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smart-phones-for-b-c-s-vulnerable-homeless-aids-access-to-supports-services
BCMay 12, 2020

Smart phones for B.C.'s vulnerable, homeless aids access to supports, services

Vulnerable and homeless people across British Columbia could soon receive a smartphone to access support services and to stay connected with friends and family while practising physical distancing. Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Shane Simpson says providing up to 3,500 smartphones for vulnerable people will give them easier access to services and helps them connect to others when public spaces are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simpson says 1,000 smartphones have already been distributed, with 200 provided to people moved to hotels from homeless encampments in Vic
indias-prime-minister-announces-huge-virus-relief-package
WorldMay 12, 2020

India's prime minister announces huge virus relief package

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Tuesday that the government will spend more than $260 billion, the equivalent of nearly 10% of the country's GDP, on a coronavirus economic relief package designed to make the world's second most populous nation more self reliant.“The package’s main aim is to build a self-reliant India,” Modi said in a televised speech, adding that it will help the country compete globally.India entered its sixth week of a stringent nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, pushing an economy already enfeebled before the pandemic to the brink of collapse.The lockdown
CanadaMay 12, 2020

Some Canadian universities say fall classes will be offered primarily online

Some Canadian universities say classes this fall will be offered primarily online as uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic continues.In recent days, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Ottawa and others have laid out broad plans for how they will handle the fall semester amid evolving health and safety measures.In Montreal, students at McGill will see classes delivered largely through remote platforms, while the Universite de Montreal says only a few courses or parts of courses will take place on campus.UBC says larger classes will be held online, with a s
feds-pledge-one-time-benefit-top-up-to-seniors-in-covid-19-aid
CanadaMay 12, 2020

Feds pledge one-time benefit top-up to seniors in COVID-19 aid

The federal government is giving seniors a one-time, tax-free top-up payment to help manage extra costs associated with COVID-19.Seniors Minister Deb Schulte says seniors who receive old age security will get $300, and those who receive the guaranteed income supplement will receive $200.In all, the $2.5-billion measure will provide payments to 6.7 million seniors, Schulte says.She says many have faced an increase in the cost of living as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, from more for dispensing fees for medications or delivery fees for food and services.She also says their savings have taken
punjab-cm-pitches-for-lockdown-extension-with-carefully-crafted-strategy
IndiaMay 12, 2020

Punjab CM pitches for lockdown extension with 'carefully crafted strategy'

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday pitched for extension of the lockdown with a "carefully crafted strategy", which is to be backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states to save lives and secure livelihood. During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said that states needed to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning as part of a carefully planned exit strategy, encompassing both COVID containment and a defined path of economic revival. He demanded urgent financial assistance to states to meet at least 33 per cent of their committed
nearly-70-000-total-number-of-covid-19-cases-in-canada-4-993-deaths-reported
CanadaMay 12, 2020

Nearly 70,000 total number of COVID-19 cases in Canada, 4,993 deaths reported

There are 69,981 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 38,469 confirmed (including 3,013 deaths, 9,703 resolved) Ontario: 20,546 confirmed (including 1,669 deaths, 15,131 resolved) Alberta: 6,300 confirmed (including 117 deaths, 4,659 resolved) British Columbia: 2,353 confirmed (including 130 deaths, 1,719 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,019 confirmed (including 48 deaths, 767 resolved) Saskatchewan: 568 confirmed (including 6 deaths, 363 resolved) Manitoba: 278 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 247 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 261 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 244
nearly-1-900-warnings-issued-over-the-weekend-vancouvers-park-and-beach-parking-lots-to-remain-closed-for-now
BCMay 12, 2020

Nearly 1,900 warnings issued over the weekend, Vancouver's park and beach parking lots to remain closed for now

The Vancouver Park Board says it will not be moving forward with a tentative plan to re-open the parking lots at beaches and parks this week. Deputy general manager Shauna Wilton says the board made the decision due a notable decrease in public compliance with physical distancing measures over the weekend. Wilton says in a statement that larger than normal groups of people were also spotted at destination beaches. The board says nearly 1,900 warnings were issued over the weekend to people not following public health guidelines.
mayor-lisa-helps-says-vicotria-ready-to-give-restaurants-open-spaces
BCMay 12, 2020

