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27.10.2022 / 07:21

Sri Lanka to present Gender Equality bill

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka held discussions regarding the progress of drafting the proposed Bill entitled “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” followed by a presentation to review findings on the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020.These discussions were held at the said Select Committee chaired by (Dr.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Member of Parliament recently (20).The Select Committee members agreed to send the draft inclusive of all recommendations discussed at the Select Committee to the expert committee assigned for the purpose within two weeks under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.The Select Committee also acknowledged the progress of the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020 and directed and requested the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to incorporate contextualized initiatives to the new plan.

Sri Lanka recommendations bill Progressive equality

Report on restructuring energy sector within two weeks: Power Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera informed the National Council that the report of the committee on to the restructuring of the energy sector will be submitted to the National Council within two weeks.At the same time, the Minister informed that the National Council is also expected to be informed about the proposed measures to be taken for the various energy generation projects proposed to be launched by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board.The National Council met on 20th October under the Chairmanship of the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.Institutions such as the Sri Lanka Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were called before the National Council where the officials presented ideas and proposals related to the progress of the energy sector.MP Namal Rajapaksa, as the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy, and the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to Economic Stabilization, Patali Champika Ranawaka informed the National Council about the progress and the expected future work of the committees.

Dinesh Gunawardena Yapa Abeywardana Sri Lanka information reports Progressive

Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country despite GDP decline: IMF Asia & Pacific Dep. Director

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund, Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf has said that Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country despite the decline in GDP.Speaking at an IMF press conference on the Asia and Pacific Region’s Economic Outlook, the Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF responded to questions raised about Sri Lanka's progress toward debt restructuring negotiation, the IMF's program timeline, and whether Sri Lanka could be downgraded to low-income status.She pointed out that it is difficult to predict a timeline because the process of debt negotiations takes time, and mentioned that timelines differ depending on who the creditors are and what is involved. "We certainly are supporting the process as much as we can. And we hope that everybody can work expeditiously to get a process underway, and discussions have started, including with support of all bilateral creditors that are involved," she said. Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf further speaking noted that with regard to the other multilateral lenders, the IMF is working very closely with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Investment Bank, on programs for Sri Lanka, which would assist in closing the financing gap. "But I want to say also very importantly that the policies under the other multilateral lenders in their areas of expertise will be important to resolve Sri Lanka's longer term growth problems," Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf emphasized.

Sri Lanka county Pacific Department Gap Progressive

USD 100Mn credit line from India for rooftop solar project

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A USD 100 million Line of Credit has been extended by the Government of India to install rooftop solar panels at select institutions.A progress review meeting was recently held at the Ministry of Power on the project recently, and according to the Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, rooftop solar will be used to equip government institutions, schools, hospitals, universities, educational and vocational training institutions, military and police stations, district secretariats, regional secretariats and places of religious worship. In addition to the Minister and State Minister of Power and Energy, officials from the High Commission of India, Sustainable Energy Authority and Ceylon Electricity Board participated in the event.

Kanchana Wijesekara India hospital Government Progressive

Sri Lanka’s creditworthiness discussed with World Bank VP

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe met with the World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Martin Raiser, and a World Bank delegation during the World Bank Annual Meetings 2022, to discuss options available to recover Sri Lanka's economy.The discussions were focused on the current creditworthiness of Sri Lanka, which is no longer entitled to source funding through the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), instead to work with the International Development Association (IDA) rating, which will grant Sri Lanka to obtain concessional loans. This process, which will entail a "reverse graduation" to IDA, will move Sri Lanka from an IBRD-only country to an IDA country.However, Sri Lanka will remain listed as a middle-income country.The IMF/WB also emphasized that access to this potential new concessional funding remains linked to deep reforms, an IMF program, and progress with a comprehensive debt treatment the process by the authorities of Sri Lanka. The VP and the WB Delegation said that sustained improvements in economic and social conditions by the Sri Lankan government could pave the way for Sri Lanka to graduate from IDA in the future.

