LONDON – Dozens of artists, writers and academics have signed an open letter decrying the weakening of public debate and warning that the free exchange of information and ideas is in jeopardy amid a rise in what they call “illiberalism.”J.K.

Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood are among dozens of writers, artists and academics to argue against ideological conformity in an open letter in Harper’s Magazine.

The letter comes amid a debate over so-called cancel culture — where prominent people face attack for sharing controversial opinions.“The forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump, who represents a real threat to democracy,’’ the letter said. “But resistance must not.

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Mum who fell ill now fighting for her life months after losing her dad to Covid

A Cheshire woman who lost her dad to Covid needs a 'miracle' after receiving her own devastating diagnosis.

Read More city Manchester 2020 Waves Fighting

NMIXX delay debut showcase after member catches COVID-19

JYP Entertainment‘s upcoming girl group NMIXX have delayed debut showcase performance after a member was diagnosed with COVID-19.Earlier today (February 18), the label announced in a statement that the girl group’s forthcoming debut showcase after NMIXX member Bae was tested positive for COVID-19. The showcase was originally set to be held on February 22 to coincide with the release of NMIXX’s debut single album ‘Ad Mare’, but will now be held on March 1.JYP Entertainment shared that Bae had begun experiencing a sore throat on the evening of February 16, after which the entire group tested themselves using self-test kits.

K-pop

BREAKING: Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara acquitted & released from easter case

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered to acquit and release Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara from all charges filed against him with regard to the case filed over the Easter Sunday attacks. Earlier, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar unanimously ordered to acquit and release Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Friday (18) met to announce the decision on whether Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasudara and Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando will be released from the Easter Attacks cases, without calling for evidence from the Defence.The Attorney General filed the cases against Fernando and Jayasundara on charges of criminal dereliction of duty for failing to take action to prevent the Easter attack despite receiving specific intelligence.The cases were called up in the presence of Justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen.A total of 855 charges of criminal negligence were levelled against Pujith Jayasundera and Hemasiri Fernando, individually.

Hemasiri Fernando Pujith Jayasundara Aditya Patabendige prevention Action

Fourth dose for Sri Lankans planning to go overseas

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is planning on administering a fourth dose for people who are traveling overseas, given the fact that some vaccines used in Sri Lanka are not accepted in certain countries.Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena told reporters on Thursday (17) that some countries do not accept the Sinopharm vaccine as a vaccine against COVID-19.“At times likes that, for Sri Lankans who have obtained two doses of the Sinopharm Vaccine, and the Pfizer booster dose, we will administer another dose of the vaccine to enable them to travel overseas,” he elaborated.Dr.

Sri Lankans Sri Lanka vaccine travelers Health

RCMP investigating a ‘calculated and violent’ attack at Coastal GasLink pipeline near Houston, B.C.

Images released by the Mounties and Coastal GasLink show significant damage to portable buildings and machinery at the controversial energy development project. Jordan Armstrong has the details.

Jordan city Houston

Police in Ottawa begin removal of blockades and protesters

21 days after the so-called “Freedom Convoy” arrived in Ottawa, police are now setting up checkpoints and making arrests to end the blockade. Kamil Karamali reports.

Kamil Karamali city Ottawa reports

Customers upset lease of longtime Granville Island newsstand not being renewed

The Smoke Shop has been a fixture near the entrance of the Granville Island Public Market for 30 years. But now it has 60 days to leave the premises.

Olympics chief criticizes Kamila Valieva’s entourage, offers sympathy to Russian skater

Kamila Valieva crumble under pressure at the Beijing Olympics as a doping scandal continued to swirl, hitting out at the 15-year-old’s entourage.The saga has opened a debate on the suitability of the Olympic environment for minors, but Bach said the International Olympic Committee had limited means of action.Valieva, who had been leading the women’s figure skating event after the short program, cracked in her free skate on Thursday night, and stumbled down to fourth place as compatriot Anna Shcherbakova skated to gold. Kamila Valieva finishes 4th as Russian teammates win gold, silver in figure skating “I must say I was very, very disturbed yesterday when I watched the competition on TV,” Bach told a news conference.“How high the pressure on her must have been.”Valieva failed a doping test at her national championships last December but the result was only revealed on Feb.

