Lebanon's president is confirming top leaders and security officials were aware of the 2750 tonnes of highly explosive ammonium nitrate stored in a waterfront warehouse since 2013. Michel Aoun says he was told nearly three weeks ago about the massive stockpile of explosive chemicals and immediately ordered action taken. But he says he had no authority over the facility. President Michel Aoun said several governments in charge since 2013 received repeated warning about the material. Aoun is suggesting the explosion was either an act of negligence or "external intervention" by a missile or

Premier John Horgan says the decision by the US government to impose tariffs on Canadian aluminum is "disappointing for the people of BC". A statement from the premier's office says many people in BC earn their living from the province's aluminum industry and BC exports do no harm the US market. It says the 10-per cent tariff is "unfortunate" when countries should be helping each other recover from COVID-19 restrictions, and the Horgan government will fight for the industry and its workers. A newly modernized Rio Tinto aluminum smelter in Kitimat employs 1100 workers and contributed more th

Statistics Canada says the country's labour market gained 419,000 jobs last month as more parts of the economy were allowed to reopen.The agency says the national unemployment rate was 10.9 per cent in July, down from the 12.3 per cent recorded in June.The figures beat market expectations, with the average economist estimate from financial markets data firm Refinitiv was for a gain of 400,000 jobs in July and an unemployment rate of 11 per cent.Combined with the 953,000 jobs gained in June and the 290,000 in May, the country was within 1.3 million jobs from pre-pandemic level. About 266,0000 m

An official says an Air India Express flight with 191 people on board has skidded off a runway and split in two while landing in heavy rain in southern India.The death toll in the flight crash landing incident at Kozhikode in Kerala rose to 17, the Air India Express informed on Saturday. News reports say several dozen people were injured.A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Ministry says no fire was reported on the Boeing 737 aircraft after it landed.He says details about injuries are not immediately known.The NDTV news channel says 30-40 people have been hospitalized and other passengers have b

A union representing workers at a meat-processing plant in Manitoba says four more employees have tested positive for COVID-19. A total of eight employees at the Maple Leaf pork plant in Brandon have now tested positive since the weekend. Jeff Traeger, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, says he expects the number to continue to increase. The union, which represents nearly 2,000 workers at the plant, is renewing its call to have the company halt production there until the situation is under control. Maple Leaf has said the cases are not linked to workplace spread bu

The Delhi Police on Thursday evening arrested an accused in connection with the sexual assault and attack on a 12 year old girl in Paschim Vihar in the national capital two days ago, Delhi police said.Earlier in the day, in a statement, it said, "We have scanned CCTV footage and are questioning suspects on its basis."Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal met the victim at AIIMS on Thursday. Speaking to media, he said, "I spoke to the Police Commissioner. The police are trying to nab the accused. The govt will ensure strict punishment for the accused. The govt will provide Rs 10 lakh to her family members."

There are 118,561 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 60,133 confirmed (including 5,687 deaths, 50,886 resolved) Ontario: 39,809 confirmed (including 2,783 deaths, 35,906 resolved) Alberta: 11,296 confirmed (including 205 deaths, 9,984 resolved) British Columbia: 3,881 confirmed (including 195 deaths, 3,315 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,387 confirmed (including 19 deaths, 1,164 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,071 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,005 resolved) Manitoba: 459 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 348 resolved), 15 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 266 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 resol

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 47 new cases, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 3,881 cases in British Columbia. "There are 371 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,315 people who tested positive have recovered. "There are 11 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. "

Residents of about 80 homes in Penticton, B.C., were allowed to return to their properties just hours after being forced out by an aggressive grass fire. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says an order to evacuate a section of Penticton's West Bench region was lifted early Thursday afternoon. First responders began ordering people to leave the area at about 9 a.m. as the fire flared, briefly closing Highway 97, but limited traffic was moving again around noon. All affected residents have been allowed to return but only pedestrian access was available to 17 properties until fire ho