Texas schools closing, incentivizing substitutes to help

Smoke bombs disperse protesters as police including the RCMP clear Wellington Street in front of Parliament. Protesters from the "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa are moved from Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill by police officers after blockadi ((Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images))OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Hundreds of police in riot gear swept through the streets of Canada’s besieged capital Saturday, arresting or driving out protesters, towing away their trucks and finally retaking control of the streets in front of the country’s Parliament buildings.With protesters in clear retreat under the increasing pressure of one of the largest police operations in Canada’s history, authorities’ hopes were rising for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said that while some smaller protests continued "this unlawful occupation is over.

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.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Miami Beach police say two people are in stable condition after a helicopter crashed into the ocean Saturday afternoon near 10th street.The crash happened around 1:10 p.m. local time.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Brian Flores is back in the NFL.The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh’s linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J.

NEWARK, Del. - Police say a 30-year-old Maryland man was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Delaware. The man was riding his bike on Salem Church Road in Newark at about 10:15 p.m. Friday when the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu behind him attempted to pass him. Delaware State Police said that at the same time, the bicyclist veered to the left and was hit by the front passenger side of the car. The impact knocked the man off his bike and into the northbound lane. The bicyclist, of Elkton, Maryland, was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he later died.

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.

WILLINGBORO, N.J. - Officials announced Saturday two people have been charged in connection to the fatal shooting on a teenager earlier in February in the parking lot of a Willingboro shopping center. The investigation began February 11 when officers from the Willingboro Township Police Department were called to the Kennedy Plaza in the 400 block of John F. Kennedy Way just after 7:30 p.m.

BLACKWOOD, N.J. - A construction worker is hospitalized Saturday after he was struck by a vehicle in Gloucester Township.The incident happened overnight in the southbound lanes of Route 42 in the Blackwood section. Police say shortly after midnight, a male construction worker who was working on road repairs with other crew members was struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle fled the scene, according to authorities, but police went on a pursuit of the vehicle and were able to catch it a short distance away. A 58-year-old man was arrested. The victim was transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden where he remains in critical, but stable condition. ___DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APPSUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTubeAdvertisementFOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

PHILADELPHIA - A man has died following a shooting in the Kensington section of the city. The shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. at Albert and Kensington Avenues. Police say the 32-year-old man was shot on time in the right chest.

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

COVID-19, down by six since Friday.In an abbreviated news release, the province said the hospitalizations include 12 people in ICU. The age range of those in hospital is listed as 0 to 93 years old, with a median age of 63.In addition to the people admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, there are 128 patients who were identified as positive upon arrival at hospital but were admitted for another medical reason, or were admitted for COVID-19 but no longer need specialized care.

TRENTON - Gas prices continue to rise in New Jersey as crude oil prices remain high amid ongoing global tensions related to uncertainty over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $3.61, up five cents from last week. Drivers were paying an average of $2.72 a gallon a year ago at this time. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.52, up four cents from last week.

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.

COVID-19 and a 45-patient drop in hospitalizations on Saturday.The health department says 1,789 patients are currently in hospital, with 120 of those listed in intensive care, an increase of one.#COVID19 – En date du 18 février, voici la situation au Québec: https://t.co/pwoUoaBgaF pic.twitter.com/JAT4prnDoi— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 19, 2022Health authorities say there are 1,736 new COVID-19 cases based on PCR testing limited to certain groups, with a test positivity rate of 9.2 per cent.According to the Health Department, 91 per cent of Quebecers five and older have received one dose of vaccine, 86 per cent have received two doses while 50 per cent have received a booster dose.As of Saturday, authorities have opened booster appointments to those aged 12 to 17.The province estimates just under 518,000 Quebecers aged 18 and older remain unvaccinated.

A Family Dollar store is seen in Orlando, Florida on March 6, 2019, the day that Dollar Tree announced it will close up to 390 Family Dollar stores and rebrand about 200 stores as Dollar Tree stores, as Dollar Tree reported a $2.3 billion loss. The US Food and Drug Administration issued an alert Friday that products at hundreds of Family Dollar stores could be potentially contaminated due to unsanitary conditions at one of the company’s distribution facilities. An FDA inspection at a distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas in January 2022 found unsanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation, that could cause many of the products, such as foods and medicines, to be contaminated.The products were purchased from Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is fighting for his life after he was shot multiple times in the Hunting Park section of the city.The shooting happened at approximately 5:09 a.m.

