Ottawa extends CEBA repayment deadline for small businesses

‘Slow-roll’ protest planned by Quebec truckers against COVID-19 vaccination mandate Lori Turnbull, director of the School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University, questioned the wisdom of truckers’ lobbying strategy, given how firmly Prime Minister Justin Trudeau staked out his position in favour of vaccine mandates during last year’s federal election.“Trudeau really drilled in on putting the pressure on for vaccines,” Turnbull said. “If some companies are making an effort and others aren’t, I don’t get it.“It’s another thing again if companies are really resisting it, as though government doesn’t have the right to make us do this,” she said.Some big-riggers feel strongly that Ottawa should stay out of their way.

The Government has decided to continue and extend the provision of a number of key Covid-19 supports, particularly the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Closing time for hospitality will return to normal from tomorrow. There had been an 8pm closing time across the sector in recent weeks during the Omicron wave.

Addy and Lily Altobelli, born connected at the chest, are back home with their family after CHOP doctors successfully separated them late last year.  (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)PHILADELPHIA - Addison and Lilianna Altobelli are finally home and resting in Chicago after surgeons at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia successfully separated the conjoined twins late last year.Addy and Lily spent nearly a year in intensive care at CHOP after they were born connected at the abdomen and chest – a condition known as thoraco-omphalopagus. They shared a liver, diaphragm, chest, and abdominal wall. Addy and Lily were diagnosed prenatally, when parents Maggie and Dom went for their 20-week ultrasound appointment. At that time, Maggie and Dom assumed they were having one baby – until the ultrasound images showed two fetuses attached at the abdomen. They couple was referred to CHOP for further evaluation.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Shani Abeysekera on Friday (21) filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal to seek an order to invalidate the recommendations and the findings against him by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization.The application was filed by Attorney-at-Law Manjula Balasuriya.Chairman of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization, retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, members of the PCoI, Avant-Garde Maritime Services, and its Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi were among the eight respondents named in the application.Abeysekera in his application noted that when he filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal against a complaint by the PCoI over a complaint made by the Avant-Garde Chairman, counsel appearing for the commissioners assured that NO action will be taken against him until that writ application was taken up for examination and concluded.The petitioner noted that however, the PCoI report with recommendations and findings was handed over on the 24th of November 2020 and it contained several recommendations with regard to the complaint made against him by Nissanka Senadhipathi.

Netflix dashed hopes for a quick rebound after forecasting weak first-quarter subscriber growth, sending its shares down nearly 20% and wiping away most of its remaining pandemic-fuelled gains from 2020.

As the news first spread that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had entered Canada, Ottawa resident Saad Khan calculated his personal risk tolerance for a very important event — and he decided it was worth it.

The premier of Canada’s Alberta province on Thursday called on the federal government to pause a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers that companies say will disrupt the supply chain and fuel inflation.

Moncton photographer says provincial small business grant too exclusive When he first opened his café in 2019, business was booming, but the exodus of office workers from the downtown core has made staying open a struggle.He said he hasn’t been eligible for any aid programs, and said the banks were unable to help him.In a written statement provided to Global News on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for Opportunities NB said the newest grant was intended to be complementary to other aid programs, noting federal programs like the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.John Wishart, CEO of Moncton’s Chamber of Commerce said he has been hearing similar stories from other entrepreneurs in the Greater Moncton Area, with the $30,000-a-year threshhold for the newest grant causing concern.“We’re at a point in the trajectory of COVID-19 when government needs to support as many businesses as possible. The closer we hopefully get to the finish line…we’d hate to see some not make it because we didn’t think of a certain criteria or the bar was just too high for some.”He’s calling for a more holistic, less complicated approach to include as many business owners as possible“A lot of these programs are conditional on you proving a certain level of income in 2019 or 2020.

Omicron-interrupted semester after some boards said final marks wouldn’t fall further than where they were at the end of last year.The students behind various petitions — which have together garnered more than 15,000 signatures supporting the call for a grade freeze — have formed a sort of unofficial network, sharing information about advocating for what they say would be a more equitable system that accounts for the complexities of the COVID-era classroom. Ontario to begin lifting COVID-19 restrictions on Jan.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his election platform on Sept. 1, he made a promise to employers: “we’ll protect businesses that mandate vaccinations from unjustified lawsuits.”

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Covid-19 in the third wave due to the high vaccination coverage across the country, said the central government on Thursday. 

