SpaceX preparing for President's Day launch of Starlink mission

Kyiv curfew extended as Russian troops pound on Ukrainian capital “We have not supported what Russia has done. We have abstained.

The Ukrainian government says at least 200 people have been killed on its soil during the invasion by Russia. The country’s president wants peace and to get it through negotiation, not death, and would be willing to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not willing to bow to any Kremlin ultimatums.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address on Saturday that he welcomes moves by various countries to disconnect Russia from “global financial civilization” by cutting the country off from the SWIFT international payment system. Russia still has access to SWIFT, but more countries are pushing for it to happen, including Canada.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Director-General of Health Services has announced that fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the country are exempted of a pre-departure COVID-19 test.This measure will come into effect from the 1st of March 2022.Read the latest guidelines for travellers below : 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday that Canada will be placing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

COVID-19 cases in Alberta grew last year after the province’s Open for Summer restrictions relaxation went into effect. When asked how to avoid a repeat of that situation in 2022, Premier Jason Kenney said the province is looking at data from places where Omicron hit earlier than in Alberta when making decision on moving forward.

In early November 2021, Crew-2 ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet photographed the space station from above during the return trip home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour (NASA/ESA/SpaceX) In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced new sanctions Thursday targeting the Russian economy and attempting to cut off access to emerging technology, which could impact the Russian space program, Roscosmos. "Between our actions and those of our allies and partners, we estimate that will cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports and will strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military," Biden said Thursday. "It'll degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program, and hurt their ability to build ships, reducing their ability to compete economically."While Russian and U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Although the country is being ruled by the Government in a manner which ensures the freedom of the people, that freedom is being misused by many, says President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking at the event of distribution of 100,000 Mahaweli Ranbima deeds at the Mahaweli Stadium in Embilipitiya today (26), the President stated that especially today, himself and the present Government is ruling the country in a way which democracy is ensured.President Rajapaksa also said that the cause of the foreign exchange crisis is not his own fault or the fault of the government.The 100,000 Mahaweli Ranbima deed program is being implemented in line with the Government’s policy statement, “Vision of Prosperity”. Under this program, the Government plans to complete the distribution of 100,000 land deeds to farmers in the Mahaweli areas before the end of next year.35,000 deeds settled under the first phase will be handed over to farmers in 10 Mahaweli zones, and deeds were symbolically awarded to 30 persons today.The President further went onto state that although there are many complaints about the lack of power and electricity in the country, the previous Government did not take any action to implement a single power plant in the country after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa established the Norochcholai power plant.President reiterated that he has been able to reaffirm the security of the country.Citing the promises made to implement a green agriculture in the policy statement, the President said that unfortunately the intent was not able to be communicated to the farmers in the correct manner, and many remained misinformed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s fate is being decided right now, as Russian forces close in on Kyiv. Journalist Joe Federman of the Associated Press reports from Ukraine’s capital on the escalating anxiety and chaos, and the resistance among Ukrainians.

As Russian soldiers converge on Kyiv, they have been slowed by a determined defense from Ukrainian armed forces and a growing number of civilians who are taking up arms against the invasion.While Moscow has made it clear its goal is to topple the Ukrainian government it’s facing dogged opposition both in the country and from the international community.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Police launched an investigation on Friday (25) after the carcass of a Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) was discovered from an estate in Norton Bridge.Police received information that a dead Leopard was sighted inside a tea estate in Vidulipura in Wimalasurendra Gama located within the Norton Bridge Police jurisdiction.Initial investigations revealed that the leopard was injured in two areas on the back and another serious wound on its forward right leg.The leopard is believed to be around 6 years of age, and is a species native to Sri Lanka.Officers from the Nallatanniya Wildlife Office had visited the site and taken away the carcass for further investigations.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital early Saturday as explosions reverberated through the city and the president urged the country to "stand firm" against the siege that could determine its future. He refused American help to evacuate, saying: "The fight is here."Hundreds of casualties were reported in the fighting, which included shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools.

LOS ANGELES - Cities in the United States and across the globe are displaying blue and yellow lights, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, in a show of solidarity with the European nation as it grapples with a full-on invasion from neighboring Russia.The Empire State Building was illuminated with blue and yellow lights in a display of support for Ukraine currently under siege by Russian forces."Tonight, the Empire State Building will shine its tower lights in the colors of the Ukrainian flag," wrote the official Twitter account for the Empire State Building. In Dallas, the Ukrainian flag’s colors could be seen shining throughout the Texas city’s skyline. In Cincinnati, Ohio, a sister city to Kharkiv, Ukraine, the Duke Energy Convention Center was also lit up as a hat tip to Ukraine.Roughly 200 miles to the north, in Sandusky, Ohio, a tribute to Ukraine could also be found.Tributes to Ukraine could also be seen in Paris, London, Melbourne, Berlin and Rome, Reuters reported. Berlin, which stood as the front line during the Cold War until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, sent a clear signal to the Kremlin when it lit up the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the city’s most famous landmark, in blue and yellow."We are showing our solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the many Berliners with Ukrainian roots but also with the many Russians who want peace in Russia and Ukraine," Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said in a statement."They all want nothing more than an end to the escalation and a peaceful settlement to this threatening conflict," she added.A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military action in the breakaway regions of Ukraine, Russian forces appear to be closing in on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.Explosions

