China rubbishes US report on COVID lab-leak theory: 'Pandemic shouldn't be politicised'

(ACCT Philly )PHILADELPHIA - Animal control authorities in Philadelphia are warning residents about the dangers of abandoning animals & pets after a caiman was discovered in a local park. According to the Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly), police called the agency on Sunday morning around 10:30 a.m. to report the reptile, which was abandoned in FDR Park. Agency officials were able to recover the reptile from the park with no injuries. "If you are struggling to keep your pet, or have decided that having an animal who will grow to be 5 feet long, live up to 40 years, and requires a minimum small studio apartment that is half water (kept at a minimum of 70 degrees) was not the wisest decision you made, please DO NOT simply release them," ACCT Philly wrote on Facebook.

New Delhi: As India grapples with a surge in H3N2 influenza cases, health officials are raising concerns about the troubling trend of co-infections with covid-19 New Delhi: As India grapples with a surge in H3N2 influenza cases, health officials are raising concerns about the troubling trend of co-infections with covid-19. Scientists tracking the spread of the influenza virus said there is a need for increased testing amid a sharp rise in ICU admissions, underscoring the severity of the situation. The symptoms of influenza cases are similar to covid-19 and may last two to three weeks.

Travelers wait to check-in at the American Airlines counter at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California, US, on Dec. 27, 2022.

Work from home, moonlighting, quiet quitting, and mass resignation. To add to the trends, a recent ‘way to avoid getting completely burnt out’ is 'Bare Minimum Mondays.  Employees hating to get up and go for work on Mondays, found itself termed as Monday Blues.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said it is easy for people who were involved in the Covid-19 pandemic to come out now and say Ireland should have done things differently.

Ontario’s largest youth group home operators alleging that kids were treated in an “abusive” manner and the company’s key figures “enriched” themselves at the expense of vulnerable children in their care.The Ontario-based law firm Siskinds LLP has launched the suit and is seeking $50 million in general and special damages and an additional $10 million in punitive damages on behalf of children or young persons who have received residential care from Hatts Off.The lead plaintiff is Jamar Morrison, who was 12 years old when he was placed in a Hamilton-area group home operated by Hatts Off.Morrison said he is still traumatized from his time as a resident and often wakes from “night terrors” with images of kids being physically restrained and screams still echoing in his mind.The proposed legal action, he hopes, will be a “wake up” call for all for-profit group home companies across Ontario’s child-welfare system.“Children before money,” Morrison said. “That’s what the overall message is.

A driver landed in the dock after coughing at two police officers during a row over his insurance.

Matt Hancock told aides he wanted to “frighten the pants off everyone” about the Kent variant of Covid to ensure compliance with lockdown rules, leaked messages have revealed. The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show the then-health secretary and others discussing how to use an announcement about the variant to scare the public into changing their behaviour. The messages, among 100,000 passed to the Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, show cabinet secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the “fear” factor would be “vital”.

mental health problems are linked to higher rates of high blood pressure, metabolic disease, and heart disease. The study found that depression symptoms were significant among all patients, whether they were infected with COVID-19 or not.

Also Read: UK health minister Matt Hancock resigns after breaking Covid rules with affair in office Throughout the pandemic, the UK government has been accused of scaremongering, but it has denied such allegations. Hancock's department stated that the accusations were "misleading". The WhatsApp conversation between Hancock and his media adviser, Damon Poole, took place on 13 December 2020, two days after the emergence of the new variant, known as alpha or the Kent variant.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is not “ruling out” making a public inquiry into foreign interference a condition for continuing the governance deal with the federal Liberals, but says that is not a decision he is making just yet.

New Delhi: Many of India’s wealthiest people are leaving their private bubbles to join commoners on commercial flights, as the pandemic fades and airlines get back into rhythm. These wealthy flyers had retreated to business jets during the pandemic to minimize the risk of catching the virus. According to industry data, a passenger on a regular commercial flight risks infection from at least 280 contact points compared with just 40 when flying on private jets.

