Irdai extends validity of short term covid specific health insurance policies till Sept 30

Nature. 

COVID-19 vaccine mandates for their staff even as they lift the proof-of-vaccination requirement at facilities such as community centres.The province’s vaccine certificate system covering restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, event spaces ended Tuesday and several municipalities confirmed vaccination would no longer be required to enter their recreation facilities and arts centres.But many municipalities that enacted policies requiring employees to be double vaccinated or lose their jobs are keeping those mandates in place.In Toronto, the city said that despite the other public health measures lifting, its policy that employees need to be vaccinated isn’t being removed.

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO) today. The brief also highlights who has been most affected and summarizes the effect of the pandemic on the availability of mental health services and how this has changed during the pandemic.

KYIV, Ukraine - As Day 7 of the Russia-Ukraine conflict dawned, Russia continued its attacks on crowded Ukrainian cities and a lengthy convoy of Russian tanks and other vehicles advanced slowly toward the capital of Kyiv.Russia's escalation Wednesday came as President Joe Biden, in his State of the Union speech to Americans on Tuesday night, warned that if the Russian leader didn’t "pay a price" for the invasion, the aggression wouldn’t stop with one country.Here's a look at key things to know about the conflict:A Kremlin spokesman said a Russian delegation will be ready Wednesday evening to resume talks with Ukrainian officials about the war in Ukraine.Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that "in the second half of the day, closer to evening, our delegation will be in place to await Ukrainian negotiators."There was no immediate word from the Ukrainian authorities about their plans.Police officers stand guard at the site of yesterday's airstrike that hit Kyiv's main television tower in Kyiv on March 2, 2022. (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images) A 40-mile convoy of hundreds of Russian tanks and other vehicles advanced slowly on Kyiv, a city of nearly 3 million people.

As Russian troops descended on Ukraine, the internet lit up with footage said to be from the region — destroyed buildings, planes lighting up the night sky, and air raid sirens ringing in the background of live streams.

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Canada will bar Russian ships from Canadian ports and waters and will give millions in humanitarian aid to help Ukraine. Aaron McArthur reports.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has revealed that the government will be issuing a gazette on Wednesday (2) night suspending 600 non-essential imports.He said Sri Lanka is facing an issue in identifying its priorities, noting that if foreign reserves are limited, they need to be allocated for medicines, fuel, and raw materials for industries, respectively.Speaking at an event in Kotte, the Minister said Sri Lanka is currently experiencing the consequences of not discouraging imports, after allowing to import whatever was not essential.He said the Treasury Secretary was preparing to issue a gazette that would stop 600 non-essential imports to the country.“It’s too late. But we can be happy about that decision,” said Gammanpila.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The diesel shortage in Sri Lanka has taken a serious toll on the country’s transport, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and other sectors.Across many areas, people were seen waiting in line since Tuesday (1) night to obtain fuel for their vehicles and machinery.In Kelaniya, people alleged that filling stations were only pumping fuel for those in high positions, and the common man is refused fuel despite waiting in line.Similar scenes were witnessed across many filling stations in the country, while in some cases the local police were called in to maintain order in the distribution of fuel.IGP C.D Wickramaratne has ordered all Senior Police Officers to ensure that law and order, and peace are maintained at filling stations, given the present crisis situation.In some places, people took to the streets to protest against the failure to ensure a smooth supply of fuel, after filling stations claimed that they had run out of fuel.These protests were taking place at a time when two more ships carrying Diesel are scheduled to arrive in the country on Wednesday (2) and Thursday (3).Secretary of the Ministry of Energy K.D.R Olga said that one of the ships will reach Colombo with 33,000 MT of Auto Diesel and 7000 MT of Super Diesel.The other ship will reach Colombo with 28,000 MT of Diesel and 9,000 MT of Jet fuel, the Secretary said.She said that steps are being taken to open letters of credit for the relevant ships.Secretary to the Ministry of Energy K.D.R Olga stated that two more ships carrying furnace oil are scheduled to arrive on the 6th and 7th, March 2022.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy stated that NO ship carrying fuel to Sri Lanka has been rejected.Secretary to the Ministry K.D.R Olga said that

Philadelphia police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened early Wednesday morning. PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating a fatal shooting near the Hunting Park Recreation Center that took place early Wednesday morning.According to police, officers responded to the Hunting Park neighborhood around 4:30 a.m.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A juvenile Bald eagle in Scottsdale, Arizona is seen circling a body of water on March 1 and catching a fish from the water.Tom Lancione took the video and says he's worked in Scottsdale for almost four decades as a bartender and still walks the area at least three hours a day, making him familiar with the area.He's seen the bird multiple times with his friend Pam, who he says is a birder, and they've named the eagle "Sparky."They believe he could be the offspring of another eagle in the area they've named "Bandit."At about the age of 5, Bald eagles will begin developing white feathers on their heads, giving them their iconic look.Learn more about Bald eagles here.A Phoenix couple caught their cat chasing away a coyote from their home early in the morning and it was all captured on their security camera.

