Zoe Ball forced to pull out of Comic Relief after positive Covid test – as Alesha Dixon replaces her

Ukraine is being warned Russia plans to ramp up its offensive in the coming days. Crystal Goomansingh looks at which regions Russian forces are expected to target, how those who can get out are scrambling to leave, and why some people can’t escape.

Following Health Minister Andrew Little’s announcement yesterday, the Ministry of Health is gearing up to consider applicaitons for the newly available funding to support research into future pandemic responses, as well as the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.  

CENTER CITY - The jury in the corruption trial of Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, his wife and two others deliberated until 4:30 Wednesday afternoon and broke for the day. They’ll be back in the morning.Johnson, his wife, Dawn Chovous and two former executives with a city non-profit are all charged with two counts of honest services wire fraud.The government alleges the former executives bribed Johnson with nearly $67,000 in payments to his wife’s consulting firm.In return, the government alleges Johnson helped the non-profit, Universal Companies, with two troubled real estate holdings.All four defendants have pled not guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say they are investigating reports of a possible explosive device found inside a car in West Philadelphia. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department and the bomb squad responded to the area of North 63rd and Media streets just after 4 p.m. Police said they received word of a grenade found inside a silver Chevy Trailblazer. A police staging area has been set up at the intersection of North Felton and Media streets. Police say Homeland Security has been notified of the ongoing investigation. ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (FOX 2) - Patrick Lyoya was shot to death on April 4 by a Grand Rapids Police Officer after the two fought following a traffic stop.

The man arrested in the shooting of 10 people on a Brooklyn subway has been charged with a federal terrorism offense.

Cuba Gooding Jr. arrives at court in lower Manhattan on January 22, 2020 in New York City.

A young deer between two sequoias in Giant Forest. (NPS)Nature-lovers rejoice! All national parks are allowing free admission on April 16 to kick off the start of National Park Week. Maybe take a trip to the United States’ first national park, Yellowstone, which turned 150 on March 1. Park officials hope a fee-free day will encourage locals to visit a national park near them and "sPark" an interest in discovering nature close to home.Yellowstone National Park: rapids on the Gibbon River; Jim Peaco; June 2015; Catalog #20135d; Original #IMG_1127 (NPS/Jim Peaco)"National Park Week kicks off with a fee-free day to encourage everyone to find something new by visiting a national park, especially one that may be close to home, a park you haven't considered visiting, or one you never realized is a national park," the national park website read. RELATED: Inheritance Pass offers entry to Yellowstone National Park in 150 years Acadia National Park view from Cadillac Mountain of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.

DARBY, Pa. - An employee of St. Francis Country House is facing charges after they were accused of assaulting an elderly resident earlier this week. On Monday at around 5 p.m., Darby Borough police say they were dispatched to the nursing home on Lansdowne Ave. Upon arrival, officers say they met with an employee of the nursing home who told them that a nurse witnessed a nursing assistant, later identified as Ednise Dulcio, strike a resident. Police say the incident was caught on video, and that Dulcio can be seen striking a 92-year-old resident with an open hand while the resident was sitting in their wheelchair. After speaking with the witness, police say they learned that Dulcio struck the resident prior to the incident that was captured on video. Authorities say Dulcio was arrested in her home on Tuesday around 3:30 p.m.

QUINTANA BEACH, Texas - Officials say a dolphin on a Texas beach passed away after she was stranded alive over the weekend and reportedly "harassed by a crowd of people." Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) shared shocking photos on Facebook, saying a dolphin on Quintana Beach, Texas located in Brazoria County, was "pushed back to sea, where beachgoers tried to swim with and ride the sick animal."We're told the dolphin was ultimately stranded and "further harassed by a crowd of people on the beach, where she later died before rescuers could arrive on scene." Officials warned, that as a result, any interactions with dolphins (other than a professional) can only cause more stress on the mammal, but is also illegal. "This type of harassment causes undue stress to wild dolphins, is dangerous for the people who interact with them, and is illegal - punishable by fines and jail time if convicted," TMMSN said in their Facebook post. "If a live dolphin or whale strands in Texas, please DO NOT PUSH the animal back to sea, do not attempt to swim or interact with them, do not crowd them, and immediately call 1-800-9MAMMAL for guidance on how to help support the animal until the TMMSN rescue response arrives!"MORE STORIES RELATED TO BRAZORIA COUNTYQuintana Park officials condemned the incident as well, calling it a tragedy. "Park staff was called to assist in keeping the public away from the dolphin until rescuers could arrive from Galveston," officials said in their Facebook post.

