H&M to close 250 stores in 2021, citing increase in online shopping

great white shark in Sydney Australia yesterday (February 16) was a former RAF man whose wedding was tragically delayed by Covid.Simon Nellist, 35, had been due to tie the knot with long time girlfriend Jessie Ho this year before he was killed by the 15ft shark in the freak attack.A keen scuba diver, Simon had been training for an open ocean swim when he was attacked from below by the shark and mauled to death within minutes.A close friend of Simon's has told The Sun that he was in love with the ocean and incredibly respectful of wildlife. They said: "He was massively into wildlife and knew exactly what he was doing.

LOWR OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Police in Chester County are investigating a stabbing incident on the campus of Lincoln University. Officers responded to the campus in Lower Oxford Township for a report of a stabbing around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police say three people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.Investigators have not released further information on the circumstances surrounding the incident.It is unknown at this time if those injured were students at the school. The investigation is ongoing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A man who abducted his own son from Horana, was shot dead in a shootout with police on Thursday (17) afternoon.Sri Lanka Police said the suspect had abducted his 8-year-old son from his mothers’ residence in Horana., after firing several rounds into the air.Police Spokesperson Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa speaking to News 1st said police officers received a tip-off that the man was in hiding in Walpita, Anguruwatota.When police officers reached the house, the suspect had opened fire at the police using a T-56 assault rifle and police officers had returned fire, eventually killing the suspect.A T-56 Assault Rifle and several bullets that were in the possession of the suspect were seized from the crime scene.However, the suspect’s son was not at the house where the shooting took place, said the Police Spokesperson, adding a special operation is underway to locate him.The suspect had recently attacked his wife using a sharp weapon and separated both her hands in the attack.She is currently being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital.

COVID-19 public health indicators such as a decline in hospitalizations, cases, test positivity and the waste water signal.The province announced Ontario would move into the next phase four days ahead of schedule. This includes increasing or removing capacity limits in several settings.

Hong Kong's coronavirus battle has intensified as authorities reported new cases had multiplied by 60 times so far this month.

This Morning guest Nicola Thorp apologised after mistakenly stating that Queen Elizabeth II had "just recovered from Covid" during the latest episode.The former Coronation Street star, 33, appeared opposite presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on Thursday's show.Nicola featured alongside guest panellist Vanessa Feltz in a discussion about the Queen returning to her royal duties when the blunder was made.Of the monarch, Nicola said: "Bless her, yeah, she's just recovered from Covid of course, don't forget - and we know that the Queen, she really cares about her service."She cares about her work. Going out to visit people.

LINDENHURST, Ill. - A 25-year-old Algonquin woman who was reported missing Sunday was found dead at her boyfriend's residence with blunt force trauma to her head. The woman was last seen Sunday leaving her Algonquin residence on Yosemite Parkway. Police said she was going to her 25-year-old boyfriend's residence located in the 0-100 block of Beck Road in Lindenhurst.On Monday, the woman's family became aware that the woman's boyfriend was involved in a head-on fatal crash near Bates Road and Freeport Road near Rockton. The boyfriend and the other driver were killed, however, the woman was not in her boyfriend's vehicle.The woman's vehicle was then found in the driveway of her boyfriend's home, and a search warrant was obtained for the residence.DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 NEWS APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTSAt about 4 p.m.

Covid-19 in India is much higher than the official count and that actual numbers have been undercounted...these reports are fallacious and completely inaccurate. They are not based on facts and are speculative in nature," the government said in a statement.There have been some media reports based on a published research paper alleging that mortality due to #COVID19 in India is much higher than the official count and actual numbers have been undercounted...These reports are fallacious and completely inaccurate: Govt of India pic.twitter.com/cA9ZR0N4sg

negative RT-PCR report. 

Canada’s Marielle Thompson won the silver medal in women’s ski cross at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday.

Kate Garraway has opened up on her husband Derek Draper's mental health as he continues to suffer from the long-term impacts of Covid-19. Derek, 54, returned home in April 2021 after spending a year in hospital fighting for his life after contracting coronavirus in 2020, which has since left him battling a number of ongoing health issues.

