Canada’s new infamy on a U.S. travel list

No chill whatsoever from the CDC

CNN @CNN

Canada has been moved to the CDC's highest-risk category for travel

cnn.itCanada deemed ‘very high’ risk for travelCanada moved to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s highest-risk category for travel (Level 4) on Monday because of that nation’s Covid-19 surge.

The land borders were shut down for 19 months, but only two more passed before the U.S. Centers for Disease Control moved Canada to Level 4: Very High on its travel advisory scale, where it joined about 80 other destinations. CDC had ranked Canada at Level 3 since August 30. China is among the nations that can currently brag of Level 1.

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Back to school on schedule

CBC News Alerts @CBCAlerts

Ontario government confirms students will return to in-class learning Jan.17.

cbc.caOntario schools will reopen for in-person learning on Monday, premier’s office says | CBC NewsSchools across Ontario will reopen for in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 17, a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford has confirmed.

The earliest date on which Ontario said schools would return to in-person learning is being held to after urgings that included three pediatricians’ groups. Related developments include retired teachers being allowed to work more days this year to make up for shortages, while PCR tests will now only be issued on a limited basis.

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Parallel parking and three-point turn are temporarily off the list of evaluations to get a full driver’s licence in Ontario. Repeating qualifications to advance from Class G2 to G have been amended to cut testing time in half, to 15 minutes. The move is part of trying to catch up after nearly 400,000 tests were cancelled.

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Rogers makes a CFO a CEO

Canada’s first feuding family of telecom wound down 2021 with Melinda Rogers-Hixon saying she wanted a global search for a new boss, preferring someone with operating experience. At the time, Tony Staffieri took over from Joe Natale on a basis announced as interim. But now Edward’s choice has been permanently installed:

Globalnews.ca @globalnews

Tony Staffieri replaces Joe Natale, who left the company in November amid a family squabble between Chairman Edward Rogers and his mother and two sisters, who are also board members.

trib.alRogers names new permanent CEO after family drama, board shakeup - National | Globalnews.caRogers Communications Inc. has appointed Tony Staffieri permanent president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

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The Weeknd debuted to unanimously positive reviews. Dawn FM has fared no worse than four stars, to whatever extent a Pitchfork 8.0 still matters in the streaming world. The best backstory is the virtual involvement of Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys, who explained how his backing tracks were originally recorded with Skrillex.

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Finally, a ghost in the house

R. Dean Taylor had his death at age 82 announced by people claiming a personal connection to the singer-songwriter born in Toronto, before any reliable confirmation was offered. The voice of “Indiana Wants Me” was a white artist on Motown Records, whose earlier side “There’s a Ghost in My House” was a model of U.K. northern soul: