Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 47 new cases, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 3,881 cases in British Columbia. "There are 371 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,315 people who tested positive have recovered. "There are 11 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. "

Residents of about 80 homes in Penticton, B.C., were allowed to return to their properties just hours after being forced out by an aggressive grass fire. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says an order to evacuate a section of Penticton's West Bench region was lifted early Thursday afternoon. First responders began ordering people to leave the area at about 9 a.m. as the fire flared, briefly closing Highway 97, but limited traffic was moving again around noon. All affected residents have been allowed to return but only pedestrian access was available to 17 properties until fire ho

US President Donald Trump is re-imposing tariffs on Canadian aluminum. Trump says he signed a proclamation today that will restore the 10 per cent tariffs. He says ``Canada was taking advantage of us, as usual.'' In a speech at a Whirlpool factory in Ohio, Trump touted his record of defending American workers. The Aluminium Association of Canada said last week the exports in question fell 16 per cent in June and 40 per cent in July as the system was starting to re-balance amid the pandemic.

Vancouver Coastal Health is warning the public about a possible exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 at Lions Bay Beach Park. The health authority says the possible exposure occurred on July 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31.A statement from Vancouver Coastal Health says the exposure is believed to be low risk, but anyone who was at the park on those days needs to self-monitor for symptoms.Fraser Health is also warning of a public exposure at the Hookah Lounge on King George Boulevard.It says in a statement that the potential exposure was over two early mornings, between midnight and 5 a.m

Premier John Horgan says B.C.'s plan to fully re-open primary and secondary schools in September will be an ``unprecedented challenge.'' But he says medical experts, who have provided dependable advice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, believe the plan is workable. Speaking while announcing a new regional cancer centre in Surrey, Horgan says his government would not put children at risk if ``the danger was overwhelming.'' The BC Teachers' Association says in a statement that full re-opening of schools next month ``needs a lot more work'' to keep children and teachers safe.

Global Affairs Canada says the federal government is ``profoundly concerned'' about a Canadian citizen sentenced to death in China. The Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate Court announced Xu Weihong'spenalty today and said an alleged accomplice, Wen Guanxiong, had been given a life sentence. The brief court statement gave no details but local media said Xu and Wen had gathered ingredients and tools and began making the drug ketamine in October 2016, then stored the final product in Xu's home in Guangzhou's Haizhu district. Police later confiscated more than 120 kilograms of the drug from Xu's ho

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has announced he is stepping down as premier and Liberal party leader. The premier said today that after 17 years in provincial politics, it's time to do something else.He says he loves the job, but that he was all set to leave in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic put his plans on hold. McNeil says he will stay on until a new leader is chosen. He was elected premier in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017.

Canada is emphasizing the need for economic and political reform in Lebanon over the long term as it looks at immediate ways to help the country following this week's deadly explosion in Beirut.Canada has so far promised $5 million in emergency aid and International Development Minister Karina Gould says the federal government is committed to helping Lebanon as it begins to recover from the blast.Yet Gould emphasized long-standing Canadian calls for economic and political change in the country to address many of the root problems that have left Lebanon one of the most indebted countries in th

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured all possible support to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding the situation prevailing in Mumbai and surrounding areas due to heavy rainfall."PM Narendra Modi spoke to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray regarding the situation prevailing in Mumbai and surrounding areas due to heavy rainfall. PM assured all possible support," Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet. Normal life was disrupted in Mumbai on Wednesday after the city received heavy rainfall at isolated places for the last 12 hours.The India Meteorology Department (IMD) h