Royals 'want to lead by example' to get 'back to normal' – despite Queen's Covid scare

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping are set to speak on Friday as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia's invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November, but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin's prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing's "rhetorical support" of Putin and an "absence of denunciation" of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine."This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands," Psaki said.China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine."China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); No conditions have been underlined for the USD 1 billion loan given by India, however, the amount will have to be paid back in installments after three years, said Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.The President is acting on a very prudent and a long-term plan, says Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on repaying the country’s loans after his entourage returned from India this afternoon. The Finance Minister returned to the country after signing agreements for a US $ 1 billion financial assistance from India. In addition to this $ 1 billion, India has already provided a $ 400 million loan, a $ 500 million loan to purchase petroleum and another $ 500 million via the Asian Clearing Union.Accordingly, the value of loans and relief facilities provided by India to overcome the current economic crisis is about US $ 2.4 billion in total. The Minister of Finance, speaking to media stated that Sri Lanka’s neighbor India has proven that it stands by Sri Lanka with this action, especially with Prime Minister Modi mentioning that all the support that Sri Lanka needs is being provided directly, both economically and socially.The Finance Minister said that Prime Minister Modi has learned of the organic farming and the interest shown by the President with regard to it, and although a shortage of nano fertilizer exists in India, they agreed to provide Sri Lanka with the required quantity.Rajapaksa also stated that India gave Sri Lanka a loan of US $ 1 billion to purchase food and other necessities for the people, especially for the upcoming Sinhala Tanil New Year, and the relevant loan has been in operation since yesterday (17).I urge all business communities to make it very transparent, giving priority to things which

Tom Parker beamed with joy after his bandmates shared some positive news with fans on the final night of their Greatest Hits tour.It comes as the five-piece group celebrated their chart-topping career on a nationwide tour, despite Tom's devastating inoperable brain tumour diagnosis in October 2020.The group consisting of Max George, 33, Tom, 33, Nathan Sykes, 28, Siva Kaneswaren, 33, and Jay McGuiness, 31, took to the stage performing hits including All Time Low and Walks Like Rihanna, much to the delight of fans.Despite his ongoing health struggles, Tom made the decision to join his pals for their closing numbers, Glad You Came and Gold Forever.A source told us: "Max told fans that this wouldn't be the last we would see of The Wanted, the group were really positive about their future and seemed optimistic about it."They performed as a four-piece until the final two songs when Tom appeared, sitting on a throne wearing sunglasses, a wardrobe change that his bandmates also joined in with."They added: "Despite his condition, he was in such high spirits and seemed overjoyed to be on stage but became rather emotional which is totally understandable."When Max was telling fans this isn't the last, Siva piped up adding that the heart vacancy girls might be the last of the tour but there'll be many more to come."This was echoed by Jay who told fans they need to "keep their eyes peeled" for future news, who later confirmed this on social media. Performing to a packed crowd at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, the group went one step further and brought out EastEnders actress, Maisie Smith, as Max's heart vacancy girl.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Russian forces struck Ukrainian cities from a distance again on Friday, hitting sites in the capital Kyiv and the country’s west as their ground offensive inched forward under fierce Ukrainian resistance.The war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin ground into its fourth week as his troops have failed to take Kyiv — a major objective in their hopes of forcing a settlement or dictating the country’s future political alignments.Missiles and shelling struck the edges of Kyiv as well as Lviv, close to Ukraine’s western border with NATO countries such as Poland.LVIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Smoke is seen above buildings close to the airport on March 18, 2022, in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Getty Images) Late Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nighttime video address to the nation that he is thankful to U.S.

Joshua Macias PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia prosecutors are again asking a judge to jail a Virginia man arrested in November 2020 on weapons charges after he traveled to the Pennsylvania Convention Center where votes were being counted.The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office on Wednesday filed a motion asking a judge to revoke the $850,000 bail of Joshua Macias, saying he violated the conditions of his bail by attending political events and posting on social media.A hearing is scheduled for next week on the motion. It centers on complaints that Macias allegedly can be heard narrating a live video from behind the camera during a recent "trucker protest" in Washington and that he attended at least one political rally for a Virginia candidate who has called for the execution of everyone involved in President Joe Biden’s election.William J.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Final Term Examinations of schools in the Western Province are to be delayed, announced the Director of Education for the Western Province.This is due to a shortage in sourcing paper and other material to prepare the examination papers.Due to the shortage of paper and other material, the final term examination timetable for Grades 6, 7, and 8 will be amended, and the final term examinations for Grades 4, 9, 10, and 11 will be moved to a date after the April 2022 holidays.

