Love Island’s Millie celebrates as Liam tests negative for Covid after backlash over ‘ruined’ dream holiday

COLOMBO (News 1st); Standard & Poor’s (S&P) lowered long-term sovereign credit rating on Sri Lanka from ‘CCC+’ to ‘CCC’ on increasing external financing risks on Wednesday (12).There is a rising probability of sovereign default scenarios playing out over the next 12 months in the absence of an unforeseen positive development, S&P in a statement said the outlook is negative.At the same time, the rating agency affirmed ‘C’ short-term credit rating.S&P said the country’s external position continues to weaken owing to elevated external obligations and uneven access to financing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Power on Wednesday (12) afternoon announced that there will be no power cuts during the day.However, on Tuesday (11) even though the Ministry announced that there will be no power cuts, many areas were left in darkness following a breakdown at a private plant at the Kelanitissa Power Plant premises.Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Power Sugath Dharmakeerthi told News 1st that the breakdown is being rectified and therefore, there will be an uninterrupted supply of power.On Wednesday (12), given these unannounced power cuts, activists filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission noting that these power cuts are posing serious issues to the people.However, Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge alleges that these events could be the result of some form of conspiracy.Why is Sri Lanka facing an electricity crisis?Sri Lanka’s Forex Crisis is a main reason for the electricity crisis because the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is seeking dollar payments from the Ceylon Electricity Board for fuel provided for electricity generation.Concessions granted to consumers by the CEB have resulted in low revenue, which is another reason for the crisis.In addition, one generator at the Norochcholai Power Plant is not acting, posing an issue in electricity generation for the country.Furthermore, a considerable drop in rainfall in areas where reservoirs are situated is another reason leading to the electricity crisis.Despite these reasons, especially that Sri Lanka is receiving low rainfall, Sri Lankan authorities are releasing water from the Maussakele reservoir citing repairs.

An NHS doctor has explained why using tap water or fizzy drinks on a Covid lateral flow test can give you a positive result.

A Dundee singer is juggling work on the NHS frontline to launch her new song.

John Swinney has announced a "range of scenarios" are under consideration by the Scottish Government on extending the covid passport scheme.

The Omicron Covid variant is now the dominant strain throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor said there is a possibility of obtaining a new loan from China for the country’s debt restructuring purposes.“We have a very good understanding with China, about our debt and key payments and investments,” Ajith Nivard Cabraal told reporters on Wednesday (12) morning.He told that “assistance that has been sought has been connected to the key payments that we are having. but it is only with regard to China’s transactions.”Cabraal said that Sri Lanka has an understanding with China that they would assist Sri Lanka in making the repayments.“So there is a possibility that we would have a new loan coming from China, in order to cushion the effect of our debt repayments to China itself,” he elaborated.However, the Governor said that this is something Sri Lanka wants to explore, and it would be used for the future as well.“It is to cushion the debt repayment to China that we would try to negotiate a new loan for that purpose, as well as for any other purposes.

ER alum Julianna Margulies announced on Tuesday night that she tested positive for the coronavirus amid the nationwide omicron variant surge.'I'm fine because I am vaccinated so it just feels like the flu,' the 55-year-old native New Yorker reassured her 423K Instagram/Facebook followers.'How lucky we are to have the science that made these vaccinations? Please get vaccinated if you are not.' 'I'm fine': ER alum Julianna Margulies announced on Tuesday night that she tested positive for the coronavirus amid the nationwide omicron variant surge (pictured November 16)Julianna buried the lead, so to speak, while gushing over how much she enjoyed the 'genius' Lin-Manuel Miranda's film Tick Tick Boom starring the 'heartbreakingly talented' Andrew Garfield.'What a stunning film! Jonathan Larson's story is just remarkable,' Margulies wrote. 'This film and his life make you realize how precious time is and not to waste a minute of it...And thank you to the whole cast and crew of #ticktickboom.'The Sunshine Girl author then 'loved' comedian Chelsea Handler's comment on her post: 'Feel better soon, J! I will watch that tonight while my baby [Jo Koy] is out of town.' The 55-year-old native New Yorker wrote: 'I am vaccinated so it just feels like the flu.

