Govt plans new import tax on solar equipments starting August

Quebec logs 35 new deaths as hospitalizations continue to drop Health Minister Christian Dubé has said he would introduce a bill in March to lift the state of emergency, but he has also said it would be up to the opposition as to whether the legislation passes before June.Eric Duhaime, the leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, which has one seat in the province’s legislature but has seen its support rise in recent polls, said he thinks the government is delaying the introduction of the bill to avoid scrutiny.Quebec’s Public Health Act requires the government to submit a report on the state of emergency, including details about contracts that were awarded without public tenders, within a specific period after the emergency order is lifted. If the bill is passed in June, Duhaime told reporters in Quebec City on Thursday that the government could avoid tabling that report until after an October election.“The (legislature) will not be in session until November,” he said.

Peterborough Public Health reported a new death and hospitalized case along with 26 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to data released late Thursday afternoon. Timeline to lift all COVID-19 measures in Ontario coming soon, top doctor says The health unit’s COVID-19 tracker, issued at 4:22 p.m., reported the following data for the jurisdiction of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation: 54 since the pandemic was declared. The health unit says death reported Thursday was a woman in her 90s who was vaccinated.: 26 since the Wednesday, Feb.

Dr. Kieran Moore was asked on Thursday about the eventual removal of COVID-19 restrictions in the province, including mask mandates and proof of vaccination.

Canada brought home another four more medals on day 6 of the Beijing Olympics with a bronze in freestyle skiing, a bronze in speed skating, a bronze in alpine skiing — a first-time podium placement for the country in the event — and a silver in snowboard cross.

The Washington Post is reporting that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials are telling vaccine providers to prepare for a Feb 21 rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years, just 1 week after advisers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are set to vote on an emergency authorization of the vaccine.

A cross-sectional study of more than half a million National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 athletes and 3.5 million nonathletes suggests that participation in collegiate athletics was not tied to higher COVID-19 test positivity in the 2020-21 academic year.

Ontario’s top medical official, Dr.

On Thursday, due to a decrease in COVID-19 cases and higher rate of youth vaccinations, Ontario’s top doctor Dr. Kieran Moore announced schools have the green light to resume extra-curricular activities such as sports and musical practices – to which students could remove their face masks.

Bob Saget’s autopsy report showed that he had contracted COVID-19 at the time of his death. The report, which showed that he’d died from head trauma and internal injuries, also found that a test on his respiratory system showed that he was positive for COVID when he died on January 9.

RELATED: COVID-19 may make common pregnancy complications worse, study suggestsThe study bolsters evidence from small case reports and it confirms that placenta damage rather than an infection of the fetus is the likely cause of many COVID-19-related stillbirths, said Dr. Jeffery Goldstein, a pathologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.He was not involved in the study, which was published Thursday in Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.RELATED: COVID-19 vaccines could temporarily impact length of menstrual cycles, study saysDr.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astra Space, Inc. launched its first rocket from Florida on Thursday marking a historic milestone for the Alameda, California-based company.

HAZLETON, Pa. - DNA and a 20-year-old genealogy expert helped state police identify the man who abducted, raped and murdered a young girl in a case that rattled a Pennsylvania coal town nearly six decades ago, officials announced Thursday.State police exhumed the long-dead assailant's body last month and said his DNA precisely matched DNA left on the jacket of the victim, 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella, who was snatched on the morning of March 18, 1964, as she walked to school in Hazleton, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Philadelphia.Her body was found that afternoon in a nearby waste coal pit. Authorities say she was raped and strangled.Police identified her killer as James Paul Forte, a bartender with a record of violent sexual assault, who died of natural causes in 1980 at age 38.

ATLANTA - While several studies already show that face masks and respirators effectively filter virus-sized particles and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission, yet, another study is backing this evidence up. According to a study, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive COVID-19 test. The study enrolled randomly selected California residents who had received a test result for COVID-19 between Feb. 18, 2021 and Dec.

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has opened up on his fears for the Queen after Prince Charles tested positive for Covid-19 just two days after seeing her. Piers said he feels "deep unease" about the news.It is the second time Charles has contracted the virus, testing positive on Thursday (February 10) morning.

Patty Hajdu says the number of COVID-19 infections in First Nations communities has begun to decline, bringing hope that the worst of the Omicron wave has passed.Hajdu says she understands why Indigenous leaders are sounding an alarm that progress could be lost in regions where provincial governments are rapidly moving to lift public health orders.“Indigenous leaders obviously are concerned,” Hajdu said during a news conference Thursday. High anxiety levels expected in Canadians wary of COVID restrictions lifting - experts Daily active case counts in Indigenous communities have declined 13.2 per cent from last week.

A study in Qatar estimates that previous COVID-19 infection imparts 56% protection against future symptomatic infection caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, down from about 90% for other SARS-CoV-2 strains.The study, published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medici

COVID-19 update since Sunday, the Saskatchewan government reported 5,401 provincial PCR confirmed cases and 22 new deaths between Jan. 30 and Feb.

