Stakes rise for virus talks as jobless aid lapses, GDP drops

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers continued their strike action for the fifth consecutive day on Friday (11), despite a court issuing an order against a nurses trade union that is also taking part in the strike.Health workers in Sri Lanka have been staging demonstrations and strikes since November 2021 to draw attention to the issue of salary anomalies.Their major demands include the rectification of salary anomalies, higher allowances, and an increase in overtime rates.Supplementary and paramedical services, nursing services, and professionals from 16 health services including medical laboratory technologists, pharmacists, radiologists, public health inspectors, and family health officers are participating in the indefinite strike.Thousands of poor patients who visited government hospitals were turned away, as a result.A Sri Lankan court on Thursday (10) issued two enjoining orders preventing the strike action by the Government Nursing Officer’s Association from continuing.The Attorney General filed an action against the Government Nursing Officer’s Association and its president Saman Rathnapriya, seeking an enjoining order from the court to immediately suspend the trade union action of the said union.The Attorney General appraised the court of the present deplorable conditions in hospitals due to patient care being severely affected.District Court Judge of Colombo Aruna Aluthge issued two enjoining orders preventing the union from continuing the said trade union strike endangering the lives of the patients.As a result of the strike, over this week the activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District

Prince Charles getting Covid again should be "ringing royal alarm bells," according to an expert who warns of some "regal whiplash". The 73-year-old is set to snatch an almost 200-year record by becoming the oldest person to be crowned monarch.

Withdrawal of restrictions

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Boris Johnson ending Covid isolation rules is a "distraction" from the PM's lockdown party scandal, according to a Scots health expert.

SYDNEY :

Charli XCX has said that the criticism she’s received on social media lately has taken a toll on her mental health.The singer-songwriter, who releases her fifth album ‘Crash’ on March 18, issued a statement on Twitter yesterday (February 10) to explain that she’s temporarily stepping back from the platform due to the “negativity” surrounding her current campaign.“I’ve always had a pretty open dialogue with you guys and so I just wanna mention a few things that have been on my mind recently,” Charli began.“I have been feeling like I can’t do anything right at the moment.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The new University of Vavuniya was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (11).The University of Vavuniya is the 17th State University in Sri Lanka and was established with effect from the 1st of August 2021 via an Extraordinary Gazette on the 8th of June 2021 that elevated the Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, to a separate state university in Sri Lanka.The new state university was established for the purpose of providing, promoting, and developing higher education in the branches of learning of Business Studies, Applied Science, and Technology Studies.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of he World Health Organization (WHO), Buti Manamela, Deputy Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of South Africa, Dr Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health of South Africa and Meryame Kitir, Minister of Development Cooperation and Urban Policy of Belgium today visit a number of public and private sector partners that are collaborating to develop and build WHO’s global mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa.

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Protester numbers outside New Zealand's parliament have increased as police scaled back efforts to clear anti-vaccine demonstrators involved in violent clashes a day earlier.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has warned against the use of fake vaccination cards to avoid being vaccinated against COVID-19.Dr. Anwar Hamdani, attached to the Health Ministry said information on all those who have been vaccinated are with the Health Ministry, and it is a futile attempt to evade being vaccinated.“Getting vaccinated is a social responsibility and therefore everyone must get vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said.At the same time, the Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr.

Ottawa police on Thursday provided an update on their ongoing enforcement measures against trucker protests demonstrating against COVID-19 vaccine mandates throughout parts of the city.

Disruptive blockades protesting COVID-19 mandates are escalating in Ontario, prompting more calls for the province to take action. So why has Ontario Premier Doug Ford been mostly absent over the unrest? Eric Sorensen explains the possible strategy behind keeping a low-profile, as concerns grow over potentially politicizing pandemic strategy.

Despite key party figures expressing support and posing for pictures with protesters, the Conservative Party is joining pleas to end disruptive blockades against COVID restrictions.

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Unhappy Olympic athletes are calling out organizers of the Beijing Games with a litany of complaints about everything from COVID-19 protocols to inadequate catering.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a meeting with leaders of opposition parties Thursday evening, where he said he briefed them on the latest developments of the trucker convoy protests and blockades.

Camilla Parker-Bowles has broken her silence after she was handed the future title of 'Queen Consort' by the Queen on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee last weekend.The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, said she was "very, very honoured" and "very touched" to be bestowed the honour by Her Majesty while on a royal visit to Nourish Hub community food centre in West London.She went ahead with the public appearance after testing negative for Covid despite spending the previous evening with husband Prince Charles, who remained in self-isolation after contracting the virus for the second time yesterday (February 10).Charles, who is said not to be experiencing any symptoms of the virus, was forced on Thursday to cancel his visit the Great Hall at Winchester Castle and the unveiling of a statue of Jewish-British historical figure Licoricia of Winchester.It was also revealed that he had seen his mum the Queen two days before testing positive.Describing the situation, Camilla told Willie Hartley Russell, high sheriff for Berkshire: "He’s diagnosed now. Luckily (she’s negative).