Two tanked-up brutes attacked an innocent member of the public after refusing to follow covid rules in a town centre pub.

As COVID-related hospitalizations climb, the province of Quebec has announced that those who refuse to be vaccinated will have to pay for their choices.

Alberta health officials have restricted criteria for COVID-19 PCR testing and many say that’s leaving them far too vulnerable. Research shows at-home tests aren’t as accurate as PCRs and it’s raising concerns.

Alberta’s tourism industry could take another hit with the U.S. CDC advising Americans not to travel north of the border because of rising COVID-19 cases.

With nearly half of its residents infected with COVID-19, the remote Bearskin Lake First Nation needs help, but it’s not getting what it wants from the federal government. And as David Akin reports, neighbours are pitching in to help.

Quebec is putting its foot down on the unvaccinated, with Premier François Legault saying people who refuse to get immunized against COVID-19 will soon have to pay a health-care tax.

New COVID-19 testing protocols in Alberta means the options have narrowed significantly for most of the population and many Albertans have found themselves in a confusing predicament: if they wake up feeling under the weather, what’s their next step? Morgan Black explains.

Amanda Stanton and her entire family have all contracted COVID-19.The reality star, 31, who shot to stardom on The Bachelor, revealed her family fell ill with the virus 'in the last month.'Stanton revealed she suffered a 'mild' case of the disease with symptoms ranging from congestion to an achy shoulder. She also said everyone was 'vaccinated and boosted' except for her children, whom were unvaccinated.

When students and staff return to in-person learning next week, there will be changes to how tests are distributed and reported. The Minister of Health says schools will reopen safely, but the leaders of ETFO, the NDP and the Liberals are accusing the Ford Government of botching the return when families are looking for certainty.

Staff members at a pre-departure COVID testing site at Pearson airport say they are working in freezing temperatures and conditions have made it nearly impossible for employees to do their jobs properly.

COVID-19 is continuing to put immense pressure on Ontario’s health system. As hospitals face ongoing staffing and capacity strains, some are implementing ‘extraordinary’ measures to continue to provide care for patients.

Stephane Beaulac, constitutional law professor at the University of Montreal, said Tuesday that while the new health tax announced for unvaccinated Quebec adults could be challenged under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the Quebec Charter, it could be difficult to succeed.

potentially happen in the first few days of a COVID-19 infection, rapid tests are still worth having and using. Since the Omicron variant in particular replicates so quickly, you could have a negative result in the morning and a positive result by the afternoon, according to Dr. Piltch-Loeb.

Manitoba is reporting a notable increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the past 24 hours.

Former health secretary Matt Hancock has tested positive for coronavirus for the second time but the Tory MP says he ‘feels fine’.

Um… this isn’t how social distancing is supposed to work!

Lisa Vanderpump revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 in an Instagram post shared Tuesday morning.The 61-year-old reality star posted a crying caricature of her likeness with the caption: 'Agh it finally got me #covid19.'It's unclear where Lisa is currently in quarantine, and the Los Angeles County of Public Health recorded 43, 582 new cases on Monday with more than 2,000,000 total cases reported of the surging Omicron variant. Oh no! Lisa Vanderpump revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 in an Instagram post shared Tuesday morningLisa's pouty cartoon character wore her signature diamond baubles and a white collared shirt to announce her COVID diagnosis.The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star received well-wishes from Garcelle Beauvais, who recently recovered from her own battle with the virus.

Ontario Health CEO Matthew Anderson discussed on Tuesday a protocol that’s in place for hospitals to use to address absenteeism among medical staff, after an Ottawa hospital said it would consider directing COVID-19-positive staff to return to work in some situations.

Nicola Sturgeon announced changes to the current Covid restrictions during an address to the Scottish Parliament earlier today.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Tuesday that the province is updating its COVID-19 reporting to distinguish between patients hospitalized due to the virus and incidental admissions, or those who are admitted for other reasons but have tested positive.

