Another convoy protest at Alberta legislature as UCP to deliver throne speech

This picture from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) taken on August 29, 2017 and released on August 30, 2017 shows North Korea's intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 lifting off from the launching pad at an SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, in a resumption of weapons tests following a monthlong hiatus and as the United States and its allies are focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The North Korean launch was the eighth of its kind this year and the first since Jan. 30.

Omicron, a new study has revealed that those who have been infected with COVID subvariant BA.1 are less likely to get infected with BA.2. subvariant. This is because BA.1 version of the Omicron coronavirus variant provides strong protection against the latter. The study also indicates that widely circulating BA.2 is unlikely to cause a major wave of infections in countries that have already witnessed an Omicron peak led by the previously identified subvariant. 

COVID-19 cases in Alberta grew last year after the province’s Open for Summer restrictions relaxation went into effect. When asked how to avoid a repeat of that situation in 2022, Premier Jason Kenney said the province is looking at data from places where Omicron hit earlier than in Alberta when making decision on moving forward.

COVID-19 related deaths on Saturday and a drop in hospitalizations by 53.There are currently 100 people being treated in the intensive care unit, a drop of five.#COVID19 – En date du 25 février, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/pwoUoaBgaF pic.twitter.com/Zup7ydDZy4— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 26, 2022Health authorities are reporting 709 active outbreaks across the province.Over 16,985 PCR tests were administered in the last 24 hours, and 1,175 came back positive.The new deaths bring the provincial death toll to 13,969 since the start of the pandemic.This comes as Quebec gets ready to lift its work-from-home order this week.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping shares details on the public health restrictions being removed when Alberta moves to Step 2 of its reopening plan come Tuesday, March 1.

COVID-19 “numbers continue to decline rapidly,” Premier Jason Kenney announced the province will move forward to Step 2 of its reopening plan come Tuesday, March 1.The announcement was made during the official opening ceremony of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital in northwestern Alberta.Step 2 of the government’s plan to reopen includes:“We are in a position to safely move to Step 2 of our path back to normal and remove the vast majority of remaining public health measures in Alberta,” Kenney said.According to a government news release issued on Feb.

Premier Jason Kenney announced on March 1, the province will move to Step 2 of the plan to lift public health measures, which will see remaining school-related measures lifted, venue capacity limits ended, limits on social gatherings removed, the provincial mask mandate scrapped and the mandatory work-from-home order rescinded.

In early November 2021, Crew-2 ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet photographed the space station from above during the return trip home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour (NASA/ESA/SpaceX) In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced new sanctions Thursday targeting the Russian economy and attempting to cut off access to emerging technology, which could impact the Russian space program, Roscosmos. "Between our actions and those of our allies and partners, we estimate that will cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports and will strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military," Biden said Thursday. "It'll degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program, and hurt their ability to build ships, reducing their ability to compete economically."While Russian and U.S.

COVID-19 in Alberta continued to drop slowly Friday as the province announced there were 1,295 people with the virus in the province’s hospitals.Of that number, 88 people are receiving care in the ICU. COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to slowly decline in Alberta That compares to 1,357 in hospital with 92 in the ICU on Thursday.The province also announced an additional 13 COVID-19 deaths had been reported over the past 24 hours.

Edmonton Downtown Business Association executive director Puneeta McBryan and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe join Tom Vernon to break down the 2022 provincial budget and where it falls short.

Alberta’s 2022 budget has more money for the health-care system to support a growing and aging population.

COVID-19 continues to slowly decline.On Thursday, there were 1,357 people hospitalized with COVID-19 across the province, a slight drop from 1,373 patients on Wednesday. Of those in hospital, 92 are being treated in intensive care.

COVID-19 on Thursday, amid falling hospitalizations but rising ICU volumes.The provincial death toll associated with the pandemic now stands at 1,668.Hospitalizations continued their drop from an early-February peak, with 524 Manitobans now in hospital because of, or with, the virus – 19 fewer than Wednesday.

