that the gratuity arrears owed to 18,000 retired government servants will be paid out in instalments using liquid cash.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has announced a certified price for paddy purchasing during the Maha Cultivation Season.Agriculture Secretary Gunadasa Amarasekera speaking to News 1st said that the Finance Ministry has issued the relevant circular for this purpose.Accordingly, a kilogram of paddy with moisture will be purchased for Rs. 88/- and a kilogram of dry paddy will be purchased for Rs.

matter in May 2021. The 90-day review was meant to push American intelligence agencies to collect more information and review what they already had. Former State Department officials under President Donald Trump had publicly pushed for further investigation into virus origins, as had scientists and the World Health Organization.

NEW DELHI : Protecting the health of the Earth is our highest duty, said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.  Addressing the inaugural session of the 1st Agriculture Deputies Meeting (ADM) of Agriculture Working Group (AWG) under India’s G20 presidency, the minister said that the reckless use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase production has badly affected the health of the Earth and the quality of the soil. “This has also had a bad effect on human health."  Chouhan added that it is necessary to adopt the campaign of Natural Farming started by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  “India has believed for centuries that nature should not be exploited, we should only harness natural resources.

FOX5NY that "Marty was just getting a little fresh air."Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters"Bringing robotics and A.I. from a research lab to the sales floor has been a very exciting journey, and we were thrilled by the customer response in our pilot stores," said Nicholas Bertram, president, GIANT Food Stores.The in-store robots move around the store unassisted.

WASHINGTON - A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the House on Thursday as lawmakers scratch off one of the final items on their yearly to-do list.The bill provides for about $45 billion more for defense programs than President Joe Biden requested, the second consecutive year Congress significantly exceeded his request, as lawmakers seek to boost the nation's military competitiveness with China and Russia.The House passed the bill by a vote of 350-80.