COVID-19 in India may have originated from EU, Middle East: IISc Bengaluru study

COLOMBO (News 1st); The report on Sri Lanka compiled by the Human Right’s High Commissioner will be debated at the 49th sessions of the Human Rights Council Sessions  due to be held on 3rd of March.According to an article published on the Sunday Times, the UNHRC report has scrutinized the conduct of the Attorney General’s Department in Sri Lanka.The report was forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (14).Ministry officials had then studied the reports and sent to Geneva the Government’s observations and explanations on several issues raised.The article on the Sunday Times highlights that this year’s report delves at length with the Government’s failure to make changes to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to meet international standards.It adds that the UNHRC is not pleased with the amendments that are now pending before Parliament and is displeased that necessary changes have not been effected despite repeated assurances by the Government.According to the Article, another area dealt with in the report is the April 21st attacks.It also includes a call for the Attorney General’s Department to function independently.There will be no voting at the UNHRC’s 49th sessions which begin on February 28th. However, the meeting is a precursor to another Resolution on Sri Lanka in September, due this year.

One of Canada’s busiest commercial truck border crossings was closed again Saturday as anti-mandate protesters swarmed the route leading to the Pacific Highway crossing in Surrey. Kamil Karamali reports.

Ukraine has received a plane load of machine guns, surveillance gear and rifles as part of a Canadian military assistance package, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted Saturday the province will file a court challenge of the federal government’s Emergencies Act in the wake of convoy protests in Ottawa.

A protest that closed the main crossing between Alberta and the United States may have ended this week, but there’s some concern it has created a different kind of division in the border community caught in the middle of the dispute.

Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to updated data by Union Health Ministry. The number of recoveries reported in the last 24 hours stood at 48,847, taking the total recoveries to 4,20,86,383. The number of Covid-19 deaths reported in last 24 hours stood at 673, taking the total death toll to 5,11,903. 

COLOMBO (News 1st): It is important to introduce ethics for social media usage, Shehan Semasinghe, the State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self Employment, and Business Development said. He pointed out that social media is being used to circulate misinformation.“Certain people have taken the lead in tarnishing Sri Lanka’s reputation with regard to Human Rights, every time the Geneva Human Rights Council session is there. This is because they cannot stand the revival of a collapsed economy,” State Minister Semasinghe emphasized.Thereby, he highlighted the need to introduce social media ethics, since the use of social media for personal gains may negatively impact the country on the diplomatic front.He shared these remarks at an event held in Anuradhapura.

Police officers appeared to be shifting strategy Saturday in Ottawa as they worked to clear the remaining protesters from the area, arresting 170 over two days. The slow methodical approach that we saw from police Friday seemed to be replaced with a much tougher line today.

The streets in Ottawa are starting to look more bare and normal. Police warned demonstrators in the evening that it is “unsafe to stay.” “Get out of the cold and cease further unlawful activity.

Police and protesters faced off for a second straight day in the nation’s capital and at times those tensions erupted into violence, but tonight it appears the Ottawa occupation is into its final hours. Police and protesters are accusing each other of abusive behaviour after a day that saw officers reclaim the street in front of Parliament Hill.

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

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

COVID-19 public health measures descended on Quebec City on Saturday for the second weekend this month.Inspired by the so-called Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa, horns could be heard as several dozen vehicles, including trucks and tractors, arrived outside the provincial legislature late Saturday morning.It was a mostly festive atmosphere, as some people were dressed up in cartoon character costumes, stuffed animals were handed out to children and music played.It was the second large demonstration against public health measures in the province in two weeks.Since the last one in early February, the Quebec government announced it is phasing out its vaccine passport system and intends to get rid of most COVID-19 health measures by March 14.But protest organizers, addressing the crowd outside the legislature, said they wanted more concessions from the provincial government.Organizer Bernard Gauthier called the tone of the protest “peaceful,” adding he hoped the provincial government would return the favour without specifying any demands.Meanwhile, others called for an end to the provincially-declared health emergency and mandatory masks for school-aged children.Demonstrator Christian Martel said he wanted to see an end to mandatory masking in classrooms.“The pandemic is over, we have to end everything. We’re tired, it’s enough,” said Martel.Some demonstrators said they would also like assurance that the vaccine passport system would not return.Last week, Quebec announced it would be phasing out vaccine passports, but Health Minister Christian Dubé warned it would reimpose the passport system if it’s needed during a new wave of COVID-19.

