Biden bound for global summits in Europe as domestic agenda in limbo

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COLOMBO (News 1st); The EU has urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the PTA, and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges.The European Union (EU) and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka held their 24th meeting of the Joint Commission on 8th February 2022 in Brussels.During the meeting, Sri Lanka reiterated its objective to achieve measurable, tangible, and verifiable results on the ground in meeting its commitments.In this context, the EU welcomed the submission by the Government of Sri Lanka of amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - A juror in the Scott Peterson trial has been offered immunity before testifying at a hearing that could determine whether a new trial is granted, authorities said.Richelle Nice was Juror 7 in the trial that ended with Peterson's conviction for killing his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son. However, Peterson's attorney said Nice was guilty of juror misconduct because she failed to reveal during the jury selection that she had been beaten by a boyfriend while she was pregnant. He said Peterson deserves a new trial.The offer to Nice will come before she testifies at a Feb.

Convicted rapist and murderer Wayne Couzens has been placed in isolation after catching coronavirus in prison with reports suggesting he is "suffering badly".

Train services are set to increase again as ScotRail recovers from staff shortages following a Covid surge over the festive period.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill February 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. McConnell told reporters he disagrees with fo WASHINGTON - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is going against the Republican National Committee calling the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemanth Herath has slammed the organizing of mass gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the island.‘This is not something that needs to be said over again.

Truckers paralysing the Canadian capital in anger at Covid rules show no sign of backing down, as several of the nation's provinces announced it was time to roll back restrictions that count among the world's toughest.

First nasal spray for covid-19 treatment in India: For the treatment of adult patients suffering from Covid-19, pharma company Glenmark has launched Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (FabiSpray) in India. The nasal spray was launched by the pharma company in partnership with SaNOtize. "Phase 3 trial in India met the key endpoints and demonstrated reduction of viral load of 94 per cent in 24 hours and 99 per cent in 48 hours. Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) was safe and well-tolerated in COVID-19 patients. Glenmark to market NONS under the brand name FabiSpray," the company said in a statement.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

ladies tights such as pantyhose on your face could reduce the risk of getting Covid, more so than masks.A major risk identified with commonly worn face masks is that they do not fit tightly enough to block viral particles from being inhaled or exhaled significantly.Cambridge University researchers have tested seven hacks to improve the fit of masks.Their new study outlined DIY hacks people have used to make masks fit better, including using rubber bands or tape.They found the most effective tactic was to wrap pantyhose around the bottom half of the face or on top of a mask.Researchers have said that this could reduce the number of viral particles by up to seven times more than a loose mask on its own by sealing the gaps around the nose and mouth.They raised that the social and physical impact of wearing tights on your face in public was "unlikely to be tolerated for an extended period of time".Tight-fitting medical masks are great at blocking out the virus, but many describe them as uncomfortable.The study raised that the most common surgical or cloth masks are far less resistant to Covid.Cambridge researchers recruited four volunteers to try seven different mask hacks - the study looked at both surgical and KN95 masks.Other methods included tying the ear bands to make the masks fit more tightly or stuffing the gaps with bandages.Participants did seven minutes of various exercises designed to mimic real-world interactions such as talking, smiling, nodding and eating.The researchers measured how well the masks fit by monitoring the filtration efficiency and calculating a 'fit factor' score.Pantyhose and cloth tape were most effective, increasing the fit factor by 27.7 and 14.7.Surgical masks performed better if worn in

Epik High frontman Tablo has tested positive for COVID-19.OURS, Epik High’s management agency, confirmed the news through a press statement released earlier today (February 9).“Tablo experienced minor symptoms on February 3 and underwent PCR testing, and his results came back negative the next day (January 4),” the agency said, as translated by Soompi. “However, he voluntarily got tested again on February 8, and his results came back positive this morning.”The statement also noted that the rest of Epik High and staff members who were recently in contact with Tablo underwent rapid antigen testing following the hip-hop artist’s diagnosis.

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament today, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced the province’s public health restrictions will now be lifting, while a blockade of protesters demanding an end to mandates resumes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Coutts. Heather Yourex-West looks at the province’s plan, and whether it will be enough to satiate demonstrators.

Director Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker joins Global News’ Linda Olsen to discuss how she is using her experiences growing up Black in Calgary and how that has inspired her art.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to press hard on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. But Quebec Liberal MP Joël Lightbound is challenging his own government’s strategy, demanding Trudeau to stop driving up divisions and deliver a roadmap to end public health mandates.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers are on strike for the third consecutive day, citing several demands.The trade unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals, and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are searching for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a Domino’s Pizza in North Philadelphia. According to police, the robbery took place on Monday around 1:00 a.m. at the location on 2628 N.

China enacted a similar traffic light change after one case was detected in November, only to repeal it amid outcry on social media. 

