Quarantine under the sun? Manitoba snowbirds have tough decisions to make this winter

COVID-19 vaccine, by Quebec-based company Medicago, was approved for use by Health Canada Wednesday, sources have confirmed to Global News.The home-grown vaccine, called COVIFENZ, marks the world’s first ever plant-based jab authorized for human use and is also the first Canadian shot to be approved in over 20 years. The last phase of data, which included 30,000 volunteers, was submitted for regulatory review by Health Canada in December of last year, the company previously announced.Back in May, in earlier phases, the company was seeing promising antibody results in hundreds of participants in a trial.Nationwide, 84 per cent of people aged five and up have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with currently 540,069 active cases of the virus.More to come.

COVID on Thursday, with 302 in intensive care units as figures continue to trend downward.This is down by 40 hospitalizations and a decrease of 17 in ICUs since the previous day. Last Thursday, there were 1,342 hospitalizations with 356 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 1,066 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 302 people in ICUs with the virus, 74 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 26 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Bianco is a baseball coach for Cherry Hill National Athletic League and employs minors in his business, Bianco Landscaping Maintenance, LLC. CHERRY HILL, N.J. - A Cherry Hill baseball coach and landscaping business owner is facing charges after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a child.Thomas Bianco, 20, is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 12-year-old multiple times inside his vehicle, prosecutors said. Bianco is a baseball coach for Cherry Hill National Athletic League and employs minors in his business, Bianco Landscaping Maintenance, LLC.Bianco was charged Wednesday with two counts of second degree sexual assault and two counts of third degree endangering the welfare of a child. He was held at the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a pretrial detention hearing, authorities said.___Editor's Note: A previous version of this article specified a gender of the victim.

As the so-called “Freedom Convoy” comes to an end in Ottawa, Canadians remain divided on how they feel about the protests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems adamant on invading Ukraine, so what’s possibly fuelling his mindset? Eric Sorensen explains how the two nations’ historic ties factor in, and how Putin’s perspective clashes with the rest of the world.

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Cherylee Houston is currently lighting up screens on Coronation Street where she plays Izzy Armstrong.The 46-year-old joined the soap back in 2010 fast becoming involved in some of the soap's most dramatic storylines. Cherylee was the first disabled actress to be cast in the show, forever landing her a place in soap history. Following a break from the show due to the pandemic, the TV star is back on screens with viewers curious to find out more about her life away from the Cobbles.

In the UK, seaweed has long been that slimy green plant that makes you shudder when you swim across it during your annual dip. It grows along rocky shorelines all over the world and as a rich source of vitamins and minerals it’s been popular in Asian cuisine for centuries. And the Duchess of Cambridge seems to be well aware of how the green stuff can benefit her glowing skin and famous glossy mane.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of pretending the problems with the NHS were all caused by the pandemic.

LOS ANGELES - Indoor masking will soon be optional in Los Angeles County for those with proof of vaccination.Los Angeles County Public Health announced starting Friday, February 25, establishments, businesses and/or venues will have the option to allow fully vaccinated customers and workers to unmask indoors if they can provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.In a major policy shift, Los Angeles County will ease its indoor mask mandate to allow people vaccinated against COVID-19 to remove face coverings indoors at establishments that verify patrons' vaccination status, health officials confirmed Wednesday.The county's department of public health explained in a press release Wednesday that workers and/or customers who are not fully vaccinated or do not have proof of vaccination are required to provide a negative test and continue wearing masks indoors, except when actively eating or drinking. Customers must show a negative test taken within two days of entry if they use a PCR test, or one day if using an antigen test.

KYIV, Ukraine - Photos and videos showed long lines of traffic heading out of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Thursday after Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on the country, a move condemned by leaders around the world. Sirens rang out in Kyiv and people massed in train stations and took to roads, as Ukraine's government said it was seeing a long-anticipated invasion from the east, north and south and reported more than 40 soldiers had been killed and dozens wounded.Video showed residents sitting in gridlock traffic along the main Kyiv-Odessa highway as people tried to leave the capital. Other footage showed long lines of vehicles waiting to fill up at a gas station in northwest Ukraine."A full-scale war in Europe has begun," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) officials recently listed a few strategic moves to end the pandemic. “We need strategic testing,  intelligent sequencing, the right policies" to understand and track the variants, the official said and further asserted that “It is certainly not the time to abandon the science". 

