USDA to invest $300 million in push for organic farming

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is importing 95 Octane Petrol at a price cheaper than 92 Octane Petrol, and concerns have been raised over the government's fuel price formula as well.The Fuel Price Formula that is adopted in Sri Lanka has become a cause of concern.Recently, Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister made public the Fuel Price Formula on his social media account.According to the document made public by the Minister, 95 Octane Petrol is purchased at a price that is less than what is offered for 92 Octane Petrol.As per data obtained on the world fuel refining industry, there is no great price difference between 95 Octane Petrol and 92 Octane Petrol as Market Rates determine the fuel prices globally.According to the documents Sri Lanka is purchasing Diesel and Petrol as per the PLATTS rates.Sri Lanka purchases a Barrel of 95 Octane Petrol for USD 100 and 75 cents as per the PLATTS  rates.At the same time, Sri Lanka purchases a barrel of 92 Octane Petrol for USD 100 and 19 cents.The difference between the two is 76 Cents US.Now, what happens next?A litre of 95 Octane Petrol is unloaded at the Port for Rs. 243 and 88 cents.A litre of 92 Octane Petrol is unloaded at the Port for Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Asian Development Bank said it is prepared to offer more financial help to Sri Lanka.Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa said that as a key long-term partner, the ADB stands ready to provide further support to Sri Lanka.He said that after the IMF programme is completed, ADB will consider to join another, by providing additional financial resources to join other rescue packages for Sri Lanka.The remarks came after an ADB pact this month for an emergency loan of $200 million to ensure access to food and protect livelihoods in Sri Lanka which is suffering its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades.Asakawa said that Sri Lanka’s economy has contracted and is dealing with high inflation which has severely affected living standards.Asakawa said he was confident Colombo was working to finalise a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan of about $2.9 billion, by seeking financing assurances from creditors, among other steps.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner took aim at attempts to impeach him from office while defending his own policies and the city's effort to combat gun violence as he appeared on Good Day Philadelphia on Wednesday."We have a terrible crisis in this country when it comes to gun violence," Krasner said when asked about the tragedies plaguing the city of Philadelphia.The District Attorney's appearance comes less than 24 hours after one teenager was killed, and four others were injured after a football scrimmage at Roxborough High School. Local leaders reacted to the ambush shooting of five teenagers who police say had just left a high school football scrimmage when they were shot. One of the victims, a 14-year-old, died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the chest.Krasner was on location with other city leaders following the shooting, and says it was "one of the most heartbreaking cases we have seen.""When you see kids leaving the football field, and they're gunned down, and they're between 14 and 17 years of age, it's just absolutely heartbreaking," he said.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Ian’s winds rapidly intensified early Wednesday as it approached Florida, hitting 155 mph — a threshold just shy of the most devastating Category 5 hurricane status.The hurricane was expected to make landfall late Wednesday afternoon or early evening along the heavily populated Gulf Coast, with the Naples to Sarasota region at "highest risk" of a devastating storm surge. Other impacts could include strong wind, torrential rain, flooding, and widespread power outages.RELATED: Where will Hurricane Ian make landfall in Florida?Ian was centered about 55 miles west of Naples at 8 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph.The projected path and intensity of Hurricane Ian.

FILE IMAGE - In this photo illustration, processed meats, including hotdogs and bacon, cook in a frying pan on Oct. 26, 2015, in Miami, Florida.

Justin Trudeau deserves to remain in power appears to be slightly lower than it was one year ago amid the federal election, a new poll suggests.Polling done by Ipsos exclusively for Global News indicates 33 per cent of Canadians say Trudeau deserves to be re-elected, which is a drop of four per cent compared to polling done last fall.Sixty-seven per cent say it is time for another party to take over.“What we’re seeing in the numbers right now is not so much that there’s been a ‘new leader bump’ for the Conservatives, though they’re up just a little bit but within the margin of error,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. “It’s really more that the Liberals have been losing.”He said the data suggests people who have previously voted Liberal are bleeding out to not only the Conservatives, which are also seeing a consolidation of some voters from the People’s Party of Canada, but also to the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois.“It’s not so much about the surge of the Conservative Party as it is about the slipping of the Liberals.” Trudeau criticizes ‘buzzwords, dogwhistles’ as Poilievre crowned Tory leader That Ipsos polling suggests it is the federal Conservatives that now hold a five-point lead on the Liberals among decided voters, with 35 per cent of those surveyed saying they prefer that party compared to 30 per cent for the Liberals, 20 per cent for the NDP, and seven per cent nationally for the Bloc Quebecois.Those numbers represent a one-point increase since the election for Conservatives, and a three-point decrease for the Liberals.

