The Ontario government is moving more regions into ‘red zones’ as COVID-19 infections surge. And as Eric Sorensen reports, Premier Doug Ford says he’s not afraid to impose another lockdown.

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Valentine’s Day deals to get back at your ex

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer announced it is selling prickly valentines to send to a special ex-someone. "Bolder (and sharper) than your typical bouquet of flowers, each Prickly Valentine comes with a mini-cactus and commemorative card," the seltzer brand revealed in a press release.There is currently a limit of one cactus per customer, and an alcohol purchase is required. You can make a "point" to that lousy person and order here.With a $10 donation this Valentine's Day, The Florida Aquarium will also let you name a roach after an ex.Those who participate will receive a certificate commemorating the occasion and a photo of the roach. Participants will also be able to send a message with "words you wish you had said" or a "funny revenge confession." The aquarium said amusing, family-friendly confessions will be posted with anonymity on The Florida Aquarium’s social media. An, don't worry – they'll never "Hiss & Tell" who sent them! You can get started here.Meanwhile, the San Antonio Zoo will also host its Cry Me a Cockroach Fundraiser for its third year, where funds raised support the zoo’s vision of securing a future for wildlife. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.

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What is the consumer price index and how is it used to measure inflation?

Sale stickers on a store shelf. A seven percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI) over the 12 months to December was the highest since 1982.

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COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease slightly as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expires

COVID-19 decreased slightly on Wednesday as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expired.Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the restrictions exemption program would be lifted at midnight. The REP came into effect in September, and required Albertans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test result to obtain entry to businesses operating under the program.

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B.C. bringing in vaccine mandate for all remaining health-care workers

COVID-19, the province is finally implementing the policy.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Wednesday family doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and pharmacists will be required to be vaccinated by March 24, 2022.Henry said there is a process in place for medical exemptions, which can be submitted to her office.“We have been working with the colleges to sort through the details on the notice we put forward in October.

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Rapid tests to be made available for free at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies

Whether you’re heading to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription or doing your groceries, you’ll now be able to pick up a kit of rapid antigen tests for free. It comes as COVID-19 cases across Ontario are on the decline and the province prepares to lift additional public health measures of the coming weeks.

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Road closures put in place around Queen’s Park ahead of possible protest

Toronto Police has put in place a number of road closures over rumblings on social media that a protest connected to the Ottawa convoy could come to the city. Erica Vella has more.

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Govt. program does not pay for crack pipes, White House says

Man holding a crack pipe. WASHINGTON (AP) - Following outrage on the political right, the Biden administration said Wednesday that a grant program to help prevent additional harm to people who use illicit drugs will not pay for safer pipes to smoke crack or meth."No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House drug policy adviser Rahul Gupta said in a statement.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said separately that was never the intention, complaining that impression was created by "inaccurate reporting."Monday was the deadline for service organizations and state and local governments to apply for a share of $30 million in federal money for "harm reduction" efforts intended to prevent disease, injury and other collateral trauma to people addicted to illicit drugs.RELATED: 93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new recordThe original request for funding proposals from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had listed "safe smoking kits/supplies" among the items that could be purchased with taxpayer money.

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Smithsonian Museum is asking for pictures from Disney vacations

FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Vacation photos have a new use.The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is asking for vacation photos from Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida.

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2 men charged in string of New Castle County residential burglaries

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Police in New Castle County arrested two men they say are behind a string of home burglaries. Police say the men chose their victims because of their ethnicity.They say crimes similar to these have been reported to multiple police agencies from outside the state, including as far south as Georgia.Watches, jewelry, designer bags and sneakers.

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COVID-19: Ontario health minister says ‘not in the clear’ yet to end proof of vaccination, masking

As Alberta and Saskatchewan drop most COVID-19 restrictions, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Wednesday there was no plan to drop the proof of vaccination or masking requirements yet as the province is “not in the clear” to do so.

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The Healing: Black men yoga takes shape to combat mental health

CHICAGO - When friends Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith invited a few Black men to take part in a yoga class in Chicago in 2020, they didn’t know it would spur a nationwide movement.The two men created The Healing, a nonprofit aimed at promoting mental health for Black men and offering resources for improvement. Services include events where participants can share with each other about various struggles or sessions with mental health professionals.Most notably, the organization offers virtual yoga classes for Black men with the next one scheduled to place on Feb.

