Pandemic has upped threat of ISIS, al-Qaida in conflict areas: U.N. report

UK on Delta-Omicron recombinant variant of SARS-COV-2

Kerala in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 64,40,371, according to the state health department. 

PTI on Wednesday. 

BEIJING - Minutes after failing to score in the shootout as the Americans’ last chance to stay alive at the Olympics, captain Andy Miele took off his gloves to wipe the tears coming out of his eyes."I’m just sad it’s over," he said.With one bad bounce in the final minute of regulation that became the tying goal and an unsuccessful shootout, the United States is out of the men’s hockey tournament at the Beijing Games after a shocking 3-2 loss to Slovakia in the quarterfinals Wednesday. The previously unbeaten U.S. that earned the top seed in the knockout round and looked poised for a deep run instead was dealt the same result as the 2018 group in the last Olympics without NHL players."This one’s going to sting for a little bit," veteran defenseman Steven Kampfer said.

NEW YORK - Police say they have found a little New York girl who had been missing for nearly three years.Paislee Shultis, then 4 years old, was reported missing from Cayuga Heights in Tompkins County on July 13, 2019.  At the time of her disappearance, police thought that she might have been abducted by her non-custodial parents, Kimberly Cooper and Kirk Shultis Jr.On Monday, police in Saugerties say they had a warrant to search the home of Paislee's grandfather after receiving a tip. The girl's biological father was one of the residents.

NASA says. As a bonus, the full moon will appear low on the west-northwestern horizon near Regulus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Regulus is the brightest star seen in the constellation Leo, which is typically best seen in the Northern Hemisphere's late winter and spring, according to the space agency.February’s snow moon reaches peak illumination at 11:59 a.m.

iPhones always work like a dream when we buy them. Then, like any other device, it starts slowing down.However, following one simple advice can help improve your iPhone’s performance, make sure it operates for longer and even increase its worth if you choose to resell it later.All you need to do is preserve your phone’s battery health. This is a common piece of advice that most iPhone users have probably heard but taken for granted often.Here are eight handy tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to ensure that your iPhone battery remains healthy and efficient for longer.

Volunteers from around the UK are being recruited to take part in a new study for an Omicron booster jab.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - For Los Angeles Rams' Van Jefferson, Sunday was a night full of emotional highs mixed with even more highs.Not only did the second-year wide receiver played part in the Rams' 23-20 Super Bowl LVI win, but the 25-year-old and his wife, Samaria, made national headlines after the game after it was revealed that the couple was about to welcome their second child on Super Bowl Sunday.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rams WR Van Jefferson's wife rushed to hospital after going into labor during Super Bowl LVIAs Samaria was reportedly rushed to the hospital in the middle of Sunday's game, which Van didn't know at the time, NFL Films captured the dramatic moment the Rams wide receiver found out his wife was in labor."Your wife is giving birth right now," a Rams staff member told Van in the video."Oh my gosh!" Van exclaimed.As soon as Van heard the news, he turned to his daughter to tell him that they need to leave SoFi Stadium."Mommy's finna have a baby," Van calmly explained to his daughter. "We gotta go!"Below is the video of the dramatic but wholesome exchange between the dad and soon-to-be big sis.Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.The Rams wide receiver eventually took to social media to give the announcement fans had anxiously waited: the birth of the couple's second child!On Valentine's Day, the day after the birth of their newborn baby, Van took to Twitter to pay tribute to Samaria with the caption reading, "MVP."Jefferson finished the game with four catches and 23 receiving yards in Sunday's historic win.Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.Advertisement

LOS ANGELES - California will soon move on from the indoor mask mandate.This comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced earlier in February that the state's indoor mask mandate will expire after Tuesday, February 15. But before you start to consider ditching the masks, a major caveat Californians must take into account is that local governments can continue to continue their own version of the indoor mask mandates. Here are notable counties that announced it will not align with the state's decision to ditch the indoor mask mandate:As for Southern California counties, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties are aligning with the state's decision to part with the indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday, February, 16. In Los Angeles County, all indoor public settings are still required to have everyone mask up, regardless of their vaccination status.Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr.

MOSCOW - Russia said Wednesday it was returning more troops and weapons to bases, but NATO declared it saw no sign of a drawdown as fears that Moscow could invade Ukraine soon persisted.Russia has massed about 150,000 troops east, north and south of Ukraine, sparking Western concerns it was planning an attack. Moscow denies it has any such plans and this week said it was pulling back some forces and weapons, though it gave few details.

