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High Immigration numbers make Canadians poor High immigration is driving down per-capita GDP - Stats The Canadian economy experienced a contraction “unprecedented outside a recession,” according to a new analysis from National Bank Financial, a trend driven, at least in part, by a population

Plane with 300 illegal Indian immigrants grounded in France A charter plane grounded in France for a human trafficking investigation is scheduled to leave on Monday for India, after an exceptional holiday ordeal that left some 300 Indians en route for Central America blocked inside a rural French airport for four days.

A lawyer for the airline says most of the passengers will be aboard. French authorities are still investigating the aim of the original flight, en route from the United Arab Emirates to Nicaragua, and two passengers have been detained.

South Asian Uber driver charged with sexual assault An Uber driver who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman may still be driving using other ride-sharing apps, Durham Regional Police say.

economic slowdown have been multiplying. Article content “Consumption stagnated for the second quarter in a row, a stinging

spike that has squeezed per capita GDP growth. The bank’s monthly economic analysis says that “signs of an

Officers said they responded to reports of a sexual assault in the area of Taunton Road and Garden Street in Whitby, Ont., on Saturday. Police Continued on page 7

Continued on page 4

A Punjabi-English rendition of O Canada stirred intense emotions at a Winnipeg hockey game “Breaking Boundaries: Grade School Children Rendition of National Anthem Garners Mixed Reactions It was a night to remember for the 10-year-old Simrat Gill from the Amber Trails Community School in Winnipeg, as she

and her 18-member choir took on the enormous task of singing a Punjabi-English rendition of O Canada before a Winnipeg Jets game. This unique and bilingual performance sent out ripples of mixed reactions from various groups around the world.

Canada’s biggest ever immigration surge leading towards highest population-growth rate The surge in international migration is driving Canada’s population growth rate to heights not seen in almost 70 years, and Alberta is now growing faster than any

province has since records began, Statistics Canada reports. The latest population estimates from Statistics Canada show Canada’s population grew by 1.15 million from July 2022 to July Continued on page 6

Warm winter weather shatters several records in BC Several cities in BC’s Interior smashed temperature records Wednesday while experiencing an uncharacteristically warm December 1. Penticton, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, and Vernon all saw their hottest December 1

in recorded history, with Penticton leading the pack with a daytime high of 22°C. “Broken doesn’t even begin to describe what’s happening here. Shattered, destroyed, annihilated — records are tumbling by huge numbers of degrees,” Environment Canada

meteorologist Geoff Coulson told Daily Hive. Records were definitely blown away for December 1, and records for all of December may be broken too when final daytime highs roll in from around the province Wednesday evening.

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Local / National

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Man dies in Christmas Day tent fire in downtown Vancouver In the concrete bowels of Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, below a luxury hotel and near the berths of ocean liners, are the charred signs of a Christmas Day tragedy. A man burned to death in a tent, his body still on fire when Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded on Monday morning. He is the latest victim in a series of urban tent and encampment blazes across Canada. The site is a covered area amid cargo

loading bays beneath the concrete structures supporting the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel and the city’s cruise ship terminal. Among the charred debris at the site on Wednesdaywerepagescoveredinhandwriting, a Chinese-language school textbook and magazines, and a Christmas gift bag. Acting Assistant Chief of Operations for the fire rescue service Geoff Clark said

Racially-motivated assault caught on video in Surrey A disturbing video was recorded by the victim of an apparent raciallymotivated assault in Surrey, B.C. Sepehr Ranjbar was walking down 104 Ave. around 11:15 a.m. on Christmas Day near the McDonald’s when he said he heard racist comments directed his way.

“I had my head down and all of a sudden I thought I heard someone say, ‘Go back to your country,’” he sai. “I noticed a couple of guys about 10 metres down (the road). So I decided to take out my phone out and start recording.”

Last Canadian missing after Hamas attack confirmed dead The family of the only Canadian citizen who was still missing after Hamas militants conducted a brutal assault on Israel has confirmed her death. A relative says Judih Weinstein Haggai died on Oct. 7, the day of the attacks that killed an estimated 1,200 people, and her body is being held in the Gaza Strip.

The70-year-oldwoman’sfamilysayssheheld Canadian, Israeli and American citizenships. Weinstein Haggai was born in New York state but moved to Toronto at the age of three, and moved to Israel 20 years later to live with her husband. She lived in the Nir Oz kibbutz, and was a volunteer who helped Palestinians in Gaza.