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Camden officials distribute KN95 masks, as slow rollout of free masks nationwide begins

CAMDEN, N.J. - Thousands of KN95 masks, recently donated by Cooper University Hospital, were given out in Camden County Wednesday, by city officials, in an effort to help halt the spread of COVID-19.Last month, the U.S. Government announced it would be handing out 400 million N95 masks to everyone in the country and those masks have started to appear in some stores.

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Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong's stolen classic car recovered in OC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) ORANGE, Calif. - The Costa Mesa Police Department announced Wednesday the cherished classic car belonging to Green Day’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, has been recovered days after it was reported stolen.Green Day, formed in San Francisco's East Bay Area, is a Grammy award-winning rock band whose biggest hits include "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "When I Come Around," and "Holiday." The band's music is also featured in the musical "American Idiot." On the morning of Feb.

Billie Joe Kevin Winter Usa state California San Francisco Los Angeles, state California city Los Angeles, state California county Wake county Green Department reports BAY

Lanarkshire locals encouraged to beat winter blues with health walks

Lanarkshire locals are being encouraged to shake off the winter blues with free health walks throughout the area.

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‘It’s a lot’: At least 2M Quebecers infected during fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19: Quebec announces staggered reopening plan through to mid-March Nearly one million infections have occurred since Dec. 31, Boileau said.The government on Tuesday presented a road map to gradually lifting restrictions over the coming weeks, with most expected to be gone by March 14 — except mask mandates and the vaccine passport system.

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Global COVID cases top 400 million as levels decline again

The global COVID-19 total has passed the 400 million mark early into the third year of the pandemic, with cases last week declining in the world's fourth and biggest surge, fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

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Police: Gunman opens fire on officer during shootout in Germantown, no injuries reported

PHILADELPHIA - No one was injured after a gunman opened fire on a Philadelphia police officer during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Germantown.Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp told reporters that two plainclothes officers in an unmarked car were patrolling the 4800 block of Keyser Street around 2 p.m. when they came upon a shootout between a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old. The officer in the passenger's seat identified himself as police and ordered both men to drop their weapons when one of the men fired towards the officer, Gripp said. The officer ducked behind cover as the suspect attempted to flee down Keyser Street. According to investigators, the officer that was still inside the vehicle drove after the suspect and fired once through the windshield but missed. Both suspects were uninjured and captured nearby due to a massive police response, Gripp said.Investigators believe something happened between the men before police arrived that involved more than just the two gunmen. Gripp said police are still looking for other suspects, but he did not provide a description. "It just continues to speak to level the gun violence that we're seeing almost every day in this city," Gripp said.

Eric Gripp city Germantown BLOCK reports Provident

CDC head says COVID-19 mask guidance stands, for now

Today Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the agency is working on updating and evaluating its mask guidance, but said COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates were still high throughout the country, and the recommendation of masking in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status remains in place.

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Body of missing Philadelphia woman, Kim Ezell, found on Delaware college campus, family says

Kim 'Darlene' Ezell (Family Handout) NEWARK, Del. - The body of a missing Philadelphia woman has been found weeks after she was reported missing when authorities found her roommate dead inside their home, family members tell FOX 29.The family of Kim Ezell says authorities informed them that they identified a body that was found in a vehicle at the Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus in Newark as their mother. Ezell, 59, was also known as Darlene. Family members say Ezell last spoke to her daughter on the phone on Jan.

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Judge restores visiting rights for Quebec father unvaccinated against COVID-19

Quebec judge suspends unvaccinated man’s visitation rights with child With the suspension due to end Tuesday, the child’s mother had asked the court for it to be extended.The father, who described the suspension of his parental rights as “draconian,” argued that he is not a conspiracy theorist and that while he does not plan to be vaccinated, he will respect all public health regulations during visits with his son, who is vaccinated against COVID-19.Paquette ruled that the man, who has not had any parenting time with his son since Dec.

