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ubc-researchers-complete-analysis-of-the-rapidly-spreading-omicron-variant-revealing-it-has-37-mutations
BCDec 23, 2021

UBC researchers complete analysis of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant revealing it has 37 mutations

University of British Columbia researchers say they've completed an analysis of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19, revealing key information about why it's so infectious. Sriram Subramaniam with the department of biochemistry and molecular biology says it has 37 mutations, three to five times more than any other variant so far. He says that means Omicron is very effective at evading the binding of antibodies that can neutralize and block its entry into cells, while at the same time it retains the ability to bind with receptors that transport it inside cells, a combination of c
vancouver-police-investigating-citys-18th-homicide-of-the-year
BCDec 23, 2021

Vancouver police investigating city's 18th homicide of the year

Police in Vancouver say they're investigating the city's 18th homicide of this year after a 52 year old man was fatally stabbed. They say officers responded to reports that a man had been stabbed outside the Hazelwood Hotel in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood yesterday morning. The man was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries. Police say no arrests have been made.
CanadaDec 23, 2021

COVID-19 might have lasting impacts on the way Canada handles immigration: Minister

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says some changes to Canada's immigration system could be here to stay.Last month the government welcomed a record number of permanent residents, putting the Liberals on track to meet an ambitious immigration target of 401,000 new permanent residents by the end of the year.Some of the new arrivals have been immigrants who arrived in Canada through traditional means.But others have been temporary residents allowed to make the country their permanent home because of pandemic-related restrictions at the border.Fraser says that pathway could remain open beyond the
b-c-reports-1-474-new-covid-19-cases-and-6-deaths-as-active-cases-rise-past-7-000
BCDec 23, 2021

B.C. reports 1,474 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths as active cases rise past 7,000

B.C. is reporting 1,474 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 231,117 cases in the province.There are 7,253 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 221,280 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 187 individuals are in hospital and 71 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,409.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeNorthern Health: oneIsland Health: twoNote: The update on cases of the Omicron variant of concern will be provided in to
safe-surrey-coalition-led-city-council-approves-rapidbus-service-along-scott-road
BCDec 23, 2021

Safe Surrey Coalition-led city council approves RapidBus service along Scott Road

The approval of the R6 RapidBus service by the Safe Surrey Coalition-led City Council gives the green light toa desperately-needed upgrade to transit service along Scott Road. The new project will connect Scott Road SkyTrainStation to the Newton Exchange Bus Loop and improve commute times by 22 per cent. According to Translink, the existing 319 transit bus that currently covers this route is the top bus route and one of thefastest wing corridors in the South of the Fraser region, with 7.5 million passenger boardings in 2019. This route is a transit gap that was well known about by past Surrey
canada-finishes-swimming-world-championships-with-best-ever-performance
CanadaDec 23, 2021

Canada finishes swimming world championships with best ever performance

Canadian swimmers have given their best performance in the short course world championships. Canada won a total of 15 medals at the world championships played at Abu Dhabi. Canadian swimmers ended the championship with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. US won the most medals and ended the championship with 30 medals that included 9 gold medals. Swimming Canada on Twitter: With 15 medals, this is Canada’s most medals won ever at any World Championships or Olympic Games!
pfizer-pill-authorized-by-u-s-to-reduce-the-risk-of-hospitalization-and-death-from-covid-19
WorldDec 22, 2021

Pfizer pill authorized by U.S. to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19

The US has authorized a Pfizer pill that can be taken at home to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration announcement comes as America braces for a wave of new infections from the Omicron variant that is threatening already-strained hospitals. Pfizer's prescription pill is the first U-S medication that doesn't require an injection or an I-V. The drug was authorized for high-risk patients who are most likely to get severe illness.
madagascars-police-chief-swims-to-shore-after-copter-crash
WorldDec 22, 2021

Madagascar's police chief swims to shore after copter crash

Madagascar's police minister and an air force mechanic succeeded in swimming for 12 hours to safety after their helicopter crashed in the Indian Ocean. Officials said Gen. Serge Gelle, 57, the Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, was discovered in the water by a fisherman in a canoe who brought him to shore. Another passenger, Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy Laitsara, also swam to the beach at Mahambo. Gelle described his swim to safety in a short video posted to Twitter by Madagascar's defense ministry. Gelle appeared on a lounge chair, still in his military camouflage, his hands pale and wri
snow-storm-and-bitter-cold-warnings-posted-for-parts-of-b-c
BCDec 22, 2021

Snow, storm and bitter cold warnings posted for parts of B.C.

