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punjab-cm-capt-amarinder-singh-launches-covid-care-whatsapp-chatbot
IndiaMay 20, 2021

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh launches COVID care WhatsApp chatbot

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday launched a COVID Care WhatsApp chatbot for self-care during home isolation, as a part of Mission Fateh.This WhatsApp chatbot will also have information on bed availability, vaccine centres, and more.Available in three languages- English, Punjabi, and Hindi, this chatbot would help Covid patients in home isolation to be monitored by experts, who would advise patients on the course of treatment based on their vital input in the chatbot. Chairing a high-level virtual meeting on the COVID situation of the state, the Chief Minister also revi
b-c-reports-521-covid-19-cases-and-8-deaths
BCMay 20, 2021

B.C. reports 521 COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths

The British Columbia government is preparing to vaccinate youth aged 12 to 17 and will roll out its plan shortly. Premier John Horgan is joining Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for the COVID-19 news conference on Thursday. A joint statement Wednesday says young people can register to receive their vaccine online and details on how they will be vaccinated will come on Thursday. The statement also says anyone who was immunized before April 15, prior to the online system launching, will need to register because while the system has their vaccine informat
drug-stash-found-in-rectum-highlights-the-reality-of-gang-life
BCMay 19, 2021

Drug stash found in rectum highlights the reality of gang life

A drug-filled dialer-bag pulled from the rectum of a drug trafficker provides Surrey RCMP with an opportunity to educate would-be gang associates of the reality of the gang lifestyle.On May 14, 2021 at 7:30 pm, officers from the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit conducted a traffic stop with a rental vehicle in the area of 15200-block of 16 Avenue, to investigate an offence under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. During their interaction with the driver, officers observed evidence consistent with drug trafficking. The male driver and his passenger were arrested for possession for the purposes of tra
BCMay 19, 2021

Annual inflation rate in April rises to highest in nearly a decade

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are intruding into inflation calculations as Statistics Canada says the cost of living rose to its highest level in nearly a decade in April. Economists blame a record increase in the price of gasoline last month, compared with last April when gas prices plunged due to the pandemic, saying the jump pushed Canada's inflation rate up to 3.4 per cent from its 2.2 per cent setting in March. When compared with last April, gas prices soared 62.5 per cent, but number crunchers say if gas were removed from the equation, the national inflation rate would be 1.9 per
surrey-rcmp-release-picture-of-22-year-old-member-of-brothers-keepers-gang
BCMay 19, 2021

Surrey RCMP release picture of 22 year old member of Brother's Keepers gang

The latest person to be outed by police as a member of a Metro Vancouver-area gang is 22-year-old Naseem Mohammed. Surrey RCMP say Mohammed is a member of the Brother's Keepers gang and is wanted on multiple warrants but police don't know where he is and say he may have entered the United States illegally. In an effort to slow Metro Vancouver's deadly gang conflict, police have begun releasing photos of people they say are gang members who could be targeted by rival gangs putting anyone near them at risk. Vancouver police released six photos on Monday and yesterday the region's integrated gan
vpd-investigates-spike-in-thefts-from-construction-sites
BCMay 19, 2021

VPD investigates spike in thefts from construction sites

Vancouver Police are encouraging construction companies to take extra precautions to prevent crime, following a spike in thefts on the city’s west side. "As lumber prices have continued to rise, VPD has seen a significant increase in break and enters to construction sites this year," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "In many cases, the thieves have made off with thousands of dollars in plywood and other building materials. We’re encouraging site managers to take precautions to avoid future thefts." The most recent theft was reported May 10 at a construction site in Kerrisdale, when three
man-arrested-after-stabbing-at-a-victoria-mall
BCMay 19, 2021

Man arrested after stabbing at a VIctoria mall

Patrol officers arrested a man after he stabbed a loss prevention officer (LPO) at a Victoria mall yesterday evening.Shortly before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18th, Patrol officers were called to a mall in the 1600-block of Hillside Avenue for a report that an LPO was in a struggle with a theft suspect. As officers were on their way to the call they learned that the LPO had been stabbed by the suspect while apprehending him for theft. After apprehending the suspect, the LPO recognized the extent of his injuries and applied a makeshift tourniquet on himself.Officers arrived and took custody of the
putin-xi-initiate-projects-in-show-of-warming-ties
WorldMay 19, 2021

