HRD minister asks private schools to reconsider annual fee hike

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.

The Queen's health is reportedly being "monitored" after she met with her eldest son Prince Charles recently, as he has been confirmed to test positive with COVID-19 on Thursday, February 10. While the 95 year old monarch has seen the first in line to the throne recently, Buckingham Palace have reportedly refused to confirm or deny whether she is currently testing positive for the virus.The palace source did confirm that the Queen is yet to display any symptoms, however.

Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Singing and the playing of wind instruments have also not been permitted but the source says they will now be allowed with some health measures in place.The changes are expected to come weeks after students headed back to classes in-person, following a two-week pandemic shutdown in January.Schools have been closed and reopened repeatedly in Ontario during the pandemic and extracurriculars have been paused as a COVID-19 precaution at various points.

Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly Ramsay has shared some life advice from her dad to her followers on social media.

As Ottawa police take action on defiant and highly determined protesters, officers’ concerns are rising for the well-being of children who were brought along to the convoy’s occupation. Abigail Bimman spoke to some of the children’s parents on why they brought them there.

At least 2M Quebecers infected during fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic Quebec provided 27,360 tests in screening facilities on Tuesday, the most recent day for which that information is available.Meanwhile, the results of 74,459 rapid tests have been declared by Quebecers on the government’s new website to date. Of those, 57,743 were positive results.The immunization campaign doled out another 31,779 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the last 24 hours.

Charli XCX is getting candid about her mental health.

The Queen isn't displaying any symptoms of coronavirus despite recently meeting with the Prince of Wales, a Palace source said.

third Covid-19 vaccine dose for all adults will be taken based on the scientific need, said the central government on Thursday. 

PHILADELPHIA - Former Eagles long snapper and magician Jon Dorenbos is now being called a hero after saving a woman’s life in January. He joined Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick on Good Day Philadelphia to discuss the incident. Ana and Akira Nakao were working at their restaurant, VegiLicious, in Huntington Beach, California on Jan.

HOUSTON - A pregnant mother of five from Kingwood spent more than four months in the hospital, suffering from life-threatening effects of COVID-19. Her doctors believe it's a miracle she's alive.Now, the baby is named after one doctor at Texas Children's Hospital who had faith she would make it.CLICK HERE FOR MORE STORIES BY MELISSA WILSONDiana Crouch is now in the comforts of home with her newborn, Cameron.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Nevada Gaming Control Board says its investigation tracked down an Arizona man who left Las Vegas after a visit last month without knowing he'd won a $229,368 slot machine jackpot. The board said the machine being played by Robert Taylor malfunctioned due to a "communication error" and neither he nor the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino realized that he'd won a progressive jackpot the evening of Jan. 8. "By the time an extensive review of the slot machine and the communications technology was completed, confirming the jackpot had been won, Mr.

WASHINGTON - Washington Commanders star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen apologized on Wednesday after he admitted that he would invite Adolf Hitler to a dream dinner, along with his grandfather and Michael Jackson.Early Wednesday morning, Allen asked his Twitter followers to ask him anything, and that's when he replied to one question with his hypothetical dinner situation. The follower responded saying, "2 of the 3 I understand.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Gov. Tom Wolf hit the road Wednesday to begin selling his proposal for what would be the largest-ever increase in aid for Pennsylvania's public schools, several times over, as school officials digested the news and Republicans who control the Legislature warned that it will never happen.The money — just over $1.5 billion in new dollars for instruction and operations — is almost a quarter of what the state sends now under a public school funding system that critics say has left the poorest public schools, including ones with large minority student bodies, underfunded for decades.Wolf took his case to teachers and district officials in a news conference at Erie's Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, while education groups said they hoped that lawmakers would at least approve close to what the Democrat requested in his budget proposal Tuesday.That said, school boards and superintendents know Wolf has made big requests before that the Republican-controlled Legislature has turned down, in favor of a smaller sum."We understand that this is always a starting point and typically something less is approved than what the governor asks for," said Mark DiRocco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.

COVID on Thursday, with 445 in intensive care units as figures continue to trend downwards with hospitalizations dropping below 2,000 for the first time since early January.This is down by 162 hospitalizations and a decrease of four in ICUs since the previous day. Last Thursday, there were 2,797 hospitalizations with 541 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 1,897 people in hospital with COVID-19, 56 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 44 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 445 people in ICUs with the virus, around 76 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while around 24 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Bob Saget’s death last month stemmed from an accidental blow to the head, his family said in a statement Wednesday.The comedian and Full House star was found dead Jan. 9 in a Florida hotel room.

The Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, remains partially blocked, as protesters continue to disrupt the crossing, calling for the end COVID-19 restrictions. As Sean O’Shea reports, frustration is mounting as truckers are forced to take a longer detour between borders, wreaking havoc on the supply chain.

A royal source is speaking out and revealing some new information about Prince Charles and the Queen.

With inputs from ANI

Hindustan Times on Thursday.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. - Officials ordered mandatory evacuation orders in Laguna Beach after a brush fire fueled by strong winds sparked above the Emerald Bay community Thursday morning. Strong winds are fueling the fire in the Emerald Bay community.The wind-driven fire was reported just after 4:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Emerald Bay, located near the Pacific Coast Highway. The embers were pushing down the hillside as firefighters were up against fierce Santa Ana winds with the potential to gust between 40 and 60 mph.

A further 7,275 Covid cases have been confirmed in Scotland within the last 24 hours.

Snowboarder Meryeta O’Dine and speed-skater Steven Dubois brought home Canada’s latest bronze and silver medals on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to eight. Mike Arsenault reports on the latest competitions at the Beijing Olympics.

COVID-19 infections with the Omicron variant as reliably as they did with the Delta strain, but changing the way the tests are performed can boost their sensitivity.The science advisory table says in a brief today that the rapid tests, which involve nasal swabs, are less sensitive for Omicron, especially in the first one or two days after infection.But, they say the tests are better at detecting Omicron if people swab both cheeks, followed by the back of the tongue or throat, then both nostrils.

Beijing Olympics on Thursday after reaching the podium in the women’s 5,000-metre speed skating final.Weidemann skated a time of 6:48.18 for silver, while Irene Schouten of the Netherlands skated 6:43.51 for a new Olympic record and the gold medal. Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won bronze with a time of 6:50.09.“It went by really fast.