Ryanair is ramping up its operations ahead of the summer, announcing its largest ever flight schedule out of Dublin airport.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar will announce on the 18th of February 2022, its decision on whether Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara will be released without calling for evidence from the defense, in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks case.Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara is charged with failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.Accordingly, the three-judge bench comprising of Justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irsadeen made the announcement on Jayasundara’s release after Deputy Solicitor General Dlieepa Pieris, representing the Attorney General, told the court that the evidence examination of the prosecution, based on the evidence and documents submitted, will be concluded on Thursday (20).Four witnesses testified on behalf of the prosection and 759 documents were presented.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the Parliament to immediately reappoint former Chairmen and members to COPE and COPA, which ceased to function after the President prorogued Parliament in December 2021.He requested that these parliamentary watchdogs recommence the investigations that were being looked into before the prorogation of the house.“This government made a pledge to expose the 2019 Easter Attacks and reveal the masterminds to the people. The government promised to take every possible action against them.

COVID pandemic restrictions and supply chain issues creating the perfect storm for many just struggling to get by.Since the start of the month, Ontario has been under tightened public health measures to try and halt the spread of the Omicron variant, with retail shops restricted to 50 per cent capacity and indoor dining closed at restaurants.Arepa Ink, London’s first Venezuelan restaurant, was started up a year ago by friends Maria Avilan and Carla Calderon.The two said their hope was to bring their love for their culture’s food – namely the Arepa, made from corn-based dough – to the people of London Ont.“Our vision when we started was to make the Arepa a stable like shawarma or taco, and in Venezuela, we eat it for almost every occasion,” Avilan said.But starting a new business during the pandemic presented its own challenges: from multiple lockdowns impacting customer flow to constant increases in the price of food due to supply chain issues.“When the government started saying they were going to do something we saw ourselves affected right away, and people reacted right away. It was a rollercoaster for us because every week we had to plan what to buy,” Avilan said.Calderon noted when they started out, a box of containers for packaging their food cost $50 but in a span of months, the price had jumped to $130.

Global COVID-19 activity jumped 20% last week compared with the week before, amid surges across multiple regions, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday in its weekly update on the pandemic.

The Minister for Finance has strongly encouraged businesses who availed of the Covid-19 wage subsidy schemes, but subsequently had a strong financial year, to consider their positions.

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Dublin publicans are seeking the resumption of trading until midnight as soon as possible, the Licensed Vintners' Association has said.

Soumya Swaminathan said that there is no evidence at all that healthy children and adolescents need booster doses against COVID-19. Regarding Omicron, she pointed out there is no need to create a new vaccine for each new variant.

After an almost month-long closure, B.C. gyms will be able to gradually reopen with occupancy limits starting Thursday while bars and nightclubs must remain closed until at least mid-February. Richard Zussman has more on the changes.

the journal Nature Genetics.Researchers at 23andme said they conducted a survey involving nearly 70,000 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. Of those respondents, 68% reported having a loss of smell and taste.

Covid-19 linked to a pet shop worker in the city. Hong Kong is planning to cull two thousand helpless animals after 11 hamsters tested positive with the Delta variant at the store.It comes after a pet-shop employee, a customer, and the customer's partner all tested positive or provisionally positive, officials confirmed.Authorities believe it could be an example of animal-to-human transmission which has prompted officials to act in a bid to maintain their "zero Covid" strategy.

A driver had to be rescued by local residents after the car ended up in an icy river in Canada. (Credit: @MammaMitch/Twitter) ()OTTAWA, Ontario - It took a team of local residents and a kayak to rescue a driver after a car started to sink in a river of ice.Police in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, said the incident happened Sunday around 4:30 local time in the area of Old Milly Way. Authorities responded to a call about a vehicle that had been partially submerged through the ice along the Rideau River.

COVID-19 safety plans, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a media briefing.These plans include occupancy limits based on seven square metres per person, up to a maximum of 25 people per space, Henry added.The vaccine card will still be required to enter gyms or fitness centres. The province considers those with two COVID-19 shots (or one Johnson & Johnson shot) as fully vaccinated.Masks must be worn at all times with the exception of when someone is exercising, Henry said but if people can keep their masks on when exercising, that is best.There will be no changes for the B.C.

World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said on Tuesday that the WHO has been working with global experts and partners to look at animal susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)HARRISBURG, Pa. - A statewide court has given lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf two weeks to break a stalemate around redrawing Pennsylvania's congressional districts to account for a decade of demographic shifts.The Commonwealth Court issued the order Friday, acting on a request last month for it to get involved in the process.

COVID-19 tests and ramp up on-site vaccination clinics Tuesday as more students headed back to class in-person.The province has said it will provide two rapid COVID-19 tests for staff and students now that PCR tests are less accessible to everyone due to high case volumes.The Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay, Ont., where classes ran in-person Monday and Tuesday, said 16,000 rapid tests were in schools on the first day of classes.In southwestern Ontario, the St. Clair Catholic District School Board said it would be sending the test kits home with students on Jan.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has issued a safety notice to raise awareness of a product recall of two batches of the the Genrui Covid-19 rapid antigen test.

Mandate Trade Union has written to all major retail employers and the Minister for Health calling for the provision of free antigen tests and high quality masks for workers in the retail and hospitality.

A new survey from the Central Statistics Office reveals that 90% of those aged between 35 and 44 years who could work remotely would like to do so when Covid-19 pandemic restrictions end.

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B.C. extended bar and gym closures indefinitely, Monday, sparking new confusion and uncertainty over provincial orders meant to contain the spread of COVID-19. Richard Zussman reports.

Credit Suisse Chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio has quit following an internal probe into his personal conduct, including breaches of Covid-19 rules.

The number of people on the Live Register and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment rose by 5.8% to 229,657 in December, according to the latest figures from Central Statistics Office.

New Brunswick, where strict COVID-19 restrictions have recently been announced, forcing people to avoid mingling with others and to stay at home.Nova Scotia teams can practice, but only in groups of 10, while New Brunswick teams can’t practice at all. QMJHL stares down another turbulent season “It’s quite difficult on some of those players,” says Ritchie Thibeau, the director of hockey operations for the Moncton Wildcats.

For nearly two years, we’ve heard Albertans should “support local” over and over again. But now, it might be more crucial than ever if you want to see some businesses stick around. Lisa MacGregor reports.

Strictly Come Dancing star took to Instagram today to tell her followers she is "on the mend" despite the way her face looks.Taking to her Instagram story, AJ posted an update from Vietnam.The presenter flew out four days ago to start filming a new Channel 4 show.In view of her 226,000 followers, she posted an update on her skin condition.AJ can be seen to have a layer of moisturiser over her face, leading her to address the issue to her fans.She said: "Morning! I just took a glimpse of myself and was like, 'Wow, wow'."She then moved her sunglasses off, saw her face and put them back on.AJ continued: "My skin is on the mend believe it or not. It's not burning as much, it's just very itchy and very dry."So I have got the thickest, whitest, most moisturising cream on, which is why I look drop dead gorgeous."AJ took to Instagram on Saturday to ask her followers for their advice on how to tackle the "dryness and itchiness" as she is currently in quarantine in Vietnam."Honey, I've woken up in Vietnam," she exclaimed excitedly."I mean, I've got a room with a view and everything but it's overcast right now."I am going to be staying in this quarantine hotel for the next seven days before doing a shoot for Channel 4 so I'm very excited," she added.She gushed: "New year, new show, new allergic reaction."The star went on to say that she suffered the reaction while using a face mask while on the go.She said: "Yes, I had an allergic reaction to one of my face masks while travelling and my face is burning, it's itchy and it's dry."It's just the worst sensation ever."AJ went on to say how being in quarantine means she is unable to seek treatment for the reaction.She continued: "I can't pop into Boots.

The end of the coronavirus crisis in the UK appears to be in sight, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) chief.

The public health orders which have shuttered B.C. bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios since late December are set to expire on Tuesday but with no clear direction on what’s next, many business owners are in limbo while others say it’s already too late.

Post-secondary institutions started this semester online, expecting to be back in person before the end of January, but as Omicron cases rapidly increase many have opted to keep classes online for several more weeks. Sarah Komadina has the details.

On Thursday, the chief medical officer of health spoke with reporters and fielded questions around whether or not businesses will be able to reopen Jan. 26. Erica Vella had more.

Boris Johnson’s deputy chief medical adviser has suddenly resigned.

Ontario Health CEO Matthew Anderson discussed on Tuesday a protocol that’s in place for hospitals to use to address absenteeism among medical staff, after an Ottawa hospital said it would consider directing COVID-19-positive staff to return to work in some situations.

An estimated 30 per cent of Alberta truck drivers are not fully immunized against COVID-19, and industry advocates say losing a soon-to-expire border exemption could harm the economy. Dan Grummett reports.

After the winter break was extended an extra week due to COVID-19, students returned to in-person learning across Alberta on Monday. Kendra Slugoski has more on how parents feel about it.