PARIS (AP) - A modeling agent who was close to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead Saturday in his French jail cell, where he was being held in an investigation into the rape of minors and trafficking of minors for sexual exploitation, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.Victims of the alleged abuse described shock and dismay that the agent, Jean-Luc Brunel, will never face trial.

COVID-19 vaccine in the fall, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

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.

SAN FRANCISCO - Every day, DNA is routed through local, state and federal databases to identify suspected criminals. A technological breakthrough that’s allowed law enforcement to solve unprecedented numbers of crimes, its use has simultaneously garnered praise along with major privacy concerns.But this week’s revelation that the San Francisco police crime lab used a sexual assault victim’s DNA against her in an unrelated property crime case — and the allegation that it may be a common practice in California — has prompted a national outcry among law enforcement, legal experts, lawmakers and advocates.Police investigators allegedly used a sexual assault victim’s DNA, collected as part of a rape kit in 2016, to tie her to a burglary in late 2021, according to District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Kamila Valieva of ROC reacts to her score after the Women Single Skating Free Skating on day thirteen of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 17, 2022 in Beijing, China. ((Photo by Nikolay Muratkin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images))ZHANGJIAKOU, China (AP) - Arbitrators have rejected a last-ditch request by American figure skaters to have their silver medals awarded before the end of the Olympics.The Court of Arbitration for Sport said early Sunday in Beijing that it dismissed the appeal by the nine skaters, who finished second in the team event that was marred by a doping positive by 15-year-old Russian Kamila Valieva.It did not elaborate on its decision, and said it would release details in upcoming days.RELATED: 'I hate this sport!': Winter Olympics figure skating brings rage, teen tears and collapseIn an earlier decision, CAS had allowed Valieva to compete in the women's event after her doping positive went public following the Russians' victory in the team event.

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.

Police in Ottawa are continuing a crackdown to end the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that has been encamped for 23 days in the nation’s capital as of Saturday.

BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 17: Kamila Valieva of Russia reacts to her score with coach Eteri Tutberidze (L) and Daniil Gleikhengauz (R) at 'Kiss and Cry' during the Women Single Skating Free Skating on day thirteen of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic G BEIJING - The gold medalist said she felt empty. The silver medalist pledged never to skate again.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 on Saturday, as the province continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic.New data released by the province also said 329 people are receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU) after testing positive for the virus. Ontario COVID numbers: 1,281 people in hospital, 352 in intensive care Both the number of people hospitalized and the total number of people in an ICU dropped from numbers recorded a day earlier.On Friday 1,281 people were in hospital with COVID-19, while 352 were in intensive care.In a tweet on Saturday, Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott said of those in hospital, 50 per cent were admitted for COVID-19, while 50 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for the virus.Meanwhile, Elliott said 79 per cent of those in ICU were admitted for COVID-19, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for the virus.According to the data, as of Saturday, 216 people were on a ventilator with COVID-19.329 people are in ICU with #COVID19.

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LATEST UPDATE: 10:17 a.m. Eastern

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three-week -long trucker protest, including two of the so-called “Freedom Convoy’s” organizers. This is day 22 of the entrenched protest in the Nation’s Capital. Catherine Urquhart has the latest.

Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton has opened up about her health diagnosis which left her in tears.The professional dancer, 38, was crowned the winner of the BBC dancing competition back in 2016 alongside Ore Oduba.However, fans of the show were unaware that Joanne was battling osteoarthritis in her knees at the age of just 31.She has been raising awareness about the condition, which can impact her daily life, but has vowed to never give up her career.Addressing the moment she was told of her diagnosis, Joanne told Express.co.uk that she broke down in tears.She explained: "I knew there was some kind of problem because my knee absolutely flared up like a balloon. Just one of them.

Delhi in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 18,55,409, said the state health department on Saturday. The positivity rate has fallen to 1.13%.

It now "feels like the pandemic is over'', according to a frontline consultant.

