The World Health Organization's Europe unit is reporting that about one in 10 people who contracted COVID-19 continue to show "persistent ill health" 12 weeks after infection. Dr. Hans Kluge, the head of WHO Europe, says much about so-called "long COVID" remains unknown, but the "burden is real, and it is significant." In a policy brief released on Thursday, WHO Europe urged policymakers to do more to acknowledge and treat long COVID, which can bring severe fatigue, chest pain, heart inflammation, headache, forgetfulness, depression, loss of smell, recurrent fever, diarrhea and ringing in the

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday reiterated that the central government is ready to talk to protesting farmers at any time. While speaking to the media here, Tomar said that the farmer unions, which have been protesting against the farm laws for nearly three months, have not given their feedback on the centre's proposal of putting the farm laws on hold for 1.5 years. "We have held 12 rounds of talks with the farmers. We are ready to talk to farmers anytime. We can't implement the farm laws as the matter is with Supreme Court. The Supreme Court constituted committee i

The Canadian Armed Forces is reeling this morning with news chief of the defence staff Admiral Art McDonald is being investigated for misconduct.Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan revealed late last night McDonald has voluntarily stepped aside while military police investigate.The stunning development comes just over a month after McDonald took over as commander of the Canadian military from Gen. Jonathan Vance, who is also under investigation after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.Vance has denied any wrongdoing and McDonald has not commented.Former naval reservist Marie-Claude Gagnon, who

A Delhi Court on Thursday granted interim protection from arrest to Shantanu Muluk till March 9 in ongoing in the 'toolkit' document case related to the farmers' protest.Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana also adjourned the matter for March 9 after Delhi Police sought time to file a detailed and comprehensive reply.Additional Public Prosecutor Irfan Ahmed sought seven days time to file a detailed and comprehensive reply submitting that investigating agency needs to confront him as there are contradictory replies given by the accused person.Appearing for Muluk, advocate Vrinda Grover sai

Police say they issued tickets totalling over $900 to two BC Ferries passengers for refusing to follow COVID-19 safety protocols while on board.Nanaimo RCMP say in a news release they were called to the Departure Bay ferry terminal to meet the Queen of Cowichan, which was arriving from Horseshoe Bay just after midnight Sunday, to escort two women off the vessel. They say the women, aged 19 and 43, ignored the mask requirement on board and were heard yelling and screaming at staff. RCMP arrested them for being intoxicated in a public place but later decided not to lay criminal charges. They say

BC health officials are reporting 456 new cases of COVID-19 today. Two additional deaths have also been announced, bringing the total to 1,338. There are 4,668 active cases in the province, including 237 people who are hospitalized with COVID-19. Sixty-four of those patients are in intensive care. To date, 230,875 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 62,608 of which are second doses. There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Creekside Landing (Interior Health) is now over.

The Opposition Conservatives are still hammering at the Liberal government over Canada's uneven vaccine rollout. In question period today, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole was incredulous about how many people would have to be vaccinated per day to get every Canadian vaccinated by the end of September as the Liberals say. He said it would be 300,000 per day. But Justin Trudeau says deliveries are ramping up and the government is committed to its September deadline. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is boasting some new numbers for COVID vaccine delivery. But he's facing continued criticism from

Police in Winnipeg have made what they say is the largest asset seizure in their history after a 10-month investigation into a cocaine trafficking ring calling itself the Company. They say 13 people were arrested earlier this month in relation to cocaine being moved from British Columbia to Winnipeg. Insp. Max Waddell says the total value of assets seized was more than $13.3 million. They included cocaine with a street value of $1.4 million, as well as cannabis and ecstasy, as well as 12 vehicles and 10 properties valued at more than $4.6 million. Officers also took in more than $100,000 in B

The RCMP say a crash on Highway 16 west of Prince George has killed a Metro Vancouver man and injured a 20 year old Alberta resident. An RCMP statement says the collision happened Monday as the Alberta man in a westbound pickup was overtaking an empty logging truck. The passing lane ended before the pickup had finished its manoeuvre and police say it collided with an oncoming car. Police say the driver of the car, who was in his 40s, died a short time later in hospital. Officers in Prince George are leading the investigation and want to speak with the logging truck driver, who stopped to assi