Sri Lanka county Ida president Government Progressive

CBSL NO for MIR Payment for the moment

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says that due to the US sanctions on the MIR payment system, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is NOT in a position to consider favorably, at the current juncture, the request to operate MIR card scheme within the banking system.What is the MIR payment system? MIR is a local payment card in Russia sponsored by the Russian government.The National Payment Card System (NSPK) was established in July 2014 following sanctions against Russia earlier that year, which left Russian cardholders and merchants temporarily unable to transact on international card networks. By December 2015, NSPK had developed the technical infrastructure and commercial agreements to begin card issuance and ATM and POS acceptance for MIR.All Russian banks that are members of the international card networks process and clear via NSPK.

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Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is new Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (12) formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, who was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, and expressed his best wishes.Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is a proud product of Mahanama College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 16th intake, in the Executive branch. On successful completion of his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1989.

Nishantha Ulugetenne Sri Lanka Pakistan county Long Progressive Career

Need to enact legislation on food security – President

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A country’s security is not only ensured militarily but is also secured through food and economic security, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized.The President said this during the progress review meeting of the National Food Security and Nutrition Assurance Program held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (11).Emphasizing that urgent measures should be taken to provide the country with fuel and food, the President said that if necessary, he could intervene through state security regulations.The President also noted that if the implementation of the food security and nutrition assurance program is hampered due to the collapse of the state machinery, he is ready to intervene at any moment to resolve these issues.President Ranil Wickremesinghe also pointed out the need to modernize agriculture and enact legislation on food security through this program.The multi-sectoral joint mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centres to ensure food security and nutrition was recently implemented across the island under the theme “No citizen should be allowed to starve due to the lack of food”, on the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Also, the progress of the program at the district level was examined during this discussion and it was stated that rural economic revitalization committees have been established at the village level in all districts and programs have been initiated to ensure food security and nutrition.Discussions also centred on the issues that could arise during the cultivation process in the relevant districts, while special attention was placed on the supply of fertilizer, land issues, unavailability of seeds and the crop damage caused by wild animals.President

Ranil Wickremesinghe president Government Progressive

To live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached is a tribute to him – President

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that to live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached and to deal with others with a sense of understanding is a tribute to him, in his message commemorating Milad-un-nabi.The full statement is as follows;The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad who is venerated by the Sri Lankan Muslims as well as the Muslim brethren around the world is celebrated today (09).It is my belief that doctrine of Prophet Muhammad as the religious leader of the Islamic devotees around the world will help to alleviate the situation in the society today more than ever before.To live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached and deal with others with a sense of understanding is a tribute to him rather than attempting to overcome them.The coming of the Prophet Muhammad and his vision signified the protection of the entire human community as well as their respect.

Ranil Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka president Progressive

Survey: Little progress made in keeping e-cigarettes out of the hands of US kids

NEW YORK (AP) - The latest government study on teen vaping suggests there's been little progress in keeping e-cigarettes out of the hands of kids.The data seems to show more high school students vaping, with 14% saying they had done so recently, according to survey results released Thursday. In last year's survey, about 11% said they had vaped recently.But experts cautioned that a change in the survey makes it difficult to compare the two: This year, a much higher percentage of participants took the survey in schools, and vaping tends to be reported more in schools than in homes."It continues to be difficult to assess (vaping) trends since the pandemic," said Alyssa Harlow, a University of Southern California researcher who studies youth e-cigarette use.Despite its persistence, vaping appears to be less popular than it was: In 2019, 28% of high schoolers said they had recently vaped.Educators say vaping is still a big problem.Anecdotally, the 2021-22 school year was worse than it was before the pandemic, said Mike Rinaldi, principal of Westhill High School in Stamford, Connecticut.