#COVID19 #COVAXIN #VaccineMandate #BharatBiotech #bbv152 #COVID #clinicaltrial #Pandemic pic.twitter.com/nIWWDUKhvW

#COVID19 disease caused by Omicron can be mild or serious. For some people, symptoms can even lead to death.Protect yourself:-Get vaccinated-Keep a safe distance & avoid crowds-Wear a well-fitted mask-Keep indoor spaces ventilated-Clean hands often-Cover coughs & sneezes pic.twitter.com/YBt4OsStwe

See the tweet belowThirty years ago, Hepatitis B and C killed countless ppl globallyNow, Hep B has an effective vaccine and Hep C treatments cure ~90% of patientsSARS-CoV2 is a much simpler virusVariants may cause future waves but new treatments and vaccines have crushed the big threat.

An infectious diseases expert has called for a national governance review into Ireland's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st); His Eminence Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says that it can be proven that the Government has not fulfilled a single one of its promises so far, while the belief that justice will be ensured to the victims of the Easter attack is being eroded day by day.Participating in the book launch of the book ‘Thitha’, he pointed out that those who are supposed to enforce the law and the mechanism by which it should be enforced have become problematic.The book, ‘Thitha’ (fullstop) was compiled from commission reports on the Easter Sunday attack.Rev. Lal Pushpadeva Fernando is the Editor-in-Chief of this book which is a publication of the National Catholic Mass Communication Center.The President of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Ven.

Bill Gates during at Germany’s annual Munich Security Conference. 

Covid-19 cases on Saturday as the state reported 6,757 new Covid infections, the health department data shows. Kerala's death toll rose by 16, while 17,086 people were recovered from the deadly virus. With this, the active case tally in Kerala stands at 75,017, while the death toll is at 64,053.Kerala registers 6,757 new Covid19 cases, 16 deaths and 17,086 recoveries today; Active cases stand at 75,017, death toll 64,053

#BA2 may have features that make it as capable of causing serious illness as older variants–including Delta! And yet as evasive as old #Omicron cousin BA1. #BA2

Portugal’s air force rescued crew from ship loaded with luxury cars after it caught fire near the coast of the Azores on Wednesday. While it’s not clear what caused the fire, the 22 crew members on board were evacuated in the joint operation between the navy and the air force when the fire broke out, with no one hurt, Portugal’s navy said in a statement.

Stranger Things star is only just celebrating her 18th birthday today (February 19).Most know her as Eleven from the Netflix smash hit, which is set to return for a fourth season this year, but she's featured in a number of TV shows and films during her nine-year career.While she keeps her life off-screen mostly private, she gives glimpses into her day-to-day on social media – and she's dating the son of a rock music legend.Millie proves a star-studded life isn't always rosy though, as she's also gone through a battle with anxiety and lost the hearing in one ear.To celebrate her big day, Daily Star is taking a look at her life away from the cameras.Millie Bobby Brown is dating Jake Bongiovi, the son of rock music icon Jon Bon Jovi.Jacob Hurley Bongiovi is 19, and the duo made their romance public in June last year.They started rumours of a relationship a few weeks earlier though, when they were pictured together on Jake's Instagram.He called her his "BFF" at the time, while she responded with a unicorn emoji.Since then they've managed to keep things going despite her busy work schedule, and Millie shared a cute photo of them together on Christmas Day last year, writing: "Happy holidays."They haven't shared any pictures together more recently, but Jake was in the UK at the end of January judging from his Instagram, which featured a classic red phone box.In the past, Millie dated England rugby star Jason Robinson's son Joseph, and social media star Jacob Sartorius.Millie made her on-screen debut in 2013, playing Young Alice in two episodes of Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.Since then, her stardom has skyrocketed, mainly thanks to her landing the role of supernatural Eleven in Netflix's Stranger Things.She's starred in a

BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) :

Parents and guardians of children aged between five and 11-years-old can book Covid-19 vaccine appointments online from today.

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

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World Health Organisation (WHO) pointed out. “You need to know where the virus is. You need to know how the virus is changing so that the interventions can be adapted and tailored to where they are needed most," WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove said. This comes at a time when WHO officials have notified that testing rates have fallen sharply across the globe.