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FILE - Gwyneth Paltrow is seen at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Oct. 31, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund said that Sri Lanka must increase tax revenue in a growth friendly manner. Peter Breuer, the Senior IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, told reporters that the current economic crisis has a number of origins including the governments' inability to meet government spending needs through revenue collection and Sri Lanka is among the countries that collect the least amount of fiscal revenue in the world. He said that Tax Reforms are badly needed to correct the imbalance, and only with appropriate tax receipts will the government be able to fund essential expenditures, and avoid further slashing critically important outlets. "These reforms will also help regain the confidence of the creditors, so that in the future they will once again finance the gap between revenue and expenditure," he said.Peter Breuer further said that it is important that those who can afford it may commence contributions to the financing of necessary government expenditures."The tax package the authorities have introduced including the new tax rate schedule for Personal Income tax helps to meet the objectives. The tax rates proposed under the authorities program are also inline with similar countries who are contributing to Sri Lanka's support package, through the IMF," he said."So it is important to remember that there are many countries who have income levels comparable or may be less than Sri Lanka with much higher tax rates.

Jason Manford has been showered with support after he admitted his latest family update was 'heartbreaking'. Last month the comedian shared how his Nana had been taken into hospital.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department were on scene outside of a Philadelphia bar after a deadly shooting. According to police, 19th District officers responded to reports of gunshots in the area of 66th Street and Lansdowne Avenue in the Overbrook section of the city around 11 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday (21) said that the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement for Sri Lanka sets a minimum spending floor by the government on the social safety net program.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on Monday (20) approved SDR 2.286 billion (about US dollars 3 billion) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reforms.The IMF report on the EFF noted that Social Safety Net (SSN) programs in Sri Lanka are fragmented, with several implementation agencies, which has led to a lack of ownership and widespread inefficiencies in delivery of SSN programs.Masahiro Nozaki, the IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka said the EFF program said that Sri Lankan authorities have committed to SSN spending of Rs. 187 billion (0.6 percent of GDP) in 2023.Sri Lanka’s SSN programs monitored under the EFF-supported program comprise the Samurdhi program (largest poverty-targeted cash transfer program in Sri Lanka), as well as assistance to the elderly (over 70 years), allowance for disabled people, and financial support for kidney patients.Masahiro Nozaki highlighted that Sri Lanka's Social Safety Net program suffer from poor targeting."Right now the social safety nets cover about 40% of poorer households, that should be significantly increased and some social safety net spending is going towards relatively rich families.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Adam Sandler onstage during the 24th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at The Kennedy Center on March 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Comedy icon Adam Sandler was presented with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor during a ceremony at Washington’s Kennedy Center late Sunday night.Several of Sandler’s co-stars and other comedic and entertainment stars attended including Jennifer Aniston, Judd Apatow, Drew Barrymore, Steve Buscemi, Dana Carvey, Luis Guzmán, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade and Ben Stiller.Sandler, 56, first rose to national prominence during his five years serving as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." He then went on to launch a wildly successful movie career.WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 19: Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler attend the 2023 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor presentation at The Kennedy Center on March 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

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Fire crews are on scene of a roaring fire that they say is ripping through a church in New Jersey. FLORENCE, N.J. - Fire crews are on scene of a roaring 4-alarm fire that they say is ripping through a church in New Jersey.On Monday, shortly after 6 p.m., officials say they responded to a call about a three alarm fire at the Fountain of Life Center in Florence, N.J. After crews from several fire companies arrived, the blaze was soon declared a four alarm fire. Dispatchers say there were kids in the building for an after school program.

Local media reported some local residents were evacuated the evening before the detonation, while transport facilities were suspended and shops were closed.Video released by the Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs shows the explosion.Storyful contributed to this report.