PHOENIX - An emergency situation unfolded on Feb. 28 as a Phoenix Police sergeant was hosting a ride-along with his wife, and luckily she was there to help him as he and other officers rescued a family after they crashed into a canal.Officers call it the "ride-along curse." As soon as someone is in the car with them, nothing happens, but this time, something did, and officers had some extra help.Phoenix Police Sgt.

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Tamil Nadu government has announced to ease restrictions imposed across the state including lifting the ban on political and cultural gatherings. Meanwhile, as many as 500 people will be now allowed to attend weddings and funerals. The relaxations come into effect from Thursday.

Ukrainians are standing firm as Russia bolsters attacks on major cities. Global National’s Dawna Friesen speaks with Retired U.S.

Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday.

TRENTON, N.J. - The old debate about whether drivers in New Jersey should be able to pump their own gas has returned. On Monday, a group of bipartisan legislators introduced a new bill that would allow drivers in the state to have the option for self-service stations. RELATED: Rising gas prices: Ways to maximize your fuel economyThis comes as gas station owners say they are struggling with staff shortages and lack of business fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising gas prices. The Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act, sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy and Republican Assemblymen Edward H.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 32 Sri Lankans who were in Ukraine, have been moved out of the country via four separate borders.This was confirmed to News 1st by the Sri Lankan Ambassador accredited to Ukraine.Earlier, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said that it continues to closely monitor developments in Ukraine.On Monday (28) the Ministry said it was engaged in the evacuation of approximately forty (40) Sri Lankan nationals, including two (02) students in Ukraine via the Ukraine – Polish border.The process is facilitated by the Sri Lanka Embassies in Warsaw and Ankara, the latter being concurrently accredited to Ukraine.The Ministry has strengthened the provision of resources to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Warsaw in order to ensure the effective facilitation of the evacuation process.The Ambassadors of Sri Lanka in Ankara and Warsaw continue to maintain close contact with the Sri Lankan nationals leaving Ukraine, in order to enable their safe passage and return to Sri Lanka.The Foreign Ministry is also engaged in monitoring the status of Sri Lankan nationals in countries which share land borders with Ukraine.Sri Lanka’s accredited missions are in contact with the relevant Honorary Consuls and Sri Lankan nationals in the respective countries.The Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow which is concurrently accredited to Belarus continues to be in close communication with the approximately 1,600 Sri Lankan nationals, including 1,556 students studying in over eight (08) universities / higher education institutes in Belarus.Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Moscow is in direct contact with the relevant university authorities, student and parent groups, as well as other concerned institutions in Belarus, with regard to the safety and welfare of the Sri

The unemployment rate was 5.2% in February when adjusted for seasonal factors, unchanged from January, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); The Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Wednesday (3) met with Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission said that the 7.5 hour blackout will continue for Thursday (3) as well.“Power shedding for all areas will be 5 hours between 8 am to 6 pm. And further 2 and half hours between 6 pm to 11 pm.”, said the Chairman of the PUCSL.

PHILADELPHIA - February's temperatures were warmer than average and the first day of March will bring in similar weather with mild conditions. Tuesday will be cloudy due to high pressure bringing air off the coast. Temperatures will begin chilly in the morning before warming up for a mild and dry day with highs in the 50s. Storms seen on radar will stay north and out of the area, but windy conditions will move in on Thursday. Looking ahead, the weekend will bring cloudy conditions with a chance for rain on Sunday. ___SEVEN-DAY FORECAST TUESDAY: In like a lamb. High: 55WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy.

Spain has changed its travel rules for holidaymakers that are yet to be fully vaccinated against Covid.

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Robert Pattinson in 'The Batman.' Photo: Warner Bros. CHICAGO - With two notably cartoony exceptions, the last 30-some years of live-action Batman storytelling have been an experiment in increasing grimness. Tim Burton brought gothic gravitas to a character best known for kitschy ‘60s excess.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Fundamental Rights application was filed with the Supreme Court on Wednesday (2) challenging the gazette issued with the regulation stating that only FULLY VACCINATED people will be allowed to enter public places from the 30th of April 2022.The application filed by Professor F. M.

The burning cargo ship Felicity Ace was floating south of the Azores off the coast of Portugal, as seen in footage posted by the Portuguese Navy on February 18.

The Russian ruble sank to an historic low against the U.S. dollar on Monday, with analysts saying it was on the verge of a total collapse, forcing the central bank to step in, doubling its interest rate to 20 per cent. Anne Gaviola reports.

Union J recently delighted fans by announcing the original four members are getting back together after a six-year hiatus. But Josh Cuthbert says their comeback wasn’t a simple decision, admitting he thought it could affect his mental health. “If you had told me two years ago there would be a Union J reunion and I’d be part of it, I would have thought that would make my mental health worse,” the 29 year old said.

