Provident: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude to the Venerable Maha Sangha for their contribution on conserving electricity at religious shrines and the precedent it sets for society.The President said this in a special letter today (23) addressed to the Maha Nayaka Theras’ of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Amarapuraand Ramanya Chapters about the difficulties faced by religious institutions due to the electricity tariff revision.In his letter, the President has said that the electricity crisis has arisen as a direct result of the country’s snowballing economic crisis over the last few years, and that he sees it as the responsibility of the government led by him to resolve all these issues in a systematic manner for the benefit of the people and the entire religious community of the country.By 2022, 42,950 Buddhist temples and other registered religious and social services in the country are connected to the country’s main power grid. In 2021, 91 million units of electricity (91 Gwh) have been provided.Under the current system of electricity charges, the Electricity Board has charged Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President of All Ceylon Poultry Traders' Association, Ajith Gunasekara says that there may be a shortage of eggs in the future due to the decrease in the import of hens required for poultry farming.He said that currently, the hens owned by farms are also being sold for meat.The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera also said that the importation of hens required for poultry production has been reduced from 80,000 to 10,000.The minister said that he is not hopeful about the future of the poultry industry under the current circumstances.Therefore he added that authorities are looking at short-term solutions such as providing the necessary animal feed to keep the poultry industry running and sustain it through means sourced from within the country rather than through imports.

leaked a draft of the court's major abortion decision earlier this year.In a television interview airing this weekend, retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who left the court in June when the justices began their summer break, says he hasn't heard that the person's identity has been determined.Breyer, 84, was speaking with CNN anchor Chris Wallace. According to a transcript provided by the network, Wallace asked about the leak, which happened in May: "Within 24 hours the chief justice ordered an investigation of the leaker.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka from September 25-28 to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said that the Coal Tender awarded on August 25th was cancelled by the Cabinet yesterday (22)."The selected supplier has communicated the inability to perform the tender sighting concerns on the impact on legal cases filed & payment guarantee risk", Minister Wijesekara tweeted.Further Lanka Coal Company will publish a new International Open Competitive Tender that will allow any suitable supplier that can provide Coal on a long-term credit basis."To fulfill the immediate requirements, the balance of 19 Cargos from last year's tender will be advanced", Minister tweeted.

Coal Crisis: Cabinet Spokesperson blames conspiracyCOLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson on Friday (23) revealed that a conspiracy is taking place to deprive the country of on-time coal imports.Minister (Dr) Bandula Gunawardena, the country's cabinet spokesperson, told reporters on Friday (23) that a conspiratorial plan is afoot to deny the on-time coal delivery and to extend the power cuts.He said that the coal tender that was awarded recently, was for a bid that was lower than what was offered last year.The Minister said that due to technical and legal issues if Sri Lanka fails to import coal on time it would lead to a crisis, and therefore it was decided by the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee to make an emergency decision that is paramount for the country and to make purchases in a manner that does not affect the people.He said that all necessary decisions will be made by the subject Minister, and the Cabinet Sub-Committee to prevent a shutdown of the power plant that would lead to extended power cuts.The Minister said coal procurement will be made as an emergency national requirement, that will not affect the people in any way.Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are showing Neptune “in a whole new light,” according to NASA, who published the latest offerings of its $10 billion space-travelling observatory on Wednesday.Before it captured Neptune on camera, the JWST was impressing the public with stellar photography of nebulas and galaxies in deep space. Now, it has turned its gaze back inwards to our solar system and captured a shot that might challenge your perception of the distant ice giant.The images show Neptune with a luminous surface and two bright rings, spotted with numerous moons.

Karnataka chief minister said the state received GST compensation of ₹8,633 crore in the last six months. "With the Central government's revenue collection being good, the State's share from the Centre is also likely to increase, adding to that State's performance is also good. Looking at the last six month's trend, we are likely to exceed the target," he added.