Mayor Lisa Helps says Victoria ready to give restaurants more room for physical distancing

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says council is prepared to quickly approve a plan to give restaurants more room for physical distancing by enlarging their outdoor space. Helps says the COVID-19 recovery plan would allow restaurants and pubs to expand open-air dining to sidewalks, parking lots and streets closed to traffic. She says staff will be urged to find ways to have the plan in place as the industry prepares to welcome back customers later this month. Vancouver city council is also preparing to debate the issue of making more room for restaurants.
covid-19-bc-reports-23-new-cases-phase-two-of-the-pandemic-restart-plan-can-be-expected-next-week
BCMay 11, 2020

COVID-19: BC reports 23 new cases, phase two of the pandemic restart plan can be expected next week

Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is reporting 23 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday and another death. That raises the total cases in the province to 2,352, with 130 deaths. Henry says if the province continues with such low numbers, it will be ready to move to phase two of the pandemic restart plan next week. She also says she got outside on the weekend and found most people were following physical distancing rules. Despite a small minority seen at crowded beaches and parks.

Just In

CanadaAug 19, 2025

Canada-Wide Warrant Issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta. Gurkirat is charged with sexually abusing a girl under the age of 16. Police said Tuesday that Gurkirat Singh, wanted in connection with an alleged child sexual assault that occurred last year, is still at large. Police have issued a renewed appeal for information on his whereabouts. The charges against him date back to Sept. 12, 2024. The Delta Police Vulnerable Sector Unit has issued a public appeal for help in finding him so he can be arrested to face charges. Police said in a news release that anyone with informati
heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-in-western-punjab-several-people-die
WorldAug 19, 2025

Heavy rains wreak havoc in western Punjab, several people die

At least six people died in incidents related to heavy rains in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday and the Meteorological Department has warned of more rain. The visuals that emerged showed the main roads of the city submerged in water and traffic was disrupted. At the same time, at least 358 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last three days as a result of heavy floods and rains, where record rains that started on August 15 have wreaked havoc across the province. Last week, the state government had declared an emergency. Meanwhile, many cities in Pakistani Punjab are on high alert, i
health-canada-approves-ozempic-to-reduce-kidney-deterioration-in-people-with-diabetes
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Health Canada approves Ozempic to reduce kidney deterioration in people with diabetes

Health Canada has approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of further kidney decline among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Between 30 and 50 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes develop some form of chronic kidney disease. An international clinical trial, called FLOW, showed the risk of kidneys significantly deteriorating or failing was 24 per cent lower in patients taking Ozempic compared to those taking a placebo injection. The patients taking the drug were also less likely to die from cardiovascular disease another condition that affects many patients with diabetes. The study, funded by Ozempi
fiery-head-on-crash-on-highway-1-kills-two-near-lytton-b-c
EnglishAug 19, 2025

Fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 kills two near Lytton, B.C.

A fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 in the British Columbia Interior has left two people dead. Lytton RCMP say the crash happened on Aug. 14 just before 5 p.m., when police began receiving calls from the collision site near Spences Bridge. Police say officers arrived to find that a southbound SUV likely crossed over the centre line of the highway and collided with a northbound pickup truck. Mounties say in a statement that the crash left both vehicles "engulfed in flames." Emergency responders say three occupants of the SUV and the driver of the pickup were all taken to hospital, and two dogs a
inflation-cools-to-1-7-in-july-thanks-to-lower-gas-prices-statcan
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Inflation cools to 1.7% in July thanks to lower gas prices: StatCan

Inflation cooled in July thanks largely to relief at the gas pumps, but Statistics Canada said grocery and shelter costs were accelerating last month. The annual rate of inflation fell to 1.7 per cent in July, the agency said Tuesday, down from 1.9 per cent in June. The reading was a tenth of a percentage point below most economists' expectations. A 16.1 per cent decline year-over-year in gas prices tied mainly to the removal of the consumer carbon price earlier this year fuelled the drop. Gas prices were also down 0.7 per cent on a monthly basis. Statistics Canada pointed to increased product