New York Usa state California state Connecticut city Stamford, state Connecticut Health reports Progressive

140 organizations worldwide ask IMF to issue $650 bn to help poor nations

COLOMBO (News 1st) – About 140 organizations worldwide asked the International Monetary Fund to issue at least $650 billion more in reserves to help its member nations grapple with “multiple historic, overlapping, and generally worsening crises.”Allocating more IMF reserve assets known as special drawing rights, or SDRs, “would immediately make hundreds of billions of dollars available to nearly all low- and middle-income IMF member countries without debt or conditions and only requires political will on the part of the fund’s board” the organizations said in a letter to the IMF’s board of governors and its executive board Thursday.Pressure is mounting on the IMF to act as the world’s most financially fragile countries, from Argentina to Ukraine, have burned through the extra IMF reserves they got last year, raising calls for a fresh injection to help them weather higher interest rates, food and fuel costs. In July, key Democratic congressional allies urged President Joe Biden’s administration to support a new injection of resources for countries at the IMF to help them deal with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.With 345 million people facing acute food insecurity — more than double the number in 2019 — and rising interest rates making it more expensive for nations to pay back their dollar-denominated debt as the greenback strengthens, mass anger is triggering instability in many countries and has even led to the ouster of leaders in nations such as Sri Lanka.Signatories to the Thursday letter include the International Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO, the largest US labor federation.

Usa Sri Lanka Russia Argentina Ukraine president Progressive Fallout

Sri Lanka to meet IMF again next week

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka will meet with the International Monetary Fund next week for another round of talks, said Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Thursday (6)."Next week, the State Finance Minister, Treasury Secretary and CBSL staff will meet the IMF for talks and we hope to continue with the discussions with creditor nations, and commercial creditors.

Nandalal Weerasinghe Sri Lanka Progressive

Sri Lanka rejects resolution at the UN Human Rights Council

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka categorically rejected resolution A/HRC/51/L.1 (Rev.1) titled "Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" tabled by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United States, which was adopted by a vote at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, on Thursday (6).Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry delivered the statement on behalf of Sri Lanka as the country concerned and called on the Members of the Council to reject the resolution by voting against it.In support of Sri Lanka’s position opposing the resolution, the delegation of Pakistan called for a vote. Over half of the members of the Council did not support the resolution with 07 countries (Bolivia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela) voting against the resolution and 20 countries abstaining on the vote. 20 countries voted in favour of the resolution.Representatives of Pakistan, Brazil, China, Venezuela, Japan and Republic of Korea made statements in support of Sri Lanka prior to the vote.Pakistan said that they share the concerns of Sri Lanka and other Member States that the resolution is intrusive and this level of scrutiny would not be even acceptable to any sovereign state including the Core Group.

China South Korea Japan Usa Sri Lanka Germany Britain Pakistan Canada Cuba Brazil county Geneva Venezuela Malawi Bolivia Uzbekistan Macedonia Montenegro Eritrea Government Progressive Cooper rights

Scottish covid inquiry thrown into chaos as top lawyers resign just months after launch

A public inquiry into Scotland's handling of the covid pandemic was thrown into chaos last night after it was revealed four members of its legal team had quit.

John Swinney Britain Scotland county Douglas county Ross Government Pool Progressive

Fearing death, praying for a miracle: Sanibel Island woman survives Ian's historic wrath

Hurricane Ian lashed out in a fury on Sanibel Island last week was to let her kids know she survived one of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike Florida. Now, it will be a tale to tell generations about the harrowing ordeal she lived through.The mother of four from coastal New Jersey had experienced tropical storms but never a hurricane like this.For 20 years, Regan taught a middle school gym class in Lake Forest, Illinois.

state Illinois state Florida county Lake state New Jersey Mexico county Forest county Gulf death Progressive Waters

European Commission says Freedom of Expression is essential in Sri Lanka , & GSP+ to be assessed soon

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the President of the Democratic of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has assured its support to the government of Sri Lanka for the efforts to overcome the crisis successfully.Issuing a statement, Ursula von der Leyen noted that at a time of unprecedented challenges faced by the people of Sri Lanka, the European Union remains committed to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to overcome the crisis successfully, including the necessary reforms that will bring the country back to a path of inclusive prosperity and lasting national reconciliation.She further stated that in this process, freedom of expression and assembly, dialogue among all stakeholders, as well as respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights will remain essential.She has also made a reference to the assessment by the European Union on the progress made by Sri Lanka on GSP+ commitments.