Traffic snarled in Delta after yet another truck hits another overpass Traffic was snarled on Highway 99 through Delta, B.C., on Thursday, after yet another truck struck an overpass. DriveBC said the highway was closed to southbound traffic shortly before 1 p.m. due to a “vehicle incident” at the 112 Street overpass. Traffic on the overpass was also closed in both directions. Images from the scene showed a semi-truck with large metal girders

on a flatbed that appeared to have struck the 112 Street overpass. One of the girders was lodged between the overpass and the highway. The crash comes two weeks to the day after the province announced a package of new penalties and technology requirements for commercial operators aimed at cracking down on such crashes.

More BC family doctors needed for addiction treatment A narrow, winding corridor at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver leads to a clinic offering quick access to addiction treatment for people seeking helpon their own or after a referral from an emergency room, a family doctor or a social worker.

Nurses and physicians at the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic see people withsevere dependence on alcohol or drugs, with the vast majority of the 20 to 30 daily patients needing support to quit using illegal opioids.

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Police to make arrest in Hardeep Nijjar’s killing In the latest update to the IndiaCanada diplomatic row over the killing of Hardeep Nijjar earlier this year, the two men who, authorities suspect, fatally shot him in British Columbia are being watched by police and are anticipated to

be arrested in the next few weeks, The Globe and Mail reported citing sources. The Canadian media report said three sources had told the media publication that the suspected killers did not leave Canada after Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey and had been under the police surveillance for months.

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High Immigration numbers make Canadians poor

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From page 1 “Consumption stagnated for the second quarter in a row, a stinging setback in the current demographic context characterized by record population increases,” the report says. The recalculated GDP per capita — which the bank’s economists had estimated had contracted by 2.4 per cent — now sits, they say, at a 4.4 per cent contraction during the third quarter. Mikel Skuterud, an economist at the University of Waterloo, said the simple way to understand it is to think of the GDP as a pie, divided by the population, and the per capita GDP is the slice of pie, theoretically, that every Canadian gets. And so, in theory, if the number of people taking chunks from the

same pie goes up, the size of the slice goes down. “I think you’d be hard-pressed to find any economist in Canada that doesn’t believe that the exceptionally high population growth rates we’re experiencing now have contributed to that decline in GDP per capita that we’re seeing,” Skuterud said. But it’s also more complex than that. The GDP will go up if anyone in the new population ends up contributing to the GDP, for example. Even if Canada’s population wasn’t growing, “I don’t think we’d be seeing strong growth and GDP per capita because there’s other things happening right now in the economy,” Skuterud said.

15 more arrested as police target retail theft

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30 retail theft suspects were arrested on Dec. 9 and Dec. 18 as part of the Surrey RCMP’s Boost or Bust campaign. Surrey Mounties arrested another 15 people on Dec. 18 during their ongoing Boost and Bust Operation, targeting retail theft at Guildford Town Centre shopping mall. On Dec. 9 police also arrested 15 people and recovered about $1,000 in stolen goods, including liquor, cosmetics, and food, making for 30 arrests in December all told. In the most recent arrests police recovered $4,000 in stolen goods including liquor, high-end clothing, multiple razors, toothbrushes, sharpie marker packages, cosmetics and food. Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha said two suspects were arrested after allegedly trying to get away with $2,300 worth of

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clothing from two separate stores. “Several other suspects were arrested for stealing liquor. In total, police are recommending ten charges for theft under $5,000,” she said. Staff Sgt. Nigel Pronger, of the Surrey RCMP’s Community Response Unit, said police officers and retail security staff are “working very closely” in stores throughout Surrey. “We make many arrests on the spot, but some investigations take more time, and the arrests are made at a later date or a warrant of arrest is issued,” Pronger explained. “In January, most of us will be worrying about trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions, but for thieves it will be worrying about upcoming court dates, or a knock on the door from police.”

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Saturday, December 30, 2023 By Franco Terrazzano

Trudeau tries to sneak through another carbon tax

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s hammer is higher taxes. People are using too much natural gas? Hit ’em with a carbon tax. People like their pick-up trucks and minivans? Throw another tax at ‘em.

