COVID-19 update, 10 March 2022 1pm

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, General (Retired) Kamal Gunaratne has urged the general public to refrain from causing damage to public property when engaged in peaceful demonstrations.In a televised statement he appealed to the public to refrain from engaging in acts of violence.“Although some protests and demonstrations are organized stating that they would be peaceful, and would demonstrate the democratic rights of the people, it is observed that two groups are operating these protests,” said the Defence Secretary.He said that one group is engaged in peaceful protests, whereas the other group is deliberately causing damage to public and private property while inconveniencing the general public at public roads and public places.“The second group is engaged in organized acts of violence,” said the Defence Secretary.“In some areas, the protestors on motorbikes move from place to place and launched attacks on residences and businesses using petrol bombs and stones,” he noted, while adding that another group is engaged in the looting of property.Further, the defense secretary noted that robbers have broken into the residence of protestors and committed theft as well.The Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and the three-armed forces with Sri Lanka Police are monitoring these protests and have no objection to the peaceful protests.He, however, noted that necessary measures will be taken to prevent acts of violence, while legal action will be instituted against those responsible for these actions.He also requested the general public NOT to be deceived by those who incite violence.

COLOMBO (News 1st); JVP MP Vijith Herath on Tuesday (5) filed a petition in Parliament.The petition notes that Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi, who looted public funds, had fled the country at 3:30 AM on Tuesday (5).Vijitha Herath called on the Parliament to take the necessary measures to seek INTERPOL assistance to arrest Senadhipathi.He further called on Parliament to even shut down the airport in order to prevent people who looted public funds from fleeing the country and thereafter produce them in court for legal action.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa abruptly left the Party Leaders meeting in Parliament on Tuesday (5).Speaking exclusively to News 1st, Rajapaksa said the President and Prime Minister has invited anyone from other political parties to step forward.Commending on the decision taken by some MPs to remain independent, he said that the SLPP is an independent party.

Vigil held for victims of Sacramento mass shooting. April 4, 2022 SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A suspect believed connected to the mass shooting in Sacramento was arrested, but the multiple shooters police believe fatally shot six people and wounded 12 on a crowded street in California’s capital are still on the loose.More than 100 shots were fired early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people trying desperately to get to safety.

WASHINGTON - The last time President Barack Obama was in the White House was on Jan. 20, 2017, when he left to escort his successor — bent on overturning "Obamacare" — to the Capitol to be inaugurated.Obama returns to the White House on Tuesday for a moment he can savor.

Twitter’s largest shareholder, Tesla CEO Elon Musk asked his followers in a poll on Monday if they would like an "edit button" on tweets — something the platform notoriously does not currently allow. Musk recently acquired a 9% stake in Twitter, while joining other critics in questioning the social media platform’s dedication to free speech and the First Amendment. His ultimate aim in acquiring 73.5 million shares, worth about $3 billion, isn't clear. A U.S.

Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) members, released Tuesday, shows more than 80 per cent said they didn’t have enough nurses in their workplaces — more than double the number in 2021.It also shows most have experienced anxiety and feelings of helplessness and that most believe Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe and health minister Paul Merriman have not handled the COVID-19 pandemic well. Rural Saskatchewan long-term care worker describes strain, burnout The findings come after months of high profile departures and after other reports showed health-care workers have left the field.SUN president Tracy Zambory said the results represent a “canary in a coal mine” that show nurses are scared, very overwhelmed and burned out.“Patients are being put at risk because there isn’t enough health care providers to be able to give safe patient care,” she said, telling Global News Moe and Merriman have abandoned healthcare workers.“Everytime a registered nurse shows up and sees their unit, agency or facility so incredibly short staffed… it reminds them that the premier and the minister of health ignored their pleas for help, ignored their calls to say, ‘We have a health-care system that is in crisis’.”The 57.4 per cent of respondents who said they had considered leaving the profession in the past 12 months represents the highest percentage in the past eight years of that count and shows nearly a 12-per cent increase over 2021.Those who said there are temporary or permanent vacancies represented 82.8 per cent, up from 39.7 per cent in 2021.

Reports suggested that the new subtype has been detected in east China's Suzhou, which borders Shanghai. A patient in the region has been infected with a mutation VOC/Omicron variant BA.1.1, unidentified in previously found strains, posing new threats. 

Spain and Italy have both confirmed they will extend Covid travel restrictions for at least another month.

Chocolate fans have been warned not to eat certain Kinder products that have been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

As COVID restrictions ease Perth city centre is still reeling from months of closures and restrictions.

