Inside the scramble to keep up with Omicron sub-variants

Plus, one woman's story of grooming and sexual assault, and Canada's renewed support for Ukraine [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on one Toronto woman’s story of grooming and sexual assault as a teen, Canada’s renewed support for Ukraine and what new sub-variants mean for the future of the pandemic. DON’T MISS Giovanni Capriotti for The Star courts [She was groomed by her Grade 10 music teacher and sexually assaulted — now she’s sharing her story]( When Danielle Han was 15, her music teacher — a man 10 years older than her — began grooming her. Christopher Ng used his position of trust and authority to manipulate Han, initiating an illegal sexual relationship that would last for years, an Ontario court judge said after Ng pleaded guilty to sexual assault. Now, Han has lifted a publication ban on her name to tell her story. “I had no confidence,” she said. “You made life seem so small that I didn’t deserve anything more.” [Here’s what she wants people to know about how abuse happens](. - The aftermath: Han says the grooming warped her reality and sense of self as a child. - Go deeper: Instead of learning about consent in school, Han learned about the importance of preserving virginity. She internalized shame and didn’t know where to seek help. - ICYMI: Last month, high school students across Canada staged a walk-out, [calling for resources to combat sexual violence](. Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo war in ukraine [Trudeau reinforced Canada’s support for Ukraine in a surprise trip to Kyiv]( On a one-day trip to Ukraine’s capital Sunday, Justin Trudeau raised the flag at the Canadian embassy for the first time since the beginning of the war. The prime minister also announced Canada would provide another $50 million of military equipment help, $25 million in humanitarian aid and $10 million to support human rights groups on the ground, while Canada and other G7 leaders pledged to reinforce harsh sanctions against Russia. [Here’s how G7 countries say they will continue to support Ukraine](. - More: More than 60 people are feared dead after a [Russian bomb struck a Ukrainian school]( being used as a shelter. Paige Taylor White/The Star sixth wave [Vaccine researchers are scrambling to keep up with new Omicron sub-variants]( Canada is beginning to see a new form of BA.2 — BA.2.12.1 — that’s already making the rounds in the United States, while scientists keep an eye on two other variants — BA.4 and BA.5 — that are raising concerns in South Africa and cropping up in a number of other countries. As Omicron sub-variants continue to evolve into more contagious versions of their past selves, vaccine researchers are just trying to catch up. [Here’s how they are hoping future vaccines can curb the spread of the new viruses](. - Interactive: Is COVID-19 spreading in your neighbourhood? [Check our wastewater map](. - What we know: Can’t shake Omicron symptoms? [You’re not alone](. [Get a front-row seat this provincial election] Get a front-row seat this provincial election. As the Ontario election heats up, you need This Week in Politics, featuring exclusive analysis from Queen’s Park bureau chief Robert Benzie and columnist Susan Delacourt. [Sign up here]( and you’ll start receiving their insight on what just happened, what it means — and what’s coming next. WHAT ELSE CPC leadership candidates seem to be aligning themselves with an [alternate-reality version of what the convoy was](. TDSB’s proposed overhaul of specialty high school programs has some [parents “frustrated,” while others defend it](. [Who’s running in your riding?]( Use our search tool to look up the Ontario election candidates. From health care to high gas prices, [here’s what’s of concern in the north](. Ontario’s NDP is [promising 1.5 million new homes]( over the next decade. Doug Ford promises to [build roads and restore rail]( in northern Ontario. The cost of gas is out of control and getting higher this weekend. [Here’s how to pay less](. [How to save on grocery basics?]( We compared prices at three major grocery store chains to find out. For my parents, grocery shopping isn’t about convenience — [it’s a sport](. Canada’s labour force has recovered. [That doesn’t mean working moms have](. A woman is seeking answers after a Toronto hospital [discharged her at-risk mother]( to a COVID-infected household. The [Philippine election narrows]( to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a human rights defender. GET THIS McKenna Deighton/The Star [Who will win the Ontario election? Check out the latest poll results.]( PREVIOUSLY... David Cooper/The Star MAY 9, 1988: Canada’s first “test-tube” quintuplets, conceived through in vitro fertilization, returned to Toronto East General Hospital for a shower held by the hospital’s Laboratory-Initiated Fertilization Emplacement program. Born on February 6, 1988, the Collier quints of Holland Landing went home at the end of April. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_122452). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. 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