Ontario’s long-term care minister says a mandate requiring workers in the sector to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is under review.Paul Calandra says the rule is being looked at as the government reviews all of its sector-specific vaccination policies and other pandemic measures.Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s top doctor, has said that he wants to end workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies by March 1, when proof-of-vaccination rules in indoor spaces are also set to end.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Craig Jenne joins Global News Morning Calgary to discuss the two year anniversary of Alberta’s first lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, and how far we have come since Feb. 24, 2020.

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

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.

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

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.

After being hit with a double whammy of slumping oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy and forestry industry driven town of Drayton Valley went bust over the last few years. But as restrictions ease and industry picks up, the western Alberta town is once again buzzing.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping announced new measures to make access to pediatric COVID-19 vaccines easier in an effort to increase vaccination rates.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is revoking the Emergencies Act after 10 days that have seen police crack down to clear out hundreds of demonstrators with the so-called “Freedom Convoy” who had encamped in the nation’s capital for three weeks.

When the so-called “freedom convoy” pivoted to Bitcoin and other digital assets as a source of funds when traditional channels were cut off, Canadian authorities ratcheted up attempts to police the cryptocurrency space.

Alberta Teachers’ Association says he is cautiously optimistic after seeing COVID-19 cases go down in classrooms a little over a week after the province lifted a mask mandate in schools.But Jason Schilling says a major lesson he learned about the pandemic is that some waves have worsened after a brief downward trend so the association will continue paying close attention to case numbers. Reality check on Alberta politicians’ statements on schools, COVID-19 transmission and vaccines Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said on Twitter that none of the more than 2,500 schools in Alberta are currently shifted to temporary at-home learning to address operational challenges brought on by the virus.I am pleased to confirm what the Chief Officer of Health reported yesterday.

The Pentagon has approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital as it prepares for trucker convoys that are planning protests against pandemic restrictions beginning next week.

COVID-19 on Wednesday afternoon.Copping will hold a news conference at 3:15 p.m. The news conference will be streamed live in this post.

City of Edmonton has its own face-covering bylaw in effect for people two years and older in indoor public spaces and public vehicles. The bylaw does not apply to schools, however. Estimated COVID-19 data shows decline in Alberta hospitalizations over Family Day long weekend The city’s bylaw has two triggers that require council to review masking.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office confirmed Tuesday night that the National Guard has been authorized to assist with traffic control ahead of possible trucker demonstrations — one of which could be in the city as soon as Wednesday night. Much remains unknown about how disruptive protests could be and exactly when and how the region will be impacted.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and WeatherFOX 5 was first to report on plans by one convoy organizer, Bob Bolus, who said Sunday he would arrive in the D.C.

Tamara Lich, a key organizer of the “Freedom Convoy” has been denied bail, leaving her behind bars until her trial.

The investigation into an alleged attack on a natural gas pipeline worksite in northern B.C. continues, say the Mounties, who released three video clips on Tuesday of the incident.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view of the Major League Baseball logo atop the Philadelphia Phillies dugout during the Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 20, 2020 at Citizen JUPITER, Fla. (AP) - Another day ran off the clock on talks to salvage opening day when locked-out baseball players proposed what they considered a small move forward in drawn-out labor negotiations and management termed it a third straight step backward.Management again proposed a federal mediator enter the negotiations, but the union immediately turned down that idea, leaving Major League Baseball on track to lose regular-season games to a labor dispute for the first time since 1995.Less than a week remains until the sides reach what management says is a Monday deadline for a deal that would allow the season to start as scheduled on March 31.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Tonga's main internet connection to the rest of the world has finally been restored more than five weeks after a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami severed a crucial undersea cable.Three people in Tonga were killed by the Jan. 15 tsunami, dozens of homes were destroyed and drinking water was tainted.The fiber-optic cable is now fully operational again after being reconnected Tuesday, said Samiuela Fonua, the chairperson at Tonga Cable Ltd., the state-owned company that owns the cable."It's a huge relief when you know things have come to the end and are working well," Fonua told The Associated Press.

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 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.

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that blockaded the nation’s capital for three weeks, was denied bail by an Ottawa judge on Tuesday over “grave” offences.

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.