Super Bowl this weekend. The DHS said in a bulletin sent to local and state law enforcement agencies that it has received reports that truckers are planning to "potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities" in a protest against vaccine mandates and other issues. DHS said the convoy could begin in Southern California as early as this weekend, possibly disrupting traffic around the Super Bowl, and reach Washington in March in time for the State of the Union, according to a copy of Tuesday’s bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. It said that the protest could be disruptive and tie up traffic but that there have been no calls for violence. Meanwhile, the truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, General Motors and other car companies to shut down plants or otherwise reduce production on both sides of the U.S.

Middlesex-London Health Unit said Thursday that anyone who visits any of its vaccine clinics will be able to choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.However, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada for children aged five to 11 years old. COVID-19 vaccine and booster tracker: How many Canadians are vaccinated? The MLHU’s decision impacts all of the health unit’s mass vaccination clinics, as well as the pop-up vaccination clinics hosted by the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the Community Hub COVID-19 vaccination clinics in schools.Since late December, the MLHU had been prioritizing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people age 29 and under and providing the Moderna vaccine to clients 30 and over, citing limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine.The health unit is hoping the ability to choose will help increase vaccine availability and uptake, noting that only 51.9 per cent of eligible residents aged 18 and older had received a third dose as of Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in a homicide from January. According to police, the department is working to identify the people responsible for the death of an 18-year-old woman on Jan. 13, 2022.

CULPEPER, Va. - President Joe Biden on Thursday touted how his "Build Back Better" policies would limit the cost of prescription drugs and make life more affordable for U.S. families during an appearance in Virginia.Biden’s visit to the town of Culpeper, Virginia, came on the heels of the release of the U.S.

Boris Johnson ending Covid isolation rules is a "distraction" from the PM's lockdown party scandal, said Professor Devi Sridhar who is a member of the Scottish Government Covid-19 Advisory Group.

2022 Academy Awards are just over a month away and while the night is sure to be unforgettable with surprises and snubs, one thing will not be in the cards: covid-19 vaccinations.Hollywood’s biggest night won’t require COVID-19 vaccinations proof for anyone attending the event.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is only asking for attendees to show a negative PCR test or a negative rapid antigen test on the day of the ceremony. Nominees, presenters and stars will gather on March 27 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater to celebrate the best and brightest in film.This year’s SAG Awards and Critics Choice Awards, on the other hand, will both require vaccinations.A rep for the SAG Awards (to be held on Feb.

The Queen is being monitored despite not showing any COVID-19 symptoms after her son Prince Charles contracted the virus for a second time Thursday.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported seven deaths and 115 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, compared with three deaths and 189 cases last Thursday.The deaths involved three men and four women ranging in age from their 60s to 90s. Three were associated with long-term care.LHSC, meanwhile, is caring for 91 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 91 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Delaware State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that took place on Wednesday evening. According to police, the incident happened near Frenchtown Road in the area of Quigley Boulevard around 5:58 p.m. A 21-year-old woman, who has not yet been identified, was walking on the right shoulder of eastbound Rt. 273.

DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Briarcliffe Fire Company has been shut down for at least the next 30 days as Delaware County officials investigate the alleged use of racial slurs on a recent virtual meeting. The fire company, located in Darby Township will not be receiving fire calls during the suspension. The suspension comes after a Jan. 27 virtual meeting between township fire companies and commissioners about a potential consolidation. According to a letter from the Goodwill Fire Company obtained by FOX 29, following the end of the meeting, a group of people remained on the call. The letter says there was then a group of people that could be heard discussing the meeting using foul language, and identifies those involved in the conversation as members of the Briarcliffe Fire Company. The conversation, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes, allegedly included racial slurs when discussing members of other fire companies and township residents.One of the Briarcliffe Fire Company members was also accused of making a joke about, Fanta Bility, a young girl who was killed in a shooting in Sharon Hill last fall.Derogatory and otherwise offensive comments were also allegedly made about other township officials.Township officials say the incident is under investigation, and that a criminal referral is expected to be made to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. MORE HEADLINES:In their letter, the Goodwill Fire Company Board of directors expressed their concern for the fire companies and safety of the community. "This is not appropriate and does not belong in the township," the letter read. Darby Township officials are scheduled to speak on the issue at 2 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly agreed to a trade that would send Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that backup center Andre Drummond will also be heading to Brooklyn as part of the deal, and the 76ers will receive Paul Millsap as part of the deal. Wojnarowski reports that the picks Philadelphia is sending to Brooklyn include an unprotected 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2027 first-round pick.Harden and Simmons have dominated trade deadline headlines in recent weeks as the disgruntled Simmons had yet to suit up for the 76ers this season. Meanwhile the Nets were caught up in the rumor mill as they faced a risk of potentially losing Harden to free agency after the season and losing him for nothing. With Thursday's trade, the Sixers pick up a former league MVP in Harden to pair with MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Stormont's Minister for Health has said he needs to talk to other ministers before decisions can be taken about further relaxation of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 restrictions.

trucker convoy in Ottawa are spilling over onto new fronts Thursday, with police reporting “a concerted effort to flood” 911 lines, protesters mobilizing at the local airport and hackers taking aim at city council.Earlier in the day, city officials had warned of traffic disruptions at the city’s international airport as the trucker convoy encamped across the city enters its 14th day, and some members appeared to be encircling the airport.That now appears to have ended, but it remains unclear whether the group will move to a different site or return to the airport.Ottawa police had told Global News they are “aware” of the convoy’s presence at the airport and shortly after, issued a tweet warning of attempts to target emergency lines.“We are aware of a concerted effort to flood our 911 and non-emergency policing reporting line. This endangers lives and is completely unacceptable,” the police service said.“It is a crime to unnecessarily call 911 or our non-emergency number (613-236-1222).