Millions of people are being urged to have flu and Covid vaccines after experts said they were increasingly worried about a bad flu spike this winter.

ALSO READ: World Heart Day: Run, Cardio, Strength - how much is too much? "COVID-19 can affect the heart in many ways. The commonest problem which has been found is that the people who have had heart disease in the past, their heart disease can get flared and aggravated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Samagi Jana Balavegaya filed Fundamental Rights applications with the Supreme Court challenging the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring High-Security Zones in Colombo.The applications were filed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Mujibur Rahuman on Wednesday (28).The FR applications name the Attorney General as the respondent and note that the President has no right to declare High-Security Zones, and no law allows the President to do so.The petitioners request the Supreme Court to rule that the conduct of the President had violated the Fundamental Rights of the people of Sri Lanka, and thereby issue an order to invalidate the said gazette.

The trial of Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been adjourned until at least Tuesday next week after one of the jurors tested positive for Covid.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe was awarded an audience with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, his official residence in Tokyo.President Ranil Wickremesinghe also met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday (28).The Japanese Prime Minister warmly welcomed President Wickremesinghe and extended his best wishes on his appointment to the Office of President.The duo held discussions on further strengthening relations between the two countries. 

Covid-19 and the greying of hair, however, Covid has famously been known to affect every aspect of the human body at varying degrees.  Here's taking a look While there is no direct connect between Covid-19 and the greying of hair, experts have noted this as an after effect. Experts have said that there is no biological explanation tying up the infection tot he after effect, however, increased stress during a pandemic could be a contributing factor.  Hair transplant surgeon at the Mittal Hair Clinic, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 06 persons who were suspected to be attempting to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea, during a search operation carried out in seas off Sand Banks, Talaimannar on 27th September 2022.Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular search operations and patrols covering the sea and coastal areas around the island with the aim of suppressing illegal activities. During a special operation mounted by SLNS Thammanna in the North Central Naval Command on 27th September, a group of individuals remaining suspiciously at Sand Banks were approached and interrogated. Subsequently, the group of individuals who were suspected to be remaining there until the arrival of a boat to illegally migrate from the country were nabbed by the Navy.

Hurricane Ian, which is expected to grow into a Category 4 storm by the time it reaches the Sunshine State on Wednesday.HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHERTo withstand the hurricane and the life-threatening storm surges it will likely bring, many Floridians have boarded up their homes and businesses with plywood.Despite the potentially dire nature of the situation, many Floridians have used the plywood boards as a canvas for their spirit and sense of humor amid the raging storm. The words "IAN...You're only getting Decaf" are spray painted onto the boarded up windows of a restaurant in Manatee County, Florida. One Christmas-themed store spray-painted the message "IAN DON'T GET ON SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST" on their plywood boards.A Christmas themed store is boarded up with messages for Hurricane Ian on September 27, 2022 in Clearwater, Florida.

Covid vaccine shots can temporarily increase the menstrual cycle length by less than a day, according to a study A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that Covid-19 vaccine shots can temporarily increase the length of your menstrual cycle. The study said that the vaccine shots taken to prevent oneself from the coronavirus infection will increase the menstrual cycle by less than half a day.

The Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive, Paul Reid, has said the Covid-19 Pandemic Special Recognition Payment has been made to 123,000 employees so far.