PHILADELPHIA - A judge ordered the owners of Lindley Towers in Philadelphia to make all necessary repairs and put safety systems in place after a partial collapse in the building’s facade last Wednesday.Tenants were forced to evacuate and have been staying in temporary housing since then. Some are staying with friends, others are in shelters and tenant Joshua Allen said he’s been living out of his car."I’ve been on the streets since then. I’ve been sleeping in my car.

Serious criminal trials backlogged in Scotland due to Covid-19 restrictions may not be cleared until 2026, according to new figures.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply depends on the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant despite one generator being out of order.More than 40 percent of the electricity demand is met from this plant when all three generators are in operation.Currently, the stock of coal in the plant is sufficient only till October 25th, 2022.After October 25th, sufficient coal stocks should be provided for power generation at the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant.What happened to the supply of coal?Recently, bids were invited to contract a long-term supplier of Coal for Sri Lanka. Several companies submitted bids during the formal tender process and another company submitted bids outside the tender process.After opening and evaluating the bids submitted outside the tender process, the proposals submitted in the formal tender process have been evaluated.Ultimately, it was decided to award the long-term supply to the company that submitted bids via the proper tender process.But the company that submitted bids outside the tender process had again submitted a bid at a lower price.The Minister of Power and Energy recently revealed in Parliament that the said bidder also influenced the company that offered

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the decision to lower the retirement age of Public Sector employees to 60 years will have to be reconsidered, and the matter will be moved to the Cabinet of Ministers for discussion.It was proposed in the Interim Budget 2022 to amend the retirement age of state sector employees to 60 years, from the 65 years age requirement implemented in 2021.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st, 2022.Many factions have raised concerns citing that lowering the retirement age in such a manner would threaten to the existence of many sectors.The Ministry of Public Administration issued the circular on the new retirement age of state employees, a week ago.Sri Lanka Railways said that as per the new circular over 250 Railway Workers will have to go on retirement.Sri Lanka Railways warned that is a solution is not provided soon, operations will be hampered from January 2023.

PROSPECT PARK, Pa. - Prospect Park Police are investigating a theft against an elderly woman who they say was simply gardening in her front yard when she was taken advantage of by two suspects. On September 12, police say an 83-year-old woman was approached by two suspects, who they later identified as Anthony Miguel, 29, and Tasha Delmaro, 31, at her home in Prospect Park. Authorities say the suspects asked the woman about the RV that she had in her driveway as a way to distract her while she was mindlessly gardening. While the woman was chatting with Delmaro about the RV, authorities say Miguel asked the victim if he could use her bathroom and she gladly agreed and let him inside. Instead of using the bathroom, officials say Miguel took all the jewelry he could from the victim's home. Prospect Park Police Chief David Madonna says the suspects showed absolute cruelty in committing this crime as they even used their children as bait for the victim. "This is a woman who was so kind and so trustworthy that she actually gave snacks to the children that were in the backseat of the car.

State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across the UK, including 981,399 living in Scotland. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years worth of National Insurance Contributions.

Jan. 6 insurrection, her lawyer said Wednesday.Attorney Mark Paoletta said Thomas is "eager to answer the committee’s questions to clear up any misconceptions about her work relating to the 2020 election."The committee has sought an interview with Thomas in an effort to know more about her role in trying to help former President Donald Trump overturn his election defeat.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - Relief efforts are underway, both in Puerto Rico and in Philadelphia and, as passengers arrive in Philadelphia from the island, grassroots members meet to announce plans to help those in need, after Hurricane Fiona flamed the island earlier in the week."We decided to go to San Juan for a last two days before we flew back on Sunday morning, but Saturday night they told us our flight was cancelled," John Paul said.Paul has a home in northeast Puerto Rico and said he lost power and running water. He said people in south and southwest Puerto Rico were hit the hardest, including a friend whose home was devastated by flooding.RELATED HEADLINES:"Her whole house got flooded," said Paul.

(Photos courtesy: Dr. Carl Allamby/Cleveland Clinic) CLEVELAND, Ohio - Many people have taken interesting paths to the field of medicine.

