Life & Style – Winnipeg Free Press

A passenger exits a subway station as snow falls in the Alphabet City neighborhood of New York, Sunday evening, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

New York City hunkers down under blizzard warnings and a travel ban as winter storm hits Northeast

Anthony Izaguirre, Claire Rush, Julie Walker And Adam Geller, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 1:01 AM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of people in New York City and a large swath of the northeastern U.S. were stuck at home under road travel bans and blizzard warnings Monday as a fierce winter storm barreled into the densely populated region with heavy snowfall and high winds.

Cellphones across New York City received wailing push alerts Sunday night announcing a ban on non-emergency travel on all streets through noon Monday because of “dangerous blizzard conditions.” Rhode Island and New Jersey implemented similar restrictions. Regional airports saw widespread cancellations and delays, and public transit was suspended in some areas. Even DoorDash announced it was suspending deliveries in New York City overnight.

Blizzard warnings stretched from Maryland to Maine. Snow began falling Sunday as the storm moved north, and the National Weather Service said 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow was possible in many areas, along with low visibility. Officials in several states urged people to avoid venturing out.

Emergencies were declared in New York, Philadelphia and other cities, as well as several states stretching from Delaware to Massachusetts as officials mobilized readiness efforts.

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Conservatives calling for probe into asylum seekers’ access to health care

David Baxter, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Conservatives calling for probe into asylum seekers’ access to health care

David Baxter, The Canadian Press 3 minute read 3:00 AM CST

OTTAWA - The Conservatives plan to put a motion before the House of Commons on Tuesday aimed at reviewing how health benefits are provided to asylum seekers and restricting who has access to those services.

The planned text of the motion, which has been shared with The Canadian Press, says the cost of the Interim Federal Health Program has more than quadrupled since the 2020 fiscal year, growing from $211 million to $896 million in 2024-25.

That data was pulled from a report by the parliamentary budget officer published earlier this month.

In that report, which was requested by the House of Commons health committee, the PBO projects the program's cost will reach $1.5 billion annually in 2028-29.

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3:00 AM CST

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Carney watching Canada-U.S. gold medal hockey game with friends, family at the pub

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Carney watching Canada-U.S. gold medal hockey game with friends, family at the pub

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:47 PM CST

OTTAWA - With a jersey on his back and a pint in hand — a non-alcoholic one — Prime Minister Mark Carney settled in at the pub for the men's gold medal Olympic hockey game between Canada and the United States on Sunday morning.

Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, joined a gaggle of friends and family of the Prime Minister's Office, Liberal MPs and restaurant staff at Quebec's Chelsea Pub north of Ottawa shortly before 8 a.m., just ahead of the first faceoff.

"How are we feeling? Let's get some energy in here!" he said to cheers upon entry.

As Team Canada took the ice and broadcasters introduced the goaltenders, the prime minister referred to Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington as "Winnington."

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:47 PM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney reacts to a chance for Canada as he watches the gold medal men's ice hockey game against the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, at a pub in Chelsea, Que., on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:00 AM CST

TORONTO - Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week:

Bank earnings

Canada's big banks will report their first-quarter results this week, starting with Scotiabank on Tuesday. BMO Financial Group and National Bank of Canada are set to report their results on Wednesday. CIBC, TD Bank and Royal Bank of Canada are scheduled for Thursday.

Loblaw results

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Yesterday at 9:00 AM CST

TD Bank and Bank of Montreal signage is pictured in the financial district in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Lahodynskyj

More Ghanaians are wearing a cultural outfit after their president was mocked

Edward Acquah, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

More Ghanaians are wearing a cultural outfit after their president was mocked

Edward Acquah, The Associated Press 4 minute read 12:16 AM CST

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — On a busy street in central Accra, Clement Azaabire hangs neatly sewn fugu smocks on lines, the striped, multicolored fabrics swaying in the breeze. For 15 years, Azaabire has proudly sold the garment that is associated with his community in northern Ghana. Now, it's the talk of town.