Following the announcement that students and teachers in Ontario will head back to the classroom on Jan. 17, Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Tuesday that returning to in-person learning is important for students’ physical and mental health.

ITV's Lorraine has been hit with a warning from Ofcom after Dr Hilary's controversial covid comments led to 4,000 viewer complaints.

As the world mourns the loss of Bob Saget, we’re learning more and more about his last days. While he went out doing what he loved most, performing for an audience full of fans in Jacksonville, Florida a day before his death on Sunday, it sounds like he faced a health battle at some point in the last year.

More than half of the European population are expected to be infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant within the next six to eight weeks, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said on Tuesday.

There is a new definition of fully vaccinated for Scots and it includes getting a booster.

The restaurant industry is no stranger to the pains of the pandemic and the Omicron variant is forcing the industry to face a virus hurting people’s livelihoods.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka will hand over two Indian prisoners to Indian authorities under the SAARC exchange agreement.Prisons Commissioner and Spokesperson, Chandana Ekanayake told News 1st that the Additional Secretary (Legal) of the Ministry of Justice had informed the Commissioner-General of Prisons to hand over two Indian Prisoners to the Indian government, under the SAARC exchange agreement.One prisoner was found guilty of possession, distribution, and importation under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, No. 26 of 1986 by the Negombo High Court and was sentenced to three life sentences for each charge.He has been incarcerated for 12 years.The second prisoner was charged under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and was also serving three life sentences for three charges.He has been incarcerated for 6 years.Accordingly, these two prisoners will be escorted to the Bandaranaike International Airport under armed guard by the Prison Officials and will be handed over to Indian Police Officers.

Admissions and visiting to a ward at a Dumfries mental health hospital have been halted following a coronavirus outbreak.

Nicola Sturgeon is set to give her latest covid statement to MSPs later today after suggesting her government is planning for a long-term shift away from the kind of restrictions Scots have faced since the start of the pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has decided to consider on the 31st of January, a petition that was filed seeking a ruling that the fundamental rights are being violated when making it mandatory for children under the age of 18 to obtain the vaccine against COVID-19.The application was called up in the presence of Justices Gamini Amarasekera, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe, and Achala Wengappuli.President’s Counsel K. Kanag-Isvaran, appearing for the petitioner said it was promised in court earlier, that only the Director-General of Health Services would make statements with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 prevention programs.The President’s Counsel said that however, the Health Minister making such a statement is a violation of the agreement reached earlier in court.He said that further submissions will be made in court, adding that it is wise to first obtain the parent’s consent before administering the vaccine to children.The applications were filed by Dr.

Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix address several pressing issues surrounding the pandemic in a COVID-19 town hall. Aaron McArthur reports.

Watch the full broadcast of Global BC’s first town hall of 2022 with anchors Chris Gailus and Sophie Lui. Provincial health officer Dr.

A Scots mum-of-four tragically died of Covid-19 after repeatedly postponing the second dose of the Covid vaccine due to recurring illness.

Nicola Sturgeon is set to issue an update on the state of the coronavirus pandemic to the Scottish Parliament later today.

The wife of a revered Scots games developer who died of Covid has urged people to get vaccinated - after revealing that his lifelong phobia of needles had stopped him getting the jab.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 46-year-old woman had died after falling off the fifth floor of the building housing the Criminal Investigations Department.Sri Lanka Police said the woman was arrested by the CID for financial fraud.

Whoopi Goldberg made her return to The View on Monday after a battle with COVID-19 during the show's holiday break.Goldberg, 66, appeared on the show along with castmates Ana Navarro, 50, and Sunny Hostin, 53, who are both recovering from cases of the virus, as well as Sara Haines, 44, who isolated after she was a close contact with someone who tested positive.'If you find yourself coming down with COVID or having to isolate because you’ve been around somebody with it, then you got to spend some time figuring out, "How am I going to not become cranky or get really crabby or nasty to people?"' Goldberg said. The latest:Whoopi Goldberg, 66, made her return to The View on Monday after a battle with COVID-19 during the show's holiday breakShe continued: 'You got to watch television, redesign stuff, because it feels like it’s everywhere ...