A new school opens in Surrey next week, the third new school this school year in B.C.’s fastest-growing community, providing much needed classrooms for more than 600 students. "This is excellent news for Surrey students and families that another new school is opening this year, reducing the number of portables needed in the district and providing another dynamic, 21st-century learning environment in the community," said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. "After years of underinvestment by the previous government, Surrey families are starting to see concrete results of our work to giv

Advocates say undocumented workers in BC fear that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 could mean getting arrested if someone reports that they lack proper identification. The BC Health Ministry says undocumented and migrant workers don't need to present medical cards before being immunized, but it didn't say whether non-government identification could be used. The ministry says information provided for immunization will not be shared with other organizations, and more details on documents that will be asked for when provincewide online booking starts April 6th. Byron Cruz, a spokesman for Sa

New federal modelling data shows severity indicators and daily cases of COVID-19 are back on the rise, with incidents highest among young adults.Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says daily cases have increased more than 30 per cent over the past two weeks, with an average of 29 deaths reported daily.Tam says that indicates we're in a ``very tight race'' between vaccines and variants of concern, which make up an increasingly high proportion of new cases in several provinces.The data released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada shows that while the number of cases have declin

All political parties in Andhra Pradesh, except Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Jana Sena Party (JSP), are observing Bharat Bandh called by several farmers' bodies against the farm laws.While left parties are leading the Bandh, Andhra Pradesh ruling YSR Congress Party has also announced its support to the strike.The state government has already announced that RTC buses will not operate today till 1 PM.Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has also supported the Bandh call."The Bandh in Andhra Pradesh is a grand success. The anti-BJP mood is developing across the country. Many different sections o

'Sanyukt Kisan Morcha' called for 12-hour 'Bharat Bandh' on March 26 against Centre's three new Farm Laws. Protesters blocked the Ghazipur border and Singhu border today. They were seen sitting on the road and chanting anti-farm law slogans.

The B.C. government is more than doubling the fines for those promoting and attending events against COVID-19 health rules in an effort to crack down on "selfish behaviour." The fine has increased to $575 from $230, although the penalty for those caught hosting such an event remains at $2,300. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's become clear in the last few months that the risk of paying the ticket isn't enough of a deterrence. The $230 fine will continue to apply to a range of other COVID-19 violations, such as not wearing a mask. The ministry says in a news release that the incre

Elders in British Columbia care homes will soon be able to socialize and receive visits from loved ones after being locked down by COVID-19 for more than a year. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the benefits of lifting some of the restrictions outweigh the risks to the elderly, who have had little interaction with family or friends since the pandemic began. Starting April 1st, residents in long-term care and assisted-living facilities will be able to have frequent and routine visits. The rule changes include allowing two visitors, plus a child, at one time -- and they're allowe

Burnaby RCMP are investigating an altercation at the Metrotown Mall in which a West Vancouver man allegedly spat on someone after being asked to wear a mask. Police say the incident happened outside the mall's McDonald's restaurant around 11 am on Monday when a bystander asked the man to wear a mask, and he refused. The man has been issued a $230 fine and police are investigating the allegations as a possible assault. Mounties say people should call police instead of trying to enforce COVID-19 guidelines. Burnaby RCMP on Twitter: Unmasked man arrested by #BurnabyFrontline officers for assault

A lawyer for Canada's attorney general says there's no evidence that the RCMP shared serial numbers with U.S. investigators for the devices of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. John Gibb-Carsley told the B.C. Supreme Court that the burden of proof is on Meng's legal team to show the numbers were shared, but they can't do it. The court has seen email evidence that the Federal Bureau of Investigation asked for the serial numbers and RCMP collected them, but the email chain goes cold before confirming if they were sent or not. Meng's legal team is arguing that proceedings in her extradition case sh