China is reporting 254 new deaths and a spike in virus cases of more than 15,000, after its hardest hit province applied a new system that broadens the scope of diagnoses for the outbreak, which has spread to more than 20 countries.Japan is also reporting its first death.The hardest hit Chinese province has replaced its top officials in an apparent response to public criticism of local authorities' handling of the epidemic.The total deaths in mainland China now are more than 1,300, with confirmed cases exceeding 59,000.That number now includes patients who have been diagnosed with a doctors'

Magsaysay Award winning journalist Ravish Kumar joined Vijay Saini in Sver Wala Show this morning.He said that Non Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Canada need to start asking relevant questions from Indian politicians when they visit and hold stadium-size events here.Kumar alleged that the BJP-led Indian government is treating Muslims the same way the Congress-led government treated Sikhs in 1984.

The operators of a cruise ship that was barred from docking by four governments say it will finally land and disembark passengers in Cambodia. Thailand had said it would not allow the MS Westerdam to dock at a Thai port after it had already been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. The ship has been unwelcome because of fears that those aboard could spread COVID-19, the new viral disease that originated in China. Holland America Line says no cases of the disease have been confirmed among the more than 2,200 passengers and crew on board. The ship is due to arrive in Sihanoukville,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Senegal, Africa for an official visit that will test his commitment to gender equality with one of Canada's closest francophone partners.He was greeted at the airport near last night Dakar by Foreign Minister Amadou Ba.Trudeau's visit includes a meeting with President Macky Sall and a moment of reflection at Goree Island where slaves being taken to the Americas were held.Dalhousie University political science chair David Black, who studies Canada's role in sub-Saharan Africa, says Senegal and Canada have long-standing links, mostly through their shared Frenc

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

Western Forest Products says a tentative agreement has been reached with the United Steelworkers union to end a strike that began at the company's Vancouver Island operations just over seven months ago.A statement released by the company says the deal still needs ratification, but the union's bargaining committee has advised it will be recommending acceptance.About 3,000 employees and contractors at Western Forest Products facilities in several Vancouver Island communities have been off the job since July 1. Mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers were working with the two sides, but booked o