Workers at 14 Pennsylvania nursing homes go on strike

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health has issued a special circular to mark the beginning of National Nutrition Month.The special circular has been issued to all Provincial Secretaries, Health Secretaries, Health Service Directors, Regional Health Service Directors, Medical Health Officers and the heads of all institutions.A four step action plan has been introduced to ensure that all Sri Lankans remain protected from malnutrition and other related complications. The four steps are: let's be aware, let's find substitutes, let's plant and let's share.

PHILADELPHIA - Remnants of Hurricane Ian aren't gone quite yet!Friday night showers are carrying over into Saturday bringing rain for most of the morning. However, things will dry off for a little Saturday afternoon.Temperatures are staying pretty chilly all day, with temperatures in the 50s and wind gusts reach 15 mph at some points in the day.Sunday looks a lot like Saturday with scattered storms, mostly in the afternoon in evening.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Unit 3 of the Norochcholai power plant, which broke down recently, has been fixed and reconnected back to the National grid, says the Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara.The Minister said that both units are now operating at full capacity.Moreover, he stated that the ongoing long routine overhaul maintenance work on Unit 2 is expected to be completed by mid-October.The Norochcholai power plant recently had its generator 3 break down, leading for only 300MW of 900MW being generated. 

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Orange County Government shared several photos of the many pets and animals that were rescued after Hurricane Ian drenched Central Florida with flooding rains. "Pets are family. Period," the government wrote on Facebook.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Three people, including a Sri Lankan woman who attempted to sell an infant via social media for 12,000 Dirhams, have been arrested in Dubai.Dubai media revealed that a 35-year-old Indonesian woman attempted to sell her newborn baby boy in need of money.Two associates, including a Sri Lankan woman, have helped her in her efforts to find a buyer.The 45-year-old Sri Lankan woman had posted an advertisement online last February to sell the 2-month-old baby.After receiving information about this incident, the Dubai Police has initiated an investigation to find the suspects.Accordingly, a policewoman contacted the Sri Lankan woman and went under the pretense of attempting to buy the child, and in the process, arrested the three suspects.In the trial held last week, all three were found guilty at the Dubai Courts for human trafficking.Accordingly, one suspect has been sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of four thousand dirhams.Due to their illegal stay at the United Arab Emirates, they have been sentenced to an additional month's imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 dirhams.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Rating agency Fitch states that the demand for beer may increase in the near future as the affordability for Sri Lankans may decline. The US based credit ratings firm states that consumers may trade down from spirits to strong beer, given beer's lower price point. Moreover, Fitch forecasts that the drop in sales volumes will be moderated in the next 12-18 months, assuming an ease in inflation spikes. Fitch also forecasts mild beer sales to rise on a gradual recovery in tourism.Excise duties from alcoholic-beverage makers made up 11% of government tax revenue in the past year, however with the  imposition of a social security tax of 2.5% on revenue in addition to the increase in Value Added Tax to 15% from 12% may increase the price of alcoholic beverages.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – China is a most sincere and reliable friend of Sri Lanka, notes the Ambassador Qi Zhenhong in a statement released by the Embassy in commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.The Ambassador also visited several key Chinese enterprises and projects in Sri Lanka to meet with the local and the Chinese staff to pass wishes for the National Day holiday in China.The full statement of the Chinese Embassy is as follows:On the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and with the approaching of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, I would like to wish the country prosperity and progress, our people health and happiness, and best regards to all the Chinese fellow citizens working, studying and living in Sri Lanka! I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Sri Lankan friends from all walks of life, who have always been following and supporting the development of China and China-Sri Lanka relations!In the past year, the world has gone through tremendous changes. Under the strong leadership of CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we have overcome adverse effects brought by complexed international challenges，sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 pandemic and unpredictable earthquakes, floods and droughts, and China’s economy has maintained a stabilized and increasing momentum with much potential to be released.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has reduced the prices of Petrol. Accordingly, the price of Petrol 92 will be reduced by Rs 40 per liter and Price of Petrol 95 by Rs 30 per one liter from midnight on Saturday (01). The new prices are as follows;Petrol 92 – Rs 410 per liter Petrol 95 – Rs 510 per literPrices of other petroleum products such as kerosene and Diesel will remain the same.

Woman killed in hit-and-run.

