Culture

World Health Organization says Covid-19 virus variant in India 'of global concern'

May 13, 2021

Based on reports from hospitals, Kang said it appeared that B.1.617 was causing more severe disease but that, again, there was insufficient data to draw conclusions. It has been added to the list as it seems to be transmitting faster and more easily than the original virus and, thus, hints towards the "rapid increases in prevalence in multiple countries".

Indian Covid-19 variant found in 44 countries

May 12, 2021

The WHO announced on Monday that it had designated the India variant as a variant of global concern , following those first identified in Britain, South Africa and Brazil. By the end of April, B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 accounted for 21 and seven percent respectively of all sequenced samples from India, it said. But experts caution that it's not yet clear just how much of a factor B.1.617 has played in the catastrophic rise in cases in India.

World Health Organization classifies Indian coronavirus mutation as a 'variant of concern'

May 11, 2021

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, said during a press conference that the B.1.617 variant appeared to spread more readily in preliminary studies released ahead of peer review. Seeking a list of the people of the bordering areas who have travelled to and from India in the past 15 days, the minister also mandated Covid-19 test for their family members.

Police say man was shot and killed near terminal at Vancouver Airport

May 11, 2021

The Richmond RCMP detachment said earlier Sunday that its officers had intercepted the suspect vehicle as it fled the scene, and that the suspects inside fired weapons at police. Shortly after the shooting, a burned-out vehicle has been found in Surrey, which is believed to be the suspects' vehicle used in the murder, according to a report by the Vancouver Sun .

Chinese rocket debris splashes down in Indian Ocean - initial reports

May 09, 2021

Space experts continue to closely monitor the Chinese rocket that is expected to crash into Earth sometime tonight. The rocket, Long March-5B, was launched on April 29 to deliver a module of China's space station. All other space-capable countries tightly control their first-stage rockets, and they either safely splash down into the ocean before entering orbit or - in the case of SpaceX - return to the surface in a controlled descent for reuse.

More than 170 Palestinians injured in clashes with Israeli police in Jerusalem

May 09, 2021

Eighty-eight of the injured were taken to hospital for treatment, with most suffering from wounds caused by rubber-coated bullets, the Red Crescent said . What they're saying: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent session to address the violence, saying he holds Israel "responsible for the unsafe developments and sinful attacks taking place in the holy city".

Labour candidate marches off stage in silence after Hartlepool by-election loss

May 08, 2021

About 48m people were eligible to vote across England, Scotland and Wales , with about 5,000 positions up for grabs. "We've got a great team who can not wait to be able to cut through more and I hear what people are saying, it's not cutting through, I get that", she told BBC's Question Time.

United Kingdom sends two navy boats to Jersey after France threatens blockade

May 07, 2021

The UK has sent British gunboats to Jersey amid tensions with France over Brexit fishing rights. Jersey receives most of its electricity from France, supplied through undersea cables. On Friday, Britain authorised 41 ships equipped with Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) technology - which allows ships to be located - to fish in waters off the island of Jersey , which is a self-governing British Crown Dependency.

Biden Sets New Independence Day Goal for COVID-19 Vaccinations

May 05, 2021

The U.S.is now administering first doses at a rate of about 965,000 per day - half the rate of three weeks ago, but nearly twice as fast as needed to meet Biden's target. and America will have taken a serious step toward a return to normal", one official told reporters on a conference call. A COVID-19 mass-vaccination clinic at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on January 15.

Aussies to face JAIL TIME for breaching new Covid rule

May 01, 2021

Mr Hunt made the unprecedented determination under the Biosecurity Act after receiving advice from Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly. Mr Hunt today confirmed the new measures will take effect from Monday. The ban will remain in place until at least May 15 - after which, Mr Hunt said, the aim was to resume repatriation and commercial flights as soon as possible.

China urges Australia to abide by one-China principle

April 30, 2021

Minister Dutton said given the militarization of bases across the region and animosity between China and Taiwan, conflict "should not be discounted", but Australia will work with its allies to try to maintain peace in the region. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he hoped Australia was aware of the sensitive nature of the issue and could "avoid sending any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces".

Which six states gained Congressional seats; which seven lost seats?

April 27, 2021

Colorado, Montana and OR were the only western states to add seats after the census showed the population had increased in those states. NY state will lose one seat in Congress after falling a remarkable 89 people short of having a population large enough to keep all 27 of its House seats, the U.S.

