Alberta students return to class with no mask mandate

Tuesday’s throne speech was used as a rally cry for another convoy protest that converged on the Alberta legislature. As Dan Grummett explains, there was noticeably less honking than in recent weekend demonstrations, but still plenty of frustration in the air.

Alberta could be lifting its mask mandate as early as next Tuesday, but people in Edmonton might need to mask-up for a bit longer. Despite what the province does, the city still has its own face covering bylaw in place. Kim Smith explains.

A throne speech read by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani on Tuesday outlined an Alberta government plan to double the number of surgeries done in private facilities, increase the number of intensive care bed spaces and recruit more specialized health professionals.

COVID-19 emergency operations team expects bylaws requiring face coverings in the city’s indoor settings to remain for some time despite the province’s chief medical officer beginning a review of Ontario’s mask mandates in March.Mayor Fred Eisenberger says masks will be around “for a while” since the Omicron variant continues to put pressure on Hamilton’s hospital system.“I’d like nothing more than to have all of these restrictions go, but we don’t want to throw away two years of effort to protect people in our community,” Eisenberger said in an update on Tuesday.Dr. Kieran Moore made remarks on the review during his weekly COVID-19 update on Thursday.Moore said he anticipated a review will be done in the second or third week of March, allowing for data to be reviewed after the province lifts capacity limits and the proof of vaccination requirement on March 1.“If and when we transition, it would be from a mandate to mask, to a recommendation to mask,” Moore said.“I would certainly hope that vulnerable members of our community that are at risk for this virus, that are immune suppressed or transplant patients, in public spaces would continue to mask.”Medical officer of Health Dr.

COVID-19 data Tuesday, which shows the number of people in hospital with the disease declined over the long weekend.A post on the chief medical officer of health’s Twitter account Tuesday afternoon stated a network change over the weekend caused unintended IT issues. As a result, “only ballpark figures” were released.According to the estimated numbers, there are now about 1,380 people being treated in hospital with COVID-19, a drop from 1,494 patients in Alberta hospitals on Friday.The number of people being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units also dropped — from 116 patients Friday to about 95 Tuesday.It’s not known how many deaths were reported to Alberta Health over the long weekend.

Government officials today in Hong Kong, in the middle of a worsening Omicron surge, said they would roll out mass testing in the middle of March, targeting 7.4 million residents.

Alberta’s largest and most northern county says it is no longer working with local businesses that have a mandatory vaccination policy.Mackenzie County says businesses that require employees, contractors or subcontractors to show proof of vaccination in workplaces or on work sites will not be hired to provide goods or services.The county’s council approved the policy on Feb.

Cruise ship steaming off the shore of Grand Cayman Island, Royal Caribbean cruise liner Mariner of the Sea, turning to return to sea. (Photo by: MyLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Three major cruise lines are set to ease their COVID-19 mask mandates amid a case drop in the U.S.Royal Caribbean announced starting Friday, masks will be optional for fully vaccinated guests.

Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine as an “invasion” after initially hesitating to use the term – a red line that President Joe Biden has said would result in the U.S. levying severe sanctions against Moscow.Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence – but some indicated it was not yet the long-feared, full-fledged conflict.Later, the White House signalled a shift in its own position.“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” said Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser.

Hong Kong will roll outcompulsory testing for Covid-19 starting in mid-March for its 7.4 million residents, leader Carrie Lam said, as university researchers predicted new infections could peak at a staggering 180,000 a day next month.

MOSCOW - Russia set the stage for a quick move to secure its hold on Ukraine's rebel regions on Tuesday with new legislation that would allow the deployment of troops there as the West prepares to announce sanctions against Moscow amid fears of a full-scale invasion.The new Russia bills, which are likely to be quickly rubber-stamped by the Kremlin-controlled parliament, came a day after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the regions in eastern Ukraine. The legislation could be a pretext for a deeper move into Ukrainian territory as the U.S.

New Zealand anti-vaccine protesters pelted police with a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries early today, as tension spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest.

Six national groups representing medically vulnerable people say the ending of mandatory mask wearing by the Government should be delayed.