People still want Canada’s oil and gas? Swing the tax hammer again. With Trudeau’s announcement of a cap on the oil and gas sector, Ottawa is now flirting with its third carbon tax. Trudeau first imposed a consumer carbon tax in 2019. It now increases the price of gasoline by 14 cents per litre, natural gas by 12 cents per cubic metre

and diesel by 17 cents per litre. That carbon tax costs the average family up to $710 this year even after the rebates, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Trudeau buried a second carbon tax in fuel regulations that kicked in on Canada Day. The regulations require producers to reduce the carbon content of their fuels. If companies can’t meet the requirements, they’ll be forced to pay the tax. The federal government hasn’t released an analysis of the current cost of its second carbon tax. But due to the centrally-regulated fuel prices in Atlantic Canada, those provinces announced the second carbon tax would initially cost their drivers between four and eight cents per litre at the pumps. By 2030, when the fuel regulations are fully implemented, the second carbon tax will add up to 17 cents per litre to the price of gasoline and cost the average family up to $1,157, according to the PBO. On Dec. 7, Trudeau brought in his third carbon tax through a cap on Canada’s oil and gas industry. The government will cap the industry’s emissions and then force companies to purchase emissions credits to keep producing. This is known as a cap-and-trade system and it’s a form of carbon tax. The government sets up an artificial market and mandates a certain level of emissions that declines over time. The government-mandated emissions cap determines the carbon tax a company must pay to buy credits. As the Carbon Tax Center notes, “Politically, cap-and-trade has functioned as a ‘safe harbour’ for politicians who grasp the need to price carbon emissions but cling to the need to ‘hide the price’ to appease interest groups and/or voters.” We’re already seeing opaqueness from Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault who assures Canadians “the cost of putting in place the regulation” will “come down the road.”

www.theasianstar.com # 202 - 8388, 128 St., Surrey, BC V3W 4G2 Ph: 604-591-5423 Fax: 604-591-8615 E-mail: editor@theasianstar.com Editor: Umendra Singh Associate Editor: Chhavi Disawar Marketing and Sales: Ravi Cheema......................604-715-3847 Shamir Doshi....................604-649-7827 Harminder Kaur...............778-708-0481 Parminder Dhillon..........604-902-2858 Pre-Press: Iftikhar Ahmed

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

From page 1

Canada’s biggest ever immigration surge leading towards highest population-growth rate

Close to 98 per cent of that population growth can be attributed to net migration. The number of non-permanent residents has jumped 46 per cent, mostly due to an increase in work and study permits. The tables show that since July 2022, the number of non-permanent residents increased by almost 700,000

to 2.2. million, and the number of immigrants increased by 468,817. Population share of immigrants, permanent residents hits 23% record: census Canada’s population surpasses 40 million StatsCan to change how it counts non-permanent residents

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Saturday, December 30, 2023 From page 1

Canada’s biggest ever immigration surge leading towards highest population-growth rate

to July 2023 — the biggest jump in the G7 — and Canada’s population growth rate is now 2.9 per cent. That growth rate is the highest recorded in Canada since a 12-month period in 1957, when it hit 3.3 per cent annually during the height of the baby boom and the Hungarian refugee crisis. Close to 98 per cent of that population growth can be attributed to net migration. The number of non-permanent residents has jumped 46 per cent, mostly due to an

increase in work and study permits. The tables show that since July 2022, the number of non-permanent residents increased by almost 700,000 to 2.2. million, and the number of immigrants increased by 468,817. data table estimating the number of non-permanent residents by type and province after a CIBC Capital Markets report in August said the official number of non-permanent residents could be underestimated by close to one million.

From page 1

South Asian Uber driver charged with sexual assault

woman was sexually assaulted while an Uber driver was taking her home. In a news release Tuesday(opens in a new tab), police said they charged 32-year-old Anees Ashraf, of Whitby, with two counts of sexual assault. The charges have not been tested in court. “We are deeply disturbed by the rider’s reported experience, and this behaviour has no place in our society,” an Uber spokesperson said on Wednesday. “We take reports like this very seriously

and removed the driver’s access to the platform as soon as we were made aware.” Investigators believe Ashraf may still be offering ride-sharing services and say that while they are in contact with these companies, they want to ensure there are no other victims. Police ask anyone with new information about this incident or similar incidents involving the accused to call the Major Crimes Special Victims Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1854, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

