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VOL 25 - ISSUE 47
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Police investigating extortion related shootings ion Surrey-Delta Police in Surrey and North Delta are investigating separate targeted shootings on Wednesday, both of which are believed to be connected to the ongoing extortion crisis in Metro Vancouver. At about 1:30 a.m., Surrey Police Service officers were called to a home in the 12300-block of 77A Avenue in the Newton neighbourhood. The home had been damaged by bullets but no one was injured. While police are still at the residence collecting evidence, “it appears that this incident is related to the ongoing series of extortions in Surrey,” said Sgt. Tige Pollock in a statement. Meanwhile, Delta police responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the area of 84th Avenue and Brooke Road Shortly after 5 a.m. The residence was occupied at the time but no one was injured in the shooting, according to police. This shooting is believed to be connected to a continuing extortion investigation, according to the Delta Police major crime section, which is leading the probe.
Premier David Eby on trade mission to India B.C. Premier David Eby is heading to India on Friday with the province’s jobs minister, saying trade tensions with the U.S. have created a “window of opportunity” to expand bilateral trade ties with other nations. “By expanding our trade with India, we’re able to provide support to communities across the country that have been particularly impacted by [U.S. President Donald] Trump’s tariffs, especially in the forestry sector, which is the big focus of this mission,” Eby said in an event in Vancouver on Jan. 6, announcing the trip. The aim is to build on last spring’s trip to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, he said. Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon will join Eby on the trip, with the delegation scheduled
Hindu trader brutally murdered in Bangladesh, 6th hate killing in 18 days A 40-year-old Hindu grocery trader was murdered late Monday night in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district, marking at least the sixth
reported killing of a minority community individual in the country within the past 18 days, local media reported on Tuesday. The latest fatality comes just hours after another a Hindu businessman and newspaper editor was shot dead in the southern district of Jessore, deepening concerns over rising violence against minority communities. The victim, identified as Sarat Mani Chakraborty, was attacked at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash Upazila Continued on Page 12... around 11 pm.
Ontario judge sets aside pharmacist's Canadian citizenship revocation over alleged fraud An immigrant pharmacist whose Canadian citizenship was revoked in November 2024, a decade after officials first suspected she hadn’t met the requirements, has seen that decision set aside and revocation proceedings permanently stayed by a Federal Court judge who criticized officials for waiting so long to act on the allegations of “false representation, fraud, or knowingly concealing material circumstances.” Continued on Page 6...
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to meet government and business leaders in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bangalore. “Our goals are clear: It’ll be to diversify beyond the U.S., double our exports, and grow sectors like tech and life sciences,” Kahlon said. Continued on Page 10...
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Conning temporary foreign workers into paying bogus government fees to work in Canada has landed three Calgary restaurant owners jail terms. Justice Sandra Mah on Monday agreed with Crown prosecutor Brandy O’Ferrall that a period behind bars was warranted for Maninkandan Kasinathan, Chandramoahan Marjak and Mary Roche for defrauding their employees. But Mah stopped short of the nine-month terms O’Ferrall was seeking for each offender, instead handing them 90-day terms, which will be served on weekends. Continued on Page 15...
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Neighbours shocked over deaths of elderly couple inside Delta home Neighbours expressed shock after two elderly people were found dead at a home in Delta, B.C.'s Ladner neighbourhood early Wednesday morning. Delta police said in a statement that they were called to the home in the 4600-block of Ladner Crescent just after 12:10 a.m. PT on Wednesday. There, they say they found two dead elderly people. Police say the deaths are believed to be isolated, and they aren't looking for any suspects, with Delta Police Department's major crime unit now investigating the case. Myrtle Mazzon, who has lived in the neighbourhood for three decades, said the people who died were a couple in their 70s or 80s. "They were a quiet couple. She used to go to the mailbox and I used to wave to her all the time,
but they were retired, so just the two of them," Mazzon told CBC News. Sandra Neufeld, another neighbour, said the area is a quiet one, largely occupied by seniors. "I moved here last October from Langley. Such a difference in people, and the kindness, and just everyone helps everybody," she said. "I'm just shocked because this is such a quiet, quiet neighborhood."
Air India Pilot arrested and removed from plane for being drunk at Vancouver airport An Air India pilot was pulled from duty at Vancouver International Airport last month after allegedly showing up for work under the influence of alcohol, the Reuters news agency reported on Friday. Richmond RCMP confirmed that an airline pilot was arrested on Dec. 23 at YVR “following a report of concern involving a crew member preparing to report for duty.” Citing a source familiar with the matter, Reuters reported the incident involved a Boeing 777 scheduled to fly from Vancouver to Delhi and that the pilot was removed from the flight before its departure after two breathalyzer tests showed the pilot was unfit for duty. Transport Canada labelled the incident a “serious matter” and asked Air India to investigate, Reuters reported. YVR confirmed that “RCMP responded to a concern pertaining to an Air India crew member ahead of the airline’s scheduled daily flight from Vancouver to Delhi.” An airport spokesperson told Postmedia that another pilot was brought in for the flight. The 777 is designed to be flown with two pilots, but a third relief pilot is routinely on board for such long-haul flights. Transport Canada said in a statement it was aware of an incident involving an Air India pilot on Dec. 23, and that it would continue to engage with Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India to “ensure appropriate followup actions are taken.” “DGCA India, as the state of the operator, retains primary responsibility for regulatory
oversight of Air India.” Federal regulations prohibit pilots from working within 12 hours of consuming alcohol, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impair the worker’s faculties “to the extent that the safety of the aircraft or of persons on board is endangered in any way,” according to Transport Canada. Failing to comply can result in licence suspension or cancellation, fines or other legal action.
In a statement, Air India apologized for the disruption on Flight AI186 and said the pilot has been taken off flying duties while the investigation continues. The plane departed about seven hours behind schedule, according to the FlightRadar24 flight-tracking website. “Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy.” “Safety remains Air India’s highest priority at all times,” it added.
ABC Vancouver accused of 'cooking' crime stats in year-end messaging
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In promotional materials released this week, Vancouver city council’s majority party used the same crime statistics that party officials had, a month earlier, acknowledged as being presented inaccurately. In a year-end fundraising email Tuesday, ABC Vancouver encouraged supporters to donate so the party can continue delivering results in 2026, a municipal election year. The email touts the ruling party’s track record on safety, saying “violent crime is down 18 per cent citywide, robberies are down 44 per cent, and serious assaults are down 23 per cent.” But despite using the word “citywide” in the email, those are not citywide numbers. ABC used the same numbers in public statements in November, before acknowledging to CTV News they had made an error, and deleting the social media post in question. At that time, CTV journalist Lisa Steacy reported the numbers did not represent citywide trends, but instead showed crime rates specific to the Downtown Eastside in the first six months after the launch of Task Force Barrage, a $5 million policing surge focused on the neighbourhood that started in February. Vancouver Police Department statistics show that crime is, indeed, down across most categories citywide, including the three listed in ABC’s fundraising email — but the citywide declines are not as large as the party’s email says. The most recent VPD stats show that through the first 10 months of 2025, violent crime took a 10.1 per cent year-over-year decrease citywide (compared with ABC’s 18 per cent claim), and robberies fell by 25.2 per cent (compared with the 44 per cent cited by ABC). The police department statistics do not differentiate “serious assaults” from other assaults, but peg that category’s decrease at 10.4 per cent. More positive news: a report presented last month to the Vancouver Police Board found the city’s violent crime severity index decreasing by 5.5 per cent between 2023 and 2024, falling faster than the Canadian average.
So there should be a good story to tell there for ABC. But the party has opened itself to criticism again by failing, intentionally or not, to present the numbers accurately.
