Toronto Raptors greeted by large crowd after capacity limits lifted in Ontario

The Ford government says it is taking aim at planning and implementation slowdowns which it says are among the main causes of high housing costs. But the government is not adopting changes designed to increase population density in existing residential neighbourhoods because it says they’re too radical for municipalities.

The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will today host a media briefing to provide updates on the response to the Omicron outbreak.

FILE-Florida, Miami Beach, South Pointe Park, Carnival Splendor cruise ship Departing. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Federal health officials are dropping the warning they have attached to cruising since the beginning of the pandemic, leaving it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship.Cruise-ship operators welcomed Wednesday’s announcement, which came as many people thought about summer vacation plans.An industry trade group said the move by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention validated measures that ship owners have taken, including requiring crew members and most passengers to be vaccinated against the virus.RELATED: Norwegian Cruise Line announces additional cancellationsThe CDC removed the COVID-19 "cruise ship travel health notice" that was first imposed in March 2020, after virus outbreaks on several ships around the world.However, the agency expressed reservations about cruising.RELATED: More cruise ships under CDC investigation due to rising COVID cases"While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers will make their own risk assessment when choosing to travel on a cruise ship, much like they do in all other travel settings," CDC spokesman Dave Daigle said in an email.Daigle said the CDC's decision was based on "the current state of the pandemic and decreases in COVID-19 cases onboard cruise ships over the past several weeks."COVID-19 cases in the United States have been falling since mid-January, although the decline has slowed in recent weeks, and the current seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in the U.S.

SAPPORO, Japan - Ex-MLB player Tsuyoshi Shinjo marked his first home game as manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in spectacular style on March 29.Fan video shows the Japanese baseball manager and former Major League Baseball player riding on a hoverbike and flying over the field. RELATED: MLB, players reach agreement, paving way to end months-long lockoutShinjo, who is also known as Big Boss, was hovering an XTURISMO Limited Edition hoverbike, according to local media. While Shinjos’ entrance was a flying start to the season, it didn’t end well for the team. The Fighters lost 4-0 to the Saitama Seibu Lions, leaving them still searching for a first win of the season.Tsuyoshi Shinjo is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder and a current manager for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).He played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan between 1990 and 2000, before signing with Major League Baseball’s New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. RELATED: Mets' Pete Alonso 'thankful to be alive' after car accident, kicked out windshield to escapeIn 2002, Shinjo became the first Japan-born player to play in the World Series. AdvertisementThis story was reported from Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES - After hosting the 2022 Oscars alongside co-hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes, comedian Amy Schumer is speaking out about that onstage viral debacle between Chris Rock and Will Smith.In an Instagram post, Schumer started by joking that "the best way to unpack what happened is to stream my series @lifeandbethhulu." She goes on to address "what happened," saying "But for real. Still triggered and traumatized," she continued. "I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro.

Alberta is proposing rules that would make it easier for entrepreneurs to test products in the emerging field of cryptocurrencies and online banking.

There is a common type of scam that targets seniors specifically. It’s called the ‘grandparent scam’ and while it may not be new, it appears to be on the rise.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping announces more pharmacies in the province now have access to the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.

Health Minister Jason Copping says 70 per cent of positive COVID-19 cases in Alberta are now the Omicron variant BA.2.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says both positivity rates from PCR tests and wastewater data are showing initial signs of increased COVID-19 transmission.

Thomas Rhett joins TMS with a special performance of ‘Angels’ off his new album ‘Where We Started’ out April 1.

President Joe Biden today announced the launch of covid.gov, a new one-stop shop for finding COVID-19 vaccines, masks, tests, and treatments by county on an easy-to-use website.

After rising for 2 weeks, global cases declined again, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest weekly snapshot of the pandemic, but it urged caution about interpreting trends, due to reduced testing in a number of countries.

The USFL is a new, independent American football league controlled by FOX Sports through NSFL HoldCo, LLC, a new business entity. (Source: USFL) The USFL, NFL Films and FOX Sports are teaming up to produce "United By Football: A Season in the USFL," a 13-episode series that will capture the fascinating athlete personalities and the unique circumstances they find themselves in as they pursue their dreams in a new professional spring football league. The one-hour series premiere airs Saturday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON - NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has announced an extraordinary new benchmark: the detection of the farthest individual star to date."We’ve certainly seen galaxies further away, but that is the new record-holder for the most distanced star that we know of," NASA astronomer Jane Rigby told FOX Television Stations Group.The find is a huge leap further back in time from the previous single-star record holder, detected by Hubble in 2018.According to the space agency, the newly detected star is so far away that its light has taken 12.9 billion years to reach Earth. This means the star existed within the first billion years after the universe’s birth in the big bang.NASA announced an extraordinary new benchmark: the detection of the farthest individual star to date.

PHILADELPHIA - A suspect has died after police say he was shot by a customer inside a North Philadelphia corner store that he was attempting to rob Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred shortly after noon on the 1400 block of Master Street – a few blocks from Temple University’s campus. Police say the unidentified suspect was armed with a gun and attempting to rob a corner store when a customer who was inside shot him multiple times. Following the shooting, police initially identified the shooter as the store's owner. Sources, including the owner, tell FOX 29 that it was actually a customer who opened fire.The suspect was hit twice in the chest and twice in the abdomen.

