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www.theasianstar.com
#215 - 7110, 12
VOL 25 - ISSUE 32
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
BC announces task force into extortions in the South Asian community A new provincial task force has been formed to tackle the growing number of extortion threats and shootings targeting British Columbia's South Asian community. Led by the B.C. RCMP, the task force will bring together 40 members from various law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, $300,000 from the federal gun and gang action fund is being directed to local police to support extortion investigations and to Crime Stoppers for its public awareness campaign on extortion. "No person, family or business in our province should be threatened in this way and we must do everything we can to stop these crimes," said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The Surrey Police Service says it is investigating 45 extortion threats and 27 related shootings in the city this year alone. Continued on Page 10...
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From Mumbai to Los Angeles The Journey of a Filmmaker behind “Our State”
Devansh Pandit, a Mumbai-born filmmaker takes his first big bow in Los Angeles with “Our State”, a short film that speaks of resilience and the universal language of cinema. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the glittering premiere halls of Los Angeles, his journey has been nothing short of cinematic. Continued on Page 14...
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Umendra Singh elected President of FCA
Umendra Singh was elected the president of the Fiji Canada Association in a landslide victory at its 57th annual general meeting in Surrey on September 7. In an unprecedent event, Singh’s team won all 10 seats on the board of directors. This has not happened in the 57 yearhistory of FCA. And in the president’s race, Singh won by a large margin. Singh told the gathering at the Fiji Multicultural Centre in North Surrey that he will work hard to unite the community and to make the Centre a more vibrant place. He said he will increase membership, be inclusive and initiate more programs for members and seniors. Continued on Page 4...
Trump's birthday call to Modi amid US-India trade talks US President Donald Trump has called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him happy birthday after weeks of tension over trade tariffs. The phone call on Wednesday, a day before Modi turns 75, is seen as a sign of thawing ties and followed talks between the two sides on reaching a trade agreement, which both sides called "positive". Trump posted later on X saying Modi was doing a "tremendous job" and thanked him for support on "ending the Russia-Ukraine war". Modi called him a "friend" and said the two
were "committed" to taking their partnership to new heights. It was the first call between the two since the US imposed punishing tariffs on India last month for purchasing Russian oil. Continued on Page 15...
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California officially recognizes Diwali as a public holiday California has taken a big step. The State Legislature just approved AB 268, a bill that officially recognises Diwali (also known as Deepavali) as a public holiday. If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the bill by October 12, Diwali will join California’s official state holidays. State employees will have the option to take paid leave on Diwali. Public schools and community colleges can close on Diwali through agreements with employee unions. The courts, however, will not close, Diwali won’t be a judicial holiday. Diwali is one of the biggest festivals for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains,
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observing themes of light, renewal, and hope. California has a large South Asian community whose cultural and religious practices include Diwali. Recognising Diwali as a public holiday gives those communities room to celebrate openly without having to juggle work or school. According to new reports, the bill passed the California Senate on September 10 with a 36-to-4 vote, and the Assembly on September 11 with 76to-4. Now the ball is in Governor Newsom’s court. He has until October 12 to sign AB 268 into law. If he does, Diwali becomes part of California’s official holiday calendar.