US funded fortified rice shipments in Sri Lanka

Three years since the Covid pandemic began, nearly 200 prominent world figures have called for the vaccine inequity seen during the crisis to be relegated to history.

Lillia Turner) was pregnant, after she collapsed from carbon monoxide poisoning during the New Year’s Day edition of EastEnders. It took a while for Lily to get used to the idea that she was going to be a mum, with the possibility of having an abortion coming up several times. However, she eventually made the decision to keep the baby.

COLOMBO (News1st):  The quality of the air in Colombo has dropped to unhealthy levels The Central Environmental Authority says. The value of the air quality indicators has increased to 124 units says Deputy Director General of the Central Environmental Authority Sanjaya Ratnayake. However, as of 11 AM on Saturday (11) the AQI had increased to 155 units. These units represent the amount of dust particles present per cubic meter of the atmosphere explained Ratnayake. He also says they believe that a change in the wind pattern blowing into the country from India has given rise to this situation.

COLOMBO (News1st):  The quality of the air in Colombo has dropped to unhealthy levels The Central Enviroment Authority says. The value of the air quality indicators has increased to 124 units says Deputy Director General of the Central Environmental Authority Sanjaya Ratnayake. However, as of 11 AM on Saturday (11) the AQI has increased to 155 units. These units represent the amount of dust particles present per cubic meter of the atmosphere explained Ratnayake. He also says they believe that a change in the wind pattern blowing into the country from India has given rise to this situation.

Orcas, commonly called killer whales, are known to be ferocious apex predators — but scientists were left scratching their heads after one orca whale was recorded seemingly caring for a long-finned pilot whale calf.

Vincent Ke has resigned from the Progressive Conservative party following a Global News report of allegations by intelligence sources that Ke was involved in an election interference network directed by China’s consulate in Toronto.Ke, who represents the Toronto-area riding of Don Valley North, denies the allegations.“While the Global News allegations about me are false and defamatory, I do not want to be a distraction to the government and take away from the good work Premier Ford is doing for the province of Ontario,” he wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.Ke will now sit as an Independent.“Mr. Ke offered to step away from the Ontario PC caucus,” wrote Caitlin Clark, a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford, in a statement.

Canada Health Transfers from provinces, including Alberta, over “patient charges levied during 2020-2021, for medically necessary services that should be accessible to patients at no cost.”A summary posted online by the government of Canada shows Alberta’s deductions will be $13.8 million.Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos sent letters to all provinces and territories, expressing concerns about a recent increase in reports of patient charges for medically necessary services, including telemedicine and some private services.“There has been evidence of residents paying out of pocket to access diagnostic services such as ultrasounds, MRI and CT scans — services that should be accessible at no cost,” Duclos said in a statement.“This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”“It is critical that access to medically necessary services, whether provided in-person or virtually, remains based on medical need and free of charge.” Read more: Ottawa warns provinces not to charge fees for medically necessary services When asked about this Friday, Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said he hadn’t seen the letter, hasn’t been fully briefed and didn’t know the amount Alberta would lose.However, he said there has been an “ongoing dispute” about how the transfer system works — what’s allowed and not allowed.“I understand there’s been ongoing conversations about the interpretation of ‘medically necessary’ and payment for medically necessary and how that works in the regulations,” Copping said Friday.He said other provinces are having the same types of discussions with the federal government.“I’m looking forward to actually reviewing the letter … and then discussing it directly with Minister Duclos.”Copping acknowledged there

Read more: Last captive walruses in Canada moved to new SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi Marineland’s owner, Marie Holer, declined to comment to The Canadian Press when reached by phone.The park told the Niagara Falls Review that the killer whale’s health declined recently “despite intensive interventions by her caregivers, Marineland’s veterinarian team and international veterinarians with expertise in supporting the health and well-being of cetaceans.”Kiska was believed to be 47 years old and had lived at Marineland since being captured in Icelandic waters in 1979.She was captured alongside Keiko, who became famous in the movie Free Willy, and the pair lived together for a few years at Marineland in the 1980s. Keiko was sold to an aquarium in Mexico in 1985 and eventually ended up at SeaWorld.Kiska appeared in shows at Marineland for years but has not performed for more than a decade.

