Talented Paisley composer works with stars on £50m BBC drama His Dark Materials

COVID on Thursday, with 267 in intensive care units as figures continue to trend downwards.This is down by 13 hospitalizations and a decrease of six in ICUs since the previous day.Last Thursday, there were 1,066 hospitalizations with 302 in ICU.Data for distinguishing between those admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus, was not available on Thursday.Meanwhile, Ontario also reported 2,262 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, though that is an underestimate of the true widespread transmission of the virus due to testing restrictions. The provincial case total now stands at 1,107,408.Of the 2,262 new cases recorded, the data showed 259 were unvaccinated people, 66 were partially vaccinated people, 1,762 were fully vaccinated people.

The devastation mounts in Ukraine as Russian forces tighten their grip and ramp up attacks. Jeff Semple reports on the carnage, where some people have been forced to hide, and how others are standing up to Russian troops.

FILE - A 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) on a demonstration course at AutoMobility LA ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 18, 2021.

The Department of Health has reported 4,042 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Kate Garraway has told how her life was turned upside down after her husband Derek Draper was diagnosed with coronavirus.Derek contracted Covid-19 in March 2020 and was quickly taken to intensive care where he was put into an induced coma and battled the deadly virus for nearly 400 days, before returning home.The 54 year old former Labour lobbyist still needs care 24-hours a day and is unable to walk and talk properly as he continues to battle the long-term effects of the virus.Good Morning Britain host Kate, 54, discussed her husband's health in her new BBC series, Your Body Uncovered, on Wednesday night.She said at the start of the episode: "Having a serious health condition is terrifying and having someone you love with a health condition can be just as daunting."When my husband Derek was diagnosed with Covid-19, it turned our lives upside down.

Canada is imposing a 35-per-cent tariff on goods from Russia and Belarus as Moscow’s war in Ukraine rages on.

An eight-year-old schoolboy died three days after testing positive for Covid-19 and being sent home for feeling ill.

(FOX 9) - You'd think someone who nearly died after a close call with extreme cold would have moved somewhere warm, but even after her near death experience Jean Vig still calls Minnesota home."It was definitely a miracle that I survived," Vig told FOX 9 of her frigid night.It was Dec. 20, 1980 – a few months after Vig graduated from high school when she went out to meet some friends near her hometown of Lengby.While driving home she took a shortcut on an icy gravel road, and her car slid into a ditch.

Ukrainians are feeling the weight of war, as Russia closes in on some of the country’s most populated areas. But despite bombings from above and attacks on the ground, Ukrainians and those fighting for them are still battling back, trying to block Russian advances.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); S. B.

coronavirus lockdown took £500 and made himself a millionaire in his spare time. Full-time bank worker Aydin Guner found himself with plenty of free time on his hands when the country went into lockdown back in 2020.The 36-year-old used the time to explore some ways of improving his wealth and life prospects.The bank worker came across a series of property investing videos on YouTube, posted by multimillionaire entrepreneur Samuel Leeds.Aydin from Liverpool, said: "At the start of the first lockdown I had about £500 in my bank account, it was raining outside and miserable and I wasn't able to meet up with anyone."He continued: "I thought: 'Who is this guy talking about property investing?' I didn't know too much about it.

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KYIV, Ukraine - Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold talks in Belarus on Thursday, a second round of face-to-face discussions since the Russian invasion eight days ago.In a video address to the nation early Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to keep up their resistance, but didn’t comment on whether the Russians have seized any cities."They will have no peace here," Zelenskyy said, calling on the Russian soldiers to "go home" and describing them as "confused children who have been used."His comments come as Russia acknowledged for the first time since the start of the invasion that nearly 500 Russian troops have been killed in the fighting and around 1,600 wounded. Ukraine has not released a similar casualty figure for its armed forces.The U.N.

PHILADELPHIA - A new law banning traffic stops for minor infractions went into effect in Philadelphia Thursday, despite recent legal challenges from the police union. Thursday’s implementation of their Driving Equality Law made Philadelphia the first city in the country to implement a law designed to reduce cases of what’s often called ‘driving while Black’ – or getting pulled over for superficial and racially motivated reasons. City Council passed the first-of-its kind bill in October, and Mayor Jim Kenney signed it into law in November, before it went into effect March 3. The law bans officers from pulling over vehicles based on traffic violations that are considered "secondary violations" in an effort to prevent racial disparities in traffic incidents handled by police. The following issues are considered secondary violations in the new law:Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 filed a lawsuit against the city and city officials over the law late last month, claiming that the law was dangerous. "This terrible law puts reckless drivers behind the wheel of unsafe vehicles that ultimately puts the general public in danger," said FOP Lodge # President John McNesby. McNesby had expressed concerns about the law before it was passed. In October, he told FOX 29 about the importance of traffic stops. "These stops, they lead to bigger things, they find guns, they find drugs, it leads to bigger things," he said.

