James Cracknell forced to defend socially-distanced reunion with elderly parents after a month of no contact

MOSCOW - With the risk of war looming larger, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held a high-stakes telephone call Saturday as a tense world watched and worried that an invasion of Ukraine could begin within days.Before talking to Biden, Putin had a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with him in Moscow earlier in the week to try to resolve the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. A Kremlin summary of the call suggested that little progress was made toward cooling down the tensions.The closely watched call between Biden and Putin began shortly after 11 a.m.

HARPER, Kan. - Rain on a wedding day can be upsetting for any couple, but a tornado can be downright frightening during the vows.In some cultures, rain is viewed as good luck, symbolizing various things from fertility to unity. It can also represent that your marriage will last a lifetime. Candra and Caleb Pence would agree.It was May 19, 2012, and the 21-year-old bride was ready to marry the man of her dreams.

SALT LAKE CITY - Traffic deaths decreased in Utah after the state enacted the strictest drunken driving laws in the nation five years ago, new research published Friday by a U.S. government agency shows.The findings, which pertain to fatalities involving and not involving alcohol, provide initial validation for conservative lawmakers who passed the law over concerns from restaurant and tourism industry lobbyists.In the study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researchers wrote that, in the years after Utah changed the drunken driving threshold from .08% to .05% blood-alcohol content, the number of crashes and fatalities fell even though drivers logged more miles."Changing the law to .05% in Utah saved lives and motivated more drivers to take steps to avoid driving impaired," said Dr.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Demonstrators in Afghanistan’s capital Saturday condemned President Joe Biden’s order freeing up $3.5 billion in Afghan assets held in the U.S. for families of America’s 9/11 victims — saying the money belongs to Afghans.Protesters who gathered outside Kabul's grand Eid Gah mosque asked America for financial compensation for the tens of thousands of Afghans killed during the last 20 years of war in Afghanistan.Biden's order, signed Friday, allocates another $3.5 billion in Afghan assets for humanitarian aid to a trust fund to be managed by the U.N.

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COVID-19 on Saturday.According to the provincial COVID-19 dashboard, the deaths involve a person in their 70s and two people in their 80s in Zone 1 and one person in their 90s in Zone 4.A total of 286 people with COVID-19 have now died in New Brunswick. Anti-mandate demonstration in Fredericton enters Day 2 Since Friday, hospitalizations have dropped by 13, for a total of 122 people in hospital.

Ottawa is seeing another influx of people in the downtown as the demonstrations against COVID-19 public health measures and vaccine mandates enters its third weekend. Reports say there was some sort of party or additional protest late Friday night.

WILLINGBORO, Pa. - Officials in Burlington County announced Saturday that a man was shot and killed in a parking lot in a Willingboro shopping center. The investigation began after officers were called to the Kennedy Plaza in the 400 block of John F. Kennedy Way just after 7:30 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the nature or extent of the challenges will not matter in fulfilling the promises made to the people.He noted that development activities continue in the country while taking necessary steps to control the COVID-19 pandemic.The President also pointed out that the economy, which had been collapsed for nearly two years, is gradually recovering.The President made these remarks participating in the first round of discussions in a series of sessions with professionals representing various fields, held at the President’s House on Friday (11).The professionals who participated in the discussion said that they are further committed to make the national programme a success by giving the necessary strength to achieve the goals desired by the President, said a statement.The professionals vehemently rejected the allegations spread by some sections with the objective of achieving narrow political agendas, the statement added.Experts in the field said that the new approach to agriculture initiated by the President is being continuously supported by the researchers and entrepreneurs who are engaged full time in these fields, further noted the statement.Representatives from a wide range of fields, including education, policy, sociology, agriculture, research, water and renewable energy, medical, engineering and innovation, were present at the discussion with the President.Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Secretary to the President, the Principal Advisor to the President and many others were also present.

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Ontario hospital on Saturday with COVID-19, as the province continues to battle the pandemic.New data released by the province on Feb. 12 suggests a drop in the number of people in hospital from the previous day.

Health Matters February 11: As the Alberta Diabetes Foundation’s 48 Hours to Stop Diabetes fundraiser continues, Su-Ling Goh explains how local researchers are aiming to find a pharmaceutical way to achieve Type 2 remission, by understanding the diabetes “dimmer switch.”

were discharged in the past twenty four hours taking the total to 10,31,304.

