The first case of the BA.2.86 variant of Covid has been reported in Canada.This is the first case found in British Columbia.B.C. health officials have confirmed this variant.B.C.'s Centers for Disease Control confirmed that the variant was found in a person in the Fraser Health Region, east of Vancouver, who has not traveled outside the province.Medical Director of Vancouver Infectious Disease Control Dr. Brian Conway says the new BA.2.86 variant has not yet been shown to cause more severe disease.Conway says the first case being recorded here in B.C. is a reminder that COVID never truly went

Canada, the world's fourth largest wheat exporter, is set to face a decline in wheat production this year due to drought. According to a government report, in parts of the Prairie Provinces, namely Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan wheat and canola production expected to decline. Canada is also among the world's largest shippers for canola, from which vegetable oil is produced. According to Statistics Canada, the production of wheat this time is likely to be 29.5 million metric tons, which is the second lowest in the last 8 years and 14 percent down compared to last year. At the same time, t

The Bhakra Beas Management Board has closed the flood gates of the Bhakra Dam after the water level became normal. This has brought some relief to the people of Punjab, who have been struggling with the problem of floods for the past several days. Due to very heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water level in Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam had reached the danger mark. As a result, the Board of Management had to open the flood gates of Bhakra Dam on the evening of 14 August. Due to continuous rains in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh till now, the water level in the dams could not be reduced. Due to whic

Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisory for the United States, warning LGBTQ people that some state laws may affect their travel.The post shared Tuesday morning said some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.This advisory is issued to travelers to stay aware of laws that criminalize same sex activities and relationships.The updated advisory does not mention any specific law or state policy, nor does it suggest avoiding any particular state.On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland supported the decision to update the travel advisor

The Alberta government has levied more than $11,000 in fines for wildfire-prevention violations this year. Nineteen violation tickets, with fines totalling $11,520, were given out between April 1 and July 31, according to statistics provided by Alberta's forestry and parks ministry. Most of the tickets were for failing to extinguish an open outdoor fire during a fire ban, which comes with a $600 fine. More fines have been levied this year than last year, but in the past five years, 2020 saw the highest number handed out.That year, 60 tickets were issued, most of which were related to fire ban

The death toll from toxic drug overdoses in British Columbia has risen to 200.According to the B.C. Coroner's Service report, 200 people died in July.The BC Coroner's Service says 198 people died last month.The coroner says at least 1,455 deaths between January and July this year have been linked to the supply of the unregulated toxic drug."We will be recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day in two days," said Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.Drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 59, more than murder, suicide, accidents and disease combined, Lis

The Islamabad High Court has delivered its verdict on the petition of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, which requested to suspend his three-year prison sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case.While pronouncing its decision on this, the court has stayed the punishment of Imran Khan, after which orders were given for his release.But after the release order, he was arrested again.Khan has been detained in the secret letter theft case.This information has been given by the newspaper 'The Dawn' of Pakistan.Former Law Minister and Public Prosecutor Attaullah Tarar said that Imran's s

The body of a hiker missing since August 27 has been found in Banff National Park.Officials say the death is not suspicious.Banff RCMP were notified of a missing person on August 27 at 3:50 p.m.Officers found his vehicle at the Banff airstrip, after which assistance was sought from Parks Canada.At 11 a.m. Monday, aerial search crews found the 64-year-old Calgary resident dead on Cascade Mountain, officials said in a release.Police have not released the hiker's name or any other details about him.

The North West Territories were supposed to go to polls on October 3 but now the regional elections will be held on November 14.MLAs have voted in favor of bringing the polls forward by six weeks.Votes have been postponed due to forest fires.The Chief Electoral Officer of the North West Territories had suggested that the elections be brought forward.The current firefighting budget for the Northwest Territories is approximately $22 million.Members of the regional legislature made the decision in a special session held at the town hall in Inuvik instead of the regional capital of Yellowknife.Mos