WorldMay 30, 2020
US terminates relations with WHO
US President Donald Trump has announced that the US will be terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization. He says the WHO failed to adequately respond to the coronavirus because China has ``total control'' over the global organization. He says Chinese officials ``ignored'' their reporting obligations to the WHO. Donald Trump is sounding a bit more sympathetic about the death of George FloydUS President Donald Trump is sounding a bit more sympathetic about the death of a black man from Minnesota at the hands of a white police officer. Trump gave his condolences to George Flo
BCMay 29, 2020
Four new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., no new deaths reported
The province is reporting just four new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths. That brings the total number of cases in B.C. to 2,562, including 164 deaths. 228 cases of COVID-19 remain active in B.C. The province says there have been no new health-care facility outbreaks, leaving 15 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute-care unit with active cases.
WorldMay 29, 2020
Joe Biden says he has spoken with the family of George Floyd, calling for justice
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he has spoken with the family of George Floyd and is calling for justice. Biden's comments came as a Minnesota prosecutor announced charges against a police officer seen kneeling on Floyd's neck. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says Derek Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the restraint death of Floyd. In a brief online appearance Friday, the former vice-president blamed systemic racism, which he called ``an open wound'' on American society, for Floyd's death. He says it's time for deep and lasting p
BCMay 29, 2020
Former hotel puchased in Campbell River to house residents displaced by a blaze
The provincial government has purchased a former motel in Campbell River to house residents displaced by a blaze that left 92 people homeless in that city in April. BC Housing's purchase of the former Heritage River Inn will provide 41 units of stable, long-term, affordable rental housing for the low-income residents who escaped the fire. Finding a home in the Campbell River area is challenging at the best of times but the COVID-19 pandemic has made the search even more complicated. North Island MLA Claire Trevena says purchase of the old motel will provide security and peace of mind while th
CanadaMay 29, 2020
Statistics Canada says Quarter 1 GDP, worst showing since 2009
Statistics Canada says the economy in the first quarter had its worst showing since 2009 as steps taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 forced businesses across the country to close their doors and lay off workers.Statistics Canada says gross domestic product fell at an annualized rate of 8.2 per cent in the first three months of 2020.The collapse came as gross domestic product for March fell 7.2 per cent as restrictions by public health officials and school closures began rolling out during the month.The average economist estimate is for a nine per cent drop in gross domestic product for March
WorldMay 29, 2020
Minneapolis: Police officer who knelt on black man in custody arrested
A white police officer seen on video kneeling on a black man's neck for eight minutes as he pleaded he couldn't breathe has been arrested. The arrest of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd follows three nights of increasing violence in Minneapolis. Last night, protesters torched the police station where Chauvin and three other officers seen in the video worked. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says the state is taking over the response to the protests and will show respect and dignity for those who are suffering.
BCMay 29, 2020
Racism not ruled out as motive in unprovoked tripping of Burnaby senior
Police in Metro Vancouver are searching for a woman who casually approached a senior who was using a walker, tripped her from behind and walked away.Burnaby RCMP have released video of the April 3 assault that was caught on surveillance cameras mounted at the Metrotown SkyTrain station.Police say the 84-year-old victim, who is of Asian descent, was shaken but not seriously hurt. The suspect is described as a woman, possibly Asian, wearing a face mask, a long, dark puffy jacket, dark tights, light shoes and carrying a large, beige purse.Investigators say there is no immediate indication the ca
CanadaMay 29, 2020
Large cruise ships barred from Canadian waters until end of October
The cruise-ship season in Canada is all but dead as Ottawa extends a ban on ships in Canadian waters until the end of October.Transportation Minister Marc Garneau says passenger ships with overnight accommodations for more than 100 passengers can't operate in Canadian waters until at least Oct. 31.In March the government barred ships with more than 500 passengers until July 1 but Garneau is expanding that ban today.He says he understands that this will have a big economic impact on the tourism industry and that the government is looking at what to do about that.Last year 140 cruise ships brou
WorldMay 29, 2020
Minneapolis police station torched amid George Floyd protest
Minneapolis police station torched amid George Floyd protestProtesters angered by the death of a black man who died while pleading for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck have torched a Minneapolis police station that the department abandoned.Thursday marked a third night of violent protests following the death of George Floyd, who died in a confrontation with officers outside a grocery store. Fires burned Friday morning in Minneapolis and nearby St. Paul.National Guard members were being stationed in locations to help stem looting.Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's defended the cit