Ontario mask mandate lifted for most settings

Moscow signaled on Friday it was scaling back its ambitions in Ukraine to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists in the East as Ukrainian forces went on the offensive to recapture towns outside the capital Kyiv.

Two weeks after the province lifted its COVID-19 mask mandate, there are calls to reinstate it in some areas. Kylie Stanton tells us where, and what the health minister says about it.

UKRAINE - Russian forces in Ukraine appear to have shifted their focus from a ground offensive aimed at Kyiv, the capital, to instead prioritizing what Moscow calls liberation of the contested Donbas region in the country's industrial east, officials said Friday, suggesting a new phase of the war.It appeared too early to know whether this meant President Vladimir Putin had scaled back his ambitions in Ukraine, but Russian military moves this week indicate a recognition of the surprisingly stout Ukrainian resistance.Putin's forces are under great strain in many parts of the country, and the United States and other countries are accelerating their transfer of arms and supplies to Ukraine. In recent days, U.S.

McMaster University in Hamilton is joining a growing number of post-secondary institutions across Ontario that are pausing COVID-19 vaccination and masking requirements for students and staff as of May 1.In a joint release from the president and provost on Friday, the university said the step allows the learning facility to align with the Ford government’s recent easing of COVID-19 rules.“While these measures will be paused, surgical masks will continue to be available on campus and everyone is encouraged to continue to wear masks indoors, especially in classrooms, the libraries, crowded spaces, or close workspaces,” the university’s statement said.An update for our community: As of May 1, McMaster is pausing the vaccination policy and mask requirements. This aligns with government guidelines and is possible because of the respect you have all shown for each other’s safety, so thank you.

Two studies published yesterday in JAMA, one from Sweden and Norway and one from Ontario, find no link between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and adverse outcomes.

Ukrainian officials resumed efforts to evacuate more civilians trapped in Mariupol on Friday, as the United Nations’ human rights team reported growing evidence of mass graves in the besieged city.Thousands remained trapped in the southern port city with little food, water or power, and repeated attempts to arrange safe passage out of Mariupol, which is surrounded by Russian forces, have failed.“We have got increasing information on mass graves that are there,” the UN’s Matilda Bogner told journalists by video link from Ukraine, saying some of the evidence came from satellite images. At least one mass grave appeared to hold 200 bodies.The UN human rights office, which has about 50 staff remaining in Ukraine, has so far counted 1,081 civilian deaths in the war.

Ontario government says it is providing over $13.6 million to hospitals in the Region of Waterloo to reimburse the lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris made the announcement on Friday which will see $8.1 million for Grand River Hospital, $2.5 million for St. Mary’s General hospital and $2.9 million for Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Holly Willoughby.The Streets gained critical and commercial acclaim when they released their debut album Original Pirate Material in 2002, followed by smash hit A Grand Don't Come For Free in 2004.Although Mike Skinner rose to fame with The Streets, the musician has also branched out into other music and film projects too since then.In 2010, the singer and rapper wrote the soundtrack for hit film The Inbetweeners, featuring 10 original compositions by the star.Not only that, but he also branched out into acting himself, appearing in Doctor episode The Time Of The Angels as a security guard in 2011.Four years previously in 2007, Mike had also hosted a late night programme called Beat Stevie on Channel 4.However he has since returned to music, working on projects including D.O.T with musician Rob Harvey in 2011, and releasing music with a rap supergroup featuring musicians including Big Narstie from 2015-2017.Most recently, Mike reunited with The Streets for a tour in 2019, with the group releasing the single How Longs It Been.In 2020 he also released None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, a mixtape full of guest spots from young stars.Although The Streets had global success, Mike Skinner has spoken openly about suffering with his mental health while at the height of the group's fame.Speaking to Q Magazine, Mike revealed that he had suffered anxiety and depression during that time, saying: "Every day in The Streets was scary because you feel totally out of control."Anxiety, paranoia and general fear. That’s what my 20s were like.

