Madagascar's police minister and an air force mechanic succeeded in swimming for 12 hours to safety after their helicopter crashed in the Indian Ocean. Officials said Gen. Serge Gelle, 57, the Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, was discovered in the water by a fisherman in a canoe who brought him to shore. Another passenger, Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy Laitsara, also swam to the beach at Mahambo. Gelle described his swim to safety in a short video posted to Twitter by Madagascar's defense ministry. Gelle appeared on a lounge chair, still in his military camouflage, his hands pale and wri

A weather system from the Pacific Ocean is forecast to bring heavy snow and the risk of freezing rain to several areas of southern and central British Columbia. Environment Canada has issued snowfall and winter storm warnings until Thursday covering an area from the Fraser Valley to the Peace River district. The Coquihalla Highway, which was recently reopened to commercial traffic, could see between 35 and 60 centimetres of snow with the heaviest accumulations on Thursday. Higher mountain routes, including the Yellowhead, Highway 3 through the Kootenay and Allison passes, and Highway 1 headin

One person has died in a multi-vehicle crash in Surrey. RCMP say it happened just before seven last night when a Lexus sedan lost control, crossed the median and collided with a Jeep and a minivan in south Surrey. The driver of the Lexus died at the scene while those in the other two vehicles were treated for various injuries at local hospitals. Police say drugs, alcohol and speed have not been ruled out and both the Coroner's Service and the Mounties continue to investigate.

A charge of second-degree murder has been laid after a young woman was found dead in a home in British Columbia's central Interior. A statement from North District RCMP says the death of the 19 year old was confirmed on Monday when police and paramedics were called to the home in Esk'etemc, a First Nation community near Williams Lake. A 23 year old man was taken into custody at the same time. Investigators say the two knew each other. The RCMP statement says the BC Prosecution Service has approved a charge of second-degree murder against Waylon Harry. He remains in custody and court records s

The federal government is temporarily expanding eligibility for two COVID-19 benefit programs to aid those affected by capacity limits imposed in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making the announcement today as provinces tighten restrictions on businesses in response to a countrywide surge of COVID-19 cases.Last week Parliament passed the new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, a program that grants $300 a week to anyone who can't work because of a COVID-19 lockdown.The law also includes targeted aid for businesses that are ordered close as part of a

British Columbia residents are being urged to prepare for extremely cold temperatures, power outages and slick streets as a series of winter storm and freezing rain warnings covered most of the province. The B.C. government released a statement saying strong storms would clash with cold Arctic air throughout the province between Tuesday and New Year's Day. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's important to carefully watch the forecast and look out for those who are most vulnerable, while Transportation Minister Rob Fleming discouraged travel that isn't necessary. The province says p

B.C. is reporting 1,308 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 new epi-linked cases, for a total of 229,643 cases in the province.There are 6,348 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,741 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 192 individuals are in hospital and 76 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, one new death (Northern Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,403. There have been 756 cases of the Omicron variant of concern identified in B.C.:Fraser Health: 129Vancouver Coas

Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton has re-opened to non-essential travel. The winding road through Manning Park had been restricted to commercial and essential travel since severe flooding or landslides tore up parts of highways 1 and 5 last month, but with the re-opening of the Coquihalla Highway yesterday, limits have been lifted between Princeton and Hope. Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet is also open to non-essential travel but both routes, as well as the Coquihalla, Sea-to-Sky, parts of Highway 1 in eastern BC and the Malahat on Vancouver Island, could be walloped by severe wi

British Columbia is tightening public health restrictions as it also introduces enhanced rapid testing and booster shot programs to fight the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios will have to close, and all seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent capacity. Indoor gatherings including weddings are being cancelled. The health orders allow restaurants and cafes to stay open, but seating will be limited to a maximum of six people at a table, and physical distancing must be followed. The new