Sri Lankans European Commission Ranil Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka Eu president crisis Progressive freedom

President keen to restart Japanese projects cancelled by former Government

Tokyo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo on Tuesday (27).During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi welcomed Sri Lanka’s progress with the IMF and expressed his country’s willingness to take a leading role in Sri Lanka’s creditor talks.President Wickremesinghe expressed regret over the breakdown of relations between Japan and Sri Lanka following the cancellation of several investment projects by the former Government. The President stressed that he was keen to restart those projects.The President also indicated that the Government was interested in Japan investing in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy projects.Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi explained that Japan had increased its commitment to renewable energy and would be willing to explore future investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.The Foreign Minister also explained that Japan would begin the skilled worker examinations in January 2023 for Sri Lankan migrant workers.The President appreciated the support extended by Japan on the international stage and expressed the Government’s willingness to support both Japan’s and India’s campaign to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Ranil Wickremesinghe Japan India Sri Lanka city Tokyo president Government Progressive

Fundamental right to freedom of expression sacrosanct: Foreign Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry at the United Nations General Assembly stated that Sri Lanka unconditionally recognize the fundamental right to freedom of expression as sacrosanct, and pledged to 'build back better' by leaving no one behind and rise to new horizons of freedom and progress. The full speech is as follows;Mr. President, Mr.

May I (I) Sri Lanka San Francisco Maldives president Government Progressive freedom

Review: ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ should’ve worried more

CHICAGO - It’s not a spoiler to say there’s a mystery at the heart of "Don’t Worry Darling." This psychological thriller begs you to question what’s actually going on with dazzling housewife Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh) and her doting husband Jack (Harry Styles) who live a picture-perfect, party-forward life in a mid-century suburban oasis known as Victory. "Stay here, where it’s safe" is the one directive given to the women of Victory, as their husbands drive off each morning to work on the "development of progressive materials" under the leadership of the community’s cultish founder Frank (Chris Pine). Except Jack won’t tell Alice what the "Victory Project" actually does; she sometimes cracks open eggs only to find them empty; and a former friend is in the throes of a nervous breakdown about the very nature of reality.

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DA Krasner calls on Pa. House committee to hold open hearings; allow him to testify

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is calling on the Pennsylvania House Committee investigating whether to impeach him to hold open hearings in Philadelphia and allow him to attend and testify on his own behalf.The committee is investigating what they allege is a failure to aggressively prosecute lawbreakers.They plan to hold two days of hearings at the Naval Yard at the end of September.RELATED HEADLINES:Krasner says he was not invited to attend and speak.Krasner, who is on his second term, was first elected to the role in 2017 with a focus on supporting victims, exonerating innocent people wrongly convicted of crimes and reducing the population of local jails.Critics have blamed Krasner and other progressive prosecutors for an increase in gun crimes, while supporters say the rise in crime could be attributed to reduced social services and economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pa. House committee votes to hold Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in contempt

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania House committee has voted to hold Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in contempt. The House Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order says committee members unanimously recommended that Krasner be held in contempt due to his failure to comply with subpoenas issued by the committee last month."This is not a decision we, as a committee, came to lightly," Representative Torren Ecker said. "This committee is steadfast in its intention to get to the bottom of the current unrest in Philadelphia and being denied access to important documents hinders progress in achieving that goal."RELATED: 3 Pa. House Republicans announce plan to draft articles of impeachment against Philadelphia DA Larry KrasnerAccording to the committee, Krasner declined to accept hand-delivered subpoenas issued by the committee twice. An electronic copy of the subpoena was accepted by Krasner's attorneys, but his office said they will not comply, officials say. As a result, the committee approved support to recommend that he be held in contempt. "No one, including Philadelphia's top law enforcement official, is above the law, or above being held accountable," Ecker said.