Global COVID-19 cases have declined for the third week in a row, with deaths easing off to levels seen early in the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest assessments of the pandemic.

world is potentially on track to keep global warming at, or a shade below, 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than pre-industrial times, a goal that once seemed out of reach, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.That will only happen if countries not only fulfill their specific pledged national targets for curbing carbon emissions by 2030, but also come through on more distant promises of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century, the study says.This 2 degree warmer world still represents what scientists characterize as a profoundly disrupted climate with fiercer storms, higher seas, animal and plant extinctions, disappearing coral, melting ice and more people dying from heat, smog and infectious disease. It's not the goal that world leaders say they really want: 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska are pictured days before the Russian invasion during an event to honor the memory of the activists who died in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity on the Day of the Heroes of the H KYIV, Ukraine - The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, said she hasn’t seen her husband President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in over a month due to the danger presented by Russia’s war on the country. Zelenska, who shares two children with the Ukrainian president, told CNN in an interview published on Wednesday that the family has had to separate since the Russian invasion, which first occurred on Feb. 24. "Volodymyr and his team actually live in the President's office," Zelenska told the news outlet.

SOUTH OGDEN, Utah - Max Togisala was a very active teenager and avid golfer, but a ski accident unexpectedly and suddenly turned him into a paraplegic, paralyzing him from the waist down. In February, the 18-year-old went on a ski trip with friends at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho. He tumbled on his skis when coming down a slope on his first run on the first day of the trip. "I lost control, and it was pretty icy," he told FOX Television Stations.

(Miami-Dade Corrections) MIAMI - Police in South Florida arrested a mother accused of murdering her two young children in their apartment after officers responded to repeated 911 hang-up calls coming from the home and found the bodies of both children tied up on a bed."Come get them, I don't want them anymore," 41-year-old Odette Lysse Joassaint told officers who responded to the scene on Tuesday night, according to the arrest report. Police said she appeared to be irrational.The officers entered the apartment and found a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl.

Life expectancy in the United States declined 1.87 years from 2019 to after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, more than any of 21 other high-income countries—with greater losses in Hispanic and Black populations, according to a modeling study published today in JAMA Network Open.

Two new studies describe benefits of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment casirivimab-imdevimab in adult COVID-19 outpatients, both suggesting lower rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death in an era dominated by the Delta variant.University of Pittsburgh researchers led the first study, published

Actor Johnny Depp is suing ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation in connection with Heard’s 2018 Washington Post op-ed, in which she spoke out about being the victim of domestic violence.

The Mysterious Girl singer offered a health update on ITV Lorraine today as he addressed his mum's health with stand in host Christine Lampard. “I’ve made no secret that Mum is not very well at the moment,” he said.

A Conservative peer has quit as justice minister over the breaches of Covid rules in Downing Street It comes after Boris Johnson was fined on Tuesday for attending a lockdown party.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is asking that all students and staff wear a “well-fitting mask” when indoors, as Canada grapples with the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.In a letter posted to its website on Wednesday, the TDSB said it takes direction from the province, which does not require masks.However, the TDSB said “given the increase in COVID-19 cases and the high number of absences, we as a system, are asking that all staff and students please wear a well-fitting mask when indoors in schools to limit the spread of COVID-19 and help minimize disruption from COVID-related absences.”The board said “to be clear this remains a personal decision” and will not be mandated.“Thank you for your consideration of this important measure,” the letter reads. “We know that it is not where we expected or hoped to be, but our collective actions can make a difference.”The TDSB said, though, that masks are “required” in certain situations, including for those in days six to 10 after a self isolation period of five days after a COVID-19 diagnosis, for those who are identified as a close contact for someone with the virus, and in public spaces, including in school and childcare centres for 14 days after travel outside of Canada.Tonight, the Board of Trustees passed a motion requiring mask use in all OCDSB buildings.

health Dr. Deena Hinshaw will provide an update on COVID-19 at 3:30 p.m.

ACCT Philly is at double capacity from people surrendering the pets they adopted during the pandemic. PHILADELPHIA, Pa - Employees at animal shelters across the county say that they are overwhelmed with the amount of animals that have been surrendered since the pandemic. Many of the pets that are being surrendered are said to be "Pandemic Pets," that were adopted to keep their owners company while they worked from home.