South Asian man awaiting sentence for loaded gun at Burnaby mall finds himself in shootout Arunjit Virk, 22, was on strict bail conditions and awaiting sentencing for carrying a loaded ‘ghost gun’ around Burnaby’s Metrotown mall when he happened to find himself in the middle of a shootout this summer. His lawyer said it ‘sounds suspicious’ but was just ‘very unlucky.’ Arunjit Virk, 22, was in Vancouver

provincial court for sentencing last month. He was found guilty in February of possessing a loaded unserialized handgun inside Metrotown mall March 28, 2021. During an early sentencing hearing in June, defence lawyer David Karp said Virk had “overcome his substance abuse issues” and surrounded himself with family and “prosocial members of the community.”

Fraudulently stolen equipment from Alberta found in BC The theft of heavy equipment from major cities in Alberta led Mounties on an investigation to Langley, B.C., where a “theft scheme” was uncovered and a suspect faces charges. The investigation started when police received a call from a business

owner in Rocky View County on Sept. 12, who suspected stolen property might be in their rental units. As a result, officers searched the area and found four skid steers and a stolen F350 pickup truck.

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill left a rich legacy When Gurdev Singh Gill came across a problem that impacted the health and well-being of his community, the New Westminster doctor wasn’t afraid to act. Gill, who was Canada’s first medical doctor of Indian descent and the first Indian student to graduate from the University of B.C.’s medical school, died last week, at age 92. He is remembered by B.C.’s South Asian community as a trailblazer in medicine, grassroots activism and philanthropy. One evening

Victoria police warn public of convicted murderer

in 1999, Gill was on a visit to his ancestral village of Kharoudi, India, which he had left 50 years earlier when he moved to Canada. The retired doctor was sitting outside with an old friend. But he couldn’t enjoy the visit — the smell of raw sewage in the street was unbearable. So, Gill decided to do something. “He learned about wastewater treatment management and sanitization himself,” said his grandson Imran Gill. “I’ve never seen a person so driven in my life.”

BC police officer fired for ‘egregiously serious’ corrupt practice of stalking ex-partner A Saanich police officer has been fired after the conclusion of an investigation that looked into his actions regarding an ex-partner of his.

An official complaint was filed with the Office of Police Complaint Commissioner British Columbia and was posted in its annual report. The

Police in Victoria have issued a Canadawide warrant for a convicted murderer they say has breached his parole conditions. Officers want the public’s help locating 41-year-old Jamie Garth Hunt, but warn that anyone who sees him should exercise caution and should not approach or confront him. Police say Hunt is serving a life sentence after being convicted of

second-degree murder for a 2007 killing. Victoria Police have referred questions to B.C. Corrections, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hunt is described as having a slim build, with tattoos showing flames and the words “original gangster’’ on his neck. Anyone who sees Hunt is asked to call 911 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.

Man arrested with racks of jackets on SkyTrain A bizarre arrest was caught on video in Vancouver on a SkyTrain on Christmas Day. A man was seen wheeling two racks of brand-new jackets onto the train around 5 p.m., which raised the suspicions of a SkyTrain attendant. “Our officers responded to a call from a very observant SkyTrain attendant,”

Metro Vancouver Transit Police Const. Amanda Steed told Global News. “The SkyTrain attendant was onboard a train at Joyce Station and witnessed a man with this giant rolling rack with what he was assuming was brand-new jackets, (which was) very suspicious looking.”

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Saturday, December 30, 2023 Press release

Premier David Eby celebrates Christmas with residents of PICS assisted care facility.

Premier David Eby had a visit and spent some time with seniors at PICS Assisted living facility in Surrey. He elebrated seasons’ best greetings & happiness with the seniors. Health Minister Adrian Dix, Education and Child Care Minister Rachna Singh, Labor Minister, Harry Bains, Forest Minister Bruce Ralston and MLA Garry Begg from SurreyGilford also joined the celebrations. President and CEO, PICS Satbir

Cheema welcomed Premier David Eby to join the Christmas celebrations at the PICS Assisted living facility saying that your coming here is indeed a perfect ‘Christmas gift’ for our seniors. You have always been a good friend of the PICS and now you have become a part of the PICS family by joining the seniors’ Christmas celebrations. Premier David Eby in his remarks said, “The health authority is funding a new