NEW YORK - A Long Island La-Z Boy furniture store on Sunrise Highway went up in flames Wednesday after a gasoline tank truck slammed into the buildingThe roughly 13,000-gallon truck struck the empty store in Rockville Center at about 1:15 a.m. and spread to another building and the street.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says it supports the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.Calls have been mounting from human rights bodies to amend the law ahead of this month’s UN human rights council sessions.The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has told diplomats this week that it supports the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.It said terrorism should be investigated under the general law by making necessary amendments.In a statement, the HRCSL said it is also advocating amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act, to achieve greater transparency.It added that it will implement a national preventive mechanism under which there will be regular visits of suspects to prevent torture.The commission also said it is also advocating for re-trials of rejected appeals instead of presidential pardons.It noted that a project is being designed to address issues of plantation workers.

PALM COAST, Fla. - A Palm Coast man is accused of beating his nine-year-old son after he and his younger brother made several iPad app purchases. Deputies said Andrew Atkerson picked up his son and threw him against the walls and closets in their home on Feb 3. The alleged beating left bruises under both of the boy's eyes, his left hip, and his upper back right shoulder. According to the Flagler Sheriff's Office, the child's mother reported the incident after picking him up from school and seeing the bruises. When Atkerson was questioned about the bruises, he told the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), "I might have over punished them a little bit."Since 2004, Atkerson has faced 20 different charges in California and Florida, according to authorities.

Rylan Clark has opened up about his mental health struggles, admitting that his “crisis” hit him “like a baseball bat”.The now-BBC Radio 2 presenter shot to fame when he finished in fifth place on Simon Cowell’s talent show ‘The X Factor’ in 2012.He has since gone on to work in television and the media, and won Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, as well as becoming the host of Supermarket Sweep.Rylan broke up with his husband Dan Neal after a six year marriage in June last year, and admitted that he had been “going through a tough time” earlier this year.Now, Rylan has opened up on his ‘Ry-Union’ podcast about his struggles with mental health.The star’s guest Ella Henderson was talking about the honesty involved in creating her new album when the pair got onto the topic of mental health.“Mental health is so prevalent, it’s one of those things that people are talking more and more openly about,” Rylan said.“I’ve never in my life thought that I would ever go through a crisis like that, but I did ultimately.“It literally hit me round the face like a baseball bat, because I thought that I was too strong for it, like I’m never going to let anything like that happen to me.“But then it does, and it’s really really hard to deal with.”The showbiz star took some time out after his breakup, and recently updated his Instagram followers when he reassured fans that he would be back soon after he pulled out of his radio show because of illness.The 33 year-old posted a picture of a cannula in his arm, but didn’t elaborate on his condition.In an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, Rylan admitted that he had lost weight rapidly after splitting with Dan, reportedly shrinking to 9 stone despite his lanky 6ft 4in frame.To get more

BBC Radio 2 presenter admitted that the breakup “hit him round the face” as he “never thought’ he would experience something like it.Speaking on his podcast Ry-Union, the Strictly: It Takes Two host confessed the split was “really hard to deal with”.He explained: “I’ve never in my life thought that I would go through a crisis like that."But I did, ultimately, and it literally hit me round the face like a baseball bat, because I always thought I was too strong for it."Like, I’m never going to let anything like that happen to me, but then it does and it’s really, really hard to deal with.”Earlier this month, Rylan sparked concerns over his health after being rushed to hospital over a bout of ill health.The reason for his hospitalisation was not confirmed, but he previously told his fans he had come down with the flu and was bedridden for a few days.Due to his health issue, Rylan could be set to miss his Rylan On Saturday radio show for the second week in a row.He has been temporarily replaced on the BBC Radio 2 show by presenter OJ Borg.It has not yet been confirmed whether Rylan will be well enough to host the show this weekend.But yesterday the TV star shared a new update to let fans know he will be “back soon”.In an Instagram post, Rylan gave his 1.5 million followers an insight into how he is keeping his spirits up while he receives treatment.He uploaded a picture of a huge jar filled with Kinder Happy Hippos with a tower of boxes of the popular chocolate visible in the background.The snap also showed a pile of Nutella and breadsticks.Rylan captioned the post: “Whenever I feel ill I turn into such a child.“Resting up be back sooooooon.” (sic)Fans promptly took to the post’s comments section to send Rylan their