The United States has advised citizens against travelling to Hong Kong, citing strict coronavirus curbs and the risk of children being separated from parents as the Chinese city battles a wave of infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The proposed Surcharge Tax Bill that was presented to Parliament, will be amended in a manner that will not include 13 funds, including the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF), Sri Lanka’s Attorney General told the Supreme Court on Wednesday (2).Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena told the Supreme Court that the Finance Secretary had informed the Attorney General in this regard in writing.The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, one of the main opposition factions in Sri Lanka has filed a special petition with the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Surcharge Tax Bill that was presented to Parliament, on the 23rd of February.The Government on 22nd February presented the proposed Surcharge Tax Bill to Parliament.The special application challenging the Bill seeks a Supreme Court ruling to term the Bill as inconsistent with the constitution.The Bill, which imposes a retrospective one-time surcharge tax of 25% on persons and companies with a taxable income over Rs. 2 billion for the year 2020/2021, was presented by Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 22nd February.The Bill was drafted in keeping with the proposal in the 2022 Budget to impose a one-off 25% surcharge tax on individuals or companies earning taxable income more than Rs.

New Zealand anti-vaccination demonstrators set alight their own protest camp outside parliament after riot police moved to end their weeks-long occupation of the legislative precinct.

was so stirring that it caused the official translator to choke up with emotion.In footage from Euronews, the unnamed English language interpreter can be heard becoming emotional as he repeats Zelenskyy’s promise that the people of Ukraine would not be broken by the Russian invasion. Biden announces new measures against Russia as Ukrainian cities combat sieges “We are fighting just for our land.

Bank of Canada is likely to forge ahead with its first interest rate increase in years on Wednesday, economists predict, though uncertainty tied to the war in Ukraine could put the pace of future rate hikes into question.The central bank said in January that its special guidance around the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept its key overnight rate at 0.25 per cent for much of the past two years, has ended.Senior bank officials strongly signalled rates need to rise in an effort to tamp down on inflation, which hit 5.1 per cent in Canada last month a high not seen in 30 years.

An Alberta father is calling for more accountability from parents and corporations after getting hit with a huge bill for what was supposed to be a free online video game. Tomasia DaSilva reports.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the U.S. would become the latest country to ban Russian planes from its airspace, joining Canada, the European Union and others in doing so amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

A number of other provinces have dropped COVID-19 restrictions including the vaccine passport program and indoor mask mandate. Both are still in place here in B.C.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia on Monday said it will move forward with a repaving project that will make one of the city's most dangerous thoroughfares safer by reconfiguring lanes to allow for better traffic flow.According to a release from the city, Washington Avenue will change its five-lane layout to a mixed lane format between 4th Street to Grays Ferry Avenue. The project is set to begin later this year. Washington Avenue has more crashes than the average Philadelphia street and has not been repaved since 2003, according to the city.

During an emergency session of the European Parliament on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the EU by video link to “prove that you are with us.” His comments come a day after Kyiv officially asked to join the bloc.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia non-profit has received an outpouring of donations from locals who were inspired to help the Ukrainian people during the ongoing Russian invasion. The United Ukrainian-American Relief Committee said its building on Cottman Avenue is overflowing with donations including medical supplies, clothing, sleeping bags and hygiene items. "I mean it's amazing how people are coming in who have no ties to Ukraine, but responding in a humanitarian way," Executive Director Motraj Watters said. The donations will be packaged and shipped in two large box trucks, then airlifted overseas to Poland where they will cross over into Ukraine for distribution. Iryna Mazur, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia, watched hopefully as President Biden promised more relief in his first State of the Union address."I just want to help any way I can," Ustyna Danylovych said. "My parents immigrated from Ukraine in the late 90s and my entire family is still there.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships ‘URAGA’ and ‘HIRADO’ which belong to the Minesweeper Division One arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit on 01st and 02nd March 2022 respectively.Upon their arrival, the two ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval tradition.The Minesweeper Division One to which both these ships belong is commanded by Captain NOGUCHI Yasushi.Meanwhile, the 141m long Minesweeper Tender ‘URAGA’ is commanded by Commander KONDO Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 130.The Minesweeper Ocean ‘HIRADO’ is a 67m long ship where 55 crew members serve under the command of Lieutenant Commander ITO Akira, the ship’s Commanding Officer.Before their arrival at the port of Colombo, the duo of JMSDF ships conducted a successful naval exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Sindurala off Colombo on 28th February.Among the exercises worked off, Divisional Tactics (DIVTACS), Maneuvering Exercises and Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX) were chief.The proceedings of the visit of the ships will be conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols owing to the pandemic concerns. Meanwhile, the ships are scheduled to depart the island on 03rd March.

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Researchers with the University of Alberta have found 169 unmarked graves near the former Grouard Indian Residential School, also known as St. Bernard Mission School, near High Prairie in northern Alberta. Breanna Karstens-Smith has details.

COVID-19 need no longer controls the lives of the Americans.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); The Committee that was appointed to investigate Power System Failures on November 29th & December 3rd, 2021 has recommended that the Ministry of Power request the law enforcement agencies to investigate the events to determine if they were acts of sabotage.According to the Final Report of the Committee seen by News 1st, a Formal Investigation by the law enforcement authorities supported by independent IT experts, if necessary, is recommended to determine whether or not any human intervention had taken place.This committee was appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Power on the 3rd of December 2021, and the final report was submitted a week.According to the report of the committee chaired by Prof.