BGT in chaos as Simon Cowell tests positive for Covid and pulls out of auditions

A Grenfell Tower Inquiry chief has been appointed as the new boss of the NHS in Greater Manchester - as the health service undergoes sweeping changes.

COVID-19 Tuesday afternoon.Jason Copping and Dr. Deena Hinshaw are scheduled to speak at 3:30 p.m.

Justin Trudeau says Canada is extending the military mission in Latvia as part of a continued NATO effort to stave off further Russian aggression following its invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago.But he offered little clarity when asked whether Canada will boost domestic spending on the military to hit the promised two per cent of GDP target agreed to by NATO allies in 2014.“We understand the urgency that is presented right now in the world with Ukrainians standing strong against this illegal Russian invasion,” Trudeau said when asked about whether Canada will increase spending to meet the NATO target and urgently replace the weapons being offered to Ukraine.“Those weapons are much more useful and in the coming weeks in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their lives than they would be in Canadian hands.

COVID-19 cases in Eabametoong First Nation.The virus spread rapidly through the remote community located about 300 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., triggering a lockdown that shut stores and public facilities while residents were advised to self-isolate to prevent further infections.It all happened as the province was gradually lifting public health measures against COVID-19 and infection rates were declining in much of southern Ontario.In Eabametoong, however, about 170 of the community’s roughly 1,400 residents were ill with the virus in mid February, according to Chief Solomon Atlookan. Due to a limited number of homes and public facilities, it was a challenge for residents to isolate to curb the spread of COVID-19, he said.“It was a massive infection rate here in the community and it sort of took everybody by surprise,” Atlookan said in a phone interview.

COVID-19.The Assiniboine Park Zoo said Tuesday that it’s planning to vaccinate a total of 55 animals across species including Amur tigers, snow leopards, white-handed gibbons, squirrel monkeys, camels, goats, llamas, meerkats and more.The species that have the closest interactions with human caregivers are most at risk, as are cats and primates in general. COVID-19 — Canadian zoos prepare to vaccinate animals with experimental vaccine “Vaccination is a very common, safe and effective way of protecting animals in human care from a variety of illnesses,” the zoo’s director of veterinary services and animal welfare, Chris Enright, said in a statement.“In addition to other biosecurity protocols we have in place here at the zoo, vaccination against COVID-19 adds another layer of protection for the most vulnerable species in our care.”Enright said while there haven’t been any cases of COVID-19 diagnosed among Winnipeg’s animals, the virus has been found in other zoos — in some cases with fatal consequences.Assiniboine Park is one of a number of zoological facilities in Canada using a vaccine made specifically for animals against COVID-19.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter."We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports," the president announced on Tuesday.The move follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy to U.S.

International Women’s Day website reads. "Are you in? Will you actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping each time you see it?"The campaign also encourages people to share photos of themselves crossing their arms in an "x" pose to show solidarity with the cause.Here’s what to know about International Women’s Day 2022:International Women’s Day is celebrated each year on March 8 to recognize "the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women," according to the website. It also aims to raise awareness about women’s equality issues, calls to advance gender parity, and fundraise for female-focused charities.Activists attend a vigil and rally that are part of the International Day of Women’s Climate Action, organized by the Women’s Climate Strike, to protest against the disproportionate impacts of climate disruption on women on March 8, 2022, in Edinburg International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's, organizers say — when the industrialized world began to see booming population growth and a rise in campaigning for change among women. In 1908, women's oppression and inequality were spurring women to become more vocal and 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.The first National Women’s Day was observed across the U.S.

Novelty Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dodgecoin tokens arranged at a cryptocurrency exchange in Hong Kong, China. (Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order on cryptocurrency this week that will mark the first step toward regulating how digital currency is traded.The move comes as administration officials have raised concerns in recent weeks about Russia’s use of cryptocurrency to evade the impact of crushing sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

As the tire tracks fade from the so-called “freedom convoy” that occupied downtown Ottawa streets, some of the Telegram forums devoted to the convoy have taken up the torch of a new cause: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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COVID-19 and a two-patient drop in pandemic-related hospitalizations Tuesday.Officials say 1,252 people were hospitalized with the disease across the province, after 98 patients were admitted and 100 left in the last day.Intensive care unit cases also decreased by two for a total of 77.The province also reported 935 new novel coronavirus cases, but the daily tally isn’t an accurate representation of the current situation since screening is limited to certain high-risk groups. As Quebec continues to reopen, what to do if you have COVID-19 The latest roundup shows 11,443 tests were administered Sunday.Quebec also saw the results of 398 rapid tests added to the government’s website in the past day, including 292 positive results.

