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harsh-vardhan-to-hold-covid-19-review-meeting-with-state-health-ministers-on-saturday
IndiaApr 16, 2021

Harsh Vardhan to hold COVID-19 review meeting with state health ministers on Saturday

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday said that he will hold a meeting with health ministers of various state governments on Saturday and will hold a virtual meeting with all AIIMS hospitals across the country on Monday to discuss ramping up of COVID facilities."I will hold a meeting tomorrow with health ministers of states with maximum COVID-19 cases in the country. On Monday, we will hold a virtual meeting with all All India Institution of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospitals across the country to discuss ramping up of facilities," he said in Delhi.He also said that according to the
p-1-variant-likely-highest-in-b-c-due-to-more-testing-for-it-dr-bonnie-henry
BCApr 16, 2021

P.1 variant likely highest in B.C. due to more testing for it: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia's provincial health officer says the province likely has the largest proportion of COVID-19 cases involving the variant first identified in Brazil, but that's partly because it is testing more for that strain. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the Vancouver Coastal region is leading all other health authorities with about 70 per cent of P.1 variant cases because of a large number of cases linked to the resort town of Whistler. She says that overall, just under 60 per cent of daily cases involve variants, including the one first associated with South Africa, though those cases are negligi
ex-minnesota-cop-faces-hearing-in-shooting-of-daunte-wright
WorldApr 15, 2021

Ex-Minnesota cop faces hearing in shooting of Daunte Wright

A white former Minnesota police officer has made her first court appearance in the traffic-stop shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright. Kim Potter appeared alongside her attorney at a brief initial appearance Thursday over Zoom. She posted $100,000 bond after being arrested Wednesday. Potter's next court appearance is set for May 17. The judge reminded Potter that while out on bond she must remain law-abiding, make all court appearances and not possess or transport any firearms or explosives. She's charged with second-degree manslaughter in what her chief said appeared to be a case of confu
faster-vaccines-alone-could-not-have-stopped-third-wave-dr-howard-njoo
CanadaApr 15, 2021

Faster vaccines alone could not have stopped third wave: Dr. Howard Njoo

A top federal public health official says a faster vaccine ramp-up alone would likely not have thwarted the third wave of COVID-19 in many parts of the country. Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo says vaccines are one tool but maintaining tight health measures is also crucial, especially with more transmissible and dangerous virus variants on the rise. Dr. Njoo says more than 8.8-million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Canada, with 84 per cent of people over 80 receiving a first dose. Dr. Howard Njoo says 69 per cent of those between 70 and 79 got a first
man-wanted-in-connection-with-thirteen-counts-of-fraud-surrey-rcmp
BCApr 15, 2021

Man wanted in connection with thirteen counts of fraud: Surrey RCMP

Surrey RCMP is looking for the public’s assistance to locate a man who is wanted in connection with multiple frauds. This investigation began after Surrey RCMP Frontline officers responded to a number of reports of fraud between November 6, 2020 and December 24, 2020, where victims lost a combined total of $10,635. The frauds occurred at various financial institutions. In each occurrence, victims were allegedly approached by a man who claimed to be in dire need of money, who requested their help. Victims were asked to deposit a cheque into their account through an ATM, and to withdraw funds
cbsa-disrupts-smuggling-attempt-after-discovering-64-bricks-of-suspected-cocaine
BCApr 15, 2021

CBSA disrupts smuggling attempt after discovering 64 bricks of suspected cocaine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) continues to address risks and threats at the border to keep our communities safe. Today, the CBSA announced that border services officers seized 64 bricks of suspected cocaine in the Pacific Highway District. On March 18, 2021, a commercial driver entered Canada in a tractor-trailer carrying personal care products. During the secondary examination, border services officers used a wide range of detection tools and technology to inspect the goods, and noticed anomalies. Border services officers unloaded the trailer, found
BCApr 15, 2021

Surrey RCMP investigate targeted shooting at Whalley motel

Surrey RCMP is currently investigating a shooting that occurred overnight at a motel in Whalley. On April 14, 2021 at approximately 11:38 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at a motel in the 9400-block of King George Boulevard. Frontline officers located a thirty-eight year old man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was transported to the hospital with a serious injury. The Surrey RCMP Major Crime Section has taken conduct of the investigation. Although this investigation is in its early stages, the initial indications are that this was a targeted shooting. The victim
vpd-investigation-leads-to-charges-in-stalking-case
BCApr 15, 2021

VPD investigation leads to charges in stalking case

A Vancouver Police investigation has led to approved criminal charges in an alleged stalking case. The charges were approved by BC Prosecution Service on Wednesday. "This case generated significant attention on social media and in the mainstream news after a video was posted online last month," says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. "We understand the incident caused anxiety in the community, and we’re pleased with the outcome of the investigation." Vancouver Police began investigating after a woman posted a video to social media and reported to police that she had been followed by a man while
BCApr 15, 2021

Hospice services return to Delta, B.C., as facility reopens after lengthy fight

Hospice services are once again available locally to residents of Delta, B.C., as Fraser Health officially opens the Irene Thomas Hospice. The launch ends a bitter and lengthy battle between the province and a provincially funded society that formerly operated the hospice, but refused to provide medical assistance in dying. Members of the former Delta Hospice Society objected on religious grounds to a requirement to offer medically assisted deaths, prompting legal action, removal of provincial funding and an order for the society to vacate the facility. Fraser Health took possession of the 10

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city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,