Ontario lays out spring pandemic plans, with discontinued masking requirements

Covid-19 pandemic began over two years ago, wearing the mask was our first line of defence against the deadly virus. But two years on, as India witnesses a steep decline in Covid-19 cases, several states have now announced that the Covid-19 masks are no longer mandatory. 

Doctors have noticed a reduction in the number of people contacting them with Covid-related queries, according to the Covid Lead with the Irish College of General Practicioners.

₹1,330 crore are settled

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Chris Rock of 'Fargo' attends the FX Networks' Star Walk Winter Press Tour 2020 at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 09, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES - A video of Chris Rock detailing the bullying and sexual assault he endured as a child has resurfaced after he was slapped by Will Smith on the Oscars stage. On Wednesday night, Rock performed in front of a sold-out crowd in Boston as part of his comedy tour.

RALEIGH, N.C. - An inmate at a North Carolina prison was assaulted by a group of inmates and killed, state officials said Tuesday.Semajs Short, 24, was attacked in a housing area at Bertie Correctional Institution by a number of other inmates around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, the N.C.

Coronavirus infection rates are continuing to rise in nine boroughs of Greater Manchester, according to the latest data.

The government has issued new rules for who will be able to get free Covid-19 tests from today, April 1, as free mass PCR and lateral flow testing is brought to an end. The free testing will continue to be available to a number of groups - and will mostly require those people to have symptoms already, apart from a small list of scenarios where asymptomatic testing will be given.

As First Nations delegates met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday, residential school survivors in Alberta were paying close attention.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says that those arrested for protesting in Nugegoda CANNOT be charged under the PTA.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.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program, announced, IMFs Spokesperson Gerry Rice.“We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April,” he added. Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program. We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April.

Irish businesses are emerging stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic than their global counterparts, according to new research by EY Ireland.

While the dollar value may be low–some of the items stolen in a Vancouver break-in are priceless to their young owner. He is pleading for your help to get them back.

Rohan Campbell and Alexander Elliot, stars of the “Hardy Boys” television series, preview what’s set to come for the detective brothers in Season 2.

International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, the official channel for foreign fighters, will only consider recruits with combat experience. The Ukrainian military is now urging those without military experience to stay at home.“Our main priority is combat experience and all of them have to understand their role and place,” Anton Myronovych, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, tells Global News.“We don’t need mercenaries who think they may make some money or something like that.”This phenomenon has also raised questions about what will happen when these people return home.For Canadian foreign fighters, in particular, Veteran Affairs has said it bears no responsibility for physical or psychological injuries acquired by anyone, since Global Affairs has advised against travel to Ukraine.On February 27, three days after Russia launched its invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a call for foreign volunteers to help fight for his country’s freedom — an international legion that would operate as part of Ukraine’s military.The next day, he signed a decree waiving visas for any foreigners who wished to join the fight and launched a website outlining how to apply to the newly created International Legion.In the month since, thousands of foreigners have applied to be part of the group.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 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.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.

Canadian families are feeling the financial squeeze with the high cost of living.

Covid-19 cases, India on Friday reported 1,335 new Covid-19 cases, according to Union Health Ministry data. Additionally, the country is witnessing a further drop in active cases, with the active caseload at 13,672 on Friday, the Health Ministry data further revealed.

Texas man was arrested on Wednesday after police found human remains in his home while responding to a wellness call.The remains are believed to be of the man’s son, police say.In a press release, the New Boston Police Department wrote that they received a request for a wellness call from a neighbour.When authorities arrived at the address Wednesday evening, a man named David McMichael answered the door. Trial set for Florida man charged with human smuggling after family found frozen in Manitoba According to the police report, when officers asked McMichael if he knew why they were there, “McMichael advised them it was because he had a body in his kitchen.”McMichael reportedly told police the body belonged to his son, who died in May 2018.

COLOMBO (News 1st); 45 people who engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night in 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.