More Ghanaians are wearing the colorful traditional outfit with pride in a trend triggered by online mockery.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama in early February visited Zambia wearing a fugu garment, prompting ridicule from some social media users. Ghanaians responded by defending what they felt was a rich cultural heritage, and Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie took it a step further by declaring Wednesdays as “Fugu Day.”

Since the “Fugu Day” declaration on Feb. 10, more people are wearing the smock to work on Wednesdays, but also on other days. And traders like Azaabire are selling out their stock.

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12:16 AM CST

Clement Azaabire hangs traditional fugu garments under a tree on display for sale along a street in Accra, Ghana, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Tsraha Yaw)

Japan’s emperor expresses concern about 3/11 disaster survivors on his 66th birthday

Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Japan’s emperor expresses concern about 3/11 disaster survivors on his 66th birthday

Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 3:29 AM CST

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed concern about the scars that remain for survivors of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in comments released for his 66th birthday Monday just weeks before the March 11 anniversary.

“While recovery of infrastructure has made progress, I feel that reconstruction of livelihoods and community still needs to be addressed,” Naruhito said in the remarks made last week. “As I think of those who lost their loved ones and had to cope with complete change of their living environment, I feel their scars have not healed yet ... they stay despite the passage of time."

Naruhito, Empress Masako, their daughter, Princess Aiko, and his younger brother Crown Prince Akishino's family waved from the palace balcony in an appearance to thank cheering well-wishers waving small rising-sun flags.

Later Monday, the emperor hosted a palace banquet, attended by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other top officials and members of the imperial family.

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Updated: 3:29 AM CST

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Naruhito, center, talks with Empress Masako, left, and Princess Aiko, as they pose for a photo in Tokyo, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

How bomb cyclones form and create dangerous conditions

Isabella O'malley, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

How bomb cyclones form and create dangerous conditions

Isabella O'malley, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:37 PM CST

When turbulent weather with whipping winds and heavy snow is in the forecast, meteorologists sometimes warn that a storm could “bomb out” or become a bomb cyclone. But what exactly does this mean?

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, certain storms undergo bombogenesis, which happens when a storm’s central pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. These storms are sometimes called bomb cyclones. Storm intensity is measured by central pressure, so the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm.

Such rapidly strengthening storms are capable of producing heavy rain, blizzard conditions and intense winds that can create dangerous conditions such as downed trees and power outages.

“If you’re watching TV at night and the weather report comes on and you’re hearing ‘bomb cyclone’ being used, that usually means there’s quite a bit of active weather going on,” said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

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Yesterday at 6:37 PM CST

People wait to cross the corner of 20th Street and First Ave. during a snowstorm, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Hassell)

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Ottawa launching countrywide survey in buildup toward formal men’s health strategy

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa launching countrywide survey in buildup toward formal men’s health strategy

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:02 PM CST

OTTAWA - The federal government is taking its first steps toward developing a national men's health strategy, launching a survey for Canadians to weigh in.

As previously reported by The Canadian Press, federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel is working on a strategy on men’s and boys’ health, to be released later this year.

The national online survey will launch in early March and will run until the beginning of June.

Advocacy group Movember and researchers from the University of British Columbia released a report last summer calling on the federal government to create such a strategy.

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Yesterday at 6:02 PM CST

Health Minister Marjorie Michel rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

‘One of the worst moments of my life:’ Canadian fans mourn gold medal hockey loss

Kathryn Mannie, Nono Shen, Charlotte Glorieux and Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘One of the worst moments of my life:’ Canadian fans mourn gold medal hockey loss

Kathryn Mannie, Nono Shen, Charlotte Glorieux and Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:26 PM CST

Fans across the country didn’t let the early morning hour keep them from coming together — and in the end commiserating together — after Canada’s men’s hockey team lost a heartbreaking Olympic gold medal game 2-1 in overtime.

