A return to a somewhat normal summer as COVID-19 restrictions are eased is putting a strain on Canada's blood supply.Several provinces have started lifting restrictions — most notably Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan — and demand is increasing as a result.Tracy Smith from Canadian Blood Services says people are resuming activities and hospitals are trying to catch up on backlogged surgeries.She says the blood agency has extended hours at some donation centres and mobile clinics in anticipation of an increased need.But many pandemic safety precautions remain in place, including a

Alberta is scrapping isolation requirements for close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, even as daily cases rise in the province.Starting today, contact tracers will no longer notify close contacts of positive cases, nor will close contacts be legally required to isolate.Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, made the announcement yesterday, saying the province must shift its focus from a single virus to manage other respiratory illnesses.It comes as Alberta recorded its highest daily increase in cases since early June.Further changes will take effect on August 16th,

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that he had a very detailed discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and they both agreed that there cannot be a takeover of the war-torn country by use of force.Addressing the upper house, the minister said, "We (Indian leadership) highlighted that in our approach to global issues we're guided by quest for perfect union but we seek to right historical wrongs. When it comes to freedom, we shouldn't treat it as non-governance or abdication of responsibilit

While the meeting of opposition leaders was underway to chalk out a strategy on the Pegasus issue, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi met them and asked the leaders to support the House to pass bills.However, opposition leaders insisted on the discussion of issues like Pegasus, inflation, farmers issues, hike in petrol and diesel prices, sources said.An all-party meeting will be called soon to discuss the issues, they added.Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday had said that the entire Opposition is and will remain united on the issues of national security and farm laws.On Tuesday,

On Thursday, July 29, iconic B.C. based restaurant chain White Spot and its Premium QSR brand Triple O’s will be holding a fundraising day to support Canadian Red Cross relief efforts for those impacted by the hundreds of wildfires currently burning in B.C. Taking place at all 96 White Spot and Triple O’s restaurants throughout B.C. and on the 11 BC Ferries offering White Spot, $2 will be donated from the sale of every burger purchased that day for dine in and to go orders (excludes Pirate Paks, Kids Meals, delivery and other discounts). In addition, the Government of Canada and the Gov

B.C. is reporting 185 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 149,444 cases in the province.There are 909 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 146,756 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 47 individuals are in hospital and 20 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the last 24 hours, three new deaths (Vancouver Coastal Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 1,771.Since December 2020, the Province has administered 6,685,982 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.As of Wed

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.For real-time updates on evacuation alerts and orders, visit: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBCFor the latest wildfire information, visit: www.bcwildfire.caFires: Wildfires burning in B.C.: 248Since April 1, 2021:1,237 wildfires448,968 hectares burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 37Coastal: 5Kamloops: 87Northwest: 4Prince George: 48Southeast: 67Crews and equipment: Firefighters and other personnel fighting the fires: 3,650 (total, includes out-of-p

Five years after becoming Canada's youngest Olympic champion, Penny Oleksiak is the country's most decorated summer Olympian. The 21-year-old from Toronto earned a bronze medal in the women's 200-metre freestyle for her sixth career medal, and she's not done yet. Oleksiak will soon be back in the pool to begin defending her title in the 100-metre freestyle.Canada has nine medals entering Thursday's action at the Tokyo Games. The total breaks down as two gold, three silver and four bronze. Canada is 11th place in the medal standings in between the Netherlands and Hungary. Host Japan leads the

Federal, provincial and city officials have announced a combined total of more than 100-million dollars to fund one of Vancouver's largest-ever social housing projects. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland joined Attorney General David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart in announcing funding for the 10-storey, 231-unit development slated for the city's Downtown Eastside. Ottawa will provide 45.8-million dollars and the province is kicking in 33.6-million plus the development's annual operating subsidy, while the city is taking care of the land through a 99-year lease and the Vancouver