Kamila Valieva city Beijing Russia testing ICE Extreme

Ottawa police begin making arrests as occupiers face stronger warnings

Warnings from authorities are piling up against protesters occupying Ottawa, as police bolster their presence and start making arrests. Officials have signalled a bigger confrontation could be coming soon.

city Ottawa

Feds focus on security concerns as MPs debate necessity of Emergencies Act

Debates have begun in Parliament over the invoking of the Emergencies Act, with parties arguing over whether Ottawa’s drastic move was necessary to end disruptive protests.

city Ottawa Government reports Party focus

Employers no longer required to let staff work from home

Legislative bureau chief Keith Baldrey has more on a change to the order on workplace safety that potentially affects….

Keith Baldrey

Covid shielders who fear end of restrictions: 'I'm kind of left behind'

Louis Duffy-Barrett has been stuck indoors for nearly two years. He hasn't been to pubs, restaurants, or concerts since March 2020, and the easing of restrictions hasn't changed that.

Ireland Coronavirus

TXT member Yeonjun tests positive for COVID-19

Tomorrow X Together (TXT) member Yeonjun has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his agency Big Hit Music.Big Hit Music confirmed in a statement posted to the group’s Weverse page yesterday (February 17) that the idol had begun experiencing symptoms on February 12. At the time, he did take a PCR test, which had come back negative, but the idol proceeded to enter self-isolation, away from the remaining members of TXT as a precaution thereafter.However, he has since tested positive on his second PCR test dated February 16, which he was taken after he started to develop more mild symptoms.

K-pop HYBE

Police: 18-year-old fatally shot in Powelton

POWELTON - An 18-year-old man was shot and killed on Thursday afternoon in Powelton, according to police. Authorities say the incident happened on the 5500 block of Race Street around 3:04 p.m.The man, who has not yet been identified, was shot twice in the stomach and chest. He was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police say no arrest has been made. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Racing BLOCK Man old

Health minister considering NPHET mask advice

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will today consider a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team that the requirement to wear masks in most areas, where currently regulated, should end.

Eamon Ryan Ireland Coronavirus

Remove taxes on fuel or increase fuel prices – Gammanpila

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila on Friday (18) announced that a request was made to the Finance Ministry to remove all taxes imposed on fuel or to increase the fuel process.The Minister was speaking to reporters in Colombo while highlighting the losses incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

Udaya Gammanpila Sri Lanka reports

Canada wins silver, bronze in women’s halfpipe skiing at Beijing Olympics

Beijing Olympics on Friday.Sharpe — the reigning gold medal champion from the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang — leapt into medal contention right away with her first run, and improved with her second and third runs to secure the silver.Karker also held on to the bronze position throughout the final, where the best score across three runs determined the final rankings.Neither of them could catch China’s Ailing Eileen Gu, however, who won her second gold of the 2022 Winter Games after winning the freeski big air final last week.

China city Beijing Canada

A ship full of Porsches, VWs and Bentleys is on fire, adrift in Atlantic Ocean

new whip might be on fire in the middle of the ocean right now.The Portuguese Navy has confirmed it has come to the aid of the Felicity Ace, a ship carrying cars across the Atlantic Ocean, after a fire broke out on one of their cargo decks and quickly spread.BREAKING: A giant cargo ship "Felicity Ace" is on fire in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.It's carrying a cargo of Porsche and VW automobiles.The crew safely abandoned ship in lifeboats. Under maritime law the ship is now "finders keepers." pic.twitter.com/gHLqHncrOi— Retro Tech Noir (@RetroTechNoir) February 17, 2022The 22 crew members managed to escape on lifeboats and flee to a nearby Greek tanker ship, reports The Associated Press.

Germany Greece county Atlantic Portugal state Rhode Island reports Parke Porsche

Kenney to table motion in Alberta Legislature opposing invocation of federal Emergencies Act

Jason Kenney plans to table a motion opposing the invocation of the Emergencies Act when the Alberta Legislature resumes next week.In a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, Kenney said the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act “disturbs (him) greatly.” He also said the Act sets a dangerous precedent because it allows the federal government to freeze people’s bank accounts without a court order.“This is outside of our democratic norms and it’s disproportionate. Yes, the law must be enforced, but we can do that in Canada without resorting to these kinds of extreme measures,” said Kenney in the video.1/ Blockades must end and order must be restored, but invocation of the federal Emergencies Act is disproportionate and unjustified.Freezing people’s bank accounts without due process violates natural justice.This overreach creates a dangerous precedent.

