Health-care worker from St. Catharines writes children’s book to help explain COVID-19 lockdown

NEW JERSEY - Outraged by the invasion of Ukraine, lawmakers in New Jersey's largest city lashed out at one of the closest symbols of Russia they could find — a pair of Lukoil gas stations.The Newark City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to ask the city’s business administrator to suspend the service stations' operating licenses, citing Lukoil's base in Moscow.In doing so, however, they may have predominantly been hurting Americans.The stations are franchises owned by locals, not Russians. They employ mostly New Jersey residents.

FILE A pump nozzle labeled "Super 95" is stuck in the tank opening of a vehicle at a gas station. (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Gas prices in the U.S.

Police officers detain a man during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in central Moscow on March 3, 2022. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) DUSSELDORF, Germany - Russians could face prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading information that goes against the Russian government's position on the war in Ukraine, a move that comes as authorities block access to foreign media outlets.The Russian parliament voted unanimously Friday to approve a draft law criminalizing the intentional spreading of what Russia deems to be "fake" reports.Russian authorities have repeatedly decried reports of Russian military setbacks or civilian deaths in Ukraine as "fake" reports.

On a busy pedestrian street in the town of Daugavpils, in Latvia’s Latgale region, Alesja Klescenoka is visibly distressed as she tries to articulate her feelings about the war in Ukraine.

COVID on Friday, with 262 in intensive care units as figures continue to trend downwards.This is down by 13 hospitalizations and a decrease of five in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 1,003 hospitalizations with 297 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 821 people in hospital with COVID-19, 44 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 56 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 262 people in ICUs with the virus, 80 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 20 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Meteorological spring begins on March 1, while astronomical spring begins about 20 days later.No matter when you mark the beginning of the warming season, much of the U.S. will continue to see freezing weather well into May.For gardeners, the final freeze of the season means they can start flower beds and vegetable gardens.

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Authorities say all known residents have been contacted and accounted for as investigators and search crews resume operations fire at a Silver Spring apartment complex the morning after an explosion and fire left over a dozen injured.Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said crews are still working to confirm that there were no visitors in the buildings at the time of the explosion. Goldstein said 14 people suffered injuries in the blast -- three with serious injuries and 11 with minor injuries.

A recent study by U.S. Government Accountability Office has elaborated on the syndrome and here is what we know about it: 

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden has been pushing for more U.S. factory jobs — and he'll be joined Friday by the CEO of technology company Siemens USA to announce a $54 million investment in producing equipment for the electrical infrastructure.The investment will lead to 300 additional jobs at locations that include California and Texas, according to senior Biden administration officials who insisted on anonymity to preview the event on the White House campus.

Kerala in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 65,08,845, said the health department on Friday.

WASHINGTON - U.S. employers added a robust 678,000 jobs in February, another gain that underscored the economy’s solid health as the omicron wave fades and more Americans venture out to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels despite surging inflation.The Labor Department’s report Friday also showed that the unemployment rate dropped from 4% to 3.8%, extending a sharp drop in joblessness as the economy has rebounded from the pandemic recession.The latest jobs data follows recent reports that have shown an economy maintaining strength as new COVID infections have plummeted since late January.

Impact Wrestling star Heath takes to the ring on Saturday night at the company's Sacrifice PPV, it will be the end of a long, long journey for the 38-year-old.Just two years ago, at the start of the pandemic, he was released from WWE, having spent more than a decade with the company.Once his no-compete clause with the company ended, he joined Impact Wrestling.But as much as his signing was heralded, he quickly found himself on the sidelines with an injury which would keep him out for almost a year.And it happened just hours after officially signing a long-term contract with the company.He exclusively told the Daily Star this week: “I'm looking good, I'm jacked and I'm feeling good. “And then next thing you know, I got hurt injured – out for a whole damn year.“I'm on my ass, you know, depressed, sad, mad, but you can't let it consume you, because once it does, you know, it's like life, life will beat you up and keep you on the ground if you let it.“You got to get up, you got to fight that.

administered more than 178.29 crore (1,78,29,13,060) COVID-19 vaccine doses so far with 24.84 lakh doses (24,84,412) vaccine doses administered in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said on Friday.