Police officers in Ottawa have arrested dozens more protesters on Saturday. Sean O’Shea is in the thick of things and brings us the latest.

Jammu and Kashmir.

From Monday morning, rapid antigen tests will be made available at all Auckland testing sites to those who fit the appropriate clinical criteria. The site will determine which test  (PCR or a rapid antigen test) is best for you Access to rapid antigen t

Hebert was diagnosed in August 2021 as having long COVID, which refers to COVID-19 symptoms that persist well beyond two weeks — the time by which most people have recovered from the disease. With concerns being raised about the Omicron variant fuelling a spike in long COVID cases, health experts say Quebec does not have the resources to help people like Hebert or the many others who have survived the disease but remain seriously injured.Dr.

Provincial officials have loosened capacity restrictions this week in a number of settings. This, as vaccine passports are also soon going to be a thing of the past. Brittany Rosen reports.

The legal duty to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus will end next week, the Prime Minister is due to announce.

Prince Albert of Monaco is giving an update on his wife Princess Charlene’s health.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell has responded to a question about an incident involving police-mounted horses on Friday. Bell said “there was two members of the protesters who did collide with the horses.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Saturday reviews of video footage will be done to ensure the “lawful amount of force was used” as police moved to clear anti-mandate protesters from the streets of Ottawa.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell provided an update on operations to clear out anti-mandate protesters from the streets of Ottawa saying they’ve made “important progress,” arresting 47 demonstrators Saturday for a total of 170.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said on Saturday that police were documenting the protests with the intent of pursuing financial penalties and criminal charges against those who have participated.

ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug, does not prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms.The study was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine Friday.For the study, Malaysian researchers enrolled 490 patients with mild to moderate illness at 20 hospitals and a COVID-19 quarantine center in Malaysia.

Smoke bombs disperse protesters as police including the RCMP clear Wellington Street in front of Parliament. Protesters from the "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa are moved from Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill by police officers after blockadi ((Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images))OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Hundreds of police in riot gear swept through the streets of Canada’s besieged capital Saturday, arresting or driving out protesters, towing away their trucks and finally retaking control of the streets in front of the country’s Parliament buildings.With protesters in clear retreat under the increasing pressure of one of the largest police operations in Canada’s history, authorities’ hopes were rising for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said that while some smaller protests continued "this unlawful occupation is over.

CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A man has been arrested for his role in an armed robbery that happened in Caln Township early Saturday. Police say Bilal Weidler, 19, was taken into custody while he was fleeing on his bike after he attempted to commit an armed robbery at knifepoint at the Turkey Hill on the 500 Bondsville Road. According to authorities, while the defendant was committing the robbery and directing the cashier to the register, a customer walking into the store startled Weidler. This caused him to flee prior to taking any items or money. Weidler then fled on a bicycle and was apprehended shortly after by Caln police that were responding to the scene a short distance away. Accordinig to authorities, Weidler was wearing a mask that was identifical to a mask worn during another knifepoint robbery that was committed at the same store earlier this month on Feb.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Miami Beach police say two people are in stable condition after a helicopter crashed into the ocean Saturday afternoon near 10th street.The crash happened around 1:10 p.m. local time.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Brian Flores is back in the NFL.The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh’s linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J.