Justin Trudeau Jason Kenney Tamara Lich Canada city Ottawa Twitter Government Extreme

Elon Musk tweets meme comparing Trudeau to Hitler amid convoy protests

Elon Musk compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Adolf Hitler in a tweet that appeared to support truckers protesting vaccine mandates – and which immediately triggered a storm on Twitter.Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Inc TSLA.O, in late January tweeted support for the Canadian truckers, who have shut down roads and bridges, drawing international attention to their opposition to health policies pushed by Trudeau’s government.Canadian truckers rule— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2022Responding to a tweet describing how Trudeau’s government had ordered banks to help cut funding to the protesters, Musk posted a meme of a photo of Hitler, with “Stop comparing me to Justin Trudeau” written above his head and “I had a budget” below it.Tesla did not respond to an email requesting further comment.The tweet came as Musk and Tesla on Thursday accused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of an “endless” investigation to punish Musk for criticism of the U.S.

Justin Trudeau Adolf Hitler Usa vaccine Twitter Health

Police officer injured in ‘escalation’ of violence at northern B.C. pipeline site

Houston RCMP said security officials with the company reported “acts of violence” by masked attackers at their work site by the Marten Forest Service Road early Thursday morning.A police news release said about 20 people, “some armed with axes, were attacking security guards and smashing their vehicle windows.” All Coastal GasLink staff were able to leave the area safely, police said.After the call from Coastal GasLink, police officers attended the 41-kilometre mark on the road to find it blocked with trees, tar-covered stumps, wire, spiked boards, and some debris on fire.“As police worked their way through the debris and traps, several people threw smoke bombs and fire-lit sticks at the police, injuring one officer,” Houston RCMP claimed in the release. Mounties investigate as Gidimt’en clan renews effort to stop B.C.

city Houston Government BLOCK reports

Covid-19 update: India logs 25,920 fresh cases, 492 fatalities in last 24 hours

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

India covid-19 information

Multiple restrictions over B.C. event gatherings have finally been lifted Thursday

It’s a day many industries in the province have been waiting about two years for. Event organizers are now allowed to welcome vaccinated people inside venues. Emad Agahi has more some of the stress that’s finally being lifted.

gatherings vaccine

New Jersey beaches struggling with erosion ahead of the summer season

Towns along the Jersey Shore are preparing for beach season, but erosion is making things difficult. OCEAN CITY, N.J. - Memorial Day is more than 100 days away, but down the shore, summer is always top of mind. Anytime wind gusts are forecasted to be up to 50 miles per hour, it is another small battle to protect the most valuable asset on the Jersey Shore. In North Wildwood, the summer begins Friday with the annual convoy of trucks hauling sand north where the beaches are closed after another winter storm stole hundreds of feet of the precious beachfront. Red lines show where the sand was last summer and the area is identified as one of the worst eroding beaches in New Jersey. The state is expected to spend another $3.5 million this year to get the beach ready for summer. The same is happening in Ocean City, where beachgoers are navigating six-foot sand cliffs.

state New Jersey Jersey county Ocean Government reports Citi

DA: Spring City man charged for 'viciously' beating his girlfriend, Annabel Meenan, to death

Leroy Brahm (Chester County District Attorney's Office) SPRING CITY, Pa. - The Chester County District Attorney's Office and the East Vincent Township Police Department announced charges against a man accused of murdering his girlfriend in December. Authorities have charged 31-year-old Leroy Brahm of Spring City with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, strangulation, aggravated assault and other charges relating to the death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Annabel Meenan. PREVIOUS: Chester County woman found dead inside home; boyfriend charged with assault as investigation continuesOn Dec. 4, 2021, police responded to the 800 block of Buttonwood Avenue in Spring City.

Deb Ryan state Pennsylvania county Chester death Man Citi

New research gives a glimmer of hope in the fight against COVID-19

With most Americans immune to the omicron COVID-19 variant combined with the number of people vaccinated, many are hopeful things are getting better with COVID-19. PHILADELPHIA - A new study shows that more than half of Americans are protected against the latest COVID-19 variant, bringing much-needed hope to many. The CDC is now facing increased pressure to revise its own mask guidelines. RELATED: Philadelphia mandates: What you need to know about COVID-19 response levels, metricsThe agency has signaled that it could happen soon, but it said it would take community transmission and hospitalization rates into account before making any changes.Dr. Mike Cirgliano is finally feeling optimistic about where we stand in this pandemic. "I think we are in a very very good place," he said. Research shows that 73% of Americans are immune to the omicron variant because so many people contracted it.