Larry Krasner Philadelphia Da-Larry state Pennsylvania city Harrisburg, state Pennsylvania city Philadelphia recommendations Progressive Extreme

Florida man accused of stalking 6-year-old child

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla - A man was arrested, accused of aggravated stalking of a 6-year-old girl after witnesses say he made several inappropriate comments over the course of eight months. Deputies say close to a dozen people came forward and reported his behavior, which included 11 such incidents dating back to the beginning of this year. MORE NEWS: WATCH: Large rattlesnake found outside Florida homeWitnesses said 55-year-old Mark Greenburg had been harassing neighbors, yelling at them and their kids using a megaphone, driving past houses while recording children on his phone and possibly even following them. Deputies responded to Greenburg's house on Fayson Circle in Deltona after a man said he walked to the end of his driveway and was making several unusual comments to his 6-year-old daughter. Some of the comments he made included, "I'm going to make you famous" and "I'm going to turn you into a woman" or something about a "big girl" and even saying he was going to pick her up and take her to Disney World. Several of the man's neighbors heard him say the comments as well. The father of the child said it was getting progressively worse and more frequent, and getting to the point where his daughter afraid to go outside in the neighborhood. One incident was reported where the child went to visit her grandmother, who also lives in the same neighborhood, where they saw Greenburg parked outside of the home for two days taking pictures.

state Florida county Volusia reports Man Progressive old

Team Canada bags gold at women’s world hockey championship beating U.S.

Canada defended its title with a 2-1 win over the United States in the women’s world hockey championship final Sunday.Brianne Jenner scored twice in the second period and goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens made 20 saves in Canada’s net.Abby Roque scored for the Americans with Nicole Hensley stopping 17 shots in the loss. Hilary Knight passes Hayley Wickenheiser for women’s world hockey championship record The Canadians won gold in a third major international event in the span of a year.They edged the U.S.

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Eagles acquire defensive back Gardner-Johnson from Saints

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec.

state Tennessee Philadelphia, county Eagle county Eagle city New Orleans city Nashville, state Tennessee county Johnson county Allen Progressive Cooper

Wanted man caught, arrested during catalytic converter theft in Wilmington, police say

Reda Enhaili, 43 WILMINGTON, Del. - A wanted man is off the streets after police say he was taken into custody for new crimes last week.Police were responding to a catalytic convertor theft in progress when they found 43-year-old Reda Enhali.The alleged theft occurred near 7th and North Broom Streets in Wilmington around 7:30 a.m. on August 24.Enhaili was identified as a suspect and arrested without incident. MORE HEADLINES:Police say he has and outstanding arrest warrant, and is now additionally charged with burglary and theft.He is being held on $9,000 cash-only bail at Howard R.

state Delaware city Wilmington, state Delaware Man Progressive

Boil water advisory in place for Norristown residents

NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Norristown residents are being told to boil their water before using for drinking or cooking, Pennsylvania American Water said in a statement issued Sunday.The boil water advisory was issued due to a water main break on West Elm Street. The break happened Sunday and crews began working on a repair about 11:30 in the morning.The water from the tap could be used for bathing, washing and other uses, but not for drinking or cooking, officials said.The advisory is in place until further notice.

Usa state Pennsylvania city Norristown, state Pennsylvania BLOCK Progressive Waters

Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo defends actions ahead of possible firing

UVALDE, Texas (AP) - Angry calls to fire Uvalde’s embattled school police chief swept through an auditorium Wednesday where school board members faced demands to make Pete Arredondo the first officer to lose his job over the fumbled response to the massacre at Robb Elementary School.The school board was meeting to decide Arredondo’s future, three months to the day after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history.Arredondo was not in attendance but through his attorney released a blistering and defiant 17-page letter that lashed out at state officials, defended the police response to the May 24 massacre and accused the school board of putting his safety at risk by not allowing him to carry a weapon to the meeting.As the board convened into a closed session, some in the auditorium yelled "Coward!" and "What about our children?"Arredondo, who has been on administrative leave since June, has come under the most scrutiny for his actions during the May 24 tragedy.