Stacey Solomon has opened up about the birth of her daughter Rose and her health battle on Loose Women.During Friday’s (4 March) instalment of the popular ITV daytime show, the mum-of-four returned to the show after her four-month maternity leave for the birth of her and fiancé Joe Swash’s second child.And while she updated fans on how life has changed for the couple since they welcomed the little tot, the 32-year-old revealed she was only in labour for an hour and a half before she welcomed their daughter.But despite having an “easier birth” the mum-of-four opened up about her daughter’s struggle with tongue tie which made stopped her from breastfeeding properly.This is a live TV story and is constantly being notes updated.Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest TV updates.TV & Showbiz reporters are working to source the latest information, reaction, pictures and video related to this story.You can also follow us on Twitter @DailyStar, or follow us on Instagram @dailystar to get the latest TV and celeb gossip 24 hours a day.Or like our Daily Star Showbiz Facebook page to get the day's biggest stories, and have your say on them.Why not also subscribe to receive our regular Daily Star showbiz newsletters?You can do this on this page by simply entering your email address above and hitting 'subscribe'.Download the Daily Star app for flash alerts on the biggest stories of the day, so you don't miss out.Why not also subscribe to receive our regular Daily Star news bulletins? You can do this on this page by simply entering your email address above and hitting 'subscribe'.

PARIS - The bells of the famed Notre Dame cathedral echoed through Paris on Thursday in a call for peace in Ukraine amid the Russian military's continued assault on the country — one of many European cathedrals that rang out in unison. Video recorded by Gemmie Dayrit on Thursday captured the sound of bells in the French capital. The Notre Dame cathedral was badly damaged by fire in 2019 and its bourdon bell had only sounded just a couple of times since the devastating blaze."Ran out of apartment to make sure bells were from the Notre Dame.

The economy grew strongly last year, according to the latest national accounts published by the Central Statistics Office today.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said power cuts will be imposed for Saturday (5) and Sunday (6).Saturday (5) :Groups P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W:3 hours from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM1 hour from 6 PM to 10 PMGroups E & F :4 hours from 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM3 hours from 4.30 PM to 10.30 PM.Sunday (6)2 hours and 30 minutes from 9 AM to 4.30 PM ONLY for areas A,B,C.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerawansa on Friday (4) revealed that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa wanted to become President even before Gotabaya Rajapaksa was nominated as the candidate for the President of the country.“Basil Rajapaksa wanted to use the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as his personal property to realize his intentions of becoming president,” Weerawansa told reporters in Colombo, in his first-ever briefing after he and Udaya Gammanpila were stripped of their ministerial portfolios on Thursday (3) evening.He said that as the group that created the call for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s return, it was opined that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was most suitable to be the candidate if Mahinda Rajapaksa did not wish to contest.“We worked on that premise and that itself posed challenges to Basil Rajapaksa’s dreams of becoming President,” revealed Weerawansa, adding that Basil Rajapaksa eventually had to accept in a disgruntled manner that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Presidential Candidate.Wimal Weerawansa also said that after Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated on the 8th of January 2015, Basil Rajapaksa had met with then-President Rajapaksa and requested for the post of Opposition Leader.“However, Mahinda Rajapaksa did not want to do that.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Vasudeva Nanayakkara has announced that he expects to resign from his position as the Minister of Water Supply.Speaking to reporters on Friday (4), he said the government committed a grave mistake in removing Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerawansa from their ministerial portfolios.Nanayakkara said he cannot function as a Minister until justice is meted out to Weerawansa and Gammanpila.Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa have been removed from their ministerial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.The PMD statement notes that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa removed Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila from their portfolios, as per the powers vested in him by the constitution,