GOOD Morning Britain viewers were left heartbroken this morning as stricken The Bill star Chris Ellison struggled to speak on the show. The actor, best known for playing DCI Frank Burnside, is suffering from aphasia - the same speech debilitating illness as Hollywood action movie Bruce Willis.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 04: The Kansas Jayhawks celebrate after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69 during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship at Caesars Superdome on April 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisian NEW ORLEANS - Best. Comeback.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); It is time to abolish the Executive Presidency, says the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Making a statement at the Parliament today (05), the Opposition Leader said that although many are calling for the abolishment of the 20th amendment, however time has arrived to amend the Executive Presidency.He further stated that although the Executive Presidency may be abolished, an Executive Prime Minister who is able to do things according to his wishes is also unnecessary. Emphasizing that there should be a checks and balances system, the Opposition Leader said that a large amount of executive power should not be centralized on any person. Citing an incident which took place at the Parliament mere moments earlier, the Opposition Leader stated that with such acts, Premadasa said that such methods of bribery were used to gain allegiance with the 20th Amendment at Parliament. Therefore, he added, the entire Government, starting from the President, must resign.Proposal to abolish Executive Presidency must be brought to Parliament this week.Will not accept any ministerial position, and power will ONLY be obtained with the blessings of the people.– #Opposition Leader #Sajith Premadasa#lka #SriLanka #SLnews #News1st #Parliament— Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) April 5, 2022There should be no voice in Parliament, apart from the voice heard from the streets.The people want a change in government, the Parliament must understand it.– #Opposition Leader #Sajith Premadasa#lka #SriLanka #SLnews #News1st #Parliament— Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka (@NewsfirstSL) April 5, 2022

China sends over 10,000 health workers to aid city

School pupils and students across Scotland have now entered into their Easter holidays this week.

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Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he expects to be updated in a few weeks by the Chief Medical Officer on Covid-19 isolation periods.

Martha Stewart shared last evening that four of her dogs attacked and killed her cat, Princess Peony.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry, PC has resigned from his portfolio 24 hours after taking oaths in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Earlier, he was the country’s Justice Minister.

Kate Garraway has shared her husband's heartbreaking health update as she opened up about his ongoing speech battle following the effects of Covid-19.During Tuesday's (April 5) instalment of the popular ITV morning show Madeley joined TV star Chris Ellison and his wife Anita as they opened up about the actor's ongoing battle with aphasia.His wife explained how he described his condition as feeling "trapped" due to the fact that the TV star can fully understand what others are saying to him but struggles to find the words to reply.It comes after Hollywood star Bruce Willis stepped back from acting after he announced his devastating brain condition online.And now, Kate Garraway has revealed that her loving partner Derek also struggles to communicate following the drastic effects from the deadly virus Covid-19.While discussing the every day struggles with the crippling brain condition, Kate confessed her husband, who she now cares for, also finds it difficult to communicate with loved ones.She said: "In a sense Derek - because of Covid - has a version of this where he can understand, sometimes do odd words and but can't express himself.

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia health officials are recommending that people wear masks in public indoor spaces to help thwart a growing number of COVID-19 infections in the city. Philadelphia Department of Health said in a Monday press release that coronavirus case in Philadelphia have increased by more than 50% in the last ten days. This jump comes as COVID-19 infections in Philadelphia have been slowly rising over the last several weeks, according to officials."As we see more cases of COVID-19 in the city, everyone’s risk goes up," Health Commissioner Dr.

A family who lost their cat Kiki in Edmonton, before moving to Ontario, had accepted they might never see her again. But thanks to her microchip and a kind neighbour, they received the call they never expected.

Chinese authorities have extended the lockdown of Shanghai to cover all of the financial centre's 26 million people, after city-wide testing saw new Covid-19 cases surge to more than 13,000 amid growing public anger over quarantine rules.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa should be held responsible for the crisis in the country.Speaking in Parliament, the MP said he was the first person to oppose the decision to bring in Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate.“When his named was proposed, I opposed it,” he said adding that he suggested for seniority in the party to be considered for the post of Presidential Candidate.“However, Mahinda Rajapaksa did not listen to it and wanted to appoint a family member, and therefore Gotabaya Rajapaksa was selected. He made the wrong decision.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party announced that all SLFP MPs will remain independent in Parliament.He said the MPs will NO longer represent the government.Further, Former President Maithripala Sirisena called for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution to be abolished and the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to be enforced with amendments.

Frustration is growing in China’s largest city of Shanghai, where residents are living under a sweeping COVID-19 lockdown. Cases are rising here in Canada as well, but as Heather Yourex-West shows us, the sixth wave here isn’t likely to see broad public health restrictions re-imposed.