Manitoba announces first groups eligible for bivalent COVID vaccine To get the bivalent vaccine, Manitobans must have completed their primary two doses of vaccine, and it’s recommended that you wait six months after a previous dose of vaccine or a COVID-19 infection.The province said people who meet the criteria can get the bivalent vaccine after three months, if they feel they’re at increased risk.Currently, adults 65 and older, Indigenous people 18 or older, adults with high-risk medical conditions, including those who are immunocompromised, health-care workers, and care home residents are eligible for the vaccine.Global News will be live streaming this conference at 2 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The first consignment of rice from an Australian donation totaling AUD22 million (approximately USD15 million) arrived in Sri Lanka and will soon be distributed to those most affected by the ongoing economic crisisThe consignment, consisting of 600 metric tonnes of rice, forms part of a larger consignment of rice, pulses and cooking oil, due to arrive in the country soon.“Australia and Sri Lanka share many decades of friendship, and this latest contribution is an extension of our goodwill during this unprecedented crisis,” said Paul Stephens, Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. “We are supporting WFP to provide life-saving food to people who are struggling with price increases, job losses and reduced incomes”. “Australia was the first to contribute to WFP’s emergency response, enabling us to kick-off much needed assistance to those hard-hit by the ongoing crisis,” said Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police made public the images of four suspects wanted for unlawfully entering the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on the 9th of July 2022, and causing damage to its property.The suspect are wanted for the investigations carried out by the Cinnamon Gardens Police.Police is seeking public support to arrest the four men pictured below, and information can be provided directly or via Whatsapp on  0718 591 588. 

Two men were killed in the 3100 block of Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Sept.

FILE - Shawn Parcells speaks during a news conference on Aug. 18, 2014, in St.

TRENTON, N.J. - The new year is bound to be a bit richer for some workers in New Jersey!On Tuesday, the N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced that minimum wage would increase to $14.13 for most hourly employees starting January 1, 2023.Workers will see a $1.13-increase on their paychecks from the current statewide minimum wage, which stands at $13.MORE HEADLINES:Minimum wage was previously only expected to reach $14 an hour next year, however inflation added on an additional 13 cents."The Governor and Legislature had the forethought to account for the possibility of rising costs in their historic minimum wage law, which helps low-wage workers better provide for themselves and their families," said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. Wages are set to increase to $15 an hour by 2024, according to legislation signed by Gov.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Rt. Patricia Scotland QC yesterday (20), during his visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the State Funeral Service of the Late HM Queen Elizabeth II.They discussed Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Commonwealth Secretariat and matters of mutual interest.President Wickremesinghe also attended a reception hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs the Rt.

Donald Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room intends to file another lawsuit against him under a new New York law letting sexual assault victims sue over attacks that happened decades ago.A lawyer for the columnist, E. Jean Carroll, notified a federal judge of her intent to sue in an August letter entered in the public record Tuesday. The suit would allege sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.In the letter, the lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, also said she plans to depose Trump in the defamation case that Carroll already had pending against the former president.

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(THE HINDU) – China has offered Pakistan’s visiting Army Chief technical help as the country deals with record floods but did not announce any substantial financial assistance that its “all-weather” ally has been seeking.Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, facing financial stress, have been engaged in long-running talks with Beijing for assistance, but with negotiations in both cases having made little headway, both countries have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their new IMF commitments are now likely to impact their owed payments to China, which has lent the two countries more than $26 billion in the past five years.Following talks in Xi’an between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and China’s Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, the Chinese side expressed willingness to provide technical assistance for flood relief work, Pakistan’s official Inter-Services Public Relations said.Chinese State media quoted Gen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Agriculture says that a bundle of urea fertilizer will be sold for Rs.10,000/- in the Maha season as well as in the Yala season.The Ministry said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe approved the request made by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.Also, 50kg of Urea fertilizer will be sold at Rs.15,000/- for tea cultivation and maize cultivation.Arrangements have been made to provide Bandi fertilizer apart from Urea fertilizer.In the meantime, Minster Amanraweera has also advised that after the paddy cultivation of the Yala season is completed, districts such as Ampara, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, and Monaragala should immediately provide the fertilizer needed for the Maha season.The paddy cultivation activities of the Maha Season in the above districts are to commence at the beginning of October.

