6 things we learned from the Covid-19 vaccine briefing

COLOMBO (News 1st); The head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Tuesday (15) called on the masses to respond at the appropriate time to the attempts being made to suppress the truth through intimidation.“If Shehan Malaka did not go live on social media, the country would have never known that he was being forcefully taken away by a group in a white van. He had the courage to reveal this to the country,” said His Eminence.He slammed the police over its conduct in arresting people adding that Sri Lanka Police must be present in uniform when making an arrest and must use a police jeep for such purpose.“Police officers must read the charges against any accused when making an arrest,” he said adding that the Shehan Malaka was not arrested, but abducted in broad daylight.His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith termed such conduct as uncivilized and immoral, which is not suitable for a democratic community.The Archbishop of Colombo also took a blow at the present Attorney General, noting that he is a public servant and NOT a political stooge.He said the Attorney General who is expected to enforce the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, is making attempts to arrest those who are calling for justice over the Terror Attacks.“I request the people to understand the conspiratorial conduct of the government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister granted approval on Monday (14) to provide 15 kg of wheat flour per month at a concessionary rate to 115,867 beneficiary families working in the estate sector.According to the Department of Government Information approval was granted to the Finance Minister’s proposal ‘Implementation of proposals to minimize economic constraints confronted by the public’, on the 18th of January 2022.A committee led by the Trade Minister had thereafter issued a recommendation considering the resolution for wheat flour relief for estate worker families, and thus the recommendations were approved.

Thousands of nurses in Australia's most populous state walked off the job for the first time in nearly a decade to begin a 24-hour strike after talks with the government to plug staff shortages and secure a pay rise failed.

After a long and disruptive blockade against COVID mandates was cleared, the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ontario, is open to travel, despite a heavily police presence. As Mike Drolet reports, a small group of protesters remain.

The current COVID-19 restrictions are set to expire this week and the province is expected to announce an easing of restrictions Tuesday. Many are wondering what our lives will look like over the next few weeks and months, especially those working in the affected industries.

freedom convoy” protesters who have disrupted the nation’s capital.Brad Howland, president of Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd., confirmed the donation, the largest from within Canada, following a hack of crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo.Howland declined to speak to Global News but said in a statement he had travelled to Ottawa to witness the “beautiful, legal, peaceful protest that overwhelmed us with emotion.”“We are thankful to be blessed enough to support their efforts to do what they have to do in a peaceful way until the government removes the mandates to restore all our freedom as pre-COVID,” he said.Protest organizers have secured millions in pledges from donors on GiveSendGo, the U.S.-based Christian crowdfunding platform that is hosting the fundraising campaign.

Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act for 1st time to aid convoy blockade response Kenney referenced the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, legislation that allows law enforcement to arrest and fine anyone impeding what is deemed critical economic infrastructure, including railways and highways.He said the legislation gives the province sanctions “that are quite similar to the court injunction obtained by Ontario” to break up a blockade on the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., over the weekend.Kenney said he is concerned invoking the Emergencies Act could have the potential to make things worse at the Coutts blockade.“I think at this point, for the federal government to reach in over top of us, without offering anything in particular, would frankly be unhelpful,” Kenney said.“I think we need to find ways to effectively enforce without escalating the situation.” RCMP arrest 13 people, seize weapons and ammunition near Coutts border blockade Kenney’s comments come after several arrests were made and more than a dozen long guns, handguns, ammunition and body armour were seized at the blockade. The premier described the group as a “militant cell” and said it’s why there has been “a relatively light touch on enforcement.”It’s the first time the Emergencies Act has been enacted in Canada, which Trudeau said would have a time and geographic limitation to areas impacted by the blockades and where law enforcement deems the expanded powers are needed.According to Trudeau, the expanded powers will give police more tools for enforcement and allow the RCMP to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial offences where it’s necessary.“The potential for violent acts I think remains.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister on Monday (14) granted approval to prepare a road map and strategic plan to make Sri Lanka a Carbon-Net Zero country by 2050.The Department of Government Information in a statement said that ” If a country is to reach a carbon-Net zero, it must primarily reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and increase its carbon dioxide-absorbing ecosystems.”According to the statement, the Cabinet had identified the need to develop the road map and strategic plan to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka Carbon-Net Zero.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Environment to design a road map that is revised every 05 years after reviewing the progress and to formulate a five-year strategic plan, and appoint a committee of experts to do so.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers had extensively discussed the need to integrate non-motorized modes of transport, especially cycling, into the national transport system.“The use of non-motorized transport has a positive effect on reducing air pollution as well as on health, air quality, environment, climate change, and personal finances,” said the Department of Government Information on Tuesday (15).Therefore, it has been identified that non-motor systems should be integrated with existing transport systems to maximize economic and environmental benefits, it added.Accordingly, taking into consideration the submissions made by the Minister of Environment, the relevant Ministries and Institutions agreed to take the following steps under a joint approach.– Marking of bicycle lanes suitable for existing roads and upgrading of existing pedestrian lanes– Steps to include bicycle and pedestrian lanes for future roads– Taking necessary measures to encourage the use of bicycles for the staff of government offices– Providing necessary facilities for office cyclists including parking and access.