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Hambantota (News 1st); The Hambantota International Port Emergency Response Unit (ERU) together with the port’s Quality, Health, Safety & Environment Dept. (QHSE), and Port Control, responded to a fire that occurred onboard the drillship “West Polaris,” on Tuesday, 15th evening.The ship’s crew had alerted Port Control for assistance in dousing the sudden fire that had broken out in the ship’s emergency generator room.The ERU’s fire trucks arrived on the scene within minutes of being notified, assisting the crew to quickly contain the fire with charged fire hoses. The respective ERU teams brought the fire fully under control within 33 minutes of their arrival. They were able to prevent serious damage to the ship, or its surrounding area.“The joint effort of this venture reflects professionalism and assurance to HIP port users and stakeholders of optimum safety and proactive response to unforeseen events related in maritime operations,” said Tissa Wickramasinghe, COO of HIPG.The 14-year-old “West Polaris” called at the Hambantota Port for a layup on 11th January 2021, and was at Berth 6 when the fire occurred. The ship is expected to remain in port until June 2022.What is vessel Lay-Up?The term ‘Laid-up’ or ‘Lay-up’ of ships technically means ships that have temporarily been taken out of profitable service due to lack of charter or cargo.Sometimes, an increase in the freight costs becomes insufficient to cover the ships’ running costs.

131 million online and mobile payments were made in 2021, up 85% on 2016 levels.

₹7 trillion each in FY22 and FY23 from ₹5.5 trillion in FY21, based on a demand ramp-up by end-FY22 and a further pick-up in FY23 with an economic recovery. Ind-Ra expects leverage to start building in FY23 on account of a revival in capex, increased working capital demand due to a higher output, higher exports and commodity inflation.

Royal Family have taken to social media to voice their concerns after noticing that the Queen looks 'thinner' in a new picture.The Palace released a new image on Wednesday (16 February), showing the 95-year-old monarch on her first royal engagement since last week's royal Covid scare.She can be seen smiling as she spoke to Rear Admiral James Macleod for the official liaison between Her Majesty and the armed forces.During the encounter the Queen, who was walking with the support of a stick, could reportedly be heard to say: "Oh, I am here."When asked how she was, the Queen quipped: "Well, as you can see, I can't move."Her Majesty then pointed towards her feet before shuffling forward and greeting the pair with a handshake.The photos drew some reaction on social media, with some rushing to comment on her apparent weight loss.One royal fan tweeted: "The Royal Family should be very concerned instead of some members going on vacation etc.

Canada won the gold medal in women’s hockey at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday in a thrilling 3-2 match against archrivals the United States.

Wendy Williams made rare comments about her health and the future of her daytime talk show in a video uploaded to Instagramon Wednesday.The 57-year-old, who has been absent fromthe Wendy Williams Show since July 2021 as she reportedly battles 'a number of medical issues,' stressed to her followers that she planned to come back 'stronger' than ever.'I wanna be all I can be and then get back to New York and get on down with The Wendy Williams Show,' she said upon the clip's close. Speaking out:Wendy Williams made rare comments about her health and the future of her daytime talk show in a video uploaded to Instagram on WednesdayIn the video, filmed by herson Kevin Hunter Jr., 21, Williams could be seen walking along the beach in Miami, Florida.

The Taoiseach has told a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party that the National Public Health Emergency Team may soon draw a distinction between mandatory mask wearing and public health advice.

trucker protesters as discussions on how best to implement them continue.The government published details late Tuesday on the requirements covering a wide range of the financial industry including banks, credit unions, insurance companies, portfolio managers and investment counselling services.The Canadian Bankers Association said in a statement Wednesday that, as with other financial service providers, banks will “need to diligently implement the required measures.”“Banks in Canada follow all applicable laws and regulations in carrying out their operations, in keeping with their commitment to protect the integrity of Canada’s financial system,” the association said.

the ongoing blockades in Ottawa and elsewhere, and some Canadians have been left scratching their heads about the impact it will have on their lives.Meanwhile, police are already notifying demonstrators in the downtown core that the new order will affect their blockade. In a pamphlet wedged into truck doorways and slapped under windshield wipers, police warned the blockaders that they “must leave the area now.”“The Federal Emergencies Act allows for the regulation or prohibition of travel to, from or within any specified area,” it warns.

ongoing convoy protests a “threat” to Canadian democracy in a letter justifying emergency powers to the country’s premiers.The letter, released by the federal government late Wednesday night, said fatigue and frustration with COVID-19 public health measures and vaccine mandates are “no longer the motivation of many of the (protest) participants and organizers.” Ottawa police issue new warning amid convoy blockade: ‘leave the area now’ “We are seeing activity that is a threat to our democracy and that is undermining the public’s trust in our institutions,” Trudeau wrote.“The Government of Canada believes firmly in the right to peaceful protest. But as we discussed, the activities taking place across the country have gone well beyond peaceful protest.”Trudeau declared a public order emergency on Monday, giving federal authorities exceptional powers aimed at bringing the convoy protests to an end after almost three weeks of unrest.