Former President Donald Trump arrives for an event at the Adler Theatre on March 13, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) An ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump’s alleged hush money payment to an ex-porn actress is his latest legal trouble as he prepares his presidential campaign for a White House run in 2024. Trump is currently under investigation to determine if he paid Stormy Daniels, a former porn actress, to keep quiet about a sexual affair she claimed she had with Trump before he ran for president in 2016. Lawyer Robert Costello arrived in court Monday afternoon after being invited to appear before the grand jury in New York, the Associated Press noted. RELATED: Stormy Daniels meets with prosecutors investigating Donald TrumpCostello was asked to appear by the Manhattan district attorney's office after he said he had information raising questions about the credibility of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the investigation.Costello’s testimony came after Trump declared in a social media post over the weekend that he expects to be taken into custody on Tuesday and urged supporters to protest his possible arrest.

Also Read: Death due to COVID-19 vaccine: 28-year-old dies after jab; family to get ₹1.4 crore Moderna previously said it was considering pricing its COVID vaccine in a range of $110 to $130 per dose in the United States, similar to the range Pfizer Inc said in October it was considering for its rival COVID shots sold in partnership with BioNTech. Also Read: Covid vaccine: India saved over 3.4 million lives under nationwide vaccine campaign: Report Hoge said the government's Medicare health plan for seniors pays $70 per dose for the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that left a man injured in West Philadelphia on Monday.

General views of the Idaho State Capitol Building on May 23, 2021 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho is poised to allow firing squads to execute condemned inmates when the state can't get lethal-injection drugs, under a bill the Legislature passed Monday with a veto-proof majority.Firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections — and one death row inmate has already had his scheduled execution postponed multiple times because of drug scarcity.Idaho previously had a firing squad option on the books but has never used it.

FILE-Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister, greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, during a news conference to present a cost of living plan on Jan. 11.

19 February 2023, Brandenburg, Jänschwalde: Steam rises from the cooling towers of the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant operated by Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG). The power plant is the third largest power plant in Germany.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. - Rapper Rick Ross's unusual pets are upsetting some of his Georgia neighbors.The family, who lives near the "Hustlin'" rapper's estate in Fayetteville, say his pet buffalo are roaming onto their property.The neighbor shared footage of the animals, which can weigh up to a ton, with TMZ, saying that the two buffalo have wandered onto her property twice last week.In the footage, the buffalo walk through her front yard and graze on the grass near her driveway.She said she's concerned the animals could hurt her two small children.The woman reportedly tried calling police, but they told her it's a civil dispute and did not file a report.Rick Ross attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET) Ross had been gifted the two buffalo from his partners at a clothing company last year.He also has four horses and a bull living on the property.In an Instagram story, the rapper responded by saying, "when you see my buffalo, give them a carrot.

FILE - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou (not seen) at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023. (BOUREIMA HAMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)NIAMEY, Niger - An American aid worker held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.They were brought together to Niger’s capital.

NEW YORK - Donald Trump announced over the weekend that he expects to be "arrested" this week as a New York grand jury gets close to wrapping up its look into hush money the former president paid during his 2016 campaign. Most experts agree any arrest won’t look like a traditional Hollywood-style takedown. Trump will likely be given a chance to turn himself in and then be quickly released.But that doesn't mean the event wouldn’t be drama-free.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that will enable Sri Lanka to access up to $7 billion in funding, reported the President's Media Division.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude for the support of the IMF and other international partners, said the PMD.It added that the President committed to full transparency in all discussions with financial institutions & creditors, & to achieve sustainable levels of debt through prudent fiscal management & an ambitious reform agenda.The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision & will help to improve Sri Lanka's standing in international capital markets, making it an attractive country for investors, talent, & tourists, said the President's Media Division.Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan.The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for ou economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs.

FILE IMAGE - People celebrate Midsummer eve at Kaivopuisto Park in Helsinki, Finland, on June 24, 2022. Midsummer Festival is an important festival and also one of the national holidays in Finland.