New Delhi: India reported 3,615 fresh covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to the data by the health ministry on Wednesday New Delhi: India reported 3,615 fresh covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to the data by the health ministry on Wednesday. The numbers are slightly higher than the previosu day’s 3,230 cases.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The latest report from the World Food Program reveals that four in ten housholds in Sri Lanka are consuming inadequate diets.The World Food Program said that the intensifying economic crisis continues to threaten food security, and the persistence of high food and fuel prices has pushed food further out of each. The WFP warned that in the face of inaction, the situation could deteriorate even further.Highlighting the fact that diets are in a precarious state among Sri Lankans, the World Food Program said that four in ten  households are facing insufficient food  consumption, with many consuming far less diverse diets as food prices remain high across the country.To date, WFP has received a total of US$29.35 million from the  governments of Australia, Italy,  Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United States and  Switzerland, as well as from the UN Central  Emergency Response Fund, private sector partners, and multilateral donors. This represents nearly half of its emergency appeal for US$63 million. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has decided to strip the SLPP Local Government Member who was arrested over the Thambuttegama Bank Heist of his party membership.SLPP General Secretary Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam told reported on Wednesday (28) that the matter was internally probed on Tuesday (27), adding that necessary action will be taken against the local government member if it is proven via an investigation that he is responsible for the crime.A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member was arrested over the Rs. 20 Million Bank Heist in ThambuttegSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member ama.Sri Lanka Police said that a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member from the Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested for aiding and abetting in the crime.The suspect is a 44-year-old resident from Rajanganaya.A Sri Lankan Police Officer has been hailed a hero after he valiantly stopped two men from making a getaway with over Rs.

First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has issued an update on his health after being diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.The Channel 4 star appeared on Wednesday's (September 28) episode of BBC Breakfast to raise awareness of the disease.Sally Nugent and Jon Kay were on presenting duty and kicked off the interview by wondering how he's doing after his treatment.READ MORE: First Dates' Merlin Griffiths opens up on setback amid bowel cancer battleJon asked: "Merlin, shall we start with you? How are you doing my friend?Merlin replied: "Very well, thank you very much. All things considered.

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should reverse a new regulation that unlawfully restricts protests in large areas of the capital, Colombo, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday (27). On September 24, 2022, a day after the measure was issued, police arrested 84 people and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters calling for the release of student activists being held under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act.On September 23, the Sri Lankan government invoked the Official Secrets Act to designate public streets and government buildings in central Colombo “high security zones,” where written permission from the police is required to hold any public gathering. Under the regulation, police have wide-ranging authority to arrest anyone inside these zones and only the High Court can grant bail to those detained.

Police have launched an investigaion into alleged mistreatment of patients at a mental health unit. The Manchester Evening News understands that more than 12 staff have been suspended at the facility by the NHS Trust that runs it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation into an Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration has noted that expressing opinions on social media by a public officer without following the proper provisions of the Establishments Code shall be consituted as an offense.A statement noted that such offense shall lead to disciplinary action.Refer full statement below:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has decided to send a delegation for the annual summit of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.The 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place in person from Monday, October 10, through Sunday, October 16 in the IMF and World Bank Group headquarters, in Washington DC.Sri Lanka's delegation will be led by Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe.He said the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Finance Secretary and several others will accompany him.The Acting Finance Minister said that the 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will be of paramount importance for Sri Lanka to restrucutre its debt, and also obtain financial assistance from the IMF.

It was going to be her first vacation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Hurricane Ian knocked out power across all of Cuba and devastated some of the country’s most important tobacco farms Tuesday when it slammed into the island’s western tip as a major hurricane.

3,230 Covid cases.  With this, the active caseload also dropped to 40,979 from the earlier 44,000 cases. The death toll climbed to 5,28,584 with 22 fatalities which includes eight deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.09 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.72 per cent, the ministry said.

PHILADELPHIA - A VMSC Emergency Medical Services paramedic and EMT left their homes in Lansdale, Pennsylvania Tuesday morning and are in route to Florida to help the communities that have been damaged by major Hurricane Ian.It's the first deployment for paramedic, Jay Hughes, who is alongside his fellow first responder, Rich Roberts. Hughes says he's never done anything like this before, but people need help, and he feels as if it's his duty to offer that help."It's all about helping people, right? That's kinda why we got into this," said Hughes.FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce spoke with Hughes and Roberts as they were on the road Tuesday afternoon.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 220 people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The Government Analyst will be summoned on Wednesday (28) to determine the cause of the fire.Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st that steps will be taken to provide relief to the people who were displaced by the fire.He said a proposal was put forward to award the displaced families houses from housing complexes owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Japan, has instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta complex in Thotalanga, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.Accordingly, all relevant departments have already taken steps to provide the maximum intervention required to douse the fire and provide all other necessary facilities promptly.The President has further stated that special attention should be provided to attend to the needs of

PHOENIX - Phoenix Police officials have issued a statement, days after a person made a Twitter thread that documented an alleged assault on a flight to Phoenix.The tweets, which were made by a Twitter user who went by the name Faraaz Sareshwala, were made on Sept. 24, and as of Sept.