LOS ANGELES - A high-speed bullet train connecting Southern California to Las Vegas is one step closer to reality after a landmark deal was inked with several craft rail unions that will enable construction for the historic project to begin this year. Brightline, which is reportedly the only private rail company in the U.S., is on track to connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles with a new 218-mile rail system linking stations at the Las Vegas Strip, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga within the I-15 right-of-way with trains capable of speeds of 200 mph.The company recently announced the memorandum with the High Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which includes 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers.Construction on a highly anticipated bullet train from LA to Las Vegas is slated to begin later this yearPREVIOUS COVERAGE: US infrastructure plan spurs talk of Vegas-LA rail service"The MOU demonstrates the support of union labor in the development of the Brightline West system and Brightline West’s commitment to providing the safest possible rail operations and high-quality working conditions for its employees," the company said in a statement.The Brightline train is seen at the new MiamiCentral terminal during the inaugural trip from Miami to West Palm Beach on May 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) According to Brightline, the expected travel time between Las Vegas and Los Angeles is approximately 2.5 hours.

H3N2. The medical body said that the H3N2 has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months and is more fatal than other viruses. According to Dr Arjun Dang, CEO, Dr Dangs Lab, H3N2 Influenza cases are being reported more in comparison to H1N1.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - About 20 cars of a Norfolk Southern cargo train derailed near Springfield Saturday evening, the second derailment of the company's trains in Ohio in a month, officials said. But unlike the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a company spokesperson said there were no hazardous materials aboard the train, The Columbus Dispatch reported.The CEO of the railroad company behind the toxic derailment in Ohio will face lawmakers next week in both Pennsylvania and DC.The train, which did not have passengers, derailed around 5 p.m.

Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway said “the costs go through the roof” when a relative becomes seriously ill, because of ‘the changes you have to make to your home’ and ‘your ability to work’. The TV presenter’s husband Derek Draper, a 55-year-old former political adviser, fell seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020 and has suffered long-lasting damage to his organs and requires daily care. Mum-of-two Kate, who shares daughter Darcey and son William with Derek, has since created two documentaries detailing her family’s life as Derek battles the long-term effects, with both programmes winning a National Television Award in the authored documentary category.

Also Read: Holi 2023: Holi parties in Delhi-NCR that you cannot miss A day ahead of Holi, the state government will distribute laptop and scholarship cheques among 608 children who lost both their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic in the district. These orphaned children will also be covered under the Chief Minister Bal Sewa scheme and will be provided with an assistance of ₹4,000, reported HT.

CENTER CITY - Were you able to get out and enjoy the beauty of the Philadelphia Flower Show, once again, back inside the Philadelphia Convention Center?The nearly two-centuries old event has been a staple in Philadelphia, hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, since 1829, putting its first floral display at the Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street.This year's nine-day event kicked off Saturday at the Convention Center in Center City. It was held in FDR Park, in South Philadelphia, for the last two years, due to COVID-19 concerns.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday that he plans to sign a measure that would effectively ban abortion clinics from operating in the state, meaning hospitals will soon be the only places where they can be provided in the state.After passing through the state Senate on Thursday with minor amendments, it returned to the Utah House of Representatives Friday morning, where it was approved and then sent to the governor for final approval.

Kate Garraway said “the costs go through the roof” when a relative becomes seriously ill, because of ‘the changes you have to make to your home’ and ‘your ability to work’. The TV presenter’s husband Derek Draper, a 55-year-old former political adviser, fell seriously ill with Covid-19 in March 2020 and has suffered long-lasting damage to his organs and requires daily care. Garraway has since created two documentaries detailing her family’s life as Derek battles the long-term effects, with both programmes winning a National Television Award in the authored documentary category.

Matt Hancock expressed concern that a flagship Rishi Sunak policy was contributing to the spread of Covid-19 as the latest set of leaked messages reveal how the pair were at odds during the pandemic.

global health agency also added that the information about the origins of Covid 19 virus is not about blaming someone, but more about advancing our understanding of how this pandemic started. “...and the international scientific community – not so as to apportion blame, but to advance our understanding of how this pandemic started, so we can prevent, prepare for and respond to future epidemics and pandemics" the tweet added.