Community news South Asian Adults & Seniors Bingo on the House for members Bingo on December 31st, 2023 (Sunday), from 2.00 pm to 3.30pm at Shanti Niketan hall. ---------------------In Person Yoga classes for members only, Every Monday & Every Thursday from 10.00 am to 11.15 am. Pure Vegetarian Lunch on Thursdays after the Yoga session. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

-----------------------No Yoga session on New Year Day (1st January 2024). ---------------------------------------May The Almighty Prabhu Ji bless you all, the very best 2024 in every respect. -------------------------Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 140th St., Surrey, BC, V3W 5K9 Tel: 604 - 507 - 9945

electric bus for the seniors of PICS assisted living. It is a no pollution transport, which is a great news and also effective transportation to get around the community”. Adding to this Health Minister shared “I have been supporting PICS from decades and going forward the long-term care for seniors will be one more step that allows a continuous care to the seniors as their needs at 70 is not the same as their needs at 80 or 90”. He referred

this to the upcoming Guru Nanak Diversity Village initiative by the PICS Society. More than 100 seniors participated on this occasion and actively participated in various demonstrations, speeches and other activities. A special induction ceremony was organised for all the dignitaries and they were offered PICS jackets and were welcomed into the PICS Family. Hardam Maan

Obiturary It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Harinkumar Shankerlal Shah (June 21, 1947-December 22, 2023) son of the late Shankerlal Shah and Chandrakanta Shah. Harinkumar Shankerlal Shah arrived in Canada from Uganda on June 18, 1968. Born in Nadiad, India he was a beloved educator and very passionate about Math and Science. He was a true pioneer in causes that supported equality for all not just by voice but by action. He was a kind and gentle soul as described by many people close to him, not just his family members, who never had a negative word to say about anyone. May he be resting in happiness and peace. He will be missed by all that have had the pleasure of knowing and missing him. He

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had great many friends and family in his life that have learned many humble life lessons from him. Harinkumar Shankerlal Shah is fondly remembered by his friends and family. His wife Rekha, Son Jayen, Daughter Krupa (Amit) and 3 grand kids Amani, Enzi and Zuri. He is remembered by his siblings: Pankaj Shah, Rajendra Shah, Meena Sheth and their respective family members and also many extended family members in Canada, USA, United Kingdom and India. The Funeral Services will be held on DECEMBER 29, 2023 at 1:00 pm at RIVERSIDE Funeral Home and Crematorium. December 29, 2023 at 1:00 pm (PST) Riverside Funeral Home and Crematorium 7410 Hopcott Road, Delta, B.C. V4G 1B6

Saturday, December 30, 2023

INDIA Israel issues alert after blast near embassy in India

Israel has issued a travel warning for its citizens in India after a lowintensity blast near its embassy in Delhi sparked suspicion over a terror attack amid its war against Hamas in Gaza. A blast was reported on Tuesday evening near Israel’s embassy in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area. No one was injured in the incident.

But an “abusive” letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador was found near the site of the blast, officials said. Israel’s national security council on Tuesday said an “IED exploded today near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi in a possible terrorist attack”. Issuing a travel advisory, it urged Israeli citizens in India to avoid crowded places like malls and markets

weather will continue in the entire week. og has reduced visibility at several places in the morning and very dense fog, both morning and late evening was reported from Patiala. Meanwhile, the district administration has advised people to avoid travelling in thick fog.

India targets Apple over its phone hacking notifications A day after Apple warned independent Indian journalists and opposition party politicians in October that government hackers may have tried to break into their iPhones, officials under PM Modi

promptly took action against Apple. Officials from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) publicly questioned whether the Silicon Valley company’s internal threat algorithms were faulty and announced an investigation

Col, Lt Col face court martial over financial irregularities A colonel and a lieutenant colonel from an engineer regiment are facing trial by a General Court Martial (GCM) for procedural lapses and financial irregularities in carrying out certain defence works that were sanctioned at military establishments in the aftermath of a terror

attack on a CRPF convoy at Pulwama. The GCM, convened by Jalandharbased 11 Corps Headquarters, commenced at Gurdaspur on December 27, after the Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) dismissed their petition challenging

Goa cops register FIR after video went viral An unidentified person was booked on Thursday in Goa after a video showing children asleep atop a sport utility vehicle (SUV) went viral, a police official said.