A “2025 recap” video posted Tuesday on the X account of ABC Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim used the same numbers heralding crime reductions. Unlike ABC’s email this week, the video posted on Sim’s account did not explicitly say the stats were citywide — but an average viewer would likely think that is what was being presented, not a neighbourhood-specific snapshot in time. An ABC spokesperson acknowledged in an email Wednesday that the email’s crime stats related to the Downtown Eastside and Task Force Barrage specifically, but did not answer why, then, it included the word “citywide” and whether that was a mistake. “If crime is down, that is good news and should be communicated accurately,” said Vote Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh. “But overstating reductions or presenting inconsistent figures, particularly after similar numbers were previously acknowledged as inaccurate, undermines public trust.” “Accuracy matters, even when trends appear positive,” said Bligh, who was elected with ABC in 2022 but plans to run for mayor in 2026 against her former party.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
David Eby silent on next steps as decriminalization experiment deadline approaches Premier David Eby continued his retreat from drug decriminalization this week without saying what happens when federal authorization for the experiment expires at the end of the month. “We’re working closely with the federal government on this,” Eby told reporters on Tuesday. “I look forward to having more to share about that soon. “But let me be clear: We are not going back to the old policy of decriminalized public drug use in BC. It didn’t work, and we ended that.” It was not the first time that Eby acknowledged the failure of a policy he once defended as a way of saving lives by reducing the stigma and penalties for drug use. The “three-year experiment” began Jan 31, 2023, two months after Eby took office as premier. Under a Health Canada exemption, drug users no longer faced arrest or prosecution for possession of small amounts of fentanyl, heroin and other illegal drugs. The backlash over open drug use was not long in coming from local government, police, and the public. By September of that year, the Eby government moved to restrict open drug use in playgrounds, skate parks and other public spaces used by children. In 2024, a second step back banned illicit drug use in all public spaces, effectively limiting it to treatment centres and private residences. Campaigning for re-election in the fall of 2024, Eby admitted to “some problems” with the then 18-month-old experiment. “It didn’t have the results we wanted to see — just the opposite,” he said. Last October came a more comprehensive admission. “I was wrong on drug decriminalization and the effect that it would have,” he confessed in a
meeting with the Urban Development Institute. “I wasn’t alone — but it wasn’t the right policy,” said Eby, according to a report by Jarryd Jager in the Western Standard. “What it became was a permissive structure that, in the effort to reduce stigma — that it was OK to use drugs anywhere — resulted in really unhappy consequences not just in B.C. but other jurisdictions that attempted this.” Not surprising that drug users concluded it was “OK to use drugs anywhere.” That was precisely the policy of decriminalization at the outset. Reversing direction has been tougher. Serious drug users have tended not to notice the NDP effort to re-stigmatize open drug use in public spaces. Nor has the government gone back to prosecuting possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Independent MLA Elenore Sturko noted as much in criticizing the half-measures aspect of the Eby’s disavowal of decriminalization. Sturko was an early critic of the Eby government’s failure to deliver what was promised in terms of supports for decriminalization. In April 2024, she introduced a motion in the legislature calling for the outright scrapping of decriminalization, citing the lack of treatment options and other resources. She faulted the failure to provide a monthly online dashboard to track the experiment.
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No injuries after suspected extortion-related shooting in Langley Langley RCMP said no one was injured after a Thursday shooting that they believe is related to extortion. RCMP said officers arrived at the 6900 block of 232 Street sometime after 5:15 a.m. and found "evidence consistent with shots having been fired." Police said it's believed the suspects arrived in a dark-coloured sedan and left the area immediately after the incident. “Based on initial information we believe this incident is extortion related, investigators are liaising with partner agencies and working to determine possible linkages to other investigations,” Langley RCMP Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said in a release. While police were on scene, CBC News saw a flatbed truck take a dark-coloured car away from the area— but it was difficult to see if the car had sustained any damage.
Thursday's incident came one day after police responded to two shootings in Metro Vancouver possibly connected to extortion cases. The Surrey Police Service said it responded to a report of a shooting early Wednesday morning at a home in the 12300 block of 77 Avenue, which it said appears to be related to the ongoing series of extortions in Surrey. Delta police said officers were investigating a Wednesday morning shooting linked to an ongoing extortion case after shots were fired at a home near 84 Avenue and Brooke Road. There are no reported injuries from those two shootings. There has been a rise in extortionrelated violence against Canada's South Asian community involving dozens of shootings, setting off the formation of a provincial task force last year.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Lawyer says Coquitlam RCMP officer should be dismissed for sexist, racist group chat comments A Coquitlam, B.C., RCMP constable testified on his own behalf at a hearing Wednesday for whether he should be dismissed from the force for derogatory comments he made in group chats with other officers. In November, RCMP adjudicator Louise Morel found Coquitlam constables Philip Dick, Ian Solven and Mersad Mesbah failed to treat people with respect and courtesy when speaking in an online group chat and on police computer terminals. The adjudication board hearing Wednesday was specifically around Mesbah’s conduct. The lawyer for the RCMP’s conduct authority John MacLaughlan said Mesbah should be dismissed immediately or directed to resign in 14 days. But Mesbah’s lawyer Allison Tremblay said his relationship with the RCMP could be rehabilitated with stringent measures, but not dismissal. MacLaughlin said Mesbah’s misconduct is “fundamentally incompatible with the role of a police officer” and said dismissal is the only reasonable measure. He noted the board is responsible to maintain public confidence in the RCMP and its disciplinary process. MacLaughlin noted Mesbah has now been suspended for longer than he served as a regular member. He said Mesbah shirked accountability for denying he understood the the meaning of the alleged racial slur “goldfish” despite his repeated uses of that term, and the “unpalatable term g-un-t” for a woman’s stomach that he used to describe a female colleague’s body while saying he was unable to look away from it while on duty. MacLaughlin also said Mesbah, while he was on
duty, expressed hope that a woman be murdered by a man, and also said he would have pepper-sprayed a woman. Mesbah said he regretted using those words and would not have acted on them. Mesbah said he grew up in Iran and came to Canada when he was 15, knowing zero English. He said he received a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Simon Fraser University in 2016, became a police officer in 2017 and was posted to the Coquitlam detachment. Mesbah’s lawyer Allison Tremblay cited reports supporting Mesbah’s professionalism, particularly his work with the Iranian community. Mesbah said “something changed” in the Coquitlam detachment in 2018, when he started noticing patternable sickness and “filedodging” from colleagues and the work environment eventually made him resentful. He said he coped through the group chats, which he described as “a place where I could just unload this level of animosity and anger because I was watching these same things happen over and over.” “[It] almost felt like a landfill: just go and dump this terrible thing that you have in your head so you don’t carry it into your next file.” Mesbah said having two daughters changed his perspective on “body issues” and he learned internal anger management through counselling. He said he still hopes to be a police officer and said he had handled thousands of files without any issues. Tremblay said serious consequences would be appropriate such as a loss of pay for 45 days or training. All three Coquitlam constables were suspended with pay, according to a B.C. RCMP spokesperson in November. Morel will make her decision on Jan. 13.
What experts advise for buyers, sellers as Vancouver-area home sales hit 25-year low As the Greater Vancouver area recorded its lowest annual home sales total this century in 2025, real estate experts are providing advice to buyers and sellers in the region as activity remains muted due to economic uncertainty. Data from Greater Vancouver Realtors revealed that the region saw 23,800 home sales last year, nearly 25 per cent below the 10-year annual average. Analysts have said for months that weakening demand has been exacerbated by economic uncertainty and the spectre of U.S. tariffs. Experts say the large number of properties on the market and a slight dip in average asking price means it's a perfect opportunity for first-time homeowners to enter the market. On the other hand, they're advising sellers to be more realistic and potentially drop their prices if they aim to complete a property sale this year. "You would assume with such extreme market conditions — the slowest market conditions that we have seen in the last 20 years, plus record-high inventory levels — you would assume the prices would be crashing," said Oleg Galyuk, a real estate agent with Royal Pacific Realty. "But, at the moment, they haven't really dropped all that drastically," he added. Brendon Ogmundson, the chief economist of the B.C. Real Estate Association, said the threat of U.S. tariffs hung over the real estate market throughout 2025. The year had started with optimism, the economist said, but sales struggled even as interest rates became more stable and the number of
listings went up. "Realtors thrive on activity on on turnover in the market. And we just didn't have buyers that had the confidence to to make transactions work," the economist said. Ogmundson said, however, that he's hopeful the market picks up in 2026 due to pent-up demand from buyers and a possible resolution to the U.S. tariff war. "Over the last year or so, we have seen a lot of investors exit the market, which means that first-time home buyers especially have very low competition," Galyuk said.
"I would recommend for the first-time home buyers to really take your time. There is no pressure at the moment for the prices to go up and also no pressure to rush into purchasing." Ogmundson said that it's vital sellers be more realistic about pricing their properties if they want to complete transactions this year. "We're still in a situation right now where buyers are probably trying to lowball," he said. "Sellers are still anchored to prices that might not be realistic." Galyuk said that the current Vancouver-area property market wasn't the one to test prices out in, and sellers shouldn't get stuck in a loop of chasing the market down and reducing prices.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
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The unprecedented expansion of federal Indigenous spending
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As Canada limps into a potentially multi-billiondollar crisis involving outstanding Aboriginal land claims, it comes just as federal spending on “Indigenous priorities” has already reached all-time highs. As recently as 2024, the federal government was spending twice as much on Indigenous priorities as it was on the military. In fact, an explosion in Indigenous spending is largely responsible for the unexpected 2024 budget deficit that led to the ouster of then prime minister Justin Trudeau. When the Liberals first took power in 2015, their own estimates showed that total federal government spending on what they deemed “Indigenous priorities” was about $11 billion. Within 10 years, this had nearly tripled. By 2024, internal Department of Finance estimates were showing that planned “investments in Indigenous Priorities” were set to hit $32 billion. This was the number cited in a recent story by David Frum in The Atlantic critiquing Canadian reconciliation policy as an “unresisted political revolution.” But the true figure is even higher, with Indigenous expenditures recently surging to more than double that of the Department of Defence. A breakdown by the website Canada Spends notes that in fiscal year 2024, 12.25 per cent of all federal monies were spent by one of two federal agencies: Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. In 2023/2024, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada reported “actual expenditures” of $16.3 billion. Indigenous Services Canada, in turn, posted “actual expenditures” of $46.5 billion. Together, it came to $62.8 billion for the year. In the most recent census, 1.8 million Canadians selfidentified as Indigenous, although this represented a range of everyone from Inuit to on-reserve First Nations to Canadians of Métis heritage. If $62.8 billion was to be divided equally among the 1.8 million, however, it would come to about $35,000 per person. According to Canada Spends, Canada cumulatively spent a total of $243.8 billion on Indigenous priorities between 2014 and 2024, with much of that being due to the expansion of Indigenous spending under the Liberal government.
