Prince Philip, husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, dies at 99
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband and the longest-serving consort of any British monarch, has died at age 99. A statement posted on the royal family’s website Friday morning said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.” News of his passing came more than three-and-a-half years after Philip formally stepped back from public life, a retreat that had been happening gradually for several years. Prince Philip leaves three sons and a daughter, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
GAS UP, DIESEL DOWN IN N.S.
Nova Scotia gas prices are up and diesel is down a bit today. Regular self-serve gas sits at $1.27 per litre in the local area, up 2.9 cents overnight. The price of diesel dropped six-tenths of a cent per litre to a new minimum of $1.119.
Economy adds 303,000 jobs in March, unemployment rate falls, Statistics Canada says
Statistics Canada says the economy added 303,000 jobs in March as employment increased, with gains in sectors hardest hit by public health restrictions. In March, Statistics Canada says there were about 95,000 more retail jobs, fully recouping losses sustained in January lockdowns, and an employment bump of 21,000 in the accommodation and food services sector. The figure released this morning outpaced the 259,000 gain seen in February that, at the time, whipped past expectations. The March increase puts employment 296,000 shy of the pre-COVID level in February 2020, or roughly 1.5 per cent of pre-crisis levels. It also sent the unemployment rate to 7.5 per cent, down from 8.2 per cent in February, bringing the rate to a pandemic-era low. The jobs numbers come just over a week before the federal Liberals release a budget where employment levels are expected to be used as a gauge for planned stimulus measures. (The Canadian Press)
5 New Covid-19 Cases Reported in N.S. Thursday
Five new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nova Scotia on Thursday. Three cases are in Central Zone and are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. There are also two cases in Eastern Zone. Both those cases are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. Unrelated to those cases, one new UK variant case has been identified. The person is a Nova Scotia resident who is living and working outside of the province. This case has no known close contacts in Nova Scotia. It brings the total number of cases of the UK variant in Nova Scotia to 23. The number of South African variant cases remains at 10. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang will have an update beginning around 1 p.m. this afternoon.
The province says it’s amending the Municipal Government Act to modernize local government operations. The change announced on Thursday, will allow municipalities and villages to hold virtual council meetings. Virtual meetings have been ongoing during the COVID-19 pandemic under the provincial state of emergency. The amendment supports councils holding virtual meetings once the state of emergency is removed.
Sports notes:
The Amherst Ramblers defeated the Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers last night 5-2 at the Wellness Centre.
Summer registration is now open for Northern Nova United Soccer Club. Space is limited due to Covid protocols. Play starts May 25th, 2021. REGISTER HERE: nnusc.demosphere-secure.com
