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A safety tool that makes it easier to have a contactless ride on the TTC is blowing up on TikTok right now, and it's 3D \-printed locally right here in Toronto.

The KoalaGrip is a deceptively simple tool, a device you can hold in your hand that grips onto TTC poles with somewhat koala-like "claws" so you don't have to touch the dirty, germy surface.

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Their TikTok page only has a few very simple videos that are pretty much all alike, but their most popular has over 10.5 million views and counting. The video shows a closeup of how the tool works with the basic text overtop reading "Stay connected."

"KoalaGrip is a family idea that came to life since we're stuck in cities and rely on public transport. One of our founders is an essential worker so we started working on a solution early on. We use a local 3D printer in the GTA and are moving towards recycled plastics to further minimize our footprint," the founders of KoalaGrip told blogTO.

"We are trying to smooth out our production process to bring the price to a point that is accessible to everyone. Since our Tiktok went viral our orders have taken off! We appreciate all the support we have received so far and hope to make an impact in the return to normalcy."

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The tool costs $27.99 and can be purchased online. The KoalaGrip website promises that the tool is designed to fit all sizes of TTC poles and hands, and is meant to be sturdy and secure enough for bumpy rides.

Of over 4700 comments on their popular TikTok video, many note that this could be useful for addressing accessibility issues. "Even pre-COVID I didn't want to touch the rails on the subway or train," wrote one person. "Genius simply because those things are the nastiest," commented another.

"Whoever invented this is gonna be a millionaire," commented someone else. With sales taking off thanks to social media, we'll just have to wait and see if an explosion of blue claws starts to take over the TTC.

The best Latin American restaurants in Toronto give a taste of the many delicious flavours coming out of Central and South America. Empanadas, hornado, yucca, tamales and more make up one of the world’s most varied and colourful cuisines.

Here are the best Latin American restaurants in Toronto.

10 - Bacan

<p>Argentinian and Venezuelan flavours come together using local ingredients at this Roncy favourite. Get combos of empanadas with yuca fries, cachapas, or platters with fried sweet plantain with fresco cheese and tequeños.</p>
9 - Las San Sivar

<p>This pupuseria on St. Clair West serves a unique mix of Latin American and Canadian eats here. Pupusas are made from scratch and filled with your classic combos of cheese, pork, and beans with a side of curtido slaw.</p>
6 - Tanto

<p>Not far from Trinity Bellwoods Park is this Argentinian restaurant on Queen West billing itself as a modern steakhouse. Sharing plates plus house-baked and cured eats brings diners together to experience flavours brought alive by the grill in the back.</p>
8 - Marked

<p>What was supposed to become a Brazilian steakhouse ended up being a 10,000-square-foot affair specializing in South American fare. The menu at this John Street restaurant includes a grill-centric list of eats like sea bream served in a roof tile and fancy cocktails.</p>
3 - La Cubana on Ossington

<p>It’s all about the art of the Cuban sandwich, along with other Cuban comfort foods here. Head to La Cubana’s locations in Leslieville, Roncesvalles, or on Ossington for molasses slow-cooked pork shoulder, tostones galore and medianoches that will put you to sleep.</p>
4 - Mira

<p>This King West restaurant that caught eyes with its beautiful chocolate bomb dessert sources its ingredients directly from Peru. The menu offers anticuchos like short ribs, teriyaki salmon with shiso, and dishes like pollo a la brassa. </p>
5 - Cocina de Dona Julia

<p>Well-portioned plates of churrasco fried beef, fritada, bandera, and manestra are being doled out of this small strip plaza counter on Dupont. Almost everything is served with some combination of rice, salad and plantains.</p>
7 - La Morena

<p>Tamales, humitas, bolones, and all your other favourite Ecuadorian eats are lovingly made at this family-run restaurant on St. Clair West. Find three savoury variations of empanadas, including one made with a rice shell, and hornado: Ecuador's slow-roasted pork specialty.</p>
11 - Pisac

<p>This bistro on Dupont Street gets its name from a Peruvian village located in a sacred valley. Bright ceviche and arroz con mariscos are great options for the seafood lovers. The lomo saltado hits home for the chifa fans, with an obligatory order of pisco sour.</p>

Toronto may have gotten a hint of spring weather this weekend with temperatures finally going above zero, but it seems that the milder climate was short-lived, as the city has just issued an extreme cold weather alert.

The alerts come when it's expected to drop to -15 C or colder in the city, and/or when the wind chill is forecasted to be - 20 C or lower.

According to Environment Canada, it's slated to feel like a frosty - 17 C by Monday afternoon despite the high being 1 C, thrusting us back into our typical seasonal temps after a glimmer of hope that winter was coming to an end.

Extreme Cold Weather Alert – seek shelter, check on loved ones

News release: https://t.co/Mu3H5UyghO pic.twitter.com/HWBwaJ0gPW

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) March 1, 2021

There is a special weather statement currently in effect for the city due to strong winds of up to 80 km/h that are anticipated over the course of this afternoon and evening under overcast skies as well.