Airbnb is responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine by suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus.The decision was tweeted by Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky late Thursday.On Monday, the company announced its nonprofit arm Airbnb.org would offer free, temporary housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine.Chesky and Joe Gebbia, chairman of Airbnb.org, sent letters to leaders of Poland, Romania, Germany and Hungary offering help to house the refugees, according to Reuters.Except for Germany, the countries share borders with Ukraine.FILE - In this photo illustration the American online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb logo seen displayed on a smartphone with an economic stock exchange index graph in the background.

PHILADELPHIA - A young woman was taken into custody as a person of interest Friday morning after police say her boyfriend was shot multiple times inside of an apartment the two shared. Around 3 a.m., police responded to a 911 call for a person with a gun on the 2700 block of Wharton Street. When police arrived on the scene, they found a man laying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police say the victim, who is believed to be in his mid-20s, had been shot in his chest, back, lower back, and his foot. The victim was rushed to the hospital by responding officers.MORE HEADLINES: The victim lived in the second-floor apartment of the residence he was found laying in front, according to investigators.

PHILADELPHIA - Veteran center DeAndre Jordan signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, days after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers.The 33-year-old Jordan joins Paul Millsap as a backup center for the Sixers, who dealt Andre Drummond to Brooklyn as a part of the multiplayer trade that sent Ben Simmons to the Nets in exchange for James Harden last month. Terms of the deal were not released.The 6-foot-11 Jordan appeared in 32 games with the Lakers, starting 19.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukrainian firefighters on Friday extinguished a blaze at Europe’s biggest nuclear plant that was ignited by a Russian attack and no radiation was released, U.N. and Ukrainian officials said, as Russian forces pressed their campaign to cripple the country despite global condemnation.The head of the United Nations’ atomic agency said that a Russian "projectile" hit a training center at the Zaporizhzhia plant.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The FR application by former JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti noting that the fundamental rights of the people were violated as they did not receive benefits after the state decided to slash the taxes imposed on imported sugar, will be taken up on the 27th of June 2022 at the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka also granted the petitioner permission to amend the petition to include Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa as a respondent in the application.The FR application was called up in the presence of Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Murdhu Fernando, and Yasantha Kodagoda on Friday (4).Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Finance Secretary, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Secretary to the President, the Sugar Importers, the Attorney General among others were named as respondents.Sunil Handunneththi filed a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court claiming that the state incurred an Rs.15.9 Bn loss due to the reduction of taxes on imported sugar.Further, the petitioner requests the Supreme Court to order Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the respondents to take necessary measures to recover the losses and to recover Rs. 500 million as compensation.The petitioner stated that the government has incurred a loss of Rs.

next COVID wave is a "valuable input", Centre said, “But, it is yet to be examined whether this particular report has any scientific worth." The Centre further asserted that ‘it is completely prepared for the unpredictable virus’. Last week, an IIT Kanpur team of scientists suggested that India is likely to witness the 4th COVID wave in June. This is the same team that had correctly predicted that the third COVID wave would hit the country in February.  

High inflation caused by Covid-19 and Brexit, along with a reduced capital budget raised fears that two ongoing projects to extend Falkirk district primary schools might be delayed.