WASHINGTON - The $1 trillion infrastructure plan that now goes to President Joe Biden to sign into law has money for roads, bridges, ports, rail transit, safe water, the power grid, broadband internet and more.The House passed the bipartisan plan Friday night and Biden said Saturday he will hold a signing ceremony when lawmakers return from a week’s recess.The new law promises to reach almost every corner of the country. It's a historic investment that the president has compared to the building of the transcontinental railroad and Interstate Highway System.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden’s signature infrastructure bill was hailed as a bipartisan achievement when it passed the Senate earlier this year.With the support of 13 Republicans late Friday night, it maintained that moniker. The House passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill 228-206.RELATED: House lawmakers vote yes on Biden's $1T infrastructure billIt’s now destined for the White House for Biden’s signature after the following Republicans broke rank with their party:The U.S.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - More than two dozen Republican-led states filed lawsuits Friday challenging President Joe Biden's vaccine requirement for private companies, setting up a high-stakes legal showdown pitting federal authority against states' rights.The requirement issued Thursday by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration applies to businesses with more than 100 employees. Their workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden's now- $1.85 trillion plan to boost social and education programs as well as protect against global warming continues to be fine-tuned by Democrats in Congress with a new goal of completing work before Thanksgiving.The updated plan includes universal preschool, funding to limit child care costs and a one-year continuation of a child tax credit that was expanded earlier this year and applied to more families. But Democrats are scaling back some investments and shortening the timeframe for funding to whittle down spending.

WASHINGTON - Democrats in the House appear on the verge of advancing President Joe Biden’s $1.85 trillion-and-growing domestic policy package alongside a companion $1 trillion infrastructure bill in what would be a dramatic political accomplishment — if they can push it to passage.The House scrapped votes late Thursday but will be back at it early Friday, and White House officials worked the phones to lock in support for the president's signature proposal.

WASHINGTON - The House is preparing to debate and vote on a revised draft of President Joe Biden’s now-$1.85 trillion domestic policy package as well as a companion $1 trillion infrastructure bill, Democrats eager to show voters the party can deliver on its priorities.With a flurry of late-breaking adjustments, Democrats added key provisions to what has grown to a sprawling 2,135-page package — adding back a new paid family leave program, work permits for immigrants and changes to state and local tax deductions.Votes are possible Thursday, with the Democrats anxious to finish up the president's signature package after drawn-out talks on Capitol Hill were partly blamed for the party's dismal election results in bellwether states this

WASHINGTON - House Democrats added a new paid family leave program, immigrant work permits and a state-and-local tax break to President Joe Biden’s $1.75 trillion social services and environmental bill Wednesday, reviving key priorities in the rush to finish up and start voting after dismal overnight election results.The House Rules Committee convened late Wednesday afternoon to consider the updated text of the now-sprawling 2,135-page package — a crucial step ahead of initial House votes that are possible as soon as Thursday.The flurry of last-minute additions — on top of a plan to include lower Medicare prescription drug prices — comes as Democrats are desperate to deliver on Biden's signature domestic proposals after grim election

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration is launching a wide-ranging plan to reduce methane emissions, targeting a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming and packs a stronger short-term punch than even carbon dioxide.The plan was being announced Tuesday as President Joe Biden wraps up a two-day appearance at a United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Biden pledged during the summit to work with the European Union and other nations to reduce overall methane emissions worldwide by 30% by 2030.The centerpiece of U.S.

Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, has revealed she has COVID-19.

GLASGOW, Scotland - President Joe Biden was swinging the focus of his battle for fast, concerted action against global warming from the U.S. Congress to the world on Monday, appealing to global leaders at a U.N.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, she said in a statement, adding she had last seen President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

ROME (AP) - President Joe Biden said Sunday a new U.S. and European Union trade agreement would crack down on "dirty steel" that produces carbon emissions that are blamed for climate change and also patch up a trans-Atlantic rift over Trump-era steel and aluminum tariffs.Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a joint appearance during the Group of 20 summit that the agreement represented a renewed partnership on economic and environmental matters.

ROME (AP) - President Joe Biden is convening world leaders at the Group of 20 summit on Sunday to talk about ways to relieve the supply chain bottlenecks hampering the global economy as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.Despite devoting a combined $15 trillion to combat the fallout from COVID-19, many of the world's largest economies are slogging through mass shortages as ships are waiting to dock, the prices of shipping containers climb, not enough trucks exist to haul goods from ports, and virus outbreaks halt factory production.Supply chain issues have emerged as a point of economic and political pain for Biden, as the delays have contributed to inflation and potentially put a damper on holiday shopping.

ROME - Working to patch things up with an old ally, President Joe Biden told French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday the U.S. had been "clumsy" in its handling of a secret U.S.-British submarine deal with Australia, an arrangement that left France in the lurch and rattled Europe’s faith in American loyalty.Biden and Macron greeted each other with handshakes and shoulder grabs before their first face-to-face meeting since the deal was publicly announced in September, marking the latest American effort to try to smooth hurt French sensibilities.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - OCTOBER 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL OR MERCHANDISING USAGE ) Pope Francis meets with U.S. President Joe Biden during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on October 29, 2021 in Vatican City, Vatican.