STANFORD, Calif. - A candlelight vigil held was held at Stanford University, Wednesday evening for sophomore Katie Meyer – the captain of Stanford University's women's soccer team who was found dead in a campus residence. Stanford police are not releasing Meyer's cause of death at this time, but they say there is no safety threat to those on campus.  Thousands filled Maloney Field, the home of Stanford Soccer, for the vigil, standing silently to remember Meyer.   Meyer, 22, was a senior majoring in International Relations, resident assistant, and team captain and goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team, the university said."Katie was extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world," Stanford said in a statement.

FILE IMAGE - Soldiers burn trash from the Jaghatu Combat Outpost in a pit, located just outside the walls of the base in Jaghatu, Afghanistan on Sept. 12, 2012.

Ukraine to assist in the country's defense against the invading Russian military.Childress, speaking on FOX & Friends, said he was moved by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's spirit to defend his country."I heard Zelenskyy say he didn't want out, he needed ammunition," Childress said.The NASCAR legend said he called Fred Wagenhals, the CEO of AMMO Inc., about how they could make it happen. Childress told co-host Brian Kilmeade that Wagenhals immediately offered to begin production on ammunition for Ukrainian fighters. "To see people in Ukraine fighting, it's terrible to see the lives being lost over there," Childress said.

FILE - The American Flag is held on the field as the American national anthem is performed before the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 6, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Wanted's Tom Parker has announced to fans he will be unable to join his band in Glasgow as he is undergoing cancer treatment in Spain.

92 per cent of deaths in India has occurred due to unvaccinated individuals. He also said that India is the second country in the world, which has its own vaccine tracker.

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SEVENTEEN member Hoshi has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his label Pledis Entertainment.Today (March 3), Pledis Entertainment shared in an official statement to South Korean outlet SPOTV News that Hoshi had been diagnosed with the coronavirus after experiencing symptoms the day before.“Starting the afternoon of March 2 (Wednesday), Hoshi experienced [symptoms of] a cough and a sore throat, so he used a self-testing kit and checked that he tested positive,” Pledis Entertainment wrote, as translated by Soompi. “He immediately carried out a PCR test, and on the morning of March 3 (Thursday), he tested positive for COVID-19.”The company then shared an update of Hoshi’s current condition, clarifying that he is currently undergoing self-isolation at home while he recovers from the virus. “Currently, Hoshi has no other symptoms besides a cough and a sore throat, so he is receiving treatment at home,” it said.“All the SEVENTEEN members besides Wonwoo and Vernon checked that they tested negative through the tests they preemptively carried out using self-testing kits on the afternoon of March 2 (Wednesday), and they do not have any symptoms,” Pledis added.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission said that the 7.5-hour blackout will be imposed for Friday (4) as well.

Seventy-three percent of the United Nations General Assembly has voted to condemn Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Jackson Proskow reports on which Russian allies withheld support for Moscow, and the sanctions aimed at the richest oligarchs.

Mint on Thursday reported that packaged food products in the country will soon be labelled with an official health star rating (HSR), ranking a packaged food item based on salt, sugar, and fat content. The rating will be printed on the front of the package.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint.

₹323 per month that includes terminal illness, surgery and hospitalization, and mortality. With add-on covers, pet parents will, also, be able to insure their dogs against third-party liability, theft or loss, emergency pet minding, veterinary consultation, and doctor on call.

As the invasion in Ukraine closes in on one week, people here are trying to figure out how they can help those who have been forced to flee.

PHILADELPHIA - The midweek warmup that brought springlike conditions across the Delaware Valley on Wednesday will stall over the next several days before temperatures take another huge jump over the weekend.Overnight temperatures north and west of Philadelphia will dip into the mid to upper 30s. The Philadelphia area and neighboring parts of New Jersey will sit around 40 degrees. An incoming clipper system will drag spotty showers across the region on Thursday morning and bring cold air that will drop temperatures below seasonable levels. Forecasters expect high temperatures to linger in the mid-to-upper 40s with sun and clouds, but steady winds will make conditions feel much colder.

Twenty Five Twenty One star Kim Tae-ri has tested positive for COVID-19, delaying production for the drama.Kim’s representatives at Management mmm confirmed in a statement to MK Sports yesterday (March 2) that the actress had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus last week and is currently undergoing self-quarantine.“Before filming for her drama, Kim Tae-ri used a self-test kit as a precautionary measure, and when she received a positive result, she underwent PCR testing right away,” Management mmm wrote, as translated by Soompi. “On February 26, her test results ultimately came back positive.”Kim’s agency also went on to clarify that the actress is double-vaccinated against the virus, and had “immediately halted all scheduled activities”.

