Mask-wearing a ‘personal choice’ as COVID-19 measures ease: PHAC

RELATED: Democratic Women’s Caucus propose monument honoring Ruth Bader GinsburgOn the high court, her most significant majority opinions were the 1996 ruling that ordered the Virginia Military Institute to accept women or give up its state funding, and the 2015 decision that upheld independent commissions some states use to draw congressional districts."She is instrumental to why we now have women of all backgrounds, experiences and talents serving within our ranks, side by side with their male Sailor and Marine counterparts," Del Toro said in a prepared statement.Ginsburg died Sept. 18, 2020, of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer.

MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Jurors have convicted a man of sexually assaulting a housekeeper in an Atlantic City hotel after he was released following his arrest on charges that he had beaten his girlfriend. The panel on Thursday found 36-year-old Jamel Carlton of Saugerties, New York, guilty of aggravted sexual assault, sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault and criminal restraint. Authorities say Carlton pushed the housekeeper into a room at Bally’s Hotel and Casino and attacked her in February 2018. He had returned to the hotel after he was accused earlier in the day of attacking his girlfriend.

Two teenage boys use their smartphones as they sit on a bench in Vail, Colorado.

Omicron Covid-variant after a recent rise in cases, according to a tracker app. The new symptom has been added to the list after a number of people with the virus made reference to trouble with their ears.A number of Brit sufferers all cited ringing ears as something they have experienced after contracting Omicron.Following these reports, the ZOE Covid tracker app has now added the symptom to its top 20 most commonly reported symptoms, which is released every week.Ear pain has been seen in Omicron cases in the past but only now following reports has it become more common than originally thought.Last year, a study by A team of Stanford University experts and Dr Konstantina Stankovic, found that the Omicron variant could cause problems with the ear.The study reported symptoms including severe earache, ear numbness, and even temporary hearing loss, which can also continue even after the infection has passed.Dr Stankovic also revealed that these symptoms can also appear in those fully-vaccinated.Speaking to the Times Now News Portal, Dr Stankovic said: “Pain is often associated with ringing in the ears.

Three new studies to be presented at the upcoming European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) conference at the end of the month demonstrate benefits of the antiviral molnupiravir against COVID-19 infections, including evidence that Merck's pill reduces symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by day 3 of administration.All three studies are based on results seen in the MOVe-OUT st

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Police are investigating after a man allegedly shot and killed his daughter's boyfriend after he broke into their home.St.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are investigating an armed robbery at a Philadelphia daycare Friday where one of the suspects allegedly pepper sprayed a common where toddlers and staff were gathered. Officer from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the Munchkins to Masterminds Daycare on the 5400 block of Girard Avenue around 1:30 p.m. for reports of a robbery. Investigators say of 2-3 people stole an iPad from the school and sprayed pepper spray into a room where seven toddlers and two staff members were gathered.Emergency medical responders were called to the school to evaluate the victims, police said.

night sky, according to Sky & Telescope. Keep your binoculars and telescope handy because you just might catch a glimpse of Venus, Mars and Saturn several times this weekend and into next week. About 45 minutes before sunrise on Saturday, set your sights due southeast and look about 10 degrees above the horizon. You should see Venus shining brightly, according to Dr.

COVID-19 will be a reality for the “foreseeable future,” Canada’s top doctors are warning as the country is facing yet another resurgence of the virus.The forecast comes as Canada experiences an uptick in cases in many jurisdictions across the country, with a 28 per cent increase in daily average case counts as of March 31, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Vaccinated travellers no longer need pre-entry COVID-19 tests to enter Canada The latest surge will be Canada’s sixth wave of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.“COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future,” said deputy chief public health officer Dr.

Two studies yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases confirm that COVID-19 vaccination confers substantial added protection—particularly against severe illness—to those previously infected with the virus.

In an historic moment, Pope Francis apologizes for the Church’s role in residential schools, and promises to visit Canada in the coming months. Europe bureau chief Crystal Goomansingh has the latest developments.