Tempe Diablo Stadium SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Officials with Major League Baseball say a week after pushing back the start of the exhibition season, spring training games in both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues will not be played until at least March 8.The decision was made amid the ongoing MLB lockout. Here's what you should know about the situation, as it stands now.With the Cactus League, spring training was supposed to start on Feb.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 24, 2022: Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen during a meeting with members of Russian business community in the Moscow Kremlin. Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS (Photo by Alexei N BRUSSELS - With a military intervention in Ukraine off the table, and countries around the world looking to heap more financial punishment on Moscow, the United States, Britain and European Union said Friday they will move to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.The Russian military is in the middle of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The EU’s unanimous decision, part of a broader sanctions package, indicated that Western powers are moving toward unprecedented measures to try to force Putin to stop the brutal invasion of Russia’s neighbor and from unleashing a major war in Europe.

A Delta Air Lines plane taxis toward a gate between other Delta planes at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 20, 2009.

Ukrainian troops patrol in the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on February 19, 2022. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) KYIV, Ukraine - Social media is buzzing about unconfirmed claims that a single fighter pilot — dubbed the "Ghost of Kyiv" — took down six Russian jets.Twitter users shared videos Friday of a MiG-29 fighter jet flying through the skies over Ukraine, which led to widespread reaction on social media. @KhaledEibid wrote "This Ukrainian Pilot is becoming a legend in Kyiv, He has successfully challenged 6 Russian pilots alone..

Eva Herzigova left jaws dropped when she walked in the Missoni show at Milan Fashion Week. Eva, 48, wore a long-sleeved Lurex maxi dress, red boots, and a look of confidence during the Friday (Feb. 25) event. The appearance came less than a day after she closed out the Blumarine show, walking in the final look of Thursday’s spectacular: a seductive, black velvet gown that showed off her fit stomach and toned legs. For Eva and fashion fans, this was more than a supermodel strutting her stuff: it marked a return that many thought wouldn’t be possible due to Eva contracting COVID-19 in December 2020.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Lanka IOC increased its Retail Selling Prices with effect from Friday (25).According Diesel was increased by Rs. 15/- per Liter and Petrol by Rs. 20/- per Liter due to significant rise in international fuel prices.

BRUSSELS - U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts agreed Friday to reassure member countries on the alliance’s eastern flank by sending parts of the organization’s response force to help protect them following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealing for help, NATO members ranging from Russia’s neighbor Estonia in the north down to Bulgaria on the Black Sea coast triggered urgent consultations about their security.

Middlesex-London Health Unit announced Friday that it will be closing its mass vaccination clinic at the Earl Nichols Recreation Centre in one week’s time.The MLHU said the March 4 closure is the result of lower demand and a decision to deploy more resources towards increasing mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic operations. Ontario COVID numbers: 1,003 people in hospital, 297 in intensive care “We are grateful to the many clinic staff members and volunteers who worked at the Earl Nichols vaccination site and made it such a comfortable and welcoming setting for people and their families to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr.

FILE IMAGE - Medical imaging is shown at a hospital in Savoie, France. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - What happens in the brain when we die? Memorable moments in life may indeed flash before our eyes, the first-ever recording of a dying human brain suggests. "Life recall," or the process of reliving memories of one's life in a matter of seconds when experiencing a near-death experience or death itself, has puzzled neuroscientists for centuries. A new study, published this week by Dr.

KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine is seeking financial support for its military defense and has launched a website to request logistical and medical support for their armed forces amid an ongoing Russian invasion. "Please donate the funds for logistical and medical support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in UAH to the bank account of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine," according to the website. The website adds: "Due to numerous requests from individuals and legal entities who are not residents of Ukraine and wish to make donations (in foreign currency) for the logistics and medical support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has set up a designated bank account." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Sweden is providing military, technical and humanitarian assistance to the country. On Thursday he said any citizen who wanted a weapon to defend their country would receive one. "We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country.

(Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) DETROIT - Ford is recalling nearly a quarter-million heavy duty pickup trucks in the U.S. because the drive shafts can fracture and cause a loss of power.The recall covers certain F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups from the 2017 through 2022 model years.