FREE NOW, revealed it will take an average of nearly five months before people are comfortable socialising like they did before the pandemic.But over half (57%) are “determined” to make more of an effort to overcome these angsts.Robert Fernandez, director of operations at FREE NOW, said: “This research clearly shows how widespread concerns about COVID are, and that this concern continues to inform choices of people in the UK.“As we thankfully move from living in a pandemic to learning how to live with COVID, it is important that we keep in mind, even with all restrictions lifted, that not everyone is ready to fully get back out there yet.“This is an understandable and common response to what has been a difficult time for many, and we need to recognise and respect that everyone is adjusting to this new normal at their own pace.“That is why we have partnered with Chartered Psychologist, Dr Meg Arroll, to help people arrive at their destinations more relaxed and ready to enjoy themselves.”The study also found that more than half of those who have experienced FOGO have tried to combat their concerns – but admitted the apprehension persists.And nearly a fifth (18%) will look to travel in a taxi to their destination, rather than on public transport, to compose themselves.Dr Meg Arroll, who has teamed up with FREE NOW, said: “Life has been challenging these past two years, and now that restrictions have fully eased and the world is opening up again, we’re all getting ready to step out.“But as we’ve had such an extensive period of uncertainty and anxiety, it’s not surprising that there still remains a sense of unease about going out – or FOGO, the fear of going out.“However, there are many strategies that we can all use to calm

Homes in Edmonton are being sold almost as soon as they are listed, sometimes way over the listing price with no conditions amid bidding wars. Sarah Reid has more on the red-hot real estate market.

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister Dilum Amunugama said he took oaths on Friday (4) as the country’s Minister of Transport.He was State Minister of State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments, and Motor Car Industry.It was reported on Thursday (3) night that Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi who was the Transport Minister would be taking oaths as the Minister of Power, replacing Gamini Lokuge, who was appointed as Minister of Energy, replacing Udaya Gammanpila.At the same time, Arundika Fernando was sworn in again as the State Minister of Coconut, Kithul, and Palmyrah Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversification.He resigned from the position after his son was arrested and remanded in connection with the assault of a group of Ragama Medical Faculty students.He was sworn in again, after he was found NOT guilty by a committee that investigated the altercations that took place a month ago between two groups of students at the dormitory premises of the Medical Faculty of the Ragama Medical Faculty a month ago.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court decided to dismiss all the petitions filed seeking to quash the Cabinet’s decision to transfer 40% of the government-owned shares of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant to U.S. Company New Fortress Energy.The Supreme Court had made the decision to dismiss all the petitions without taking them up for examination as well.The petitions were dismissed by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda, LTB Dehideniya.Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya had noted that the five-judge bench had no intention to examine these applications, and the decision to dismiss them was made after considering all the facts that were presented in favor and against the applications.Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, General-Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sunil Handunnetti and Wasantha Samarasinghe from the JPV, Trade Unions, and multiple other groups filed the five petitions with the Supreme Court.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers, West Coast Power Pvt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa have been removed from their minesterial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.The PMD statement notes that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa removed Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila from their portfolios, as per the powers vested in him by the constitution,

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Minister Udaya Gammanpila on Friday (3) announced that the battle to free Sri Lanka from the US has begun.Speaking to reporters for the first time since he was stripped of his ministerial position by the President on Thursday (3), Gammanpila said that the country is moving towards an abyss as the economy is managed by a person who has no understanding of economics.Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa were removed from their ministerial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.Gammanpila said calls were made to solve the crisis from within and outside of the cabinet of ministers, however, as those calls fell on deaf ears, the launch of a resolution ‘Taking The Nation On The Correct Path’ to solve the economic crisis suffered by Sri Lanka, was implemented.He said rather the looking at this resolution as a solution to the crisis, the administration decided to move out both him and Wimal Weerawansa.Gammanpila said while in government there were restrictions when it came to criticizing the government, however, today he has the freedom to reveal those who are responsible for the destruction caused to the economy.He also went on to note that ‘The Ugly American’, 1958 political novel by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer that depicts the failures of the U.S.

Greater job losses. Since the start of the pandemic, women have suffered greater job losses than men -- a pattern that has continued into 2022. The Pew Research Center reported in June 2020 that 11.5 million women, compared to 9 million men, lost their jobs due to COVID-19 -- a reversal of historical trends with economic recessions.1Higher overall stress. Women also took a harder hit to their wellbeing: Globally, women report higher rates of stress, sadness and worry than men -- and they're more likely to report that their mental health was negatively affected by the pandemic.

