Philadelphia non-profit offering free courses on responsible gun ownership, safety

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka had advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Ukraine, due to the current situation surrounding tensions between world powers in the region.The Government of Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine in the context of recent developments.The Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara, concurrently accredited to Kyiv, is in close contact with the over forty Sri Lankan nationals, including fourteen students, residing in Ukraine, with a view to ensuring their safety and welfare.While six of the fourteen Sri Lankan students in Ukraine have left the country temporarily, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara is in close communication with the eight remaining students.The Foreign Ministry requests all Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine to exercise vigilance and to be in contact with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara.The Ministry also advises all Sri Lankan nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine at present.

PHILADELPHIA - A new safe space for North Philadelphia teens held its soft opening on Monday in hopes to provide an educational alternative for youths often swallowed up by the city's scourge of crime. The center occupies a storefront on the 2200 block of North Broad Street and is open to youths between 12-17-years-old, according to the non-profit group Frontline Dads. "We want to provide some hope, we want to provide an oasis of light for people to point to and say ‘this is a place I can go and be supported’," Executive Director Ruben Jones said. The center, which will be open until 7 p.m.

A 62-year-old man was caught in the crossfire of a shooting Monday night in Southwest Philadelphia, according to police. It's believed that the man had just parked to visit family when he was struck.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is making a recovery after he was shot twice while driving in North Philadelphia. The incident happened at approximately 12:15 p.m. near 17th Street and Olney Avenue. Police say a 23-year-old man was shot once in the back and suffered a graze wound to the head.

PHILADELPHIA - The spike in gun violence during the pandemic has unnerved residents, elected officials and community leaders alike, but the concern is growing over firearms described as ghosts."Ghost guns are essentially a firearm that comes in two separate parts with a couple of screws to drill the gun together and you have a firearm in just a few minutes," Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro told FOX 29.Shapiro is concerned about the growing threat because ghost guns are untraceable and sold online in kits that do not require a criminal background check to purchase.For him, the main point of the issue is that people with criminal backgrounds, who cannot own a gun legally, can obtain one this way. Ghost guns do not have serial numbers etched on them that provide the gun's make, model and history.Critics argue ghost guns flow in the underground stream of crime guns and vanish when subjected to the tracking and tracing investigators use to combat gun crime."Typically, people are buying them at gun shows by the duffle bags, taking them back to a facility, putting them together and selling them on the streets," Shapiro said.The numbers show a startling rise in ghost guns, also referred to as privately made firearms.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe Philadelphia Police Department reported recovering 95 ghost guns in 2019 and 250 in 2020.

Nicki Minaj has responded to the Philadelphia Public Health Department’s take on her viral COVID tweet from last year, where she expressed scepticism around the vaccine.The rapper originally discussed the COVID vaccine in a series of tweets posted on September 13. She started by replying to a Twitter user who noted Minaj had last appeared in public over a year ago.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating two separate shootings that took place in the last 24 hours.Police are searching for suspects who they say shot a woman in the leg Sunday night in North Philadelphia.The shooting took place at 17th and Clearfield while she was in her car, authorities said.According to police, the suspects fled in a small white Sedan.The woman is at Temple Hospital in stable condition.Police are also investigating after a man was shot on East Elkhart Street in Kensington just after midnight on Monday.The man was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital by police.There is no word on his condition. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

POTTSTOWN, Pa. - A two-alarm fire burned through two homes in Montgomery County on Monday morning. According to fire authorities, it took place on the 300 block of Chestnut Street in Pottstown. One person was reported trapped after the first floor of one building collapsed into the basement. A firefighter was transported from the scene with a knee injury. Fire authorities confirmed one person died in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. This is a developing story.