GENEVA :

Craig David has postponed his BRITs Week show for War Child this week after testing positive for COVID.The singer and rapper was set to play a gig at London’s Under The Bridge venue tomorrow (February 17) as part of a series of charity shows in the capital surrounding the 2022 BRIT Awards, which were held at The O2 last Tuesday (February 8).Taking to his social media accounts to reveal the diagnosis and postpone the show, David wrote: “I’m so sorry, but I woke up feeling a touch funky this morning so I did some tests and unfortunately tested positive for COVID. I’m feeling ok and just taking it easy in isolation.“Apologies to anyone coming to my BRITs War Child show this coming Thursday, it has been rescheduled and will now happen on Thursday 10th March… I hope you can all still make it!”A post shared by Craig David (@craigdavid)Later this year, Craig David is set to release a new album called ’22’.

COLOMBO (News 1st): All possible steps will be taken to prevent Indian fishermen from illegal fishing in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, by breaching the maritime boundaries, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Fisheries emphasized on Wednesday (Feb. 16).Discussions in this regard will be held with the Government of India in the coming weeks, Indu Ratnayake, the Secretary to the Fisheries Ministry told News 1st.The Indian Government has also agreed to hold discussions, according to Ratnayake.The authorities are focusing on future steps that could be taken with regard to the vessels and fishing gear seized by security forces, she further noted.

The President of the ASTI has said the union would be "cautious" about any changes to the current mask mandate in schools.

CNBC, he said, "I think that is a reasonable scenario." “There’s an 80% chance that as omicron evolves or SarsCov-2 virus evolves, we are going to see less and less virulent viruses," the Moderna CEO said.

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Before a civil trial could go ahead, Prince Andrew has reached an out-of-court settlement with Virgina Giuffre, who’s accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.

Rylan Clark has revealed that he felt as though he was "hit round the face" following his split from Dan Neal after six years of marriage.TV and radio presenter Rylan took four months off work on BBC Radio 2 and was later hospitalised after "losing" himself over the separation. Now, the 33 year old, who recently shared a health update after being rushed to hospital with a mystery illness, has opened up on his mental wellbeing on his podcast Ry-Union, where he explained the break up was "hard to deal with". “I’ve never in my life thought that I would go through a crisis like that," he shared.

EastEnders actress June Brown has turned another year older and marked her 94th birthday on February 16.The soap icon is beat known for playing Dot Cotton and joined the BBC One soap back in 1985.In 2005, she won Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards and previously received the Lifetime Achievement award at the British Soap Awards.June was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to drama and to charity.In 2009, she was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress, making her the second performer to receive a BAFTA nomination for their work in a soap opera, after Jean Alexander.It was announced in February 2020 that June had decided to leave EastEnders behind and quit her role as chain-smoking Dot permanently.To celebrate the birthday girl, Daily Star has taken a look back at her wild life from opening up about being "sick and tired" of having sex to her unexpected friendship with pop sensation turned Hollywood actress Lady Gaga.June was born on 16 February 1927 in Needham Market, Suffolk and was one of five children.Her younger brother John Peter died of pneumonia in 1932 at 15 days old, and her elder sister Marise died in 1934 aged eight from a meningitis-like illness. She was educated at St John's Church of England School in Ipswich and then won a scholarship to Ipswich High School, where she passed the school certificate examinations.During the Second World War, she was evacuated to the Welsh village of Pontyates in Carmarthenshire.

schools which have been conducting online classes, too, shifted to the physical mode today. "Making them adapt to a new atmosphere which is different from the familiar comforts of their homes will be our primary task. 

Gemma Collins has revealed she's had to have a nurse come to her home and administer an IV drip after struggling to recover from coronavirus. Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma, 41, opened up to fans on her Instagram stories as she filmed herself having a vitamin C drip put in and explained she's been feeling "exhausted" lately. As Gemma filmed herself with the cannula in her arm, which was being fixed on by her nurse, she explained to her followers: "So guys, today I am poorly.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services has issued a circular with respect to the deaths reported in Sri Lanka.According to the circular, all deaths that take place in hospitals and residences or other locations are NOT subject to mandatory PCR tests.However, a PCR can be carried out on the remains of a deceased person at the discretion of the Judicial Medical Officer.

