If your phone vibrates or makes an unusual sound at 1:55 this afternoon (2:55 p.m. Mountain time) you'll know you are ready to receive important safety alerts. Emergency Management BC is testing its Alert Ready system this afternoon to ensure it is able to send safety alerts through television, radio and 4G capable wireless devices such as phones. The system is only used during major disasters or emergencies and the tone indicates vital information is about to follow, although during today's test you'll only hear the tone or feel your phone vibrate, a message won't be attached. In a real emer

Argentine soccer ``Golden Boy'' Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60. A person close to Maradona said he died Wednesday of a heart attack. Maradona died two weeks after being released from a Buenos Aires hospital following brain surgery. Maradona was among the best players in history and led his country to the 1986 World Cup title before later struggling with cocaine use and other health problems. He captivated fans over a two-decade career and famously made the ``Hand of God'' goal in which he punched the ball into England's net during the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals. Former Brazilian

Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on his victory. Xi expressed hope for "win-win co-operation" with the US, amid conflicts over trade, technology and security. China is one of the last major governments to congratulate Biden. Some commentators suggest Beijing might want to avoid straining relations with President Donald Trump, who has not conceded the election.

Police in Victoria say they've handed out two tickets for people failing to follow COVID-19 safety protocols in a restaurant and attempting to leave without paying. Police say they were called to a restaurant just after 7:30 pm Monday night for reports that a group had left without paying. After locating the group, police escorted them back to pay where they discovered that one man had been abusive towards staff and refused to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. The man was located later that night and issued two tickets for 230 dollars apiece.

BC's solicitor general announced new fines for those who refuse to follow provincial orders on wearing masks in public spaces. Those who refuse to wear masks are subject to a 230 dollar fine. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says in a release that masks are required for a range of public spaces, but those unable to put on or remove a mask without assistance are exempt. The province also extended its state of emergency until December 8th.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is blasting the prime minister's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, calling Justin Trudeau's pledge that vaccines will start to arrive in the coming months "unacceptable."Trudeau sought to reassure Canadians yesterday even as he acknowledged that some other countries are likely to start inoculating their citizens first, citing Canada's low capacity to churn out vaccines.Blanchet says the federal government should have moved sooner to help obtain manufacturing rights and beef up production capacity on Canadian soil.The United States, Britain and Ger

Alberta is bringing in tougher COVID-19 restrictions that include limits on social gatherings and less face-to-face class time for students. Premier Jason Kenney says there are to be no indoor gatherings, but people who live alone can have up to two personal contacts. He says students in Grades 7 through 12 will transition next week to at-home learning and the school holiday break will be extended from December 18th to January 11th. Banquet halls, conference centres and concert venues must also close. Older students will be sent home from school at the end of the month, indoor social gatheri

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is acknowledging countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany could have some of their citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 before Canadians can get their own shots. He says that's because those countries have their own vaccine-production facilities and Canada doesn't. Rebuilding that capacity will take years, but Trudeau says the federal government has started the work. He says having pre-bought an array of vaccine candidates from foreign manufacturers will help get Canadians effective doses as soon as possible. But he adds it's premature t

British Columbia health officials are reporting a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, while they order a pause indoor physical activities. B.C. recorded 941 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and 10 deaths. There are 7,732 active COVID-19 cases in B.C., and 284 people are in hospital. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that residents need to support B.C.'s health-care workers by slowing the spread of COVID-19. The latest peak in numbers comes as health officials ordered dance studios, yoga studios and other indoor physical activity s