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The most noticeable shift in how millions of Americans today view the threat from COVID-19 is that wearing a face mask is becoming increasingly unnecessary as pandemic laws relax across most of the United States. With the exception of Hawaii, every state is abandoning or plans to abandon mask laws as the Omicron outbreak subsides, with infections and hospitalizations falling even as the disease continues to kill roughly 2,000 Americans every day.  This month, California, Nevada, and New Mexico were among the states that repealed mask laws. Some of the country's largest firms are returning to some form of pre-pandemic existence, with others going even further and eliminating vaccine obligations for employees. Indoor mask rules for businesses were abolished in New York and Rhode Island this month, but they are still required in schools. By the end of March, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, and Washington, D.C. plan to let mask requirements expire. A Massachusetts school mask order is sl

After recent attacks that have left subway users on edge, New York City is considering building underground barriers. Michelle Go was struck and killed by a train at the Times Square subway station after an assailant shoved her onto the tracks without warning more than a month ago. Residents in New York City are concerned about an increase in violence against subway commuters, so the agency's transit commissioner stated on Wednesday that the city will test erecting barriers or doors on a select subway platforms. Michelle Go, a 40-year-old woman, was struck and murdered by a train at the Times Square subway station after an assailant shoved her onto the tracks without warning more than a month ago. "It doesn't work in a lot of places," Lieber said, adding that the installations would be tested in Times Square and two other high-traffic areas before being expanded if successful. "We'll also be testing new technologies to detect track intrusion using heat techno

At the White House, President Joe Biden hosts a virtual discussion on securing vital minerals. In a phone discussion with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just after Russia launched a nighttime invasion of Ukraine, US Vice President Joe Biden pledged "support and aid." During the call, Biden stated that the US will "continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." He denounced Russian military forces' "unprovoked and unjustified strike." Zelenskyy asked Washington to "call on the leaders of the world to speak out unambiguously" against Russian President Vladimir Putin's "flagrant actions," according to a statement released by the US president. Biden had previously stated that he will meet with his G7 counterparts on Thursday to lay out additional punitive measures against Russia, and that the US and its partners would act "uniformly and decisively" and "impose significant sanctions on

Following a positive Covid test, the Queen has postponed engagements for the second time in a week. The monarch, who tested positive for the illness on Sunday, will continue with "light duties," according to Buckingham Palace. It was also announced that Thursday's virtual audiences will be rescheduled for a later date. The Queen, who is 95 years old, also canceled virtual engagements on Tuesday, but she did have a phone meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday. "Her Majesty continues to do minimal duties. There are no additional engagements planned for this week." While on light duties, the Queen is expected to study documents provided to her every day from UK government ministers and Commonwealth representatives, approving and signing them as necessary. The palace claimed in a statement announcing the Queen's positive test over the weekend that she was experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms." A number of persons are believed to have t

Boris Johnson has stated that the UK "cannot and will not just look away" from Russia's "hideous and brutal" invasion on Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin, the PM claimed, had launched a "massive invasion by land, sea, and air" without provocation. He stated that the United Kingdom and its partners will implement a "massive package" of sanctions to "hobble" Russia's economy. At 17:00 GMT, the Prime Minister will announce new measures against Russia in the Commons. Mr Johnson said in a pre-recorded TV address that Ukraine was not some remote country, but one "that has experienced freedom, democracy, and the opportunity to determine its own destiny for decades." He stated that the UK and the rest of the globe could not allow that freedom to be "simply wiped away." "Our job is clear: this heinous and barbaric effort of Vladimir Putin must fail internationally, politically, economically, and militarily,"