Jagmeet Singh‘s turban.On Wednesday, a parliamentary committee, which included Singh, gathered to hear testimony from Loblaws CEO Galen Weston about soaring food inflation and insecurity in Canada.Singh, alongside the committee, pressed Weston for answers about whether he and other top grocery executives from Metro and Empire Co., which runs the chains Sobeys, Safeway and FreshCo, are price gouging. Read more: ‘Profits are profits’: As food prices soar, Liberal MP says Canada needs more competition In turn, Lilley took to Twitter to press Singh, who is Sikh, about the colour of his yellow turban.Jagmeet looks like he wore his No Name turban today just to grill Galen Weston at committee.I know he changes the colours for special days or occaision but didn't expect to see No Name yellow today.

The Chief Justice of India has strongly expressed that the judiciary should not wait for another pandemic to evolve. CJI DY Chandrachud said the way Covid-19 prompted courts in India to adopt technology and modern tools for an effective delivery of justice, the same should advancement should continue. Speaking at the 18th meeting of the chief justices of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member-states, he said, "The pandemic forced the judicial system to adopt modern methods to impart justice.

Glenn Youngkin and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have come up with a fun way to settle the matter.  On Thursday, Governor Moore tweeted a clip of him shooting a basketball at the Capital One Arena before the Wizards played the Atlanta Hawks.

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, Pa. - A Delaware County bar is shut down Friday night, ordered to close its doors because of complaints about gunfire and noise.There won’t be a happy hour at Rose Bar and Kitchen in Clifton Heights until June 10th. The corner bar in the tiny Delco borough has been a big problem for months."Over two years, we’ve had about 20 complaints," Clifton Heights mayor, Mark Campbell, said.

A person changes the time with the hands of a clock, on 24 March, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. In the early hours of Saturday, March 26 to Sunday, March 27, 02.00 hours will be 03.00 hours.

STRAWBERRY MANSION - A man was stabbed in the neck and killed during what police say was a domestic incident in Strawberry Mansion.22nd District officers responded to the 2500 block of North 30th Street Friday evening, just after 6:30, on the report of a stabbing, officials said.The 44-year-old man was stabbed one time in the neck, according to authorities, as a domestic situation escalated.Police rushed the man to Temple University Hospital where he died a short time later.Police are actively investigating the incident. They say a weapon was recovered, but no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847).

local news outlet FOX 8.As the SUV headed for a concrete wall on the side of the highway, Jermel grabbed the steering wheel from his mom. Twins Jermel and Jordan Taylor, 11, were honored for their quick-thinking by city officials. "While she was having the seizure, I thought to myself, ‘Let’s not injure all the people on the road, in the cars, and let’s try to keep everybody safe.’ So, I decided to grab the wheel and turn into a safer place," Jermel shared.Once Jermel steered the SUV into the grass and helped bring the vehicle to a stop in a ditch, his brother Jordan called 911. Crystal told FOX 8 that she did not realize what happened until she woke up in the back of an ambulance. "Honestly, I was just so thankful that they knew exactly what to do for me, ‘cause they’ve seen me have seizures before.

TITUSVILLE, N.J. - Going bald for childhood cancer – it’s worth it. Dozens of children did just that Friday at Bear Tavern Elementary School.They rolled into the gym at the Titusville, New Jersey school to either watch classmates get shaved or get themselves shaved, either totally bald, or get a haircut. Isaac Waas has been at it for years and his dad loves him for it."I was like, I just wanna shave my head to raise money for this and he was like, ‘Okay.’ Because he doesn't have any hair, so he was like, ‘Okay,’" Isaac said.

WestJet Group’s takeover of vacation-focused rival Sunwing Airlines has been approved by Canada’s transportation minister, clearing the runway for a major shakeup in the airline industry.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia middle school that abruptly closed this week due to the discovery of asbestos will reopen on Monday, according to officials. A spokesperson for Mastery Charter said "minor" asbestos found at Gratz Middle School, located in the city's Nicetown section, has been "resolved." In a letter to families, Mastery Schools CEO Scott Gordon said inspectors from the School District of Philadelphia found damaged asbestos on the campus of Simon Gratz High School, which also houses Simon Gratz Preparatory Middle School. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESOfficials say the three-year reinspection of the district-owned building was in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The district recommended the school be closed for the duration of the inspection, according to school officials. As of Friday night, school officials have not said if Simon Gratz High School will also reopen on Monday.

LEVITTOWN, Pa. - It’s been more than a month since a man was hit and killed by a driver in the parking lot of a Bucks County McDonald’s and the driver has still not been found."I texted and said, ‘Are you home safe?’ And, nothing!" Elise Poore, the victim’s fiancé, exclaimed. "Two hours later, I got a call from the hospital."Poore, a Northeast Philadelphia resident, rushed to the ER at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, after she was told her fiancé, 47-year-old Jason Smith, had been in an accident.

(U.S. Marshals)KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Law enforcement closed in and arrested two men on the 500 block of DeKalb Pike, in King of Prussia, in connection with a September 2022 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl in Philadelphia.Officials announced the arrest of 20-year-old Halim Evans and 29-year-old Jamel King Friday morning.The two men are suspects in the shooting death of 17-year-old Teryn Johnson, on the 5300 block of Horrocks Street, in Philadelphia’s Frankford section, September 11, 2022.RELATED COVERAGE:According to authorities, members of the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say six kids between the ages of 11-14 have been arrested in the brutal and seemingly unprovoked beating of a woman in Center City. The Philadelphia Police Department said three boys - ages 11, 13 and 14 - and three girls - ages 12, 13, and 14 - are charged with a number of crimes, including aggravated assault, robbery, and reckless endangerment (REAP). The department on Thursday shared a surveillance photo of the only remaining unidentified suspect in the brutal assault. He is seen wearing gray sweatpants and dark-colored pants. Police say a 34-year-old woman was attacked by a group of juveniles near the corner of 15th and Chestnut streets who punched and stomped on her.The victim's father said his daughter suffered a broken orbital bone, widespread bruising, and required stitches."This is not the behavior of a normal juvenile delinquent," Dr.

REDMOND, Wash. - Three people are dead after a suspected stalker broke into a Redmond, Washington home and killed a podcaster and her husband, police said. The woman's mother survived the attack, escaped and called 911.The shooting happened at a home on 166th Street Northeast and Northeast 89th Street before 2:00 a.m.

FOX 2 (WJBK) - The family of a man arrested for drunk driving and allegedly beaten by police officers later took his own life. His loved ones have filed a lawsuit demanding justice."This is not something a civilized - even an uncivilized society can tolerate," said attorney Ari Kresch.Milton was dragged through the Oakland County Jail after being taken there August of last year - after being arrested in Auburn Hills."They booked him, and they don't have the facilities for him to dry out," said Kresch.

PHILADELPHIA - Winter-like conditions will make a return Friday due to a storm system bringing precipitation to the Delaware Valley. Most areas near Philadelphia will see rain, while areas in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos will get 1 - 5 inches of snow. Forecasters say the precipitation will begin to move into the area around lunchtime and last until Saturday. There is a chance the Philadelphia area could see snow showers Saturday morning before the storm system moves out around noon. >> Download the FOX 29 Weather Authority App to get updates and alerts in your area. Carbon and Northampton Counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory, while Monroe County is under a Winter Storm Warning from Friday afternoon until Saturday around 10 a.m. Conditions will dry out in time for Daylight Savings on Sunday when conditions will be sunny and mild. Rain will return to the forecast on Monday ahead of cooler temps and another chance of snow. _______SEVEN-DAY FORECASTFRIDAY: P.m. rain, snow.

PHILADELPHIA - An off-duty FBI agent who fatally shot a dog during an altercation on a Philadelphia sidewalk last month will not face criminal charges, officials confirmed on Friday. The incident happened on the 1500 block of Spruce Street in Center City, in front of the Touraine apartment building, around 8 p.m. The FBI's Philadelphia Office stated in a tweet on the night of the shooting that initial information they received stated that an FBI Special Agent shot and wounded an aggressive dog and no one else was hurt. MORE HEADLINES: "The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents or task force members seriously," the tweet read.

DEPTFORD, N.J. - A suspect is dead and a police officer is injured after a shooting Friday afternoon in Deptford, New Jersey, law enforcement sources tell FOX 29.Early reports indicate that the shooting happened sometime after 1 p.m.

FILE - A laptop with a laughing emoji face displayed is seen in this photo illustration on Oct. 15, 2018.