Ottawa city council has voted to oust Councillor Diane Deans as chair of the local police services board amid the so-called “freedom convoy” protests that have taken over much of downtown Ottawa for weeks.The move on Wednesday comes after a report that Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was seeking to replace Deans as the chair of the police services board at a special city council meeting to address the ongoing blockade of the city’s downtown core, according to Deans’ office. Ottawa police pressed for answers on end to convoy blockade: ‘This will take time’ Jessica Bradley, a spokesperson for Deans, a city councillor planning to run for mayor later this year, confirmed a CBC News report that she was called into Watson’s office Wednesday and was asked to resign from her leadership role at the police services board, but she refused.Councillors who voted to remove her said they were concerned after learning the board agreed to hire a new interim chief to bolster the senior command at the Ottawa Police Service without a consultation process.They also suggested the board was not effective in its oversight of the Ottawa police, who have faced heavy criticism for its inaction in the ongoing demonstrations in the city.Somerset Coun.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has informed the Ceylon Electricity Board to permit companies and people that use electricity on a large scale to source electricity using their generators and suspend the supply to them from the National Grid.PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake told News 1st that the PUCSL is prepared to pay Rs. 36/- per unit for those sourcing electricity via generators.On 13 February, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) sought the PUCSL permission for scheduled load shedding due to lack of fuel to operate oil-fired power plants, depleting water reservoirs for hydropower generation.On Tuesday (15) the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka rejected the CEB request to go for power-cut for a period of three and introduced alternatives for the CEB to consider.To manage the limited resources available ahead of the dry season, the PUCSL said hydropower generations will be slashed by 50% from today, while large-scale consumers were instructed to purchase standby generators.“If residents in condos need to have air conditioners operated during peak hours between 6:00 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha, the Media Director of the Archdiocese of Colombo was back at the Criminal Investigations Department on Thursday (17) to make a statement with regard to a complaint he filed in December 2021, over the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks.The Rev.

NEW DELHI :

An Edmonton security firm is warning that critical infrastructure such as airports could be the next target of so-called freedom protesters, and a threat assessment that included a covert operation at the Coutts border blockade also found links between some protest organizers and far-right extremist groups. Breanna Karstens-Smith explains.

attended the big game. Rodgers wasn't one of them. Then, following the loss, Rodgers was named the MVP of the season – because that award is about the regular season, during which Rodgers was pretty spectacular.

People still participating in the so-called “Freedom Convoy” blockade of downtown Ottawa are being warned by police to “leave the area now” in flyers distributed to the demonstrators and in the door jams of trucks participating in the protest Wednesday morning.

Paislee Shultis, a child who was kidnapped two years ago at the age of four, was found alive in a makeshift room underneath a closed staircase that led to the basement of a home in the town of Saugerties in upstate New York, police said.

We have more details on just what the Emergencies Act, invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, will allow officials to do about truckers protests. Aaron McArthur has the latest.

As concerns over government overreach swirl for the now-invoked Emergencies Act, debates are set to ensue in Parliament on whether it is necessary. David Akin explains the new measures the government hopes will end the disruptive protests, and which political parties will be supporting or pushing back against them.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. - A stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed for hours Wednesday after a tanker trunk crashed onto its side and spilled fuel across the highway. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. on the eastbound side near mile marker 337 in Fort Washington.Emergency crews and a hazmat team were quickly dispatched to the crash site.

PHILADELPHIA - Residents in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood have reported frightening encounters with a man asking for money, including at least two homeowners who said the panhandler threatened them at their doorstep.Geno Rapone said he was making dinner for his children on Tuesday night when the man started banging on his front door. Rapone noticed the man from a picture that a neighbor posted on the NextDoor app about a threatening encounter. "I asked him what he wanted, he said ‘I need money to get to 52nd and Market.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will issue a directive on Thursday (Feb. 17), requiring consumers who have defaulted on their electricity bills, to settle the outstanding bills within 03-months.As per the directive, the power supply will be suspended to the consumers, who fail to settle the bills, Janaka Ratnayake, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission told News 1st.The PUCSL informed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Wednesday (Feb.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigations Department had recorded a statement from Fathima Hadiya, the wife of terrorist Zaharan Hashim, on Tuesday (15).Police Spokesperson and Attorney-at-Law SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that detectives recorded the statement from the accused at the Welikada Prison for approximately five hours.He said further statements will be recorded as investigations continue into the terror attacks of April 21, 2019.