For many Canadians, a trip to the grocery store has become a daunting task. With Food prices continuing to rise, many are concerned about how they’ll be able to afford their essentials. Sharmeen Somani reports.

With some provinces lifting mask mandates and other provinces in the process of doing so, there is cautious optimism about what the pandemic will look like for spring. Dr. Alex Wong discusses the latest COVID headlines.

PHILADELPHIA - An 18-year-old man has died after police say he was shot and killed while behind the wheel of a car Tuesday morning in Oxford Circle. The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. near Levick Street, Castor Avenue, and Loretto Street.Police say officers responded to the 6400 block of Loretto Street and found the victim inside of a vehicle that had crashed into a home. The victim was suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and leg and was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he later died. MORE HEADLINES:Police tell FOX 29’s Steve Keeley that the victim was at a traffic light on Levick Street when a dark SUV pulled up alongside his vehicle.

With COVID-19 mask mandates dropped across Saskatchewan, both individuals and businesses have a choice to wear one or not.

COVID on Tuesday, with 246 in intensive care units.This is up by 86 hospitalizations but a decrease of three in ICUs since the previous day. Last Tuesday, there were 914 hospitalizations with 278 in ICU.The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.Of the 779 people in hospital with COVID-19, 44 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 56 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 246 people in ICUs with the virus, 82 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 18 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

PHILADELPHIA - The record-breaking warmth is gone and conditions will become more seasonable Tuesday and Wednesday. Blustery winds will keep things cool with temperatures in the 50s Tuesday. The temperature will drop Tuesday night, bringing temperatures in the low to mid-30s. After midnight, precipitation moves in Wednesday morning. Areas north and west of Philadelphia will be impacted by wet snow, while areas south and east will see heavy rain. By 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, most places will see precipitation, which will continue bringing heavy rain in the Philadelphia area around 8:00 a.m. The rain will continue through lunchtime and fade out during the evening commute. Looking ahead, temperatures will remain in the 40s and 50s for the rest of the week. FOX 29's Sue Serio is reminding everyone that clocks shift ahead one hour for daylight saving time on Sunday. ___SEVEN DAY FORECAST TUESDAY: Windy, chillier.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russia's invasion of Ukraine is continuing unabated, with 2 million people — half of them children — forced to flee the country as Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II grows even more severe.The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF confirmed the figures as more people headed for the borders Tuesday.

A Rochdale man is taking on an incredible challenge to raise awareness of men's mental health.

There have been claims that Vladimir Putin could be seriously ill, with some suggesting he may have cancer.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities have announced that power cuts will be imposed on Wednesday (9).Groups ABCDEFGHIJ:2 1/2 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM 1 hr & 15 min from 6 PM to 11 PMGroups PQRSTUVW:2 hours from 9 PM to 5 PM1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PM

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter.The move follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy to U.S. and Western officials to cut off the imports, which had been a glaring omission the massive sanctions put in place on Russia over the invasion.

PHILADELPHIA - Gas prices around the globe continue to rise, causing pain at the pump for local drivers. RELATED: Average gas prices in Philadelphia area climb to around $4 per gallonAAA Mid-Atlantic reports that Sunday's average gas price in New Jersey hit $4.09 a gallon, breaking the old record of $3.99 set on July 8, 2008. The price is up 44 cents in the last week, 60 cents in the last month and $1.22 higher than a year ago, the company said.The Pennsylvania gas price average reached $4.17 per gallon Sunday, setting a new record high price for the region after breaking a 14-year record high Saturday, AAA said.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating a crash that killed one person in Tacony on Tuesday morning. According to police, the crash happened just after 3 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA - Police in Philadelphia are calling a Tuesday morning fatal shooting in Strawberry Mansion an "execution." Authorities say officers responded to numerous calls for gunshots on the 1900 block of North 32nd Street just after 1:30 a.m. According to police, they found a man in the driver's seat of a Hyundai Sedan. The vehicle was parked, but the engine was still running, authorities say. RELATED: At least 8 killed, multiple injured in Philadelphia during violent weekend in the city, police sayPolice Chief Inspector Scott Small said the victim was shot multiple times in the head, face and torso. According to authorities, ballistic evidence shows at least 31 shots were fired from two separate semi-automatic weapons. Police say the car the victim was found in was struck more than 15 times, with most of the bullet holes in the driver's side window and door.