MEDFORD, N.J. - A dispute over a beloved mural on the exterior wall of a New Jersey sweets shop has the community rallying around a small business owner. Candy Thibeau, owner of Maggie Moose Bakery in Medford, said she received a letter from the township on Monday that claimed the mural violates local sign codes due to its artwork. The bright pink wall adorned with sprinkles and the shop's moose mascot is considered a sign, not artwork, according to the township officials.Thibeau was given two choices to rectify the mural in order to bring it up to the township's standards, including one option that involves painting over the moose mascot.MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"Medford is saying the pink wall is fine, and the sprinkles are fine to leave up," Thibeau told FOX 29's Hank Flynn. "Our mascot is part of our signage, they consider it part of our signage because it's in our logo."Thibeau could hire a lawyer and spend money on legal fees for the possibility of a variance, but she believes everyone's time and energy is best spent on something more meaningful than a playful drawing of a cartoon moose. "It just seems so silly," Thibeau said.

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

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Education Dr.

GREAT FALLS, Mont – The 36th Contingency Response Squadron assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, organized a Mobile Training Team event between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 120th Airlift Wing, Montana Air National Guard, Sept. 8-12.Airmen from the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 120th Maintenance Squadron showed 15 members of the Sri Lanka Air Force how to use aircraft loading and refueling equipment they will receive next year from the Department of Defense under the Building Partner Capacity Program.The program builds partnerships with foreign nations by providing military and equipment training to enhance their capabilities.During the four-day Mobile Training Team event, the 120th AW Airmen worked with the Sri Lanka Air Force members on pallet buildup, refuel/defuel procedures, forklift operations, weight and balance calculation, loading and unloading aircraft.“We brought a mix of pilots, loadmasters, crew chiefs, fuel specialist, maintenance officers and logistics officers on this Mobile Training Team,” said Danushka Premadasa, Sri Lanka Air Force wing commander.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Agrarian Services Development says that they will begin providing urea fertilizer to farmers for the Maha season from next month.The Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Services Development E.H.M.L Abeyratne said that the remaining stock of urea obtained under Indian loan assistance will be distributed to the farmers.In the first phase, 20 kg of urea fertilizer is to be given per hectare.The Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Services Development noted that fertilizers will be provided to farmers in Kurunegala, Ampara, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Jaffna districts.

FILE - Downtown Denver skyline, photographed from the Jacquard Hotel rooftop in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 14, 2018.