Two men critical after double shooting. PHILADELPHIA - What began as a deadly shooting early Saturday morning has taken a turn thanks to the action of medics.Officers arrived to find two men suffering from gunshot wounds when they responded to shooting on the 1900 block of Lansing Street just before 2 a.m.One man was initially pronounced dead after being shot in the head.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Ambika Satkunathan has filed a petition at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka challenging the Bill titled “Bureau of Rehabilitation Act”, emphasizing that the provisions of Bill are inconsistent with the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka.The petition states that the Bill purports to establish a Bureau for the rehabilitation of “drug dependant persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons who require treatments and rehabilitation”.Moreover, the petitioner alleges that these categories have not been properly defined and do not clarify how persons may qualify for rehabilitation under these categories, in addition to assuming that “members of violent extremist groups” and “drug dependent persons” require that same approach to rehabilitation. The Bill, Sathkunathan states, uses vague and arbitrary classifications, leading to persons being detained for rehabilitation for even participating in protests, as recent arrests of protestors under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have demonstrated. The petitioner further states that under this bill, the rehabilitation process has been militarized, and allows the President to designate any member of the armed forces to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions under the Act.The petitioner therefore requests the Supreme Court to declare several sections of the Bill as outlined in the petition inconsistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka as they violate the fundamental rights and Sovereignty of the People.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Children's Day program organized by MTV Channels (Pvt) Ltd. is currently being held at Viharamaha Devi Park.The longest painting in the country was unveiled on Saturday (1), created by the efforts of hundreds of children covering all 25 districts across the country for more than a month.The title of the painting is, "United we stand."This effort is a mission to enhance the creativity of our children during this challenging time, and to enrich them with artistic abilities as well as leadership qualities for the future.The painting started from Independence Square and Jaffna on 30th August and is due to be completed in Colombo today.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Natural Hazards Early Warning Center has issued a red alert for strong winds and rough seas for the sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.Accordingly, there is a possibility to increase swell waves (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) and strong winds, gusting  up to (60-70) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Therefore, the above sea areas will be very rough.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Children and elders will be allowed to enter zoos free of charge in commemoration of the World Children's and Elder's day, says the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mahinda Amaraweera.The Minister said that accordingly, the Zoological Department has been instructed to provide an opportunity for school children and adults above 60 years of age to enter all zoological gardens free of charge.Many educational programs have also been organized at zoological gardens for children to gain an opportunity to learn about animals.Minister Amaraweera said that adults have also been given ample opportunities for enjoyment, as they will be able to feed animals at the zoo and take photographs with them.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says that sufficient stocks of fertilizer have been ordered to meet the requirement for the Maha season, the President's Media Division states.Accordingly, these fertilizer stocks will be released to the farmers for cultivation shortly.The Minister said this during a discusstion held on September 29 at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake on the supply of fertilizer to meet the requirements of the Maha Season.During this discussion chaired by Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera and State Minister for Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, the supply of organic and chemical fertilizers required for paddy farming and other agricultural activities in the Maha season, was discussed at length.Accordingly, the Minister said that farmers could start the Maha season cultivations without any doubt.

FILE - Coolio on July 14, 1995, in Chicago, Il. (Paul Natkin/WireImage)Fans will get a chance to listen to new music recorded by the late West Coast rapper Coolio following his death on Wednesday. Coolio’s dialogue and music will be featured in the upcoming reboot of the animated comedy "Futurama." The artist made recordings for the show before he died at the age of 59."Futurama’s" executive producer David X.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Namal Rajapaksa has reiterated his commitment to recontest the upcoming elections via a broad alliance.Speaking at a program held in Bandarawela, the MP said that current President Ranil Wickremesinghe has succeeded in stabilizing the economy, as well as in going forward with the IMF staff agreement, and the SLPP will extend its support in this regard.He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that law and order prevails within the country, preventing incidents such as murders and other crimes from taking place in Sri Lanka.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Rapper PnB Rock performs onstage during the 92.3 Real Street Festival at Honda Center on August 11, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES - A man who was arrested in Las Vegas on Thursday, and his 17-year-old son, were charged with murder in the fatal shooting of rapper PnB Rock at a South Los Angeles restaurant, authorities said.An FBI-led fugitive task force took 40-year-old Freddie Lee Trone into custody at about 1 p.m., Los Angeles police said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Traffic movement will be restricted along the Colombo-Avissawella road from 10 PM on Saturday (01) until 5 PM Sunday (02), says the Police. Accordingly, traffic will be restricted along the Colombo-Avissawella road from Wellampitiya intersection until the Kotikawatta intersection due to an essential maintenance work, which includes laying water pipes.The Water Supply Board stated that during the closure of the road, alternative routes can be taken from Wellampitiya Road via Kolonnawa to Gothatuwa Town, Kotikawatta Road in order to re-enter Avissawella Road.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The social security levy of 2.5% will be implemented from Saturday (01).The State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe stated that the price of certain goods may increase through this levy.The State Minister said that the levy, which was passed in Parliament on 8th September, is expected to assist those who are in poverty and extreme poverty in Sri Lanka as a short term solution. The tax is levied at the rate of 2.5 percent on the turnover of importers, manufacturers, service providers and wholesalers and retailers with an annual turnover of more than 120 million.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in the island on Saturday (01) morning, concluding his official visit to Japan and the Philippines.President Wickremesinghe attended the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe during his official visit.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickramasinghe also visited the Philippines to preside over a meeting of the Asian Development Bank Governors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Auditor General has initiated a special investigation into the unilateral termination of the Light Rail Project by the Government of Sri Lanka.Auditor General W.P.