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COVID-19: 116 patients at LHSC, MLHU adds 139 cases but no deaths

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported zero deaths and 139 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, compared with two deaths and 190 cases last Wednesday. Wednesday marks only the second day this month that no new deaths were reported, the other being Monday.LHSC is caring for 116 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 116 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

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COVID-19: Free rapid antigen tests now available at these Guelph locations

announced on Wednesday that it will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 each week for eight weeks to various pharmacy and grocery store locations across the province.Over 2,300 locations will provide the tests while supplies last with a limit of one box of five tests per household. Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Some participating retailers include Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Food Basics, Rexall, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Longo’s, Walmart, among others.There are at least 34 locations in Guelph that are offering the tests.

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COVID-19: 4 new deaths reported in Waterloo Region as hospitals care for 91 patients

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Alberta restaurants and customers react to COVID-19 restriction changes

Alberta has announced the end of the restrictions exemption program, and reaction to the news is divided. Jackie Wilson reports.

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Betty Davis, Queen of Funk, dies at 77

Portrait of American Funk, Soul, and R&B singer singer Betty Davis (nee Mabry), New York, New York, 1969. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES - Funk icon Betty Davis has died, Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday.

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FAA: Nearly 2 dozen planes hit with lasers near SEA this week

SEATAC, Wash. - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after crews from nearly two dozen flights reported getting hit with a laser near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week. This comes after four flights reported being struck by a green laser near SEA on Jan. 28.FOX 13 News reached out to the FAA about the most recent strikes. Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.On Tuesday, Feb.

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North Korea claims it can hit US, 'shake the world' with missile after month of increased testing

FILE - People watch the coverage of North Korea's latest missile launch in Seoul Station, South Korea on Jan. 31, 2022.

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Ontario hospitals nearing capacity from COVID-19 surge

Hospitals in Ontario are warning they are nearing capacity, as more COVID-19 patients continue to come in from the province’s hard-hit regions.

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Coronavirus: Ontario government criticized for lack of transparency

Premier Doug Ford is facing mounting criticism for allegedly muzzling health experts tasked with advising the Ontario government on its COVID19 framework. As Travis Dhanraj reports, the questions about transparency are mounting as Ford doubles down.

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Doug Ford pledges increased testing in Ontario long-term care homes as deaths climb in facilities

COVID-19 testing in the province’s long-term care homes amid a rise in cases at the facilities.Ford says he is meeting with government staff Monday to discuss a plan for more frequent surveillance testing, which is conducted even if a person does not have symptoms.The premier says increased testing must also be combined with quick turnaround times for results.

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Coronavirus: Ford says he ‘won’t hesitate’ to introduce another lockdown if COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday he “won’t hesitate in a heartbeat” to introduce another lockdown if cases of COVID-19 continue to spike across Ontario, but said there’s “still time” for Ontarians to control the spread of the virus by following health regulations.

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Coronavirus: Ontario opens application for PPE grant, rebate program for small businesses

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday his government is now offering a grant of up to $1,000 for small businesses needing to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves or physical barriers. He also said the government is taking applications for a $300-million rebate program to help small businesses pay costs associated with property taxes and energy bills.

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Coronavirus: Ford calls out ‘bad actors’ holding private parties amid spiking COVID-19 cases

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called out “bad actors” who are flouting health restrictions in the province and holding private parties despite surging COVID-19 cases in Ontario, pleading with Ontarians to “have fun within your own household.”

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Coronavirus: Ontario launches agency to centralize procurement

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday a new agency that would centralize procurement, called “Supply Ontario,” which he said would streamline the government’s ability to buy personal protective equipment (PPE), or other items, and ensure the province gets the best price for bulk orders.

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More regions classified as ‘red zones’ in Ontario after coronavirus thresholds lowered

COVID-19 red zone today.The stricter public health measures come into effect in Hamilton, York and Halton regions.Toronto joined Peel Region in the red alert level — the highest short of a full lockdown — on Saturday.

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Toronto deemed ‘red zone’ starting Saturday; stricter city-imposed shutdowns in place

COVID-19 restrictions Saturday, though the city has implemented its own set of stricter rules in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.The change comes a day after Premier Doug Ford lowered the threshold for partial shutdowns in the government’s colour-coded system for pandemic rules.Toronto was to move to the most restrictive level short of a lockdown — even if the threshold remained higher.