FILE - In this handout photo illustration provided by the John Innes Centre UK, purple tomatoes are seen on Oct. 27, 2008, in Norwich, United Kingdom.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Hanaa Singer, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, has made more requests for aid in support of Sri Lanka in the face of the country's economic crisis.The appeal states that according to UNICEF, 70% of households have reduced their food consumption, primarily due to the rising cost of food, and 73% of households have had their incomes either curtailed or reduced.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On 17th September, the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy in his briefing noted that seven Sri Lankan students were found in 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. The Russian InvasionOn 24th of February, Russian forces initiated what they dubbed as a 'special operation', which was later declared by Russia as an operation for the “liberation of Donbas” – broadly referring to Ukraine’s regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.More than a third of this area was already seized by Russian proxy forces in a war that began in 2014.The liberation of IziumIzium was subject to intense Russian artillery attacks in April.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. High winds were reported across the island on Sunday, including a 103-mph wind gust in the city of Ponce.Hurricane Fiona was slightly stronger for its second landfall in the Dominican Republic, with maximum sustained winds estimated at about 90 mph – still a Category 1 hurricane. The Punta Cana International Airport clocked a 79-mph wind gust near the time of landfall in the pre-dawn hours of Monday.Hurricane Fiona made its first landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Presidential Advisor on National Food Security, Dr. Suren Batagoda, says that data shows that the amount of food consumed by Sri Lankans has reduced by about 60% due to the prevailing food shortage in the country.Participating in the multi-sectoral joint mechanism implementation program on food security and nutrition, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The newly appointed Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassadir Khalid bin Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani said that he aims to increase job opportunities in his country for skilled Sri Lankan workers.During a meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,  the Ambassador was urged to assist Sri Lanka’s efforts to face the economic and fuel crisis.Moreover, Ambassador Alkahtani said within a short period of time, the number of Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia could be increased to 400,000 from the present 180,000. “I am fond of Sri Lanka and I will do my best to support your country,” he assured.The Prime Minister pointed out that the newly introduced relaxed visa regulations and investment facilitation schemes of Board of Investment will help to attract more Saudi investors to Sri Lanka.Moreover, the Prime Minister said that Saudi Arabia has the opportunities to invest in energy, fisheries and agricultural sectors, and thanked for the support and assistance provided to Sri Lanka under renewed assistance programmes of the Saudi Development Fund as well as to help early recovery from current economic problems.The two dignitaries also discussed the plans for tourism promotion and recommencing of Saudi Airlines’ flights to Sri Lanka.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka held its press conference on 30th August 2022 at Hotel Jetwing, Colombo 07 to recognize and felicitate sponsors and media in association with the upcoming Annual Export Awards of the Chamber. The Chamber is celebrating the Pearl Anniversary of the Exports Awards this year, completing 30 years of success, under the chosen theme “Recognizing, Inspiring and Strengthening” – a 30 years of unbroken commitment to Sri Lankan Exporters on 02nd December 2022 at Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo. The Annual Export Awards ceremony, organized by the NCE serves to recognize and reward Sri Lankan Exporters of products and services and also service providers to exporters, on their performance in the international market.  This prestigious event has achieved national significance as the most looked forward to event in the business calendar of Sri Lanka. The Chamber is proud to announce that this event has been conducted without any disruption for the last 29 years’ even amidst numerous challenges.The NCE by recognizing the best performers in exports have immensely contributed towards creating a positive mindset and uplifting spirits of fellow exporters of this nation.  The Chamber last year, introduced the NCE Challenge Trophy” awarded in respect of organizations who perform ethical trading practices under Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large categories.

WEST PADUCAH, Ky. - When 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on his fellow students during a before-school prayer meeting in 1997, school shootings were not yet a part of the national consciousness. The carnage that left three students dead and five more injured at Heath High School, near Paducah, Kentucky, ended when Carneal put down his weapon and the principal walked him to the school office — a scene that seems unimaginable today.Also stretching today’s imagination — Carneal’s life sentence guaranteed an opportunity for parole after 25 years, the maximum sentence permissible at the time given his age.A quarter-century later, Carneal is 39 with a parole hearing next week that comes at a very different time in American life — after Sandy Hook, after Uvalde.

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sounds of wind on Mars and its landing.On Thursday, mission managers provided an update on what the rover had discovered while exploring 8 miles of the Jezero Crater. The area was likely a lake more than 3.5 billion years ago, which is why NASA landed the rover there, to search in an ancient habitable environment for evidence of life. "This mission is not looking for extant life things that are alive today," Ken Farley, Perseverance project scientist, said.

shooting rampage is not expected to survive, police say.Police officials held a press conference Thursday morning where they provided more information on Monday’s events.During the update, Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner said a 28-year-old international exchange student who was one of three people shot in Milton remains on life support and is not expected to survive.“We are not releasing his name at this time out of respect for his family but we anticipate doing so at a future date and time,” Tanner said. Suspect in shooting rampage arrived at coffee shop 2 hours before killing Toronto police officer The shooting took place on Monday at around 2:50 p.m., at MK Auto Repairs in the area of Main and Bronte streets.Thirty-eight-year-old Shakeel Ashraf — the owner of MK Auto Repairs — was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A photo shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, by the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York. (Credit: Provided / National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum) ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Voting opened Wednesday on which toys should go into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year.