COVID infection can lead to shrinkage in the brain that can affect your sense of smell and other cognitive functions, a recent study has revealed.  Previously, several studies relating to COVID and its effect on the brain have been conducted, but most studies have focused on hospitalised patients with severe disease, and have been limited to post-infection data.

A Halifax realtor and group of home buyers are worried they won’t be able to move into their newly-built homes as planned. Their homes are far from completed and the buyers say the builder isn’t responding to their calls.

Police in Philadelphia are investigating a fatal shooting in Strawberry Mansion.  PHILADELPHIA - Police in Philadelphia are calling a Tuesday morning fatal shooting in Strawberry Mansion an "execution." Authorities say officers responded to numerous calls for gunshots on the 1900 block of North 32nd Street just after 1:30 a.m. According to police, they found a man in the driver's seat of a Hyundai Sedan. The vehicle was parked, but the engine was still running, authorities say. RELATED: At least 8 killed, multiple injured in Philadelphia during violent weekend in the city, police sayPolice Chief Inspector Scott Small said the victim was shot multiple times in the head, face and torso. According to authorities, ballistic evidence shows at least 31 shots were fired from two separate semi-automatic weapons. Police say the car the victim was found in was struck more than 15 times, with most of the bullet holes in the driver's side window and door.

FILE - The Shell logo is displayed outside one of its petrol stations on May 27, 2021, in Leeds, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) LONDON - Energy giant Shell said Tuesday that it will stop buying Russian oil and natural gas and shut down its service stations, aviation fuels and other operations in the country amid international pressure for companies to sever ties over the invasion of Ukraine.The company said in a statement that it would withdraw from all Russian hydrocarbons, including crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas and liquefied natural gas, "in a phased manner."The decision comes as surging oil prices have been rattling global markets and just days after Ukraine’s foreign minister criticized Shell for continuing to buy Russian oil, lashing out at the company for continuing to do business with President Vladimir Putin’s government."We are acutely aware that our decision last week to purchase a cargo of Russian crude oil to be refined into products like petrol and diesel — despite being made with security of supplies at the forefront of our thinking — was not the right one and we are sorry," CEO Ben van Beurden said.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Like much of Central Florida, the rain came pouring down at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Monday night. Guests were seen running for cover in social media posts as streets became flooded.  Some came prepared with their ponchos in hands. This was a rare, summertime-style rain event where the Gulf of Mexico sea breeze collided with the Atlantic sea breeze over the Interstate 4 corridor.

The Minister for Health has said the highest number of people with Covid-19 "in quite some time" are being treated in hospitals.

COVID-19, including fully eliminating the province’s vaccine passport system this March and phasing out masks in public places in the spring.Businesses have also slowly started to reopen as the government and the province’s public health officials look for new ways to live with the novel coronavirus.Yet, even as the situation has improved in recent weeks, the pandemic is still underway nearly two years after it was declared. Quebec public health director says mask wearing will be a ‘personal choice’ With the changing rules, it’s hard to keep on top of what to do if you feel unwell.

PTI, "Taking all the available information in India -- epidemiological and virus variants -- and the global trend, we can be fairly confident that no fourth wave will occur, notwithstanding erudite mathematical model predictions. The model methodology is not valid in this situation,"

Premier Jason Kenney is continuing his push to convince the United States government to reconsider its decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion.

Roman Kemp has recalled how he couldn't stop crying and thought of taking his own life during his mental health struggle.The 29 year old, whose pal Maura Higgins recently "denied" a romance with him, opened up on what he went through on Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett's podcast The Diary of a CEO. Capital Radio DJ Roman explained that he thought ending his life was "the only way to stop" the pain he was going through as he worried about everything from the way he looked to his tax bills. In a bid to normalise men speaking out about their mental health, he told Steven, also 29, that he contemplated jumping in front of a train back in 2019 after coming off antidepressants and hitting rock bottom.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to convene the Economic Council on a weekly basis with the objective of accelerating the economic growth in the country through the management of the entire economy by thoroughly discussing the local economic policies including macroeconomic policies, the behavior of the national economy after Covid – 19 pandemic situation, economic restructuring as well as the major development projects that directly affect the economic policies and financial policies of the government.The Cabinet of Ministers decided to grant their concurrence to the measures to be taken by the President to let implement the decisions taken by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Statutory institutions when necessary subject to the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers followed by the instructions and guidance of that Board as well as to invite intellects with esteem/standard in the respective fields as required for the meetings of the Economy board.Accordingly, the composition of the Economic Council is comprised as follows.• His Excellency the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksha (Chairman)• Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa• Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardhana• Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando• Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksha• Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage• Minister of Plantation Ramesh Pathirana• Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal• Secretary to the President Gamini Senerath• Secretary to the Treasury S. R.