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Engineer Brandon Bostian, 38, faces multiple charges in the deadly 2015 crash.  PHILADELPHIA - The trial will begin Thursday for the Amtrak engineer charged in a deadly high-speed derailment that occurred back in 2015 in Philadelphia. Eight people died and nearly 200 were hurt when a New York-bound train jumped the track as it rounded the ‘Frankford Curve’ at more than twice the 50 mph speed limit in May 2015. Engineer Brandon Bostian, 38, faces multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment, in the case. A jury will decide the fate of Brandon Bostian, who was behind the controls when Amtrak Northeast regional train 188 crashed on May 12, 2015. Analyst Bruce Gordon joins FOX 29 with more.National Transportation Safety Board investigators concluded Bostian lost his bearings while distracted by radio chatter about a nearby train that had been struck by a rock.

Boris Johnson announced his plan for England to ‘live with Covid’ earlier this week. The plan comes into force today, Thursday February 24, with the end of mandatory self-isolation.

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BRUSSELS - World leaders expressed a raw outrage shrouded by an impotence to immediately come to the aid of Ukraine to avoid a major war in Europe, condemning Russia’s attack on its neighbor as the European Union and others promised unprecedented sanctions to hit the Kremlin.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a "barbaric attack" on an independent nation that also targeted "the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order." The EU will hold an emergency summit in Brussels, where NATO is also meeting after Poland and the Baltic nations bordering Russia and Ukraine called for an urgent session.But no one promised to move in militarily and defend Ukraine as it could touch off a major European war. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned anyone listening that any interference would "lead to consequences you have never seen in history."So instead, most of the world — but not China — condemned and threatened to hit the Russian elites with, in the words of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, "the strongest package, the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented.""A major nuclear power has attacked a neighbor country and is threatening reprisals of any other states that may come to the rescue," Borrell said.

LOWER OXFORD TWP, Pa. - A Philadelphia woman has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing at Lincoln University on February 16.According to the criminal complaint, 39-year-old Nydira Smith of Philadelphia was arrested.Police say the incident took place at the LLC south dormitory on the campus outside of room 114, where a fight broke out.Smith is the sister of a Lincoln University student involved in the fight, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.When officers arrived on the scene, they found 21-year-old Jawine Evans in a grassy area between the north and south sections of the building, according to the criminal complaint.He was pronounced dead from a knife wound to the right side of his neck, police say.RELATED: Lincoln University student fatally stabbed in dorm, 2 others injured, authorities sayTwo other students, 22-year-old Eric Dickerson and 22-year-old Clifton Walker, also suffered stabbed wounds.Detectives learned the incident stemmed from a fight and a video of the incident was circulating on social media.In the video, Evans, Dickerson and Walker are seen.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka announced power cuts for Friday (25).Power Cuts of 4 hours and 40 minutes will be experienced for areas A,B ,C.Power Cuts of 5 hours and 15 minutes will be experienced for other areas.

The Queen has postponed two more virtual audiences after she contracted Covid, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Queen, 95, has postponed two virtual engagements after testing positive for Covid-19. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms" since coming down with the bug earlier this month.

Queen Elizabeth II is still not up for participating in her royal duties as she battles COVID-19. The 95-year-old British monarch was diagnosed over the weekend, and has since had to cancel several virtual appearances. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty was once again foregoing two virtual audiences to focus on her health. The Palace shared that the audiences have been moved to a later date as she continues to isolate with COVID. «Her Majesty is continuing with light duties,» the Palace shared in a statement, noting that no other engagements are currently scheduled for this week. ET did learn that the queen spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson by telephone on Wednesday evening.

WESTAMPTON, N.J. - Firefighters are responding to a 2-alarm fire in Westampton, New Jersey. According to officials, the fire broke out just after 5:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. SKYFOX was over the active scene of the home as firefighters work to put it out. Two people were transported to the hospital. AdvertisementThis is a developing story.

