Biden picks UPenn president for Germany ambassador

COVID-19 decreased slightly on Wednesday as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expired.Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the restrictions exemption program would be lifted at midnight. The REP came into effect in September, and required Albertans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test result to obtain entry to businesses operating under the program.

Toronto Police has put in place a number of road closures over rumblings on social media that a protest connected to the Ottawa convoy could come to the city. Erica Vella has more.

Whether you’re heading to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription or doing your groceries, you’ll now be able to pick up a kit of rapid antigen tests for free. It comes as COVID-19 cases across Ontario are on the decline and the province prepares to lift additional public health measures of the coming weeks.

COVID-19, the province is finally implementing the policy.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Wednesday family doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and pharmacists will be required to be vaccinated by March 24, 2022.Henry said there is a process in place for medical exemptions, which can be submitted to her office.“We have been working with the colleges to sort through the details on the notice we put forward in October.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Police in New Castle County arrested two men they say are behind a string of home burglaries. Police say the men chose their victims because of their ethnicity.They say crimes similar to these have been reported to multiple police agencies from outside the state, including as far south as Georgia.Watches, jewelry, designer bags and sneakers.

FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Vacation photos have a new use.The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is asking for vacation photos from Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida.

Man holding a crack pipe. WASHINGTON (AP) - Following outrage on the political right, the Biden administration said Wednesday that a grant program to help prevent additional harm to people who use illicit drugs will not pay for safer pipes to smoke crack or meth."No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House drug policy adviser Rahul Gupta said in a statement.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said separately that was never the intention, complaining that impression was created by "inaccurate reporting."Monday was the deadline for service organizations and state and local governments to apply for a share of $30 million in federal money for "harm reduction" efforts intended to prevent disease, injury and other collateral trauma to people addicted to illicit drugs.RELATED: 93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new recordThe original request for funding proposals from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had listed "safe smoking kits/supplies" among the items that could be purchased with taxpayer money.

As Alberta and Saskatchewan drop most COVID-19 restrictions, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Wednesday there was no plan to drop the proof of vaccination or masking requirements yet as the province is “not in the clear” to do so.

CHICAGO - When friends Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith invited a few Black men to take part in a yoga class in Chicago in 2020, they didn’t know it would spur a nationwide movement.The two men created The Healing, a nonprofit aimed at promoting mental health for Black men and offering resources for improvement. Services include events where participants can share with each other about various struggles or sessions with mental health professionals.Most notably, the organization offers virtual yoga classes for Black men with the next one scheduled to place on Feb.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) ORANGE, Calif. - The Costa Mesa Police Department announced Wednesday the cherished classic car belonging to Green Day’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, has been recovered days after it was reported stolen.Green Day, formed in San Francisco's East Bay Area, is a Grammy award-winning rock band whose biggest hits include "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "When I Come Around," and "Holiday." The band's music is also featured in the musical "American Idiot." On the morning of Feb.

CAMDEN, N.J. - Thousands of KN95 masks, recently donated by Cooper University Hospital, were given out in Camden County Wednesday, by city officials, in an effort to help halt the spread of COVID-19.Last month, the U.S. Government announced it would be handing out 400 million N95 masks to everyone in the country and those masks have started to appear in some stores.

Lanarkshire locals are being encouraged to shake off the winter blues with free health walks throughout the area.

COVID-19: Quebec announces staggered reopening plan through to mid-March Nearly one million infections have occurred since Dec. 31, Boileau said.The government on Tuesday presented a road map to gradually lifting restrictions over the coming weeks, with most expected to be gone by March 14 — except mask mandates and the vaccine passport system.

The global COVID-19 total has passed the 400 million mark early into the third year of the pandemic, with cases last week declining in the world's fourth and biggest surge, fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

PHILADELPHIA - No one was injured after a gunman opened fire on a Philadelphia police officer during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Germantown.Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp told reporters that two plainclothes officers in an unmarked car were patrolling the 4800 block of Keyser Street around 2 p.m. when they came upon a shootout between a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old. The officer in the passenger's seat identified himself as police and ordered both men to drop their weapons when one of the men fired towards the officer, Gripp said. The officer ducked behind cover as the suspect attempted to flee down Keyser Street. According to investigators, the officer that was still inside the vehicle drove after the suspect and fired once through the windshield but missed. Both suspects were uninjured and captured nearby due to a massive police response, Gripp said.Investigators believe something happened between the men before police arrived that involved more than just the two gunmen. Gripp said police are still looking for other suspects, but he did not provide a description. "It just continues to speak to level the gun violence that we're seeing almost every day in this city," Gripp said.