A weather system from the Pacific Ocean is forecast to bring heavy snow and the risk of freezing rain to several areas of southern and central British Columbia. Environment Canada has issued snowfall and winter storm warnings until Thursday covering an area from the Fraser Valley to the Peace River district. The Coquihalla Highway, which was recently reopened to commercial traffic, could see between 35 and 60 centimetres of snow with the heaviest accumulations on Thursday. Higher mountain routes, including the Yellowhead, Highway 3 through the Kootenay and Allison passes, and Highway 1 headin

Just In

surreys-27-5-million-bear-creek-stadium-opens
CanadaJul 09, 2025

Surrey’s $27.5-million Bear Creek Stadium opens

The $27.5-million Bear Creek Stadium in Surrey has officially opened. It has a seating capacity of 2,200. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said in a press release that once it receives Class 2 facility certification, Bear Creek Stadium will be able to host high-profile events such as the World Athletics Continental Tour and Challenger Series. The mayor said the stadium will attract other groups to host games there. “We’ve already had some people make inquiries,” she said. Locke said it will be a huge benefit to the city. Surrey will also have a 10,000-seat stadium, with construction expect
alberta-has-highest-measles-cases-per-capita-in-north-america-as-summer-travel-gets-underway
AlbertaJul 09, 2025

Alberta has highest measles cases per capita in North America as summer travel gets underway

Alberta has the most measles cases in North America on a per-capita basis, worrying experts who say summer events could push case counts even higher. The province's former chief medical officer of health Dr.Mark Joffe says that's twice the rate of confirmed cases in Ontario. Ontario has been deemed Canada's epicentre of the outbreak in absolute case numbers, reporting 1,910 confirmed infections since its outbreak began in October, but with a population three times the size as Alberta. Alberta reported yesterday that 1,230 people have been infected with the highly contagious disea
CanadaJul 09, 2025

One of two student pilots killed in Manitoba crash was from India: consulate office

One of two student pilots killed in a mid-air crash south of Steinbach, Man., has been identified as a man from India. The consulate general of India in Toronto, in a social media post, identifies the man as Sreehari Sukesh. The consulate office says it's in contact with the man's family, the pilot training school and local police. The crash happened Tuesday morning about 400 metres from a runway used by Harv's Air pilot school. Adam Penner, president of the company, has said the two pilots were in small single-engine Cessna planes and appeared to try to land at the same time.
fraud-awareness-campaign-highlights-how-to-spot-common-scams
BCJul 09, 2025

Fraud awareness campaign highlights how to spot common scams

Richmond RCMP has launched a new fraud awareness campaign to educate the public about investment scams, a growing threat that costs residents millions of dollars annually. At the center of the campaign is a newly released video that educates the public on how scammers operate and provides practical tips on how recognize their tactics to avoid falling victim. The video pulls from real examples, using engaging visuals and commentary from an officer on how to spot red flags. The video lists three common investment scam tactics: Scam Trick #1: They claim you’ll make big money with little or no r
coquitlam-rcmp-announce-charge-approval-for-weapon-related-offences
BCJul 09, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP announce charge approval for weapon related offences

Following a Coquitlam RCMP investigation into a 2022 stabbing incident, now 23-year-old Shane Aston Gero of Port Coquitlam, and a youth, also of Port Coquitlam have been criminally charged. The youth cannot be named as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act in order to protect their privacy. On June 4, 2022, shortly after 1:00 a.m., Coquitlam RCMP Frontline officers responded to a report of a stabbing near Central Elementary School, located at 2260 Central Avenue, Port Coquitlam. On June 25, 2025, charges of Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purp