COLOMBO (News 1st); According to a request made by present Commander of Air Force, Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana after assuming duties at the office for a dedicated maritime surveillance aircraft on Gratis basis (with relevant surveillance equipment onboard), United States (US) government has agreed to provide Qty 02 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under Foreign Military Sales Contract in strengthening the maritime surveillance capability in Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to ensure the maritime security in the region.SLAF requested Beechcraft 360ER twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Textron Aviation which is a light transport aircraft certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in United States and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).SLAF has been operating Beechcraft B-200 aircraft over period of decades which is earlier versions of Beechcraft family, has accumulated ample experiences on operational and maintenance aspects.The established operational and maintenance capabilities are one of main advantage that SLAF possesses in future operation of new B-360ER aircraft.These two (2) maritime surveillance aircraft (Beechcraft 360ER) would be delivered in term of 100% free grant (Free of Charge) from government of US to Sri Lankan government through Foreign Military Sales Contract to be operated by SLAF.These aircraft will be deployed for the maritime surveillance operations which is a demanding requirement in present day context that was heavily urged for respond maritime disasters (Ex: MT New Diamond and X Press Pearl), assisting deep sea rescue missions, monitor illegal fishing activities and to assist Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in combating transnational crimes including

Philadelphia Police investigate a suspicious death in Fairmount. FAIRMOUNT - Police in Philadelphia are investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Fairmount section.Investigators say someone found human remains near Brewery Hill and Kelly Drive.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said on Sunday that police continued to have “major issues with a group of dispersed protesters” on Saturday night who exhibited “unruly behaviour” with officers who were attempting to install barriers and fencing.

PHILADELPHIA - Two men were injured in an overnight double shooting that happened in North Philadelphia. The incident happened shortly after 12:30 a.m. on the 2900 block of W.

WEST PHILADELPHIA - A fire in West Philadelphia home Saturday afternoon sent a child to the hospital badly burned.Fire officials investigate a cause of the fire, but the child’s grandparents tell FOX 29 they believe a faulty extension cord started the fire. And, Saturday, they were asking for support and prayers for their grandson.The fire broke out in a house on Filbert Street near 42nd Street.

EAST FRANKFORD - Philadelphia Police are investigating after three men were shot multiple times in East Frankford.Officials say the shooting happened Saturday evening, around 6 p.m., on the 5300 block of Glenloch Street, in Philadelphia’s East Frankford section.Responding officers found two men, ages 18 and 19, suffering from gunshot wounds in their legs. The 18-year-old was taken to St Christopher’s Hospital for Children by medics and the 19-year-old was taken to Frankford-Torresdale Medical Center, also by medics.

An infectious diseases expert has called for a national governance review into Ireland's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

PHILADELPHIA - Many local parents, already struggling to find powdered formula on store shelves, are even more concerned after the Food and Drug Administration recalled three brands. RELATED: Baby formula recall 2022: Some Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products tied to illnessSimilac, Alimentum and EleCare are being pulled off the shelves because of dangerous bacteria, including salmonella and Cronobacter sakazakiim. FOX 29's Eddie Kadhim spoke to numerous parents who are very concerned after finding the recalled products in their pantries. Matthew Smale is worried about finding formula for his six-month-old going forward. He showed FOX 29 one of the six recalled formula cans his family has been using. It didn't take long for the impact to hit his home. "Watery diapers and she started throwing up this morning," Smale said.

PHILADELPHIA - A young man is expected to survive after being shot multiple times Friday night in South Philadelphia, according to police. Investigators said the 19-year-old victim was shot six times on the 2700 block of South Marshall Street around 9 p.m. He was driven to Methodist Hospital with gunshot wounds to the hip, back, arms and legs, police said.The victim was placed in stable condition at the hospital. No arrests were reported immediately following the shooting. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

PHILADELPHIA - With all the violence happening in the City of Philadelphia, many children and teens are looking for an outlet. Living in a city plagued by gun violence means carrying around the weight of grief associated with it, but community groups have pledged to help them every step of the way. One local 10-year-old said her father taught her what to do when she hears gunshots. "When I hear that pop pop pop he said don't look around.

PHILADELPHIA - A Delaware County family is in shock after their family matriarch was struck and killed by a SEPTA trolley on Friday morning. Darien Houser was 2,800 miles away in Washington state when he got the tragic news that his mother, 67-year-old Glendora Moody, was killed. Moody, who raised five kids and was known as "Peaches," was known for her love of family and her dedication to social work. "It's just hard losing your mother," he said. "Your only mother.

Nicki Minaj is called out the Philadelphia Health Department in a pair of new tweets on social media.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say a man is fighting for his life after being shot multiple times Friday night in West Philadelphia. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the area of 54th and Vine streets just before 5:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - Residents in Philadelphia's Kingsessing neighborhood are still feeling the impacts of a massive water main break a week after millions of gallons flooded city streets. According to officials, a 48-inch water pipe buried underneath the intersection of 56th Street and Springfield Avenue for more than a century burst forth around 6 a.m. on Feb.

