I’m sure when we met two years ago, when we were all coming to grips with the spread of this new virus, that none of us would have imagined we would now be entering the third year of the pandemic.

So when will it end? Is it ending now? That’s one of the major questions being asked.

Indeed, high vaccine coverage in some countries, combined with the lower severity of Omicron, is driving a dangerous narrative that the pandemic is over.

But it’s not – not when 70 thousand people a week are dying from a preventable and treatable disease;

Not when 83% of the population of Africa is yet to receive a single dose of vaccine;

Not when health systems continue to strain and crack under the caseload;

Not when we have a highly transmissible virus circulating almost unchecked, with too little surveillance to track its evolution.

In fact, the conditions are ideal for more transmissible, more dangerous variants to emerge.

But we can end the pandemic as a global health emergency this year.

We have the tools. We have the know-how.

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Prime Minster is critized for using the Emergencies Act to end protest.

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Washington D.C., 16 February 2022 (PAHO) – Complacency around mask wearing, travel, and indoor gatherings created a perfect opportunity for the new Omicron variant to spread rapidly throughout the region and increase deaths, alerted PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne, with many places remaining “just as they were before.”

“Reduced public health measures were insufficient to reduce the scale of this wave. And now we’re dealing with the consequence: a rise in infections is driving a surge in deaths,” she said at a media briefing today.

While still very high, COVID-19 infections declined by 31% this week, and deaths continued to rise by 5.6%.

“Undoubtedly, Omicron overtook us,” the Director said. “Every time infections surge, there is a heavy toll for our families and communities,” with peaks in cases followed by peaks in deaths three weeks later.

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British Columbia’s provincial health officer is easing COVID-19 restrictions while maintaining key protective measures to support the health and safety of all British Columbians.

While keeping the BC Vaccine Card, indoor masking requirements and COVID-19 safety plans in place, the provincial health officer will lift restrictions on personal gatherings, organized gatherings and events, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, exercise and fitness, and adult sports tournaments as of Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time). Capacity limits will return to normal.

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Eligible ICBC customers with policies expiring on or after May 1, 2022, will have the option to renew their policy using their computer, tablet or mobile device. While May 1 will be the official launch date, customers can renew their insurance up to 44 days earlier, meaning some people will be able to renew online as soon as March 17, 2022

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At a news conference on Parliament Hill, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers remarks and responds to questions from reporters. The federal government is invoking the federal Emergencies Act in an effort to address ongoing convoy protests that have affected border crossings and cities across the country. The prime minister is joined by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland as well as ministers David Lametti (justice) Marco Mendicino (public safety) and Bill Blair (emergency preparedness). This is the first time the Act has been invoked since it replaced the War Measures Act in 1988. Trudeau also announces that Canada will offer an additional $500-million loan to Ukraine and provide $7.8 million in lethal military equipment and ammunition in response to threats of a Russian invasion.

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Is this a countdown to war?
As fears of Russian invasion loom over Ukraine, the United States has dramatically raised the alarm warning that a Russian invasion could begin within few days. The White House said that a Russian invasion starting with civilians being caught under aerial bombing could begin any time even before the end of the Beijing Olympics. WION's executive editor Palki Sharma and Ashok Sajjanhar, former Indian envoy to Kazakhstan give more insights on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Thank you WION

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a media availability following a call with NATO, UK, US on Ukraine-Russia tensions.

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Thousands of Russian soldiers and tanks have been deployed near the Ukraine-Belarus border in the north. How are Ukrainian border posts preparing to defend against Russia? Palki Sharma visited the Senkivka checkpost near the Russian border to find out.

#GravitasUkraineDirect #WIONInUkraine #UkraineRussiaBorder

About Channel:

WION -The World is One News, examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim to empower people to explore their world. With our Global headquarters in New Delhi, we bring you news on the hour, by the hour. We deliver information that is not biased. We are journalists who are neutral to the core and non-partisan when it comes to the politics of the world. People are tired of biased reportage and we stand for a globalised united world. So for us the World is truly One.

Please keep discussions on this channel clean and respectful and refrain from using racist or sexist slurs as well as personal insults.

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In a news conference at Queen’s Park, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces that he is declaring a province-wide state of emergency as part of an effort to end truck blockades in the province, including one blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. He is joined by Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey, and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.

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