Steven Bertolino filed a motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit from the parents and stepparents of slain travel blogger Gabby Petito Wednesday.Bertolino filed his 20-page motion on Wednesday asking a Florida judge to drop the lawsuit with prejudice, arguing that there are no facts to support their claims of "intentional infliction of emotional distress." He further asked that the judge prevent the Petito-Schmidt families from filing an amended lawsuit should his dismissal request be granted. Clients Chris and Roberta Laundrie were exercising their constitutional right to remain silent, Bertolino wrote. "The gravamen of the claimed wrongdoing is that the Laundries exercised their constitutional rights and essentially made no statements to Plaintiffs or law enforcement," the motion states.

Actor Bruce Willis attends the "Motherless Brooklyn" premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival on October 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) Actor Bruce Willis is taking a break from acting and his family announced on social media Wednesday that the 67-year-old has been diagnosed with aphasia. "Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," the family said.

Surveillance photo of a tow truck stealing a Honda in Burlington County earlier this week BURLINGTON, N.J. - Authorities in Burlington County say they are investigating two car that were stolen by a tow truck earlier this week. Burlington Township police say on Monday, around 8:30 p.m., a car theft occurred on Foxchase Drive. On Tuesday, another vehicle was stolen around 9:30 p.m.

This photo taken February 4, 2019 shows Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Hollywood Reporter's 7th Annual Nominees Night in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Imag LOS ANGELES - NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not hold back in his response to the slap that echoed around the world after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock, writing that the incident on the Oscars stage "perpetuated stereotypes about the Black community."Abdul-Jabbar wrote a column titled "Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing," which was posted to his Substack account.He shared that he first met Smith when he appeared on an episode of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in 1994."I like him.

Bruce Willis' daughters Rumer and Scout Willis were captured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday after revealing their famous father has been diagnosed with thedegenerative brain condition aphasia.Because of the devastating diagnosis, the 67-year-old Hollywood icon is stepping away from the spotlight and the acting career that 'has meant so much to him,' as per a statement published by the family earlier in the day.The sisters, 33 and 30 respectively, put on brave faces as they reportedly attended a Coachella pre-party held at Infinity house. Spotted:Bruce Willis' daughters Rumer and Scout Willis were captured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday after revealing their famous father has been diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition aphasiaRumer and Scout were photographed seemingly arriving to the event, with the eldest Willis sister rocking a white sundress and Scout opting for a psychedelic sweater and black shorts.Scout appeared to be in a jovial mood while Rumer strolled along the sidewalk with her cellphone pressed to her ear.

Tom Parker of The Wanted visits SiriusXM Studios on May 31, 2013, in New York City. (Robin Marchant/Getty Images) Tom Parker of the band The Wanted has died.

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

(Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images) Many Americans now can get a second COVID-19 booster, but it’s hard to tell who really needs another shot right now and who could wait.The Food and Drug Administration authorized extra Pfizer or Moderna shots for anyone 50 or older and for some younger people with severely weakened immune systems. It’s an effort to get ahead of a possible next coronavirus surge.RELATED: FDA approves 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster for those 50 and olderWith COVID-19 cases low in the U.S., it’s easy to ignore calls for another dose — or for those who aren’t yet vaccinated or boosted to get up to date, said Dr.

Bruce Willis is retiring from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a cognitive disease that obstructs language and written communication skills. The family of the beloved 67-year-old actor took to social media to release a joint statement.Emma Heming, the actor’s wife; Demi Moore, his ex-wife; and his daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn, asked for compassion and support during the challenging time they are experiencing.“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” they said on Instagram.“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.

COVID-19 indicators rising in Ontario, opposition politicians are calling on the government to expand access to PCR tests for the virus.Critics have been calling for Ontario to reinstate broad access to the gold-standard tests, which have been restricted to certain groups of high-risk people since December when the Omicron variant overwhelmed resources.Those calls continued on Wednesday as some suggested the province was entering a sixth wave of cases after a lull following the peak of the Omicron wave.

CAMDEN, N.J. - Emergency teams responded to the Early Childhood Development Center in Camden on Wednesday after sanitizer was discovered in milk cartons, according to the school district. The facility, which is for preschool and kindergarten students, is located at 1602 Pine Street. According to tweets released by Camden Schools, it was determined that some of the cartons contained a "non-toxic consumable sanitizer that runs through the vendor machines prior to milk." "Unfortunately, many cartons were filled with the sanitizer, sealed and then shipped out with the milk," officials announced on Twitter.

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stealth Omicron” variant had become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in Alberta, Health Minister Jason Copping will be delivering the weekly update on the state of the pandemic in the province.Copping’s press conference will be streamed in this story.Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw is not expected to take part in the press conference scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Among 91 COVID-19 pneumonia survivors in Austria, 54% had lung abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) imaging 1 year after symptom onset, suggests an observational study yesterday in Radiology.A team led by University of Innsbruck researchers evaluated the

Bruce Willis is “stepping away” from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia.