Today Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the agency is working on updating and evaluating its mask guidance, but said COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates were still high throughout the country, and the recommendation of masking in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status remains in place.

Kim 'Darlene' Ezell (Family Handout) NEWARK, Del. - The body of a missing Philadelphia woman has been found weeks after she was reported missing when authorities found her roommate dead inside their home, family members tell FOX 29.The family of Kim Ezell says authorities informed them that they identified a body that was found in a vehicle at the Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus in Newark as their mother. Ezell, 59, was also known as Darlene. Family members say Ezell last spoke to her daughter on the phone on Jan.

Quebec judge suspends unvaccinated man’s visitation rights with child With the suspension due to end Tuesday, the child’s mother had asked the court for it to be extended.The father, who described the suspension of his parental rights as “draconian,” argued that he is not a conspiracy theorist and that while he does not plan to be vaccinated, he will respect all public health regulations during visits with his son, who is vaccinated against COVID-19.Paquette ruled that the man, who has not had any parenting time with his son since Dec.

announced on Wednesday that it will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 each week for eight weeks to various pharmacy and grocery store locations across the province.Over 2,300 locations will provide the tests while supplies last with a limit of one box of five tests per household. Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Some participating retailers include Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Food Basics, Rexall, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Longo’s, Walmart, among others.There are at least 34 locations in Guelph that are offering the tests.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported zero deaths and 139 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, compared with two deaths and 190 cases last Wednesday. Wednesday marks only the second day this month that no new deaths were reported, the other being Monday.LHSC is caring for 116 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 116 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday, raising the death toll in the area to 381, including the 22 victims announced so far in February.“Today we are reporting four deaths in our community related to COVID-19: one female in her 90s, 2 females in their 80s, and one male in his 80s,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, medical officer of health, stated.“I wish to express my deep sympathy to the families of these individuals.” Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit All four were residents of long-term-care homes in the area, which each have been under outbreak status for over a month.

Alberta has announced the end of the restrictions exemption program, and reaction to the news is divided. Jackie Wilson reports.

Portrait of American Funk, Soul, and R&B singer singer Betty Davis (nee Mabry), New York, New York, 1969. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES - Funk icon Betty Davis has died, Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday.

FILE - People watch the coverage of North Korea's latest missile launch in Seoul Station, South Korea on Jan. 31, 2022.

SEATAC, Wash. - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after crews from nearly two dozen flights reported getting hit with a laser near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week. This comes after four flights reported being struck by a green laser near SEA on Jan. 28.FOX 13 News reached out to the FAA about the most recent strikes. Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.On Tuesday, Feb.

Twitter today to share the “disgusting” way she was trying to draw out toxins from her body.The Countryfile star shared a video of herself taking off a patch that she had left on the sole of her foot overnight for a “body detox”.In the clip, she can be seen pulling on the sticky material as she shows what looks like a brown residue left inside.Alongside the video, she explained: “How much fun did you have in bed last night?“I tried out these Body Detox foot patches to 'draw out toxins overnight'“How disgusting does this look?“They promise an array of benefits inc:improvements to your metabolism, immune system, insomnia, fatigue, migraines etc etc!”The unconventional method sparked a series of mixed reactions, with curious fans announcing they would try it, while others appeared more sceptical.Julia also used the social media platform to thank a fan for his support during her breast cancer battle.Twitter user Garycrisp1943 penned: “I know I don't know you, and I don't normally pour my heart out to strangers, but I've always admired your enthusiasm for the outdoors & nature.“I just want to send you & family well wishes in the hope you will find all the strength you need.” (sic)The TV star responded: “Thank you so much Gary,” alongside a tree branch and a green love heart emoji.Julia last week said her "healing is going very well" during an appearance on This Morning.Speaking to hosts Rochelle Humes and Alison Hammond from the This Morning Forest, Julia said it was "lovely to be back" in front of the camera.She also revealed she was recovering and undergoing physiotherapy following her double mastectomy.Julia said: “First of all, thanks to the whole This Morning team."You’ve been checking in regularly to check how I’m

Coronavirus infection rates have continued to fall across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

A prospective cohort study of US children diagnosed as having COVID-19 reveals that certain demographic characteristics, preexisting chronic diseases, and initial vital sign and lab values may portend disease severity, a finding that the researchers said could help improve outcomes.The University of Colorado-led study involved 167,262 COVID-19 patien

Alberta’s education minister said school boards can’t enforce their own mask mandates after the province-wide one is dropped next week. Kendra Slugoski has reaction.