Simon Cowell has been forced to pull out of Britain's Got Talent auditions after testing positive for Covid.The ITV entertainment show is back this year after being cancelled in 2021 because of the pandemic and auditions have been under way at the London Palladium.Due to his positive test result, the 62-year-old TV personality could not take his seat at the judge's table. Simon's spokesperson exclusively told Mail Online that the star is currently isolating at his London home after contracting the virus.His spokesperson said: "Simon was unable to attend filming today as he was isolating at home after testing positive for Covid-19." Simon was scheduled to be on the set of the talent competition on Thursday alongside his fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.A week before testing positive and withdrawing from the audition process, Simon was rushed to hospital after being caught in a horrific e-bike accident near his home in West London.The incident which happened last Thursday night saw Simon fall off his e-bike while reaching speeds of 20mph.This is the second e-bike accident the father-of-one experienced, just 18 months after breaking his back on an e-bike in Los Angeles.

PHILADELPHIA - Bob Saget's shocking cause of death has caused many to wonder how likely it is that an accidental blow to the head can turn fatal.The 65-year-old entertainer and Philadelphia native was found on his hotel bed at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando on Jan. 9.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); A wanted drug traffickers knowns as ‘Abba’ was killed in a shootout with the Police Special Task Force on Thursday (10) night in Egoda Uyana, Moratuwa.The Police Special Task Force told News 1st that a raid was carried out at around 10 PM on Thursday (10) night after receiving a tip-off that a house in Egoda Uyana contained drugs.During the raid, a man had opened fire from inside the house and the Police Special Task Force had returned fire.The Police in a statement said, “One suspect opened fire at an STF Officer with a pistol, and the STF officer returned fire.”In the exchange of fire, a 27-year-old male identified as ‘Abba’ (Thelge Dilan Sameera Peiris) was killed and he is a known associate of a notorious drug trafficker operating from Dubai.One STF member was injured in the incident.Sri Lanka Police said two bullets fired by the suspect had hit the protective vest worn by the STF Officer, and he was rushed to the Panadura Hospital for treatment.Six other people who were inside the house were arrested by the Police Special Task Force.The Office of the Police Spokesperson said that ‘Abba’ had a murder case filed against him, as we as a case over stabbing a woman and causing serious injury.Further, another 31-year-old man was arrested from Moratuwa upon inspecting the residence of another suspect.Police said that this man has a case filed against him for transporting drugs along the expressway.

Shaun White of Team United States reacts during the Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Final on day 7 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Genting Snow Park on February 11, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China. BEIJING (AP) - In Shaun White’s farewell performance on Friday, Ayumu Hirano of Japan won an elusive Olympic gold in the halfpipe with a boundary-pushing final run.There was no doubt about the winner after Hirano's electric performance as the last rider to go. His run included an intricate and unprecedented series of flips and spins that pushed a sport obsessed with progression to new heights.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say an armed carjacker hopped into a running vehicle with three children inside and later let the kids out and ditched the car. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said the children's mother left the car running on the 5300 block of Willow Street around 6 p.m.

LONDON (AP) - AstraZeneca recorded a big jump in revenue on Thursday as it begins to take a profit from its coronavirus vaccine for the first time.The company recorded full-year revenues of $37.4 billion, an increase of 38% from the year before at constant exchange rates. Part of the boost came from $4 billion in sales of its COVID-19 vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford.Despite rising revenue, AstraZeneca reported a pre-tax loss of $265 million due to costs from its purchase of U.S.

In this photo illustration, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) logo is seen displayed on an Android mobile phone. WASHINGTON (AP) - The CIA has a secret, undisclosed data repository that includes information collected about Americans, two Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Thursday. While neither the agency nor lawmakers would disclose specifics about the data, the senators alleged the CIA had long hidden details about the program from the public and Congress.Sens.

The language of the UCP has seen a significant shift this week as it moves to drop COVID-19 restrictions in the province, with words like “damaging” and “freedom” being used much more often in public communications.

Donald Trump 's car crash interview has raised eyebrows all over the world.

Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases, spoke via video conference Monday to physicians and medical students at New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre.He said while the nation's “default principle" should be that children return to school, “to say that every child has to go back to school is not really realising the fact that we have such a diversity of viral activity." He said there may be some areas where the level of virus is so high that it would not be prudent to bring children back to school.Determined to reopen America's schools despite coronavirus worries, President Donald Trump recently threatened to hold back federal money if school districts don't bring their students back in the

coronavirus relief bill Saturday, as political pressure mounts to restore an expired $600-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit and send funding to help schools reopen.“This was the longest meeting we’ve had and it was more productive than the other meetings,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who was part of the rare weekend session.