Putin, Xi initiate projects in show of warming ties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have joined in a videoconference to initiate a series of nuclear energy projects, an event intended to display warming ties between two nations that are the chief geopolitical rivals to the United States. Chinese state media showed Xi and Putin greeting each other via video link and announcing the start of construction of Russia-designed reactors at two Chinese nuclear power plants. China has being seeking to reduce its reliance on coal for electricity, but the political aspects of the event were as important as the economic
cyclone-tauktae-pm-modi-conducts-aerial-survey-of-affected-areas-of-gujarat-diu
IndiaMay 19, 2021

Cyclone Tauktae: PM Modi conducts aerial survey of affected areas of Gujarat, Diu

A day after Cyclone Tauktae ravaged parts of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas. The PM is conducting aerial survey of areas such as Una, Diu, Jafarabad, and Mahuva today. He will also hold a review meeting in Ahmedabad later. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani accompanied PM Modi. Cyclone Tauktae hit several Indian coastal areas, including Gujarat, Mumbai, Diu and Goa.

Just In

CanadaJun 23, 2026

Porter Airlines Cuts Fuel Surcharge on Reward Flights Amid Falling Oil Prices

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines has reduced the temporary fuel surcharge on bookings for its new VIPorter reward flights from $40 to $20, effective Tuesday, citing lower oil prices and improving market conditions. Although oil prices have remained volatile since the conflict involving Iran began in February and are still nearly 50 per cent higher than a year ago, the airline says it plans to eliminate the surcharge entirely once market conditions stabilize further. Porter's decision has raised expectations that other airlines may also reduce their fuel surcharges in the coming weeks. The surc
u-s-kayaker-dies-after-capsizing-on-b-c-s-okanagan-lake
BCJun 23, 2026

U.S. Kayaker Dies After Capsizing on B.C.'s Okanagan Lake

A tragic boating accident on British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has claimed the life of an American kayaker after strong winds caused two people to capsize. West Kelowna RCMP said the incident occurred Friday evening near the Westbank First Nation beach when two kayakers were caught in sudden and dangerous wind conditions on the lake. While attempting to swim back to shore, one of the kayakers disappeared underwater. People on nearby boats quickly responded and managed to rescue one of the kayakers, but the second person could not be located. The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team later rec
house-destroyed-in-wildfire-near-b-c-s-lytton-village-ahead-of-2021-fire-anniversary
BCJun 23, 2026

House Destroyed in Wildfire Near B.C.'s Lytton Village Ahead of 2021 Fire Anniversary

A home has been completely destroyed by an out-of-control wildfire near the Village of Lytton, B.C. The incident comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed much of the community and claimed two lives. Officials say it remains unclear how many other structures may have been damaged by the current blaze, as emergency crews have not yet been able to fully assess the affected areas. According to the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton has now burned approximately 704 hectares. However, the agency noted
carney-pays-tribute-to-air-india-flight-182-victims-vows-stronger-security-measures
CanadaJun 23, 2026

Carney Pays Tribute to Air India Flight 182 Victims, Vows Stronger Security Measures

Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a statement marking the National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy 41 years ago. Carney said the attack claimed the lives of 329 innocent people, including 268 Canadians, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history. Honouring the victims of Flight 182, the prime minister stressed the need for continued vigilance against violent extremism and highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening national security laws. He said new measures
AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Alberta Reverses Increase in Minimum Alcohol Prices

Alberta's liquor authority has cancelled a recent increase to the minimum price of alcohol sold in bars and restaurants. The decision comes after a weekend social media dispute between Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. Smith and senior members of her government criticized Calgary City Council over new noise and curfew rules introduced for the Calgary Stampede. In response, Mayor Farkas criticized the province's decision to raise minimum alcohol prices. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Calgary's leadership should follow the province's example by repealing the contr