DEPTFORD, N.J. - Law enforcement sources say a female police officer was shot in the leg Friday afternoon in Deptford, New Jersey. Early reports indicate that the shooting happened sometime after 1 p.m. on Doman Drive, a dead-end road that's within a residential neighborhood. The officer was taken to Cooper University Hospital.

Read more: 2020 intel warned Trudeau government that China’s interference in Canadian elections will likely be ‘pervasive’ This high-level, finalized document was produced by the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat — a division of the PCO that regularly provides national security alerts for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet.Prime Minister’s Office spokeswoman Alison Murphy gave a blanket denial Tuesday that Justin Trudeau was aware of Beijing’s money transfers to the 2019 candidates.“As the Prime Minister stated last fall, we have no information on any federal candidates receiving money from China,” Murphy wrote in a statement.The response refers to Global’s reporting last November, which did not state that China gave money directly to candidates.

Khloe Kardashian got very candid while discussing her body and her relationship with it in a new interview.

NEW ORLEANS - You can still barely make out the words ‘Six Flags’ on the sign outside what used to be Six Flags New Orleans. But besides being used for a few movies like ‘Jurassic World,’ the gates have been shuttered since August 21, 2005 – eight days before Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. New drone video from inside the park shows the abandoned rides sitting untouched for years, along with graffiti covering the old buildings. The park sits in a low-lying area just a few miles from the largest lake in the state, so a lot of those floodwaters from Katrina pooled there when the deadly storm hit. File: Six Flags New Orleans amusement park underwater in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 13, 2005.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Brandon Graham (55) reacts after the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles on September 19, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

A Pennsylvania man claims he unknowingly had a loaded revolver in his backpack that was stopped by TSA Agents at JFK Airport. Credit: TSA.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify a suspect in an attempted robbery case. Authorities say the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at 8:41 p.m.

A medical team examined Amiry, took a sample for a DNA test and tested him for narcotics. (Ray Anderson/Cincinnati Animal CARE) CINCINNATI - An African serval cat that was found with cocaine in its system after an escape at a traffic stop now calls the Cincinnati Zoo home, much to the delight of social media users still amused by the recent release of the movie "Cocaine Bear."The wild cat's story has trended online, where users relished in the absurdity of the horror comedy, which riffs off the true story of a 175-pound black bear that was found dead near a duffle bag and some $2 million worth of cocaine.

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 01: Andrew Painter #76 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 1, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Get PHILADELPHIA - Top Philadelphia Phillies prospect Andrew Painter won't throw for four weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow.The 19-year-old right-hander's fastball touched 99 mph in his spring training debut on March 1 against Minnesota, and he came into camp the next day and said he felt "tenderness" in his elbow.He underwent an MRI on March 3 and the Phillies said Friday that a second opinion confirmed a right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain.Medical staff and Painter's doctor recommended Painter rest for four weeks from the date of injury and then begin a light tossing progression.Philadelphia has been cautious with Painter throughout the minor leagues.

People with Long Covid could suffer from a wider range of symptoms than previously thought, scientists studying the condition have found. 

Omicron variant in Canada, COVID-19 is not expected to surge in the coming months as hospitalizations and deaths remain stable, federal health officials said.Speaking at a media conference Tuesday, Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr.

China dismissed such reports and emphasized that the pandemic is a scientific issue and should not be turned into a political matter. "The origins-tracing of SARS-CoV-2 is about science and should not be politicized.

See also:Speaking to Storyful, Drury said the package contained around $25 worth of makeup and said neither he nor his wife have any idea where the dog came from."We drove around looking for the dog and, as we say in Texas, we haven’t seen hide nor hair of him," Drury said.

Police say two suspects entered the Subway restaurant on Temple University's campus, pointed guns at the employees and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.  (Philadelphia Police Department)PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police have released images of two suspects wanted in a robbery that occurred at a Subway sandwich stop located in the middle of Temple University’s campus. The robbery occurred at the Subway located on Liacouras Walk around 9:30 p.m. on March 5. Police say two suspects dressed in dark clothing entered the restaurant and pointed handguns at the employees, ordering them to get on the floor.The suspects then demanded money from the register and fled with an unknown amount of cash. MORE HEADLINES: Police say the suspects were driven to and from the robbery in a small, blue, four-door sedan that was driven by a third suspect.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - Anthony McRae, the man who shot up Michigan State University last month, had a note in his pocket detailing other targets, along with a list of his emotions and mindset.VIEW: Police release full Michigan State University shooting timelineMSU police released a redacted version of the note Friday.