New Zealand police line, narrowly avoiding officers, while other protesters sprayed officers with a stinging substance, police said Tuesday, as they tightened a cordon around a convoy that has been camped outside Parliament for two weeks.The clashes in the capital of Wellington came a day after police reported that some of the protesters had thrown human feces at them. Faced with sprinklers, New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters dig trenches Police Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers told reporters the actions of some of the protesters, who oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates, were unacceptable and would be dealt with assertively.“Our focus remains on opening the roads up to Wellingtonians and doing our absolute best to restore peaceful protest,” Chambers said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said the directive to stop wearing the face mask would be considered as the final decision regarding the easing of existing COVID-19 restrictions.Before removing the mask people should get the booster Jab, the target group is 14.1 million Sri Lankans, he said.Furthermore, he stated that giving the Booster dose to 14.1 million people would confirm that people have some form of immunity against COVID-19.However, he said the final decision on doing away with the face mask will be made based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization, measures adopted overseas, and the scientific evidence.If the immunization of all the people in the country reaches the desired level following adequate administration of the COVID-19 booster dose, authorities are prepared to do away with the current health regulations including the face mask rule, Health Services Director General Dr.

COVID-19 will be lifted early next month.“On Saturday, Feb. 26, the government will announce a final decision about proceeding to Phase 2 of our plan to lift almost all restrictions on March 1,” Kenney tweeted Monday evening, saying it will be a “prudent decision based on the latest data.”The premier wrote there is “encouraging data” showing a “steep drop” in the Omicron variant wave of the pandemic.

This could be the last week that many Albertans will need to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic as the province prepares to enter the next stage of its plan to ease public health measures.

Thrift Store on Berry Road has become a victim of the pandemic and will close by the end of April.“The past two years have been really tough,” said Joy Haxton, Lake Country Food Bank, executive director.“The issue that we had with COVID was the number of people we could have in the store and that’s made it really difficult. I think we’ve had the store closed for 12 months over the last two years.” The Great Backyard Bird Count is on again Since the thrift store opened eight years ago it has had a huge impact on the community and surrounding area.

FILE - Members of the Police and the Mexican Army patrol the center of Playa Del Carmen. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Two men were killed and a third was injured Saturday night after members of suspected rival drug cartels opened fire at a popular Mexican beach resort, officials say. Shots were reported around 8:30 p.m.

Rye Jr. High School students launched a mini boat in 2020 that landed in Norway last week. (Photo courtesy of Rye Jr.

FILE - Jamal Edwards poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2019 in London on Feb. 20, 2019.

MOSCOW - The U.S. and Russian presidents have tentatively agreed to meet in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to stave off Moscow's invasion of Ukraine as heavy shelling continued Monday in a conflict in eastern Ukraine that is feared will spark the Russian offensive.French President Emmanuel Macron sought to broker a possible meeting between U.S.

Shocking — and, frankly, disturbing — security camera footage has captured the moment hundreds of birds fell out of the sky in Mexico.

Roughly a week after protesters started to gather in large numbers at the Coutts border crossing, Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs sought assistance from Ottawa, Global News has learned.

The three coalition leaders will consider the Government's approach to the lifting of mandatory mask wearing later today, ahead of a Cabinet decision tomorrow.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Sunday that they “have active intelligence investigations ongoing to ensure we know people are leaving, if they are trying to amass again to return to the downtown core,” adding “we are attempting to keep tabs on those that are leaving and potentially massing to come back.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Acknowledging "the real possibility of war," Vice President Kamala Harris wrapped up a weekend of outreach to European allies with a push to bolster the West’s resolve in confronting Moscow with crippling sanctions as increasingly dire signs suggest Russia's Vladimir Putin plans to order an invasion of Ukraine.In a burst of diplomacy at the annual Munich Security Conference, Harris tried to make the case to American allies that rapidly escalating tensions on the Ukraine-Russian border meant European security was under "direct threat" and there should be unified support for economic penalties if the Kremlin invades its neighbor."We’re talking about the potential for war in Europe. I mean, let’s really take a moment to understand the significance of what we’re talking about," Harris told reporters before her return to Washington.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach gives a speech during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at Beijing National Stadium on February 20, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)BEIJING (AP) - "We welcome China as a winter sport country," Bach said, closing the Games. He called their organization "extraordinary" and.

