Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms and will quarantine at home. It's the second time Austin has gotten the coronavirus. In a statement Monday, Austin, 69, said his is fully vaccinated and has received two boosters. He said he'll quarantine for the next five days in accordance with CDC guidelines and ``will retain all authorities and plan to maintain my normal work schedule virtually from home.'' Austin said his last in-person contact with President Joe Biden was on July 29. Austin also had COVID in January.

The risk of wildfires in Alberta is on the rise as temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius in much of the province. There are 35 active wildfires across Alberta. The danger in the Calgary forest area, which runs along the eastern slopes of the Rockies but does not include the City of Calgary, remains high and all existing fire permits are suspended. Fire bans are also in effect for Banff, Canmore, Three Hills, Rocky View County, Foothills County, Cypress County, and Lethbridge's river valley. Last year, wildfires burned up 4.3 million hectares of Canadian forest.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday hoisted the national flag on the 76th Independence Day in a state-level function at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana. "My India Great Today, 75 years of independence of our country have been completed... I bow to the martyrs who made many sacrifices to liberate India... on the occasion of Independence Day, I wish all the Indians living abroad a very happy Independence Day," Mann tweeted. Earlier, PM Modi hoisted the tricolour at Red Fort on the occasion and addressed the nation. On his arrival in the Red Fort, the Prime Minister was received by Defenc

Leaders across the world extended their wishes to Indian leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its people on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day on Monday which is being celebrated in the country under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Wishes are pouring across the world for India on the occasion of its Independence Day. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Indian leadership and its people on the occasion of its 76th Independence Day. "Please, accept warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India's independence. Over the decades o

Four people were injured over the weekend when a pickup truck crashed through the front of a Calgary restaurant. Police say it happened late Saturday when a GMC Sierra with a 76-year-old man at the wheel drove into Sammy's Chophouse at a high rate of speed. Three of the injured suffered minor injuries, but one was seriously hurt. Police said yesterday they were still investigating, but they didn't believe alcohol was a factor, and they said no charges had been laid.

Two people who were on a motorcycle have died in a crash near Edmonton. R-C-M-P in Strathcona County say the collision yesterday afternoon involved the motorcycle, a pickup truck and a car on Highway 628. Both people on the bike were pronounced dead at the scene. Police say they're still investigating.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has so far declined to pick a favourite in the race to succeed him, but when asked to comment on a prominent platform plank of one of the leading candidates, referred to it as ``nuts.'' Kenney was appearing on his provincewide radio show on CHED and CHQR on Saturday when he was asked via text for his opinion of the Alberta sovereignty act, which has been proposed by United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith. Smith has said if she wins the leadership, she will bring in a bill this fall to give Alberta the power to ignore federal laws and court ru

A crash on Highway 3 between Osoyoos and Cawston has sparked a wildfire that closed the highway earlier today and has now prompted an evacuation alert in the area. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued the alert for about two dozen properties south of Cawston along Highway 3 and Sumac Road. The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze has charred about 40 hectares, or just under half a square kilometer, along the road on the west side of Richter Mountain. Residents affected by the evacuation alert are being told to pack essential items and make arrangements for pets or farm anima

Police in Lethbridge are looking for four men accused of assaulting a women earlier this week. The 24-year-old reported she had been assaulted while walking home from work. Police say a verbal altercation with an unknown man escalated after he walked away and returned with three others. Police say the woman was punched in the face and shot in the back with a B-B gun before the four ran away. The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects are described as being between the ages of 17 and 21.