Beth Potter, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Dr. Dominik Mertz, division director of infectious diseases at McMaster University, and Dr.

New rules on international travel in Scotland will come into effect from tomorrow as the country continues to emerge from the worst of the Omicron Covid wave.

Queen Elizabeth II met with Prince Charles before he tested positive for COVID-19 and is now being closely monitored, a royal source tells ET. On Thursday, Clarence House announced that Charles — who is vaccinated and boosted — tested positive for COVID-19 that morning and is now self-isolating. Our source tells ET that 95-year-old Elizabeth and 73-year-old Charles met on Tuesday after she returned from Sandringham.

Bengaluru/New Delhi: The pressure on hygiene and paranoia over the spread of the coronavirus is slowly leading to a reversal of the central government’s push to phase out single-use plastic.The dependence on disposables, such as plastic cutlery, cups, containers, carry bags, and garbage bags, and greater consumption of packaged drinking water as a safety measure to avoid contracting covid-19, as well as the increasing use of packaging material for online purchases, has dampened efforts to phase out single-use plastic, in line with a call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2019.“Use of plastic is something that we have allowed in Bengaluru in view of the prevailing situation," said Bruhat Bengaluru

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed India's preparations for vaccinating its vast population against COVID-19 once a vaccine is available and asserted that vaccination must be affordable and universal.Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review planning and preparations for vaccination against the novel coronavirus.At the meeting, the current status of vaccine development efforts were also reviewed and the prime minister highlighted India’s commitment to play an enabling role in the vaccination efforts against COVID-19, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.Prime Minister Modi noted that vaccination of India’s vast and diverse population will need to factor in issues, including those related to

coronavirus cases in past 24 hours took India's tally today to 5,66,840 even as the recovery rate further improved to 59.06%. This is the second day of decline in fresh covid cases.

NEW DELHI : Stating that the present atmosphere is not yet conducive to conduct any examination or classes, the Maharashtra government has decided to not conduct the final year and final semester examination of both professional and non-professional courses.The state government also said degrees will be given based on the formula decided by universities.

NEW DELHI : Facing opposition from some states over the proposed next generation reforms, power and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh on Thursday said that a ‘misinformation campaign’ has been spread.Addressing a press conference, Singh said that he has been writing to all state chief ministers presenting the true picture and will also meet them individually to get them onboard.This comes in the backdrop of the draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 becoming another flash point in the Centre-state relationship, with a growing chorus of states including Telangana, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu opposing some measures.“This is just politics," Singh said and added, “You can’t become a great power with a broken power

₹20 lakh crore economic package announced to help those affected due to the lockdown clamped to prevent the spread of Covid-19 New Delhi: The government on Wednesday announced a new ₹15,000 crore infrastructure fund to provide interest subvention of up to 3 per cent to private players for setting up of dairy, poultry and meat processing units. A decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet meeting, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   "A ₹15,000 crore fund has been approved by the Cabinet that will be open to all and will help in increasing milk production, boost exports and create 35 lakh jobs in the country," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters.   Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh said

NEW DELHI : More tariff barriers, subsidised financing for encouraging domestic equipment usage, rigorous testing of foreign equipment and prior permission requirements for imports from adversary countries, are some of the focus areas of India’ proposed power sector overhaul currently in the works.This comes in the backdrop of India contemplating an economic response against China and is part of a wider decoupling exercise embarked on by the Indian government since the 15 June border clashes with China.Addressing the industry captains, power and new and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh on Tuesday said that some countries who are adversaries or potential adversaries will be identified as “prior reference countries", and a prior

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the union government to consider extending the free foodgrain scheme for three more months till September.

New Delhi: Entire nation is delighted by Supreme Court decision to ensure Jagannath Rath Yatra goes on, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday.The Supreme Court on Monday modified its earlier order and allowed the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri to be held with the coordination of the Temple committee, State and Central government without compromising with the health issue pertaining to Covid-19.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde said that the apex court is only considering conducting the yatra in Puri and not anywhere else in Odisha."Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only understood sentiments of devotees but also initiated consultations," said Shah while speaking on Puri Rath Yatra

NEW DELHI : Yoga can help boost immunity, which, in turn, will help fight the coronavirus infection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the sixth International Day of Yoga on Sunday.In his message via videoconferencing, the PM said in view of the covid-19 global health emergency, this year’s theme is “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family". “Today, all of us should stay away from large gatherings and practice yoga at home with our families because of covid-19."“Yoga boosts the immune system of the body.

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now addressing the nation on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. Amid the Covid pandemic, this year's theme is 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'.