Good Morning Britain's much-loved presenter Kate Garraway has revealed the shocking financial cost of caring for her husband Derek, who has remained seriously ill since contracting long-Covid three years ago. Speaking to The Sun this week, the mum-of-two, 55, described everyday as a "roller-coaster", unsure whether Derek's health will improve or decline from one day to the next.

Covid-19 patients who were symptomatic were poor on two computer based tasks, one which measures inhibition and the other impulsive decision making. The study said that compared to people who were not infected with Covid, the infected lack increase in oxygen saturation in an area of the brain that is usually engaged during the tasks.

Maharashtra in the last 24 hours and one reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country's infection tally stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,87,496).

A Lanarkshire charity that supports people's mental health through music has launched more meet-ups at a new location.

A Russian virologist who one of the scientist who helped develop Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine was found dead in his Moscow apartment, the Russian Media has reported.  It was found that he was strangled to death with a belt in his Moscow apartment and a murder investigation launched on this.    Andrey Botikov, 48, was one of the 18 scientist who developed Sputnik V vaccine at the Gamaleya National Research Center.  According to some local media reports, a intruder had broke into his home and started asking for money. According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, on March 2, 2023, in an apartment building located on Rogova Street in Moscow, a 29-year-old young man, during an argument, strangled the 47-year-old owner of the apartment with a belt and fled the scene.

CHICAGO - The man accused of killing Chicago police officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was ordered held without bond Friday afternoon after prosecutors disclosed new details of the deadly confrontation near a playground at a grade school in Gage Park.A Cook County judge denied bond to Steven Montano who has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm and two other misdemeanors seaming from the Wednesday shooting.The decision happened roughly an hour after the body of Vasquez Lasso was taken with a police escort from the Cook County medical examiner's office to a funeral home in Oak Lawn.Montano, 18, is charged with gunning down Vasquez-Lasso as he was being chased by the officer in the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue near Sawyer Elementary School.During the bond hearing, prosecutors said Montano and a 37-year-old woman he was dating began arguing about their relationship and living arrangement.An 18-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of a Chicago police officer in the city's Gage Park neighborhood.Montano allegedly tried to strike his girlfriend who stepped out of the way, according to the bond proffer. Montano then threatened to get his gun. Montano's girlfriend exited the home and called 911 to report he had a gun, prosecutors said.

Ke Huy Quan is opening up about the dilemmas over health insurance in the entertainment industry.

Before “Everything Everywhere All at Once” hit the big screen last year, bringing nothing but praise and success to Ke Huy Quan and his co-stars, the actor was faced with a few setbacks.

foreign interference efforts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.Trudeau made the comments to reporters in Winnipeg on Friday as pressure grows on the federal government to call a public inquiry over reports of attempted Chinese interference in Canadian elections and society.“We know that Chinese Canadian parliamentarians, and Chinese Canadians in general, are greater targets for interference by China than others,” he said.“We know the same goes for Iranian Canadians, who are more subject to interference from the Iranian government. Russian speakers in Canada are more vulnerable to Russian misinformation and disinformation, and we get updated regularly on how we can make sure that our integrity and that the work that Canadians do to serve in politics is done with full protections.” Read more: Most Canadians believe China did try to interfere in elections - poll Trudeau had been asked a question regarding a Global News investigative report that cited information from intelligence officials who allegedly provided Trudeau’s party with an urgent, classified briefing in late September 2019 regarding Toronto-area Liberal candidate Han Dong.The sources said that over the summer, CSIS had been tracking Dong — a former Ontario Liberal MPP — because they were concerned he had replaced Don Valley North Liberal incumbent Geng Tan under what they thought were suspicious circumstances.They were concerned that Dong was believed to be the favoured candidate of officials in the Toronto Chinese consulate, according to an official with direct awareness of the alleged threat brief about Dong.Responding to questions from Global News for the story, Dong has denied the allegations and on Monday stated he would defend himself.

A major winter storm is set to move into southern Ontario on Friday and Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell says many areas may see more snow than initially expected.

A new report is suggesting that Justin Bieber wasn’t the one responsible for the decision to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

World Health Organization (WHO) is still working to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, its director general said on Friday, after a U.S. agency was reported to have assessed the pandemic had likely been caused by a Chinese laboratory leak.

(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) HARRISBURG, Pa. - Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he will propose a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers, police officers and nurses when the Democrat unveils his budget plan on Tuesday.The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing difficulty in filling critical positions in public safety, health and education, administration officials said."The trend lines on all three of these are getting worse," Shapiro said Friday during a regularly scheduled appearance on KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh.

School trips to the fire station were once the norm before the Covid pandemic and have since struggled to make a full return, until now.

If a pandemic were to occur, there are tools available to combat the disease, including approved human vaccines against avian flu and the use of antiviral drugs The largest bird flu outbreaks in recorded history have brought back the fear of another pandemic. Dr.

Hoda Kotb made a brief appearance on Friday's episode of the show in a pre-taped interview with John Easterling and Chloe Lattanzi, the husband and daughter of the late Olivia Newton-John.The 58-year-old newswoman has been noticeably absent from live segments of the NBC morning show for more than a week. Kotb's co-anchors shared earlier this week that she is «OK,» but is dealing with «a family health matter,» and will be back on the show soon.During Friday's episode, Sheinelle Jones introduced Kotb's interview saying her co-anchor «recently» spoke to Newton-John's family.

The partygate inquiry has stated that there are strong suggestions that breaches of Covid rules would have been "obvious" to Boris Johnson.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore the urgent need for pandemic preparedness and health system strengthening around the world and was a stark reminder that pandemic preparedness is a global public good New Delhi : The World Bank and India on Friday signed two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and boost the country’s public healthcare system. Through this combined financing of $1 billion, World Bank will support India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), to improve public healthcare infrastructure across the country, the multi-lateral agency said in a statement.

If infection between species and individuals is repeated, the possibility of another variant increases, expert said Transmission of deadly coronavirus, including severe delta variant, is seen among dogs and now, many scientists are worried that new variants can emerge if it is not tackled tactfully.  A recent study conducted by South Korean researchers has found that certain variants of Covid-19, including the severe Delta variant, can be transmitted between dogs. Led by Professor Song Dae-sub of Seoul National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and researcher Yoo Kwang-soo of Jeonbuk National University, the study is the first of its kind to find transmission among dogs.

PHILADELPHIA - A group of Philadelphia teens are coming together to host a play that addresses traumatic issues facing the city's youth, including gun violence and conflict resolution. The Childhood Lost Chronicles will be held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on South Broad Street next weekend, a culmination of rehearsals that have been happening since November. "I feel good, I'm ready to do it," 16-year-old Nadhir Mapp said. He hopes the play makes impressionable audience members remember "how the littlest things can change someone's life.""I just hope when they see it that they have that in their mind for the future that it's not that big of a deal, I don't want to lose my life over something that small," Mapp said.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESBrothers Kaliek Hayes and Stephen Gardner are the founders of Childhood Lost Foundation, and co-produce the play.

a study published in 2022, more than a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. That can include being in loud bars, at concerts or sporting events, or even just listening to music in headphones or earbuds that are turned up too loud."We need our physicians to be talking about it.

FILE - A woman gets care at a facility that offers care to patients with overweight issues or obesity, and related pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or hypertension. (SULIANE FAVENNEC/AFP via Getty Images)A startling new report may be putting a lot of people on notice.Without significant action to change this trajectory, more than half the world's population will be overweight or obese by 2035, according to a new report.The World Obesity Federation's 2023 atlas is predicting that 51% of the world, or more than 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight within the next 12 years, according to Reuters.NORTH CAROLINA MAN, ONCE OBESE, INSPIRED BY NAVY SEAL TO QUIT DRINKING, GET FIT AND RADICALLY ALTER HIS LIFEObesity rates are rising especially quickly among children and in lower income countries, the report found.Saying that the data represents a "clear warning," Louise Baur, president of the World Obesity Federation, said in a statement that policymakers must act with haste to prevent the situation from getting any worse.FILE - A 10-year-old from Indonesia has weighed in at an unbelievable 192kg (423lbs).