The federal health minister is warning provinces not to charge Canadians fees for “medically necessary” care, including telemedicine and some private services, in a new letter released Friday.

Colombo, (News 1st) : Several civil society organisations including the Inter-University Students' Federation, civil activists and trade unions staged a protest against state oppression in front of the UN office earlier today. The protest was staged against the use of tear gas to disperse crowds at protests, the cinnamon stick army, the use of tear gas on school students and the forced entry by police into universities. Speaking at the protest, IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige blamed the government for using expired tear gas canisters as chemical weapons to oppress people. Protesters claimed that three people have succumbed to tear gas attacks on three occassions including the Jathika Jana Balawegaya protest on February 26, the protest near the Colombo University on March 7 and during a protest near Parliament sometime ago. The protesters therefore demanded the UN to expedite an international investigation into the use of expired tear gas munitions. During the protest Ceylon Teachers' Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin questioned the state on firing tear gas at children. "The UN must look at these gross human rights violations.

VOORHEES, NEW JERSEY - JULY 23: General manager Chuck Fletcher of the Philadelphia Flyers attends the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at Flyers Training Center on July 23, 2021 in Voorhees, New Jersey. (Photo by Carlee Calfee/NHLI via Getty I PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Flyers have fired general manager Chuck Fletcher and promoted franchise great Danny Brière to the interim job, the latest front-office shakeup for an organization that has not won a Stanley Cup since 1975.Fletcher, who was also president of hockey operations, was fired a week after he failed to make any major moves at the trade deadline.The Flyers, who had just one playoff berth during Fletcher's 4 1/2 years on the job, play Saturday in Pittsburgh.

COLOMBO (News 1st); One in three households, 33% of Sri Lankans are food insecure according to WFP’s Household Food Security Survey (December 2022).It added that nearly seven in ten households are adopting foodbased coping strategies such as relying on less preferred food, limiting portion sizes and reducing the number of meals. In addition, over eight in ten households are turning to livelihood coping strategies such as borrowing money or spending savings.WFP’s Market Functionality Index for December showed that commodity prices continue to be volatile. Several markets have also reported scarcity of items including cereals.According to the Colombo Consumer Price Index, headline inflation (year-on-year) for January 2023 was 54.2 percent, down from the 57.2 percent in December 2022.

 COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan who died in the earthquakes in Turkiye on the 6th of February was buried in Hatay/Antakya in Turkiye, confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (14).The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara had been working to ascertain the welfare of the sixteen Sri Lankans who were living in the area affected by the earthquake and tremors, in coordination with the  Türkiye authorities. It was confirmed that 15 of them, contacted by the Embassy are safe, while a Sri Lankan female who was living in Hatay/Antakya Province in Türkiye, was reported missing. The Embassy was able to confirm the fate of the Sri Lankan concerned and also noted the unfortunate death of the missing Sri Lankan.The identity of the deceased Sri Lankan is withheld at the request of the family. Burial of the human remains of the deceased already took place in Hatay/Antakya, in line with regulations imposed by the health authorities, said the Foreign Ministry.Death toll from earthquakes went past 37,000.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that the country is ready to deploy a contingent of 300 military personnel for relief efforts in Turkiye.The contingent will include personnel from the Sri Lanka Engineers Corps and the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.Minister Ali Sabry said that on the instructions of the President he contacted the Foreign Minister of Turkiye and offered assistance for search & rescue"We recall when the Tsunami struck us in 2004,Türkiye provided immediate humanitarian assistance & built a housing complex for those who lost their houses," tweeted the Minister.The Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkiye said that it has not been able to access information with regard to the Sri Lankan woman who was reported missing following the devastating earthquakes.A Senior Officer attached to the mission said that the mobile device of the Sri Lankan woman was traced.The Officer also noted that earlier it was reported that the building in which was living had collapsed, however, reports later suggested that she had vacated the premises before the earthquakes.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that a contingent of 300 military personnel are ready to be deployed to Turkiye, as soon as a request for help is made.The contingent will include Sri Lanka Army Engineers and personnel from the Medical Corps.On Monday (6)  Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said 9 Sri Lankans were residing in the region. 8 people have been contacted.