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. - Authorities are searching for a person of interest in possible New Jersey package theft ring who police believe is impersonating as a delivery driver. The investigation started after a Burlington County woman said her purse and a flash drive filled with pictures of her late mother was stolen from her car Thursday night."Completely violated, not being able to get those irreplaceable items back it just weighs on you, it sucks," the woman who asked to remain anonymous said. The thieves allegedly used her stolen credit cards and her home address to order 2 iPhone 13's valued at $1300 each. Home security camera shows a person dressed in a FedEx uniform knock on the woman's door just after the packages were dropped off. The family knew something was wrong, and her son followed the suspected imposter FedEx driver to a van with stolen license plates. "My son questioned him are you really a Fed Ex employee or are you here just to steal these iPhones off my mom," she said.

A new University of Alberta study suggests young kids with pandemic-related reading challenges can catch up quickly with a deliberate and sustained set of lessons. Dan Grummett reports.

FILE - A photo illustration of water in a clear glass drinking glass. WASHINGTON - Upholding a Trump-era environmental policy, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it will not regulate a drinking water contaminant that has been linked to brain damage in infants.The agency said the Trump administration's decision in 2020 not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water was made with the "best available peer reviewed science." The chemical is used in rocket fuel and fireworks.At the time, Trump's EPA said perchlorate was not found widely enough in drinking water or "at levels of public health concern" to warrant federal regulation.

Global’s Keith Baldrey on whether the recent increase in new cases in B.C. is a sign of another wave of COVID-19

LEBANON, Pa. - A Pennsylvania police officer was killed and two others injured Thursday during a shooting that occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said.Police officers went to a home in the city at about 3:30 p.m. for the disturbance call.

EGG HARBOR, Twp. - Authorities in New Jersey say a young boy was tased in the head during "hose play" with a close family friend. Officers from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department were called to a home in West Atlantic City Monday afternoon for reports medical emergency.Police found an unconscious and unresponsive 12-year-old boy who they say had been shot in the head with taser.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Investigators in Connecticut believe they've pinpointed a batch of school cafeteria milk tainted with sanitizer that sickened several children in New Jersey this week.The Connecticut Department of Agriculture said its investigating Guida’s Dairy in New Britain regarding its 1% low-fat half-pint milk cartons with a sell by date of APR 11. State investors believe the issue is limited to milk within a specific time range of 4:30 and 7:30 and code stamped on the cartons. They said the batch had "limited distribution in New Jersey." Out of an abundance of caution, Guida’s Dairy has asked all its institutional customers with 1% lowfat half pint milk cartons with a sell-by date of APR 11 to dispose the product. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Health on Wednesday encouraged public schools to remove Guida's 1% Lowfat Milk from circulation in their cafeterias.

Today we are reporting 13,475 community cases, 764 hospitalisations and 17 deaths.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Board of Education will announce Friday which of its three finalists will be the next superintendent of Philadelphia's public schools. Following a six-month search, the School District of Philadelphia narrowed its candidates to John L. Davis Jr., Krish Mohip, and Tony B. Watlington Sr.

PHOENIX - Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has signed bills banning transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams and prohibiting gender reassignment surgeries for minors.The governor described Senate bills 1138 and 1165 as legislation to "protect female athletes" and "to ensure that individuals undergoing irreversible gender reassignment surgery are of adult age.""This legislation is common-sense and narrowly-targeted to address these two specific issues ⁠— while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness as every individual in our society," Ducey said in a Twitter thread.Two GOP governors last week bucked conservatives in their party and vetoed bills in Indiana and Utah requiring trans girls to play on boys sports teams.Republicans have said blocking transgender players from girls sports teams would protect the integrity of women’s sports, fearing that trans athletes would have an advantage.Many point to the transgender collegiate swimmer Lia Thomas, who won an individual title at the NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Championship last week.But there are few trans athletes in Arizona schools.