PHILADELPHIA - As inflation and rising costs of goods make things more difficult for American consumers, one local church is doing its part to help those facing financial strain. Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia is hosting a free gas giveaway on Wednesday. In a post on the church's website, leaders said "As the war in Ukraine continues, we continue to feel its impact, as gas prices continue to climb. Dare to Imagine Church wants to relieve some of that financial strain for our neighbors by hosting this Free Gas Giveaway." The Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia is giving away free gas on Wednesday afternoon.RELATED: Biden to allow higher ethanol fuel blend this summer in bid to lower gas pricesThe event will be from 12 pm - 3 pm at the Sunoco gas station at 5801 E Roosevelt Boulevard in Oxford Circle. Each car will get up to $30 worth of free gas, according to the church. An undated file photo of a gas pump.

Russia’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that 1,026 soldiers of Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

(With inputs from agencies)

WASHINGTON - A bus from Texas arrived in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning, transporting dozens of illegal immigrants as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s new plan to counter federal immigration policies during an ongoing border crisis.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherAbbott announced last week that he was directing the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to transport migrants released from federal custody in Texas to the nation’s capital and other locations outside his state.The bus pulled up at approximately 8 a.m.

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - The Maryland Chief Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed a 49-year-old man in Charles County who was living with more than 100 snakes – including some venomous and illegal – inside his home died from "snake envenomation." Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherThe death has been ruled accidental.

Ottawa’s largest school board have voted to implement a mask mandate.The motion passed Tuesday, with eight trustees at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) voting in favour. One trustee opposed and three abstained from the vote.“Tonight, the Board of Trustees passed a motion requiring mask use in all OCDSB buildings,” the board said on Twitter.“Staff are developing an implementation plan and will provide additional clarification shortly.” Hamilton’s public school board exploring options to reimplement mask mandate On March 21, Ontario lifted its mask mandate for most indoor public spaces, along with schools.At his first press conference since early March on Monday, Ontario chief medical officer of health Dr.

University of Guelph in Ontario will keep its mask requirement in place after all.Last month, the school announced it would be pausing its COVID-19 vaccination policy and masking requirements as of May 1. Masks to remain on at Wilfrid Laurier University but coming off at UWaterloo on May 1 But in a statement on Wednesday, the university said face coverings will be required for a little while longer due to the increasing number of cases in the province.“Masks will continue to be required indoors in all U of G-managed facilities until further notice,” stated president and vice-chancellor Charlotte Yates and provost and vice-president Gwen Chapman in a joint later.“We will review our mask requirement regularly, taking into consideration changing public health trends.

The Bank of Canada has raised its benchmark interest rate by .5% amid soaring inflation. Central 1 Credit Union Chief Economist Bryan Yu discusses how it could affect your mortgage payment.

The Great Home Transformation airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 4

Accused in Quebec City sword attack to argue not criminally responsible for killings Justice Richard Grenier told the jurors in attendance Wednesday the case would be postponed until next Tuesday, which would permit 11 jury members to hear the case and allow any other juror who is positive for COVID-19 to isolate.Grenier says he’s hopeful the trial can resume next week without any other problems and says lawyers will discuss ways of shortening the presentation of evidence.The Criminal Code stipulates that a minimum of 10 jurors is required to deliver a verdict.The first juror tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.Girouard’s trial was expected to last between four and five weeks.

PHILADELPHIA - The FBI Newark Field Office is warning parents about an increase in reports of sextortion involving teenage boys. According to the agency, sextortion is an online crime that involves contact between a minor and an adult on an online platform, such as a gaming website or social media."The adult predator or scammer convinces the child to share sexual images or video and then threatens to post the content unless the victim sends more content or money," the FBI said. According to federal authorities, the most recent increase in cases mainly targets teenage boys between the age of 14 and 17. The field office says the coercion of a child by an adult to produce child sexual abuse material carries heavy penalties, including a possible life sentence for offenders. "To make victimization stop, children typically have to come forward to someone - normally a parent, teacher, caregiver, or law enforcement," the FBI said. "The embarrassment children feel from the activity where they were coerced or enticed to engage in is what typically prevents them from coming forward." The agency is urging victims to come forward to help stop extortion offenders, who may have hundreds of victims around the world. "We want parents, teachers, other relatives, anyone who is in a child’s life, to be aware," said Special Agent in Charge George M.

VICTORVILLE, Calif. - A store owner has been arrested for attempted murder in connection with the shooting of a 9-year-old girl at a mall in Victorville. The owner was reportedly shooting at suspected shoplifters when he struck the girl with a stray bullet, investigators said Wednesday.The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to a call from the Mall of Victor Valley at around 6:30 p.m.