Covid scare, the Queen has made her first public appearance since her son Prince Charles tested positive.Major concerns had been raised after the Queen, 95, and Charles, 73, met at Windsor Castle two days before he tested positive with the virus. A Palace source said that Her Majesty was not displaying any symptoms but that the situation was being monitored as she attended official royal duties.On Tuesday, the Queen was snapped holding virtual audiences with new ambassadors from Estonia and Spain via a video call in her first public appearance.On Wednesday, the Palace said she had received both the outgoing and incoming Defence Services Secretaries at Windsor Castle.The Queen, who was walking with the support of a stick, said: "Oh, I am here."When asked how she was, the Queen chuckled: "Well, as you can see, I can't move."Her Majesty then pointed towards her feet before shuffling forward and greeting the pair with a handshake.The update comes after many were concerned that the Queen could also test positive after coming into contact with Charles.Charles would typically greet his mother in public with both a kiss on the hand and a kiss on the cheek.Prince Charles's wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has since also now tested positive for Covid.Last week, a Palace source said the Queen, who this month celebrated the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, would be returning to normal duties.After a long-anticipated nervous wait, it's understood that the Queen, who has been triple jabbed, is showing no symptoms and has submitted a negative result.Prince Charles is currently self-isolating after catching Covid last Thursday.

Police say a 30-year-old man was stabbed several times Wednesday night near SEPTA's Arrott Transportation Center.  PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a man is expected to survive after he was stabbed several times Wednesday night near a SEPTA station in Frankford.Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 4700 block of Oxford Avenue just after 9 p.m.

Police in Radnor Township are warning about theives stealing items and checks from mailboxes.  RADNOR TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Police in the Pennsylvania suburbs are warning about thefts from mailboxes. According to police, thieves are going through boxes, stealing checks and then cashing in. In Radnor Township, one thief scored big, allegedly taking $25,000. Superintendent Chris Flanagan with the Radnor Police Department said this type of crime is unusual for the department. Authorities say thieves are waiting for residents to raise the red flags on mailboxes that typically alert mail carriers to collect mail. "They'll take them somewhere, alter them and attempt to pass them at a bank related to that account or something they may have, and then they are cashing what we're calling bad checks."The issue is widespread, hitting every corner of the township from Ravenscliffe in Wayne to Boxwood Road in Bryn Mawr. "We are asking residents if you see people in a private vehicle touching or altering or it looks like they are taking mail out of a private mailbox, then we want you to contact us," Flanagan said. Residents are also encouraged to take their mail directly to the post office or send money electronically as a precaution. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

While many restaurant owners are breathing a sigh of relief now that the vaccine mandate for indoor dining has been dropped, some plan to continue enforcing it.  PHILADELPHIA - City officials announced an end to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor dining, but not all restaurants are on board. COVID-19 cases continue to drop, leading city health officials to roll back the mandate. Masks will still be mandated and customers can now leave their vaccine cards in their wallets. One restaurant owner told FOX 29 they still want to see vaccine cards, while another is breathing a sigh of relief. "I was actually happy about it," Debbie Betten, the owner of Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse in Northeast Philadelphia, said.

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CHICAGO - The carjacking task force announced well over 100 arrests since the start of this year.However, there is still a bigger problem.CPD Supt. David Brown says about 60 percent of the offenders taken into police custody are juveniles.

FILE - Police lights are shown in a close up image. (Credit: FOX TV Stations) PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Wednesday night in Philadelphia's Lawcrest neighborhood, according to authorities. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 5500 block of Whitaker Avenue just after 8 p.m.

A Sharon Hill mother is searching for her family dog, which serves as an emotional support animal for her son, who has autism.  SHARON HILL, Pa. - A local family is hoping for the safe return of their beloved dog, but the animal is more than just a pet. The Bolar family in Sharon Hill has now had several sleepless nights knowing their dog Ruzteze is gone. The 15-pound Parson terrier is the emotional support dog for 14-year-old Amare, who has autism. Rusteze got out of a back door on Friday without his collar and hasn't been seen since. Amare has been beside himself without his best friend. "He is his companion.

LOS ANGELES - Fast-fashion giant H&M announced that it plans to close 350 stores in 2021 while opening 100 new stores — resulting in a net decrease of around 250 locations next year. The retailer was forced to close 80% of its locations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and according to a news release by the company, sales decreased in September of 2020 by 5% compared to the same month last year. “More and more customers started shopping online during the pandemic, and they are making it clear that they value a convenient and inspiring experience in which stores and online interact and strengthen each other,” said Helena Halmersson, CEO. Because the pandemic has resulted in an increase in contact-free shopping, especially e-commerce,