Brian Joseph Carey, 41, is facing charges for allegedly killing his stepfather in Bristol Township, according to the Bucks County District Attorney,  BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced charges against a man accused of killing his stepfather on Tuesday. Brian Joseph Carey, 41, was arrested on Wednesday after he was named as a person of interest in the killing of his stepfather, 78-year-old Joseph Michael Jakimowicz. PREVIOUS: Person of interest in Bucks County homicide in custody, DA saysBristol Township police were called to the 700 block of Winder Drive on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Jakimowicz was found dead inside. According to the DA, the Bucks County Coroner's Office determined the man died from injuries caused by sharp force and his manner of death was ruled a homicide. Detectives learned Jakimowicz had ongoing problems with Carey, his estranged stepson.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police have released new information after officers shot and killed a knife-wielding man they witnessed fatally stabbing his aunt earlier this week. The incident happened Tuesday, at 3:45 p.m. on the 2000 block of South Beechwood Street in Feltonville.Officers responded to a radio call for a person with a weapon, and met with a witness who told that that her son,  36-year-old Thomas Maisano, was inside a home and armed with a knife. The witness also told officers that her sister, 72-year-old Josephine Duggan, was also inside.Police say the four responding officers entered the home and saw Maisano on the second floor in possession of a knife.

NME about what US fans can expect from live music during the next stage of the ongoing pandemic.With some tours and festivals continuing to be postponed and others’ rescheduled dates due to start in the months ahead, some concern and confusion remains over what to expect from the state of live music this year. The producers of Governors Ball music festival, the people behind ticket-selling app Bandsintown, and an infectious disease specialist told us their insights and projections for events and festivals in 2022.Live music discovery and ticket purchasing app Bandsintown have reported an increase of 8 million users in the last six months. Fabrice Sergent, the app’s managing partner, told NME that those numbers were “pretty astonishing,” adding that recent ticket-buying behaviour in the US showed that “demand for live events is very strong.”“In terms of the number of upcoming shows and festivals being announced [in 2022], we’re still at about half of the number that were announced during this same period of time in the US in 2019 and 2020,” he said. Even with 50 per cent less shows, however, Bandsintown still described “a high level of consumer interest”.“We saw a very strong January in terms of the number of tickets sold; it was twice as many as 2019.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police have released surveillance video of a carjacking that occurred earlier this week as they search for a suspect.The incident occurred Wednesday morning, around 2 a.m. at the Amera gas station on the 4700 block of West Girard Avenue. Police say the victim pulled into the gas station in a white Toyota RAV4.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - As Los Angeles County residents endure rising crime and increasing homelessness, Sheriff Alex Villanueva is slamming what he describes as a political push fueled by defund police activists to fire 4,000 sheriff department employees who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.Villanueva, who oversees the largest sheriff's department in the nation, said he’s the "only one left standing" when providing counterbalance against the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which has progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón "in their back pocket." RELATED: LA County Supervisors move to take COVID vaccine enforcement out of Villanueva's hands"This is nothing but a power grab by the board. And it's shameful, and it's going to be harmful to public safety," Villanueva told Fox News Digital.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities have announced two arrests following an investigation into situation where police say a Philadelphia family was held captive throughout a weekend.Police say the situation began back on Friday, Feb. 4 when a 45-year-old man was robbed and abducted by three suspects in front of his home on the 4600 block of Decatur Street in Holmesburg. Philadelphia Police Captain Jack Ryan told reporters that the "criminal gang" ten entered the home and held the family of three, including a 10-month-old child, captive throughout the weekend.When the victim’s father and a friend came to the house during the weekend, police say they were also held captive by the group. During the weekend, police say the suspects forced the victim to withdraw significant amounts of cash from various banks as his family continued to be held hostage. Ryan says at one point during the weekend one of the family members was tortured.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating two incidents involving pedestrians that left a man and teen dead and a woman injured The incident occurred shortly after midnight Friday morning on Broad Street near Hunting Park Avenue. Police say a man and woman were crossing the street when they were struck by an SUV. TBoth victims were transported to Temple University Hospital, but the man later succumbed to his injuries.

A survey of NHS leaders revealed they think free Covid tests should continue for the public and self-isolation rules need to remain.