COVID on Friday, with 161 in intensive care.This is up by six for hospitalizations but a decrease of four in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 615 hospitalizations with 193 in ICU.Of the 667 people in hospital with COVID-19, 46 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 54 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 161 people in ICUs with the virus, 76 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 24 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

LOS ANGELES - Another wild episode of "The Masked Singer" kicked off Wednesday evening — and this time an NFL superstar was sent home.Thingamabob — the creature rocking a sequined suit, pointy teeth and large ears — turned out to be football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles Jordan Mailata. L-R: Host Nick Cannon and Jordan Mailata in THE MASKED SINGER episode airing Wed. March 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the Russia-Ukraine war during virtually addressing in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 17, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) KHARKIV, Ukraine - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukrainians to keep up their resistance to Russia’s invading forces, saying "every minute determines our fate, our future, whether we will live."During a nightly video address, Zelenskyy said late Thursday that, "With every day of our defense, we are getting closer to the peace that we need so much.

US President Joe Biden (L) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) hold a joint press conference in Brussels, Belgium on March 25, 2022. (EU Commission/Pool/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) BRUSSELS - The United States and European Union on Friday announced a new partnership to reduce the continent's reliance on Russian energy, a step top officials characterized as the start of a years-long initiative to further isolate Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.U.S.

Coronation Street fans can expect plenty of drama next week.As Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) arrives at the courtroom to show her support both Imran Habeeb (Charlie De Melo) and Abi Webster (Sally Carman) are awash with guilt.The local authority solicitor lists a host of reasons proving Abi to be an unfit mother and why Alfie should be taken into care.Imran pleads Abi’s case, doing everything in his power to convince the Judge that Abi’s changed.Toyah suggests to Imran that he’s done all he can for Abi and it’s time to step back and concentrate on Elsie’s adoption hearing. Imran covers his turmoil, while Abi’s furious.When Abi bans him from seeing Alfie, Imran declares he’ll do whatever it takes, even if it means putting his name on the birth certificate.

As concerns rise over Russia potentially using chemical weapons in Ukraine, NATO leaders warn they will take action that will bring “widespread consequences” against Moscow if it crosses that line.

Canada’s bid to seal World Cup qualification was put on hold Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica that saw the Canadians play a man down for almost two-thirds of the match.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is on the verge of making history, as she’s about to be confirmed as the U.S. Supreme Court’s first Black female justice. But as Reggie Cecchini explains, Republicans are pushing back.

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique told the House of Commons’ Public Safety Committee on Thursday that police deemed the so-called “Freedom Convoy” a threat to national security one week before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

Packet of pills. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES - There may be a male birth control pill available soon as scientists presented promising new findings on a contraceptive that reportedly has proven safe and effective on mice.

NATO has activated its “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence elements” amid fears Russia could launch a biological strike in Ukraine.Following an emergency summit of the military alliance on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels the decision comes as the allies move to equip Ukraine with its own biological defences.“Our top military commander … has activated NATO’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence elements,” he said.“And allies are deploying additional chemical and biological and nuclear defences to reinforce our existing and new battlegroups, so we are taking measures both to support Ukraine and also to defend ourselves.” How the war in Ukraine stands a month after Russia’s invasion — and what may be next Stoltenberg made the announcement as part of a slew of new measures taken by the military alliance to boost its presence in eastern Europe amid a growing Russian threat, he said.NATO is sending four new battlegroups to Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, Stoltenberg announced, while promising the allies will further support Ukraine in its fight against Russia as the invasion hit the one-month mark Thursday.However, the West fears Russia, which has yet to make significant ground in Ukraine, could escalate the conflict by using biological weapons. Leaders have expressed their fears over such an attack, but have not provided evidence one is looming.

Proning—lying on the stomach—has been useful for treating intubated, sedated COVID-19 patients, but a new study designed to tease out possible benefits for awake patients found that the method is difficult to use.

