Security, defense cooperation key component of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations: PM Imran Khan

Jesse Espersen fills his SUV with 16.536 gallons of Super+ gas at 7.559 per gallon for a total of 125 dollars at a Mobil station in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The national average cost for a gallon of gasoline is likely to continue to fall in the coming weeks, though prices in California will remain elevated due to supply issues, according to an industry expert.As of Thursday, the national average is $4.289 a gallon, down from Wednesday's average of $4.305, according to AAA data.  Gas prices in Westchester are above six dollars as prices at the pump continue to raise across the Southland on Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA.

COVID-19 data as she has done throughout the pandemic.“With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable and the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily COVID-19 numbers,” Christine Elliott said Friday.She noted that updated data will still be available on the province’s website. Ontario COVID numbers: 615 people in hospital, 193 in intensive care Throughout the pandemic, Elliott would tweet the latest COVID-19 figures daily, providing an update on the epidemiological situation in the province.The province has shifted towards “living with and managing COVID-19,” a plan which includes lifting all public health measures by the end of April.On Monday, the mask mandate will lift for most public settings in the province.With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable & the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily #COVID19 numbers.There are no changes to available data.

Jean Charest says when it comes to lifting federal COVID-19 mandates, leaders should listen to health experts and not replace that advice with their own judgment.Federal Conservatives and their supporters have long been calling for the removal of vaccine mandates for domestic air travellers, public servants and those working in federally regulated industries.Tory MPs say rapid testing should be allowed for those who choose to be unvaccinated. They have dismissed the mandates, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last summer’s federal election, as driving division in the country and threatening people’s livelihoods.Recently, Conservatives have pointed to provinces’ choices to drop their vaccine passport rules along with remaining health restrictions, following the Omicron-driven wave of the pandemic when infections soared.

FILE-A Dairy Queen employee displays an ice cream cone at a DQ restaurant in New York. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - With spring days away, Dairy Queen is giving customers a special treat with the return of their popular Free Cone Day giveaway.On Monday, March 21, customers can get a free, small vanilla ice cream cone at Dairy Queen locations nationwide — except locations inside malls. The free cones are limited to one per person while supplies last and may not be valid for delivery or mobile orders. RELATED: Dairy Queen giving away free ice cream on March 20Dairy Queen was among several companies in 2021 that changed or canceled their giveaway events based on the pandemic.

REDLANDS, Calif. - A Redlands youth soccer coach is behind bars after police found him with a 14-year-old girl in the back of his vehicle, officials said.Redlands police officers made contact with Jonathan Jeremy Ledesma during a vehicle check near Fairway Drive and Country Club Drive a little after 4 a.m. Thursday where he claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.While searching Ledesma's car and phone, officers located sexual text messages in between and "evidence of sex acts inside of the vehicle," according to a Redlands PD news release."Detectives interviewed the victim who disclosed that since she turned 14, she has had sex with Ledesma multiple times," the release says.Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of sexual assault? Help is available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.The San Bernardino County judge has authorized a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle, suspect’s phone, victim’s phone, suspect’s person and the victim’s person.

COVID-19 state of emergency on Monday, the rest of the municipalities in Waterloo Region intend to follow suit next week, although the region itself will not be lifting it.“The removal of the emergency declaration is a key milestone for the township, our residents and businesses as we continue forward in our journey to recovery from the pandemic,” North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton said.

COVID-19. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 “As we continue on this path, we are able to take a more balanced and longer-term approach to the province’s pandemic response, including in Ontario schools, by removing many of the measures that have been put in place over the past two years.,” the letter reads.“This does not mean COVID-19 has disappeared.”The MOH says students and staff should continue to self-screen while it also has plans to update the screening tool.It also says it will continue to provide masks for both students and teachers should they wish to continue wearing them while those who are more at risk should be made aware of new anti-viral options.The letter also notes that good hygiene should be promoted and that there are increased cleaning measures in place.The letter from the province describes its prevention and response measures as being “robust”.“There remain circumstances where masking is recommended or required, and it will be important to foster an environment that is kind considerate and inclusive for those who choose to continue to wear a mask,” the letter reads.