Lockdowns were tough for most musicians – but for one Scot, they provided the opportunity of a lifetime.

PHILADELPHIA - As COVID-19 numbers continue to trend down in Philadelphia, city officials who have been hesitant to pull back restrictions may be ready to take a small step forward.Senior Director of Operations for Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Ben Fileccia said he expects Philadelphia officials to make an announcement Wednesday about metrics they will use to determine appropriate mandates going forward. The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday night reported that the city could end its vaccine requirement to dine indoors as early as this week, and the indoor mask mandate may lift soon after.Several states across the country have announced an end to universal mask mandates over the last several weeks, including nearby Delaware. New Jersey Gov.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - A Chester County judge granted an injunction against Tower Health on Monday which breathed new life into the potential sale of two recently shuttered hospitals.Texas-based Canyon Atlantic sought to buy Brandywine and Jennersville hospitals last year, but Tower Health officials said the deal fell through, and both hospitals closed in Dec. and Jan. The closure raised concerns among residents and county officials alike that Chester County Hospital would have a hard time managing the influx of new patients. "This is a huge void now, and it’s going to create some serious challenges for patients that would normally be 10 minutes away are going to have to go 30 minutes away, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on EMS," Former Director of Pastoral Care at Brandywine Hospital Reverend Garry Fowler said. Chester County Hospital vouched for a modular emergency room in its parking lot to add additional beds, a move that was unanimously supported by the West Goshen Township Board of Supervisors.Tower Health closed Brandywine Hospital on Monday night, leaving the Chester County community concerned about the availability of healthcare.

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CBD Kratom in Wayne, Pennsylvania has been shut down after opening in close proximity to two schools.  WAYNE, Pa. - A CBD shop inside a former Starbucks in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has been shut down after township officials said it should have never opened in the first place. Residents in the town were shocked when they saw a big cannabis leaf outside the old Starbucks store in town. CBD Kratom, located at 218 E Lancaster Avenue, opened up in close proximity to Radnor Middle School and St. Katharine of Siena School. Less than one day after it opened, township officials say they shut it down alleging no business, building or construction permits were applied for.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States is relocating its embassy operations in Ukraine from the nation’s capital in Kyiv to the western city of Lviv, officials announced Monday. The move comes amid a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces," at the Ukrainian border."We are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces. The Embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine.

HOUSTON - A tow truck driver has been arrested Sunday after crashing into another car with a baby inside in northwest Harris County, authorities said. SIGN UP FOR FOX 26 HOUSTON EMAIL ALERTSAccording to Harris Co. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, it happened in the 6600 block of Cunningham near W.

Assam government had tightened Covid curbs to contain the transmission of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The state prohibited the entry of non-vaccinated people to public places, except hospitals. It said that all people are required to carry proof of being fully vaccinated while visiting public places/spaces. The state had allowed classes 9-12 on alternate days and had suspended offline classes up to Class 8.

Omicron variant that triggered the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in late December and which has now ebbed in the metropolis, the city civic body said on Monday. 

Conestoga High School switched back to remote learning on Feb. 14 after the school received threats over its mask policy.  BERWYN, Pa - Conestoga High School switched back to remote learning Monday after the school reported receiving threats. School officials updated the community with a special announcement from Superintendent Dr.