For context, if Canada had kept to the spending levels of 2014, even when adjusting for inflation the decadelong total would have come to about $145 billion. The difference of $99 billion is roughly equivalent to the annual GDP of Manitoba. Put another way, it would take Manitoba’s entire annual economic activity just to cover the increase in federal Indigenous spending since 2014. The massive expansion of federal spending on Indigenous priorities hasn’t been a secret. In fact, it’s been an explicit line item in multiple budgetary and policy documents. The last budget tabled under Trudeau, for instance, wrote that “spending on Indigenous priorities has increased significantly.” All the extra spending has been coming from two basic directions. First, a generalized increase in all manner of grants and transfer payments, as well as a new latticework of federal programs on everything from Indigenous languages to mental health supports to shellfish harvesting and funding to locate burial sites at former residential schools.
For example, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was alone budgeted at $2.2 billion over five years. Meanwhile, the Liberal campaign promise to lift onreserve boil-water advisories had cost $6.3 billion as of 2024. While 150 advisories have been lifted over the length of the program, 39 remain in effect. The second major driver of heightened Indigenous spending has been an unprecedented surge in land claims and other settlements. The largest of these was a court-ordered $23.34 billion settlement agreed in 2023 to compensate decades of underfunded onreserve child welfare services. The Liberal government has also been very active in settling land claims and otherwise “providing compensation for past harms of colonialism.” Between just 2020 and 2025, Ottawa paid out $15.1 billion to resolve 229 of what it calls “specific claims.” Essentially, First Nations grievances against Ottawa for not meeting treaty obligations, often in relation to the administration of land.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Atmospheric river forecast to bring heavy rain and snow to BC's North Coast B.C.'s North Coast is set to get another blast of wet, wintry weather in the coming days as an atmospheric river system moves in. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for several communities in the region, including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat, saying they may be hit by up to 100 millimetres of rain starting late Thursday through Saturday morning. The warning also says up to 15 centimetres of snow may fall in inland sections of major highways, and Terrace could also see some freezing rain. A special weather statement warning of wind
gusts reaching 120 km/h has also been issued for Haida Gwaii and the B.C. coastline from Prince Rupert south to Port McNeill on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Further north, a winter storm warning has been issued for Stewart and the South Klondike Highway near the Alaskan Panhandle, with snowfall amounts of 35 centimetres or more predicted. A snowfall warning is also in effect for up to 20 centimetres of snow in the Cassiar Mountains area into Yukon, covering much of the area surrounding Watson Lake.
London Drugs in heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to close on Feb. 1 The London Drugs outlet in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside will close Feb. 1, the retailer said in a statement Thursday. The decision to close the pharmacy and retail location, which has been open in the Woodward's building since 2009, was not taken lightly, London Drugs President and COO Clint Mahlman told CBC Radio's On the Coast. "The cumulative effects of ongoing vandalism, theft, violence against employees and customers ... combined with the massive increase in costs it takes to keep our people safe and our products protected, have just become unsustainable," he said.
RCMP launch murder investigation after body found during wellness check in Kamloops Kamloops RCMP are escalating their call for the public's help in their investigation into the sudden death of West End resident Muhammad “Ash” Zafar. “This includes individuals who use men‑seeking‑men dating sites or apps and may have communicated with him, or with someone using his images or profile information,” said Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin McIntyre in a news release. "We are also appealing to anyone who noticed unusual behaviour in someone they know, such as unexplained injuries, sudden changes in routine, cancelled plans, or conduct that seemed out of character," he said. On Tuesday, the RCMP's serious crime unit announced it is investigating Zafar's death as a possible murder, based on the evidence gathered to date. Police said front-line officers were conducting a wellness check at a residence on Dalgleish Drive in
Kamloops's West End on Monday, and found the body of Zafar. On Tuesday, Kamloops RCMP said the death appeared to be isolated and there was no ongoing risk to the public. Then, on Wednesday, they reminded members of the public to take precautions when meeting new people through online platforms. Kamloops RCMP said its serious crime unit is working to establish a timeline of Zafar’s movements and interactions leading up to what investigators describe as a "sudden death." “We are asking anyone who had recent contact with Mr. Zafar, or who may have information about his social network, activities, or associates, to reach out to investigators,” McIntyre said. “Even small details can assist us in understanding the events leading up to this incident.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250‑828‑3000 and reference file 2026‑388. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑TIPS (8477).
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The location lost tens of millions of dollars since it opened, Mahlman said, adding that the retailer's first location was located a few blocks away and opened in 1945. Mahlman said that Vancouver police had been amazing in focusing on enforcement in the Downtown Eastside, but "sadly it’s just not enough to turn around the neighbourhood, and we don’t see a pathway that it’s going to change anytime soon." The closure will affect 90 employees, who have been offered positions in nearby stores, he added. Vancouver Councillor Peter Meiszner, who lives
in the area, called the decision "devastating news for the community" in an interview. "This is one of the last affordable stores in the neighbourhood. People come here for the pharmacy, for the post office," the councillor said. The closure speaks to bigger issues in the neighbourhood of public safety and people who aren’t getting the support that they need for mental health and addiction issues, he said. It also means people in the neighbourhood will have to go further afield or rely on convenience stores, Meiszner said. “They have very high prices and I think vulnerable people will pay more.” London Drugs has stores in more than 35 major markets across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and also sells online across Canada. Jess Ketchum, the co-founder of the Save our Street Coalition, said the closure of the store was a long time coming and he had been concerned over the longevity of the store for a few years. The coalition includes retailers such as London Drugs, Lululemon, Aritzia and Save-onFoods, and it held its first news conference at the same London Drugs store that is set to close in October 2023. Ketchum said that Mahlman, who is another co-founder of the coalition, had long expressed concerns over the safety of employees and customers due to the "crime and violence and public disorder" in the neighbourhood. Ketchum applauded the efforts of Vancouver police in the neighbourhood, who said there was a drop in violent crime following the deployment of a task force, and that those efforts needed to be sustained.
Ontario judge sets aside pharmacist's Canadian citizenship revocation over alleged fraud Continued from Page 1... Nermine Magdi Ibrahim, who became a Canadian permanent resident in July 2003 and subsequently a Canadian citizen in October 2007, applied to the Federal Court for a judicial review of the revocation proceedings. Immigration officials were not “concerned about the impact of the delay on (Ibrahim’s) ability to defend her case, nor (her) wellestablished ties to Canada as reasons for granting her special relief,” Justice Avvy Yao-Yao Go wrote in a recent decision out of Toronto. “In short, the unfairness with which the applicant was treated, coupled with the unfairness in the proceedings caused by the delay, calls into question the integrity of the justice system if the court allows the proceedings to continue under these circumstances.” In her citizenship application, Ibrahim “declared 166 days of absences from Canada during her relevant residency period from July 9, 2003 to February 18, 2007,” Go said. Ibrahim’s “citizenship was initially flagged for investigation in 2014, and the investigation was completed in that same year,” said the judge. The Canada Border Services Agency had “received a tip about companies operating citizenship fraud schemes with (Ibrahim’s) husband’s name appearing as one of the clients who used these services to simulate his residence in Canada,” said the Federal Court decision, dated Dec. 19. “During its investigation, the case management branch … found (Ibrahim’s) LinkedIn profile which suggested that she was continuously employed as a Medical Delegate with Nestlé Infant Nutrition in Kuwait from June 2002 to June 2009,” Go said. “On July 23, 2014, an analyst of the Immigration Section at the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates verified her continuous
employment with the employer.” It wasn’t until 2023 when Canadian immigration authorities advised Ibrahim of the potential revocation proceedings and offered her an opportunity to respond. They argued “that the delay was not unreasonable considering this case was part of a large-scale investigation involving 300 other individuals,” said the decision. The judge wasn’t buying it: “Based on the record before me, I find that the minister has not provided any justification for the delay,” Go said. To become a Canadian citizen, permanent residents need to have lived in Canada for three out of the last five years. n September 2023, immigration officials wrote to Ibrahim indicating she “may have misrepresented herself during the citizenship process and that (she) may have failed to disclose some of her absences from Canada during the four years immediately before the date of her citizenship application,” said the decision. She was given 30 days “to make written submissions regarding the length of time she spent in Canada before acquiring citizenship and her ties to Canada since becoming a citizen,” it said. Ibrahim responded on Sept. 21, 2023, with a one-page letter requesting “more details about alleged absences and stated that she has integrated well into Canadian society as shown in her successfully becoming licensed as a pharmacist, being a partner of two pharmacies, and owning property,” said the decision “She also argued that the revocation would result in severe hardship and added that all her points can be substantiated with supporting documents upon request.” On May 9, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notified Ibrahim it was revoking her citizenship.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Person in critical condition after crash on Sea-to-Sky Highway One person was transported to the hospital in critical condition after a collision involving a bus and a car on the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Squamish, B.C., and Whistler on Wednesday. B.C. Emergency Health Services information officer Brian Twaites said three ambulances with primary care paramedics, an advanced care paramedic response unit and a paramedic supervisor attended the scene. "Paramedics provided emergency medical care and transported one patient to meet another ground ambulance with critical care paramedics who then took over care and transported the patient to the hospital in critical condition," Twaites said.
