COVID-19 suppression 'only viable strategy at the current time'

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COLOMBO (News 1st); According to a request made by present Commander of Air Force, Air Marshal Sudharshana Pathirana after assuming duties at the office for a dedicated maritime surveillance aircraft on Gratis basis (with relevant surveillance equipment onboard), United States (US) government has agreed to provide Qty 02 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under Foreign Military Sales Contract in strengthening the maritime surveillance capability in Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to ensure the maritime security in the region.SLAF requested Beechcraft 360ER twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Textron Aviation which is a light transport aircraft certified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in United States and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).SLAF has been operating Beechcraft B-200 aircraft over period of decades which is earlier versions of Beechcraft family, has accumulated ample experiences on operational and maintenance aspects.The established operational and maintenance capabilities are one of main advantage that SLAF possesses in future operation of new B-360ER aircraft.These two (2) maritime surveillance aircraft (Beechcraft 360ER) would be delivered in term of 100% free grant (Free of Charge) from government of US to Sri Lankan government through Foreign Military Sales Contract to be operated by SLAF.These aircraft will be deployed for the maritime surveillance operations which is a demanding requirement in present day context that was heavily urged for respond maritime disasters (Ex: MT New Diamond and X Press Pearl), assisting deep sea rescue missions, monitor illegal fishing activities and to assist Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in combating transnational crimes including

The Queen's Covid diagnosis has forced the Royal Family to face the 'cold hard reality' of their precarious situation, an expert has claimed.In one of the most tumultuous periods for the Queen and fellow royals in living memory, the family has had to absorb Harry and Meghan quitting, the death of Prince Phillip, and more recently the allegations made against Prince Andrew.And according to Royal expert Daniela Elser, the latest news that the Queen has Covid will make projecting stability to the British public an even harder job.Following the Queen's diagnosis, Buckingham Palace put out a short statement, that many including Daniela Elser took umbrage with.It read: "Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for Covid.“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines."The brevity of the statement rankled many, and writing in NewsAu, Elsner delivered her riposte.She said: "Buckingham Palace might be resolutely intent on projecting an image of a united royal family cheerily getting on with the job – but that blithe optimism looks like it’s increasingly flying in the face of cold hard reality."The commentator added that the short statement over the monarch's diagnosis was telling for the precious 'situation' the royal family is in.She added: "This whole situation highlights what is only going to become a more pressing and painful headache for the royal house, which is, how to manage news about Her Majesty’s health."The news of the Queen's illness comes just days after she was pictured using a walking stick.

Omicron BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1, it will not cause another surge, a COVID task force clarified and added that those who have been infected by BA.1 might not be infected by stealth Omicron. This comes at a time when recent lab studies indicated that the recently identified subvariant could cause as severe infections as the Delta and other variants. 

Shocking — and, frankly, disturbing — security camera footage has captured the moment hundreds of birds fell out of the sky in Mexico.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russia on Sunday rescinded earlier pledges to pull tens of thousands of its troops back from Ukraine's northern border, a move that U.S. leaders said put Russia another step closer to what they said was the planned invasion of Ukraine.

JENKINTOWN, Pa. - Scores of people gathered in Washington DC Sunday in support of Ukraine and many of them from the Delaware Valley. Several FOX 29 spoke to have family and friends in Ukraine.Buses filled with Ukrainian activists from the Philadelphia area pulled into the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Abington after a day of protest at the Lincoln Memorial amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine."I sure hope peace is possible," Natalie Firko commented.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has directed the Ceylon Electricity Board to adjust the island-wide rotational power shedding for Monday (21) to facilitate ongoing GCE AL exams.Therefore 2-hour power cuts will take place from 4.30 PM to 10.30 PM.Power-Interruption-Schedule-21-02-2021-1 

RCMP officers are hunting for suspects after a brazen attack on the work site of a natural gas pipeline. Coastal GasLink says its facility and nine workers were attacked early Thursday morning.

Police have cleared the main convoy protest zone, as MPs continue to debate invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair about the police clearing out the main area of the Ottawa convoy protest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy brought ashore an ill fisherman in the high seas and rushed him to hospital for treatment on Monday (21st February 2022).The fisherman who was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler, in seas about 115 nautical miles (about 213 km) off the Galle Lighthouse, had suddenly fallen ill and was in need of medical attention.The particular multiday fishing trawler ‘Raja 01’ (Reg No IMUL-A-0105 KLT) was on a fishing voyage leaving the Galle fisheries harbour on 08th February 2022.Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources disseminated the situation of this ill fisherman, who was aboard the trawler, to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters.In response to a request for assistance, Sri Lanka Navy sent out the Fast Attack Craft P 485 of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) attached to the Southern Naval Command to bring the ill fisherman ashore for treatment.Having taken over the patient, the Navy transferred him to the Galle Harbour administering first aid and subsequently, he was rushed to the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle for further treatment.Besides, the Navy stays prepared to respond to eventualities of this nature, with a view to assisting naval and fishing communities in distress in Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region.