Alberta kids who went back to class on Monday had one less thing to pack: a face mask. Morgan Black has more on the first day of the masking mandate in schools being dropped.

The Ontario government has announced it will be fast tracking its reopening plans. Restaurant and gym owners react to the lifting capacity limits and vaccine mandates.

New polling suggests Canadians have had enough of the protests, and while most indicate they’re tired of the mandates, few are happy with the way things have unfolded. Keith Baldrey has more on that side of the story.

As hospitalizations linked to the Omicron variant decline, Ontario has unveiled its fast-tracked plans to remove pandemic restrictions on most businesses. Caryn Lieberman breaks down what rules are being lifted, which public spaces are affected, and the questions over what’s really motivating Premier Doug Ford.

Some people in Edmonton are angry with the way police handled the other side of the trucker convoy response on the weekend. While many drivers got away with blaring their horns and making noise in violation of a noise injunction, a large group of Edmonton Police Service officers showed up to threaten counter-protests with arrests and fines.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is stepping up the fight to win his UCP looming leadership review. His chief of staff is stepping down to run a campaign to convince party members to keep Kenney.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Monday (14) assured the Cabinet of Ministers that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) as well as 9 other funds will be exempted from the 25% Surcharge Tax proposed in the 2022 Budget.It had been proposed in the 2022 Budget to impose a 25% Surcharge Tax on individuals or companies earning an annual taxable income of Rs. 2,000 million or more.Concerns were voiced by experts, opposition politicians as well as members of the government itself that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) would also be subjected to the surcharge tax.They cited that any fund that exceeds Rs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the never-before-used Emergencies Act on Monday, amid ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

2 Chainz, Tyga, YG, Antonio Brown, Kanye West and North West attend Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)The Super Bowl is always one of the most-talked-about events of this year, drawing in a crowd from across the country.With the game taking place at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, the halftime show wasn’t the only star-studded gathering.Celebrities from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who hyped up the crowd in his old wrestling persona and introduced the game, to Kanye West in his black full face mask were spotted.RELATED: Mickey Guyton gives powerful rendition of national anthem at Super Bowl 2022This year, getting into the Super Bowl at the last minute meant a big hit to the wallet.

Russia's Kamila Valieva attends a training session on February 13, 2022 prior the figure skating event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) Russian teenager Kamila Valieva has been cleared to compete in the women's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics despite failing a pre-Games drug test, setting her up for an attempt at a second gold medal.Whatever happens on the ice, Valieva will not get a medal ceremony moment in Beijing.

Saskatchewan government’s proof of vaccination health order, designed to stop the spread of COVID-19, is no longer in effect.That means Saskatchewan residents can attend events, go to restaurants and bar and work out with no limits.Business owners who spoke to Global News said they’re relieved — not because they think it’s the right or wrong thing to do, but because it’s one less thing they’re responsible for. Saskatchewan dropping proof of vaccination requirement  “We’ve been operating throughout the entire pandemic and we’ve gotten pretty used to pivoting our business and changing on the fly,” Cierra Sieban-Shuback said.“So for us, it’s honestly moreso ‘normal’ than anything else.”Sieban-Shuback owns Living Skies Cannabis in Saskatoon.

Nikki Bella is opening up about fiancé Artem Chigvintsev's ongoing struggle with pneumonia. Nikki and her sister, Brie Bella, spoke with ET's Lauren Zima on Saturday at the 2022 Fanatics Super Bowl Party in Culver City, California, and the 38-year-old TV personality and pro wrestler shared some news about Artem's «terrifying» and persistent case of pneumonia.«He's doing well. He still has pneumonia, it's crazy!» Nikki shared.

Corbevax will be the second vaccine after Covaxin which has received EUA for those below 18 years of age. The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company will be submitting data soon for clinical trials done on children aged below 12 years, the news agency added.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that the province would drop the proof of vaccination requirement starting March 1, though masking would remain in place. Capacity limits will also be removed on restaurants, bars and other indoor venues on Feb.

Alberta students are no longer required to wear masks in school, and kids 12 and under don’t have to be masked in any setting.Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports on how students and parents reacted on Monday.

