Texas and Florida are shutting down bars again and scaling back restaurant dining as confirmed coronavirus cases surge. Texas has reported more than 17,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last three days. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says the community is careening toward a catastrophic situation. In Florida the daily increase for Wednesday was 5,500 cases. Record breaking COVID-19 cases reported in Florida Florida banned alcohol consumption at its bars after its daily confirmed coronavirus cases neared 9,000, almost double the previous record set just two days ago. The Florida agency that gove

Residents of the eastern Fraser Valley will be keeping a close watch on the level of the Fraser River this weekend as it swells with snowmelt and runoff from recent heavy rains in the Interior. The Fraser Valley Regional District has issued evacuation alerts for 29 low-lying homes and businesses outside diked areas, including an RV park, housing development and other properties between Mission and Kent. A release from the district says the level of the river had edged past 5.5 metres at the gauge in Mission by yesterday morning, an increase of almost a metre since June 11th. Officials say flo

A Toronto police officer has been found guilty of assault in the beating of a young Black man who lost an eye when he was arrested in 2016. Prosecutors alleged Constable Michael Theriault and his brother Christian chased Dafonte Miller in the early hours of the morning, cornering the then 19 year old between two homes in Whitby, Ontario, and beating him so badly with a pipe that his left eye burst. The Theriaults pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault and obstruction of justice in relation to the Dec. 28, 2016, incident and its aftermath. The judge convicted the officer and acquitted the br

First Nations health officials say the COVID-19 pandemic has had only a modest effect on BC's Indigenous communities, and the reason is rooted in history. Dr. Shannon McDonald, acting chief medical officer for the First Nations Health Authority and Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer, made those comments during a news conference this morning. They say First Nations suppressed the spread of COVID-19 by relying on lessons learned centuries ago as diseases carried by outsiders decimated Indigenous populations. McDonald says 87 cases of the virus have been reported among B-C's Indige

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it will end its seat distancing policy on board its aircraft starting July 1.The carrier has blocked the purchase of middle seats and adjacent seats for the past few months to prevent the spread of COVID-19.With domestic air travel starting to nudge higher, WestJet says it will revert to health recommendations from the International Air Transport Association.The trade group called last month for an end to in-flight physical distancing rules, proposing a range of measures including some that run counter to federal government policies.Transport Canada listed physical

Microsoft said Friday it is permanently closing nearly all of its physical stores around the world. Like other retailers, the software and computing giant had to temporarily close all of its stores in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to its website, Microsoft has 83 stores worldwide, including 72 stores in the U.S., and several others abroad where it showcases and sells laptops and other hardware. Friday's announcement reflects what the company calls a "strategic change" for its retail business as sales increasingly shift online. Microsoft said it would "reimagine" the physic

The Supreme Court of Canada has cleared the way for Uber drivers to take the next step in their fight to be recognized as employees. In a decision today, the high court upheld an Ontario Court of Appeal decision that opened the door to a class-action suit aimed at securing a minimum wage, vacation pay and other benefits for drivers. The man behind the planned class action, David Heller, is an Ontario driver for UberEats, a service that delivers food from restaurants to customers at home. He argues that Uber drivers are employees, which entitles them to protections under Ontario's Employmen

At least 83 people died due to thunderstorms in Bihar in the last 24 hours, according to Chief Minister's Office.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakhs each for the families of deceased.Thirteen people died in Gopalganj, 8 each in Madhubani and Nawada, 6 each in Baghalpur and Siwan, 5 each in Darbhanga, Banka, East Champaran and 3 each in Khagaria and Aurangabad.Due to thunderstorms, two people each lost their lives in West Champaran, Kishanganj, Jamui, Jahanabad, Purnia, Supaul, Buxar, Kaimur while one death each was reported in Samastipur, Shivhar, Saran, Sitamarhi and Madhep

There are 102,622 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 55,079 confirmed (including 5,448 deaths, 23,786 resolved) Ontario: 34,205 confirmed (including 2,641 deaths, 29,528 resolved) Alberta: 7,851 confirmed (including 154 deaths, 7,191 resolved) British Columbia: 2,869 confirmed (including 173 deaths, 2,517 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,061 confirmed (including 63 deaths, 998 resolved) Saskatchewan: 759 confirmed (including 13 deaths, 648 resolved) Manitoba: 305 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 294 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 261 confirmed (including 3 deaths,