NEWARK, Del. - Police say a 30-year-old Maryland man was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Delaware. The man was riding his bike on Salem Church Road in Newark at about 10:15 p.m. Friday when the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu behind him attempted to pass him. Delaware State Police said that at the same time, the bicyclist veered to the left and was hit by the front passenger side of the car. The impact knocked the man off his bike and into the northbound lane. The bicyclist, of Elkton, Maryland, was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he later died.

anti-government protest on Parliament Hill, Pat King and Tamara Lich, will be appearing in court for their bail hearing on Tuesday.Ottawa police say King, 44, faces charges of mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct police.King, who hails from Red Deer, Alta., livestreamed his own arrest on Facebook on Friday, and he remains in jail until his bail hearing Tuesday.King is among the more than 100 people police say they have arrested as part of a massive police operation to clear demonstrators who have been blockading Parliament Hill for nearly four weeks.Ottawa police say convoy blockade ‘aggressive,’ one arrested after gas launchedLich already appeared in court Saturday — wearing a mask — for her bail hearing but an Ontario judge said she will decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail to Lich.That means the 49-year-old Alberta woman will be returned to the local Ottawa detention centre until then.Lich, who has been in jail since Thursday night, was charged with counselling to commit mischief in connection with the protests.Decision on convoy organizer Tamara Lich bail will not come until Tuesday morning. She’s been in jail since Thursday night.

Tensions were high Saturday between police and protesters in Ottawa, as officers fired tear gas into the crowd.

WILLINGBORO, N.J. - Officials announced Saturday two people have been charged in connection to the fatal shooting on a teenager earlier in February in the parking lot of a Willingboro shopping center. The investigation began February 11 when officers from the Willingboro Township Police Department were called to the Kennedy Plaza in the 400 block of John F. Kennedy Way just after 7:30 p.m.

BLACKWOOD, N.J. - A construction worker is hospitalized Saturday after he was struck by a vehicle in Gloucester Township.The incident happened overnight in the southbound lanes of Route 42 in the Blackwood section. Police say shortly after midnight, a male construction worker who was working on road repairs with other crew members was struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle fled the scene, according to authorities, but police went on a pursuit of the vehicle and were able to catch it a short distance away. A 58-year-old man was arrested. The victim was transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden where he remains in critical, but stable condition. ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

PHILADELPHIA - A man has died following a shooting in the Kensington section of the city. The shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. at Albert and Kensington Avenues. Police say the 32-year-old man was shot on time in the right chest.

Widespread condemnation of the violent attack on a Coastal GasLink pipeline worksite near Houston, B.C., including from the local first nation.

COVID-19, down by six since Friday.In an abbreviated news release, the province said the hospitalizations include 12 people in ICU. The age range of those in hospital is listed as 0 to 93 years old, with a median age of 63.In addition to the people admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, there are 128 patients who were identified as positive upon arrival at hospital but were admitted for another medical reason, or were admitted for COVID-19 but no longer need specialized care.

TRENTON - Gas prices continue to rise in New Jersey as crude oil prices remain high amid ongoing global tensions related to uncertainty over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $3.61, up five cents from last week. Drivers were paying an average of $2.72 a gallon a year ago at this time. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.52, up four cents from last week.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment said Friday it will discontinue the proof of vaccination requirement for fans entering its venues beginning March 1.MLSE owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts. The move comes following an announcement from the Ontario government earlier this week that it planned to slightly accelerate plans to ease attendance limits at indoor sports events.Initially permitted capacity was going to rise to 50 per cent Monday and 100 per cent March 14.

COVID-19 and a 45-patient drop in hospitalizations on Saturday.The health department says 1,789 patients are currently in hospital, with 120 of those listed in intensive care, an increase of one.#COVID19 – En date du 18 février, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/pwoUoaBgaF pic.twitter.com/JAT4prnDoi— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 19, 2022Health authorities say there are 1,736 new COVID-19 cases based on PCR testing limited to certain groups, with a test positivity rate of 9.2 per cent.According to the Health Department, 91 per cent of Quebecers five and older have received one dose of vaccine, 86 per cent have received two doses while 50 per cent have received a booster dose.As of Saturday, authorities have opened booster appointments to those aged 12 to 17.The province estimates just under 518,000 Quebecers aged 18 and older remain unvaccinated.