Sea to Sky RCMP Cpl. Katrina Boehmer said the details of injuries sustained were unknown as of Wednesday afternoon. She told CBC News Thursday that the cause of the collision remains under investigation, but
snowy conditions are being looked at as a factor. The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services (ICARS) was called to investigate, but Boehmer said they didn't end up attending. DriveBC said the incident occurred six kilometres north of Squamish near Conroy Forest Service Road and that both directions were closed as of 3:30 p.m. PT. Just before 6:30 p.m. PT, the stretch reopened to single-lane alternating traffic — though drivers were warned of delays due to congestion. Whistler resident Megan Foster was travelling with her husband on Highway 99 and drove by the crash scene. “We saw that there was a vehicle that had been completely destroyed. It was totalled on the side and in the front, that was all caved in,” she said. Foster said there were a few people standing near the vehicle and others were collecting debris off the road. “We continued heading northbound where we saw the passenger Skylynx bus that was on the right-hand side, heading northbound, and that looked like it had some serious impact on the front and the left-hand side of the bus,” Foster said. Conditions on the road were slippery with fresh snow, she recalls. “The engine of the vehicle was completely removed from the car, and it was about 20 metres up the road, and it was actually still smoking when the snow was hitting it,” Foster said.
Woman sentenced for conspiring to smuggle husband into USA through BC A California woman who was caught trying to smuggle her husband into the United States through southeastern British Columbia has been sentenced to six months of probation. Tracy Routh Lautenslager, 54, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to smuggle an alien into the U.S. at a location other than a designated port of entry. Lautenslager’s husband is described in statements from the Montana district attorney’s office as a British citizen with “no lawful status” in the U.S. Federal prosecutors alleged in court documents that Lautenslager drove through the Roosville border crossing near Grasmere, B.C., on April 1, 2025, and proceeded to a campground area at Swisher Lake, Mont. Later that morning, U.S. border guards were alerted to a lone man seen entering the country on foot in a rural area. When the agents arrived on scene, they could not find the man and believed he had returned to Canada. The RCMP also responded to the area and found the man walking around, “seemingly lost,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement this
week. The Mounties detained the man and brought him to the Roosville border crossing, where he was identified as a citizen of Great Britain. While her husband was being apprehended, Lautenslager was attempting to return to Canada to look for him but she was denied re-entry on suspicion of smuggling. During an interview with border agents, Lautenslager admitted that she and her husband “planned to circumvent the immigration process and avoid the point of entry because he did not have legal status in the United States,” the statement said. A search of her cellphone revealed text messages discussing the plan with her husband as it unfolded. “She said the plan was to drop him off at a location on the Canadian side of the border, drive into the United States, and then pick him up,” the statement added. “She admitted what she attempted to do was wrong.” According to the attorney’s office, the conspiracy charge carried a potential 10-year prison sentence, followed by three years of probation and a $250,000 fine.
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Ambulance crash near Tumbler Ridge raises frustrations about emergency care An ambulance crash near Tumbler Ridge in northeast B.C. is raising frustrations about the growing gap in emergency care in the remote mountain community. The incident happened last Saturday on Highway 52 when an ambulance taking a patient out of the community slid into a ditch during a snow storm.
B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) says no one was seriously hurt. But Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka says the incident highlights the risks facing patients and paramedics following cuts at the district’s emergency room last fall. “We’re a remote community in the mountains, this year with lots of snow,” Krakowka said. “We’re really putting people at risk here.” Tumbler Ridge has been without evening and weekend emergency room services since September due a doctor shortage. Patients who need after-hours emergency care are now taken by ambulance more than an hour away to the nearest hospital in Dawson Creek. Krakowka says those involved in the crash are lucky it didn't happen on a more dangerous stretch of highway where the ambulance could have rolled over. "It's a very small community. We're about 2,700 people," he said. "It's one big family here." BCEHS says the incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. PT on Jan. 3, and that a
second ambulance responded to the scene to take over the patient transport to hospital. Neither the patient nor the two paramedics on board suffered significant injuries, the agency said. BCEHS spokesperson Brian Twaites says the incident is under review. The ambulance involved is being repaired and a different unit is now in service in Tumbler Ridge, he said. “We take the safety of paramedics, patients and members of the public very seriously,” said Twaites. “We will ensure that the paramedics involved in this incident are receiving the support they need as they recover." Northern Health says two ambulances have been stationed in Tumbler Ridge to handle after-hours emergency calls while it works to recruit doctors and restore local emergency room services. But Krakowka, a retired paramedic, says his concern is that the arrangement will become the new normal and evening and weekend ER services won't return. He says dispatching a second ambulance to respond to last weekend's crash left Tumbler Ridge short on local coverage. Krakowka says he wants to know how often the community has not had two ambulances fully staffed as promised, and how many times the units have been sent to calls in other communities, leaving his residents vulnerable if an emergency happens when they're gone. He says he's reached out to health agencies with those questions, but has yet to hear back. CBC News has contacted Northern Health and BCEHS with the same requests. “This is not the fix for any community in British Columbia,” Krakowka said. "We've reached out to Premier Eby, asking him the same thing. This is not right."
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
BC's director of policing called in after release of messages between Surrey police chief and city councillor The province’s public safety minister has brought in her director of policing to assess whether any follow-up is needed after correspondence between Surrey’s police chief and a city councillor related to impaired-driving enforcement action outside a local golf course became public. This week, Global News aired a story citing text messages and emails between Surrey First Coun. Linda Annis and the city’s police chief Norm Lipinski that were obtained through a freedom of information request. Some of the correspondence, according to the story, showed that the councillor had forwarded complaints about impaired driving checks taking place outside the Morgan Creek Golf Course in South Surrey. Annis lives and owns a property in the neighbourhood. In one reply, Lipinski responds to Annis that, “Yes, we stopped setting up there.” The Global story said the chief relayed the complaints to
subordinates and indicated it “requires an elevated response.” “After Surrey Police Service conducted impaired driving enforcement outside of Morgan Creek Golf Course in July 2025, questions arose regarding how and why SPS chose this particular location,” Surrey police told Postmedia in an email. “Conversations were had with both Morgan Creek Golf Course and Councillor Annis to explain the datadriven factors that SPS uses to determine enforcement locations.” Those factors include “community complaints and tips,” “observed behaviour by officers,” and “proximity to alcoholserving venues where police believe impaired driving may reasonably originate.” In the summer of 2025, SPS’s Impaired Driving Unit conducted impaired driving enforcement at numerous locations around the City of Surrey, the email said.
Former TD Bank employee pleads guilty to money laundering facilitation The U.S. Department of Justice says a former TD Bank Group employee has pleaded guilty to facilitating money laundering at the bank. It says Wilfredo Aquino used his position as an assistant store manager in New York to help a network that laundered hundreds of millions of dollars through the bank between 2019 and 2021. The Department of Justice says the leader of the network Aquino worked with pleaded guilty in 2022 to co-ordinating a US$653 million money laundering conspiracy. TD pleaded guilty in October 2024 to multiple charges related to failures in its anti-money laundering program and agreed to pay fines totalling about US$3.1 billion. The bank says it is actively co-operating with law
enforcement and is driving a comprehensive effort to strengthen its anti-money laundering program. Aquino pleaded guilty on Tuesday for his role in helping launder funds, for which he was paid more than $11,000 in retail gift cards. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2026.
Murder trial for three Surrey men set to start Jan. 12 in Abbotsford A murder trial for three Surrey men is set to begin Monday (Jan. 12) in Abbotsford, related to the double homicide of a senior couple in 2022. Khushveer Toor, Gurkaran Singh and Abhijeet Singh of Surrey were each charged in December 2022 with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Arnold and Joanne De Jong. Arnold, 77, and Joanne, 76, were found dead on the morning of May 9, 2022 in their home in the 33600 block of Arcadian Way, a rural road in east Abbotsford. Police announced on Dec. 16, 2022 that charges had been laid against the three men. At the time, investigators said one of the three accused knew the De Jongs, although the circumstances were not clear. The couple’s cause of death has not been released.
There have been numerous delays in the case getting to trial. At one point, Toor’s trial was scheduled to be held separately from his co-accused’s, but the trio are now being tried together. The trial is scheduled for eight weeks in B.C. Supreme Court in Abbotsford. Also scheduled to go to trial on Monday is Jagpreet Singh, charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Balwinder Kaur, 41, on March 15, 2024. Police responded on that day to an assault in progress at a home in the 3400 block of Wagner Drive. Kaur was found with life-threatening stab wounds, and died in hospital. Singh was arrested on the scene, and charges were announced the following day. Singh’s trial is scheduled for six weeks, also in B.C. Supreme Court.
Surrey police say impairment linked to fatal New Year's Day crash A young woman has died following a New Year’s Day crash in Surrey. On Tuesday, Surrey Police Services spokesperson Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said the 23-year-old had succumbed to injuries sustained during a three-vehicle collision near the intersection of 32 Avenue and 194 Street in south Surrey.