Kamila Valieva crumble under pressure at the Beijing Olympics as a doping scandal continued to swirl, hitting out at the 15-year-old’s entourage.The saga has opened a debate on the suitability of the Olympic environment for minors, but Bach said the International Olympic Committee had limited means of action.Valieva, who had been leading the women’s figure skating event after the short program, cracked in her free skate on Thursday night, and stumbled down to fourth place as compatriot Anna Shcherbakova skated to gold. Kamila Valieva finishes 4th as Russian teammates win gold, silver in figure skating “I must say I was very, very disturbed yesterday when I watched the competition on TV,” Bach told a news conference.“How high the pressure on her must have been.”Valieva failed a doping test at her national championships last December but the result was only revealed on Feb.

Louis Duffy-Barrett has been stuck indoors for nearly two years. He hasn't been to pubs, restaurants, or concerts since March 2020, and the easing of restrictions hasn't changed that.

new whip might be on fire in the middle of the ocean right now.The Portuguese Navy has confirmed it has come to the aid of the Felicity Ace, a ship carrying cars across the Atlantic Ocean, after a fire broke out on one of their cargo decks and quickly spread.BREAKING: A giant cargo ship "Felicity Ace" is on fire in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.It's carrying a cargo of Porsche and VW automobiles.The crew safely abandoned ship in lifeboats. Under maritime law the ship is now "finders keepers." pic.twitter.com/gHLqHncrOi— Retro Tech Noir (@RetroTechNoir) February 17, 2022The 22 crew members managed to escape on lifeboats and flee to a nearby Greek tanker ship, reports The Associated Press.

An 18-year-old man died after he was shot twice Thursday afternoon in West Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA - An unseasonably warm winter day in Philadelphia was marred by several broad daylight shootings, including a quadruple shooting near a Germantown Rite Aid that critically wounded a teen girl.The spate of gun violence started around 2 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - Senseless violence in the City of Philadelphia has many on edge. This is especially the case after a 12-year-old girl was shot in a drive-by shooting in North Philadelphia on Tuesday while walking home from school with her younger brother. So far, police have not made any arrests and no suspects have been announced. The school district said it is in constant contact with police and will continue to work towards its Safe Path Program, but with more than 200 schools in the district, they need support and help from the community. FOX 29 spoke to Jose Ortiz, a parent who now walks his son home from the Feltonville School of Arts and Science. RELATED: 'Stay on the line': Philadelphia Police Commissioner responds to concern of long 911 wait timesOrtiz's son was absent on the day of the shooting, but that would have been the typical route he took on his commute home. "It's crazy because he missed that day that it happened and he walks actually through that same light it happened at," Ortiz said. "Yesterday, he was kind of scared to walk home by himself, so I came and picked him up." The safety of local children walking to and from school has become a growing concern. Chief Keven Bethel, a Special Advisor on School Safety for the School District of Philadelphia, appeared on Good Day Philadelphia.

COVID-19 vaccine passport, it will still be needed at some businesses and places in the health-care network past March 14.Some tell Global News that march deadline is too soon and plan to continue to require clients and visitors to show proof of vaccination.“I’m still going to ask for it,” said Athletica Lac Brome owner Alan Gauthier. “COVID just doesn’t go away March 14.”Gauthier says he’s making the decision to protect his clientele since some are immunocompromised.

Police say a 34-year-old man was shot at least 11 times Thursday afternoon in West Philadelphia. The unidentified man was brought to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he died.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police say a man is in the hospital after he was shot during a dispute over a parking lot in Center City Thursday afternoon.The shooting occurred in the area of 17th and Chestnut streets just after 1:50 p.m.Police say a food delivery driver double parked next to another driver in order to pick up an order. An argument ensued between the two drivers, and the dispute turned into a fist-fight. During the fight, police say the driver who was blocked in was knocked to the ground and produced a firearm.

BLOOMFIELD TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Bloomfield Township Fire Departments and Southfield Fire Departments have been called to a massive fire at the Oakland Hills Country Club Thursday morning and, according to video from the scene, the fire is raging.The call for the massive fire came in around 10 a.m.

West Chester , PA. May,18 : Eelction officials wait for voters in Ward 1 at the West Chester Borough Hall Tuesday morning.