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FILE - White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC. on March 16, 2022.

HELLERTOWN, Pa. - Two young girls have died following a house fire in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Authorities say the fire broke out just before 1 a.m. Friday on the 600 block of Linden Street in Hellertown. The coroner’s office announced Friday afternoon that Brianna Baer, 15, and Abigail Kaufman, 10, both died as a result of the fire. No further injuries have been reported at this time and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. This is a developing story.

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MARCH 22: A person (R) collects donations as people walk in line to the San Ysidro Port of Entry on their way to cross the southern border into the United States on March 22, 2022 in Tijuana, Mexico. March 21 marked the two-year ann WASHINGTON (AP) - The Centers for Disease Control announced Friday that it is ending a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.The use of public health powers had been widely criticized by Democrats and immigration advocates as an excuse for the United States to shirk its obligations to provide haven to people fleeing persecution.

FILE-Hope Solo Hope Solo during Press Conference to Announce the Launch of Nike Tailwind Product Line. (Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Soccer legend Hope Solo was arrested Thursday in North Carolina for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrests, and police say Solo’s two children were in the car at the time of her arrest, TMZ reported Friday. Solo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner, was taken into custody by authorities in a Walmart parking lot in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. US women football team's goalkeeper Hope Solo blocks the ball during a training session in Chengdu, China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

NEW YORK - Amazon workers on Staten Island, voted to unionize on Friday, marking the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the retail giant’s history and handing an unexpected win to a nascent group that fueled the union drive.Warehouse workers cast 2,654 votes in favor of a union, giving the fledgling Amazon Labor Union enough support to pull off a victory.

FILE-Ikea flags fly outside of a store in New York. Victor J.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The CEB’s request for 8 hours and 30 minutes power cut was approved by the PUCSL due to limited supply of fuel for thermal power plants, for tomorrow (02)Groups ABCDEF4 hours from 8am to 12pm3 hours from 4pm to 7pm 1 hour & 30 minutes from 9pm to 10:30pm.Groups GHIJKL4 hours from 12pm to 4pm3 hours from 6pm to 9pm 1 hour & 30 minutes from 10:30pm to 12am.Groups PQRS4 hours from 8am to 12pm3 hours from 4pm to 7pm 1hour & 30 minutes from 9pm to 10:30pm.Groups TUVW4 hours from 12pm to 4pm3 hours from 6pm to 9pm1 hour & 30 minutes from 10:30pm to 12am.Groups MNOXYZ3 hours and 30minutes from 5.30am to 9am.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa used minimum force to disperse the protest that took place at Pengiriwatte Road, Mirihana on Thursday (31) night.He said the protestors caused serious damage to public and private property, until the early hours of Friday (1).The Minister said that after the President ordered the use of minimum force the crowds dispersed within half an hour., adding that the President was very patient on the matter.Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and water cannons to control the protests that took place on the road leading to the President’s Mirihana residence on Thursday (31) night, where people voiced their anger over a mismanaged economy.The people of Sri Lanka have a right to protest, said Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga on Friday (1) adding that the right is to protest for the betterment of the country not to lead the country into a state of anarchy.There are some things that are beyond the government’s control, and incidents that were witnessed on Thursday (31) would lead to a state of anarchy, he said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that those arrested during Mirihana Protest will be prosecuted under the Penal Code and Public Property Act, and NOT under the PTA.Senior DIG & Senior Police Spokesperson Ajith Rohana speaking to reporters at the Department of Government Information on the Mirihana Protests said that Sri Lanka Police did not use any force on the peaceful protest that commenced at 6 PM until around 10:30 PM when certain groups started acting in a violent manner.“Sri Lanka Police ensured the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” he said adding that by around 10:30 a group resorted to violent conduct and obstructed traffic, and thereafter caused damage to the tune of Rs. 39 Million.The Senior Police Officer said the Sri Lanka Police used force as per the provisions of the law, where at first a warning was given, and when the protestors did not comply water cannons were used, and thereafter tear gas was used, and eventually Sri Lanka Police had to use force to control the situation.Commenting on the damages caused to Sri Lanka Police he said three buses were damaged, 1 Police Bus was set on fire, 1 Sri Lanka Army Bus was badly damaged, 1 Police bike was destroyed, 1 Police jeep was also destroyed.He went on to note that 2 Police Special Task Force buses and a water cannot truck were also damaged.The Senior Cop also went on to note that 53 people were arrested for their involvement in the Mirihana Protest.The Senior Police Spokesperson added that 24 Police Officers including an ASP were injured during the Mirihana Protest, and 18 among them were members of the Police Special Task Force.