Photo of Ketanji Brown Jackson (Credit: Getty Images) WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Friday will nominate federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, according to the Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the matter. The nomination makes her the first Black woman selected to serve on a court that once declared her race unworthy of citizenship and endorsed segregation.In Jackson, Biden delivers on a campaign promise to make the historic appointment and to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries. He has chosen an attorney who would be the high court's first former public defender, though she also possesses the elite legal background of other justices.Jackson would be the current court’s second Black justice — Justice Clarence Thomas, a conservative, is the other — and just the third in history.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.Explosions sounded before dawn in Kyiv and gunfire was reported in several areas, as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting and Ukraine's president pleaded for international help to fend off an attack that could topple his democratically elected government, cause massive casualties and ripple out damage to the global economy.Among the signs that the Ukrainian capital was increasingly threatened, the military said Friday that a group of Russian spies and saboteurs was seen in a district on the outskirts of Kyiv, and police told people not to exit a subway station in the city center because there was gunfire in the area. Elsewhere in the capital, soldiers established defensive positions at bridges, and armored vehicles rolled down the streets, while many residents stood uneasily in doorways of their apartment buildings.U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has announced the power cut schedule for the weekend.Groups A, B, C: (Saturday – 26th)Day time power cut will be for 3 hoursAll other groups: (Saturday – 26th)Day time power cut will be for 2 1/2 hoursThere will be no power outages for Sunday (27), except for groups A, B, C which will be 2 1/2 hours during the daytime.Saturday Power Cut Schedule: 26-02-2022-PowerInterruption-ScheduleSunday Power Cut Schedule: 27-02-2022-power-interruption-schedule

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka stated that as there is an attempt to hide the truth, exploit the massacre for political gain, it sees no option other than to seek international assistance to mete out justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday Bomb Attacks.Together with His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, the CBCSLreiterates the need to adopt the said option, it added in a statement. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine.Sri Lanka in a statement, calls upon all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and work towards the immediate cessation of hostilities, in order to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.Sri Lanka emphasizes the need for concerted efforts by all parties concerned to resolve the crisis through diplomacy and sincere dialogue.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (25) visited Mico for Inspection.State Minister D. B.

assault on Ukraine that opened with air and missile strikes on Ukrainian military facilities and included ground troops invading from Crimea.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 137 "heroes" including 10 military officers had been killed and another 316 wounded. Ukraine’s leadership called it a "full-scale war" targeting the country from the east, north and south. Ukraine said Russia’s intent was to destroy the state of Ukraine, a Western-looking democracy intent on escaping Moscow’s orbit.As Ukrainian forces fought back and civilians piled into trains and cars to flee, the U.S.

Aer Lingus has today reported an operating loss, before exceptational items, of €347m for the year to the end of December, an improvement on the loss of €361m reported in 2020.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashes its attack on Ukraine, people across the country are scrambling to leave or face getting caught in the crossfire.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Parliament speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told the house on Friday (25) that a complaint will be filed with the Inspector General of Police to conduct an investigation into the incident where MP Harin Fernando was seen using a torch inside the chamber.He said voicing protest over an issue is not the problem at hand and, the issue is that public officers were prevented from carrying out their duties.The Parliamentary debate was adjourned for 10 minutes on 24th February due to MP Harin Fernando’s attempt to convince the Parliament of the impact of power cuts on the public, by bringing a torch to the Parliament.The Leader of the House, Dinesh Gunawardana informed the House that a confrontation broke out when the Police had requested to examine an object brought by an MP to the Parliament and emphasized that such actions can have consequences as MPs are not permitted to bring such objects.SJB MP Fernando, responded to the allegations stated that a power cut could occur when he is using the washroom, and that is the reason why he brought three torches to use.Minister Gunawardana responded stating that an investigation should be conducted as such objects are not permitted within the Parliament, and even if there is a power cut, it’s clear that this action is unlawful and goes against parliamentary practices.This object could prove to be a security risk and must be banned, he added.

The latest as of 12:20 a.m. ET Friday:

KYIV, Ukraine - Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Friday as Russian forces pressed on with a full-scale invasion that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Ukrainians in the first full day of fighting and could eventually rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.After using airstrikes on cities and military bases, Russian military units moved swiftly to take on Ukraine's seat of government and its largest city in what U.S. officials suspect is a brazen attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to dismantle the government and replace it with his own regime.Ukrainian leaders pleaded for help as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee, and hotels in Kyiv were being evacuated amid early indications of an assault.Ukrainian forces braced for more attacks after enduring for hours a Russian barrage of land- and sea-based missiles, an assault that one senior U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s Indian visit has been postponed again.Basil Rajapaksa was to fly to India to wrap up credit lines worth a billion US dollars, that would be used for essential goods and medicines.“We are ready to enter into several agreements with India for financial facilities worth a billion US dollars,” State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told the Parliament.Sri Lankan Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said personally he has no issue with discussing matters on approaching the International Monetary Fund and other agencies.However, he said the decision on such a matter should be taken by the Finance Minister and the Central Bank.

