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WorldMar 19, 2020

COVID-19 has now infected more than 200,000 people around the world

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 207,000 people and killed more than 8,200. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 82,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
WorldMar 18, 2020

Vancouver man in northern Italy gives suggestions on social distancing

A Vancouver man in northern Italy says social distancing directives from the Italian government felt like ``suggestions'' when they were first made several weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic flared. But with Italy now within the European epicentre of the outbreak, Alex Grant says Italians now consider self-isolation a ``sacred responsibility.'' Grant and his partner live in a one-bedroom apartment in Milan and he says they are both practising self-isolation. He says he goes out once a week to grocery shop, there are no shortages, no hoarding, and his advice is ``take the situation seriously,
WorldMar 17, 2020

Costco is going to start controlling the number of customers allowed in its warehouses

Costco says it has had a surge of business since the COVID-19 outbreak, and is going to start controlling the number of customers allowed in its warehouses in response. The company is also reducing some services and is asking customers and employees to practice social distancing in its stores. Limits have been placed on the number of certain items customers are allowed to buy at once and the company is working with suppliers to make sure in-demand items are available. Costco has also stepped up sanitation of its carts, cashes and product shelves.
donald-trump-discussions-are-ongoing-with-canada-about-keeping-the-border-open
WorldMar 17, 2020

Donald Trump: Discussions are ongoing with Canada about keeping the border open

US President Donald Trump says discussions are ongoing with Canada about keeping the border open between the two countries. Trump says the U-S is working very closely with Canada and is calling the relationship between the two countries ``outstanding.'' The opposition parties are criticizing the Trudeau government for its decision yesterday to keep letting Americans into Canada even though it has closed the border to most other foreign nationals. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government is urgently reviewing the issue.
scientists-in-seattle-have-administered-first-shots-of-an-experimental-coronavirus-vaccine
WorldMar 17, 2020

Scientists in Seattle have administered first shots of an experimental coronavirus vaccine

Scientists at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle have administered first shots of an experimental coronavirus vaccine to four healthy volunteers. The test is leading off a worldwide hunt for protection, even as the pandemic surges. Doctor Lisa Jackson says the vaccine cannot give participants the novel coronavirus. But even if the research goes well, a vaccine wouldn't be available for widespread use for 12 to 18 months.
WorldMar 17, 2020

British authorities urging all UK residents to avoid unnecessary contact with others

British authorities have dramatically ramped up measures to combat the new coronavirus. The government is urging all UK residents to avoid unnecessary contact with others. And they say people in the most vulnerable groups should be isolated for almost three months. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says ``now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel.''
idris-elba-says-he-has-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus
WorldMar 16, 2020

Idris Elba says he has tested positive for the coronavirus

Idris Elba says he has tested positive for the coronavirus. The actor tweeted Monday that he has no symptoms so far and has been isolated since Friday when he found out about his possible exposure. He says he sought out the test after discovering he had come into contact with someone who had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. Elba is the latest high profile celebrity to have tested positive for the virus. Last week, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson said they had also tested positively in Australia. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and co
WorldMar 16, 2020

U.S. Fed slashes benchmark rate by 1%

The U.S. Federal Reserve is taking emergency action and slashing its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero. It's also purchasing more Treasury securities to encourage lending in a bid to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.Ottawa has made 10-billion-dollars available to businesses through a credit facility program. The Bank of Canada earlier cut its trend-setting interest rate by half-a-percentage point to three-quarters of a per cent.
WorldMar 12, 2020

Markets crash amid COVID-19 fears

Concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic saw global markets in freefall, with New York's Dow Jones industrial average posting its biggest loss since 1987, closing down almost 10 per cent to 21,200.62. Canada's main stock index plunged 1,761.64 points, or 12.34 per cent, to 12,508.45, with every sector in the red. European stock markets have had one of their worst days in history, with investors worried about a US travel ban that covers much of Europe.

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CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
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CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T
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CanadaJul 15, 2026

WestJet flight attendants vote 99.4% in favour of strike as August long weekend travel faces disruption

WestJet's flight attendants' union says 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike action, clearing the way for a legal walkout as early as Aug. 2 if a new collective agreement is not reached. According to the union, about 4,400 flight attendants would be in a legal strike position beginning Aug. 2. Key issues in the contract dispute include wage increases that keep pace with inflation, improved working conditions and compensation for all hours spent on duty. WestJet President and CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement
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BCJul 15, 2026

Burnaby RCMP seek public's help to identify suspect in sexual assault investigation

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public's help as they investigate a reported sexual assault that occurred in the city's Metrotown area last week. According to police, the incident happened at about 11:30 p.m. on July 9 near Royal Oak Avenue and Beresford Street. Investigators said the victim was walking alone when an unidentified man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled the area after the victim called 911. Officers searched the neighbourhood but were unable to locate him. Police said a second suspicious incident was reported about 30 minutes later near Beres