Voluntary product recall covers these Skippy peanut butters with certain "best if used by" dates (Photo courtesy Skippy) Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread 40 ounces: Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread - Club 2/40 ounces: Skippy Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread 16.3 ounces: Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter with Plant Protein 14 ounces:No other Skippy peanut butter brands or jar sizes are included in the recall, the company said.RELATED: Milk of Magnesia products being recalled over possible contamination, FDA saysAdvertisementConsumers can return the products to a store to exchange or call Skippy Foods Consumer Engagement at 1-866-475-4779.

CAMDEN - If you’ve driven anywhere in 2022 you may have noticed that the price you’re paying at the pump, is a far cry from what it was just a year ago.In New Jersey, where prices are sometimes less than Pennsylvania, some are reporting gas stations price gouging customers.The division of Consumer Affairs reports that they received more complaints in one month then they've received in the past two years."High prices alone may not constitute a violation, but we encourage consumers who suspect excessive price increases at the pump or any other form of consumer abuse, to file an online complaint," Division of Consumer Affairs Public Information Officer Gema de las Heras said. As of Thursday, the price for a gallon of regular fuel in New Jersey sat around $4.19 which is a tick below the national average of $4.22, per AAA.According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular fuel in Pennsylvania was $4.42 on Monday. Driver in New Jersey paid $4.33 per gallon, and Delaware's gas prices sat at $4.21 on average.  "We try to carpool, we try to just keep things local a little bit and just do our best to save from making extra trips," one New Jersey small business worker said. President Biden announced actions today to help Americans at the pump by ordering gas companies to use idle wells or face a fine from the government. "Right now, oil and gas industries are sitting on nearly 9000 unused but approved permits for production on federal lands are more than a million unused acres they have a right to pump on, families can't afford that company sit on their hands," President Biden said.A more immediate step he announced is the releasing of one million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve.

Police said an officer was hit by a suspected drunk driver who was later arrested after he sped away. PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say a driver whose license was suspended last year for drunk driving was intoxicated when he plowed into a Philadelphia police officer Wednesday night. Terrell Lee, 41, was charged Thursday with a number of crimes including aggravated assault and aggravated assault while DUI. Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters that two officers were walking back to their car during a traffic stop on the 6700 block of Torresdale Avenue when the officer nearest the road was struck by a black Chevy that crossed over the double yellow lines. Small said the 44-year-old officer was launched 10 feet and landed on the northbound side of the road.

RELATED: Study: Wildfires from Washington, other states produced up to half of pollution in western U.S."As cardiologists, we are used to thinking about many traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension or diabetes," Moreyra said in a news release. "This study and others suggest maybe we should start thinking about air pollution and noise pollution as additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease."The study is one of the first to look at the link between noise and heart disease in America, but researchers said it aligns with other studies done in Europe. Moreyra said other dense urban areas would likely see a similar pattern.The study didn’t examine the biology behind the link, but noise can cause chronic stress, sleep loss, anxiety and depression, all of which can impact heart health, Moreyra said.

It’s been weeks since Ontario’s top doctor has delivered a pandemic update. Despite growing calls for more transparency, the province says it’s not necessary to bring them back. Matthew Bingley reports.

Saskatchewan officials say 1,196 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed by laboratory tests last week.The province also reported 20 new deaths, about 39% lower than in the previous week of 33 deaths. COVID-19: 895 cases in Saskatchewan reported, deaths increase Of the newly reported deaths, seven were in the Saskatoon zone.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo until further notice.These areas are:COLOMBO CENTRAL DIVISIONPettah / Keselwatta / Dam Street / Wolfendhal Street / Fort / Slave Island / Maradana / MaligawattaCOLOMBO NORTH DIVISIONColombo Harbour / Fore shore / Modara / Kotahena / Mattakkuliya / Bloemendhal / Grandpass / Dematagoda / Mihijaya sewanaCOLOMBO SOUTH DIVISIONColpetty / Bambalapitiya / Kirulapone / Wellawatta / Narahenpita / BMICH / Borella / Cinnamon GardenNUGEGODA DIVISIONMirihana / Maharagama / Boralesgamuwa / Wellampitiya / Thalangama / Welikada / Nawagamuwa / Mulleriyawa / Homagama / Kottawa / Athurugiriya / Padukka / Hanwella / Gothatuwa / Meepe / Kaduwela / MalabeMOUNT LAVINIA DIVISIONMount Lavinia / Piliyandala / Angulana / Dehiwala / Kohuwala / Moratuwa / Kahathuduwa / Moratumulla / Egoda Uyana / KesbewaKELANIYA DIVISIONKelaniya / Kandana / Wattala/ Mahabage / Sapugaskanda / Biyagama / Meegahawatta / Ja – Ela / Ragama / Kiribathgoda / Kadawatha / EnderamullaAuthorities were compelled to impose a curfew after ugly scenes 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 the 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