Usa covid-19 vaccine Immunic

Court to decide on Ex-Police Chief & Ex-Defence Sec., today (18)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Friday (18) is expected to announce the decision on whether Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasudara and Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando will be released from the Easter Attacks cases, without calling for evidence from the Defence.The Attorney General filed the cases against Fernando and Jayasundara on charges of criminal dereliction of duty for failing to take action to prevent the Easter attack despite receiving specific intelligence.The cases will be called up in the presence of Justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen.A total of 855 charges of criminal negligence were levelled against Pujith Jayasundera and Hemasiri Fernando, individually.

Hemasiri Fernando Aditya Patabendige prevention Action SEC

Oscars 2022: New Policies Announced for COVID-19 Vaccinations, Select People Won't Need Them

There has been a change in plans for the COVID-19 vaccination policies for the upcoming 2022 Oscars ceremony, which will take place in Hollywood on March 27.

New York city Hollywood county Los Angeles covid-19 vaccine reports

Goa schools to reopen for physical classes from February 21, as Covid cases dip. See details

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India death testing reports

Kate Garraway says Covid 'terribly affected husband Derek's brain' ahead of new film

Kate Garraway has revealed that her husband Derek Draper's brain has been "terribly affected" by Covid. The Good Morning Britain presenter has filmed a second documentary called Caring for Derek, as she continues to open up about his recovery from coronavirus.

Kate Garraway Hilary Jones Derek Draper Williams Britain hospital 2020 Coronavirus Brain

Senate OKs spending bill to avert government shutdown

FILE - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a press conference after a luncheon with Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol Building on Oct. 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Joe Biden Chuck Schumer Kamala Harris Ted Cruz Mike Lee Washington city Washington state Texas Russia state Utah Ukraine Government bill Party

Former Egg Harbor Twp childcare worker caught on video being violent with children, police say

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Police in Egg Harbor Township said they have arrested a woman and will be charging her with four counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a child. According to authorities, 26-year-old Angela Capella of Galloway was seen on surveillance footage "violently handling several children" while working at a childcare facility in December of 2021. Egg Harbor Township police did not release the name of the childcare establishment Capella worked at but said the facility has cooperated with the investigation. Capella has also been fired from her job at the unnamed childcare center. Anyone with additional information on the incident can contact Egg Harbor Township police at 609-926-4051. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

information Twitter Cooper

Kanye West goes after 'SNL’s' Pete Davidson, show for mental health jokes and says Lorne Michaels is ‘next up’

It appears Kanye West’s feud with Pete Davidson sees no end in sight. On Thursday, the "All of the Lights" emcee, 44, called out the media as well as "SNL" for piling on to banter centered around his mental health in a since-deleted Instagram post.

Pete Davidson Lorne Michaels stars Health Target

Which states have lifted mask mandates

Gavin Newsom Joe Biden Doug Ducey Asa Hutchinson state California state Arkansas city Anchorage, state Alaska state Alaska county Los Angeles state Alabama covid-19 mask Health

Police preparing to end blockade that has paralyzed Ottawa

After 21 days of demonstrations and blockades by the so-called “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa, police are preparing to put an end. Sean O’Shea brings us the latest details.

city Ottawa

2 dead, several hurt in spate of broad daylight shootings across Philadelphia

An 18-year-old man died after he was shot twice Thursday afternoon in West Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA - An unseasonably warm winter day in Philadelphia was marred by several broad daylight shootings, including a quadruple shooting near a Germantown Rite Aid that critically wounded a teen girl.The spate of gun violence started around 2 p.m.

Marcus Espinoza city Philadelphia city Germantown city Center hospital Man Citi

Dunedin eye surgeon fined for breaching public health order

The Ministry of Health has issued an infringement notice to a Dunedin eye surgeon for seeing patients while unvaccinated.

New Zealand covid-19 patient Health

Tiger Woods Shares a Health Update After Serious Car Crash

Tiger Woods is opening up about his health.

