B.C. reports 254 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations continue to decrease

Malaysia’s transport ministry says a renewed effort to locate Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is set to begin this month, marking the first large-scale search for the aircraft in several years. Texas-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has been contracted to carry out the operation under a no-find, no-fee arrangement with the Malaysian government. The firm led a similar mission in 2018 but ended its work without discoveries. This year’s search was paused in April because of rough weather in the Indian Ocean, where investigators believe the Boeing 777 went down. The ministry says Ocea

Nanaimo RCMP are appealing for information after a 62-year-old man was discovered unconscious in an alley on the city’s south side. First responders were called shortly after 9 p.m. on December 1 to the area between Sheperd Avenue and Georgia Avenue, near Fifth Street. Police say the man had suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital for emergency treatment. Investigators believe the assault may have taken place some time before the victim was located. Front line officers were joined at the scene by Police Dog Services, forensic specialists, Nanaimo Fire Rescue and para

A powerful early season storm is moving across Atlantic Canada today, bringing heavy, wet snow and winds strong enough to cause coastal flooding in several provinces. Environment Canada has issued multiple snowfall warnings across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, where conditions began to deteriorate overnight. Forecasters say communities under yellow level alerts can expect 20 to 30 centimetres of snow by Wednesday afternoon. Higher risk areas in northern Cape Breton and parts of central Newfoundland remain under orange alerts, with totals that could reach 50 centimetres by evening. The agency w

Canada is increasing its financial and military support for Ukraine, with federal ministers confirming more than $200 million in new commitments as the conflict with Russia continues to dominate international security discussions. National Defence Minister David McGuinty said Canada will join NATO allies in purchasing a package of critical military capabilities sourced from the United States, with Canada contributing $200 million toward the shared procurement plan. The announcement was made as Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand attended a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Anand

A major employer on Vancouver Island is preparing to wind down permanently, with Domtar confirming that its pulp mill in Crofton will close and leave about 350 workers without jobs. The company says weak global pulp prices and rising challenges in securing affordable fibre in British Columbia made continued operations unsustainable. Domtar says it is reviewing potential future uses for the mill site, though no decisions have been made. The shutdown adds to a series of closures across the province’s forestry communities, a sector that has faced years of instability linked to supply shortages,