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NEW CASTLE, Del. - A family is searching for answers after a 21-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run in New Castle, Delaware.Mary Spampinato-Moses said her child was born Isabella Spampinato and identified as Matthew.On Saturday, Moses and her husband came up from Georgia to walk the route Matthew walked before he was hit and killed on Feb. 9 and with every step they take on Matthew’s final route, they think about what the world lost.MORE HEADLINES "I’m so angry right now," said Spampinato-Moses.

Steve Fonyo, the B.C. cancer survivor who ran across Canada with a prosthetic leg a teen has died at 56, friends and family have confirmed.

Roughly a week after protesters started to gather in large numbers at the Coutts border crossing, Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs sought assistance from Ottawa, Global News has learned.

Ontario’s civilian police watchdog is probing incidents involving Vancouver police and a horse-mounted officer with the Toronto police over incidents during enforcement at the Ottawa COVID-19 mandate protests.

The federal government will continue to implement never-before-used powers under the Emergencies Act as long “as they are required” to help end the illegal blockade of the national capital, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC said the government has no control over how evidence is led with regard to the cases filed over the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.“Cases are filed by the Attorney General’s Department and the leading of evidence is an independent act by the Attorney General,” he told reporters on Sunday (20).He said the main case is yet to be taken up for trial and it is the judiciary that must act independently on these cases.The Justice Minister also dismissed claims that the government was concealing evidence from the prosecution, however, there are some documents only with the Attorney General and the President as they relate to national security.“The President will decide if those documents need to be disclosed,” he told reporters, adding that the Presidential Commission itself had requested for the documents to be considered before disclosing them.However, those documents do not relate to evidence concealment, said the Justice Minister.

healthcare spending and demand for Covid tests led to multifold share-price gains for pathology firms globally during the pandemic. Those gains have started to fade as outbreaks ease and countries look to reopen, while concerns over higher interest rates have sparked a flight from risky investments including biotech.

A rise in problem drinking during the Covid lockdown is being tackled by the Scottish whisky industry.

The Mounted Public Order Unit rides through a crowd of police and protesters in Ottawa on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Over 6.4 Million people have been administered with the booster dose against COVID-19.In the meantime, the Director-General of Health Services confirmed another 25 COVID-19 deaths for Saturday (19).Among them are 17 women and 8 men and 12 of the fatalities were between the ages of 30 and 59.Another 1,231 COVID-19 infections were identified on Sunday (20).

Many residents of Ottawa are breathing a sigh of relief tonight after three weeks about complaints of harassment, noise and unease during the demonstration. Sean O’Shea joins us from inside the security zone.

For the first time in more than three weeks the streets of downtown Ottawa are largely quiet and calm. The police operation isn’t over yet as officers remain in the area around Parliament Hill clearing out the last of the protesters and working to ensure they can’t return.

Weeks of protests and counter protests have exposed deep divisions in this country, particularly over pandemic health measures. In Alberta where the Coutts border crossing was blocked by demonstrators, the Edmonton police chief issued a plea to the public.

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Philadelphia Police investigate a suspicious death in Fairmount. FAIRMOUNT - Police in Philadelphia are investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Fairmount section.Investigators say someone found human remains near Brewery Hill and Kelly Drive.

Teen Mom‘ star Jenelle Evans is revealing shocking news to her social media followers concerning her health. For the past several months Jenelle has been staying busy seeing doctor after doctor due to her long list of health issues.Both Jenelle Evans and her husband David Eason have been asking their social media followers and fans for prayers.

Narendra Modi on Sunday took to Twitter to wish a speedy recovery to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II who is reportedly suffering from Covid-19. PM Modi, quoting a tweet by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said in a tweet, "I wish Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth a speedy recovery and pray for her good health."

WILMINGTON, Del. - Wilmington Police are investigating a shooting incident that happened Sunday evening. The shooting happened at approximately 5:16 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Austin Cindric drove his brand new NASCAR ride to victory in the Daytona 500 to celebrate team owner Roger Penske's 85th birthday.Cindric drove a masterful race at Daytona International Speedway and the Ford drivers synched their strategy all week, then executed their plan to perfection Sunday night. The blue oval drivers pushed each other over 500 miles and were bunched together for the final restart in overtime.Cindric was the leader on the restart from the top lane and pulled out to a sizeable gap.

More than 2.1 million booster shots have now been given nationally, with more than 15,000 administered on Sunday.