WASHINGTON - Former President Donald Trump’s calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters, with even some of his most ardent loyalists dismissing the idea as a waste of time or a law enforcement trap.The ambivalence raises questions about whether Trump, though a leading Republican contender in the 2024 presidential race who retains a devoted following, still has the power to mobilize far-right supporters the way he did more than two years ago before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Skipper Dimuth Karunaratna says he is prepared to step down as the Sri Lanka Test Cricket Captain after the test series with Ireland.He was speaking to reporters following Sri Lanka's loss to New Zealand in the Second Test on Monday (20).New Zealand bowled Sri Lanka out for 358 to win the 2nd Test by an innings and 58 runs. The Black Caps won the series 2-0 with Kane Williamson named the Player of the Series. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); According to the World Food Prgoramme, in the face of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, food insecurity remains at concerning levels.32% of households are food-insecure, according to WFP’s latest Household Food Security Survey for February 2023.Markets continued to report concerns around price volatility in January, according to WFP’s Market Functionality Index. However, markets remain functional and currently have a wide range of products, adequate physical availability of essential goods and a resilient supply chain.WFP plans to assist 3.4 million people through general food distribution, school meals and nutrition support.

Also Read: Curiosity intensifies as unidentified flying objects frequent North American sky The researchers found that while UFO reports did increase in 2020 compared to the previous year, there was no association between the number of reports and social factors such as the pandemic. However, they did identify the regular launch of Starlink satellites, which often get reported as UFOs, as a complicating factor.

Last week, the union health ministry directed the state/UT government to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection. India reported 918 new covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours with daily positivity rate at 2.08%, the union health ministry said on Monday. With more than 44.8 million cases, the country has recorded more than 530,806 deaths so far.

COLOMBO (News 1st); At least five people were injured after heavy rains caused a landslide in the Kabargala Estate in Punagala, Bandarawela.According to reports from News 1st correspondents, the landslide occurred at approximately 9 pm on Sunday (19) near the Kabaragala Estate hospital.Over 30 homes have been damaged, leaving around 200 residents of 60 families without shelter. The Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Center for Badulla District, E.L.E.M.

COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.8 per cent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,59,182, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent, the data said.

PORTLAND, Mich. (AP) — - An interstate highway stretch in central Michigan has reopened following a massive pileup involving 150 vehicles in whiteout conditions that left 16 people hospitalized.Interstate 96 in Ionia County reopened about 10 p.m.

Drive thru COVID-19 testing administered by Total Testing Solutions (TTS) in front of White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.

An exterior view of a Dollar Tree store near Bloomsburg. (Photo by Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Dollar Tree has pulled eggs from store shelves over prices skyrocketing, the company said. Egg prices have increased by as much as 60% in the last year, prompting the popular discount store to pull eggs over not being able to make a profit, Reuters reported.

Firefighters had to rescue a man that was found pinned beneath a 2,000-pound safe. (Credit: Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department) GLASGOW, Va. - Firefighters in Virginia had to rescue a man who became trapped underneath a 2,000-pound gun safe. The Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department said crews responded to the incident on March 9.Firefighters said the man became pinned underneath the safe after it had fallen while being unloaded. They said the safe was severely unstable when they arrived.

Ikea logos (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) If you’ve shopped at IKEA in recent years, you may be eligible for payment in a class-action lawsuit.According to the settlement’s website, the Swedish furniture retailer has agreed to pay $24.25 million for reportedly printing receipts that included more than the last five digits of customers’ credit or debit card numbers – a violation of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.Lawyers say the class action suit hasn’t been decided in court yet, but IKEA has agreed to the settlement while still denying liability or wrongdoing.To qualify, you had to use a debit or credit card at any U.S. IKEA store and receive a printed receipt that displayed the first six and last four digits of the card number.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An injured deputy refused to give up on his goal to walk his daughter down the aisle of her wedding. Master Deputy Harold ‘Hal’ Davis was injured a year ago after a freak accident left him temporarily paralyzed, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.He was hit by a tree limb while doing yard work. His wife, Cynthia, set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for medial expenses. Davis, 53, suffered spinal damage and became completely paralyzed for two weeks.