XE variant has gained prominence in last few weeks the complete details for the new variant are yet unknown," said Dr Sachin Kandhari, Senior Neurosurgeon and Managing Director of IBS Hospital. 

lockdown in parts of China has forced factories to shut.Pegatron, one of the few companies to assemble iPhones, has closed two of its assembly plants in the cities of Shanghai and Kunshan to comply with the Chinese government's strict new coronavirus curbs.The company makes around 20% to 30% of all iPhones worldwide, leaving a significant gap in Apple's supply chain. It says it hopes to "resume production soon".Quanta, a company that makes MacBooks, has also had to shut its doors, causing further mayhem for Apple.

COVID-19 antiviral pill Paxlovid by a prescription.The antiviral treatment comes in the form of pills that are ingested orally for those who are at a higher risk of progressing to severe disease or hospitalization due to the virus.Taking the pills must begin with in five days of symptoms in most cases, the government said.Those eligible for assessment for antiviral pills include:The government notes a health-care provider may recommend the treatment even if one does not belong to the eligible groups based on individual circumstances. Here’s who is eligible for free COVID PCR testing, anti-viral assessment in Ontario A person must also test positive for COVID-19, either on a PCR tests or a rapid test.Aside from the more than 1,700 participating pharmacies, the antiviral pills are also available at hospitals and assessment centres.There is also a risk assessment screening tool online that Ontarians can use to determine if the treatment would be beneficial.

The country’s benchmark interest rate is rising half a percentage point, the Bank of Canada announced Wednesday, the first time it has raised rates by more than 25 basis points in more than two decades.

COVID cases per day. However, with the recent rise in cases, the positivity rate rose to 0.007%. 

COVID-19 as patient numbers continued to climb Wednesday.Hospitalizations related to the health crisis stood at 2,060, a rise of 122 compared with the previous day. This comes after 224 people were admitted while 102 left.Officials say 83 patients were being treated for the disease in intensive care units, an increase of 16.The Health Department says it recently updated its guidelines for transmitting data on hospitalizations.

Economist Stephen Brown discusses what happens to the housing market when interest rates rise.

Fred Eisenberger is “experiencing symptoms” and is now following public health guidelines and self-isolating.The mayor used the moment to pitch the importance of vaccinations for residents in a statement as Hamilton endures a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations expected to continue through much of the spring. Ontario COVID numbers: 1,366 people in hospital, 190 in intensive care “Please everyone, get vaccinated, get boosted, follow Public Health advice and stay home if you have symptoms,” Eisenberger said.In June 2020, Eisenberger had a suspected bout of COVID-19 after feeling symptoms.

David Tennant opened the 2022 Red Nose Day fundraiser by giving a special tribute to Zoe Ball who is missing the show due to getting Covid.

BBC fundraiser Comic Relief is back on our TV screens on this weekend.The long running programme was founded in 1986 by stars including Lenny Henry, and has since featured some of the biggest names of stage, screen and film including Alan Carr, Tess Daley, Chris Evans and Graham Norton.Its 2022 show will also feature huge celebrities including David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alesha Dixon, Zoe Ball and of course, Sir Lenny Henry, to name a few.Ahead of the highly anticipated event, Daily Star has taken a look at where some of the hosts, past and present, are now.Lenny Henry was one of the stars to co-found Comic Relief back in 1986 and has regularly hosted the charity fundraising programme throughout the years.Having risen to fame as a comedian, he made his way into television through the talent competition New Faces in 1976, at the age of just 16 years old.From there it was onwards and upwards, as he also appeared on Tiswas, The Fosters and starring as multiple characters in 1986's Lenny Henry Tonite and The Lenny Henry Show.He has most recently appeared in Doctor Who as Daniel Barton, Broadchurch as Ed Bennett and The Syndicate as Godfrey Watson, as well as being listed as appearing in the new Lord of the Rings TV series.His career also led him to his future wife and fellow comedian Dawn French, who he was married to from 1984-2010, and with who he has one daughter Billie Henry.The couple divorced in 2010, but Dawn French told The Mirror that she and Lenny are still very close friends, saying: "Remarkably, we seem to have shifted with relative ease from a 25-year marriage to a lasting friendship.“I am amazed by us – there is no war, we’ve turned out to be the best of friends."Zoe Ball is no stranger to presenting roles,

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.

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….