NEW DELHI :

more than 464,000 followers on Instagram.Davis, 30, started selling online health and wellness packages back in 2014 after she became a popular social media influencer. The savvy star created the company Brittany Dawn Fitness LLC, which quickly garnered thousands of paying customers in plans ranging in price from $92 to $300 per month.According to the new lawsuit, obtained by the Dallas Morning News, Davis was contacted by at least 14 women suffering from eating disorders.

New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell told a press conference on Wednesday that COVID-19 modelling predicts the province could safely reduce public health measures if current restrictions are kept in place for at least another week.

The head of the U.S.

In order to meet the “changing outlook for the pandemic,” New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced on Wednesday that the province is changing it’s requirements for isolation and COVID-19 testing.

Panera is offering guests a chance to win a diamond ring and free year of coffee. (Credit: Panera) ST. LOUIS - With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Panera Bead is offering guests the chance to win the ultimate gift: a diamond ring, shaped in a baguette cut.According to the bakery-café chain, fans will be able to enter, starting Feb.

New Jersey, a mom of a 3-year-old boy who has developmental speech delays said of the mask mandates that still exist in her state as of now, "For speech therapy for a toddler, masking isn't exactly what you should be doing, at least in my opinion. It's against what you're trying to accomplish."She said, "It's like if a dentist required the patient to wear a mask, right? I think for speech therapy for a child, it's the same thing."The mom did not want her family's name used due to privacy concerns.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a Fourth of July BBQ event to celebrate Independence Day at the South Lawn of the White House July 4, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Joe Biden all but announced an end to the pandemic in the U.S. on Sunday, celebrating what he called a “heroic" vaccination campaign on the country’s Independence Day holiday.

US President Joe Biden addresses the National Education Association's Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on July 2, 2021.

ransomware attack that has paralyzed their computer networks, a situation complicated in the U.S. by offices lightly staffed at the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.It’s not yet known how many organizations have been hit by demands that they pay a ransom in order to get their systems working again.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden welcomed 21 immigrants from 16 countries as the newest United States citizens in a naturalization ceremony in the East Room of the White House Friday afternoon.Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas administered the Oath of Allegiance before addressing the new citizens.

WASHINGTON - The White House will be the stage for a naturalization ceremony Friday afternoon.President Joe Biden will welcome 21 immigrants as the newest United States citizens in a ceremony in the East Room beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is putting his stamp of approval on a long-debated change to the military justice system that would remove decisions on prosecuting sexual assault cases from military commanders.Biden, however, is stopping short of backing a congressional effort to strip commanders of oversight of all major crimes, according to two senior administration officials.The president has approved of more than two dozen recommendations made by an independent review commission on sexual assault in the military.

SURFSIDE, Fla. - President Joe Biden on Thursday offered comfort to the grieving and federal support for the ongoing efforts to search for the missing and rebuild after last week’s collapse of a high-rise condo building along the Florida coastline.Biden, responding to what appeared to be the deadliest calamity of his young presidency, also met with first responders hunting for survivors among the rubble in Surfside. But underscoring the dangers still present in the search, work had been temporarily halted before Biden arrived due to concerns about the stability of the section still standing.

SURFSIDE, Fla. - President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Thursday will visit the site of a deadly Florida condo collapse and meet with rescue crews and families of victims as the treacherous search for survivors enters its second week.The Bidens plan to thank first responders and search and rescue teams, who have been combing through the mound of concrete and twisted steel around the clock. They also plan to meet with the families of victims. Their visit comes a week after a wind of the 12-story Champlain Towers South came down around 1:30 a.m.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is set to temporarily raise pay for federal firefighters to ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour, according to a senior administration official.Biden planned to announce plans for the higher pay -- and other moves to boost U.S. wildfire-fighting capacity and prevention efforts -- as he holds a virtual meeting Wednesday with governors from Western states to discuss what is shaping up to be a torrid wildfire season.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would remove from the Capitol a bust of Roger Taney, the U.S. chief justice best known for an infamous pro-slavery decision, as well as statues of Jefferson Davis and others who served in the Confederacy.The bill passed by a vote of 285-120.

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service is giving families enrolled to receive monthly child tax credit payments the option to opt out if they are earning more in 2021 than they were in 2019 and 2020. The option to stop the payments is being offered by the IRS because some families who no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the tax credit may have to pay it back next April during tax season. The child tax credit program was launched as part of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package which allowed eligible families to receive up to $3,600 for every child under the age of 6 and $3,000 for every child ages 6 to 17. People earning $75,000 or less, married couples making $150,000 or less and a single parent