"The strong winds may throw loose objects, cause tree branches to break and damage property. Power outages are also possible," the Crown agency writes.

We may also see some flurries tonight as the low plummets to - 10 C, which will feel more like a brutal - 20 C with the wind chill.

As is the case with extreme cold weather alerts, the City advises residents to seek shelter, bundle up before going outside and check on loved ones and vulnerable populations.

Thankfully, things may look up over the weekend again, with Sunday's forecast presently a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 6 C.

Latest updates: UK officials face urgent calls for tougher border measures as the search continues for one of six people infected with Brazilian variant

• Alarm over delays in border measures as Brazil Covid variant hits UK
• Health and postal services seeking person with Brazil Covid variant
• Watchdog criticises how UK government appointed Covid ‘tsars’
• Tory-linked PR firm to provide test and trace ‘reputation management’
• Coronavirus – latest global updates

11.41am GMT

Among the many challenges facing teachers in England at the moment as they prepare for all pupils to return from Monday next week is the danger that Boris Johnson might show up. He has been making repeated visits to schools in recent weeks, and he was at it again this morning, visiting a school in Stoke-on-Trent.

When I’ve got a report of what he had to say, I’ll post the words.

11.36am GMT

Jason Leitch, Scotland’s national clinical director, told Times Radio this morning that he was “not panicking, but concerned” about the discovery of three cases of the P1 Brazilian variant in Scotland.

And on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland he said the three people had all arrived in Scotland from Brazil “via quite a circuitous route”, and that “there’s no suggestion they had symptoms on the plane or were involved in lots of contacts.

It’s the first time we [have found] this particular Brazilian strain in Scotland, and that worries us a little bit, but people shouldn’t get too concerned. [There is] no community spread, no evidence it’s gone anywhere else.

And the reason why we’re worried scientifically is we’re not absolutely certain that this version is amenable to the natural immunity some people already have and the artificial immunity we’re creating with vaccination.

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A mansion now for sale in Richmond Hill comes with extravagant features including marble imported from Italy and an indoor pool with a retractable roof.

The 10,000 square-foot home at 39 Old Park Lane in Richmond Hill is listed for sale for $7.3 million.

The home at 39 Old Park Lane sits on one acre.

Built amongst prominent homes, it sits at the highest point and elevation in the neighbourhood, listing agent Leila Rezaei from Hammond International Properties told blogTO.

The home is the largest in the neighbourhood in Richmond Hill.

"This outstanding home on expansive grounds that evoke the sense of a private estate," Rezaei said.

The interior features marble imported from Italy.

The lot is an acre-plus of land but it is what inside that makes this home unique.

The double staircase at 39 Old Park Lane adds an interesting visual.

There are hand-painted gold finishes and marble imported from Italy that make the interior look more like a museum than a house.

Gold accents are found throughout the home decor.

At the entrance, there is a double staircase with a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.

There are some visually stunning features in the home.

Another feature is a circular mezzanine offering a view from the upper floor to a grand piano below.

The dining room is formal but not huge.

The living room looks spacious and there is a formal dining room.

Chandeliers feature heavily in the home, including in the bedrooms.

There are seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms in the home.

There is more marble and a huge tub in the master bathroom.

Like the rest of the home, the bedrooms seem very formal but have tons of space. The master has a dressing room.

The indoor pool has a retractable roof.

One of the highlights of the home is the huge indoor pool, which comes with a retractable roof.

If you can afford a home like this then you can likely afford staff to clean it and the listing mentions a staff quarters on the lower level.

There is a sauna on the lower level.

There is also an entertainment room, sauna, billiards room, wine cellar, spa and gym on the lower level.

It is difficult to picture in winter but the garden is described as a "Shangri la."

Outside, there is a "Shangri-La garden" with flourishing greenery.

The attached garage has space for five vehicles.

There is space for five vehicles in garages. 

This home may not be to everyone's taste, but it's a look into an opulent lifestyle most of us can only imagine.

Vada pav – spiced potato balls in a soft roll – is the quintessential Mumbai street food. BBC presenter Leyla Kazim devours the city’s best

Mumbai was the first stop on an eight-month, round-the-world trip I took with my husband in 2014. The longest time I’d spent out of the UK prior to this had been three weeks. I’d only ever visited three places outside Europe, and it took me a whole year to persuade my other half to join me. And our main objective for these months on the road? To eat.

We hurled ourselves in at the deep end, starting in Mumbai. It is so vast and sprawling that it’s hard not to assume the entire country must lie within this city alone. It was at least 10 times as alive and chaotic and exhausting as I’d dared anticipate. Mumbai offers an unrelenting onslaught on all the senses, particularly hearing: the horn honking does not stop.

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