ROME (AP) - President Joe Biden said Saturday that nuclear talks with Iran would resume while he and a trio of European allies warned that Iran has "accelerated the pace of provocative nuclear steps" after they met to align strategy for the negotiations aimed at trying to bring Iran and the U.S. back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord.Biden' and the leaders of Germany, France and Britain met at a pivotal time as Iran continues to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Eighteen states filed three separate lawsuits Friday to stop President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors, arguing that the requirement violates federal law.Attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming signed on to one lawsuit, which was filed in a federal district court in Missouri.

ROME (AP) - As Iran’s nuclear program makes troubling advances, President Joe Biden huddled Saturday with European allies to talk through strategy as they press for a diplomatic resolution — and to plan for the possibility Iran declines to return to the negotiating table.The meeting with the leaders of Germany, France, and Britain — known as the E3 — comes at a pivotal time, as Iran continues to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels.

Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors, arguing that the requirement violates federal law.Attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming signed on to one lawsuit, which was filed in a federal district court in Missouri. Another group of states including Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Georgia.Texas also sued individually on Friday.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Friday declaring all of November 2021 as National Veterans and Military Families Month — a way "to honor veterans and military families with appropriate ceremonies and activities" as an extension of Veterans Day.Veterans and Military Families Month was created with the intent of placing more focus on appreciating and supporting veterans and their families. "To those who serve and those that serve alongside them — their families and caregivers — we owe a debt we can never fully repay," Biden wrote in the proclamation.

ROME - After a meeting with Pope Francis on Friday at the Vatican, President Joe Biden is joining other leaders for the G-20 summit this weekend in Rome.Leaders of the Group of 20 countries will gather on Saturday and Sunday for their first in-person summit since the pandemic took hold. They’re confronting a global recovery hindered by an energy crunch that has spurred higher fuel and utility prices.

VATICAN CITY - President Joe Biden arrived at the Vatican Friday to meet with Pope Francis, the world's two most notable Roman Catholics huddling to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and poverty.The president takes pride in his Catholic faith, using it as moral guidepost to shape many of his social and economic policies. Biden wears a rosary and frequently attends Mass, yet his support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage has put him at odds with many U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden declared Thursday he has reached a "historic economic framework" with Democrats in Congress on his sweeping domestic policy package, a hard-fought yet dramatically scaled-back deal announced hours before he departs for overseas summits.Biden's remarks at the White House came after he traveled to Capitol Hill to make the case to House Democrats for the still robust domestic package — $1.75 trillion of social services and climate change programs the White House believes can pass the 50-50 Senate."It will fundamentally change the lives of millions of people for the better," Biden said at the White House.RELATED: Biden's social spending plan: Many progressives reluctantly accept smaller billTogether with a

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden headed to Capitol Hill early Thursday to make the case to House Democrats for a dramatically scaled-back domestic policy package, $1.75 trillion of social services and climate change programs the White House believes can pass the 50-50 Senate.Biden is eager to have a deal in hand before he departs later in the day for global summits, but the revised new package is losing some of Democrats' top priorities as the president's campaign ambitions make way for the political realities of the narrowly divided Congress.A paid family leave and efforts to lower prescription drug pricing are now gone entirely from the package, according to senior administration officials who requested anonymity to brief reporters

WASHINGTON - Many progressives have started lining up behind an emerging social and environment bill that's neither as big nor as bold as they wanted, thanks to an outnumbered but potent band of party moderates who've enjoyed a disproportionate say in shaping the measure.Democrats rolled past unanimous Republican opposition in August and pushed a 10-year, $3.5 trillion fiscal blueprint of the plan through Congress. With talks continuing, the actual package — it reflects President Joe Biden's hopes for bolstering health care, family services and climate change efforts — seems likely to be around half that size.

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration announced Monday it was taking steps to increase the availability of at-home COVID-19 tests.The goal is to increase the overall supply and options for consumers, hoping it would lead to lower costs.According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health will invest $70 million from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan to establish its own "Independent Test Assessment Program." The program aims to accelerate the process of tests getting authorization from the U.S.

NEW JERSEY - President Joe Biden continues to push his Infrastructure Deal and Build Back Better Agenda with stops in New Jersey on Monday.The Commander-in-Chief will attend the groundbreaking for the Portal North Bridge which will replace the Portal Bridgeover the Hackensack River between Newark and Penn Station. His visit to the Garden State will also include stops at an elementary school in North Plainfield and the NJ Transit Meadowlands maintenance complex in Kearny.The $1 trillion bi-partisan infrastructure bill would bring valuable money to the Tri-State Region's transportation network.Progressive Democrats want to pass both bills- in tandem- through a process called reconciliation.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden was hosting two pivotal senators for meetings in Delaware on Sunday in hopes of resolving lingering disputes over Democrats' long-stalled effort to craft an expansive social and environment measure.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., were scheduled to attend the session, the White House said.Manchin and Sen.