FILE - An elderly man sits on his electric scooter in the city park. (Ronny Hartmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)Loneliness may make our biological clock tick faster.Being lonely and feeling unhappy can accelerate the aging process more than smoking, according to a recent article published in Aging-US."We demonstrate [that] psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to one year and eight months to one’s biological age," said lead author Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - A Delaware County teen's vision recently came to life after getting approval from school administration to start a resource closet for students in need. About a year ago, Aicha Coulibaly came up with an idea to start a collection of hygiene products for her classmates. Now, her idea has blossomed in to a closet packed full of various personal care items after the school board approved the teen's initiative. "Everybody deserves to have basic needs.

Greater Manchester Police have opened an investigation following allegations that adult patients were mistreated at a mental health unit in Prestwich.

Colorado shows the harrowing moment a train crashed into a police car that had a woman handcuffed inside.The Fort Lupton Police Department shared video of the incident, which took place on Sept. 16.According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, 20, sustained serious injuries when the back of the patrol car was hit by a train near the town of Platteville, near Denver, just after 7:30 p.m.Rios-Gonzalez had been detained moments earlier after officers responded to what Fort Lupton police called a “high-risk vehicle stop” in a Facebook post.Edited bodycam and dashcam footage released by police shows officers approaching Rios-Gonzalez with at least one gun drawn, and ordering her to put her hands up and exit her car.In the video, Rios-Gonzalez can be heard asking officers multiple times why she is being arrested.

FILE - Police lights are shown in a close up image.

HAVERFORD TWP., Pa. - Haverford Township Police enforcing "zero tolerance policy" after a string of assaults involving teenagers happened over the weekend.Joe Walker, a parent of one of the teens assaulted, says video surfaced of a group surrounding and beating up his freshman son near the Skatium on Darby Road around 8:45 on Sunday night."It hurts me, because, ten on one is a bad situation," says Walker. "He got out of it unscathed, not hurt, but you know the what ifs, what could have happened?"Jenn Brennan, a parent to another teenager who was allegedly assaulted over the weekend, says she's ready to take back her community and stop the violence."I think the kids are afraid to come forward because of the consequences and threats that are happening, so we just feel that it’s time to take Havertown back," says Brennan.RELATED: Officials: Chaos erupts at Mayfair Wawa as large group of teens create disturbanceThe pair wanted to encourage other families to come forward about what they say is a small group of teens from Haverford High School and possibly neighboring high schools causing issues.Haverford Township Police say they are investigating these assaults next to the Wawa that was ransacked on Darby Road on Saturday."Parents and guardians should communicate with their children, knowing where they are and what they are doing," police wrote on their Twitter page. MORE HEADLINESFirst trans-focused LGBTQ plus safe haven coming to PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia shooting: Teen killed, 4 others injured in shooting after high school football scrimmageDA: Man wanted in Philadelphia home invasion, sexual assault arrested in North CarolinaDr.

Over 100 firefighters are on scene battling a fire at a car junkyard in North Philadelphia.  PHILADELPHIA - Officials say 120 firefighters are on scene of a three-alarm fire at West Sedgley Avenue and West Venago Street, along with medics, chiefs, and support personnel. There are no known victims at this time and no specific hazardous substances have been identified, officials say.The Health Department says they dispatched inspectors to the area to collect air samples to assess air quality in the area.

PHILADELPHIA - A new shelter that prioritizes transgender women of color is opening in North Philadelphia at the beginning of October.The Ark of Safety LGBTQ+ Safe Haven is an 8-bed emergency shelter that will also support four permanent beds for a rapid rehousing program. The shelter, which is set to open on October 3, was founded by a trans woman who said she was inspired to open a safe haven like this because it would have helped her decades ago. Tatyana Woodard, founder and Executive Director of Ark of Safety LGBTQ+ Safe Haven, left home when she was just 14 years old.