FILE IMAGES - (L) Pete Davidson attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on Sept. 13, 2021, in New York City.

UN News, “So, the idea that ‘we are through with it’ in the northern hemisphere and now we have to wait until next winter, I think (for example) when we look at increasing rates in the UK, we need to be very vigilant and cautious with this."

FILE IMAGE - American Airlines planes parked at their gates in the Miami International Airport on Dec. 10, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A massive Republican primary field for governor in Pennsylvania is spurring growing discomfort among party leaders that a widely splintered primary vote could produce a winner who cannot beat Democrat Josh Shapiro in November's general election.Ten Republicans filed paperwork Tuesday to get on the May 17 primary ballot. That is more than party leaders expected or have ever seen in a such a high-profile primary contest.It prompted grumbling over the state party's decision not to endorse in a gubernatorial primary — to try to winnow the field — for the first time since 1978.It has also propelled party leaders to begin working on a strategy to persuade some candidates who are perceived as weaker to drop out.

TV presenter Zoe Ball has revealed she’s been forced to pull out of tonight’s Comic Relief after testing positive for Covid-19.The 51 year old radio DJ took to Instagram to announce the sad news, as she shared that Alesha Dixon would be standing in for her on the big night. Alongside a snap of a positive test, former Strictly It Takes Two host Zoe wrote: “pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am- noooooooo.” She continued to her 600,000 followers: “Gorgeous @aleshaofficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love.” Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter The mum of two then gave a special shout out to the rest of the Comic Relief team who will be entertaining viewers.

All travel rules have been axed in Scotland and across the UK in a major moment for the travel industry.

Families who lost loved ones in Dealgan House nursing home in Dundalk, Co Louth say they are still looking for answers, almost two years on from a devastating Covid-19 outbreak.

PHILADELPHIA - A teenage boy was shot and killed as he rode his bike in North Philadelphia late Thursday night, police say.The shooting happened around 10 p.m. in the area of 2nd and Allegheny. Police say the 17-year-old victim was riding a mountain bike when he was shot multiple times in the torso.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be "stuck on the ground" unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded."We have reached a pivot point," Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has passed its first assignment with flying colours, after it handed in a spectacular photo to NASA.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 03: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Minnesota Wild at the Wells Fargo Center on March 3, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - The party planned for Claude Giroux’s 1,000th game with the Philadelphia Flyers seems appropriately lavish for a team captain who has spent his entire career with the franchise.The Flyers will celebrate Giroux and his family before Thursday night's game and have invited special guests of honor.

Moderna has sought emergency use authorisation from US health regulators for a second Covid-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic.

Central government also asked states and UTs to send adequate numbers of samples to INSACOG to ensure timely detection of new variants while maintaining adequate testing as per the protocols for testing laid by ICMR.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Socialist Youth Union launched a massive protest march in Colombo on Friday (18) morning with the participation of thousands of its members, against many decisions made by the Sri Lankan Government, which they term as detrimental to the well being of her citizens.The protest march commenced from the Technical Junction in Maradana, and the Socialist Youth Union is attached to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.These protestors are demanding the Sri Lankan Government end the shortage of fuel and gas, terminate the agreements that handed over the Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex to India, and the transfer of shares of the Yugadhanavi Power Plant to US-based new Fortress Energy Inc.The protest is heading towards the Fort Railway Station, in the heart of Colombo, and one of the busiest main roads in the city.

Covid-19 infections have suddenly shot up. The WHO weekly report on the pandemic issued late Tuesday, noted that there were more than 11 million new Covid-19 infections last week - about an 8% rise - and 43,000 new deaths, as per news agency PTI report.

