Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted Newark's removal of roughly 23,000 lead pipes in nearly three years, saying that the city's progress could provide a road map for communities across the United States.

New York City is expected to fire as many as 3,000 unvaccinated municipal workers on Friday. The president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York argued that 'natural immunity' from contracting Covid-19 should be recognized as a form of vaccination.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that those blocking U.S.-Canada border crossings to protest Covid measures would face increased police presence and penalties, but that Canada was 'a long way' from sending military to disperse demonstrations.

Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, warned that protesters who do not clear transit routes could face a maximum penalty of $100,000, up to a year in prison and the potential loss of commercial and personal licenses.

The World Health Organization's regional director for Africa said the continent could manage living with the coronavirus if a downward trend in new cases holds and vaccinations are increased.

Protesters snarled traffic in the capital, Ottawa, and continued blockades at some of the busiest routes linking Canada to the United States, demanding an end to vaccine mandates and coronavirus restrictions.

Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that Nevada would join a growing list of states, from New York to California, that are relaxing pandemic restrictions. The governor said schools and private businesses in Nevada could still set their own mask rules.

Protestors opposing vaccine mandates have blocked some of the busiest routes linking Canada to the United States.

Russia's top diplomat dismissed talks with his British counterpart as unproductive.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain promised additional troops, planes and ships to protect the alliance.