BCJul 06, 2020
Overdose deaths increase by 93 per cent among B.C.'s First Nations
The First Nations Health Authority says 89 members of its community fatally overdosed from illicit drugs across British Columbia between January and May, an increase of 93 per cent compared with the same period last year. The authority's acting chief medical officer, Dr. Shannon McDonald, says measures to control the spread of COVID-19 have led to people using drugs in isolation as they are less likely to access harm-reduction services. McDonald says 16 per cent of all overdose deaths in the province up to May of this year involved people from First Nations though they represent only 3.4 per
WorldJul 06, 2020
40 dead in Japan floods, as more areas warned of heavy rain
The death toll from three days of heavy rain and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 40, including 14 who drowned at a riverside nursing home, as rescuers search for 10 missing people and rain threatens wider areas of the main island of Kyushu. Army troops and other rescuers were working their way through mud and debris along the flooded Kuma River, where many houses and buildings were submerged nearly to their roofs. The Meteorological Agency issued the highest weather warning for three prefectures in northern Kyushu after heavy rain hit the island's southern region over the weekend. Mor
CanadaJul 06, 2020
Man accused in Rideau Hall crash had rifle, shotguns, high-capacity magazine: RCMP
Police say the man charged with ramming a truck through a date at Rideau Hall last week was armed with two shotguns, a rifle and a revolver, and threatened Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Newly released court documents add detail to the charges Canadian Forces member Corey Hurren is facing after the incident July 2.Information sworn by an RCMP officer alleges Hurren had with him a prohibited M-14 rifle, plus the shotguns and a revolver made by Hi-Standard.He's also accused of having a prohibited high-capacity magazine.Aside from 21 charges relate to the weapons, Hurren is accused of threatening
CanadaJul 06, 2020
China warns Canada of 'consequences' over Hong Kong interference
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday warned Canada of retaliation over Ottawa suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong and export of sensitive military equipment after the national security law came into force."We strongly condemn that and reserve the right to take reactions", said Zhao during a press briefing.Earlier, Canada's foreign minister Francois-Philippe Champagne had said, "This process demonstrated disregard for Hong Kong's Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under the 'one country, two systems' framework. Hong Kong's role as
CanadaJul 06, 2020
Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump, Lopez Obrador
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a pass on a meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.Trudeau's office says he wishes the two countries and their leaders well but Trudeau will remain in Ottawa for a cabinet retreat and a scheduled sitting of Parliament.Lopez Obrador is travelling to D.C. in part to celebrate the entry-into-force of the new North American free-trade deal and had expressed hope Trudeau would join as well.Trudeau's office says the prime minister will continue to work with both countries to ensure the agreement be
CanadaJul 06, 2020
Rae named new Canadian ambassador to the United Nations
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is naming Bob Rae as Canada's new ambassador to the United Nations.He announced the appointment this morning.It's the latest appointment for the former Ontario premier under Trudeau, after having been Canada's special envoy for humanitarian and immigration issues and, before that, special envoy to Myanmar.The 71-year-old was interim leader of the federal Liberals prior to Trudeau's taking over the party in 2013.Rae succeeds Marc-Andre Blanchard as ambassador following Canada's unsuccessful effort to win a seat at the UN Security Council.Canada was defeated on the
IndiaJul 04, 2020
PM Modi condoles death of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the death of Sikh pilgrims who were killed in an accident in Pakistan."Pained by the tragic demise of Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan. My thoughts are with their families and friends in this hour of grief. I pray that those pilgrims injured recover at the earliest," Modi tweeted.At least 19 Sikh pilgrims were killed and at least 8 people were injured after a passenger bus they were travelling in collided with a passenger train on Friday, reported Pakistani media citing officials.The coaster was carrying Sikh pilgrims, who were reportedly returning from
CanadaJul 04, 2020
COVID-19 cases in Canada rise past 105,000
There are 105,091 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 55,682 confirmed (including 5,560 deaths, 25,158 resolved) Ontario: 35,535 confirmed (including 2,682 deaths, 30,909 resolved) Alberta: 8,259 confirmed (including 155 deaths, 7,532 resolved) British Columbia: 2,947 confirmed (including 177 deaths, 2,608 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,064 confirmed (including 63 deaths, 998 resolved) Saskatchewan: 796 confirmed (including 14 deaths, 711 resolved) Manitoba: 314 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 302 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 261 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 258 resolved) Ne
BCJul 04, 2020
13 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths reported in B.C.
The B.C. government reported an additional 13 cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The additions bring the total number of cases in the province to 2,947, with 162 listed as active. The province did not report any additional deaths. There have been a total of 177 deaths in British Columbia related to the novel coronavirus. The government says six cases that were previously reported in the overall total have been removed from B.C.'s statistics because they were identified as residents of another province. It says those cases will be reported in their home province, which is consistent with regular pro