MIAMI - Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine narrowly missed a beer can that was thrown at him at the World Baseball Classic game between Mexico and Puerto Rico in Miami, Florida, Friday. The incident was filmed by Aram Leighton.The video showed the rapper facing and yelling at the crowd while waving a Mexican flag. That was when a beer can is seen flying past him. RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Tekashi 6ix9ine on prison, snitching, new music and moreSeveral people were also seen giving the rapper the middle finger gesture.MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine performs during the MiamiBash 2021 at FTX Arena on December 17, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Swift City, ERAzona (Glendale, Arizona). (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management) Taylor Swift opened her highly anticipated Eras Tour with an epic concert in Phoenix, Arizona, Friday night.The 33-year-old singer kicked off her first tour since 2018, performing 44 songs from ten albums over three hours, 15 minutes."I can't even go into how much I've missed you," Swift told the crowd of around 80,000 fans at State Farm Stadium, per BBC.When the hitmaker first announced her tour on Instagram in November, she said, "It's a journey through all of my musical eras of my career."Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Swift City, ERAzona (Glendale, Arizona).

Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that his arrest was imminent and issued an extraordinary call for his supporters to protest as a New York grand jury investigates hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president.Despite no evidence that Manhattan prosecutors have given any official notice to him or his lawyers, Trump declared in a post on his social media platform that he expected to be taken into custody on Tuesday. The message seemed designed to preempt a formal announcement from prosecutors and to galvanize outrage from his base of supporters in advance of widely anticipated charges.

Firefighters rescue lab who fell down a drain. (Credit: Portland Fire and Rescue) PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland firefighters kicked into action after a 14-year-old dog fell down a nearly 25-foot manhole.First responders said the incident happened Thursday morning near the intersection of Southeast 9th Avenue and Lambert Street.The lab, named Tess, fell down the hole after the cover was removed because city workers were inspecting storm drains. RELATED: Overdue library book returned 4 decades later, comes with apology letterThe manhole was 23 feet deep."She just walked up expecting a treat and just went over the edge and disappeared," witness Larry Beutler told KGW.

SMYRNA, Tenn. - Less than two months after "Chrisley Knows Best" stars Todd and Julie Chrisley reported to prison, the family is dealing with more trouble with the law.Court documents show Kyle Chrisley, the 32-year-old formerly-estranged son of Todd Chrisley, was arrested in Smyrna, Tennessee Monday and charged with aggravated assault.A spokesperson for the Smyrna Police Department told People that Kyle Chrisley got into a "physical altercation" with a supervisor at the truck rental business he works at. During that fight, officials say the reality star brandished a "fixed blade."Kyle turned himself in to the police on Tuesday and was released on a $3,000 bond.Kyle Chrisley is seen in a police booking photo at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center after his arrest by the Smyrna, Tennessee Police Department on charges for aggravated assault on March 14, 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Los Angeles to Houston, Texas, were delayed for over an hour after the flight attendants reportedly got into an argument and refused to work with each other.Ashley Brewer, an anchor on ESPN, tweeted on March 12 that her flight was delayed for a rather unusual reason."Guys. My flight can't take off [because] 2 flight attendants got in a fight and are now REFUSING to work together.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A magnitude 3 minor tremor was reported on Sunday morning in the Gomarankadawala area in Trincomalee, according to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. The Bureau has stated that no damage has been reported from the area so far.

FILE - Kellogg brand Rice Krispies cereal for sale at a supermarket in Dobbs Ferry, New York, US, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. (Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Kellogg Company has released what the two separate companies that it intends to split into will be called.In a Wednesday press release, Kellogg said WK Kellogg Co is what the publicly traded firm comprised of its North American cereal business will be called upon the completion of the proposed separation.