long-term care homes as COVID-19 cases rise and 10 per cent of homes report outbreaks.Paul Calandra says the province expected cases to increase when Ontario lifted most public health measures, but noted that rules like mandatory masks still remain in long-term care. Ontario ‘staying the course’ on lifting COVID-19 mask mandate, health minister says He says people in Ontario had to move on and live with COVID-19, including residents in long-term care who last month saw restrictions on visits and other social activities loosen.The province also recently removed virtually all general public health measures like mandatory masks in most public spaces, crowd capacity limits and proof-of-vaccination rules.

SEND, care home staff and residents during an outbreak and for care home residents upon admission. This also includes some staff in prisons and immigration removal centres.Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.

Oscars slap,” information is still leaking out about what took place, and questions are being answered — namely, why Will Smith was not escorted from the venue after striking comedian Chris Rock during the live broadcast.On Friday, Oscars producer Will Packer revealed in an interview with Good Morning America that Los Angeles police officers were prepared to arrest Smith, 53, but Rock’s insistence not to press charges prevented that.Packer, who was producing the 94th Academy Awards for the first time, said initially — like many audience members at home and in the Dolby Theatre — he thought Smith slapping Rock was a bit.It was only once Rock exited the stage and confirmed to Packer that he really had been hit that Packer understood the situation.“I just took a punch from Muhammad Ali,” Packer said Rock joked, though he confirmed Rock was still “very much in shock.”EXCLUSIVE: #Oscars producer Will Packer tells @GMA what happened behind the scenes after actor Will Smith slapped host Chris Rock live on stage. @tjholmes https://t.co/AeoYcGkM32 pic.twitter.com/xe9E2cFo8N— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 1, 2022 Wanda Sykes felt ‘physically ill’ after Will Smith, Chris Rock Oscars slap The altercation between Smith and Rock occurred Sunday during the Oscars broadcast when Rock, 57, was presenting the award for Documentary Feature (won by Summer of Soul).“Jada, I love you. G.I.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Commissioner Nikki Fried promised a "complete and thorough investigation" into how a 14-year-old teenager fell from the Orlando FreeFall drop tower last week at ICON Park, but also emphasized that her agency would not jump to any conclusions until that investigation was completed and the report is released.She also said the agency hired Quest Engineering, a forensic engineering and analysis firm, to help with their investigation into how Tyre Sampson fell to his death while he was on the ride last Thursday, March 24, 2022.CONTINUING COVERAGE: ICON Park Death Investigation"We are fully committed to finding out what happened so we can better prevent such tragedies from happening in the future – and that’s why we will not be jumping to any conclusions before the information is provided to us and we know all the facts," she said at a Friday afternoon press conference, which came eight days after Sampson’s death.Sampson was visiting Orlando with another family from St. Louis, Missouri, according to his family.

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin are searching for people who may have innate resistance to Covid-19 to take part in an international study.

Marquis Graham (Philadelphia Police Department) PHILADELPHIA - A volunteer coach with the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia has been arrested and charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl, police announced Friday. The alleged incident occurred back on March 9, around 3:30 p.m., after the victim left the PAL center on the 3100 block of Ridge Avenue. Police say the victim was walking from to her place of work when 26-year-year old Marquis Graham offered to give her a ride. She accepted his offer and got into his car. MORE HEADLINES: Once the victim got into Graham’s car, police say she was sexually assaulted by Graham.