Climbing COVID numbers are impacting our health system in BC. Health officials have been warning that confirmed cases would climb once health restrictions were relaxed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); TNA Member of Parliament M. A Sumanthiran commenting on the Proclamation of Emergency, noted that such notification must be placed in Parliament and approved/disapproved at the earliest possible opportunity.Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (5) he informed the government to place the said notification in Parliament on Wednesday (6) for Parliament to decide whether Parliament will approve it or not.“Otherwise they are misusing the powers by allowing it to remain for 14 days, and then lapse,” he told the house, adding that anything done within those 14 days would be deemed legal, and that is an abuse of the process, the public security ordinance, and the provisions of the constitution.“As the constitution has mandated, even now, we can suspend the standing orders and place the proclamation of emergency for a vote in this Parliament now,” said the MP.

Jenny Nguyen owns The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon. (Credit: Dorothy Wang) PORTLAND, Ore. - Anyone can find a bar that shows men’s sports, but Jenny Nguyen wanted to change that when she opened a bar in Portland, Oregon, that only shows women’s sports."The Sports Bra" opened its doors this month in Northeast Portland with a "mission to make great food and delicious drinks, and provide a space that supports, empowers, and promotes girls and women in sports and in the community.""When I first set out on this journey to open up, I had no idea the impact it would have on so many so quickly," said Nguyen.

Today marks the end of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

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The federal government will consider whether to include booster shots in the next version of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its workers, the Treasury Board said as it reviews the rules.

A B.C. woman was hit with a $400 U.S. smoking fee from a car rental company even though she is a non-smoker. Consumer Matters reporter Anne Drewa has more.

As the violence in Ukraine continues, more families are seeking safety in Edmonton. Sarah Reid spoke to a family that arrived in Alberta’s capital over the weekend.

A B.C. woman who is a non-smoker is warning others after she was hit with a $400 USD smoking fee from Sixt Rent a Car.

As Canada heads towards a sixth wave of COVID-19 with rising cases and hospitalizations across the country, health experts are stressing the need to continue masking and boosting the population.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Highways Minister Johnston Fernando says that the 6.9 million people who voted for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have given him a mandate, and therefore there is no requirement for the President resing.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa still has the support of the 6.9 million people of Sri Lanka, said Johnston Fernando said today.Minister Johnston Fernando said an election should be held to prove that the President still holds the public’s support.The Minister further said that the public protests underway are minor protests, adding that, however, he accepts that the people are facing a crisis.He believes that the protests are spearheaded by some from the opposition

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has stepped down.In a letter to the President, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said he decided to resign from the position following a decision made by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentary Group to remain independent.The SLFP, a party that forms the ruling coalition, quit the government on Monday (4).

BRISTOL, Pa. - A Bucks County youth football team said it's being pushed off its practice field, but borough officials argue that safety concerns have raised questions about its safety.Bristol Borough Wildcats Athletic Association President Christopher Chapman claims he's been told they can no longer use the fields behind Bristol High School, a field that Chapman and other parents have paid to maintain. "For six years we spent our own money and just seeded it. Threw it everywhere.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Dr. P.

Premier John Horgan announced in a tweet Monday morning that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating and working from home until his symptoms resolve. Reporter Richard Zussman has more.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a man was shot and killed Monday night inside a Frankford Chinese food restaurant. Officer from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 4800 block of Frankford Avenue just before 9 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Police found a 40-year-old man shot at least once in the chest in the customer area of the Chinese food restaurant.

here.There are several over-the-counter medications that can help manage seasonal allergies. Talk to your doctor to determine which one is right for you.FILE - The Egg performing arts building, center, stands at The Governor Nelson A.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare recipients are eligible to receive up to eight free tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and healthcare providers, a list of which can be found here. "Since we took office, we have more than tripled the number of sites where people can get COVID-19 tests for free, and we’re also delivering close to 250 million at-home, rapid tests to send for free to Americans who need them. Under the Biden-Harris Administration’s leadership, we required state Medicaid programs, insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans," said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Monday. With today’s step, we are further expanding health insurance coverage of free over-the-counter tests to Medicare beneficiaries, including our nation’s elderly and people with disabilities," Becerra added. This will be the first time Medicare covers over-the-counter and self-administered tests to beneficiaries and the policy will apply to tests approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to a news release about the announcement. A pharmacist hands a woman a free COVID-19 home test that is covered by Medicare at a CVS in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Global’s Keith Baldrey has more on Premier John Horgan announcing he’s tested positive for COVID-19, and a preview of what the province is expected to announce about COVID restrictions on Tuesday.

The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield leads a briefing for media organisations to provide updates on the response to the Omicron outbreak at 1pm today.