Ontario lifts mask mandates in schools

Russian state television suddenly cut away from President Vladimir Putin speaking at a packed Moscow stadium to mark the eighth anniversary of Crimea’s annexation on Friday, showing patriotic songs being performed at the event instead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the invasion of Ukraine before a packed soccer stadium on Friday, but coverage of his speech on state television was unexpectedly interrupted by what the Kremlin said was a technical problem with a server.Speaking on a stage at the centre of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Putin promised to tens of thousands of people waving Russian flags and chanting “Russia, Russia, Russia” that all of the Kremlin’s aims would be achieved.“We know what we need to do, how to do it and at what cost. And we will absolutely accomplish all of our plans,” Putin, 69, told the rally from a stage decked out with slogans such as “For a world without Nazism” and “For our president.”Many of the Russian slogans used at the rally incorporated the “Z” symbol that Russian forces have used as a motif in Ukraine.

Jesse Espersen fills his SUV with 16.536 gallons of Super+ gas at 7.559 per gallon for a total of 125 dollars at a Mobil station in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The national average cost for a gallon of gasoline is likely to continue to fall in the coming weeks, though prices in California will remain elevated due to supply issues, according to an industry expert.As of Thursday, the national average is $4.289 a gallon, down from Wednesday's average of $4.305, according to AAA data.  Gas prices in Westchester are above six dollars as prices at the pump continue to raise across the Southland on Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA.

COVID-19 data as she has done throughout the pandemic.“With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable and the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily COVID-19 numbers,” Christine Elliott said Friday.She noted that updated data will still be available on the province’s website. Ontario COVID numbers: 615 people in hospital, 193 in intensive care Throughout the pandemic, Elliott would tweet the latest COVID-19 figures daily, providing an update on the epidemiological situation in the province.The province has shifted towards “living with and managing COVID-19,” a plan which includes lifting all public health measures by the end of April.On Monday, the mask mandate will lift for most public settings in the province.With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable & the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily #COVID19 numbers.There are no changes to available data.

Jean Charest says when it comes to lifting federal COVID-19 mandates, leaders should listen to health experts and not replace that advice with their own judgment.Federal Conservatives and their supporters have long been calling for the removal of vaccine mandates for domestic air travellers, public servants and those working in federally regulated industries.Tory MPs say rapid testing should be allowed for those who choose to be unvaccinated. They have dismissed the mandates, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last summer’s federal election, as driving division in the country and threatening people’s livelihoods.Recently, Conservatives have pointed to provinces’ choices to drop their vaccine passport rules along with remaining health restrictions, following the Omicron-driven wave of the pandemic when infections soared.

COVID-19 state of emergency on Monday, the rest of the municipalities in Waterloo Region intend to follow suit next week, although the region itself will not be lifting it.“The removal of the emergency declaration is a key milestone for the township, our residents and businesses as we continue forward in our journey to recovery from the pandemic,” North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton said.

COVID-19. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 “As we continue on this path, we are able to take a more balanced and longer-term approach to the province’s pandemic response, including in Ontario schools, by removing many of the measures that have been put in place over the past two years.,” the letter reads.“This does not mean COVID-19 has disappeared.”The MOH says students and staff should continue to self-screen while it also has plans to update the screening tool.It also says it will continue to provide masks for both students and teachers should they wish to continue wearing them while those who are more at risk should be made aware of new anti-viral options.The letter also notes that good hygiene should be promoted and that there are increased cleaning measures in place.The letter from the province describes its prevention and response measures as being “robust”.“There remain circumstances where masking is recommended or required, and it will be important to foster an environment that is kind considerate and inclusive for those who choose to continue to wear a mask,” the letter reads.

COVID on Friday, with 193 in intensive care units, as figures continue to trend downward.This is down by 29 for hospitalizations and a decrease of six in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 717 hospitalizations with 238 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 615 people in hospital with COVID-19, 44.5 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 55.5 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 193 people in ICUs with the virus, 79 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

PHILADELPHIA - High schools in the Philadelphia school district will start at 9 a.m. this fall as the next wave of changes that officials hope will improve transportation and education. Spokesperson Monica Lewis said the district's plan to phase to a three-tiered bell schedule started last fall, impacting kindergarten through 8th grade. "The American Academy of Pediatrics whim have stated that a later start time for high school students would help them arrive to school more alert and prepared to learn," Lewis said. In a letter to families, the district said the plan also "promotes safer travel in the mornings" since most high school students are responsible for their own commute to school. "This effort improves the overall transportation experience for our students, even as we continue to face a nationwide bus driver shortage," the letter said. FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce spoke to parents who are onboard with the change. "I would rather him go in a little later a little lighter out in the morning considering all the things going on in city," Cherise Dandy-Miller said. Philadelphia isn't the first local district to push its start time back for high school students.