The FIR has been registered against the driver at Mapusa police station, said Superintendent of Police (North) Nidhin Valsan.

Anish Dayal Singh appointed CRPF chief Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Anish Dayal Singh was appointed as the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday, a Personnel Ministry order said.

Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Manipur cadre, was holding the additional charge of the CRPF following the retirement of incumbent S L Thaosen on November 30.

Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh attend JD(U) office-bearers’ meeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Janata Dal (United) national president Lalan Singh attended a meeting of its national office-bearers here on Thursday, a day before its national executive and council meetings, amid a buzz that Singh

may make way for Kumar to lead the party. Some party leaders said there have been talks even within the organisation about Singh quitting his position in Kumar’s favour but made it clear that no such message has been conveyed by either of them so far.

Saturday, December 30, 2023

India

Supreme Court collegium recommends names for appointment as chief justices of 5 high courts The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended to the Centre the names of five judges to be appointed Chief Justices of the high courts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, Gauhati, Allahabad and Jharkhand. The Collegium recommended Justice Sheel Nagu for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava of the Rajasthan HC, Justice Vijay Bishnoi of the Gauhati HC, Justice Arun Bhansali

of the Allahabad HC and Justice BR Sarangi of the Jharkhand HC. Justice Nagu is currently serving in the Madhya Pradesh HC, Justice Shrivastava in the Chhattisgarh HC, Justice Bishnoi and Justice Bhansali with the Rajasthan HC and Justice Sarangi in the Orissa HC. The Collegium said Justice Nagu was considered to be a “competent judge… suitable in all respects for being appointed

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Govt didn’t follow ‘proper procedure’ while suspending WFI - Sanjay Singh Newly-elected WFI president Sanjay Singh on Thursday said that the sports ministry did not follow “proper procedure” while suspending the wrestling national body and will challenge the government’s decision in a court. The sports ministry on Sunday suspended the WFI, three days after its elections were held, for flouting its own constitution while taking certain decisions, including the announcement of U-15 and U-20 National Championships. Sanjay, however, said that his “autonomous” and “democratically elected” body could not have been suspended by the government without hearing the WFI’s side of the story.

“We have won the elections (of WFI) democratically. The returning officer was the retired chief justice of J&K High Court, there were observers from the IOA and UWW (United World Wrestling). There were 22 state units (three absent out of 25 state associations) taking part in the elections, 47 votes were polled out of which I got 40,” Sanjay said. “After all these, if you say we are suspended, we are not going to accept it. A democratically-elected body was not given a chance to explain its position which is against the principle of natural justice which everybody is entitled to under the Constitution of India.”

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FIJI Nadi is where most hard drug users live

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu says after conducting tests in Australia, New Zealand and a few island nations, researchers have confirmed that most hard drug users live in Nadi.

PAKISTAN

While speaking on the Viti FM Vakaribamalamala Show today, ACP Driu says that heads of families in Fiji need to be aware of this concerning news.

Amended iTaukei Affairs Act comes into effect The iTaukei Affairs (Amendment) Act 2023 has come into effect on December 1, a gazette notice published on December 15 states. The Act allows the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) and was passed in Parliament on November 24. The GCC was suspended in 2007 and

subsequently removed altogether in 2012. The GCC was established under the iTaukei Affairs Act of 1944. The iTaukei Affairs (Amendment) Act 2023 amends the 1944 Act to insert an establishing provision for the GCC in the Act.

Fijians presently dealing with high food prices A resounding “No” was the feedback from Fijians who were asked whether they supported a $2billion casino project proposed by David Group, an investor from Macau, China. Among those who condemned the move was Fiji Council of Social Services executive

director Vani Catanasiga, who said Fijians were presently dealing with high food prices and a casino was the last thing the Government should consider opening. Fiji Labour Party also opposed the licensing of casinos in Fiji.

Fiji’s locally owned & operated steel mill operating well Fiji’s only locally-owned steel mill Dayals Steels PTE Ltd is within reaches of producing “truly locally made Fijian steel” through a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) it signed early month with Magma Mines Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian miner Dome Gold Mines Ltd.

The initiative will see the “mining” of sand at the mouth of the Sigatoka River by Magma Mines, who is currently in the final stages of a feasibility study in preparation for the submission of an application for mining lease to the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.