Pete Arredondo state Texas county Uvalde reports Action Progressive

Giant panda twins born in China as vulnerable species struggles to survive

southwestern China, a sign of progress for the country’s unofficial national mascot as it struggles for survival amid climate change and loss of habitat.The male and female cubs, born Tuesday at the Qinling Panda Research Center in Shaanxi province, are the second pair of twins born to their mother, Qin Qin. Another panda, Yong Yong, gave birth to twins at the center earlier this month.Qin Qin was also born at the center and previously gave birth to twin females in 2020.State media gave no word on the father, but Chinese veterinarians for years have been using artificial insemination to boost the population of the animals, which reproduce rarely in the wild and rely on a diet of bamboo in the mountains of western China.The efforts have paid off, with some captive-bread pandas being released into the wild.

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NBC News' Richard Engel's son Henry dies at age 6

File: Richard Engel attends The 74th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on May 31, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage) Longtime NBC News foreign correspondent Richard Engel announced Thursday that his 6-year-old son Henry had died after a lifelong battle with a rare brain disorder."Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard," Engel wrote on Twitter.Henry Engel had Rett Syndrome, which slows development or causes loss of "purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability," according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

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Ashton Kutcher shares details of secret battle with rare autoimmune disease

Ashton Kutcher said he is “lucky to be alive” after suffering from a rare disease that left him unable to see, hear or walk.Kutcher revealed his struggle with vasculitis, an autoimmune disorder, for the first time in an episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, which airs on National Geographic.In the episode, Grylls asked Kutcher where his strength comes from, to which the actor responded: “Two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis that, like, knocked out my vision. It knocked out my hearing.

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There is something very, very wrong with today’s music. It just may not be very good.

In praise of — and a plea for — better sounding music I just re-read that last sentence. Harsh stuff from someone who doesn’t understand the music of today’s yoof? Or am I scratching the surface of a problem facing the recorded music industry?Consider the following:Older music is certainly having a moment this summer and much of this interest is not being driven by nostalgic oldsters but by the same kids playing Spikeball across the street.Luminate, the company that monitors music consumption for the record industry, noted in its mid-year report that “current” music (identified by the industry as material being less than 18 months old) isn’t just losing market share. It’s becoming statistically less popular among all demographic groups.

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Woman wins lottery, buys gift cards for strangers

Crystal Dunn (Credit: Kentucky Lottery) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Crystal Dunn said she’s always looking for ways to help others, and that notion didn’t change even when she recently won the lottery. The Louisville, Kentucky, woman recently won $146,000.Earlier this month, Dunn played the Bank Buster Jackpot Instant Play game online, waging $20. A few seconds later, she got a message on her computer screen saying that she had won the progressive jackpot which starts at $100,000 and increases with each ticket purchase. RELATED: Friends of 35 years keep promise, split $361,527 lottery prize"I saw that and didn’t believe it at first," Dunn said in a news release.

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Highland Park shooting survivor Cooper Roberts breathing on his own, making 'hopeful progress'

Cooper Roberts | Provided CHICAGO - Highland Park shooting survivor Cooper Roberts, 8, is making "hopeful progress" in his recovery two weeks after the attack, a family spokesman said Monday.Cooper's spinal cord was severed by a bullet in the Fourth of July parade shooting, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. He is still listed in critical condition at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital but his family hopes he will be moved out of the pediatric intensive care unit this week, according to family spokesman Anthony Loizzi. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FOX 32 YOUTUBE CHANNELCooper, who has been fever-free for two days, is no longer on a ventilator and is able to breathe on his own, Loizzi said."He sat up, with assistance, and took a brief first ride in a wheelchair over the weekend; sadly, something he will need to get used to. It was very difficult and emotional for him and his family," Loizzi said in a statement.A concerning amount fluid remains in Cooper's pelvis.