Kylie Minogue will not appear during Comic Relief after testing positive for coronavirus.

COVID-19-related bylaws the day Ontario eases some pandemic safety measures.A special meeting on Monday will address the future of a pair of rules surrounding face coverings and physical distancing.The forum will happen after the latest pandemic Scarsin forecast from Hamilton Public Health that will be revealed earlier in the day. Studies show mask mandates ‘consistently’ reduce COVID transmission, Ontario science table says As per revised Public Health Ontario guidelines, masks will be no longer be required in most social settings such as restaurants, gyms, large event spaces and even schools early next week.“Under Provincial direction, masks will still be required in some settings including public transit, long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings after March 21,” city spokesperson Jasmine Graham said in an email on Thursday.However, the province will extend the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) on March 28 and keep a number of other directives and orders in place until April 27.Dr.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Photo by Edwin J. Torres/Office of Gov. Phil Murphy)TRENTON - New Jersey Gov.

PHOENIX - WNBA star Brittney Griner's detention has been extended by at least two more months after she was taken into Russian custody on drug charges, reports say."The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19," the court said, according to TASS.The Phoenix Mercury player had been detained at a Moscow airport after a drug-sniffing dog reportedly found vapes with cannabis oil in her luggage.The case of the 31-year-old Griner, one of the most recognizable players in women's basketball, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The U.S.

Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, chief executive officer of OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, reacts while speaking to the media after an annual general meeting with shareholders at the President hotel in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, June 29, 2012.

Ryan Allen, Hatboro K9 officer and his K9 partner Louie UPPER MORELAND, Pa. - Hatboro police officer Ryan Allen will be honored Thursday morning with a procession to bring him home under hospice care. Allen, a 35-year-old loving husband and father, has been in the hospital for months after suffering complications from a reaction to a bee sting. He suffered a devastating brain injury in October when he had a heart attack after the sting.

COVID on Thursday, with 199 in intensive care units.This is down by five for both hospitalizations and in ICUs since the previous day. Last Thursday, there were 742 hospitalizations with 244 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 644 people in hospital with COVID-19, 47 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 53 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 199 people in ICUs with the virus, 75 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 25 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

COVID-19. Waterloo Region council to meet March 16 to discuss face-covering bylaw While masks will no longer be required in many public spaces, they will still have to be worn on public transportation.The list of places that will no longer require a mask is pretty lengthy and includes stores, shopping malls, restaurants and bars, centres, gyms and recreational sports facilities, and places of worship.The region’s face-covering bylaw did not cover hospitals and other provincial and federal facilities.

The UK will remove the last remaining Covid travel requirements from Friday, with the Easter holidays just around the corner. Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced that the need to complete a passenger locator form will be dropped later this week.

CHICAGO - Jussie Smollett was ordered released from jail Wednesday by an appeals court that agreed with his lawyers that he should released pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.The ruling came after a Cook County judge sentenced Smollett last week to immediately begin serving 150 days in jail for his conviction on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police. The appeals court said Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000.Smollett’s attorneys had argued that he would have completed the sentence by the time the appeal process was completed and that Smollett could be in danger of physical harm if he remained locked up in Cook County Jail.The court’s decision marks the latest chapter in a strange story that began in January 2019 when Smollett, who is Black and gay, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men wearing ski masks.

COVID-19 concerns despite the provincial declaration ending a number of safety measures next Monday.In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, following another special meeting Tuesday night, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) chair Dawn Danko said an updated motion calls for schools to keep masks “through a transition period following March break.”“By introducing a two-week transition period, as we implement provincial direction, we aim to mitigate challenges related to increased socialization during the March break,” Danko said in a statement on Wednesday. COVID-19: Hamilton public school board chair asks city’s top doc for order to keep mask mandate The chair said the direction is in alignment with advice from the Children’s Health Coalition which strongly encourages continued mask use for two weeks after March Break.On Tuesday, Danko sent a letter to Dr.