Addressing the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting being held virtually, Sitharaman urged for a need to evolve methodologies to plug funding gaps between multilateral institutions as low and middle income countries did not have enough resources to face these challenges on their own. Sitharaman emphasized on addressing structural bottlenecks to reduce the pandemic’s scarring effects and building resilience.She suggested that the economic recovery measures be built around a long term vision. Sitharaman pressed for a need for a pool creation so a future pandemic wouldn't make it worse for middle or low income countries.Emphasizing multilateral support, Sitharaman said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) needed to augment its capacity and mobilise global resources, especially as low and middle income countries had limited fiscal space to fund health and climate issue related matters.The Finance Minister said that it was crucial to address the gaps in global pandemic preparedness and said that the work of the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force should progress in that direction.However, Sitharaman pointed out that India prioritized spend and allocated $29 billion towards health infrastructure mission, where health insurance was assured for the poor and for the low income groups.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are searching for a suspect they say tied up delivery truck driver and drove off in his truck with the driver still inside. The incident occurred back on Feb. 10, around 11 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA - A 12-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the death of a man that police say stemmed from a carjacking attempt late last year in Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood. Police say the incident occurred back on Dec. 2, 2021 on the 3000 block of Teesdale Street. 70-year-old Chung Chin was found beaten to death following an attempted carjacking, according to investigators. John Nusselen, 18, has also been arrested and charged in the same incident, and police say they are still searching for another suspect who is 16. During a briefing on Wednesday, Philadelphia police shared that a number of teens have been arrested in connection to recent carjackings in the city.

Hambantota (News 1st); The Hambantota International Port Emergency Response Unit (ERU) together with the port’s Quality, Health, Safety & Environment Dept. (QHSE), and Port Control, responded to a fire that occurred onboard the drillship “West Polaris,” on Tuesday, 15th evening.The ship’s crew had alerted Port Control for assistance in dousing the sudden fire that had broken out in the ship’s emergency generator room.The ERU’s fire trucks arrived on the scene within minutes of being notified, assisting the crew to quickly contain the fire with charged fire hoses. The respective ERU teams brought the fire fully under control within 33 minutes of their arrival. They were able to prevent serious damage to the ship, or its surrounding area.“The joint effort of this venture reflects professionalism and assurance to HIP port users and stakeholders of optimum safety and proactive response to unforeseen events related in maritime operations,” said Tissa Wickramasinghe, COO of HIPG.The 14-year-old “West Polaris” called at the Hambantota Port for a layup on 11th January 2021, and was at Berth 6 when the fire occurred. The ship is expected to remain in port until June 2022.What is vessel Lay-Up?The term ‘Laid-up’ or ‘Lay-up’ of ships technically means ships that have temporarily been taken out of profitable service due to lack of charter or cargo.Sometimes, an increase in the freight costs becomes insufficient to cover the ships’ running costs.

PHILADELPHIA - Residents in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood have reported frightening encounters with a man asking for money, including at least two homeowners who said the panhandler threatened them at their doorstep.Geno Rapone said he was making dinner for his children on Tuesday night when the man started banging on his front door. Rapone noticed the man from a picture that a neighbor posted on the NextDoor app about a threatening encounter. "I asked him what he wanted, he said ‘I need money to get to 52nd and Market.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will issue a directive on Thursday (Feb. 17), requiring consumers who have defaulted on their electricity bills, to settle the outstanding bills within 03-months.As per the directive, the power supply will be suspended to the consumers, who fail to settle the bills, Janaka Ratnayake, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission told News 1st.The PUCSL informed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Wednesday (Feb.

While many restaurant owners are breathing a sigh of relief now that the vaccine mandate for indoor dining has been dropped, some plan to continue enforcing it.  PHILADELPHIA - City officials announced an end to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining, but not all restaurants are on board. COVID-19 cases continue to drop, leading city health officials to roll back the mandate. Masks will still be mandated and customers can now leave their vaccine cards in their wallets. One restaurant owner told FOX 29 they still want to see vaccine cards, while another is breathing a sigh of relief. "I was actually happy about it," Debbie Betten, the owner of Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse in Northeast Philadelphia, said.

FILE - Police lights are shown in a close up image. (Credit: FOX TV Stations) PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Wednesday night in Philadelphia's Lawcrest neighborhood, according to authorities. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 5500 block of Whitaker Avenue just after 8 p.m.