British Columbia has launched a new helpline for people who witness or experience a racist incident, with support available in more than 240 languages. The province says callers will receive support and guidance, which could include referrals to local community support services, such as counselling or help with reporting to police. It says callers will be asked to describe where and what happened, and whether they'd like to disclose "basic demographic information." The province says data from the helpline will help officials better understand where and how such incidents are happening in B.C.,

British Columbia will cover the cost of an antiviral drug aimed at treating mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 as the federal government ends its coverage. A statement from B.C.'s Health Ministry says the province will provide 100 per cent coverage for the treatment sold under the brand name Paxlovid, for B.C. residents with an active medical services plan. A provincial government web page says the change took effect on Tuesday, after the federal government stopped supplying Paxlovid in March, and pharmacies are to obtain Paxlovid supplies from their wholesaler. The Health Ministry says the dr

Punjab's international kabaddi player and famous stopper Pamma Sohanawala has died in a road accident. Kabaddi player Pamma died on the spot in a road accident in Sector-79 of Mohali. Pamma Sohana was to participate in the Kabaddi Cup to be held in Canada in June. According to information received, a Scorpio car and a taxi collided in Mohali late at night. Kabaddi player Pamma was riding in the Scorpio. The taxi is said to be of Patiala number and the condition of the driver is critical. Police are also examining the CCTV cameras to find out what caused the accident.

Sukhpal Singh Khaira, the Congress MLA from Bhulath, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Sangrur in Punjab, has alleged that Bhagwant Mann was so frightened by his campaign that he closed his WhatsApp. He said that Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann often accuse Prime Minister Modi that there is no freedom in the country, the media is not free, while the Aam Aadmi Party even distributed pamphlets on journalists. It is to be noted that in the past Bhagwant Mann government banned the broadcasting of a news channel of Zee Media Group in the state.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he supports France's decision to invite Russian officials to a D-Day commemoration, despite the invasion of Ukraine. Trudeau says Canada is in "extreme disagreement" with Russia and that Moscow must be held accountable for violating fundamental rules about respecting sovereign borders. But he says it's still important to recognize all countries involved in liberating France from the Nazis in the Second World War. Mission Libération, the French government committee organizing the 80th anniversary commemorations for D-Day, told European media last week they ha

On the last day of campaigning for Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed rallies in Mohali and Ludhiana today. Yogi said that there is mafia rule in Punjab, give us only 48 hours and you will see that we will wipe out the mafia. At the same time, in Nawanshahr, Rahul Gandhi targeted PM Modi by making the three agricultural laws an election issue and said that by bringing the Agniveer Yojana, he has made even the youth workers. Rahul Gandhi said that Modi's policies have stopped the economy. It is to be noted that Rahul Gandhi and the India Alliance have m

Before the landing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter in Punjab's Hoshiarpur, someone released canal water, which flooded the surrounding areas. The water was moving towards the helipad where PM Modi's helicopter was supposed to land. However, people informed the administrative authorities before this. After this, JCB was called and the water flowing towards the helipad was stopped by digging a pit. Hoshiarpur DC Komal Mittal has called for a report in this regard from the canal department. The department has been asked that despite the Prime Minister's rally, who released the water

Election campaigning for 57 Lok Sabha seats in 8 states including Punjab and one union territory has ended this evening. Voting for this 7th and final round will be held on June 1 and the results of all seats will be released on June 4. The number of voters in Punjab is about 2 crore 14 lakh. 1 lakh 89 thousand 855 voters are above 85 years of age. This time, a total of 328 candidates are in the fray for 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. 169 of them are independent candidates. Among the hottest seats in Punjab are Jalandhar, Khadur Sahib, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Sangrur.

Police in Metro Vancouver say a DNA match led to a man's arrest and conviction more than 22 years after he broke into a woman's home and sexually assaulted her. Richmond RCMP say Christopher Sharafi, also known as Mohammed Mendi Sharafi, was found guilty last October, and in April he was sentenced to five years in prison for the two offences dating back to December 2001. The Mounties say the victim reported waking up to find a man standing in her room, and he then climbed into her bed and assaulted her as she tried to fight back. They say in a statement that police collected and submitted DNA