3,947 yesterday. As per the ministry, active cases in the country has now declined to 38,293 from the earlier 39,583.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that his mission is to create a developed country for the future generations of this land.The full statement is as follows:The contemporary world that adults live in is not the world children see. It is very simple and delicate.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the world is “not naïve” about who may be responsible for the apparent bombings that damaged Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, calling the acts “sabotage.”

A man from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, east of Edmonton, made the discovery of a lifetime while working on a project in his yard.

Canada slapped new sanctions on Russian officials and elites Friday after President Vladimir Putin formally annexed four regions of Ukraine.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - The sound of music, laughter and kids playing filled Temple's Aramark Student Training and Recreation Complex. It's all for community appreciation night for the beautiful children of North Philadelphia and their parents."We have to come together as a village and support each other and celebrate our kids," said Monica Hankins-Padilla.

CENTER CITY - With the violence and safety concerns in Philadelphia, football games look and feel different, especially for the schools impacted by the Roxborough High School shooting.Friday night football, before the sun goes down, as the Boys’ Latin versus Martin Luther King 7 p.m. kickoff was moved up to 3 p.m. because of security concerns."This week has been extremely challenging for our young people, their families, teachers and leaders," CEO of Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia, Dr.

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. - Georgia deputies say they believe the killing of a Georgia mother whose body was found naked, burned and dumped the woods after she sent a cryptic text message to her daughter was a "deliberate and personal act."The case of 59-year-old Debbie Collier's death has raised a lot of questions and gained nationwide attention, but so far, authorities have not had a lot of answers as to what happened.At a press conference Friday morning, investigators say they have obtained new surveillance footage from a building near the crime scene that is currently the last known records of Collier being alive.The Georgia mom was found partially nude, burned and grasping a small tree in the woods in Habersham County. Investigators respond to questions about her death investigation.According to Habersham County Chief Deputy Murray Kogod, the footage shows Collier leaving a Family Dollar at 3:09 p.m.

(Bucks County)BENSALEM, Pa. - A Trevose man has been arrested and charged with crimes related to a sexual assault of a child.Gerald Malloy was taken into custody September 29 by Bensalem police after he went to Neshaminy Mall for a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old child.According to officials, Malloy used a dating app and solicited a 12-year-old boy for a sexual encounter. He then sent sexually explicit photos and asked the child to send similar photos to him.The conversation moved on to text messages, where he was explicit about what he wanted to do with the 12-year-old.

The Cat Depot shelter in Sarasota, Fla., named its four-day-old kitten "Cane" after the hurricane. The tiny animal survived the hurricane.

LONDON - Britain's Royal Mint has unveiled the first coins to feature the portrait of King Charles III.Britons will begin to see Charles’ image in their change from around December, as 50-pence coins depicting him gradually enter circulation.The new monarch's effigy was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by Charles, the Royal Mint said Friday. In keeping with tradition, the king's portrait faces to the left — the opposite direction to his mother's, Queen Elizabeth II.The King’s portrait will first appear on a £5 coin and 50p commemorating the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

MEDIA, Pa. - A Delaware County man is going home after spending more than four decades in prison. Leroy Evans emerged from the Delaware County Court House to deafening cheers of his supporters and the warm embrace of his wife.Attorney General Josh Shapiro made the announcement Friday about his office's Conviction Integrity Section's relief of Leroy Evans. It was November of 1980 when Emily Leo, selling Avon products, was bludgeoned to death in Chester. Evans, 64, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Leo in 1981.

Gabby Petito's family on Friday praised a new, bipartisan Senate bill to help find missing persons as a "huge step forward."The new bill introduced Thursday by Democratic Connecticut senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and Republican senators John Cornyn of Texas, John Hooven of North Dakota and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, aims to streamline the national process for reporting missing persons."We said as parents we are going to help make changes. Here is a huge step forward," Petito's father, Joseph Petito, said in a tweet Friday.The legislation offers funding to the National Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) for a missing persons/unidentified database that the public can access and contribute to; connects NamUs with the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to improve missing persons databases; requires law enforcement to report missing persons to NamUs; establishes incentives to help states report missing persons; and requires the Justice Department to issue best-practice guidelines regarding the handling of missing persons cases.FILE - A sign honors the death of Gabby Petito on Sept.