A study of COVID-19 patients at clinics in 12 Brazilian cities found that treatment with ivermectin—an antiparasitic drug—didn't prevent hospital admission compared with those in the placebo group.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today that almost 4 out of 10 US adolescents are experiencing poor mental health, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airbus news release. The plane had one of four engines that used 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which consists of a combination of cooking oils and fatty acids. The flight took off from the Blagnac Airport in Toulouse, France, at 8:43 a.m. and returned safely, the company said. The SAF used to fuel the plane was produced in Normandy, France by TotalEnergies, a company that creates sustainable sources of energy for a global market, according to the company website. The fuel was created from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which is free of aromatics and sulfur, according to Airbus. This is the third flight an Airbus aircraft has executed using 100% SAF over the past year, the company said.

A football helmet lies on the ground while members of the Floral Park High School football team are in the background practicing for the 2015 season, on the morning of August 19, 2015.(Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday via Getty Images) COLUMBUS, Ohio - Youth tackle football has become a particularly controversial topic due to the mix of benefits and risks it offers — and a new study proves just how divided America is on the subject."Football plays a prominent role in American culture," a co-author wrote.

WASHINGTON - Five fetuses were found in a D.C. home after a tip lead to the shocking discovery, according to authorities.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherD.C.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Edwin J. Torres/Governor’s Office)TRENTON - New Jersey Gov.

Ontario’s health minister said the provincial government is “staying the course” on it’s decision to life the mandatory masking mandate, despite experts saying the province is now experiencing the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Christine Elliott made the remarks during a funding announcement at North York General Hospital on Thursday.The minister was asked whether there have been talks about potentially reinstating the mandatory mask mandate which was lifted earlier this month.“We’re staying the course, we don’t anticipate that we’ll need to move back to mandatory masking,” she said. “Except in certain locations where it is mandatory, most of it is discretionary.”Elliott said people should be “patient” and “kind” with one another, noting that some may feel more comfortable to continue wearing a mask in public settings.

BENSALEM, Pa. - A Philadelphia man is facing charges after investigators say he stabbed a former co-worker over 50 times and ran him over before dumping his body at a Bucks County train station. Dominique Harris, 30, was taken into custody Thursday morning by officers from the Philadelphia Police Department after his vehicle was spotted near Broad Street and Hunting Park Avenue. He has been charged with criminal homicide and possession of an instrument of crime. It's alleged that Harris ambushed 54-year-old Michael Pickens as he ws taking out the trash at a Bensalem Wendy's early Wednesday morning.

Two school boards in the GTHA have indicated they want to keep masking rules in place past March 21. The Ford government is telling them to get in line, but some experts say the timeline doesn’t make scientific sense. Matthew Bingley reports.

The Ford Government continues to face demands that it show evidence to back up its decision to drop masking rules on March 21. Matthew Bingley reports.

Ontario has until the end of March to pen a deal with the federal government for $10 a day child care. Without one, the province stands to lose more than a billion dollars in first year funding. Matthew Bingley reports.

After facing heavy backlash over its plans to deregulate Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ford Government made a sudden move away from those plans. The province now says it will work with the college to address language barriers, which those in the field say should have been its approach all along.