Govt. program does not pay for crack pipes, White House says

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Imports and Exports Control has issued an extraordinary gazette subjecting the imports of 367 non-essential goods to a permit-based system.The respective notification will be released shortly.

With the ending of the Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP) on 25 February 2022, plus the Employers Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) later this year, there will be unfortunately and inevitably businesses closing down and redundancies arising.

An outraged woman has complained after money was automatically taken from her bank account without her knowing after being told that she would receive a £10,000 Covid-19 fine in 2021.

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It’s getting tougher for tens of thousands of people to flee the fighting in Ukraine. Mike Armstrong reports on the hurdles they’re encountering, how many families are being ripped apart, and the dire situation of those still stranded in the deadly conflict.

raising public alarm.With the omicron wave diminishing in February and Americans expressing renewed optimism about the course of the pandemic, social distancing returned to December levels or declined further:The latest results are based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted Feb. 15-23 by web using the Gallup Panel.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 27 Sri Lankans continue to remain in Ukraine and have expressed their unwillingness to leave, revealed Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Professor G. L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Civil Air Transport Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force, Helitours was certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to provide domestic civil passenger & cargo transport facilities after full filling the necessary requirements recently.The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was handed over by Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer to the Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe, the Chief Executive Officer of Helitours.The entry of Helitours to the Sri Lanka air transport industry will be a catalyst to the national economy through the tourism industry.The Application submitted by Helitous was scrutinized by the Civil Aviation Inspectors of CAASL by considering the organizational structure, availability of qualified & well-trained staff, instruments/ equipment, and other required facilities & documents for the certification under the guidance of Capt.

Ukraine must hold off Russia’s attack for the next seven to 10 days to deny Moscow claiming any sort of victory, said a senior government official, as more than 2 million refugees fled the biggest assault on a European country since World War Two.Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, said Russia was desperate for at least some kind of victory, citing the cities of Mariupol or the capital Kyiv as the most likely targets.“They need at least some victory before they are forced into the final negotiations,” Denysenko wrote on Facebook.“Therefore our task is to stand for the next 7-10 days.” U.S. rejects Poland’s offer to supply fighter jets to Ukraine, says it’s not ‘tenable’ Russia said it would provide humanitarian corridors on Wednesday for people fleeing Kyiv and four other Ukrainian cities.

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Austria is suspending its Covid-19 vaccine mandate, its ministers for health and constitutional affairs said, six days before fines for breaches were due to start being handed out.

A Vancouver man has left the safety of Canada, and travelled to Ukraine to help his family and the country defend themselves against the Russian invasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several Parliamentarians from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Sri Lanka’s main opposition faction, visited the Central Bank on Wednesday (9) to meet with Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.“Our meeting was strictly professional and not political,” said Dr. Harsha De Silva who attended the meeting, adding that the main focus was highlighting the suffering of the people in the present day.The Central Bank officials believe that the issue is short-term, and had no intention of moving towards the International Monetary Fund or other agencies to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, said the MP.“The Central Bank officials are of the view that the issues will be short-lived and can be solved by obtaining more loans from China and other lending countries,” he added.Dr.

Biological E has applied for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax for the 5-12 year age group, official sources said on Wednesday, according to a news report by ANI

Edmonton no longer has a local mask bylaw, after city councillors debated the issue for hours on Tuesday. As Morgan Black explains, it comes as the Alberta government introduced its own legislation to force the city’s hand.

PHILADELPHIA - Temperatures will plunge overnight in the wake of powerful thunderstorms that brought damaging winds and heavy downpours to the region on Monday. The National Weather Service issued a near region-wide Severe Thunderstorm Watch ahead of a thin, but mighty, line of storms that packed 70 MPH wind gusts. The watch was briefly upgraded to a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The most extensive damage from the storm was downed trees and power lines that left thousands without electricity.

Patients of a North Vancouver doctor will now be looking for a new physician.

The United States rejected a surprise offer by NATO ally Poland on Tuesday to transfer its Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets to a U.S. base in Germany as a way to replenish Ukraine’s air force in its defense against invading Russian forces.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, but many women continue to struggle with continued unemployment that started during the pandemic.

Eight months after the town of Lytton was ravaged by wildfire, work finally got underway on debris cleanup and demolition, the first phase in rebuilding. Emad Agahi reports.