small asteroid struck the Earth’s atmosphere above Iceland last Friday, just two hours after it was spotted by an astronomer.On March 11, Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky, from the Piszkéstető Observatory near Budapest, spotted a small asteroid headed toward our planet.Closer and closer, faster and faster. The impacted asteroid 2022 EB5 on 1 sec images taken at Piszkéstető Observatory with the 0.60m Schmidt telescope on Mar 11, 20:44, 20:50, 20:55, 21:05 and 21:11 UT (T-38, 32, 27, 17 and 11 min).

A 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is on display at a Volkswagen event in Los Angeles, California. (Erik Voake/Getty Images for Volkswagen) DETROIT - Volkswagen is recalling more than 246,000 SUVs in the U.S.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A Florida bridge tender has been arrested for manslaughter, one month after a 79-year-old woman fell to her death from a drawbridge that began rising while she was still walking on it.West Palm Beach Police said they arrested 43-year-old Artissua Lafay Paulk at her home Thursday afternoon with the assistance of US Marshals, after obtaining an arrest warrant two days earlier, which said surveillance video and deleted text messages between Paulk and her supervisor showed she lied in her statement to police.Paulk's arrest stems from the Feb. 6 incident, where 79-year-old grandmother Carol Wright fell to her death from the Royal Park Bridge.Wright was not identified by authorities due to Marsy's Law, but her identity was released by Attorney Lance Ivey, who represents Wright's family, WPTV reports.RELATED: Florida drawbridge death: 79-year-old victim's family attorney says bridge tender was 'negligent'According to Ivey, Wright had taken her bicycle for a ride to a book shop in Palm Beach and was returning home when she began crossing the bridge."She legally and lawfully gets on the bridge.

NEW DELHI :

COVID-19 as hospital numbers continued to fall Friday.There was a total of 1,021 pandemic-related hospitalizations, a decrease of 13. This comes after 76 patients were admitted in the past day, while 89 were discharged.There were 45 intensive care unit cases, a drop of five.The province added 1,170 new novel coronavirus cases, though health authorities say the daily tally doesn’t represent the current situation since access to government-run screening sites remains limited.

Scientists have sounded the alarm on Long Covid's impact on concentration and memory.

COVID on Friday, with 193 in intensive care units, as figures continue to trend downward.This is down by 29 for hospitalizations and a decrease of six in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 717 hospitalizations with 238 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 615 people in hospital with COVID-19, 44.5 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 55.5 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 193 people in ICUs with the virus, 79 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Photo shows the condition of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland. - The Great Barrier Reef has been hit with "widespread" bleaching.

GENEVA :

COVID-19 health restrictions lifting, many Canadians are finally able to envision a return to normal life. But, as they face burnout, staff shortages and daunting procedural backlogs, some health workers say it isn’t so easy to move on.

After nearly a month of decline, COVID-19 infections around the world have started to creep up again. New cases have shot up by eight per cent globally compared to the previous week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, experts are not sure Canada will see another wave even with loosened public health measures.

Coronavirus infections have continued to increase in England, Wales and Scotland, though the trend is “uncertain” in Northern Ireland, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In England, around one in 20 people in private households are estimated to have had the virus in the week to March 12, or 2.7 million people – up from one in 25, or 2.1 million people, in the week to March 5.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping are set to speak on Friday as the White House warns Beijing that providing military or economic assistance for Russia's invasion of Ukraine will trigger severe consequences from Washington and beyond.Planning for the call has been in the works since Biden and Xi held a virtual summit in November, but differences between Washington and Beijing over Russian President Vladimir Putin's prosecution of his three-week-old war against Ukraine are expected to be at the center of the call.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing's "rhetorical support" of Putin and an "absence of denunciation" of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine."This is an opportunity to assess where President Xi stands," Psaki said.China on Friday again sought to highlight its calls for negotiations and donations of humanitarian aid, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine."China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing.