PHILADELPHIA - Detectives with the Philadelphia Police Department are investigating a double homicide in Strawberry Mansion that took place on Wednesday night.According to police, officers responded to a call for gunshots around 10:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of West Arizona. When authorities arrived at the address, they found a car that appeared to have crashed into a parked van.Two men, one in the driver seat and one in the front passenger seat, were found with gunshot wounds to the head inside of the car, police say.Medics pronounced both of them dead at the scene.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in the country while warning those who attempt to intervene would lead to "consequences they have never seen.""I have a few words for those who could feel tempted to interfere with ongoing developments: whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history," Putin said.Images from journalists on the ground captured Russian troops and military vehicles advancing through Ukraine. Explosions were reported in several cities in addition to Kharkiv, including Kyiv and Odessa.Russian military tanks and armored vehicles advance in Donetsk, Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

KYIV, Ukraine - The Russian military announced early Thursday morning that it has knocked out Ukraine’s air defense assets and airbases, according to the Associated Press.The Russian Defense Ministry said the Russian strikes have "suppressed air defense means of the Ukrainian military," adding that the infrastructure of Ukraine’s military bases has been incapacitated." It denied the claims that a Russian warplane was shot down over Ukraine.The Ukrainian military, meanwhile, reported that it has shot down five Russian aircraft while fending off the Russian attack on the country.Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he unleashed an attack on Ukraine in a televised address early Thursday, drawing international condemnation.In response to the initial attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will be imposing martial law in response to the Russian invasion of the country."This morning Russia launched a new military operation against our state. This is an unjustified deceitful and cynical invasion," Zelenskyy said.He continued:"There are strikes on military and other important defense facilities, border units are under attack, the situation in the Donbas has degraded.

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MAMAMOO vocalist Solar has tested positive for COVID-19, as confirmed by her label RBW Entertainment.RBW confirmed in a statement to XSports News earlier today (February 24), announcing that the singer had contracted the virus following her PCR test taken after coming into close contact with another COVID-19 patient on February 23.“Solar completed the third dose of her COVID-19 vaccine, and she has currently halted all activities and is taking the necessary measures as well as getting rest in keeping with guidelines set by government health authorities,” the statement read, as translated by Soompi.Shortly after the news broke, Solar took to her personal Instagram to address and reassure her fans of her ongoing recovery “Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll take this [as a sign] to promote in a healthier way before my solo album comes out.

Sports Kyunghang announcing the actor’s recent diagnosis and current health condition.“As a preemptive measure, Park Seo-joon carried out tests using self-testing kits before moving to all his filming sets,” Awesome ENT wrote, as translated by Soompi. “Before proceeding to his scheduled activity last week, he tested positive using a self-testing kit, so after carrying out a PCR test, he ultimately received a positive test on February 19.”Awesome ENT went on to clarify that the Itaewon Class star had already been triple-vaccinated against the virus prior to his diagnosis, and had halted all his scheduled activities from February 18 as a safety precaution.“[Park Seo-joon] is taking the necessary measures to quarantine and receive treatment in keeping with the guidelines set by government health authorities,” the statement read.

As the so-called “Freedom Convoy” comes to an end in Ottawa, Canadians remain divided on how they feel about the protests.

Blaire Wortley just wanted to make a connection. Instead, she found herself uncovering a online dating scam involving a man police say swindled more than $25,000 from dozens of victims.

On Wednesday, Ukraine declared a state of emergency Wednesday as it prepares for a possible attack from the Kremlin. As Kamil Karamali reports, Ukrainian-Canadians watching the crisis unfold are fearing for their loved one’s safety.

A Calgary man faces dozens of fraud- and theft-related charges stemming from complaints in Alberta and BC. Tomasia DaSilva spoke to some of his alleged victims.

Explosions were seen near Kharkiv, Ukraine, early on the morning of February 24, as Russia announced expanded military operations in the country.

With the Kremlin’s troops already moving in, and no signs of de-escalation despite sanctions, Ukraine is sending urgent pleas for help to stop a war with Russia.

A couple in Mission says their young daughter was subjected to a lesson she should have never had to learn. They say the mixed race kindergartener was brought up to the front of the room during a lesson on slavery, and used as an example.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, telling the West not to intervene in what appeared to be the beginning of war in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law and confirmed military strikes have been reported across the country.