Brace yourselves, folks. This might just be the most frustrating two minutes of television game show play you’ve ever seen.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday that it would impose additional economic measures against Russia, saying it would be announced in the coming days, but did not elaborate on what steps would be taken.

Hundreds of Canadian soldiers are Latvia, training to defend against a possible attack in case Russia extends its aggression beyond Ukraine.

Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol says it believes Donald Trump committed criminal acts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, in his attempts to block the certification of the 2020 election he lost.Lawyers for the select committee made the claims in a court filing late Wednesday challenging conservative lawyer John Eastman’s refusal to turn over documents the panel has requested, which relate to his role in trying to persuade then-vice president Mike Pence to reject electors from states won by President Joe Biden.Eastman, who has said he was acting as a lawyer and advisor for Trump’s re-election campaign, cited attorney-client privilege in a reason for not turning over the documents.

The former partner of a Calgary real estate mogul is speaking out regarding an assault charge the man is facing. As Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports, the alleged victim says she is coming forward in hopes of encouraging others to do the same.

MONTERREY, MEXICO - MARCH 01: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates a point during a match between Anastasia Potapova of Russia and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine as part of Day 4 of the GNP Seguros WTA Monterrey Open 2022 at Estadio GNP Seguros on March MEXICO CITY - Elina Svitolina put on the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine and beat Anastasia Potapova of Russia 6-2, 6-1 on Tuesday in the opening round of the Monterrey Open, deciding she could do more for her country by playing than boycotting the match.Top-seeded Svitolina earlier said she wouldn’t play against Potapova in Mexico or against any Russian or Belarusian opponents until the International Tennis Federation and the men’s and women’s tennis tours barred competitors from those countries using any national symbols, flags or anthems.The tennis governing bodies issued a statement Tuesday confirming that Russian and Belarusian players will still be allowed to compete at the top level, but without national flags.RUSSIAN MILITARY CONTINUES ATTACKS ON CROWDED CITIES IN UKRIANE"Today it was a very special match for me," the 27-year-old Svitolina said. "I’m in a very sad mood, but I’m happy that I´m playing tennis here."I was focused.

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The European Union has approved new sanctions against Belarus for its supporting role in Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine, effectively banning about 70 per cent of all imports from that country, the EU said on Wednesday.

Canada is going after Russia‘s energy sector, as it imposed additional economic measures Wednesday against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Ordinary Russians faced the prospect of higher prices and crimped foreign travel as Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine sent the ruble plummeting, leading uneasy depositors to line up at banks and ATMs on Monday in a country that has seen more than one currency disaster in the post-Soviet era.

PHILADELPHIA - A Montgomery County couple is returning to their homeland of Ukraine to help defend against Russia's ongoing invasion which has intensified over the last week.The husband and wife, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, have watched in disbelief as Vladimir Putin's army continues to bombard their former home."For myself, I knew from the beginning that I'm going to go. I want to do something.

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Covid-19 India update: Witnessing a sustained decline in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Union Ministry of Health updated data shared on Thursday reported 6,561 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Additionally, the number of deaths reported in last 24 hours stood at 142 cases, while 14,947 recoveries were reported in the same period. While the active caseload declined to 77,152 on Thursday, as per Health Ministry data.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund says that due to Sri Lanka’s persistent external debt service burden, international reserves would remain inadequate, despite the authorities’ ongoing efforts to secure FX financing from external sources.In a statement, the IMF adds that unless the fiscal and balance-of-payments financing needs are met, the country could experience significant contractions in imports and private credit growth, or monetary instability in case of further central bank financing of fiscal deficits.The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Sri Lanka on February 25, 2022.The IMF Executive Directors have called for continued improvements to expenditure rationalization, budget formulation and execution, and the fiscal rule.They also encouraged the authorities to reform state-owned enterprises and adopt cost-recovery energy pricing.Directors called for renewed efforts on growth-enhancing structural reforms.They stressed the importance of increasing female labor force participation and reducing youth unemployment. Further efforts are needed to diversify the economy, phase out import restrictions, and improve the business and investment climate in general.Directors also called for prudent management of the Colombo Port City project and continued efforts to strengthen governance and fight corruption.FULL STATEMENT:The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Sri Lanka on February 25, 2022.Sri Lanka has been hit hard by COVID-19.

A lot of celebrities have been turning to virtual concerts during the pandemic (some on social media, some in a more formal setting), and yet, Stephen Sondheim's 90th birthday concert felt like the freshest take on the formula so far, technical difficulties and all.