A North Vancouver doctor is telling her patients they need to find a new doctor at the end of the month. She says she’ll be out of a job because she’s unvaccinated.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that Sri Lankans should work patiently in the difficult times that have arisen.Participating in the International Women’s Day celebrations in Colombo, the Prime Minister also inaugurated a program to introduce 10 foreign languages ​​to school children in line with international standards.The Prime Minister addressing the event stated that while acknowledging that the country is in a very difficult situation today, the women in the country are affected when there is a shortage of electricity, diesel and gas.When the country was closed down and garment factories remained open, a certain group demanded for the factories to be closed because it would lead to a ‘garment cluster’, the Prime Minister stated.“The President closed down the country while warning that it would lead to people suffering even more. But today it has come true.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power cuts for Tuesday (8).Groups PQRSTUVW:2 hours from 8 AM to 5 PM1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups E & F: 5 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM2 1/2 hours from 6 PM to 11 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has delivered its determination to the Parliament on the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill.The determination read out by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is as follows:Clause 2 of the Bill is NOT inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 3 of the Bill cannot be enacted into law unless the number of votes cast in favor amounts not less than 2/3 of the whole number of members, including those not present, as per the constitution.The Supreme Court is however of the view that if the provisions of Clause 3 of the bill are amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court, it would ease to be inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 4 of the Bill, the Supreme Court states that be that as it may, the learned Additional Solicitor General had informed the court that the Attorney General would be advising the Minister to insert article 141 into the body of the proposed section 10 in Clause 4 of the Bill and the Minister would move that amendment at the Parliament Committee stage to address the concerns of the petitioners.Clause 5 of the Bill, for the reason mentioned in the determination of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court holds that Clause 5 is NOT inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 6 of the Bill, the Supreme Court holds that it cannot inquire into pronounce upon or in any manner called into question, the validity of section 11 of the PTA on any grounds whatsoever, in terms of article 83 of the constitution.Clause 10 of the Bill, the Supreme Court holds that if amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court would cease to be inconsistent with any provision of the

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an extraordinary gazette amending the Duties and Functions of the State Minister of Defence, State Minister of Disaster Management, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation. 

PHILADELPHIA - The United Ukrainian-American Relief Committee in Philadelphia continues to see an influx of donations from locals who want to help people besieged by war in Ukraine. The committee started taking donations from the community when Russia's army first invaded Ukraine two weeks ago. Now, Executive Director Mortja Watters says their headquarters on Cottman Avenue is packed to the brim and they're looking for a larger facility. "It's a little overwhelming., people are so gracious," Watters said.

A 39-year-old man was driven to the hospital after police say he was badly injured in a shooting in Hunting Park. PHILADELPHIA - Police say a man was driven to the hospital after he was badly hurt in a street shooting Tuesday night in Hunting Park. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 3900 block of North 9th Street for reports of a shooting.

WHO) has said that it strongly supported "urgent and broad access" to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, capping a reversal of the UN agency's repeated insistence last year that boosters weren't necessary for healthy people and contributed to vaccine inequity. 

Covid-19 active cases fell below 50,000 after 665 days with 2,986 were reported in a span of 24 hours.

Royal Caribbean International’s new Wonder of the Seas ship made its debut in the U.S. on March 4, 2022, at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades in Florida.

Co-host Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sometimes even Dolly Parton has a hard time keeping up with the legend of Dolly Parton."I often go into my museum in Dollywood, you know, because I’m in the mood to be there or we’re in there doing something or putting something new in. And I look at all that stuff and think 'When, how did that happen?'" she says.

Edmonton councillors voted to drop the city’s face coverings bylaw on Tuesday, after a lengthy discussion on the topic. Morgan Black reports.

COVID-19 continued its downward spiral on Tuesday, dropping by 30 patients.That brings the total to 419 patients in hospitals with the virus according to numbers released by B.C. Health Department.As for the people in intensive care units, that number remains unchanged in the last day, leaving 63 people in ICUs across the province.There are no new outbreaks in health-care facilities.

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson announced Tuesday he is donating $100 million to fund a cure for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, which he was diagnosed with at only 32 years old.

Apple unveiled a slew of new products during Tuesday's virtual "Peek Performance" event. Below is a FOX Business roundup of everything you need to know.Apple's new iPhone SE features a slew of upgrades including the A15 bionic chip, 5G capability, longer battery life and improved durability. The phone has a 12-megapixel rear camera that includes Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion and Portrait mode.