Inside Scotiabank Arena, home base of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the usual crowd of blue jerseys was replaced by a sea of red, but fan Matthew Dickens left feeling dejected after watching what he called “probably the best team to ever exist” lose.

“(It was) probably one of the two best hockey games I've ever watched. And then to lose 2-1 in overtime, 3-on-3, it was probably honestly one of the worst moments of my life," he said.

"Given the other games, I knew we could come back," he added. "I didn't think we could lose. It was a shock."

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:26 PM CST

Olympic rings are seen on the glass as Canada warms up ahead of a quarterfinal men's hockey game against Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Robotaxis are coming to London. The city’s famed black cab drivers are skeptical

Kelvin Chan, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Robotaxis are coming to London. The city’s famed black cab drivers are skeptical

Kelvin Chan, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:03 PM CST

LONDON (AP) — The Ford Mustang Mach-E cruises down a London road choked with traffic, using its onboard AI system to avoid jaywalkers and cyclists, and navigate roadwork as it drives to its destination.

The autonomous vehicle from British startup Wayve Technologies is on a test run ahead of the U.K. government's robotaxi trials set to launch in the spring. Tech companies including U.S. company Waymo and China's Baidu also plan to take part in the pilot program, making London the latest arena in the global robotaxi competition.

While self-driving cabs aren’t new, London’s ancient road layout and busy streetscapes could pose special challenges for the technology.

There's also skepticism from London’s famed black cab drivers, who must pass a grueling training course known as “The Knowledge,” which requires memorizing hundreds of routes and takes years to complete. They've previously opposed technology that's disrupted their industry, and protested the arrival of Uber.

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Yesterday at 11:03 PM CST

Britain Robotaxis A black cab drives along a street in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

NASA will return its moon rocket to the hangar for more repairs before astronauts strap in

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

NASA will return its moon rocket to the hangar for more repairs before astronauts strap in

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:54 PM CST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Grounded until at least April, NASA’s giant moon rocket is headed back to the hangar this week for more repairs before astronauts climb aboard.

The space agency said Sunday it’s targeting Tuesday for the slow, four-mile (6.4-kilometer) trek across Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting.

NASA had barely finished a repeat fueling test Thursday, to ensure dangerous hydrogen fuel leaks were plugged, when another problem cropped up.

This time, the rocket’s helium system malfunctioned, further delaying astronauts’ first trip to the moon in more than half a century.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:54 PM CST

This image provided by NASA shows NASA's moon rocket sits on the pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (NASA via AP)

US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context

Melanie Lidman And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context

Melanie Lidman And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:24 AM CST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An uproar continued Sunday after the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East, as more Arab and Muslim countries objected and the U.S. said his comments were taken out of context.

Huckabee spoke in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include much of the Middle East, including parts of modern-day Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. He quoted from Genesis Chapter 15 and asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to that land.

Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy said Sunday that Huckabee’s comments were taken out of context and that there is no change to U.S. policies on Israel.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:24 AM CST

FILE - U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee poses for a photo during an interview in Jerusalem, Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, file)

Why adults pursuing career growth or personal interests are the ‘new majority’ student

Cheyanne Mumphrey, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Why adults pursuing career growth or personal interests are the ‘new majority’ student

Cheyanne Mumphrey, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:53 AM CST

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Interested in starting a business, learning about artificial intelligence or exploring a new hobby? There's a class for that.

Millions of U.S. adults enroll in credit and non-credit college courses to earn professional certificates, learn new skills or to pursue academic degrees. Some older students are seeking career advancement, higher pay and job security, while others want to explore their personal interests or try new things.

“They might have kids, they might be working full-time, they might be older non-traditional students," said Eric Deschamps, the director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. But returning to school "opens doors to education for students that might not have those doors open to them otherwise.”

