The Russian offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is warning that the coming weeks will be among the most dangerous, so far, of the war with Russia.
His comments come as Russia continues its buildup of troops in eastern Ukraine, with a major assault on the Donbas region expected to begin in the next few days.
Russian-backed separatists have been operating in the area for the past eight years.
British defence officials also report fighting is intensifying in the southern port city of Mariupol, which has been under siege for several weeks.
There are more signs that Russia’s offensive has not been going well.
The country has decided to call up tens of thousands of men who have left the army over the past decade.
Russian men must serve one year in the military, then remain available for the call-up.
Getting weapons to Ukraine
The United States says it will get Ukraine the weapons it needs to beat back further Russian attacks.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the U-S is working round the clock to ship weapons to Ukraine and is assisting several other nations in getting supplies to the country.
Ukraine’s president has been pressing Western countries for heavier armaments, including warplanes, tanks, and artillery.
More kids expected to be sick
A report from Public Health Ontario says dropping measures like wearing face masks has contributed to the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
And the government agency warns that children could be the hardest hit.
Its analysis of the spread of the sub-variant of the Omicron strain notes that low vaccination rates among children between 5 and 12 could see more kids with severe cases in hospitals.
It says wearing face masks is effective at reducing the transmission of the virus.
Election Ontario 2022
Elections Ontario is urging voters to request mail-in ballots for the June 2nd provincial election.
The agency plans to open an online application process between May 4th and the 27th.
The ballot must be returned by 6 pm on election day.
It’s also setting aside ten days for advance polling…..double the usual number.
It’s all to try to reduce crowds in polling stations on election day itself, to slow the spread of COVID-19.