A Family Dollar store is seen in Orlando, Florida on March 6, 2019, the day that Dollar Tree announced it will close up to 390 Family Dollar stores and rebrand about 200 stores as Dollar Tree stores, as Dollar Tree reported a $2.3 billion loss. The US Food and Drug Administration issued an alert Friday that products at hundreds of Family Dollar stores could be potentially contaminated due to unsanitary conditions at one of the company’s distribution facilities. An FDA inspection at a distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas in January 2022 found unsanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation, that could cause many of the products, such as foods and medicines, to be contaminated.The products were purchased from Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times in the Hunting Park section of the city.The shooting happened at approximately 5:09 a.m.

PARIS (AP) - A modeling agent who was close to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead Saturday in his French jail cell, where he was being held in an investigation into the rape of minors and trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.Victims of the alleged abuse described shock and dismay that the agent, Jean-Luc Brunel, will never face trial.

COVID-19 vaccine in the fall, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

MUNICH (AP) - Vice President Kamala Harris warned Russia on Saturday that it will face "unprecedented" financial penalties if it invades Ukraine and predicted that such an attack would draw European allies closer to the United States.Harris spoke at the annual Munich Security Conference the day after President Joe Biden said he was "convinced" that Russia's Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade neighboring Ukraine."Let me be clear, I can say with absolute certainty: If Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States, together with our allies and partners, will impose significant, and unprecedented economic costs," Harris said.Harris aimed to make the case to a largely European audience that the West has "strength through unity" and that an invasion would likely lead to an even bigger NATO presence on Russia’s doorstep.Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014, and pro-Russia separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces in the country’s east for almost eight years. The United States and the European Union previously sanctioned Russia over its seizure of Crimea.Western fears of an invasion have escalated in recent months as Russia amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.RELATED: What's happening between Russia and Ukraine? Things to know as tension grinds onHarris said the Biden administration, along with its allies, had tried to engage with Moscow in good faith to find a diplomatic resolution but that effort was not met by the Kremlin in good faith."Russia continues to say it is ready to talk while at the same time it narrows the avenues for diplomacy," Harris said.

SAN FRANCISCO - Every day, DNA is routed through local, state and federal databases to identify suspected criminals. A technological breakthrough that’s allowed law enforcement to solve unprecedented numbers of crimes, its use has simultaneously garnered praise along with major privacy concerns.But this week’s revelation that the San Francisco police crime lab used a sexual assault victim’s DNA against her in an unrelated property crime case — and the allegation that it may be a common practice in California — has prompted a national outcry among law enforcement, legal experts, lawmakers and advocates.Police investigators allegedly used a sexual assault victim’s DNA, collected as part of a rape kit in 2016, to tie her to a burglary in late 2021, according to District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Cynthia Perkins, 36, pleaded guilty to sex crimes. A disgraced Louisiana teacher will spend decades behind bars after pleading guilty to "horrific crimes" against children and admitted to serving her students cupcakes that contained sperm from her ex-husband, who is awaiting his own trial on child sex crime charges.Cynthia Perkins, 36, agreed to plead guilty and testify against her ex, 44-year-old former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT member Dennis Perkins, who is also charged with dozens of child sex crimes, according to prosecutors.She was sentenced Friday to 41 years at hard labor without parole, according to local media.Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersPrior to sentencing, the 36-year-old issued an apology to her victims.Perkins pleaded guilty to second-degree rape, production of child pornography, and conspiracy mingling of harmful substances."She not only waived any right to appeal, and attempt to avoid conviction, but she also spared the victims from reliving her horrific crimes during this particular trial," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Monday.