Senior civil servants will meet tomorrow ahead of NPHET's review on Thursday of mask wearing requirements in schools and other settings.

New Zealand Covid-19 infections reached a record high as anti-vaccine protesters claimed victory after police failed to clear vehicles blocking the streets around parliament.

After 18 days of disrupting a Canada-U.S. border crossing, anti-COVID mandate protesters have dispersed their blockade near Coutts, Alberta.

A B.C. woman who claims she was sexually assaulted on a North Vancouver trail is criticizing RCMP for their delayed response to her report. Rumina Daya reports.

For the first time in Canadian history, Ottawa granted itself extraordinary powers. Invoking the Emergencies Act, Monday, in a move designed to choke off the money keeping protesters across the country fueled and fed. Aaron McArthur reports.

COVID.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Rathnayake states that its new methodology will lead to NO scheduled power cuts in the near future. However, he stated that electricity generation from hydro will reduced by 50% from Wednesday (16).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Wednesday (16) is the 2nd day of the 43rd Annual Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo.The Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple has a special place among the Buddhist festivals in the country.This year’s procession has been organized with the blessings of Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangarama Temple, and the Maha Sangha.The casket with sacred relics was placed on the main Tusker by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, following religious observances on the first day of the procession.The Nawam Maha Perahera will parade the streets at 7:00 tonight.A special traffic plan will be in place in view of the Navam Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.Traffic will be restricted on several roads from 5pm until the conclusion of the Perahera.1. Entry to James Peiris Mawatha from Piththala Junction2.

Eleven people involved in the Coutts border blockade were before a court Tuesday facing various weapons and mischief charges — and three among them were also charged with conspiracy to murder.

Anti-hate experts are raising concerns after a picture of weapons, ammunition and body armour seized at the border protest at Coutts, Alta. showed patches belonging to a neo-nazi group in Canada.

Bringing children to the antigovernment blockades that have immobilized downtown Ottawa and shuttered border crossings is among the activities that could net protesters a $5,000 fine or five years in prison while Canada is under the national Emergencies Act.

Coachella and Stagecoach just made some big announcements about their upcoming music festivals.

Microsoft will give its employees 30 days to shift to a new stage of hybrid working which will bring more people onto its campuses. Who is required in the office and when will be decided by each team, said Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s chief marketing officer, in a blog post.

caseload.

Officials in Ambler have backed off after planning to take an 80-year-old business owner's property through eminent domain.  AMBLER, Pa. - A business owner in Ambler is celebrating after the borough backed off from trying to take his business property through eminent domain.Pasquall Riccardi was already struggling after his auto repair shop on South Main Street burned down on Feb. 3. After the fire, the 80-year-old owner was close to being forced to sell the property to the borough.RELATED: 1 hurt in fire that torched Ambler auto repair shopThe local government wanted his property to expand a parking lot at the nearby SEPTA rail station.

A local mother is looking for a group of heroes who saved her daughter from being mauled by a dog at Madison Park in Pennsauken.  PENNSAUKEN, N.J. - A group of strangers quickly became heroes to Erika Rivera and her nine-year-old daughter Toni after saving the child from being mauled by a dog.  Rivera spoke to FOX 29’s Jennifer Joyce via Zoom as she sat by her daughter’s bedside at Cooper University Hospital. She said her daughter was attacked by a neighborhood dog on Monday in Pennsauken’s Madison Park.The Good Samaritans saw the attack and rushed in to help. "They’re the ones who called the police," Rivera said.

NEW YORK (AP) - For the first time in two years for many people, the American workplace is transforming into something that resembles pre-pandemic days.Tyson Foods said Tuesday it was ending mask requirements for its vaccinated workers in some facilities. Walmart and Amazon — the nation’s No. 1 and 2 largest private employers respectively — will no longer require fully vaccinated workers to don masks in stores or warehouses unless required under local or state laws.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter shoots over at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE PHILADELPHIA - Jaylen Brown scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half and the Boston Celtics won their ninth in a row, dominating the Philadelphia 76ers 135-87 on Tuesday night.Jayson Tatum added 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Celtics, who have closed ground in the Eastern Conference with their stellar play of late. Boston entered sixth in the East, 4 ½ back of first-place Miami.

Global’s Keith Baldrey looks at how we got to Tuesday’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions in B.C.