The accident involved a tractor trailer and two cars. Three people in the two cars were seriously injured, while the truck driver was not hurt. “The cause of the collision remains under investigation, but it is believed that impairment was a contributing factor,” Houghton said, adding that no criminal charges had been laid.
One-day shoplifting crackdown in Abbotsford results in 25 arrests
A recent one-day shoplifting crackdown by the Abbotsford Police Department resulted in 25 arrests, 29 new charges and the recovery of more than $5,000 in stolen merchandise. A press release from the department on Wednesday (Jan. 7) stated that the Boost and Bust initiative was launched on Dec. 16 by the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT). It was part of a multi-jurisdictional effort that also included other Lower Mainland police agencies and the Organized Retail Crime Association. The press release states that more than 20 local retailers participated in the project. “Shoplifting isn’t a minor issue – it drives up costs
for customers, strains small businesses, and can lead to store closures. It also poses safety risks for staff and shoppers when incidents escalate,” the release states. The APD says Boost and Bust is a complement to the department’s Project Lighthouse initiative to reduce shoplifting through education. “Retail theft affects everyone. Through operations like Boost and Bust and programs like Project Lighthouse, we’re sending a clear message: AbbyPD will not tolerate theft,” said Sgt. Ryan Gray of CERT. The APD previously reported that shoplifting-related calls had increased by 65 per cent in the first half of 2025.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Chrystia Freeland to resign as MP in 'coming weeks' after becoming advisor to Ukraine's Zelenskyy Liberal MP and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland says she will resign as an MP in “coming weeks” after accepting a role as adviser on economic development to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Freeland, who was first elected as a Liberal in Toronto in 2013, confirmed her imminent departure on social media 12 hours after Zelenskyy announced her appointment as her advisor Monday morning. “Ukraine is at the forefront of today’s global fight for democracy, and I welcome this chance to contribute on an unpaid basis as an economic advisor to President Zelensky,” she wrote on X, adding that she was resigning as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine. “In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament. I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me. I am so grateful to have been your representative.” Zelenskyy announced Freeland’s appointment on X Monday morning, describing the former deputy prime minister and current Toronto MP as “highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations.” “Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilience — both for the sake of Ukraine’s recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defense if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end,” he wrote. Freeland resigned from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet in September and announced she would not be running in the next federal election. Months later, she announced that she would be the next Warden of Rhodes House and CEO of the Rhodes Trust beginning later this year.
But Freeland’s appointment as an adviser to a foreign government while sitting as a Canadian MP and Carney’s parliamentary secretary for the reconstruction of Ukraine did not sit well with political watchers and opposition MPs, who argued she is in conflict of interest. “One cannot be a Canadian MP and an advisor to a foreign government. She must do one or the other. She should resign as advisor or as MP for University-Rosedale,” Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong wrote on social media. “While I respect Ms. Freeland, one cannot serve
Prosecutors consider more charges in Chetwynd murder case A Chetwynd man appeared in court on Thursday in connection with a homicide in the northeast B.C. community last year. Kenneth Albert Wood is charged with seconddegree murder in the death of Carlene Engellend in Chetwynd last March. He appeared by video in provincial court from the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre where he remains in custody. Wood was expected to choose whether he wants to be tried by a jury or judge only. But the case was adjourned to Jan. 20 to allow the Crown to provide a new round of evidence disclosure for the defence to review. Prosecutors told the court that "more significant charges" are now being considered. They say a decision is expected by Wood's next appearance. Engellend was found dead on March 9 after emergency crews
responded to a medical distress call. At the time, RCMP described the death as suspicious and said major crimes was investigating. Court records show Wood was charged with second degree murder in July of 2025. However, police never publicly released any information about the charge. Chetwynd is located in the Eastern Foothills of the Rocky Mountains, approximately 240 kilometres north of Prince George, B.C., as the crow flies.
$1.5 million combined won by 2 B.C. residents in same Lotto Max draw Canada and another country at the same time. Taxpayers should not be paying for an absent MP – esp. one working for a foreign government. She must resign as MP immediately,” posted interim NDP leader Don Davies. Former Saskatchewan NDP finance minister and current political commentator Andrew Thomson said Freeland’s position as both a Canadian politician and Ukrainian adviser is “untenable.” “Sitting Canadian MPs should not be advising or representing foreign governments — even allied or friendly ones — in any capacity. Period. If it’s not illegal, it should be,” he said.
Two B.C. residents had extra reasons to celebrate the new year after taking home $1.5 million combined in the same Lotto Max draw over the holidays. There were 44 Maxmillions prizes worth $1 million each up for grabs in the Dec. 23 draw, and 16 were won across the country—including two in B.C. The lucky local winners were publicly identified by lottery officials Thursday as Edward M. of Kelowna and Cornelio G. of Whistler. Edward won a full $1-million prize to himself,
while Cornelio split his with a Quebec resident who had the same numbers, according to the B.C. Lottery Corporation. Edward told the BCLC he first shared the news with his kids, one of whom cried after learning about the family’s good fortune. “This win just means more time with my kids and being able to financially be there for them if they need it,” he said in a BCLC news release. “Retiring is also something I will be able to do now.”
Calgary restaurant owners handed jail terms for taking advantage of immigrant workers Continued from Page 1... The Calgary Court of Justice judge also ordered each to serve 18 months of probation with conditions that include they have no contact with their three victims. As well, Mah ordered the trio to pay back the $44,000 they duped their employees into paying. The three were partners in Marina Dosa Tandoori Grill and had hired the three men to work as cooks. But after each moved to Canada, they were told they were required to pay $24,000 for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for government fees related to their immigration to Canada. Under the temporary foreign workers program, employers were required to pay a processing fee of $1,000 for an LMIA document required to hire a foreign national. Defence lawyers Faizan Butt, for Roche, and Sofian Butt, for her two male co-accused, had suggested conditional sentence orders to be served in the community would be sufficient punishment. But Mah ruled Roche, Kasinathan and Marjak breached a position of trust and authority over their victims. One, Parthiban Ramalingam, paid the full $24,000 after migrating to Canada in 2017 and
working at the restaurant as a line cook. He ultimately reported the payments to the Canada Border Services Agency and police, and ultimately resigned from the job after receiving an open work permit. Two others, Venkatesan Durairaj and Vijayasankar Krishnan, made partial payments of $12,000 and $8,000, respectively. Mah said there were multiple aggravating circumstances justifying a jail sentence, including that the offenders “threatened to send them back to India if they didn’t pay.” “The victims were relying on the offenders for their ability to stay in Canada,” she said. tood if they did not pay the money they were at risk of losing their job,” Mah said. Roche, 54, Kasinathan, 39, and Marjak, 48, were each convicted of fraud last May. At the request of their lawyers, their intermittent jail terms will begin Jan. 30.
Premier David Eby embarking on trade mission to India
Continued from Page 1... “And India is an important part of that vision.” Kahlon said bilateral trade between B.C. and India in 2024 was worth $2.1 billion, and that 25 per cent of Canada’s exports to India came from B.C. Kahlon also mentioned energy and mining as sectors he is targeting on the trip. Eby was asked repeatedly whether he had taken into account the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Nijjar in 2023 in B.C., allegedly carried
out by Indian hitmen, when planning the trip. He said it was up to the courts to deal with those charged in the case, and to the federal government to engage on issues of “shared concern” with India. “Our proper role as subnational government, as a province, is to ensure we’re looking after British Columbia, and in a moment of opportunity and warming relations with India, to ensure that we’re benefiting,” he said.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
Fiji Link’s new ATR aircraft arrives in Nadi Fiji Airways has announced the successful arrival of Fiji Link’s newest ATR aircraft in Nadi, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s continued investment in strengthening domestic and regional connectivity. The aircraft touched down in Nadi on 7 January after completing a remarkable multi-day ferry journey from Toulouse, France. Along its delivery route, the ATR travelled through Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands before arriving safely in Fiji. Fiji Airways Chief Fiji Link and Cargo Operations Officer Athil Narayan said the new aircraft represents more than just fleet renewal. “Every new aircraft allows us to further strengthen domestic and regional connectivity. It brings people together and creates opportunities for connection, trade and shared experiences across our islands and the Pacific,” Narayan said. The new ATR is expected to enhance Fiji Link’s operational capability, offering improved fuel efficiency, stronger performance in island
environments and increased comfort for passengers travelling throughout Fiji and to neighbouring Pacific destinations. Fiji Link, the domestic and regional subsidiary of Fiji Airways, has played a vital role in connecting remote communities, supporting inter-island travel and enabling economic activity across Fiji’s outer islands. Since its establishment, the airline has evolved from operating small turboprop aircraft to managing a modern fleet serving both local residents and international visitors. The arrival of the new ATR represents the next phase of this growth.
made me curious — it looked like he might need help,” Devu wrote. After approaching him, she learned that he had handed his bank card to a stranger who had offered to withdraw money on his behalf. The man never returned with the card — only $20, claiming it was all that remained in the account. A woman who had also stopped to assist suggested checking the transaction history. But when she attempted to use the card, the ATM rejected the PIN. That was when Dau realised the card in the elderly man’s possession was not his.