WALTERBORO, S.C. (AP) - Disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the shooting deaths of his wife and son in a case that chronicled the unraveling of a powerful Southern family with tales of privilege, greed and addiction.The jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding Murdaugh guilty of two counts of murder at the end of a six-week trial.Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison without parole when he is sentenced, which in South Carolina is typically right after the verdict but can be delayed if a judge chooses.RELATED: Alex Murdaugh murder trial: What the trial says about usA defense lawyer for Murdaugh said Thursday that state agents were so determined to get the disgraced South Carolina attorney convicted of murder in the killings of his wife and son that they lied about or misrepresented evidence.When closing arguments wrapped up, the judge turned Murdaugh's fate over to jurors after giving them his final instructions, and they headed to their jury room to begin deliberations.Attorney Jim Griffin gave the defense's closing, emphasizing Murdaugh's main point — that investigators focused solely on him and conducted the investigation so poorly that any evidence pointing to someone else, like fingerprints or possible DNA on Maggie or Paul Murdaugh's clothing, was never gathered."How could he have butchered Maggie and Paul without leaving a trace of evidence within a matter of minutes?" Griffin said.Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted.

PHILADELPHIA - Students at a Philadelphia high school were abruptly moved to remote learning when the presence of asbestos was found in the building during a Tuesday night inspection. The Building 21 School in the city's West Oak Lane section will remain closed for the rest of the week after asbestos was found in stairwells and the auditorium. The School District of Philadelphia says it's working to clear the hazardous material, but they did not offer a timetable about when the job will be complete.Before the coronavirus pandemic, a dozen Philadelphia schools closed between 2019 and 2020 due to the presence of asbestos. District teachers say it's a health hazard that must be addressed. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"You come in here, and you try to teach the kids, but you've got to worry about your own health, and their health, and there ain't nothing being done," Robert Smith said. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan says a lack of funding for school maintenance has caused problems like asbestos to keep reoccurring. "Our buildings have been neglected because of the lack of budget to keep them in good repair, this unfortunately happened," Jordan said.A recent court decision in Pennsylvania called state funding of Philadelphia school unconstitutional, but Senator Vincent Hughes has crafted a bill that he believes will provide appropriate funding."It provides $1B to fix up toxic and broken schools, it provides $2.15B – the largest increase in equity and adequacy funding in Pennylvania's history – to make our schools in compliance with the state's constitution," Senator Hughes said. He was optimistic that he could get newly-elected Pennsylvania Gov.

HONG KONG - A gruesome murder case that happened in the former British colony of Hong Kong has sent shockwave throughout Asia and the rest of the world.According to officials with the Hong Kong Police Force, four people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Abby Choi, a model and social media influencer who was known amongst the city's rich and famous.Here's what you should know about the murder.(This story contains details that some may find disturbing. Discretion is advised)While statements issued by officials with the Hong Kong Police Force did not identify the victim, Hong Kong English newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP) has identified the victim as Abby Choi Tin-fung.The Associated Press, along with Hong Kong Chinese news website HK01, have also identified the victim as Abby Choi.According to Hong Kong Police, Choi was last seen during the afternoon hours on this day.In an article published by SCMP, it is stated that Choi was set to pick up a daughter she had with her ex-husband, but the child was never picked up.A missing person's report, according to police, was filed on Feb.

New Delhi: P&G India is evaluating bringing more nutraceutical and wellness products into India as the pandemic has led to a jump in demand for such products New Delhi: P&G India is evaluating bringing more nutraceutical and wellness products into India as the pandemic has led to a jump in demand for such products. It recently launched sleeping gummies under its Vicks brand; more products under the wellness portfolio such as multi-vitamins and supplements could come to India, said a top executive at the company. “We are definitely considering from a portfolio point of view in the future as well.