COVID-19 vaccine fourth-dose campaign for the general population that would be launched in the fall.Quebecers most vulnerable to serious consequences from the disease — seniors over 80, immunocompromised people and residents of long-term care homes — can start receiving a fourth dose of vaccine next week, health officials said Wednesday. The same day, the immunization committee said the government should start planning to give second boosters out to everyone in a few months.In a written opinion released Thursday, the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec recommended the government implement “a new vaccine strategy aimed at periodically boosting immunity against COVID-19 while also allowing for the ability to react to a possible emergence of a new variant of concern.”Quebec to offer 4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine to at-risk groups as cases, hospitalizations riseA mass second-booster campaign, the committee suggested, could take place in September or October and target “either all persons authorized to receive vaccines against COVID-19, or those usually targeted by the seasonal influenza vaccination program.”Currently, only 52 per cent of the population aged five and older have received a third dose of vaccine, according to provincial health data.The committee released an analysis of hospitalizations and deaths that occurred between January and mid-March indicating that people 80 and older were almost 200 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those under 60, and 16 times more likely to be hospitalized.

Delta, American and United Airlines, and others are urging the White House to end a federal mask mandate on airplanes, along with international pre-departure testing requirements.The airline executives sent a letter to the president late Wednesday, saying the restrictions are no longer aligned with the realities of the current epidemiological environment.This comes after the Biden administration decided this month to extend current mask requirements at airports, train stations, ride-sharing vehicles, and other transportation through April 18. The order was set to expire on March 18.In the letter, the CEOs told the president, "It makes no sense that people are still required to wear masks on airplanes, yet are allowed to congregate in crowded restaurants, schools and at sporting events without masks, despite none of these venues having the protective air filtration system that aircraft do."READ: CDC director expects COVID-19 to become a 'seasonal virus'Passengers who spoke with FOX 13 Thursday morning at Tampa International Airport said they feel it's time to ease mask requirements on planes and airports."I think it makes sense.

Christopher Larue, 44 (Bucks County District Attorney's Office)PERKASIE, Pa. - A Lansdale, Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to prison after police say he robbed a bank in Bucks County and later attempted to shoot a Pennsylvania state trooper. Christopher Larue, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of armed bank robbery in the Oct. 2020 incident. According to court documents, Larue brandished a firearm and robbed a bank in Perkasie of $11,000 cash.

Ontario police deemed the so-called “Freedom Convoy” a threat to national security one week before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

A top holiday destination for Brits will be lifting most of their Covid travel restrictions in time for the Easter holidays. The Canary Islands will be scrapping various rules from this week, including capacity limits in both indoor and outdoor venues, which will now be able to operate at full capacity.

COVID on Thursday, with 165 in intensive care.This is up by 50 for hospitalizations but a decrease of 9  in ICUs since the previous day.Last Thursday, there were 644 hospitalizations with 199 in ICU.Data was not immediately available Thursday morning for the breakdown of those who a were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus. Mississauga city council votes to eliminate mask bylaw, aligning with province Meanwhile, Ontario also reported 2,561 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, though that is an underestimate of the true widespread transmission of the virus due to testing restrictions.

Ukrainian servicemen carry a fragment of a rocket outside a building in Kyiv after it was destroyed by Russian shelling. (SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images) KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s cities stood under relentless Russian fire as NATO leaders huddled in Brussels Thursday and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to provide "effective and unrestricted" support to his country.Four weeks into the deadly Russian onslaught, its forces appear to have stalled in many places in the face of fiercer-than-expected Ukrainian resistance.

SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants have complained of neurological complications such as confusion, strokes, impaired concentration, headaches, sensory disturbances, depression, and even psychosis, months after the initial infection.

NEW DELHI :

Surveillance of wastewater data is suggesting that COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Canada as provinces have eased public health restrictions.

PHILADELPHIA - Motorists have found some relief at the pump in recent weeks - albeit pennies worth - but experts believe gas prices will worsen in the coming months as pandemic-weary travelers plan to hit the road again. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has fluttered down to $4.23. Pennsylvania's average price sits a few cents above that at $4.31, and in neighboring New Jersey and Delaware drivers are paying around $4.Experts say the ongoing war in Ukraine is partly to blame for the high prices at the pump, but it's not the only reason driver's wallets will continue to get hammered.