Older students, many of whom bring years of work and life experience to their studies, often are juggling courses with full-time jobs, caregiving and other family responsibilities. It is a challenging balancing act but can also sharpen priorities and provide a sense of fulfillment.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:53 AM CST

FILE - Hazel Soares, 94, center, gets her picture taken with some of her classmates before the start of commencement exercises at Mills College, in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, May 15, 2010. ( AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)

Display of St. Francis of Assisi’s bones confirms enduring appeal of relics for Christians

Nicole Winfield And Gregorio Borgia, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Display of St. Francis of Assisi’s bones confirms enduring appeal of relics for Christians

Nicole Winfield And Gregorio Borgia, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:03 AM CST

ASSISI, Italy (AP) — The bones of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display for the first time Sunday, capping an 800-year saga over his bodily remains and confirming the enduring appeal to Christians of venerating a saint’s relics.

Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance to see the bone fragments, which are contained in a slim, bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower Basilica of St. Francis in the hilltop Umbrian town the medieval friar made famous.

The Franciscans decided to exhibit the bones for one month, through March 22, to honor the 800th anniversary of St. Francis ’ death in 1226. The aim is to revive his message of peace and fraternity that made him one of the most beloved Christian saints and inspired Pope Francis to take his name, the first pope to do so.

The exposition of his bodily remains is particularly remarkable given the somewhat tortured history of the body of St. Francis, a wealthy merchant’s son born in 1182 who gave up all his possessions to live as a mendicant friar.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:03 AM CST

Pilgrims honor the bones of St. Francis during the first public display inside the St. Francis Basilica, marking the 800th anniversary of the saint death, in Assisi, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

French artist JR’s installation will transform Paris’ oldest bridge into a giant cave

Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

French artist JR’s installation will transform Paris’ oldest bridge into a giant cave

Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 2:50 AM CST

PARIS (AP) — He is known as the French Banksy — or simply JR. Now the artist popular across France for large-scale projects, from photographs to graffiti and street art, wants Parisians to do something unusual on the city's arguably most famous bridge: stop.

In June, he plans to transform the bustling Pont Neuf that dates back to the 17th century into a walk-through “cave” — a temporary, monumental public artwork that will cover the stone arches with a rocky illusion and invite visitors to cross the River Seine through a tunnel, complete with sound and digitally augmented reality.

He says it's possibly the “largest immersive installation ever made” and — one that will be accessible around the clock and offer a “totally different approach” to the bridge.

“We’re about to leave something pretty incredible in the middle of Paris,” JR told The Associated Press at his studio in eastern Paris, wearing his trademark hat and shades.

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Updated: 2:50 AM CST

French artist JR shows his project Pont Neuf Cavern during an interview with The Associated Press in his studio, in Paris, France, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Blizzard warnings cascade across East Coast as winter storm hits

Anthony Izaguirre, Julie Walker And Adam Geller, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Blizzard warnings cascade across East Coast as winter storm hits

Anthony Izaguirre, Julie Walker And Adam Geller, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:16 PM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City and New Jersey announced travel bans, airlines canceled thousands of flights and even Broadway shows were canceled Sunday evening as a fierce winter storm bore down on the Northeastern U.S., prompting blizzard warnings from Maryland to Massachusetts.

Snow began falling in New Jersey and New York as the storm moved northward. The National Weather Service said 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow was possible in many areas, along with heavy winds. Visibility in many areas was expected to be a quarter-mile (400 meters) or less. Officials throughout the region urged residents to avoid travel.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a major nor’easter and major blizzard of this magnitude across the Northeast,” said Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the service’s Weather Prediction Center. “This is definitely a major winter storm and a major impact for this part of the country.”

The weather service issued blizzard warnings for New York City and Long Island, Boston and coastal communities in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. State of emergency declarations were issued in New York City and other parts of New York state, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts as officials mobilized readiness efforts.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:16 PM CST

February 23, 2026

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