Several dead in fire at Baghdad hospital for Covid-19 patients

April 25, 2021

Flames spread quickly across multiple floors in the middle of the night, as dozens of relatives were at the bedsides of the 30 patients in the hospital's intensive care unit where most severe COVID-19 cases are treated, a medical source said.

U.S. to send support as India battles devastating COVID surge

April 25, 2021

The AAP government on Saturday told the Delhi High Court that the national capital received 309 MT of medical oxygen against the allocated 480 MT on Friday, terming it as the main cause behind the oxygen crisis in the city hospitals. "Please tell us that", the court asked the Union government while hearing Maharaja Agrasen Hospital's petition. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said he is looking at how the United Kingdom could help India .

Politics Briefing: Ontario Premier isolating after staffer tests positive for COVID-19

April 22, 2021

Ford received his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on April 9. Sources tells CityNews an announcement on paid sick days is expected later this week or early next week, but the Ford government won't be supporting the NDP motion on the matter, with Calandra calling it too "vague".

US administers 215.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines - CDC

April 22, 2021

The 100 million-dose goal was first announced on December 8, days before the USA had even one authorized vaccine for COVID-19, let alone the three that have now received emergency authorization. The White House is urging larger employers, which have more resources, to provide the same benefits to their workers, and educate them about the shots and encourage them to get vaccinated.

New Zealand is "uncomfortable" expanding its intelligence alliance with China

April 22, 2021

Victoria University's Robert Ayson says the Foreign Minister shouldn't have drawn attention to NZ's reluctance to use the intelligence network to antagonise Beijing. "Is that best done under the banner of a grouping of countries around a security intelligence platform, or [is] it best done around a group of countries with shared values - some of which might not belong to that five eyes partnership?" 'Not every issue we speak as New Zealand is a security and intelligence issue, ' she said.

Multiple injured in Long Island Stop & Shop shooting

April 21, 2021

The shooting happened at a Stop & Shop grocery in the community of West Hempstead, about a 10-mile drive east of the New York City borough of Queens, officials said. John Durso , president of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW, a union that represents numerous workers at the store, said he was "devastated" by the shooting.

NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Makes First-Ever Powered Flight on Another Planet

April 19, 2021

But why is it so hard to fly on Mars? NASA HAS MADE history after successfully completing the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. NASA is about to find out what happened. These space drones could fly "over ravines, down canyons, up mountains", Josh Ravich, mechanical lead for the Ingenuity team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Insider.

Celebrities pen open plea to Putin for Navalny's health care

April 18, 2021

Navalny blames the poisoning on the Kremlin. On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden added his voice to a growing global chorus of protest at the treatment of the activist, describing his situation as "totally unfair". Having blood potassium levels higher than 6.0 mmol (millimoles) per litre usually requires immediate treatment. "Alexei must immediately be granted his lawful request for a doctor of his choice", said the letter, which was also sent to the parliaments of European Union ...

Biden sanctions Russian Federation over SolarWinds cyber attacks

April 15, 2021

The U.S. also sanctioned "16 entities and 16 individuals who attempted to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election at the direction of the leadership of the Russian Government", according to the U.S. "When he spoke to him this week", Sullivan told reporters, "he said, 'I told you that I was going to look into this, I made a determination that Russian Federation has, in fact, conducted these actions, and I'm a man of my word, I am ready to respond, but I'm not looking to escalate".

Protesters gather by LAPD downtown headquarters in wake of Daunte Wright shooting

April 15, 2021

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the state agency that investigates police killings in Minnesota , said that Ms. Potter had been arrested and taken into custody on Wednesday morning and would be booked into the Hennepin County Jail. The police officers at the scene then tried to arrest him over an outstanding warrant after failing to appear in court on charges that he fled from officers and possessed a gun without a permit during an encounter with Minneapolis police in June previous year.

Arrest Made of Longtime Prime Suspect In Kristin Smart's Unsolved 1996 Murder

April 15, 2021

His father, Ruben Flores, 80, was arrested at his Arroyo Grande home - about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the university. Flores' father, Ruben, also was arrested at his home in the city of Arroyo Grande, according to news outlets.

2 men arrested in 1996 cold case of college student Kristin Smart

April 14, 2021

On May 27, 1996, a friend of Smart's at Muir Hall, reported Smart missing to the Cal Poly University Police Department. Paul Flores , 44, who was the last person seen with Smart on the California Polytechnic State University campus in San Luis Obispo before she vanished in 1996, was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area.