Bibek Debroy & Aditya Sinha are, respectively, chairman, and additional private secretary (research), Economic Advisory Council to the Prime MinisterNever miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

COVID.Downing Street has said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will reveal details of his “living with COVID” plan on Monday (February 21) – outlining that factors such as vaccination, testing, and anti-viral drugs will be enough to keep people safe, rather than expecting infected people to stay at home.Self-isolation regulations for those who test positive and their close contacts are expected to cease by the end of this week.“COVID will not suddenly disappear, and we need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms,” said Johnson. “We’ve built up strong protections against this virus over the past two years through the vaccine rollouts, tests, new treatments and the best scientific understanding of what this virus can do.”He added: “Thanks to our successful vaccination programme and the sheer magnitude of people who have come forward to be jabbed, we are now in a position to set out our plan for living with COVID this week.”Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary told BBC‘s Sunday Morning today (February 20) this was “declaring victory before the war is over”, that ending mandatory self-isolation was “not the right thing to do” and that this was a distraction from the ongoing ‘partygate’ scandal.“At this stage the PM risks muddying the waters,” he said. “We want to see the government publish the scientific advice because at the moment this seems very premature.”“He continued: It seems like Boris Johnson is keen to declare victory before the war is over in the hope he gets some headlines about ‘victory day on COVID’ instead police officers asking questions about actions in Number 10.”Labour Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting tells #Raworth that dropping remaining

Australia will welcome international tourists tomorrow after nearly two years of sealing its borders, relying on high Covid-19 vaccination rates to live with the pandemic as infections decline.

Ukraine has received a plane load of machine guns, surveillance gear and rifles as part of a Canadian military assistance package, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted Saturday the province will file a court challenge of the federal government’s Emergencies Act in the wake of convoy protests in Ottawa.

COVID-19 public health measures descended on Quebec City on Saturday for the second weekend this month.Inspired by the so-called Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa, horns could be heard as several dozen vehicles, including trucks and tractors, arrived outside the provincial legislature late Saturday morning.It was a mostly festive atmosphere, as some people were dressed up in cartoon character costumes, stuffed animals were handed out to children and music played.It was the second large demonstration against public health measures in the province in two weeks.Since the last one in early February, the Quebec government announced it is phasing out its vaccine passport system and intends to get rid of most COVID-19 health measures by March 14.But protest organizers, addressing the crowd outside the legislature, said they wanted more concessions from the provincial government.Organizer Bernard Gauthier called the tone of the protest “peaceful,” adding he hoped the provincial government would return the favour without specifying any demands.Meanwhile, others called for an end to the provincially-declared health emergency and mandatory masks for school-aged children.Demonstrator Christian Martel said he wanted to see an end to mandatory masking in classrooms.“The pandemic is over, we have to end everything. We’re tired, it’s enough,” said Martel.Some demonstrators said they would also like assurance that the vaccine passport system would not return.Last week, Quebec announced it would be phasing out vaccine passports, but Health Minister Christian Dubé warned it would reimpose the passport system if it’s needed during a new wave of COVID-19.

Prince Albert of Monaco is giving an update on his wife Princess Charlene’s health.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Saturday reviews of video footage will be done to ensure the “lawful amount of force was used” as police moved to clear anti-mandate protesters from the streets of Ottawa.

CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A man has been arrested for his role in an armed robbery that happened in Caln Township early Saturday. Police say Bilal Weidler, 19, was taken into custody while he was fleeing on his bike after he attempted to commit an armed robbery at knifepoint at the Turkey Hill on the 500 Bondsville Road. According to authorities, while the defendant was committing the robbery and directing the cashier to the register, a customer walking into the store startled Weidler. This caused him to flee prior to taking any items or money. Weidler then fled on a bicycle and was apprehended shortly after by Caln police that were responding to the scene a short distance away. Accordinig to authorities, Weidler was wearing a mask that was identifical to a mask worn during another knifepoint robbery that was committed at the same store earlier this month on Feb.

anti-government protest on Parliament Hill, Pat King and Tamara Lich, will be appearing in court for their bail hearing on Tuesday.Ottawa police say King, 44, faces charges of mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct police.King, who hails from Red Deer, Alta., livestreamed his own arrest on Facebook on Friday, and he remains in jail until his bail hearing Tuesday.King is among the more than 100 people police say they have arrested as part of a massive police operation to clear demonstrators who have been blockading Parliament Hill for nearly four weeks.Ottawa police say convoy blockade ‘aggressive,’ one arrested after gas launchedLich already appeared in court Saturday — wearing a mask — for her bail hearing but an Ontario judge said she will decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail to Lich.That means the 49-year-old Alberta woman will be returned to the local Ottawa detention centre until then.Lich, who has been in jail since Thursday night, was charged with counselling to commit mischief in connection with the protests.Decision on convoy organizer Tamara Lich bail will not come until Tuesday morning. She’s been in jail since Thursday night.