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How Hamilton entered Ontario’s COVID-19 red level and what to expect

a number of Ontario municipalities moving into the “control” red category of the province’s new COVID-19 response framework, effective Monday.The decision was made by the Doug Ford government following a consultation with the city’s medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, on Friday, according to city officials.Next week, local businesses and other facilities will see a tightening of rules for 28 days in the hopes of limiting the spread of the virus, which has now affected the lives of over 2,300 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in Hamilton since March.

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Coronavirus: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says province updating threshold warning levels

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that they were updating the threshold warning levels for COVID-19 that were put in place and stressed people should work remotely where possible and not visit people outside of their own homes.

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Hamilton, Halton and York entering red level as Ontario lowers COVID-19 restrictions threshold

COVID-19 restrictions system as coronavirus cases surge, bringing Hamilton as well as the regions of Halton and York into the red zone with Toronto and Peel Region.Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the announcement alongside Health Minister Christine Elliott and the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams during a news conference at Queen’s Park on Friday.

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Coronavirus: Trudeau, premiers to meet in December to address health care funding

Justin Trudeau and Canada’s premiers have agreed to meet next month to address requests to increase long-term funding for provincial health care systems, sources tell Global News.News of the meeting comes amid a call between the First Ministers Thursday evening, in which the prime minister also told premiers that the federal government was ready to assist provinces now dealing with new lockdown measures amid a record-breaking second wave of the novel coronavirus.

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Health experts’ advice rejected on Ontario coronavirus framework

The premier and his government are facing backlash after it was revealed the new COVID-19 framework was formed without the advice of some key health experts and in spite of the advice of others who said measures needed to be stricter. But even with all the criticism, Doug Ford went ahead with government talking points Thursday saying he’s staying the course.

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Ontario premier Doug Ford to announce new modelling as COVID-19 cases climb

COVID-19 response framework.“I think everyone let their guard down a bit,” Ford told Global News, “And now we’re back into it. I’m confident if we follow the protocols, we will be back into a much better area than what we’re seeing right now.” Ford is scheduled to hold his usual daily news conference on Thursday from Hamilton to introduce new provincial modelling numbers.

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Bill Kelly: Where is Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan for long-term care homes?

in Toronto Life magazine, chronicles horrific stories of malnutrition and dehydration and stories of staff walking off the job because of intolerable working conditions.Sadly, these accounts mirror similar stories of the living conditions of the frail and elderly in these facilities.Adding to those intolerable living conditions is the frightening reality of a second-wave of COVID-19, which is sweeping through these facilities like wildfire and exposing those residents to this deadly virus.The government’s response to this crisis is to embark on a recruitment drive to attract more staff to the long-term care industry.Great idea, but the government doesn’t anticipate seeing the fruits of that endeavour for at least two years, so what about

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Calls for more action as COVID-19 devastates long-term care homes again

COVID-19 outbreaks are again devastating some of Canada’s long-term care homes, months after leaders pledged to fix problems plaguing the system. Eric Sorensen looks at the troubling trends, and what’s to blame.

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Coronavirus: Targeted approach only way to battle pandemic as Toronto enters Red Zone, says Ford

Ontario Premier Doug Ford delivered a statement on Nov.

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Coronavirus: Ford ‘can’t rule out’ possibility of future Ontario COVID-19 hotspot lockdowns

When asked about the possibility of Manitoba moving into a coronavirus-related lockdown and if the government is considering doing the same for Ontario COVID-19 hotspots, Premier Doug Ford on Tuesday said that he “can’t rule out” anything, but will continue to listen to the advice of health professionals.

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Bill Kelly: Is Ford passing the buck on COVID-19?

Bill Kelly is the host of the Bill Kelly Show on Global News Radio 900 CHML.

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Ontario premier touts ‘flexible’ COVID-19 framework amid criticism

Amid criticism which continues to grow about Queen’s Park handling of the pandemic and questions about strategy in the face of rising case counts, Premier Doug Ford doubled down Monday saying his approach is the right one. As Travis Dhanraj reports, the province is downloading much of burden and responsibility for what comes next to local officials.

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United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

Ontario lockdown threat looms, more regions designated ‘red zones’

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