FOX NEWS - Philadelphia, known as the City of Brotherly Love, has had 96 homicides so far this year, falling one murder short of the notoriously violent Chicago three months into 2022. As of Monday, there had been 96 homicide victims in Philadelphia in 2022. According to Philadelphia Police Department statistics, that represented a 9% spike from the 88 homicide victims the city recorded at the same time last year. At the end of 2021, Philadelphia recorded a total of 562 homicide victims, compared to 499 in 2020 and 356 in 2019.

the infamous Sunwing flight to Mexico that saw reality TV stars and influencers vape, sing and dance on board have been slapped with financial penalties.Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced on Tuesday that six revellers received “penalties” of up to $5,000 because they were not fully vaccinated when they boarded the flight to Cancun — but he did not disclose the exact amount of each of their fines.“Certain behaviours reported in connection with the flight on December 30, 2021, are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Alghabra said in a press release.“This is why Transport Canada took immediate action. Aviation rules must be respected by everyone, for the sake of everyone’s safety.

COVID-19 mask mandate in the U.S. will be lifted by March 26, Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday.No states will require masks indoors after 11:59 p.m.

There are 8,529 new cases being reported in the Auckland Region today, representing 56 percent of the total new cases – down from 61 percent of total new cases a week ago. This number is still high and the outbreak is still very active in the Auckland region, but numbers have levelled off there in the last week. We will know in the next few days if this signals that the outbreak has peaked there.

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University doctors say a baby is thriving after a first-of-its-kind heart transplant -- one that came with a bonus technique to try to help prevent rejection of the new organ.The thymus plays a critical role in building the immune system. Doctors have wondered if implanting some thymus tissue that matched a donated organ might help it survive without the recipient needing toxic anti-rejection medicines.Easton Sinnamon of Asheboro, North Carolina, received his unique transplant last summer when he was 6 months old.

report from Castellum.ai, a global sanctions-tracking database. Russia has now become the target of nearly 3,000 new sanctions after dozens of nations condemned President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to overthrow the Ukrainian government. With the combination of sanctions against Russia that had already been put in place before the invasion as well as the latest penalties, Russia has racked up a historic 5,532 sanctions.Russian sanctions even surpassed Iran who faces over 3,600 sanctions mostly for its continued efforts to manufacture a nuclear program as well as its financial support of well-known terrorist organizations. The United States and its allies have retaliated against Russia with a series of financial penalties, reflecting a massive change in how conflicts can be waged in a world that is globalized, digital and highly dependent on accessing money electronically.There have been economic targets in the past that depended on military maneuvers such as factory bombings, blockades and the capture of strategic resources.

child-care deal.The province stands to lose more than a billion dollars in federal funding if a deal isn’t struck.Ontario remains the only jurisdiction in the country to not pen a deal with the Trudeau government for $10-a-day childcare. The Ford government has maintained the federal offer to the province of $10.2 billion is not enough to deliver the program.If the province doesn’t sign a deal by end of the fiscal year, March 31, it risks losing more than $1 billion in first year funding.The federal minister in charge of the program has said repeatedly that the Ford government still needed to submit an action plan to enter negotiations.

Toronto police are warning the public about an unusual amount of overdoses that happened within the span of three days. The calls are linked to the consumption of fentanyl. Brittany Rosen has more.

Ontario has until the end of March to pen a deal with the federal government for $10 a day child care. Without one, the province stands to lose more than a billion dollars in first year funding. Matthew Bingley reports.

Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said after two years, many adjustments will be needed as society moves from dealing with COVID-19 as a pandemic to living alongside it as an endemic disease.

The purpose of International Women’s Day is to recognize women’s achievements and bring attention to women’s rights and advance gender equality. Caryn Lieberman reports

From the so-call “Freedom Protests”, to when will the border completely reopen, Paul Haysom talks with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino about some of the biggest issues his ministry faces.

TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa doughnut shop worker accused of punching and killing a customer for using a racial slur against him will spend two years on house arrest after pleading guilty to felony battery.The judge on Monday also ordered former Dunkin' employee Corey Pujols, 27, to complete 200 hours of community service and attend an anger management course.Pujols had initially been charged with aggravated manslaughter following the May 5, 2021 incident that took place at the Dunkin' location at 410 South 50 Street in Tampa.Investigators said the victim, 77-year-old Vonelle Cook, had gone through the drive-thru and was angry about the lack of service. He then parked his car and walked into the restaurant, yelling about customer service.PREVIOUS: Dunkin Donuts customer who used racial slur dies after being punched by employee, Tampa police sayEmployees said Cook was a frequent customer and described him as "regularly troublesome and abusive," a release from the State Attorney's Office noted.When Cook walked into the restaurant on May 5, 2021, prosecutors said he was aggressive and verbally abusive toward employees and Pujols.(Tampa Police Dept.) When Pujols, who is Black, asked Cook to leave, police said Cook called him the "N" word.Pujols told Cook not to call him the racial slur again.