A combination of economist James Krauseneck's booking photo and a family portrait of his slain wife Cathleen Krauseneck and their daughter, Sara. Krauseneck's trial is underway for the alleged ax murder of his wife in 1982. (Facebook/Brighton Police A New York man has finally been convicted of the murder of his wife approximately four decades after the crime occurred. In 1982, James Krauseneck Jr., now 69, bashed Cathleen Krauseneck, 29, in the head with an ax after she discovered that he had not completed his Ph.D.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say four people believed to be members of Roxborough High School's football team were shot near the school on Tuesday afternoon. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 300 block of Fairway Terrace, a cul-de-sac across the street from the high school, just before 5 p.m. Police say the shooting victims were brought to Einstein and Temple hospitals, but they did not share information on their conditions. No arrests were reported immediately following the shooting and police did not say what sparked the gunfire.The shooting comes hours after Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order banning guns from recreation spaces and facilities as deadly violence continues to plague the city.This is a developing story

A pair of studies published yesterday in JAMA show that COVID-19 vaccines offer good protection against severe illness and death, but with one finding waning effectiveness against milder disease, Omicron infection, and hospitalization after a few months—even in previously infected and boosted participants.

BERLIN (FOX Business) - Unprecedented leaks in the Nord Stream energy pipelines connecting Russia to Germany were likely the result of sabotage, Germany argued Tuesday.The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipeline systems suffered three leaks in a single day on Tuesday, though neither pipeline was operating at the time. The damaged offshore pipelines lay at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Neither of the pipelines was operating at the time of the damage, however.

A report today from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) shows that COVID-19 reduced life expectancy across the Americas while amplifying economic inequities and existing health disparities.

International Slackline Association (ISA). Nathan Paulin managed to walk a staggering 2,200 meters (nearly 1.4 miles) across a highline which was rigged at approximately 100 meters from the ground. He accomplished the feat at Mont-Saint-Michel, a tidal island located in France, and it took Paulin nearly two hours to get all the way across.  (Insta360)"The feeling when I’m on the line… it’s almost impossible to describe it. Sometimes I feel really powerful when I do that, but sometimes I also feel really small and I feel like I’m nothing.

The Double Decker Taco and the Enchirito. (Credit: Taco Bell Corp.) IRVINE, Calif. - After bringing back the Mexican Pizza, Taco Bell is now deciding whether the Double Decker Taco or the Enchirito should return.The fast-food chain has launched a contest for customers to vote on which discontinued food item should be added back to the menu.Voting ends October 6, and the winner will be announced on October 7. RELATED: Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza returning (for good this time) Sept. 15"One is handheld, the other is jaw-dropping," the company said on its website.The website said the Double Decker Taco first made its menu debut in 1995 but was discontinued in 2019.The company described the taco as a "hybrid taco is made up of a soft flour tortilla layered with beans, then wrapped around a traditional crunchy taco shell filled with seasoned beef, crispy lettuce, and cheddar cheese."Sam Reid talks with FOX Television Stations about his health experiment and love for Taco Bell.The Enchirito was unveiled in 1970, but its run ended in 2013. "The Enchirito is made up of a soft flour tortilla, loaded with seasoned beef, beans and diced onions all rolled up and smothered with its classic red sauce before being topped with melted shredded cheddar cheese," the company said. In order to vote, participants must download the app. "On the heels of the love and passion we saw for Mexican Pizza, we wanted to continue elevating the voices of our most loyal fans by giving them exclusive access to a uniquely digital experience that fosters brand love," Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's Chief Brand Officer, said in a news release. RELATED: Taco Bell opens first restaurant with high-tech drive-thru experienceTaco Bell put the Mexican Pizza back on the

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Waukesha County Judge Jennifer Dorow delayed a decision on whether Darrell Brooks will represent himself in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack trial, which is currently set to start on Monday, Oct. 3.

A general view shows the state funeral for Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe in the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK ROBICHON / POOL / AFP) TOKYO - Japan's assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, was given a rare state funeral Tuesday that was full of military pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets in opposition.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the publicly financed ceremony was a well-deserved honor for Japan's longest-serving modern political leader, but it has deeply split public opinion.The event was attended by U.S.