Russia’s post-Soviet economic reforms, has quit his post as a Kremlin special envoy and left the country due to the war in Ukraine, two sources told Reuters, the highest profile protest by a Russian figure against the invasion.Chubais, who once served as former President Boris Yeltsin’s chief of staff, left his post as Vladimir Putin’s special representative for ties with international organizations, one of the sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Top ex-Kremlin official accused of ‘national betrayal’ quits post at foundation He was appointed to the post, which was charged with “achieving goals of sustainable development,” in 2020, days after resigning as the head of state technology firm RUSNANO, which he had run since 2008.The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chubais left due to the conflict in Ukraine.

MESA, Ariz. - Police say a 21-year-old man who was driving over 100 mph in Mesa before crashing into another car, killing an elderly man and his wife, was arrested.According to Mesa Police, the crash happened at about 5:30 p.m. on March 22 near Main Street and Lindsay Road.First responders arriving at the scene discovered that two vehicles were involved in the crash – a 2009 Chrysler 300C and a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

who remains detained near Moscow, to check on her condition.State Department spokesperson Ned Price told CNN the official found Griner "to be in good condition." Price did not identify the official who had been granted consular access to Griner, something the United States had been demanding.Griner was detained after arriving at a Moscow airport, reportedly in mid-February, after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury durring pregame warmups at Footprint Center on October 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Mattina/Getty Images) RELATED: Brittney Griner arrest in midst of Russia-Ukraine war 'kind of a perfect storm,' sports attorney saysRussian state news agency Tass reported last week that a court had extended Griner’s pretrial detention to May 19.Price says the U.S.

won’t look different: There’s no automatic months-long extension on the due date like we saw for the past two years. (Though you do get a three-day grace period: Taxes are due April 18, since the IRS is closed on April 15 for Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C.) Which means it’s time to tear off a chunk of sourdough and get down to business.While this was waived for 2020 thanks to the American Rescue Plan—no needed to be paid that year on unemployment benefits of up to $10,200—that temporary relief period has ended.

testing restrictions. The provincial case total now stands at 1,143,014.The death toll in the province has risen to 12,356 as 13 more virus-related deaths were added.

Russia on Wednesday condemned what it called a “reckless” Polish proposal to send international peacekeepers into Ukraine and warned that it could lead to a direct clash between Russian and NATO forces.Poland said last Friday it would formally submit a proposal for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine at the next NATO summit. NATO summit a chance to bolster Ukraine response, experts say.

With the launch of iGaming on the horizon, advocates are speaking out about what they say could have detrimental effects on bricks and mortar casinos and first nations communities. Frazer Snowdon has more.

University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University will pause their COVID-19 mask and proof of vaccination requirements as of May 1.However, both post-secondary institutions said the mandates can be brought back on short notice if needed. University of Guelph pausing vaccine, masking requirements May 1 In a joint letter, Laurier president and vice-chancellor Deborah MacLatchy and provost and vice-president Tony Vannelli said the high vaccination rate at the school is one of the main remains reasons they are able to make changes.“Community members should remain up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including third and fourth doses, as recommended by public health,” they said.“Remaining up-to-date on your vaccination status will ensure your work or study is not disrupted, should vaccinations be required to access any of our campuses or locations in the future and/or the meaning of ‘fully vaccinated’ changes to include additional doses.”Should vaccination requirements be reinstated, the university will not offer remote or hybrid options for in-person classes for students who do not meet the vaccination requirement.“Failure to demonstrate proof of vaccination under a future mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy risks deregistration from in-person courses for students who cannot verify compliance,” the school said.The University of Waterloo said it will maintain a requirement for everyone to provide information on their vaccination status in order to minimize any disruption to work and learning if vaccine requirements return.The school said it will also not be offering virtual or hybrid learning options for those who are unable to attend campus.

Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen called the Liberals’ deal with the NDP “backdoor socialism.” Leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre suggested it was a “coalition attack on our freedom and our country.” Patrick Brown referred to it as a “nightmare.”