View of a destroyed car after the cornice and terrace of a building located in Cuencas historic center fell, leaving one dead and one person injured, after an earthquake in Cuenca, Ecuador on March 18, 2023. (Photo by FERNANDO MACHADO/AFP via Getty I A strong earthquake shook southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, killing at least four people, trapping others under rubble, and sending rescue teams out into streets littered with debris and fallen power lines.The U.S.

radioactive waste had leaked from a nuclear power plant in Monticello — but they didn’t announce anything about the leak until this week.The delay in notifying the public about the November leak raised questions about public safety and transparency, but industry experts said Friday there was never a public health threat. They said Xcel Energy voluntarily notified state agencies and reported the leak of tritium to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission soon after it was confirmed and that the leak of 400,000 gallons (1.5 million liters) of radioactive water never reached a threshold that would have required public notification."This is something that we struggle with because there is such concern with anything that is nuclear," said Victoria Mitlyng, a spokesperson with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

A Fargo police officer rescued an owl with a broken wing. (Credit: Fargo Police Department) FARGO, N.D. - A Fargo, North Dakota, police officer got an unusual call about an owl suffering from a broken wing, The police department said the officer responded to the scene Wednesday and found the injured large great horned owl outside a home. The department said they usually don't respond to wildlife-related calls but refer them to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.However, the officer noted the injured animal needed immediate assistance, so she contacted wildlife officials who gave her clearance to remove and transport the owl to veterinary care.RELATED: New Mexico agency looking for 'professional bear huggers'The officer had to wade through waist-high snow to reach the owl.

Firefighters rescue lab who fell down a drain. (Credit: Portland Fire and Rescue) PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland firefighters kicked into action after a 14-year-old dog fell down a nearly 25-inch manhole.First responders said the incident happened Thursday morning near the intersection of Southeast 9th Avenue and Lambert Street.The lab, named Tess, fell down the hole after the cover was removed because city workers were inspecting storm drains. RELATED: Overdue library book returned 4 decades later, comes with apology letterThe manhole was 23 inches deep."She just walked up expecting a treat and just went over the edge and disappeared," witness Larry Beutler told KGW.

Former television personality on "19 Kids And Counting" Josh Duggar poses for a booking photo after his arrest April 29, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Washington County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images) Josh Duggar's 12 ½ year prison sentence has been extended for almost two additional months, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.The 35-year-old disgraced reality star, who was convicted on child pornography charges in 2021, originally had a release date of Aug. 12, 2032.

Ben Baker (Credit: Virginia Lottery) COVINGTON, Va. - Winning the lottery once will be lucky enough for one person, but winning the lottery twice in the same drawing has one Virginia man living on cloud nine. Ben Baker of Covington, Virginia, won $300,000 after buying 10 Powerball tickets on March 4. Two of those tickets each matched four of the winning numbers plus the Powerball numbers. What are the odds you win the lottery? You're more likely to be struck by lightning.Normally, the winning tickets will yield a $50,000 prize each. However, Baker spent an extra dollar on the tickets for Power Play. RELATED: Study shows what $100K is actually worth in the largest U.S. citiesThat tripled his winnings.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Saturday predicted that former President Donald Trump will be re-elected in a "landslide" if he is indicted — or possibly arrested and potentially "handcuffed" — next week."If this happens, Trump will be re-elected in a landslide victory," Musk tweeted.US entrepreneur and business magnate Elon Musk gestures during a visit at the Tesla Gigafactory plant under construction, on August 13, 2021 in Gruenheide near Berlin, eastern Germany. (Photo by Patrick Pleul/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Musk was reacting to a Fox News segment which detailed how the Manhattan District Attorney's office has asked for a meeting with law enforcement ahead of a possible Trump indictment of next week.According to a court source, the meeting was requested Thursday and hasn't been set.