Iran says it will enrich uranium to 60%, highest level ever

April 14, 2021

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the Natanz incident was "not a positive contribution" to the diplomatic process underway in Vienna, where the United States and Iran are holding indirect talks on a possible return to the 2015 nuclear deal from which former president Donald Trump withdrew in 2018.

Prince Philip, the Queen's husband, dies

April 09, 2021

Prince Philip was most associated with cricket, as president for two terms of the Lord's-based Marylebone Cricket Club, which is regarded as the guardian of the laws of the game. "The Duke's commitment to a life of service which lasted more than six decades is an extraordinary legacy". On Friday morning, the royals made the announcement via Twitter, writing "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince ...

White House expected to announce gun control actions Thursday

April 08, 2021

During his campaign, Biden promised to prioritize new gun control measures as president, including enacting universal background check legislation, banning online sales of firearms and the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Will you watch or attend the 2021 All-Star Game?

April 07, 2021

On Friday, as Major League Baseball announced that Atlanta no longer would play host to the All-Star game, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jon Gray was asked if the hitter-friendly Coors Field would be a suitable replacement. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid Colorado's driver's license or valid ID card issued by the Department of Revenue, a valid US passport, a copy of a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government documents.

Parts of Ontario Could Be Headed to Stay-at-Home Order

April 07, 2021

David Williams on Sunday. Toronto schools will be closed to in-person learning starting on Wednesday. Loh says the closure will allow students and staff at least two weeks out of schools to break any chains of transmission and protect them from exposure.

US, Iran hold 1st indirect talks in bid to save nuclear deal

April 07, 2021

The restoration of JCPOA will not happen immediately. It will take some time. "How long? Nobody knows", Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Vienna-based envoy to global organisations, wrote on Twitter , referring to the pact by its acronym. "Because they've been increasingly in noncompliance with their nuclear commitments". "The nuclear deal has been negotiated and sealed and placed on the shelf".

Ontario cabinet considering issuing stay-at-home order, sources say

April 07, 2021

The letter was signed by Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, Peel Region's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh and Ottawa's Medical Officer of Health Dr. "I hate doing that, but we're going to have further restrictions", he said, declining to elaborate. About 83,000 COVID-19 tests were administered since Saturday's report.

With 'alarming surge in COVID-19,' Ontario begins emergency shutdown at midnight

April 05, 2021

Construction will remain open and some outdoor activities. "Friends, right now we're into a third wave of COVID-19". Brown said variants of concern are now the dominate strain of the virus in the province. More than 260 of those 451 patients are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. It notes people being admitted to intensive care have contracted COVID-19 at work or have followed all the rules and only gone out for groceries.

India records this year's biggest single-day jump in positive cases

April 05, 2021

In total, India has seen 89,129 new infections and 714 deaths, the largest daily spike since September 20 and most deaths since October 21. The reasons for the sharp rise in cases could be mainly attributed to the severe decline in compliance of COVID-appropriate behaviour, especially in the use of masks and social distancing, pandemic fatigue and lack of effective implementation of containment measures at the field level, it said.

US ousts Astra from factory, puts J&J in charge

April 05, 2021

The department also requested Johnson & Johnson to install a new team to oversee all aspects of manufacturing at the facility, the newspaper said , citing the officials. The Biden administration has facilitated for Johnson & Johnson to assume "full responsibility" of a production plant after a mishap botched likely millions of doses-worth of COVID-19 vaccine.

CDC Says Fully Vaccinated People Can Travel

April 03, 2021

According to the CDC , almost 100 million people in the USA - or about 30% of the population - have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. With Easter just around the corner, the U.S. People should still wear a mask, socially distance and avoid crowds, the agency says. Plus, almost all worldwide USA air visitors still need to get a negative Covid-19 test before traveling to the United States.

CDC: Fully vaccinated Americans cleared to travel without tests or quarantine periods

April 03, 2021

With cases rising in some parts of the country and across the globe, the CDC "is not recommending travel at this time", said agency director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. Khan said the update reinforces the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, and is another incentive for people to get vaccinated. Those who haven't received their second shots or haven't been immunized for two weeks should especially avoid traveling, according to the CDC .

US Capitol put on lockdown after 2 cops rammed by vehicle

April 03, 2021

Capitol Police after the events of January 6 and now the events that have occurred here today". Sources said the suspect exited the vehicle with a knife and attacked the police before he was fatally shot. Since then security officials have said there is an ongoing threat from extreme-right groups and some Trump supporters. The FBI's Washington field office was providing support to Capitol Police in their investigation.