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◾New cases in State: 3,202◾New cases in B'lore: 1,293◾Positivity rate: State - 2.95%; Blore - 2.49%◾Discharges: 8,988◾Active cases: State- 38,747; B'lore- 16k◾Deaths:38 (B'lore- 10)◾Tests: 1,08,534#COVID

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has moved to bravely open up about an "embarrassing" chronic health problem. The reality TV star suffers from bronchiectasis, she has revealed in a new interview.

The Windsor Police have commenced enforcement near the Ambassador Bridge, Windsor, Ont.

Nurses in Canada say working during the COVID-19 Omicron wave has left them burnt out, physically and mentally, and an increase in abuse directed at health-care workers has pushed them to breaking point. According to a report from the Ontario Science Table, pre-pandemic, 20 to 40 per cent of health-care workers reported severe burnout. By spring 2021, rates had climbed to more than 60 per cent.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday (12) for Indian Rs. 10.75 crores after a closely fought bidding war.The Sri Lankan pair of Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, joined RCB for the second part of IPL 2021.Hasaranga took a hat-trick at last year’s T20 World Cup.

@DrAbdiMahamud pic.twitter.com/hI5Blz64ec

Corrections & Amplifications

After two weeks of the protest convoy occupying Ottawa, questions are rising over whether a better security response could have averted all the disruption sooner.

Norway has lifted its final Covid restrictions, scrapping social distancing and masks in crowded spaces despite a surge in Omicron infections.

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Bob Saget died from an accidental blow to the head, likely from a backwards fall.Saget was found dead Jan. 9 in a Florida hotel room.

It’s a case of buyer beware: read the fine print. An Edmonton man is sharing his experience trying to sell his SUV, hoping it will help others.

Squire Barnes speaks with Toronto-born musician Paul Shaffer while in Vancouver to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

so-called “freedom convoy” that has snarled downtown Ottawa streets is widening its grip on the city, sprawling out in new, smaller encampments scattered around town.And while the police say they’ve negotiated movement of some trucks around the city, there are protesters in various encampments who continue to dig in their heels.“If trucks leave here, they’re going out on a convoy. They’re going to join the rest of the trucks,” said John Bancroft, a coordinator for the encampment site set up on Coventry Road — a short drive from downtown Ottawa.“No one’s leaving here until the mandates are lifted.” Trudeau calls on all parties to denounce ‘illegal’ trucker occupations, blockades But in the days since, that setup has shifted — and Global News has created a map of what the convoy protest’s encampments look like now.The original location of the convoy, Wellington Street, remains lined with trucks and regular vehicles.

Police could soon move in and end the Canada-U.S. border blockade in Windsor Ontario, after a court injunction was granted to remove protesters from the vital Ambassador Bridge crossing.

Caught on video: A Burnaby business owner and his employee are pepper-sprayed by a man, the latest incident in what they say is an ongoing problem with crime in their neighbourhood. Rumina Daya reports.

Covid-19 treatments have been prequalified by WHO, including the three presentations. A prequalification provides assurances to countries that they are purchasing quality health products.

One of Girvan’s most eagerly-anticipated events is set to make a comeback in 2022.

Beijing Winter Games on Saturday.The event made its Olympic debut in Beijing, with pairs of one man and one woman racing back-to-back for a spot on the medal podium.Grondin and O’Dine had already claimed the silver and bronze, respectively, in individual competition earlier in the week.As he was in his earlier event, Grondin was the fastest out of the gate in every round of mixed competition, creating big leads in the earlier rounds. Yet he was finally outpaced in the final and finished third behind American Nick Baumgartner and Italy’s Omar Visintin.That meant O’Dine lost the advantage she had in the quarterfinals and semifinals, as the women started staggered depending on the speed of their teammates.O’Dine battled for second position but fell halfway through her run after colliding with Italy’s Caterina Carpano, yet the Canadian still managed to cross in third position.Baumgartner’s teammate Lindsey Jacobellis brought home her second gold for the U.S.

Justin Trudeau says “everything” is on the table when it comes to ending the blockades paralyzing cross-border trade at multiple locations, and which remain encamped outside Parliament Hill.And he urged anyone still participating in the convoys, which are demanding an end to COVID-19 public health measures, to go home or face “severe” consequences.“Unfortunately, we are concerned about violence, so we’re taking every precaution,” he said.“It’s time to go home – especially if you have kids with you.”Make no mistake: The border cannot, and will not, remain closed. Every option is on the table.