A car in the parking lot of a Upper Providence Township condo complex has been damaged in a shootout between a suspect and SWAT.  NORRISTOWN, Pa - Authorities announced Wednesday that officers used a lawful amount of force during the police-involved shooting that took place at a Montgomery County apartment complex earlier this month.Authorities say that Upper Providence Township Police were dispatched at 2:59 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, after a woman reported that a family member was having a "mental breakdown." The caller told police that he was armed with a gun and leaving their residence.A man is in the hospital after being involved in a shootout with police in Upper Providence Township.

PHILADELPHIA - A suspect has died after police say he was shot by a store owner in North Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred shortly after noon on the 1400 block of Master Street – a few blocks from Temple University’s campus. Police say the unidentified suspect was armed with a gun and attempting to rob a corner store when the store’s owner shot him multiple times. The suspect was hit twice in the chest and twice in the abdomen. He was taken to Temple University Hospital by responding officers but later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators say guns were recovered at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Nicola Sturgeon delivered an update on the state of the Covid pandemic in Scotland earlier today.

WHO is releasing a strategy to strengthen and scale up genomic surveillance around the world.

World Health Organization on Wednesday released an updated plan for COVID-19, laying out three possible scenarios for how the pandemic will evolve this year.“Based on what we know now, the most likely scenario is that the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, but the severity of disease it causes reduces over time as immunity increases due to vaccination and infection,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing.However, the WHO head cautioned that periodic spikes in cases and deaths may occur as immunity wanes, which may require periodic boosting for vulnerable populations.Talking about the other two potential scenarios, Tedros said either less severe variants will emerge and boosters or new formulations of vaccines will not be necessary, or a more virulent variant will emerge and protection from prior vaccination or infection will wane rapidly.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is expected to receive his second COVID-19 booster shot Wednesday as well as update Americans on the country’s progress in the war on the pandemic. Biden is expected to speak around 1:30 p.m. ET Wednesday from the South Court Auditorium.Biden received his first booster shot in September.

SAN ANTONIO - Country music star Eric Church is canceling his San Antonio show on Saturday to attend the Final Four game between UNC and Duke.The "Drink In My Hand" singer had been scheduled to perform at the AT&T Center on Saturday night, according to KSAT, but he said he will instead be at the game to cheer on the North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC takes on Duke just before 8 p.m.

The World Health Organization has released an updated plan for Covid-19, laying out three possible scenarios for how the pandemic will evolve this year.

A gas pump at a Philadelphia gas station was filled with bullet holes a following a shooting that killed a 28-year-old man over the weekend. PHILADELPHIA - Law enforcement sources tell FOX 29 that a man shot to death at a Philadelphia gas station over the weekend is the same man who drove himself to River's Casino in a bullet-riddled car nearly a month ago. Sources tell FOX 29's Steve Keeley that the 28-year-old man was killed late Sunday night in a hail of gunfire at the Sunoco Gas Station on the 5600 block of Ridge Avenue. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department followed a trail of blood about half a block away and found the unnamed victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Bruce Willis is retiring due to health issues.

#COVID19 virus variant emerges. Against this new threat, people’s protection against severe disease and death, either from prior vaccination or infection, will wane rapidly"-@DrTedros

Premier Dennis King has tested positive for COVID-19.King posted on social media today that he developed mild symptoms on Monday and stayed home from the office and the legislature the following day.

SeQuoya Bacon-Jones, 9, was shot and killed in Trenton on March 25.  (Family photo)TRENTON, N.J. - Authorities in Mercer County announced an arrest in connection to the death of a Trenton 9-year-old who was shot and killed on March 25. Police responded to reports of gunfire at 7:27 p.m. after arguments and fights broke out amongst a large group, officials say. When police arrived, SeQuoya Bacon-Jones was found suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police. Authorities say several people and Bacon-Jones' mother were around her providing aid. RELATED: Trenton community mourns 9-year-old girl killed in shootingMedics transported Bacon-Jones to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where she was stabilized in surgery.

COVID-19 as hospitalizations jumped Wednesday.The number of hospitalizations rounded out at 1,200, a rise of 47. This comes after 148 patients were admitted, while 101 left in the last day.Officials say 60 people were being treated for the disease in intensive care units, a drop of three.The province’s daily tally included 3,067 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, though this isn’t representative of the situation since PCR testing is only open to select groups.

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—Niharika Mandhana in Singapore and Miho Inada in Tokyo contributed to this article. Download the App to get 14 days of unlimited access to Mint Premium absolutely free!

COVID-19.Geneviève Guilbault took to social media Wednesday to confirm she had contracted the disease after taking care of her young daughter, who tested positive for the virus over the weekend.“I have cared for her since and had symptoms on Monday, confirmed by a positive test yesterday,” she wrote. “I will therefore remain isolated until Saturday in line with public health guidelines.”Guilbault is the latest among those who work in François Legault‘s cabinet be sidelined with COVID-19.