Two of Hong Kong's largest retail chains have started rationing some food and drug items to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as Covid-19 cases soar.

Expect to start paying more for pretty much everything as gas prices are forecast to remain in record-high territory in B.C. for the foreseeable future.

A devastating milestone has been reached in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United Nations says more than one million people have been displaced by the war.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Thursday that Canada will become the first country to revoke Russia and Belarus’ status as a most-favoured-nation trade partner under law. This includes the imposition of 35 per cent tariffs on goods from both countries as Moscow’s war in Ukraine rages on.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was in agreement with Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen on Monday during question period in the House of Commons as the two sides found solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

The war in Ukraine comes with a horrific toll on the people involved: emotional and financial. It’s costing Russia an estimated $20 million a day to continue the invasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa revealed that he will not accept any ministerial position under the government of the incumbent President.Weerawansa was speaking reporters in Colombo, in his first-ever briefing after he and Udaya Gammanpila were stripped of their ministerial portfolios on Thursday (3) evening.Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerwansa were removed from their ministerial portfolios with effect from Thursday (3) evening, said the President’s Media Division.The PMD statement notes that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa removed Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila from their portfolios, as per the powers vested in him by the constitution,Watch the Media Briefing Here: 

Transport Canada says.The department didn’t say why or for how long the aircraft — that was grounded on Tuesday — would be restricted to the airport but told Global News in an email Thursday that Transport Canada is working with Canada’s Border Services Agency to “assess the matter.” Cryptocurrency a ‘double-edged sword’ in Ukraine-Russia war, experts say They said they are trying to find out if there has been any violation of the recently announced Notice to Airman (NOTAM) that prohibits Russian aircraft from operating in Canadian airspace.Ottawa officially closed up the nation’s airspace on Feb. 24 while announcing a set of sanctions against Russia as the war against Ukraine rages on.

Chrystia Freeland was photographed holding a scarf bearing colours associated with a far-right Ukrainian paramilitary group from the Second World War this past weekend.Both her office and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress suggest the questions and criticism she has received about it online is linked to a pattern of Russian-backed disinformation targeting members of the Ukrainian community.The Twitter account for Freeland shared photos of the federal finance minister at a Ukrainian solidarity march in Toronto on Sunday holding a black-and-red scarf with the Ukrainian phrase “Slava Ukraini,” which translates to “Glory to Ukraine,” written in Cyrillic. Canada targets Russia and Belarus with tariffs, sends more lethal aid to Ukraine Toronto Mayor John Tory was in the group and his account also shared photos of the moment, including one that showed the other side of the scarf, which had the phrase “Heroyam Slava,” or “Glory to heroes.” Neither Tory nor Freeland are touching the scarf in that photo.Both accounts deleted the photos the next day. Freeland then issued an identical tweet about her presence at the march organized to show solidarity with Ukraine after Russia launched a multi-pronged attack on the sovereign country.

COVID-19 may have more than one variant of the virus attacking them, according to a pair of new studies published earlier this year.Researchers for the two studies — one published in January, the other in February — say their evidence suggests less dominant variants may be simultaneously present in the same infected individual, with some cloaking themselves from the immune system.That could make it difficult for infected patients to get rid of COVID-19 from their systems entirely, said Kapil Gupta, lead author of the January study, in a statement Tuesday.“Some of these variants may use kidney or spleen cells as their niche to hide, while the body is busy defending against the dominant virus type,” Gupta said. Arthritis drug cuts risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: U.K.

WARSAW - The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to one of the largest humanitarian crises in a century, with many fleeing Ukrainians searching for refuge in neighboring countries. The United Nations said Thursday that 1 million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion less than a week ago, an exodus without precedent in this century for its speed.The tally from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees amounts to more than 2% of Ukraine’s population — which the World Bank counted at 44 million at the end of 2020 — on the move across borders in just seven days.