The UN’s top court for disputes between states on Wednesday ordered Russia to immediately stop “military operations” in Ukraine, saying it was “profoundly concerned” by Moscow’s use of force.

Both Canada and Ontario’s governments are committing over a hundred million in funding to Honda Canada. While the move will help it upgrade to sell electric vehicles, critics say the Ford Government needs to do more to shift drivers onto them.

Passengers arrive at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, Jan. 7, 2022.

John Catsimatidis, the billionaire owner and CEO of New York City supermarket chain Gristedes, urged Americans to "buy" now because food inflation will only get much worse."I've seen price increases coming through for the month of March. I've seen them coming through April and May.

COSTA MESA, CA - JULY 13: Shoppers wear masks while shopping at South Coast Plaza Monday, which will be closed down Tuesday for a second time by Gov. Newsom in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus on Monday, July 13, 2020 in Costa Mesa, CA.

Accountant and Turbo Tax Canada spokesperson Susan Watkin has timely advice to help make the most of your tax returns, especially if you’re a recent post-secondary graduate.

Russia on Wednesday to immediately halt its military operations in Ukraine, saying it was “profoundly concerned” by Moscow’s use of force.Although the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are binding, it has no direct means of enforcing them, and in rare cases in the past countries have ignored them.“The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on Feb 24, 2022 on the territory of Ukraine,” the ICJ judges said in a 13-2 decision. Russia is accused of war crimes in Ukraine.

ANDREWS, Texas - Nine people died in a fiery, head-on collision in West Texas, including six students and a coach from a New Mexico university who were returning home from a golf tournament, authorities said.A pickup truck crossed the center line of a two-lane road in Andrews County and crashed into a vehicle carrying members of the University of the Southwest men’s and women’s golf teams, said Sgt. Steven Blanco of the Texas Department of Public Safety.Six students and a faculty member were killed in the crash along with the driver and a passenger in the pickup truck, Blanco said.

COVID on Wednesday, with 204 in intensive care units.This is down by 29 hospitalizations but a decrease of 16 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Wednesday, there were 751 hospitalizations with 241 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 649 people in hospital with COVID-19, 47 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 53 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 204 people in ICUs with the virus, 79 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

WASHINGTON - Americans are one step closer to never having to "fall back" or "spring forward" with resetting their clocks after the U.S. Senate approved a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent. Senators on Tuesday unanimously voted for the Sunshine Protection Act, or S.623, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.The proposed bill will now move to the House.

Prince William and Kate Middleton were slammed by royal fans for breaking an important Covid rule during the height of the pandemic. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with David Attenborough in September 2020 at a private viewing of his documentary – A Life On Our Planet. The royal couple were joined by their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and took a picture with the veteran broadcaster at Kensington Palace.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will head to Brussels next week for a special summit of NATO leaders that will address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Global News has learned.

HOLMESBURG - The twice a year ritual – springing forward and falling back - is enough to make a person a little cuckoo."Losing that hour of sleep messes up everything," CJ Eiler commented.At the Henry of Mayfair clock shop, the twice a year ritual of springing forward and falling back may become a thing of the past."Yes, I do change clocks. I change a lot of clocks.

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - The search for the next head of Philadelphia public schools continues, as the school community gets a chance to learn more about candidate number two, a leader on the Illinois State Board of Education.Krish Mohip hustles into the School District building in the early afternoon for a meeting. The Chicago educator says his view of education is simple."My belief is every child can learn.

In a letter to Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) chair Dawn Danko requested support to maintain mask requirements for staff and students until April 15.“As Medical Officer of Health to the City of Hamilton, we respectfully ask you to consider the calls from the medical and science communities, and to issue a Section 22 order to maintain mask requirements for all HWDSB students and staff beyond March 21, 2022,” Danko asked.

Good evening and welcome to today's Daily Record's headline briefing.