Lindsey Vonn Health

Bomb threat made against Windsor mayor’s home over COVID measures, police allege

Windsor, Ont., is calling for residents to treat one another as human beings after police charged a woman for allegedly threatening to bomb his home over COVID-19 mandates.Windsor police said they arrested the 31-year-old woman Thursday for a social media post on a thread about COVID-19 and pandemic mandates. They allege she made the comments Monday, a day after a protest was cleared at the Ambassador Bridge.“Regardless of your opinion on vaccinations or Justin Trudeau or myself or Doug Ford, we all just have to step back and take a breath and realize that we’re dealing with human beings and that we all have more in common than differences,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a phone interview.

Doug Ford Justin Trudeau Drew Dilkens Canada city Ottawa city Detroit covid-19 pandemic Citi

Number of Alberta hospital patients with COVID-19 drops slightly as province reports 18 more deaths

COVID-19 declined slightly on Thursday, along with the number of people with the disease in intensive care units.On its website, Alberta Health reported Thursday afternoon that there were 1,491 people in hospital that have COVID-19, down from 1,500 a day earlier.The total number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs was at 116 on Thursday, down from 121 on Wednesday.Alberta Health also reported Thursday that the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Alberta has now reached 3,822 — 18 more than the total being reported a day earlier.The province reported 813 more COVID-19 cases had been identified via PCR tests over the past 24 hours.Despite the new cases, Alberta’s total number of active COVID-19 cases continued to decline Thursday, down to 16,551 cases from 17,674 on Wednesday.Public health officials have noted that because of limitations on eligibility for PCR testing in Alberta, the true number of both new and active cases is likely far higher than what is being reported.According to the provincial government’s website, the province’s positivity rate is 23.39 per cent.

Alberta Health covid-19 Health reports

Ontario releases school budget aimed at assisting students struggling due to pandemic

Ontario’s education minister says the province is providing the education system with more than $26 billion. As Morganne Campbell reports, the province is also reinstating EQAO testing for Grade 3 and 6 students.

pandemic reports Provident

Coronavirus: Top health official in Tulsa says Trump rally likely ‘contributed’ to COVID-19 spike

The health director for Tulsa, Oklahoma said on Wednesday that the rally held by President Donald Trump in the city about two weeks ago likely “contributed” to a recent spike in cases of COVID-19.

Donald Trump Kayleigh Macenany state Oklahoma county Tulsa covid-19 president Coronavirus

Trump's Tulsa rally may have caused Covid-19 spike: US health official

Donald Trump in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month likely contributed to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases there, a top local health official said on Wednesday.Tulsa has confirmed hundreds of new cases of COVID-19 over the past two days, said Dr. Bruce Dart, health director for the city and county.Asked by a reporter if Trump's campaign event at the Bank of Oklahoma Center on June 20 could be responsible for that surge, he said: "In the past few days, we've had almost 500 cases.

Donald Trump Usa state Oklahoma county Tulsa covid-19 Coronavirus

Bolton calls Trump 'Dangerous', says Biden would, at best, be 'four more years of Obama"

LOS ANGELES - "I think he’s dangerous."That’s how Ambassador John Bolton described President Donald Trump during an exclusive interview with FOX 11’s Elex Michaelson for The Issue Is.Bolton, who served for 17 months as Trump’s National Security Advisor, is currently making the press rounds as he promotes his tell-all book, "The Room Where it Happened."“If possible, he’s even more uninhibited in his behavior [than people think],” Bolton said of the President, adding that part of the difficulty was "keeping him on track to achieve objectives that he says he wants to achieve."Beyond President Trump, his book also pulls the curtain back on his interactions with other members of the administration, as well as leaders around the globe.Michaelson

Donald Trump John Bolton Los Angeles covid-19 president pandemic information

Neil Young writes Trump open letter after U.S. president continues to use his music

Donald Trump‘s 4th of July rally at Mount Rushmore, where he played two of Neil Young‘s hit songs, the Canadian-American rocker has penned yet another open letter in response to the U.S.

Donald Trump Neil Young Usa

Supreme Court: Some employers can refuse to offer free birth control

WASHINGTON - More employers who cite religious or moral grounds can decline to offer cost-free birth control coverage to their workers, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, upholding Trump administration rules that could leave more than 70,000 women without free contraception.The high court ruled 7-2 for the administration, which had made a policy change to allow some employers to opt out of providing the no-cost birth control required by the Obama-era health care law.

Donald Trump Washington hospital president

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

Writers warn in open letter against threat to free speech

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