BURLINGTON, N.J. - As COVID-19 cases continue to wane, some states have started shifting to an endemic approach that will bring life closer to pre-pandemic normal.In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that he will no longer hold planned coronavirus briefings that have been part the state's COVID-19 attack plan. "As we move into our new normal and transition from a pandemic stance to endemic one, there is no longer the need for us to gather at a set time every week," Murphy said in a tweet. The state will also drop its school mask mandate on Mar.

There is a growing chorus of condemnation from world leaders and diplomats after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation into eastern Ukraine on Thursday.

A couple in Mission, B.C., is speaking out after they say their young daughter was singled out in a lesson in kindergarten class.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian trawlers with 22 Indian fishermen while poaching in Sri Lankan waters.The apprehension was made in northern waters of Sri Lanka, during a patrol carried out on the night of 23rd February 2022.Considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and threats to the biodiversity of the country’s marine environment, the Navy has been conducting regular patrols and operations to curb such illegal activities of foreign fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.The apprehension was made during a patrol carried out by a Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF), attached to the Northern Naval Command in Sri Lankan waters north of Kankasanthurai and northwest of Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna.Thus, the Navy took hold of the 02 Indian trawlers with 22 Indian fishermen while practicing the illegal fishing method known as ‘bottom trawling’ in island waters, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The Navy also seized a stock fish caught illegally by this fishing method.The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols and arrangements are being made to hand over the Indian poaching vessels and fishermen held in the operation to relevant authorities.Including the 02 Indian trawlers seized, the Navy took hold of 08 Indian fishing vessels with 51 fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in the month of February 2022.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy remains committed to carry out regular operations with a view to safeguard the security in Sri Lankan waters while protecting the fishery resources of the country and the livelihood of local fishermen.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Electricity Board announced on Wednesday (23) that Colombo will experience Power Cuts from Thursday (24).Accordingly, Colombo 1 to 15 will also be included in the scheduled power cuts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an early Thursday (24) morning address in Moscow, announced that Russia would launch a military action in Ukraine. NBC News reported that explosions were heard in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.The United Nations Security Council had just convened an emergency meeting Wednesday night.Earlier, European and U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has said that necessary measures have been taken to ensure there is no shortage in the supply of essential goods to the country.Speaking at the meeting with state officials at the Presidential Secretariat chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (23), the Finance Minister said a mechanism is also in place to inquire into the shortcomings at the regional level and obtain information via the Divisional Secretariats.The meet was held to raise awareness on the government’s forward plans, and speaking at the meeting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa noted that it is his aspiration that all state institutions commit to serving the general public.“A majority of the public servants wish to work. What is required is supervision, guidance, and encouragement and that will lead to a productive service,” the President told the meeting.He stressed the need for Governors, and the Secretaries of Ministries, Provinces, and Districts, as well as all high-ranking state officials, to personally intervene to provide leadership in this effort.The President recalled the fact that he personally visits state offices and supervises them, called on the Governors and state officials to also visit all institutions under their purview and conduct inspections, whilst encouraging the staff.“We are here to ensure the people survive and the proper environment for that needs to be created.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, telling the West not to intervene in what appeared to be the beginning of war in Europe.Putin said in an early televised speech Thursday the action was in response to threats coming from Ukraine, yet insisted Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy the country.He said the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime,” telling fighters there to lay down their arms and surrender — though Putin admitted clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces are “inevitable” and “only a question of time.”The Russian leader warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.” Russia says rebels need help in possible war pretext as Ukraine president pleads for peace Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Putin’s move a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine” and said cities were being hit with military strikes.“This is a war of aggression,” he said on Twitter. “Ukraine will defend itself and will win.”Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

BRUSSELS - Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Ukraine, and he is warning other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences they have never seen."U.S. President Joe Biden says the world will "hold Russia accountable."The Ukrainian president earlier rejected Moscow’s claims that his country poses a threat to Russia and made a passionate plea for peace.Before Putin’s announcement, world leaders worked to maintain a united stance and vowed to impose tougher sanctions in the event of a full-fledged invasion.The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday night at Ukraine’s request.Here are the things to know about the conflict over Ukraine and the security crisis in Eastern Europe:PUTIN MAKES HIS MOVEPutin said the military operation was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine — a claim the U.S.