SALISBURY TWP., Pa. - Emergency crews were called to the scene of a fatal plane crash in Lehigh County.Officials said the crash happened Wednesday afternoon, just after 1:30, on the 1400 block of Keystone Road, in Salisbury Township.Plane crash in Lehigh County. Crews sprayed down the plane, which appeared to be completely destroyed under a tree on the property.Keith Kozel, 49, died as a result of the plane crash.

Oreo Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookie (Oreo)Oreo officially announced its limited edition Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies Wednesday, but apparently the cookie brand has been dropping hints about its newest flavor since last week — at least that’s according to their Twitter account.  "Want to know the next OREO Cookie flavor? Read the first word of our last 8 tweets," the company said in a Sept.

Europe's COVID cases showed more signs of rising last week, marking the first regionwide spike since the most recent BA.5 wave, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said today in a weekly update.

LOS ANGELES - Could the pumpkin spice craze possibly have taken it too far with a $10,000 engagement ring? You be the judge. Angelic Diamonds has entered the pumpkin spice chat with the world’s first ever Pumpkin Spice Latte ring.Coming in at a whopping $11,300, you can’t even drink it. But your bank account is sure to be sucked dry. The fall-themed ring may not smell like cinnamon and cozy fall weather, but it does have a "whipped cream-shaped" center diamond that’s surrounded by white diamonds and orange sapphires encased in a claw that resembles a cup. White diamonds, orange sapphires and emerald shoulder stones decorate the rose gold band. The ring box is made up of a cardboard coffee cup wrap.

AUSTIN, Texas - There are unconfirmed reports of a possible active shooter on the Ascension Seton Northwest Hospital campus.ATCEMS says no patients have been located, treated, or transported, but the scene is active.The Austin Police Department says it responded to a shots fired call at the hospital and as a precaution, the hospital has been placed on lockdown.Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted out about a critical incident at 11113 Research Boulevard service road northbound at around 12:32 p.m.ATCEMS says five ambulances, five commanders, and multiple single-unit response resources have responded.  People are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to allow responders to work the incident. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.

Uganda's health ministry on Twitter today reported four more lab-confirmed Ebola Sudan cases, as well as one more death in a patient with a confirmed infection. The developments push the country's overall total to 54 cases, 35 of them confirmed and 19 listed as probable. The latest death brings Uganda's fatality count to 25, 7 in confirmed patients and 18 in people who had probable infections.Officials said 427 contacts have been ident

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: PnB Rock attends the BET Awards Radio Broadcast Center at Microsoft Theater on June 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for BET) LOS ANGELES - Chilling new details about the final moments of rapper PnB Rock’s life were revealed in court documents as a family of three, including a 17-year-old boy, has become the center of the homicide investigation.Now, authorities are seeking a fourth suspect who may have tipped off the family about the rapper’s whereabouts.The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Allen, was robbed and shot inside Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles in broad daylight in front of his girlfriend, terrified patrons and staff on Sept.

Strictly Come Dancing recruit Kym Marsh has opened up about her hidden health issue as she prepares to perform the Viennese Waltz with Graziano Di Prima on the show.On Friday night, ballroom fans tuned in for the latest instalment of the popular BBC Two spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two.Beloved TV presenter Rylan Clark welcomed viewers back onto the blue sofa where he caught up with two couples on the show to discuss how their training has been going so far.READ MORE:Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin opens up on 'tough week' for partner Ellie SimmondsJoining the 33-year-old on the show was the Waterloo Road star who shared her secret health battle which she has kept quiet throughout her dancing journey.During the candid interview, the mum-of-four confessed that she suffered an ear infection more than six years ago which has permanently affected her balance and has since been diagnosed with visual vertigo.According to the NHS, visual vertigo is a disorder characterised by symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness, disorientation and general discomfort induced by visual triggers.The starlet is set to perform a beautiful routine to the song Runaway by The Corrs tomorrow night and it’s fair to say she is beyond nervous.One of the biggest reasons she has been struggling with this routine is because of the amount of spins which trigger the blonde bombshell to feel extremely dizzy due to her condition.She explained: “Well, you see, I’ve got visual vertigo.

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 30: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf speaks before President Joe Biden takes the stage to speak on his Safer America Plan at the Marts Center on August 30, 2022 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Reading, PA - September 14: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. At the Reading Area Community College campus in Reading, PA Tuesday morning September 14, 2021 where Pennsylvania Gov.