Ontario government plans to provide $673 million to long-term care homes this year to help “hire and retain staff” across the province.The government issued a press release on Tuesday, saying the money would help to hire and retain up to 10,000 staff members across the province and will lead to “more direct care for residents.”“This is part of the province’s $4.9 billion commitment to hire more than 27,000 long-term care staff over four years and ensure that residents receive on average four hours of direct care per day by 2024-25.” Many Ontario long-term care homes keeping COVID vaccine mandates as province lifts policy According to the release, before the provincial investments, residents were receiving “an average of only two hours and 45 minutes of direct care from nurses and personal support workers.”The government says the next funding increase will push the daily average in the province to three hours and 15 minutes per resident, every day by the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year.Included in the funding is also $106.76 million for homes to increase the direct care provided by allied health care professionals who the government says are “key to ensuring quality care for residents (such as physiotherapists and social workers) by 10 per cent by the end of the fiscal year.”The provincial government said the $4.9 billion will be delivered over four years:According to the release, the province’s plan to provide residents with four hours of direct care will be enshrined into law via the Fixing Long Term Care Act 2021, which received royal assent in Dec. 2021.

Last Tuesday, LHSC was caring for 45 COVID-19 patients with five or fewer in adult critical care. LHSC says five or fewer of its COVID-19 inpatients are in Children’s Hospital, while zero are in pediatric critical care. The same figures were reported last Tuesday.

The UK will remove the last remaining Covid travel requirements from this Friday, in a move that has been welcomed by the travel industry.

Doug Ford says he will continue wearing a mask for a “few days” in the legislature after the province’s mandate lifts next week for most indoor settings.The province’s mask mandate is set to lift Monday for many areas, excluding public transit, hospitals, long-term care homes and other high-risk settings.Ford was asked during a press conference Tuesday if Progressive Conservative MPPs have been told whether or not they should wear masks at the provincial legislature once the mandate lifts. A look at Ontario’s timeline for lifting all COVID measures “No, that’s going to be up to them,” the premier said, noting that any rules regarding masking in the legislature would be up to the speaker.“Everyone’s going to follow the proper protocols and if you want to keep your mask on, God bless you.

COVID-19 restrictions in place while others are leaving it solely in the hands of customers and clients.Manitoba health minister Audrey Gordon said the lifting of restrictions was made possible by people in the province committing to following public health orders over the past two years. Monday marks last day for Manitoba mask mandate “Thanks to the commitment, compassion and hard work of all Manitobans, particularly our health-care heroes, we are finally in a position to lift restrictions,” she said.“This path forward will be different for all of us, whether we choose to wear masks or not, or how and when we connect with family and friends.

COVID on Tuesday, with 220 in intensive care units.This is up by 86 hospitalizations but a decrease of eight in ICUs since the previous day. Last Tuesday, there were 779 hospitalizations with 246 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 742 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 244 people in ICUs with the virus, 77 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 23 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

COVID-19 pandemic, Niagara Region has lifted the measure as of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday morning, deeming it “no longer necessary.”In a release on Monday, Regional Chair Jim Bradley and municipal mayors cancelled the condition in a joint statement thanking residents who did their part wearing masks, following directions to stay home, limiting personal contact and getting vaccinated.“As the heads of council, we declared the State of Emergency together in an effort to help save lives, protect our hospital system and to underscore the critical nature of the situation,” councillors said in a release.“After two years, we are in a significantly different position and appears that it is now the appropriate time to move forward as a community.” Ontario to table legislation making PSW wage increase permanent, government source says The region declared the situation on April 3, 2020, saying the pandemic was “a real and pressing risk” to the health of the community and that residents needed to work with government to slow the spread of the virus.“We recognize how hard this time is for everyone, and the sacrifices you are making to practice physical distancing, and even complete isolation in some cases,” the mayors and Bradley said in an April 2020 joint statement.As of Tuesday, Niagara Health hospital reported just 22 patients with COVID-19 among its network, with three people requiring the intensive care unit (ICU).In all, the hospital has treated 1,899 total COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

Mexico‘s Caribbean coast Monday, killing two restaurant employees and injuring 18 people, authorities said.The restaurant is in a popular tourist zone of the Playa del Carmen resort, south of Cancun, and three of the injured people were apparently customers, though no information on their nationalities was immediately available. The other 15 people injured in the blast were also restaurant employees, officials said.

Two years to the day after the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic, British Columbians now no longer need to wear a face mask in most public places as the first step in a gradual relaxation of provincial health restrictions. But not everyone is comfortable with the loosening restrictions.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has returned home after spending a week in Europe discussing next steps to support Ukraine and push back against Russia with fellow NATO allies.