Fuel shortages force capacity limits on Fiji Airways Pacific services Fiji Airways has issued travel alerts for two regional routes, warning passengers of potential disruptions as fuel supplies remain unavailable at the destination airports. In a statement, the airline said flights to Funafuti will continue operating with restrictions until 15 January 2026, as aircraft are required to uplift additional contingency fuel from Fiji. Because of the extra fuel load, flights will not operate at full capacity due to weight limitations. A separate advisory confirmed similar challenges for the Nadi–Vava’u service, where fuel is unavailable
until 9 January 2026. Fiji Airways said guests — as well as checked and standby baggage — may be offloaded where necessary to meet aircraft weight and balance requirements. Affected passengers and luggage will be accommodated on the next available service, subject to operations. Travellers are being urged to carry essential belongings and overnight necessities in their hand luggage, within standard carry-on rules.
Avijeet finds home in Fiji Renowned Indian Kathak (Indian classical dance) teacher and performer Pandit Avijeet Chakravarty hopes to teach at least 500 Fijians during his stay in the country, using classical dance to nurture cultural pride, discipline, and confidence among young people. On his first visit to Fiji, Mr Chakravarty said he quickly felt a deep sense of familiarity after hearing locals speak Hindi like the Bhojpuri dialect of his hometown, Varanasi. “For the first two or three days everything felt different, but once I heard people speaking Hindi here, I felt like I was back home,” Mr Chakravarty said. “Now I don’t even feel like I am outside India. The people are very cooperative and welcoming.” Mr Chakravarty is in Fiji on an 18-month contract with the High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre. His current three-day Kathak workshop, held in collaboration with the Fiji Museum, was initiated under the vision of Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Shri Sunil Mehta. A Master of Music in Kathak Dance from Banaras Hindu University, Mr Chakravarty has performed in more than 40 countries and
Fiji nationals to face new US visa bond requirement from January 21, 2026 Fiji has been included in a list of countries whose nationals will be required to post a visa bond when applying for certain United States visitor visas, under a new pilot programme by the US Department of State. From January 21, 2026, Fijian passport holders applying for B1/B2 visitor visas—used for tourism and business travel—may be required to pay a visa bond of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000, depending on the outcome of their visa interview. The visa bond requirement is part of a Temporary Final Rule under the US Immigration and Nationality Act and is based on visa overstay data published by the US Department of Homeland Security. The Department of State says the measure is aimed at encouraging compliance with visa conditions. Applicants who are otherwise eligible
for a B1/B2 visa will only be required to post a bond if directed to do so by a US consular officer. Payments must be made through the US Government’s official Pay.gov platform using Form I-352, and applicants have been warned not to use third-party websites. As a condition of the bond, affected visa holders must enter and exit the United States through designated airports, including JFK in New York, Boston Logan, and Washington Dulles. The bond will be refunded if the traveller departs the US on time, does not travel at all, or is denied entry at the port of entry. However, overstaying or applying to adjust immigration status could result in the bond being forfeited. The policy is expected to affect Fijians travelling to the US for short-term visits from 2026 onward.
Regulatory institution roles should not be treated as ‘political candy’ – Former AG
Elderly man falls victim to ATM card swap scam A routine shopping trip turned into a sobering reminder about vigilance and kindness after a Good Samaritan discovered that an elderly man in Suva had allegedly been robbed of his pension through an ATM card swap scam. Veniana Devu, who shared the incident on social media, said she noticed the man sitting beside the Westpac ATM near MaxValue in Suva with his crutches, appearing anxious as he repeatedly checked his watch. “Something about the way he was sitting there
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previously served on an international cultural mission in South Korea through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Ministry of External Affairs. While he currently teaches mainly Indo-Fijians, he is eager to reach iTaukei communities. “I hope to teach more than 500 students during my time here, Kathak is not just dance – it builds rhythm, focus, discipline and respect for culture.” He believes early exposure to classical arts benefits children deeply. “Children are more delicate than flowers, that is why I keep my teaching friendly. Art helps them grow with confidence and cultural awareness.”
Former Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum has warned the government against politicising leadership appointments within key regulatory institutions, saying the recent electricity price hike controversy highlights the risks of poor governance. He stated this in a social media post. “To reiterate therefore, the Chair, the board and the CEO positions should not be given away as political candy or to curry favour with some at the expense of merit, competency and professionalism,” Sayed-Khaiyum said. “If the Government does so it will eventually be to its own detriment… It will lead to uncertainty within the economy and market and again it will undermine public, business, investor confidence and policy stability.” He claimed the 25 percent electricity tariff increase was the result of “the
doings of the current Board and management of FCCC, not directly of the Government per se,” alleging a failure to follow internal regulatory processes. “This is best demonstrated by the lack of adherence by FCCC of its own processes, a fundamental and egregious negligence,” he said. Sayed-Khaiyum acknowledged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s position that the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission operates independently. “The Government cannot dictate to FCCC or interfere to arbitrarily dictate pricing, which will distort the market. Such interference would be illegal,” he said. He added that regulators such as the FCCC “play a crucial and decisive role” comparable to bodies like Australia’s ACCC, and that their credibility is essential to investor confidence and economic stability.
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Dhaka suspends visa services in India, cites security concern Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday said it had asked its key missions in India, including at New Delhi, to suspend visa services over security concerns. Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain told a media briefing at his office that Bangladesh has also sought reversal of a recently imposed visa bond requirement by the United States. “What I have done is that I have asked our three missions (in India) to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” Hossain said. The adviser’s comments came after Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in Kolkata overnight restricted visa services after identical moves in New Delhi and Agartala keeping business and work visas beyond the purview of the restriction. Bangladesh has diplomatic missions in Mumbai and Chennai as well, where the visa services remained operative. India had earlier imposed restrictions on visas for Bangladeshi nationals after August 5, 2024, citing security concerns. Bangladesh ties with New Delhi have remained strained since prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League regime was ousted following a violent student-led street protest in July-August 2024.
Hossain also told reporters that Bangladesh will pursue diplomatic efforts to seek exemption from the United States’ newly imposed visa bond requirement calling the decision “certainly unfortunate and painful for us.” He, however, said the US decision was “not abnormal” as it was not applied for Bangladesh alone and a number of countries were faced with immigration-related challenges in view of the US administration’s measure. Meanwhile, when asked about Bangladesh’s “potential interest” in procuring the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, the Foreign Adviser said, “I can’t tell about this today. (But) Talks are underway. You will know once things are finalised.”
SOUTH ASIA
Hindu trader brutally murdered in Bangladesh, 6th hate killing in 18 days Continued from Page 1... Local reports suggested that the assailants struck him with sharp, locally made weapons while he was closing his grocery shop, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Palash Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. The reports further stated Chakraborty had, in a Facebook post on December 19, expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation, describing his birthplace as having become “a valley of death”, prompting the police to examine whether that social media post had any bearing on the killing. Earlier, Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), a businessman and acting editor of ‘Dainik BD Khabar’ newspaper, was shot dead in Kapalia Bazar in Monirampur upazila, Jessore district. Prothom Alo, a leading Bangladeshi daily, quoted the police as saying three unidentified men on a motorcycle called Bairagi out of his ice factory and shot him at close range. The motive was not immediately known, and an investigation is underway. The spike in violence against Hindus follows a string of deadly incidents, beginning with the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das (25) on December 18 in Mymensingh, where he was beaten and his body
set on fire after allegations of blasphemy--claims the police later said were unsubstantiated. Other recent cases include the mob attack and later death of Khokon Chandra Das (50) in Shariatpur, whose assailants stabbed and set him on fire on December 31 before he succumbed to injuries days later. Local authorities have since arrested suspects in the Shariatpur case. Several other violent episodes involving Hindus have been reported in recent weeks, including the lynching of Amrit Mondal in Rajbari’s Pangsha upazila and other targeted assaults, drawing attention to recurring communal tensions. The wave of killings has triggered fear among minority communities and criticism from rights groups and political observers. Police and local officials have reiterated that investigations are ongoing, but no clear pattern of motive has been publicly established beyond isolated criminal probes. The United Kingdom government, among others, has condemned several of the violent incidents as deeply troubling and called for accountability, while international actors have underscored the need for protection of religious minorities.
COAS General Upendra Dwivedi visits Army War College, interacts with student officers COAS General Upendra Dwivedi paid a visit to the Army War College in Sri Lanka, interacted with student officers, while underscoring the importance of innovative thinking and preparedness to operate across the full spectrum of warfare. General Dwivedi also exhorted the student officers to strive for professional excellence and to develop agility and adaptability in the rapidly evolving character of modern conflict. He also witnessed the foundation laying of the India-Sri Lanka Friendship Sports Complex and the handing over of a military ambulance to the
Army War College. Sharing the details in a post on X, the ADGPI said, "General Upendra Dwivedi COAS, today visited the Army War College (AWC), Sri Lanka and interacted with Major General DKRN Silva, Commandant, AWC. During the visit, the COAS witnessed the foundation laying of the India-Sri Lanka Friendship Sports Complex and the handing over of military ambulance to AWC." The post further added, "In his interaction with the student officers, the #COAS exhorted them to relentlessly pursue professional excellence, develop
agility and adaptability towards the rapidly evolving character of modern conflict. He underscored the importance of innovative thinking and preparedness to operate across the full spectrum of warfare." Earlier, COAS also met Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Deputy Minister of Defence & Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary of Defence, Sri Lanka, on Thursday to discuss ways to advance bilateral defence cooperation and military-to-military relations. Their talks focused on enhancing strategic ties,
expanding joint military training, and examining the current geostrategic landscape in the region.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
PUNJAB
4 of family found dead in Ferozepur, murder-suicide suspected
Four members of a family were found dead under mysterious circumstances at their residence in Ferozepur Harman Nagar. The deceased include a husband, his wife and their two minor daughters. According to preliminary investigations, the incident appears to be a case of murdersuicide. Police said Amandeep Singh allegedly shot dead his wife, Jasveer Kaur and their two daughters—Manveer Kaur (10) and Parmeet Kaur (6)—before turning the licenced revolver on himself.