Olympic officials on Saturday said they would welcome an anti-doping investigation into the Russian doctors, coaches and family members in the entourage of gold medal winning teenage skater Kamila Valieva.Valieva’s future at the Beijing Olympics hangs in the balance after the stunning revelation she had tested positive for a banned substance before winning the team event on Monday, but that the positive drug test report took more than six weeks to be made public.Fans of figure skating, athletes and anti-doping advocates have expressed outrage over a teenager being dragged into the center of an Olympic doping controversy with a positive test for an angina drug. Many have questioned the role of the adults around the 15-year-old skater.On Saturday, International Olympics Committee spokesman Mark Adams said: “Entourage has been overlooked in the past.” Beijing Olympics: Russian skater’s failed drug test confirmed, setting up fight with IOC The delay in Valieva receiving her positive drug test result also loomed large on Saturday as Olympic and anti-doping officials sought to reinstate her ban.Valieva was suspended by the Russian anti-doping body after the positive test report, but the suspension was lifted a day later after she appealed, allowing her to continue to compete.

pandemic will end this year, of course with one condition, the 70% vaccination (target is achieved) by mid this year around June, July".

NEWTOWN, Pa. - Council Rock North High School girls basketball team wanted its Senior Night to be special for everyone, including their team manager whose dream was to play in an actual game. The school got together with Academy Park High School on Friday to play a special Senior Night game to help turn Megan Bissol's dream into a reality."She’s definitely our biggest fan we always hear her the loudest on the bench. She comes to all the games home or away and everyone just adores her," Senior teammate Kristen Polinsky said. Bissol scored the first basket of her high school career on the very first shot she put up.

coronavirus cases are being recorded at less than one lakh for the last six consecutive days. The death toll has climbed to 5,07,981 with 804 daily fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.19%. The active cases comprise 1.43% of the total infections, while the national recovery rate has further improved to 97.37%, the health ministry said.

Wendy Williams has filed a temporary restraining order against Wells Fargo in order to access her cash. According to Williams' filings to the court, the bank's move reportedly came after Williams' former financial adviser alleged that Williams "was of unsound mind." On Friday, financial advisers at the bank told Fox News Digital that the company's only goal was to ensure the "Wendy Williams Show" host is able to make payments to entities she "regularly" has made them to, despite what her camp is stating on the record about her being "fine" in response to reportedly being labeled as an "incapacitated person."  "Wells Fargo’s priority is the financial well-being of Ms.

Police say a 31-year-old food delivery driver was making a delivery when he was shot multiple times. PHILADELPHIA - Police say a food delivery driver was caught in a hail of gunfire Friday night in Queen Village.According to investigators, the 31-year-old driver was making a delivery on the 900 block of North 5th Street just after 9 p.m.

Karnataka government had made the RT-PCR test compulsory for people entering its state to contain the virus transmission.

NE Phila Connected is offering free courses to teach responsible gun ownership and safety.  PHILADELPHIA - You don't have to scroll for long on a neighborhood Facebook page to find a post about a carjacking in Philadelphia.A non-profit in Northeast Philadelphia is tired of neighbors becoming victims or hurting themselves and others by trying to defend themselves.Roman Zhukov started NE Phila Connected because he saw his neighbors' frustration over the violence in the city and wanted to help."I have a child and it’s selfish to say, but I want him to grow up in a better environment," Zhukov said. "I want him to be okay walking himself to school, I want him to be okay to feel safe on the playground, I want him to go to school where there are no fights or guns involved."There’s been a rise in carjackings in his area and that prompted him to team up with Roman Kourinnoi, a certified concealed carry instructor, to offer free courses to educate people about gun ownership and how to handle them safely.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe first class is about having a plan and how to avoid situations."I won 100% of the fights I wasn’t involved in," Kourinnoi said.

Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey looks at some of the other COVID-19 indicators and what they reveal about the direction B.C. is hopefully heading.

The first blurry image captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA’s new space telescope has captured its first starlight and even taken a selfie of its giant, gold mirror.All 18 segments of the primary mirror on the James Webb Space Telescope seem to be working properly 1 1/2 months into the mission, officials said Friday.The telescope's first target was a bright star 258 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major."That was just a real wow moment," said Marshall Perrin of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.Over the next few months, the hexagonal mirror segments — each the size of a coffee table — will be aligned and focused as one, allowing science observations to begin by the end of June.NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launched successfully early Christmas morning from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast, riding a European Ariane rocket into the sky.

FILE - A baby koala is seen at Wild Life Sydney Zoo on Oct. 14, 2021 in Sydney, Australia.