COLOMBO (News 1st); No conditions have been underlined for the USD 1 billion loan given by India, however, the amount will have to be paid back in installments after three years, said Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.The President is acting on a very prudent and a long-term plan, says Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on repaying the country’s loans after his entourage returned from India this afternoon. The Finance Minister returned to the country after signing agreements for a US $ 1 billion financial assistance from India. In addition to this $ 1 billion, India has already provided a $ 400 million loan, a $ 500 million loan to purchase petroleum and another $ 500 million via the Asian Clearing Union.Accordingly, the value of loans and relief facilities provided by India to overcome the current economic crisis is about US $ 2.4 billion in total. The Minister of Finance, speaking to media stated that Sri Lanka’s neighbor India has proven that it stands by Sri Lanka with this action, especially with Prime Minister Modi mentioning that all the support that Sri Lanka needs is being provided directly, both economically and socially.The Finance Minister said that Prime Minister Modi has learned of the organic farming and the interest shown by the President with regard to it, and although a shortage of nano fertilizer exists in India, they agreed to provide Sri Lanka with the required quantity.Rajapaksa also stated that India gave Sri Lanka a loan of US $ 1 billion to purchase food and other necessities for the people, especially for the upcoming Sinhala Tanil New Year, and the relevant loan has been in operation since yesterday (17).I urge all business communities to make it very transparent, giving priority to things which

Tom Parker beamed with joy after his bandmates shared some positive news with fans on the final night of their Greatest Hits tour.It comes as the five-piece group celebrated their chart-topping career on a nationwide tour, despite Tom's devastating inoperable brain tumour diagnosis in October 2020.The group consisting of Max George, 33, Tom, 33, Nathan Sykes, 28, Siva Kaneswaren, 33, and Jay McGuiness, 31, took to the stage performing hits including All Time Low and Walks Like Rihanna, much to the delight of fans.Despite his ongoing health struggles, Tom made the decision to join his pals for their closing numbers, Glad You Came and Gold Forever.A source told us: "Max told fans that this wouldn't be the last we would see of The Wanted, the group were really positive about their future and seemed optimistic about it."They performed as a four-piece until the final two songs when Tom appeared, sitting on a throne wearing sunglasses, a wardrobe change that his bandmates also joined in with."They added: "Despite his condition, he was in such high spirits and seemed overjoyed to be on stage but became rather emotional which is totally understandable."When Max was telling fans this isn't the last, Siva piped up adding that the heart vacancy girls might be the last of the tour but there'll be many more to come."This was echoed by Jay who told fans they need to "keep their eyes peeled" for future news, who later confirmed this on social media. Performing to a packed crowd at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, the group went one step further and brought out EastEnders actress, Maisie Smith, as Max's heart vacancy girl.

HOLLY Willoughby has broken her silence after being forced off air with Covid. The ITV host, 40, usually presents This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield, but has had to isolate after testing positive to the virus over the weekend.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Russian forces struck Ukrainian cities from a distance again on Friday, hitting sites in the capital Kyiv and the country’s west as their ground offensive inched forward under fierce Ukrainian resistance.The war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin ground into its fourth week as his troops have failed to take Kyiv — a major objective in their hopes of forcing a settlement or dictating the country’s future political alignments.Missiles and shelling struck the edges of Kyiv as well as Lviv, close to Ukraine’s western border with NATO countries such as Poland.LVIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 18: Smoke is seen above buildings close to the airport on March 18, 2022, in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Getty Images) Late Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nighttime video address to the nation that he is thankful to U.S.