COLOMBO (News 1st); As ordinary Sri Lankans queued once again up last evening for fuel and LP gas, a social media furor erupted as videos began to emerge of a fleet of SUV’s and high-powered motorcycles speeding along a road backed by a police convoy.The Police Media Division in a Press Release issued this morning (18) noted that while “conditional permission” had been granted for a “vehicle-parade”, the police had banned the parade due to public outcry and the flouting of conditions agreed to.Police have assured that legal action would be taken if road rules were broken. The video circulating on social media shows many SUV’s had passengers dangerously hanging out of open windows.The convoy, which was flanked by a considerable police escort, was met with stiff resistance at the Kalpitiya town, where residents and religious leaders blocked the road preventing the convoy from moving ahead.“The People in this area, have no fuel.

Around the world, superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs are being seized and impounded thanks to ongoing sanctions from Canada, the U.S. and the European Union in response to Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia accused Canada on Thursday of childishly annotating a letter it sent at the United Nations seeking support for its draft resolution on providing aid access and civilian protection in Ukraine, which Ottawa reacted to with pointed comments.

Western rivals are keeping an eye on Vladimir Putin as the Russian president talks about his desire for a “purge” of society.

A Lower Mainland woman says she was shoved by a complete stranger at one of the region’s busiest shopping centres. The woman was walking with a friend when she says she was attacked by a woman she’d never seen before.

An employee at a Burnaby skincare business has now been charged with sexual assault and police say there may be other victims.

As restrictions across the province are slowly lifting, the Saskatoon airport is seeing a small update in travel restrictions. They’re also seeing more summer flights being booked.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Senior Sri Lankan Government Official said Sri Lanka will make a documented request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon, for assistance.He said the necessary plans will be drafted following the return of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Finance Secretary S. R.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia organization dedicated to guiding the city's youth away from crime through unique educational opportunities recently brought dozens of children to the National Space Museum in Virginia. Vanessa Young and Teisha Brown run Power of Paint Art Academy and, with the help of sponsors, helped 36 children get an all expense paid trip to the NASA Space Museum to explore the field of aviation. "A lot of the kids we service otherwise may not get exposed to those career paths or even getting exposed to being outside the city of Philadelphia," Young said. Young and Brown hope their programs and mentorship save young lives that are far too often cut short in Philadelphia. "School age kids are getting hurt on their porch and on their way to school so just providing that outlet," Young said. It took less than three months for Philadelphia to exceed 100 homicides on the year, outpacing a historically bloody 2021. Pennsylvania State Representative Stephen Kinsey led a group canvassing East Germantown on Thursday to call attention to the continued rise in deadly crime. "People are concerned, people are afraid, and they want to take back their community," Kinsey said. Hassan and Angela Bolger joined the walk to offer resources to residents dealing with gun violence."Our youngest son is 17. I want to protect him.

#COVID19 cases, 3,997 recoveries, and 149 deaths in the last 24 hours.Active case: 29,181 (0.07%)Daily positivity rate: 0.40%Total recoveries: 4,24,58,543Death toll: 5,16,281Total vaccination: 1,80,97,94,58 pic.twitter.com/PhvoxNiXxV

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry said that a fuel tanker with 40,000 MT of Diesel will reach Sri Lankan shores on Sunday (20), following the singing of a US $ 1 Bn Credit Line with India.Secretary to the Energy Minister K. D.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a young man was badly hurt when he answered a knock at his front door and was shot in the chest Tuesday night in East Germantown.Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to a property on the 5300 block of Magnolia Street around 9:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - High schools in the Philadelphia school district will start at 9 a.m. this fall as the next wave of changes that officials hope will improve transportation and education. Spokesperson Monica Lewis said the district's plan to phase to a three-tiered bell schedule started last fall, impacting kindergarten through 8th grade. "The American Academy of Pediatrics whim have stated that a later start time for high school students would help them arrive to school more alert and prepared to learn," Lewis said. In a letter to families, the district said the plan also "promotes safer travel in the mornings" since most high school students are responsible for their own commute to school. "This effort improves the overall transportation experience for our students, even as we continue to face a nationwide bus driver shortage," the letter said. FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce spoke to parents who are onboard with the change. "I would rather him go in a little later a little lighter out in the morning considering all the things going on in city," Cherise Dandy-Miller said. Philadelphia isn't the first local district to push its start time back for high school students.

Kim Wilford, general counsel for GoFundMe, told a finance committee hearing on Thursday that the suspension of the trucker convoy campaign happened after their discussions with Ottawa police.