While people in Russia are being fed government propaganda and limited from seeing the truth inside their own country, former Russians who now live in Canada can see the full picture — and are horrified of what their homeland is doing in Ukraine.

ASTRO members Moonbin and Sanha have tested positive for COVID-19, days before the release of their new mini-album.Yesterday (March 7), the duo’s label Fantagio Music took to the boyband’s official fan café website to announce that the two members, who also form the sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha, have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.According to the agency, Moonbin had experienced cold symptoms on March 6, despite testing negative on self-test kits. He took another test the following day due to persisting symptoms, later testing positive on both the self-test and PCR test.

An Edmonton mother and lifelong transit rider said she’s never been as scared on LRT as she was when a man wielding a knife started stabbing seats. And as Sarah Ryan explains, the security response to the incident let her down.

As gas prices in Metro Vancouver soar past the two dollar per litre mark, Point Roberts is reminding people that they can go south for gas to that community much easier, because of its special status. Grace Ke reports.

One of the key organizers for the Ottawa trucker protest, Tamara Lich, is out on bail She has been in custody since her arrest on Feb. 17 and was denied bail on Feb. 22. She has been released with a $20,000 bond and a number of conditions.

Ahead of Saskatchewan’s provincial budget unveiling, the war in Ukraine has led to gains in oil, potash, uranium and other key commodities.

The families of healthcare workers who died with Covid-19 in the first phases of the pandemic will be eligible for a €100,000 payment from the State.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to increase the incentive allowance of migrant workers from Rs. 10/- per USD to Rs.

COVID-19 border restrictions have made that more complicated.In Bellingham on Monday, gas was on average US$3.45 a gallon, or about C$1.33 a litre.And in Point Roberts, a U.S. community just south of Vancouver and, if in a vehicle, only accessible through Canada, it was on average US$4.31 a gallon.

Simon Cowell will miss the next round of auditions for Britain's Got Talent as he has contracted Covid-19.The 62 year old will be unable to judge the latest round of hopefuls on the ITV talent show while he self-isolates. A spokesperson for the music mogul confirmed the news to Mail Online, saying: "Simon was unable to attend filming today as he was isolating at home after testing positive for Covid-19." Current rules for contracting Covid-19 state people need to isolate for ten days but may leave after five if certain conditions are met. Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden were spotted heading in to film the show and will be left with golden buzzer duties until the show's creator returns.

Simon Cowell, has been delivered a double dose of disappointment as amid his recovery from a horror bike crash - his second in less than two years - he has now contracted Covid and found himself out of action yet again.The bad news leaves him with no choice but to be absent from Britain's Got Talent 2022 auditions while he gets better.Long-suffering Simon was noticeably missing from the judging panel, although Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams all appeared as usual.A spokesperson for the star revealed the bad news, stating to MailOnline: "Simon was unable to attend filming today as he was isolating at home after testing positive for Covid-19."Until February 24, all those with a positive test are legally obliged to isolate, which leaves his judging seat empty for the time being.It comes within days of a terrifying bike crash which saw Simon being rushed to hospital with a suspected concussion, cuts to his face, and a broken arm.Simon has made promises in the past that he'll curb his obsession with "boy-toy" bikes, but his latest crash is said to have been another wake-up call for him about the risks involved.He had been riding the Das Spitzing Evolution S-Pedelec bike, which comes with a hefty £7,921 price tag, when the accident happened.Friends have reportedly claimed he is ready to give up on the dangerous rides, with one source telling the aforementioned publication: "Simon has vowed not to go on a bike again."It was a horror show but fortunately it looked worse than it actually is."The 62-year-old had previously injured his back after a similar crash in Malibu, USA.After it was reported that locals had seen Simon race around the streets near his home in London at startling speeds, he revealed that he