Amandeep Singh was engaged in property dealing and construction business, while his wife was running a beauty parlour. Neighbours reportedly alerted the police after finding the house locked and receiving no response. Senior Superintendent of Police Bhupinder Singh said that, on the face of it, the case appears to be suicide by Amandeep Singh after killing his family members. “Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances and motive behind the incident,” he said.
Congress launches ‘MGNREGA Bachao’ stir The Punjab Congress launched the “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” at the grain market here on Thursday, drawing a large turnout of party workers. Congress workers from Pathankot district, led by former MLA Amit Vij and District Congress Committee president Panna Lal Bhatia, also participated in the event. Addressing the gathering, Punjab affairs incharge Bhupesh Baghel said the new law had virtually killed MGNREGA. “Hunger had reduced, migration had declined and new roads, canals and dams were created because of MGNREGA. It had become a protective net for the poor during Covid and other economic crises. Employment is no longer a guaranteed right under the new law. MGNREGA was a decentralised scheme, but now everything will be decided by BJP leaders sitting in
Delhi. We fear that many panchayats will receive zero funding,” he said. Senior leaders present on the occasion included PPCC chief Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Bajwa, MPs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Amar Singh, former ministers Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Pargat Singh and Aruna Chaudhary, sitting MLA Barindermeet, and former MLAs Amit Vij, Joginder Pal, and Naresh Puri. Speaking on the sidelines, former MP Jasbir Dimpa said, “The Congress will not stop till the new law is rolled back. Its fate will be akin to the three black agriculture laws which were finally withdrawn by the Modi government.” Warring recalled that the old law was enacted in 2005 with broad political consensus. “The new law is diametrically opposite to the old scheme which helped the poor.
Germany, Austria-origin bomb threat emails set off panic in Punjab courts Bomb threat emails disrupted work for several hours at district courts across Punjab on Thursday, even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal vowed to wage a war on gangsters and dismantle their networks in the state. District courts in Ludhiana, Ropar, Ferozepur, Mansa and Moga received the threatening emails. The judicial complexes were evacuated and bomb squads were deployed to conduct extensive searches, but no explosives were found. The Anandpur Sahib judicial complex was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. Police investigations traced the emails to Austria and Germany, with the senders using the Tor network and VPN services to mask their identities, Special DGP (Cybercrime) V Neerja said. Speaking at a function in Ludhiana, Mann and Kejriwal said a full-scale war against gangsters, on the lines of ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’, would be launched soon. While Thursday’s emails targeted district courts, schools in Patiala, Amritsar and Jalandhar had received similar bomb threat emails in December 2025. Panic gripped the Ludhiana District Courts
after a threat was received on the Sessions Division’s official email ID, forcing judges to vacate courtrooms and halting proceedings. The threat revived memories of the December 2021 blast at the same complex. Sources said the email, sent by “Ajmal Abdul Raj”, claimed that three RDX-based IEDs had been planted and warned of suicide attacks. The police evacuated staff and litigants and carried out intensive searches, but no explosives were found. In Moga, a threat email sent to the official ID of the District and Sessions Judge led to the evacuation of judicial staff, lawyers, litigants and visitors mid-proceedings.
Suspended Punjab DIG Bhullar gets default bail in disproportionate assets case The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh on Monday allowed the default bail application filed by suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a disproportionate assets case. The court granted bail after the CBI failed to submit the charge sheet within the mandatory 60day period. The CBI had registered a disproportionate assets case against Bhullar on October 29 last year, 11 days after his arrest in a corruption case. Bhullar and his alleged aide, Kirshanu Sharda,
were arrested on October 16, 2025, for allegedly seeking bribes from a scrap dealer in Mandi Gobindgarh. The CBI claimed that Bhullar sought illegal payments from the complainant through Sharda. During raids conducted at various locations linked to Bhullar, the agency uncovered significant assets, including large amounts of cash, gold and silver jewellery, 26 branded and expensive watches, and documents related to immovable property. Public prosecutor Narender Singh opposed the bail application, but after hearing the arguments, the court allowed the default bail.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
INDIA
Possibility of 500% tariff on India as Trump okays Russia sanctions Bill
In a move that could have significant trade and diplomatic implications for India, US President Donald Trump has approved a bipartisan sanctions Bill aimed at penalising countries that continue to buy Russian oil, with proposed tariffs of up to 500 per cent. The development was announced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who said the Bill -co-authored with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal -- had been “greenlit” by the President following a “very productive meeting” at the White House. “This Bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fuelling Putin’s war machine,” Graham said in a post on X. He added that the legislation would give Trump tremendous leverage over countries such as China, India and Brazil to incentivise them to stop buying discounted Russian oil, which he said was funding Putin’s “bloodbath against Ukraine”. The legislation, titled the Russia Sanctions Enforcement and Accountability Act, is expected to be tabled for a vote in the US Senate as early as next week. It seeks to impose sweeping financial and trade penalties on countries and entities that undermine the price cap on Russian crude -- a measure intended to limit Moscow’s oil revenues amid the Ukraine war. According to US media reports, the Bill could grant the US administration broad authority to impose tariffs of up to 500 per cent on imports from non-compliant nations, potentially impacting trade flows with major economies that have continued energy ties with Russia. India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow in 2022, taking advantage of discounted prices while maintaining that its energy imports are driven by national interests and global
market conditions. New Delhi has consistently rejected linking its oil purchases to geopolitical considerations, arguing that energy security for its population remains paramount. Observers say the move signals Washington’s intent to tighten economic pressure on Moscow while also testing the diplomatic balance of emerging powers such as India, which have sought to maintain neutrality in the Ukraine conflict. Graham said he hoped for “a strong bipartisan
Indian gang rape survivor back home after a week in hospital The survivor of a gang rape in the northern Indian state of Haryana has been discharged from hospital a week after her horrific assault, a police official told the BBC. The 26-year-old mother-of-two was taken to hospital in Faridabad city on the morning of 30 December with serious head and facial injuries and several fractures. Her sister said she was out visiting a friend and was waiting for transport just after midnight when two men in an ambulance offered her a lift. They drove her to a deserted place where they raped her and then threw her out of the speeding vehicle. A police spokesman said they had acted swiftly and arrested the two men and seized the vehicle. The woman was discharged by the hospital on
Monday night following treatment and surgeries. Senior police official Mukesh Kumar told the BBC that they have approached the court to allow her to visit the prison for an "identification parade". Once the court order comes, she would be asked to pick out the two suspects from a crowd of men. The police said the crime took place on the intervening night of 29th and 30th December. "The incident took place between 12.30 and 02:00. One stood outside the van and kept an eye on the surroundings while the other raped the woman inside the van," Yashpal Yadav, public relations officer of Faridabad police, said. Police had questioned the suspects, who were later produced in court and sent to prison, he added.
High drama in poll-bound WB as Mamata storms I-PAC office in middle of ED raid
vote” on the Bill, framing it as part of a broader effort to “punish Putin and protect America’s interests”. A few days earlier, Trump had backed remarks by Graham, who argued that the threat of tariffs had proved an effective tool in pushing countries to reduce their economic engagement with Russia amid the war. Graham claimed the US had imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies and slapped a 25 per cent tariff on India over its purchase of Russian crude, describing the measures as the biggest pressure exerted on Moscow since the conflict began. “If you want to end this conflict and put pressure on Putin’s customers, this is how you do it,” Graham said.
High drama unfolded in Assembly poll-bound West Bengal on Thursday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided multiple locations in Kolkata, including the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its head Pratik Jain, in connection with an alleged money laundering case related to coal smuggling. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee soon rushed to Jain’s house, claiming ED officials tried to seize her party Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) hard disks as well as internal documents and sensitive data. Apart from providing political consultancy to the TMC, I-PAC also manages its IT and media operations. The ED, on its part, alleged that CM Mamata disrupted the raids and took away key documents. “The search is evidence based and not targeted at any political party… not linked to elections and is part of regular crackdown on laundering,” the ED said in a statement. The agency also alleged that the CM took away key evidence, including physical documents and electronic devices. The development also led to a political slugfest. The Congress and AAP supported the TMC, while the BJP said the agency should be allowed to perform its duties professionally. Attacking the BJP, Mamata called the raids “political vendetta”, and accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing agencies to intimidate opposition parties. “The ED is trying to get details of all our party activities and plans. They are trying to get the candidate list. Is this the duty of the ED and Amit Shah? What if I raid the BJP office? See, I got this, the file and hard drive.” the CM said, showing a green folder in her hand. Mamata alleged that the raids began around 6 am when no one was in the office. “They
transferred our data, details of poll strategies and information into their system. This is a crime,” she alleged. When Mamata reached the I-PAC premises, central forces had sealed the entry and exit points of the multi-storey building. However, without engaging with central force personnel, the CM accessed the building through the basement and took a general lift to reach the 11th floor, where the office is situated, despite a separate VIP lift arrangement being available. She also asked Trinamool workers to protest in every block of the state against the raids. Countering Mamata, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, accused the CM of repeatedly interfering in the functioning of constitutional agencies. He questioned why the TMC’s internal documents were with a private consultancy firm.