Joshua Macias PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia prosecutors are again asking a judge to jail a Virginia man arrested in November 2020 on weapons charges after he traveled to the Pennsylvania Convention Center where votes were being counted.The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office on Wednesday filed a motion asking a judge to revoke the $850,000 bail of Joshua Macias, saying he violated the conditions of his bail by attending political events and posting on social media.A hearing is scheduled for next week on the motion. It centers on complaints that Macias allegedly can be heard narrating a live video from behind the camera during a recent "trucker protest" in Washington and that he attended at least one political rally for a Virginia candidate who has called for the execution of everyone involved in President Joe Biden’s election.William J.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Final Term Examinations of schools in the Western Province are to be delayed, announced the Director of Education for the Western Province.This is due to a shortage in sourcing paper and other material to prepare the examination papers.Due to the shortage of paper and other material, the final term examination timetable for Grades 6, 7, and 8 will be amended, and the final term examinations for Grades 4, 9, 10, and 11 will be moved to a date after the April 2022 holidays.

“He understands that he won’t necessarily be able to understand it himself but he’s trying to help.“I think that’s something that a lot of people can do.”The radio DJ also shared that he has been seeing a therapist throughout the pandemic.He said: “I think therapy is something that I would hope everyone at some point in their life tries.”Roman was speaking as part of the launch of Boots.com new mental health services launching.Among these is an online consultation service called Boots Online Doctor.The idea is it will allow patients to have a consultation with a medical professional if they’re suffering from anxiety or depression.They’ll then draw up a treatment plan, including prescribing any necessary medication.Other services launched include an online Support Room, virtual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a Mood and Symptom Checker.

FILE IMAGES - (L) Pete Davidson attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on Sept. 13, 2021, in New York City.

UN News, “So, the idea that ‘we are through with it’ in the northern hemisphere and now we have to wait until next winter, I think (for example) when we look at increasing rates in the UK, we need to be very vigilant and cautious with this."

FILE IMAGE - American Airlines planes parked at their gates in the Miami International Airport on Dec. 10, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A massive Republican primary field for governor in Pennsylvania is spurring growing discomfort among party leaders that a widely splintered primary vote could produce a winner who cannot beat Democrat Josh Shapiro in November's general election.Ten Republicans filed paperwork Tuesday to get on the May 17 primary ballot. That is more than party leaders expected or have ever seen in a such a high-profile primary contest.It prompted grumbling over the state party's decision not to endorse in a gubernatorial primary — to try to winnow the field — for the first time since 1978.It has also propelled party leaders to begin working on a strategy to persuade some candidates who are perceived as weaker to drop out.

ZOE Ball has been forced to pull out of Comic Relief and is replaced by Alesha Dixon after testing positive for Covid. The 51-year-old presenter told fans that she had "fallen at the last hurdle" and was unable to appear on the BBC One fundraising show, which airs tonight.

TV presenter Zoe Ball has revealed she’s been forced to pull out of tonight’s Comic Relief after testing positive for Covid-19.The 51 year old radio DJ took to Instagram to announce the sad news, as she shared that Alesha Dixon would be standing in for her on the big night. Alongside a snap of a positive test, former Strictly It Takes Two host Zoe wrote: “pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am- noooooooo.” She continued to her 600,000 followers: “Gorgeous @aleshaofficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love.” Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter The mum of two then gave a special shout out to the rest of the Comic Relief team who will be entertaining viewers.

All travel rules have been axed in Scotland and across the UK in a major moment for the travel industry.

Families who lost loved ones in Dealgan House nursing home in Dundalk, Co Louth say they are still looking for answers, almost two years on from a devastating Covid-19 outbreak.

BBC Radio Two show this morning before announcing she also has to skip presenting Comic Relief as well.This comes as the presenter shared a health update that she’s tested positive for Covid.Zoe posted the news on social media this morning, before she was inundated with well wishes.She also explained she will be replaced by Alesha Dixon who will present a double shift on the show tonight.Gary Davies sat in for her on her morning radio show.She wrote on Instagram: “Pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am.“Noooooooo - gorgeous @aleshaofficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love. (sic)“Good luck to A, Lenny, David, @mcguinness.paddy, @ajodudu, @vernonkay, and the @comicrelief gang, so many brilliant treats in store tonight.“I'll be watching & supporting from bed (probably in full make up, outfit, heels and all) might invite @joeldommett over #sickbay.”Following the news, the star was inundated with support from her friends and followers.Singer Jessie Ware wrote: “Argh rest up zoe! X”While The Repair Show star Steve Fletcher penned: “So sorry!!”Several fans also shared their support for the star on Instagram.Sarum_sister penned: “Oh nooooooo was so looking forward to seeing you on Comic relief tonight….