KYIV, Ukraine - Several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Friday as Russian forces pressed on with their assault.Associated Press reporters heard several blasts in different parts of the city.Earlier on Thursday, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order. Ukraine’s government pleaded for help as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee.Scores of Ukrainians, civilians and service members alike, were killed in the first full day of fighting, and the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv appeared to be increasingly threatened.

PHILADELPHIA - While the sovereign and free democratic country of Ukraine now faces an invasion from a world superpower, a Ukrainian father is praying for the safety of his daughter and mother."My daughter, my little daughter in Kyiv is with her mom, they spent all the day in the subway in the underground because there was alarm sounds all day," Yevhen Semekhin said.Semekhin’s family is trying to escape the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and meet in Western Ukraine, but so are many other frightened Ukrainians."They are in their car but there are a lot of cars in Kyiv. There is no gasoline at gas stations people with money go to the gas stations.

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr.

KYIV, Ukraine - A presidential adviser says Ukraine lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site, where Ukrainian forces had waged a fierce battle with Russian troops.Adviser Myhailo Podolyak told The Associated Press that Ukrainian authorities did not know the current condition of the facilities at Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster."After the absolutely senseless attack of the Russians in this direction, it is impossible to say that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe," he said.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced several hours earlier Thursday that Russian forces were trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.SEE ALSO: Russia invades Ukraine as Putin threatens 'consequences you’ve never seen' if West intervenesA nuclear reactor at the plant 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, exploded in April 1986, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe.The exploded reactor was covered by a protective shelter several years ago to prevent radiation leaks.A Ukrainian official said Russian shelling hit a radioactive waste repository and an increase in radiation levels was reported.

COVID-19 on Thursday, amid falling hospitalizations but rising ICU volumes.The provincial death toll associated with the pandemic now stands at 1,668.Hospitalizations continued their drop from an early-February peak, with 524 Manitobans now in hospital because of, or with, the virus – 19 fewer than Wednesday.

Ontario’s long-term care minister says a mandate requiring workers in the sector to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is under review.Paul Calandra says the rule is being looked at as the government reviews all of its sector-specific vaccination policies and other pandemic measures.Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s top doctor, has said that he wants to end workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies by March 1, when proof-of-vaccination rules in indoor spaces are also set to end.

WASHINGTON - Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, President Joe Biden announced a new round of sanctions targeting Moscow.Biden decried the Kremlin’s military aggression during an address from the White House, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "chose this war" and that his country will bear the consequences of his actions. Ukraine’s government has reported mounting casualties as Russian forces attack from the east, north and south. The sanctions are aimed at Russian banks, oligarchs and high-tech sectors in hopes of crippling Russia’s financial system and Putin’s inner circle. U.S. President Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks about Russia's "unprovoked and unjustified" military invasion of neighboring Ukraine in the East Room of the White House on February 24, 2022 in Washington, DC.

KYIV, Ukraine - A presidential adviser says Ukraine lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site, where Ukrainian forces had waged a fierce battle with Russian troops.Adviser Myhailo Podolyak told The Associated Press that Ukrainian authorities did not know the current condition of the facilities at Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster."After the absolutely senseless attack of the Russians in this direction, it is impossible to say that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe," he said.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced several hours earlier Thursday that Russian forces were trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.SEE ALSO: Russia invades Ukraine as Putin threatens 'consequences you’ve never seen' if West intervenesA nuclear reactor at the plant 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, exploded in April 1986, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe.The exploded reactor was covered by a protective shelter several years ago to prevent radiation leaks.A Ukrainian official said Russian shelling hit a radioactive waste repository and an increase in radiation levels was reported.

The Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo have launched the HARD MTN DEW alcoholic beverage. (PepsiCo and Boston Beer Company) (PepsiCo and Boston Beer Company)WASHINGTON - Mountain Dew’s much-anticipated boozy drinks have hit store shelves but it’s only available in Tennessee, Florida, and Iowa.

inflation is already at the highest level in four decades. Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine could push it even higher.That's because the conflict has already sent oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014, with some prices jumping as high as $105 on Thursday after Russia launched a broad offensive against Ukraine late Wednesday night, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes and shelling. Brent crude, the global benchmark, surged more than 8%, hitting $105.50 early Thursday.

Demonstrators march in Sanford, Florida in 2012 demanding justice in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. (Gary W.