A few days ahead of schedule, Ontario will be moving forward with its reopening plans and within a few weeks, the province is scrapping the vaccine passport program. Caryn Lieberman reports.

Interim Conservative Party Leader Candice Bergen reacted Monday evening to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoking the Emergencies Act to help put an end to the anti-COVID-19 mandates protests. “Conservatives want to see the end of the blockades, we want them ended peacefully and quickly and in a way that Canadians feel that they’ve been listened to, heard and respected by their prime minister.

Bobby Andrew Johnson, 25, was sentenced to six to 15 years in state prison for selling five handguns he stole from unlocked cars in Bucks County.  (Bucks County District Attorney's Office)BUCKS COUNTY, Pa - A 25-year-old man was sentenced to six to 15 years in state prison on Monday for stealing five handguns and selling them, authorities said. According to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, Bobby Andrew Johnson, formerly of Richlandtown, stole handguns and other objects from unlocked cars in Upper Bucks County from April 2018 to September 2018.Johnson is accused of selling five stolen handguns, including one which was found at the home of a minor, according to the DA. During an investigation into stolen guns in multiple counties, police were led to Johnson, who admitted he took items from cars and made about $30,000 in profits. A previous 2015 felony burglary conviction also prevented Johnson from being able to possess a firearm. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges including five counts each of not to possess a firearm, illegal sale or transfer of firearms, theft by unlawful taking, theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. In addition to his sentence, Commons Pleas Judge Theodore C. Fritsch ordered Johnson to pay $1,785 in restitution.

PHILADELPHIA - A street in Mount Airy was rededicated Monday to honor Richard Allen, one of America’s most influential Black leaders. Allens Lane was originally named after former Philadelphia mayor William Allen. He was one of the wealthiest in Philadelphia during his time, using his money to support public interests including the building of Independence Hall and the establishment of the University of Pennsylvania. William Allen also opposed the Declaration of Independence and was a known slave owner. The street has now been rededicated to honor Richard Allen, a former slave who started the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which became the first national Black church denomination in the United States. Richard Allen fought endlessly for racial justice and equality.

Police say 21-year-old Kwa’jree Turner was walking to his car outside of LA Fitness in Bear, Del. when someone shot him several times.

The Big Boost Week continues to see tens of thousands of people going out to get their booster dose each day. Yesterday, 47,573 booster doses were administered across the motu – that’s twice as many as Sunday – and brings the total so far to almost two million doses.

Trump Tower, home to the Trump Organization, stands along Fifth Avenue on June 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) NEW YORK - The accounting firm that prepared former President Donald Trump’s annual financial statements says the documents, used to secure lucrative loans and burnish Trump's image as a wealthy businessman, "should no longer be relied upon" after New York's attorney general said they regularly misstated the value of assets.In a letter to the Trump Organization's lawyer Feb.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Several high-profile celebrities were shown on NBC’s telecast of the Super Bowl flouting California’s indoor mask mandate.Social media erupted after seeing Jay-Z, Charlize Theron, LeBron James, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoying themselves at the game without a mask while they were not eating or drinking, a violation of California’s indoor mask mandate that is in place until Feb. 15.Twitter users were quick to point out that children in California are forced to wear masks at schools where strict coronavirus restrictions include being forced to eat outside in the rain in some cases. "Here’s the video of every celebrity without a mask during the Super Bowl.

A 21-year-old man was shot multiple times in the side Monday night in Hunting Park.

Nature Climate Change.The study calculated that 42% of this megadrought can be attributed to human-caused climate change."Climate change is changing the baseline conditions toward a drier, gradually drier state in the West and that means the worst-case scenario keeps getting worse," said study lead author Park Williams, a climate hydrologist at UCLA. "This is right in line with what people were thinking of in the 1900s as a worst-case scenario.

On the heels of the Ford government’s announcement of the easing of restrictions, business owners in Ontario expressing a cautious optimism over the changes. Erica Vella reports.

The Department of Health has been notified of no further coronavirus-related deaths and 403 new cases.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn will warn politicians today of the "considerable risk" of another wave of Covid-19 infection if restrictions are eased too quickly.