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Drug lord behind US DEA agent's killing captured in Mexico

Images: FBI MEXICO CITY (AP) - Infamous drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, was captured Friday by Mexican forces nearly a decade after walking out of a Mexican prison and returning to drug trafficking, Mexico's navy said.Caro Quintero was arrested after a search dog named "Max" found him hiding in brush in the town of San Simon in Sinaloa state during a joint operation by the navy and Attorney General's Office, a navy statement said.

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Crews make 'substantial progress' battling another wildfire at Wharton State Forest in New Jersey

WASHINGTON TWP., N.J. - A wildfire that broke out at Wharton State Forest is even closer to being under control Tuesday evening.Crews have been battling the blaze near Tylertown, which has grown to 98 acres in size.

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AI will help referees make offside calls at 2022 FIFA World Cup

SAITAMA, JAPAN - MARCH 29: Referee Tantashev Ilgiz disallows a goal after checking VAR during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round Group B match between Japan and Vietnam at Saitama Stadium on March 29, 2022 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mas FIFA will introduce new technology to improve offside calls at the World Cup in Qatar this year, using a limb-tracking camera system.FIFA said Friday it is ready to launch semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) that uses multiple cameras to track player movements plus a sensor in the ball — and will quickly show 3D images on stadium screens at the tournament to help fans understand the referee’s call.It's the third World Cup in a row that sees FIFA introduce new technology to help referees.Goal-line technology was ready for the 2014 tournament in Brazil after a notorious refereeing error in 2010.

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State Capitol quiet during 5th day without new Pennsylvania budget

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Most Pennsylvania lawmakers were absent from the state Capitol on Tuesday, five days into the new budget year without a state government spending agreement in place.Leaders were hoping negotiations would wrap up over the coming days and the House announced voting sessions were scheduled through Friday.Thursday "might be a strong possibility for a lot of budget action," a spokesperson for the majority Republicans in the state Senate told reporters in a Tuesday morning email update. Erica Clayton Wright, press secretary for Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, said that could change "based on discussions and staff preparations."PREVIOUS: Pennsylvania to begin fiscal year without a budgetThe state House, whose schedule is also controlled by majority Republicans, planned to return to session Wednesday afternoon and also posted public notice of floor sessions to start Thursday and Friday mornings.

Kim Ward county Allegheny state Pennsylvania city Harrisburg, state Pennsylvania county Clayton county Wright Government reports Progressive

We need much faster progress on the treatment of long covid

Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry.

Lisa Jarvis India Health Progressive

IRS tax return backlog swells as Americans await refunds

A view of an IRS 1040 Tax Form on a Laptop computer screen being prepared for an electronic filing. WASHINGTON - The IRS still needs to process more than 21 million paper tax returns, delaying refunds for many Americans as the agency struggles to work through the backlog, a government watchdog said this week.National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins said in a recent report that the agency still needs to process about 21.3 million paper returns as of May 31 – a 7% increase from this same time last year, when there were 20 million unprocessed paper returns."Unfortunately, at this point the backlog is still crushing the IRS, its employees and, most importantly, taxpayers," Collins wrote in the report.

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Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner should be ousted, says father of slain teen

HARRISBURG - Victims of Philadelphia’s spiraling crime crisis spoke out Tuesday, calling for the impeachment of embattled Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner.Nakisha Lewis, the mother of 21-year-old Domonic Billa, who was murdered at a Philadelphia mall in March 2021, blasted Krasner at a press conference held in the rotunda of the state’s capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania."The pain that is deep in my heart is so deep that sometimes I don’t want to live," she said, standing at a podium with a crowd of supporters behind her. "The lawlessness that has gone on in Philadelphia is beyond out of control."She continued, "I’m begging you, we need to do whatever it takes for change." Gregory Smith, 21, was arrested Wednesday and charged in the murder of Dominic Billa, according to authorities. Her son had gone to the mall March 29 to buy a pair of pants for a job interview when he was shot, she said. His stepfather is a county detective.