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Officials with Flagler County’s Emergency Operation Center are expected to provide an update Friday ahead of Hurricane Isaias.A state of emergency has been declared along Florida’s east coast.[LIVE TRACK: Forecast cone, computer models, updates and more for Hurricane Isaias]Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Friday morning during a brief press appearance in Tallahassee.

FILE - U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin (L) and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (R) listen prior to Trump's Marine One departure from the South Lawn of the White House July 29, 2020 in Washington, DC.

FILE - U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin (L) and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (R) listen prior to Trump's Marine One departure from the South Lawn of the White House July 29, 2020 in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed Democratic demands for aid to cash-strapped cities in a new coronavirus relief package and lashed out at Republican allies as talks stalemated over assistance for millions of Americans. Republicans, beset by delays and infighting, signaled a willingness to swiftly approve a modest package to revamp a $600 weekly unemployment benefit that runs out.

coronavirus infections by embracing U.S.-supported pandemic strategies that the Trump administration largely ignored.Now the Southeast Asian country is using the plan to combat its first cases in more than three months, seeking to keep its record as one of the few places in the world that hasn’t reported a single Covid-19 death as of this week.Even before Vietnam confirmed its first cases in late January, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered officials to break out the blueprint developed in 2014 during a global health security project, funded in part by US-AID and created with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations.

FILE - People wearing face masks shop at a Chinese supermarket amid the coronavirus outbreak on April 20, 2020 in New York City. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - As the world races to find a vaccine and a treatment for COVID-19, there is seemingly no antidote in sight to the burgeoning outbreak of coronavirus conspiracy theories, hoaxes, anti-mask myths and sham cures.The phenomenon, unfolding largely on social media, escalated this week when President Donald Trump retweeted a false video about an anti-malaria drug being a cure for the virus and it was revealed that Russian intelligence is spreading disinformation about the crisis through English-language websites.RELATED: Doctor demonstrates how face mask blocks respiratory droplets from spreadingE

coronavirus conspiracy theorist who hosted a family reunion has admitted his shame after 14 of his relatives caught Covid-19, one of whom has now died. Tony Green, a Texas political consultant and lobbyist, has opened up about his change of heart in a deeply personal column in local LGBT outlet Dallas Voice.

Coronavirus deaths in the United States surged to their highest level in months as Muslim pilgrims began a pandemic-curtailed version of the hajj in Mecca.

coronavirus aid package are vast: Democrats propose $3 trillion in relief and Republicans have a $1 trillion counteroffer. At stake are millions of Americans' jobless benefits, school reopenings and eviction protections.As top White House negotiators return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the leverage is apparent.

RELATED: CDC releases updated guidelines calling the reopening of schools 'critically important'In announcing the measure, the union’s president blasted President Donald Trump for ordering schools to reopen even as the virus continues to surge. Randi Weingarten called Trump’s response “chaotic and catastrophic,” saying it has left teachers afraid.Advertisement“We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators,” Weingarten said.

A family who held a reunion after months of lockdown are devastated after 14 were diagnosed with coronavirus and one died.

Wuhan Institute of Virology, said in an interview published in Science magazine that she and her colleagues encountered the virus in December last year, when reports of the disease first emerged in the city. She said the lab hadn’t seen or studied the virus before that.“U.S.

coronavirus cases.So far, 16.3 million people have been infected with the virus across the globe while 650,918 people have died, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.Reuters said it took five months to get to one million cases, 23 more days to get to three million and 87 more to get to 10 million. But which countries are still spiking?Let’s start with the United States — the epicentre of the virus.There are a variety of components that factor into why some countries are more heavily impacted by COVID-19 than others, experts previously interviewed by Global News said, including a country’s population’s median age, whether or not the country is a destination tourism zone, and government policies.

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic put his political fate in grave jeopardy. Now he’s hoping to get credit for his administration’s aggressive push for a vaccine — and crossing his fingers that one gets approved before Election Day.Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were both visiting vaccine development sites on Monday, marking the beginning of the largest vaccine research trial yet.

First Lady Melania Trump arrives to attend a ceremony for US golfer Tiger Woods in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2019. (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Melania Trump has announced plans to redo the White House Rose Garden to make it more in line with the original design implemented during the 1960s Kennedy administration.The first lady says Monday in a statement that decades of use and changes made to support a modern presidency have taken a toll on the outdoor space just off the Oval Office.President Donald Trump has been using the Rose Garden a lot more lately to make statements and hold news conferences in the age of the coronavirus.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States is about to reach 150,000 and counting. Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment and are unable to pay their rent. Parents are struggling to decide if it’s safe to send their kids to school. Hundreds of thousands are protesting an unjust system and fighting against police violence. And Melania Trump is redecorating the White House. Twitter lashed out at the first lady’s tone deaf announcement that she would be renovating the White House’s Rose Garden, where her husband, President Donald Trump, often holds his rambling coronavirus press briefings.