In its statement, the ED said the searches were conducted on the basis of an FIR filed by the CBI on November 27, 2020, against Anup Majee and others. During investigation, it claimed, it was revealed that the coal smuggling syndicate led by Majee used to steal and illegally excavate coal from ECL leasehold areas of Bengal. “Thereafter, the coal was sold in various factories and plants located in Bankura, Bardhhaman, Purulia and other districts of the state,” it said.
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Dressed in black for the occasion, India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met Tarique Rahman, son of the deceased former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, with sombre expressions on their faces. Khaleda had passed away the previous day, on December 30, and Jaishankar was among a large group of regional leaders who had gathered in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, for her funeral. Jaishankar handed Rahman, who has taken over the leadership of Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Then, in a post on X alongside photos of their meeting, Jaishankar wrote words that demonstrate a dramatic break with New Delhi’s past relationship with the BNP: “Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership.” For decades, India had been – at times, publicly,
on other occasions, privately – opposed to Khaleda’s “vision and values”. Where for millions of her supporters in Bangladesh, she represented a heroic struggle against military rule in the 1980s that first brought her to power in 1991, India viewed her with suspicion and distrust. For decades, the BNP had an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist group that advocates for stronger ties with Pakistan, India’s arch-enemy. Meanwhile, India treated Khaleda’s rival, Sheikh Hasina, and her avowedly secular Awami League party as its natural partners. But as Bangladesh prepares for national elections in February, Jaishankar’s comments underscore how India and the BNP appear to be pivoting from their animus towards a closer working relationship. Jaishankar’s “very cordial” meeting with Rahman and his team of confidantes in Dhaka presented the “potential of a new phase in the bilateral relationship”, Humayun Kabir, foreign affairs adviser to Rahman, told Al Jazeera.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
INDIA
French President Macron to visit India next month French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (local time) said that he would pay a visit to India next month, with New Delhi set to host the AI Impact Summit. He made the remarks while addressing the Diplomatic Corps, according to France 24. President Macron, while speaking about the successes of French diplomacy in 2025, spoke about the world coming together for the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris and the progress made on the front. "Let's finally look at what we have managed to achieve together, the successes of French diplomacy last year- the Artificial Intelligence summit. The whole world came to Paris. We made progress on this and we co-chaired it with Prime Minister Modi and next month, I'll be in India to follow up." The India-AI Impact Summit 2026, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and is scheduled for February 19-20 in New Delhi, will be the first-ever
global AI summit hosted in the Global South, as noted by the official website. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, earlier during a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot had also mentioned that India would be expecting President Macron soon. Speaking about how the two countries are active in the international arena, they are committed to multipolarity and their working together is important not only for the bilateral relationship but also for stabilising global politics. "Apart from our bilateral ties, we are both very active in the international arena. This year we chaired the BRICS, you chaired the G7. We are both members of the G20. We are also otherwise active in a number of international organisations. So as two nations committed to multi-polarity, I believe that working together is important for ourselves, also for stabilising the global politics at this stage," EAM Jaishankar said.
3 Indians among crew on board Russian tanker Marinera seized by US Three Indians are among the crew on board the Russian oil tanker seized by the US, local media reported even as Moscow on Thursday asked Washington to comply with international laws on freedom of maritime navigation while strongly rejecting its ‘neo-colonist’ tendencies. The Russian Foreign Ministry also said information about the Marinera tanker, previously known as Bella 1, that was seized on Wednesday by the US coastguard in the North Atlantic, was conveyed to America repeatedly. “The Marinera crew consists of 17 Ukrainian citizens, six Georgian citizens, three Indian citizens and two Russian citizens,” Russia Today said, quoting sources.
“We call on Washington to resume compliance with the fundamental norms and principles of international maritime navigation and immediately cease its illegal actions against the Marinera tanker and other vessels engaged in law-abiding activities on the high seas,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Moscow said it considers the US references to its national “sanctions legislation” to be unfounded. Under these circumstances, US military personnel boarding a civilian vessel on the high seas and effectively seizing it, as well as capturing its crew, “can only be viewed as a gross violation of the basic principles and norms of international maritime law and freedom of navigation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
PM pushes for regional content in roundtable with AI startups The PM said Indian AI models should promote local and indigenous content and regional languages. He also assured them of full government support. He was chairing a meeting at his residence ahead of the India AI Impact Summit-2026, which will be held next month, where 12 Indian AI startups have qualified for the 'AI for ALL: Global Impact Challenge'. Delegates from all 12 startups attended the roundtable, including CEOs, Heads and representatives of Indian AI start-ups - Avataar, BharatGen, Fractal, Gan, Genloop, Gnani, Intellihealth, Sarvam, Shodh AI, Soket AI, Tech Mahindra and Zenteiq. These startups are working in a diverse set of areas including Indian language foundation models, multilingual LLMs (large language modules), speech-to-text, text-to-audio and textto-video; 3D content using generative AI for e-commerce, marketing, and personalized content
creation; engineering simulations, material research and advanced analytics for data-driven decision-making across industries; healthcare diagnostics and medical research, among others. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of AI in bringing about transformation in society. He said India will host the India AI Impact Summit next month, through which the country will play a major role in the technology sector. The Prime Minister described startups and AI entrepreneurs as co-architects of India’s future and said the country had immense capacity for both innovation and large-scale implementation. He added that India should present a unique AI model to the world that reflects the spirit of “Made in India, Made for the World.” The Prime Minister said the world’s trust in India is the country’s biggest strength and emphasised the need to ensure that Indian AI models are ethical, unbiased, transparent, and based on data privacy principles.
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SC reserves order on Justice Varma’s probe panel plea If the Vice-President can exercise the functions of the President in the latter’s absence, then why the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman cannot exercise the functions of the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman, the Supreme Court wondered on Thursday. A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice SC Sharma refused to agree with the submission made on behalf of Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma that the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman had no power to reject a motion and, under the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, only the Speaker and the Chairman have the power to accept or reject a motion against a judge. Justice Varma was sent from the Delhi High Court to his parent Allahabad High Court after burnt wads of currency notes were found at his official residence in New Delhi on March 14 last year.
Reserving its verdict on Justice Varma’s petition challenging the legality of the parliamentary panel probing corruption charges against him, the Bench asked the parties to submit their written submissions by Monday. On behalf of Varma, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra submitted that Article 91 of the Constitution, which allowed the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman to perform the duties of the office of the Chairman in his absence, could not be a basis for the Deputy Chairman to exercise the discretionary powers specifically vested in the Chairman, according to the Judges (Inquiry) Act. However, the Bench said, “The Constitution does not work in a vacuum. If the VP can exercise the functions of the President in the absence of the President, can’t the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman exercise the functions of the Chairman in the latter’s absence?”
BJP on Congress’ Rs 50K ticket fee A day after The Tribune reported that the Congress had asked ticket aspirants in Assam to pay Rs 50,000 along with their applications, the issue snowballed into a political controversy. The BJP on Thursday accused the Congress of turning ticket distribution in Assam into a cash-driven exercise in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. The Congress, however, chose to remain silent and did not comment on the issue. The charge follows an exclusive report by The Tribune, which said even as the Congress intensified preparations for the Assam polls and brought in Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to oversee ticket screening, aspirants at the grassroots had been given a blunt
condition: pay first or stay out of the race. When asked whether if there are any plans to roll back the circular or the application fee, Congress general secretary in-charge of Assam Jitendra Singh said, “I don’t think so...” Despite attempts to contact him, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi did not respond. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya alleged that the Assam Congress had institutionalised a culture of “payto-play politics”. Referring to earlier remarks by Navjot Kaur Sidhu on money power in the Congress, Malviya said asking aspirants to deposit Rs 50,000 just to be considered amounted to “democracy on sale”.
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Pet attack on neighbour, even inadvertent, an offence The Supreme Court on Thursday clarified it had not ordered removal of every dog from the streets and that its directions were to treat the stray canines in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. While hearing pleas filed by dog lovers for modification of its earlier orders and those seeking stringent compliance of orders, a Special Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria said a dog “can smell people who are either afraid of them or have suffered a dog bite and they attack such persons”.
When a lawyer referred to a recent case where a pet dog was unleashed by a person on somebody else, the Bench, however, said, “Unintentionally also, if a pet goes and attacks a neighbour, that is an offence.” Referring to a report published in an English daily on December 29, 2025 titled, “On the roof of the world, feral dogs hunt down Ladakh’s rare species”, Justice Mehta asked lawyers to go through the report and come prepared on that on Friday, the next date of hearing.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026