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Bishop punishes school for refusing to remove Black Lives Matter, Pride flags

A progress pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag are displayed outside a church. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images) WORCESTER, Massachusetts - A bishop says that a Massachusetts middle school cannot identify itself anymore as a Catholic school after refusing to take down "Black Lives Matter" and Gay Pride flags hanging outside the school.Bishop Robert J.

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Focus on expanding coverage of PM-NDP to all districts in all states: health min

The Union Health Ministry on Friday directed States and Union Territories to focus towards expanding coverage of Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PM-NDP) to all districts in all states and UTs. Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary in a virtual meeting with the states reviewed the physical and financial progress under National Health Mission (NHM), Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP)-II, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), 15th Finance Commission grants & Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PM-NDP).

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Hailey and Justin Bieber brought closer together by health scares

Hailey and Justin Bieber have been brought closer together by their health scares. The model, 25 – who is still recovering from the effects of a mini-stroke in March – made the claim days after her husband, 28, revealed he is suffering facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. She told Good Morning America when asked about how they have handled their health frights: “I think going through it very publicly, in front of a lot of people, it kind of forces you in a way to just be upfront about what is going on, so that people understand what you're going through.

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3 Pa. House Republicans announce plan to draft articles of impeachment against Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Three Republican members of the Pennsylvania House announced plans to draft articles of impeachment against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. On Monday, Pennsylvania House Republicans Josh Kail, Torren Ecker and Tim O’Neal made the announcement in Harrisburg. None of the three officials involved represent the constituents of the Philadelphia area. The announcement of plans to draft articles of impeachment comes as Krasner faces continued criticism about his office’s handling of gun cases in the city plagued by gun violence and rising crime. Krasner, who is on his second term, was first elected to the role in 2017 with a focus on supporting victims, exonerating innocent people wrongly convicted of crimes and reducing the population of local jails. RELATED HEADLINESCritics have blamed Krasner and other progressive prosecutors for an increase in gun crimes, while supporters say the rise in crime could be attributed to reduced social services and economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Lives have been lost, property has been destroyed and families have been crushed. Enough is enough," Kail said.

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Michigan soaring gas prices forces sheriff to cut response to non-urgent calls, deputies work by phone

sheriff’s department in Michigan cited soaring gas prices in an announcement Tuesday that it would be reducing its deputies’ responses to non-urgent calls for service. Isabella County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it "is feeling the pain at the pump as well." "We have exhausted what funds were budgeted for fuel with several months to go before the budget reset," Sheriff Michael Main said in a statement. "I have instructed the deputies to attempt to manage whatever calls are acceptable over the phone," he said. "This would be non-in-progress calls, non-life-threatening calls, calls that do not require evidence collection or documentation." "Deputies will continue to provide patrols to all areas of the county, they will respond to those calls that need to be managed in person," Main continued.

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AstraZeneca claims its Evusheld jab protects against severe Covid-19 or death

AstraZeneca's tests for treatment of people at risk of death from coronavirus has revealed good results in a late-stage trial, its maker AstraZeneca announced Wednesday. The British pharmaceutical giant, which has already produced a widely used coronavirus vaccine, said the Evusheld jab "provided clinically and statistically significant protection against progression to severe Covid-19 or death".

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What Doug Ford can teach the federal Conservative party

Doug Ford’s re-election Thursday evening was watched closely by federal Conservatives looking for lessons on how to bring their party back to power after three straight election losses.The main takeaway from multiple party insiders – including those helping to run leadership campaigns – was that the federal Conservatives need to emulate Ford’s blue-collar messaging and build a new voter coalition to take on Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party. Ontario Progressive Conservatives win another majority government “This majority is a testament to the relentless hard work of Doug Ford and Monte McNaughton over the past four years to build relationships and trust with labour union workers,” said Melanie Paradis, who served as director of communications to former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole.“Blue-collar workers should absolutely be voting Conservative, but we haven’t appealed to them for years.

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How the 2SLGBTQQIA+ term can be both helpful and harmful

label everything. We have this pesky need to categorize ourselves and others — it helps us make sense of the world and our place in it.We use labels to denote our place in our families, like a mother or a son.

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United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0