We’re happy to report that it appears as if the Queen has recovered from COVID-19!

Queen Elizabeth II is back to her virtual duties! The 95-year-old monarch was seen for the first time on Tuesday since testing positive for COVID last month. ET previously reported that the queen is double vaccinated and boosted. After postponing several virtual events due to her illness, the British monarch held two virtual audiences from Windsor Castle with the ambassadors of Andorra, Carles Jordan Madero, and Chad, Kedella Younous Hamidi, as well as Soraia Maria Valls Pinilla. For the occasion, Elizabeth was seen in green looking to be in good spirits. In addition to postponing several virtual events due to illness, the queen also postponed a diplomatic reception planned to take place at Windsor Castle on Wednesday due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Though Elizabeth has avoided public appearances, ET previously learned that she was carrying on with «light duties» amid her COVID battle, which included keeping up with her red boxes, which contain government advisories and parliamentary papers at her desk. Last week, a source confirmed to ET that the queen did have her weekly call with UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Queen Elizabeth reportedly enjoyed a reunion with some of her beloved family as she continued her recovery from Covid-19.The 95 year old is said to have spent some time with Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after coming out of self-isolation. Great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth, is also said to have enjoyed a catch-up with Princess Beatrice and her baby daughter Sienna over the weekend.

Queen Elizabeth II waves during a walk about around Windsor on her 90th Birthday in Windsor, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) Queen Elizabeth II postponed two virtual audiences as she continued to experience cold-like symptoms from COVID-19, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.It was the second time this week that Elizabeth, 95, had canceled virtual sessions.

The Queen has held her weekly audience with Boris Johnson over the phone, after previously cancelling her virtual duties due to suffering from mild "cold-like" Covid-19 symptoms. Buckingham Palace revealed that the 95 year old Queen had spoken with the prime minister over the phone on Wednesday evening after cancelling her planned engagements on Tuesday.The Queen, who is triple-jabbed, is being monitored by her physician Professor Sir Huw Thomas who is head of the Medical Household.

Her Majesty the Queen has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now isolating at Windsor Castle.The news came just days after Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, reported a positive test.Thankfully, the Queen is only tackling ‘mild cold symptoms’, according to the palace. And our stalwart monarch is ‘determined to carry on’ doing light duties despite being struck with the illness. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.” But who’s looking after our monarch and making sure she makes a speedy recovery? For all the latest royal stories, sign up for OK! 's daily newsletter here.To set her on the path to a speedy recovery, the Queen has her own dedicated doctor.

Queen contracting Covid after they beg her to “rest” after Buckingham Palace revealed she would continue “light duties”.Her Majesty, 95, is said to be experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and is currently self-isolating at Windsor Castle.However, officials at the Palace have worried users on Twitter after revealing she would continue working in some capacity.The announcement has led to many calling for the Queen to “rest” and to take a “duvet day”.Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Sunday: “Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for Covid.“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.The Queen is the latest member of the Royal Family to test positive for Covid following Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.One Twitter user said: “Oh come on, I'm no royalist but she's got Covid and she's bloody 95 years old, let the lass have a duvet day.”Another commented: “She’s 95 years old, with Covid and working. Surely our queen is allowed a few days off to rest! I was unmovable, wrapped in blankets sipping tea for days with Covid.”While another user said: “‘Light duties’.

Narendra Modi on Sunday took to Twitter to wish a speedy recovery to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II who is reportedly suffering from Covid-19. PM Modi, quoting a tweet by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said in a tweet, "I wish Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth a speedy recovery and pray for her good health."

Queen has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing symptoms, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.The 95-year-old monarch is said to be experiencing mild symptoms and continuing with her royal duties from isolation at Windsor Castle.Her Majesty was being closely monitored after news emerged of Charles' had caught the virus just days after the pair had been in close contact earlier this month.At the time, Buckingham Palace refused to confirm the monarch's test results, fuelling fears for her health, but palace sources insisted she was not displaying symptoms.Palace doctors had been testing the Queen frequently since her son tested positive and it has now emerged that she is mildly symptomatic.It is understood that the Queen was in contact with the Prince of Wales on several occasions before he was required to isolate on February 10.The Queen has been triple-vaccinated.