HSBC sale to RBC ‘a sad day for Canadian mortgage consumers,’ expert says The rubber-stamped sale of HSBC’s Canadian operations to Royal Bank will lessen competition on mortgage rates, says one analyst who touted the bank’s key role in lowering borrowing costs through its presence in Canada. Mortgage strategist Robert McLister called it “a sad day for Canadian mortgage consumers.” He said HSBC had a different model than the major banks in advertising Canada’s

Pakistan carries out ‘Fatah’missile test According to the ISPR, Fatah-II is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, sophisticated navigation system and unique flight trajectory. “The weapon system is capable of engaging targets with high precision

First Hindu female candidate files nomination for federal election Dr Saveera Parkash has become the first woman from the minority Hindu community to run in the provincial elections in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. A doctor by profession, Parkash, 25, on Friday filed her nomination

papers for the general seat of PK-25 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district as a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate, her father Om Parkash said on Tuesday. She has also filed papers for a seat reserved for women in the KPK assembly.

Former PM Sharif seeks fourth term in office Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will seek a fourth term in office, his party said Wednesday, noting

he would be its consensus candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections and the office of the prime minister.

Months after attacks, Christians still feel unsafe The Christmas carol procession lurches its way through Jaranwala’s back streets, gathering singers as we go. We start at the church, the pastor,

Real Estate

lowest and most transparent uninsured mortgage rates. He said the larger banks were regularly 20 to 80-plus basis points higher on fixed and variable rates. HSBC Canada felt it could offset the impact of lower rates by attracting “well-qualified customers” who defaulted less and had more non-mortgage assets, McLister said. HSBC Canada’s sale to RBC for $13.5

up to a range of 400 kilometres,” it said. The ISPR said that the flight test was witnessed by “senior officers from tri-services and dedicated scientists and engineers”.

two drummers, 15 or so enthusiastic singers, lighting the way through the dark streets with phone torches. With each turn more come to their doors to join.

Some mortgage rates are dropping, but renewed loans could keep economy slow

As some Canadian lenders expect central banks, such as the Bank of Canada, to lower influential interest rates in 2024, borrowers can expect a late Christmas present with lower rates on certain types of mortgages. Rates of less than five per cent on specific types of fixed mortgages are on offer — the

lowest Canadians looking to finance a home purchase have seen since the late spring. “The last time we saw a five year fixed at around 4.89 or 4.99 per cent was the middle of May [2023], around Victoria Day weekend,” said Victor Tran, with ratesdotca, a website

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Fog cripples life in Patiala district Over six persons lost their lives and eight were injured in the past fortnight following thick fog in Patiala and outskirts with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the state. As per IMD officials, the state will witness very dense fog in the next 24 hours. The extreme weather will continue in the entire week. Fog has reduced visibility at several places in the morning and very dense fog, both morning and late evening was reported from Patiala. Meanwhile, the district administration has advised people to avoid travelling in thick fog.

Punjab under utilising Central grants, says Jakhar BJP chief Sunil Jakhar blamed the Bhagwant Mann govt for “not cooperating with the Centre” due to which the people of the state were not getting various benefits. He said Rs 8,000-crore central funds meant for various works were lying unused with the state government while the CM was busy making false accusations against the Union Government. “The myopic vision of the Mann government to not cooperate in theViksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is harming the economic interests of the people of the state,” Jakhar said. “From health benefits for the state residents to accident insurance for commuters, Punjab is missing out on various central schemes and grants due to the folly of the state government,” he said. Speaking at a function in Rajpura during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Jakhar said, “For a meagre sum of Rs 20, one can get Rs 2 lakh accident insurance cover.

Despite measures, over 90K acre panchayat land under mafia control Freeing panchayat lands completely from land mafia still seems a Herculean task as despite state government’s special campaign, still over 90,000 acres of panchayat land lies grabbed by the land mafia in the state. As per a report prepared by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, when the AAP government was formed 1,06,182 lakh acres of panchayat land had been grabbed by the land mafia in the state. In May last year, the government launched a special campaign to free these lands, under which 12,224 acres across the state were freed from land grabbers. Analysis of the district wise break-up of land grab data brings an astonishing picture

PUNJAB

Saturday, December 30, 2023