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LEBANON CITY, Pa. - A police lieutenant killed on duty in Pennsylvania was one month away from retirement when a man suspected of breaking into a family member's home opened fire on responding officers, authorities said Friday.Lebanon City Police Lt. William Lebo and three other uniformed officers were met with immediate gunfire when they entered the home on Forest Street, Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said at a news conference.Two other officers were injured and remain hospitalized.

Pope Francis delivered a formal apology on Friday at the Vatican for the grave harm caused by Canada’s harrowing residential school system.

COVID-19 amid another upswing in patients being treated for the disease Friday.Pandemic-related hospitalizations stood at 1,275, a net rise of 37 compared with the previous day. This comes after 177 people were admitted while 140 were discharged.Health authorities say 62 patients were in intensive care units, a drop of four.The province recorded 3,182 new novel coronavirus cases, down from 3,319 the day before.

COVID on Friday, with 167 in intensive care.This is down by three for hospitalizations and up by one in ICUs since the previous day. Some experts have said Ontario is entering a 6th wave of COVID as figures trend upwards.Last Friday, there were 667 hospitalizations with 161 in ICU.Of the 804 people in hospital with COVID-19, 49 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 51 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 167 people in ICUs with the virus, 71 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 29 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia cat is heading home from the vet on Friday after authorities say he was the victim of an intentional dog attack.Officials are calling the recovery of Buddy the cat ‘miraculous’ as he heads to a foster home with a veterinarian where he’ll get continued care.Last week, Buddy was on a front porch in Philadelphia’s Frankford neighborhood. Video of the incident showed two suspects, ages 17 and 12, walking by the porch with their dogs. When the suspects spotted the car, authorities say they dropped the dogs’ leashes, allowing their lunging dogs to attack a defenseless Buddy.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - A New York mobster who killed three people and attempted to kill two others has escaped from federal custody in Florida after recently being moved to a halfway house, according to the Bureau of Prisons.Dominic Taddeo, a hit man from a Rochester-area crime family, escaped on March 28, according to the Bureau of Prisons website.Taddeo, 64, had been imprisoned at a medium-security lockup in Florida before being transferred to a residential halfway house, also in Florida, in February.RELATED: Group of prisoners attack, kill inmate convicted of murdering 2-year-old girl, authorities sayTaddeo pleaded guilty in 1992 to racketeering charges that included the killings of three men during mob wars in the 1980s.A federal judge in western New York denied Taddeo's request for compassionate release last year, rejecting his claim that health problems including hypertension and obesity put him at risk for serious complications from COVID-19.

FILE-A company logo stands outside the Ford car plant. (Photo by Paul O'Driscoll/Bloomberg via Getty Images) DETROIT - Ford is issuing two recalls covering over 737,000 vehicles to fix oil leaks and trailer braking systems that won't work.The oil leak recall includes the 2020 through 2022 Ford Escape SUV and the 2021 and 2022 Bronco Sport SUV with 1.5-Liter engines.

WHO's Bruce Aylward pointed out, "If more groups move away from the 70% target, we have more #COVID19 transmission in the world, more people that get sick, more people that die & eventually more variants that emerge & possibly frustrate all the progress that's has been made so far"