PHILADELPHIA - A teenage boy was shot and killed as he rode his bike in North Philadelphia late Thursday night, police say.The shooting happened around 10 p.m. in the area of 2nd and Allegheny. Police say the 17-year-old victim was riding a mountain bike when he was shot multiple times in the torso.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be "stuck on the ground" unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded."We have reached a pivot point," Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has passed its first assignment with flying colours, after it handed in a spectacular photo to NASA.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 03: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the Minnesota Wild at the Wells Fargo Center on March 3, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - The party planned for Claude Giroux’s 1,000th game with the Philadelphia Flyers seems appropriately lavish for a team captain who has spent his entire career with the franchise.The Flyers will celebrate Giroux and his family before Thursday night's game and have invited special guests of honor.

Moderna has sought emergency use authorisation from US health regulators for a second Covid-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic.

Central government also asked states and UTs to send adequate numbers of samples to INSACOG to ensure timely detection of new variants while maintaining adequate testing as per the protocols for testing laid by ICMR.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Socialist Youth Union launched a massive protest march in Colombo on Friday (18) morning with the participation of thousands of its members, against many decisions made by the Sri Lankan Government, which they term as detrimental to the well being of her citizens.The protest march commenced from the Technical Junction in Maradana, and the Socialist Youth Union is attached to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.These protestors are demanding the Sri Lankan Government end the shortage of fuel and gas, terminate the agreements that handed over the Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex to India, and the transfer of shares of the Yugadhanavi Power Plant to US-based new Fortress Energy Inc.The protest is heading towards the Fort Railway Station, in the heart of Colombo, and one of the busiest main roads in the city.

Covid-19 infections have suddenly shot up. The WHO weekly report on the pandemic issued late Tuesday, noted that there were more than 11 million new Covid-19 infections last week - about an 8% rise - and 43,000 new deaths, as per news agency PTI report.

COLOMBO (News 1st); As ordinary Sri Lankans queued once again up last evening for fuel and LP gas, a social media furor erupted as videos began to emerge of a fleet of SUV’s and high-powered motorcycles speeding along a road backed by a police convoy.The Police Media Division in a Press Release issued this morning (18) noted that while “conditional permission” had been granted for a “vehicle-parade”, the police had banned the parade due to public outcry and the flouting of conditions agreed to.Police have assured that legal action would be taken if road rules were broken. The video circulating on social media shows many SUV’s had passengers dangerously hanging out of open windows.The convoy, which was flanked by a considerable police escort, was met with stiff resistance at the Kalpitiya town, where residents and religious leaders blocked the road preventing the convoy from moving ahead.“The People in this area, have no fuel.

Around the world, superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs are being seized and impounded thanks to ongoing sanctions from Canada, the U.S. and the European Union in response to Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit, called on the Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan, Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi at the Pakistan Navy Headquarters on 22nd February 2022.At the invitation of his Pakistan Navy counterpart, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne left for Pakistan on 21st February on a formal visit and he is accompanied by the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Chandima Ulugetenne in this official visit.Beginning his itinerary, the Commander of the Navy visited the Pakistan Navy Headquarters where he was warmly received by the Pakistan Navy Chief in accordance with naval traditions.The ensuing discussion between them focused on several matters of regional security and bilateral importance.The Pakistani Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy initiatives for ensuring maritime security and peace in the region through Regional Maritime Security Patrols.The visiting Admiral appreciated and acknowledged the Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy was also briefed on Pakistan Navy operational capabilities.It is expected that the ongoing visit of the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy will further enhance bilateral collaboration between the two countries.The cordial discussion came to an end with an exchange of mementos, marking the significance of this occasion.