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that blockaded the nation’s capital for three weeks, will remain behind bars after an Ottawa judge denied her bail.“These offences are grave,” said the presiding judge ruling on the bail application.Lich was arrested on Thursday evening as law enforcement in Ottawa began a major push that lasted through the weekend to clear out the convoy blockade following the invocation of the Emergencies Act.In a video posted by the convoy’s official Twitter page, Lich could be seen being led away by officers and saying “hold the line.” Tamara Lich, convoy organizer, arrested amid ‘major’ push to oust blockade The judge referenced that comment during the bail hearing.“You have had plenty of opportunity to remove yourself and even others from this criminal activity but obstinately chose not to, and persistently counselled others not to either,” the judge said, adding that “this community has already been impacted enough.”The Crown is also seeking a non-communication order that would bar Lich from any communications with  three fellow convoy organizers and leaders: Chris Barber, Pat King and B.J. Dichter.Barber is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobey court order, counselling to commit the offence of obstruct police.He was granted bail on Friday.

Mike Armstrong details the latest developments from Ottawa as key protest organizers are arrested.

Tamara Lich, one of the leading organizers behind protest against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government on Parliament Hill.Lich, who was arrested last Thursday and charged with counselling to commit mischief, appeared before Ontario Court Justice Julie Bourgeois in a bail hearing on Saturday.During that hearing, Lich promised to give up her advocacy of the protest and return to Alberta. The judge reserved her bail decision on Lich.Patrick King, another prominent figure connected to the demonstrations, is also scheduled for a bail hearing today in Ottawa.King, 44, was arrested on Friday and faces charges of mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct police.

After more than 24 hours, he and a group of other South Asian Canadian truckers approached authorities to find out when they could pass.“That’s when another guy, he came out of his truck and he was, like, being racist. He was saying, ‘Go back to your truck, go back to India,”’ recalled Singh, a 28-year-old driver from Edmonton.Disturbed, he and his co-driver set out for another crossing — an option unavailable to some, since oversize loads can only move through certain checkpoints — on a route that added more than 500 kilometres to their trip.

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.

PHILADELPHIA - A new safe space for North Philadelphia teens held its soft opening on Monday in hopes to provide an educational alternative for youths often swallowed up by the city's scourge of crime. The center occupies a storefront on the 2200 block of North Broad Street and is open to youths between 12-17-years-old, according to the non-profit group Frontline Dads. "We want to provide some hope, we want to provide an oasis of light for people to point to and say ‘this is a place I can go and be supported’," Executive Director Ruben Jones said. The center, which will be open until 7 p.m.

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.

The blaring horns and snarled streets of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” blockade in Ottawa are no more, but on Monday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the work to heal the pandemic divisions in the country that the convoy exposed must now begin.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested on Monday that while protests surrounding Parliament Hill in Ottawa have mostly dispersed and the horns are no longer sounding, the work to heal the pandemic divisions in the country that the convoy exposed must now begin.

Ottawa for the first time in more than three weeks on Sunday as police continued their efforts to put a final end to anti-government demonstrations that immobilized the national capital.Roadways once choked with trucks and protesters opposed to COVID-19 public health measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government were largely clear, though debris and other signs of the blockade dubbed an illegal occupation by its critics were still in evidence.Ottawa Police, working in tandem with forces from across the country, said they’d arrested 191 people and laid 391 charges related to the demonstrations, though Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said the mammoth law enforcement operation was far from over.“There is another phase that will identify how we maintain the streets, how we eventually demobilize, once we’ve identified that there is no threat of further protests coming to our city,” Bell said at a news conference. “We aren’t there yet.” Ottawa’s convoy occupation mostly clear, but police ‘not done’ with operation yet Bell said charges laid to date include obstructing police, disobeying a court order, assault, mischief, possessing a weapon and assaulting a police officer.Law enforcement is “with every hour” getting closer to delivering on its promise to clear streets and give them back to residents, he added.Chris Harkins, deputy commissioner with the Ontario Provincial Police, said commercial and private vehicle driver’s licenses have been suspended, while 76 vehicles have been seized and towed in Ottawa.But the massive enforcement blitz also drew attention from Ontario’s police watchdog on Sunday.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - SpaceX launched another batch of 46 Starlink satellites into orbit on President's Day.The launch was supposed to happen on Sunday, but weather conditions in the recovery zone pushed it back. The Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off at 9:44 a.m.