2 officers injured after vehicle rams US Capitol barrier; suspect dead

April 03, 2021

It doesn't appear the driver was known to Capitol or Metro Police, officials said . While the incident remains under investigation, some have alleged that Trump and supporters encouraged the attack and that Trump officials held back on deploying additional law enforcement and troops to fight back the attackers.

Ford Government Set to Pull "Emergency Brake" Province Wide

April 01, 2021

In total, the province has seen 7,389 deaths related to the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. At least 433 of these patients are being treated in intensive care and 259 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. A daily report by Critical Care Services Ontario, which tracks hospitalizations, stated 430 people are now in the ICU with a COVID-19-related critical illness - up from 421 the day before.

Derek Chauvin Told Witness George Floyd Was "Probably On Something"

April 01, 2021

A security-camera scene of people joking around inside the store soon gave way to the sight of officers pulling Floyd from his vehicle at gunpoint, struggling to put him in a squad auto as he frantically said he was claustrophobic, and then pinning him to the pavement.

7 convicted in Hong Kong over 2019 pro-democracy protests

April 01, 2021

The conviction relates to a rally on 18 August 2019, when an estimated 1.7 million people marched peacefully, but against police orders. Among them are Martin Lee , an 82-year-old barrister who was once chosen by Beijing to help write Hong Kong's mini-constitution, and Margaret Ng, a 73-year-old barrister and former opposition lawmaker.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz staying on Judiciary Committee despite investigation

April 01, 2021

The conservative Florida Republican confirmed the investigation to Axios hours after the New York Times reported that investigators are looking into whether the 38-year-old had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and violated sex-trafficking laws by paying for her to travel with him.

Video shows vicious attack of Asian American woman in NY

April 01, 2021

Elliot, according to reports, has been on lifetime parole after being released from prison in 2019, having been convicted of murdering his own mother in 2002. The attack happened late on Monday morning outside an apartment building two blocks from Times Square, a bustling, heavily policed section of midtown Manhattan known as the "Crossroads of the World".

Canada expects to start receiving Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines next month

April 01, 2021

Johnson & Johnson said on Wednesday it had found a problem with a batch of drug substance for its COVID-19 vaccine, which did not meet quality standards at Emergent Biosolutions' production site in Baltimore, Maryland. In a statement provided to Fox Business, Johnson & Johnson said it expects to deliver its vaccine at a rate of more than one billion doses by the end of 2021.

Rep. Matt Gaetz facing sex trafficking probe

March 31, 2021

The investigation began in the final months of former President Donald Trump's administration under Attorney General William Barr and was part of an investigation into Joel Greenberg , a former tax collector in northern Florida , who was indicted past year on charges of sex trafficking of a child and financially supporting people , including one underage girl, in exchange for sex.

Mexico's Covid-19 death toll may be 60% higher than officially reported

March 30, 2021

Since 15 February there have been an additional 26,772 test-confirmed deaths in Mexico. The health ministry's latest official toll stood at 201,623 on Sunday - the third highest in the world, behind Brazil at more than 312,000 and the United States at around 549,000 fatalities.

Outdoor freedoms boosted in major easing of England’s Covid-19 restrictions

March 29, 2021

Organized outdoor sports may resume. While greater outdoor freedoms are now permitted, the Government is still advising people to work from home where possible and minimise the number of journeys they take. The current changes are the first major milestone laid out in a "roadmap out of lockdown" that was announced by Downing Street in late February. From April 5, click-and-collect retail services, along with garden centres, auto dealerships, homeware stores and barbers and hairdressers, ...

Protests erupt again amid a show of force by coup leaders

March 29, 2021

In Yangon , the country's largest city, they flashed the three-finger salute as they wheeled the coffin of a 13-year-old boy. "The government must help organise a deliberate and integrated worldwide response to force the junta that is led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to immediately reverse its takeover and abide by the results of the November 2020 elections", read a joint statement issued by 12 personalities from different fields.

Myanmar junta leader pledges democracy at Army Day parade

March 29, 2021

A barricade, set up by protesters demonstrating against the military coup, burning in Mandalay. Myanmar military forces also on Saturday engaged in combat with guerrillas of the Karen ethnic minority near the country's eastern border with Thailand.

Hinshaw: Keep your COVID-19 guard up, even at home

March 27, 2021

Variant cases now make up just over 23 per cent of the active cases in the province - with 7,077 total active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. Alberta's rising hospitalization rates and variant cases have delayed plans for further easing public-health restrictions.

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