The three coalition leaders will consider the Government's approach to the lifting of mandatory mask wearing later today, ahead of a Cabinet decision tomorrow.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris will lead the Sri Lanka Delegation to the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.The 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council will take place from 28 February to 1 April, 2022 in Geneva. During the Session the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will present a written update on Sri Lanka to the Council and there will be an Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka on 3 March, 2022.Foreign Minister Prof G.L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); An anarchic situation has arisen in the country again, says His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo. Participating in the annual feast held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Kalutara, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stated that murder, theft, injustice, injustice, lawlessness, powerful being overprivileged, corruption, and terror are all on the rise again.It is our duty to change this, he reiterated. Meanwhile, a number of such incidents were reported from the Matugama area in the last few days while underworld gangs carried out terror activities centered in Matugama, Kalutara and Panadura areas. Underworld activities such as extortion were seen taking place due to disputes between two rival gangs in the area, when a man who was armed with a sword attacked several shops in the Matugama area in February.Moreover, two unidentified masked gunmen stormed a house on Gamini Mawatha in Matugama and attempted to kill four persons, including two children on 15th February, which resulted in a woman being murdered.On 10th February, Abba, a drug dealer, was shot dead by STF personnel at a house on Isurusiri Mawatha, Egoda Uyana in Moratuwa during a special operation.Underoworld activities in Matugama, Kalutara and Panadura areas have recorded a rise within the past month.

BRIDGWATER, N.J. - A New Jersey teen involved in a mall fight says police were wrong to treat him differently than the other youth involved in the altercation, who is Black.Video posted online last week shows an officer tackling and handcuffing the Black 14-year-old at the Bridgewater Commons Mall. A second officer pushes the 15-year-old onto a couch but doesn't restrain him.The incident has prompted an internal affairs investigation and calls for disciplining the officers.

The Prime Minister is expected to revoke all coronavirus regulations that restrict public freedoms in England when he lays out his vision for the future on Monday.

RELATED: Justin Bieber postpones Las Vegas show after COVID-19 outbreak among teamCOVID-19 hospitalizations are down from a national seven-day average of 146,534 on Jan. 20 to 80,185 the week ending in Feb 13, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID data tracker.As new variant continue to spread across the U.S., we talk with doctors about how to live with the virus now and in the future.Public health experts say they are feeling hopeful that more declines are ahead and that the country is shifting from being in a pandemic to an ‘endemic’ that is more consistent and predictable.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Sunday that they “have active intelligence investigations ongoing to ensure we know people are leaving, if they are trying to amass again to return to the downtown core,” adding “we are attempting to keep tabs on those that are leaving and potentially massing to come back.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said on Sunday that police continued to have “major issues with a group of dispersed protesters” on Saturday night who exhibited “unruly behaviour” with officers who were attempting to install barriers and fencing.

COVID-19 on Sunday as the number of hospitalizations associated with the disease declined by 31.The Health Department says there are 1,758 people in hospital with COVID-19 after 96 people were admitted and 127 were discharged in the past 24 hours.#COVID19 – En date du 19 février, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/pwoUoaBgaF pic.twitter.com/EjPFjHv14r— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 20, 2022It says the number people in intensive care declined by six to 114.Officials say 1,197 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed using PCR testing and that 7.8 per cent of tests were positive on Saturday, but such tests are limited to certain higher- risk groups.Health authorities say 18,810 doses of vaccine were administered on Saturday, including 14,508 third doses.They say 91 per cent of Quebec residents five and over have received at least one dose of vaccine, 86 per cent have received two and 50 per cent have received three.

Precious opal, in Ironstone nodule. Queensland Australia 2019.

WALLER, Texas - A skydiving instructor has died, and a client remains in serious condition after their parachutes failed to deploy mid-jump in Waller, just northeast of Houston, Saturday. SIGN UP FOR FOX 26 HOUSTON EMAIL ALERTSBased on preliminary information from Waller County Sheriff Troy Guidry, it happened around 12:15 p.m. at Skydive Houston in the 15500 block of Plain View Dr.

Scooter Braun has his eyes on his friend, H.Wood Group co-founder John Terzian, as a potential super-spreader.

Justin Bieber has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to cancel his scheduled show in Las Vegas this evening (February 20).Reports in TMZ suggest Bieber tested positive for the virus on Saturday (February 19), forcing him to postpone his show this evening at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.Bieber also has shows scheduled for Glendale, Arizona on Tuesday (February 22) and Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday (February 23 and 24). It’s unclear yet as to whether these will go ahead.A statement read: “Due to positive COVID results within the Justice Tour family, we will unfortunately have to postpone Sunday’s show in Las Vegas.