Tensions were high Saturday between police and protesters in Ottawa, as officers fired tear gas into the crowd.

Widespread condemnation of the violent attack on a Coastal GasLink pipeline worksite near Houston, B.C., including from the local first nation.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment said Friday it will discontinue the proof of vaccination requirement for fans entering its venues beginning March 1.MLSE owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts. The move comes following an announcement from the Ontario government earlier this week that it planned to slightly accelerate plans to ease attendance limits at indoor sports events.Initially permitted capacity was going to rise to 50 per cent Monday and 100 per cent March 14.

MUNICH (AP) - Vice President Kamala Harris warned Russia on Saturday that it will face "unprecedented" financial penalties if it invades Ukraine and predicted that such an attack would draw European allies closer to the United States.Harris spoke at the annual Munich Security Conference the day after President Joe Biden said he was "convinced" that Russia's Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade neighboring Ukraine."Let me be clear, I can say with absolute certainty: If Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States, together with our allies and partners, will impose significant, and unprecedented economic costs," Harris said.Harris aimed to make the case to a largely European audience that the West has "strength through unity" and that an invasion would likely lead to an even bigger NATO presence on Russia’s doorstep.Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014, and pro-Russia separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces in the country’s east for almost eight years. The United States and the European Union previously sanctioned Russia over its seizure of Crimea.Western fears of an invasion have escalated in recent months as Russia amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.RELATED: What's happening between Russia and Ukraine? Things to know as tension grinds onHarris said the Biden administration, along with its allies, had tried to engage with Moscow in good faith to find a diplomatic resolution but that effort was not met by the Kremlin in good faith."Russia continues to say it is ready to talk while at the same time it narrows the avenues for diplomacy," Harris said.

Cynthia Perkins, 36, pleaded guilty to sex crimes. A disgraced Louisiana teacher will spend decades behind bars after pleading guilty to "horrific crimes" against children and admitted to serving her students cupcakes that contained sperm from her ex-husband, who is awaiting his own trial on child sex crime charges.Cynthia Perkins, 36, agreed to plead guilty and testify against her ex, 44-year-old former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT member Dennis Perkins, who is also charged with dozens of child sex crimes, according to prosecutors.She was sentenced Friday to 41 years at hard labor without parole, according to local media.Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersPrior to sentencing, the 36-year-old issued an apology to her victims.Perkins pleaded guilty to second-degree rape, production of child pornography, and conspiracy mingling of harmful substances."She not only waived any right to appeal, and attempt to avoid conviction, but she also spared the victims from reliving her horrific crimes during this particular trial," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Monday.

BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) :

Canada’s Ivanie Blondin won the silver medal in the women’s mass start speed skating final at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday.

Prince Charles embarked on his first royal engagement since contracting Covid.The Prince of Wales made a rare appearance alongside Princess Anne yesterday to give out The Queen's Anniversary Prizes at St. James's Palace, showing he has made a full recovery from the illness.The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are awarded to UK colleges and universities to "celebrate excellence, innovation and public benefit in work".He could be seen smiling as he drank tea out of a saucer and spoke to gathered guests with his royal sibling Anne.The Prince seemed glad for a return to normality and some social interaction following a period of self-isolation, but reaction online has seen some criticise him for not wearing a mask after having had Covid recently.One aggrieved user took to the Clarence House Instagram to write: "Covid no 2 & no mask...

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief told Global News on Friday the nation is “disheartened” to see what happened at the Coastal GasLink worksite this week.“We certainly don’t, as a Wet’suwet’en people, condone this type of action,” said Chief Wihaliy’te, who is also known as Theresa Tait-Day.RCMP in northern British Columbia said a “violent confrontation” between unknown attackers and Coastal GasLink pipeline workers happened early Thursday.Houston RCMP said security officials with the company reported “acts of violence” by masked attackers at their worksite by the Marten Forest Service Road early Thursday morning.“They were dressed in camouflage-type outer winter wear, their faces were disguised, they had masks over their face and they started using extreme violence against the workers,” Chief Supt.

With honking trucks, disruptive occupations, and border blockades, protesters spent weeks pushing back against Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions.