TORONTO (AP) — Canada most populous province is reporting its first case of a coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa that is believed to be more contagious than the original. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health said Monday that the case was found in the Peel region west Toronto and the person does not have a known history of travel or any known contact with someone who has travelled. British Columbia has also reported cases of the South African variant. Viruses constantly mutate but scientists are concerned with the emergence of three that researchers believe may spread more easily. One first reported in the United Kingdom was previously confirmed in Canada, and Ontario has dozens of cases now.
Ontario confirms its 1st case of South African virus variant
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LE PECQ, France (AP) — Another quarrel over sexism has erupted in France’s parliament. A female lawmaker slighted as “the fishwife” by a yelling male colleague has called for him to be sanctioned. National Assembly member Mathilde Panot said Thursday that the incident typifies the sexism faced by millions of women in France. Male lawmaker Pierre Henriet sought to justify the comment without acknowledging that it was he who called Panot “the fishwife.” Panot also was subjected to cries of “It’s the mad woman” in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The chamber’s president condemned the language used against Panot in a statement that said “sexism has no place in our society” but which made no mention of punishments.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says America has some “tough months ahead” in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and for that reason it is critical that Congress pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package. In her first public interview since becoming Treasury secretary last week, Yellen said that President Biden was would willing to cooperate with Republicans to pass the measure on a bipartisan basis. However, Democrats in Congress have signaled that if they do not line up GOP support, they are prepared to pass the measure with only Democratic support.