The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday gave the official name for the latest novel coronavirus, that has sickened more than 42,000 people, as 'Covid-19,' which stands for coronavirus disease starting in 2019. The CO stands for corona, while the VI for virus and the D for the disease. "Under agreed guidelines between WHO, the OIE Animal Health and FAO, we had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press

Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrances to the British Columbia legislature today as demonstrations against a pipeline project continued to flare across the country. Protesters hollered "Shame'' as politicians tried to enter the building with help from security and others chanted "Shut down Canada'' and "Stand up, fight back.'' Protesters have been camping outside the legislature since Friday. Premier John Horgan's New Democrat government was set to deliver its throne speech later in the day but the traditional military salute and honour guard that typically greets the lieutenant governo

The BC legislature resumes today with a throne speech, one week before the NDP's next budget at roughly the midway point of the minority government's mandate. Premier John Horgan says the elimination of Medical Service Plan premiums, more child care options and raises in the minimum wage are among his government's achievements, but more needs to be done to improve affordability. He says the government often hears about gas prices and cellphone charges and promises those issues will be addressed in the throne speech. Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the NDP has been downplaying

A second Canadian plane carrying evacuees from Wuhan, China landed at CFB Trenton, Ontario this morning with 185 passengers aboard.As was the case with passengers from the first Canadian flight, and those who got out on a US government plane, the passengers will be quarantined for two weeks.So far, no one in the first two sets of passengers has shown any symptoms of the new coronavirus.One of them, 25-year-old Myriam Larouche says her private room at Yukon Lodge, a motel on the base, has a fridge, a microwave, a T-V and an ensuite bathroom.Meals are delivered to her door and she is allowed ou

After an initial lead on many seats and continued suspense at poll centres, only 8 BJP candidates were able to emerge victorious from their respective constituencies as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept almost two-third seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly.Among eight candidates, two BJP sitting MLAs- Vijender Gupta and OP Sharma were comfortably able to retain their seats.Gupta defeated AAP's Rajesh Nama Bansiwala by a margin of 12,648 votes while OP Sharma won against Deepak Singla from by 16,457 votes.Jagdish Pradhan, who was among three BJP MLAs who won 2015 polls along with Gupta and Sharma, l

This morning, police acting on a court order provided by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, cleared three access points to the Port of Vancouver. Forty-three people were arrested after they refused to abide by the court order and did not clear access to the Port after requested by police. All 43 people have been released with conditions to abide by the injunction. The entrances were cleared without any major incidents. No additional information is available at this time.

The counting of votes for 70 seats of the Delhi Assembly will begin amid tight security today at 8 am. According to Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh, the counting of votes will take place at 21 centres. There will be a dedicated hall for every assembly constituency. A tight security net has been put in place to ensure the counting of votes takes place in a peaceful manner. Over 670 candidates are in the fray for 70 seats at stake in the country's capital. As much as 62.59 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Delhi on February 8, when the elections were held in a single-pha

The ride hailing company Lyft is expanding its service to Richmond, New Westminster, northern Surrey and the rest of Vancouver, excluding UBC. The company says it has seen immense momentum since its app launched in Vancouver last month. Lyft initially chose to limit services to a smaller section of Vancouver, as well as rides to Vancouver International Airport and the PNE. That's changed as of today, and the company says it plans to expand to other areas of Metro Vancouver as soon as possible.

A second plane chartered to bring Canadians from Wuhan in China is bound for Vancouver International Airport, and scheduled to arrive shortly after 8 pm. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says 185 passengers were screened for symptoms of the new coronavirus and allowed on board. The plane will stop briefly at the Vancouver airport for refuelling before continuing on to Ontario, where the passengers will be quarantined at a Canadian Forces Base for two weeks. Similar to the first chartered plane that departed from Wuhan last week, arrangements have been made with the BC gove