COVID containment measures. Accordingly, after the expiry of the existing MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-1 (A) dated 25 February, 2022, no further Order may be issued by MHA. However, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MDHFW) advisories on COVID containment measures. including on the use of face mask and hand hygiene will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic.National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs revokes the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures. Advisories on Covid containment measures, including the use of face masks will continue, reads the official order pic.twitter.com/nC4rJB8L9a

Ukraine and Russia are confrontational but moving forward, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday, as the West plans to announce more sanctions against the Kremlin amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.Intense Russian air strikes are turning besieged Mariupol into the “ashes of a dead land,” the city council said on Tuesday, as street fighting and bombardments raged in the port city.Hundreds of thousands are believed to be trapped inside buildings, with no access to food, water, power or heat. Both civilians and Ukrainian troops were coming under Russian fire, said regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - A brazen "smash-and-grab" robbery is under investigation in Beverly Hills.The robbery occurred at about 2 p.m. Tuesday at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills in the area of South Beverly Drive and Charleville Boulevard, near Reeves Park. The suspects shattered the front windows with sticks or sledgehammers and fled the scene with several items from the store, according to the Beverly Hills Police Department.A video shared by Street People of Beverly Hills showed a group of suspects targeting a jewelry store in the area.

inflation, and the cash is scheduled to arrive a few months ahead of the provincial election.The money will be transferred directly into Quebecers’ bank accounts after they file their 2021 tax returns, Finance Minister Eric Girard told reporters Tuesday after tabling the budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year. It’s his fourth and last budget before Quebecers head to the polls in October.Girard insisted the payments aren’t to curry votes and help his government win a second mandate but to help Quebecers weather significant inflation that the government expects will reach 4.7 per cent in 2022.

University of Guelph says it will pause its COVID-19 vaccination policy and masking requirements as of May 1.The required competition of a daily screening form will also be paused on that day, the university announced on Tuesday. Reaction in Ontario as provincial mask mandate lifts for most settings “We may see the return of these public health measures at some point and with little advance notice,” said president and vice-chancellor Charlotte Yates and provost and vice-president Gwen Chapman in a joint letter.“We strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated and to keep up with their booster doses.”They added that as of May 1, students will be eligible for in-person learning regardless of their vaccination status, while employees on unpaid leave should speak with their supervisor about their individual situation.

London, Ont., have rejected a motion from several of their colleagues that aimed to reintroduce the city’s municipal masking bylaw.The push to reintroduce the bylaw came in light of changes at the provincial level that saw Ontario lift its COVID-19 mask mandate in most public settings, including schools, grocery stores and restaurants.The mandates remain in place in other settings such as hospitals, public transit, long-term care homes, shelters and jails, but are set to be lifted, along with all other COVID-19 directives, on April 27. Ontario COVID-19 mask mandate lifts for most settings First introduced in July 2020 with the encouragement of the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s then-medical officer of health Dr.

aviation market in India is currently recovering after the Omicron variant suppressed the demand in January. Around 76.96 lakh domestic passengers travelled by air in February, approximately 20 per cent more than in January.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Whale watchers off the coast of Southern California had an unforgettable encounter with gray whales — one the excursion company called its "most epic" of all time. On Monday, passengers on a Newport Coastal Adventure tour boat near Newport Beach were cruising along the water at sunset when a pair of giant gray whales stopped to check out the small vessel for more than 45 minutes. Video shared by the company showed the gray whales calmly rolling, bobbing and even raising their tails out of the water next to the boat, much to the delight of the tour group. The whale watchers are also heard excitedly reacting as the curious creatures blew from their blowholes."The encounter lasted for over 45 minutes as the whales were rolling, spy hopping, and became extremely interested in our boat and passengers onboard," Jessica Roame, Newport Coastal Adventure’s education manager, said in an email, who added that this behavior is referred to as "mugging."The unique interaction happened about two miles offshore from the Newport Beach coastline, Roame said.Roame emphasized the fast raft boat’s engines were off and the boat holding 15 people was drifting during the encounter. "It’s important to stress that during this time in the year, boaters should be cautious when boating in the ocean, and keep a sharp eye out for migrating gray whales because they are on the move all along the coast right now," she said.