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Public Security said that investigations are underway to identify the members of the organized extremist group that was involved in the Mirihana protest on Thursday (31) night.Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd) Dr. Sarath Weerasekara told News 1st that protesting is a democratic right of the people, however, that does not mean that one can set vehicles on fire and cause damage to property.He said that those responsible for such incidents will be identified and will be brought before the law.“We are aware that the people are facing a crisis with regard to gas, fuel, electricity etc.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 54 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police.Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest.Police said that five officers were injured in the protest.Meanwhile, the Nugegoda-Maharagama 119 road has been closed.The Police further stated only the residents can travel on the relevant road until further notice.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 37 people were injured during the protest that took place in Pengiriwatte Road, Mirihana on Thursday (31) night.They are currently being treated at the Colombo National Hospital.Among the injured are 24 members of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force, 3 members from Sri Lanka Police, 3 Journalists, and 7 civilians.54 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police. Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Government Ministers have referred to those who incited violence during the Mirihana Protests as political extremists and not religious extremists.Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Dilum Amunugama, and Keheliya Rambukwella spoke to the media on Friday (1) to respond to concerns over the public protest that was held opposite the Mirihana residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday (31).The President’s Media Division announced on Friday (1) that an organized group of extremists were among those who were protesting at Jubilee Post, Nugegoda.The statement noted that the group acted in an unruly manner, and noted that this group armed with iron clubs, machetes, and sticks, had provoked the protesters and marched towards the President’s residence in Pengiriwatte, Mirihana.The President’s Media Division in a statement noted that most of those who acted in a violent manner were arrested, and it was identified that a majority of them were an organized group of extremists.They have spearheaded the campaign calling for an Arab Spring in Sri Lanka, it added.The President’s Media Division also said that those who were arrested revealed that this unruly situation was created with the intention of enraging the public via planned anonymous social media gatherings.Referring to the word ‘Extremist’, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the Government had not referred to religious extremists.Sri Lankan Health Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella also echoed the same clarification noting that the Government referred to political extremists and not religious extremists.However, Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama also said that the word “Extremist’ may have been wrongly used and said, instead, that

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka lifted a police curfew imposed on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo at 5 AM on Friday (1)Authorities were compelled to impose a curfew after tensions were witnessed on Thursday (31) night during protests against a mismanaged economy and rising cost of living.Scuffles broke out between protestors and security forces on Thursday (31) night when a peaceful protest proceeded towards Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on the outskirts of the city, in Mirihana.Heavy police presence was witnessed in the area at first, and thereafter the Riot Police, Police Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Army, and Sri Lanka Navy personnel were called in to control the situation and prevent the protestors from proceeding towards the President’s house.It is still unclear if the President was at home at the time of the protest.The people involved in the protest were from all corners of Colombo, and expressed anger over the government’s handling of the economy.The country has been plagued by a shortage of reserves that led to a shortage of essentials such as Kerosene, Diesel, Petrol, Gas, and even medicines.While the protest was taking place the supply of electricity for the entire Mirihana area was shut down, the first time since the power cuts came into effect, as Sri Lanka also struggles to import fuel to keep its power plant running.Further, internet connectivity in some areas also was disrupted, for reasons unknown.Another protest took place in Kelaniya as the road between Kelaniya and Dalugama was obstructed by protestors who burn tires and chanted slogans for the government to resign over their mishandling of the country’s economy.

PHILADELPHIA - After a search with several candidates, officials announced Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.

The trial of a peripatetic guitar teacher accused of sexually assaulting and making sexual remarks to pupils has been halted, because he has caught Covid.

ANI that masks should continue to be worn, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated places.

Trooper Branden Sisca was a recent graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.  (Pennsylvania State Polcie)PHILADELPHIA - Public viewings will be held Friday for Trooper Branden T. Sisca, one of two troopers killed by a suspected drunk driver on I-95 last week. Two viewings will be held at the Boyd-Horrrox-Givnish Funeral Home in Norristown from 12-3 p.m.

LOS ANGELES - Oscars producer Will Packer said Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock on the Academy Awards stage."They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment," Packer said in a clip released by ABC News Thursday night of an interview he gave to "Good Morning America." "They said we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now.

FILE IMAGE - A large "Now Hiring" advertisement is posted on the windows of the Advance Auto Parts store in Bay Shore, New York on March 24, 2022. (Photo by Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Defying a pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the U.S.

Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday that with strong protection from vaccines and declining hospitalizations due to COVID-19, the country needs to focus on ”easing societal disruptions” from public health measures.