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Saturday, January 6, 2024

Tel:604-591-5423 Here’s a look at some Nearly every Canadians will be paying more in federal income tax in 2024 of the federal changes: Canadian will pay higher alcohol and carbon taxes, as well Canada Pension Plan: In 2024, the federal income taxes in 2024, as a second Canada Pension Plan maximum pensionable earnings subject according to the Canadian tax and increases in maximum to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) tax Taxpayers Federation (CTF). pensionable and insurable will increase, resulting in higher CPP The federally incorporated, notearnings. Citing data from the Fraser contributions for both employers and for-profit citizen’s group released its annual Institute, the report notes that the average employees. They will each pay $3,867, report on Tuesday highlighting the varied Canadian family pays 46.1 per cent of its marking a $113 increase from the previous tax changes across Canada. This includes budget in taxes after adding up income taxes, year for earnings of $68,500 or more. federal tax increases like the rising payroll, sales taxes, property taxes and all other taxes. Employment Insurance: In 2024, both the Continued on page 6

BC court rules that doing drugs in parks is ok For an NDP government that was looking to take a public stand against rising rates of drug-related disorder, the “playground” amendment was arguably among the least controversial things they could

have done. B.C. was already nine months into an unprecedented pilot project to decriminalize personal amounts of illicit drugs. Fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, meth, MDMA; so long as it was only 2.5 grams, by federal exemption it was now legal

Court injunction against law banning public drug use disappointing, say police chiefs A recent court injunction against a law to restrict public drug use in B.C. denies police a much-anticipated enforcement tool, says a

top law enforcement official. Officers are disappointed with the B.C. Supreme Court decision last week that temporarily blocks the provincial law, Deputy Chief Continued on page 7

Israel want to send 2.1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Canada Countries traditionally aligned with Israel are warning its right-wing government against contemplating a displacement of people who live in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli officials repeatedly suggest Canada could take in Palestinians. This week, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his country should “encourage migration” of Palestinians from Gaza and re-establish Israeli settlements there, echoing

similar comments from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemnedremarks from both politicians as “inflammatory and irresponsible.” French President Emmanuel Macron called them “unacceptable” commentswhile the German foreign ministry rejected them “in the strongest terms,” with a spokesman saying they were unhelpful for peace.

14 shots fired at home of Hindu Temple president’s son As many as 14 gunshots were fired at the residence of the son of a Hindu temple president in Surrey, in the Canadian province of British Columbia. In the wake of this unsettling incident, Canadian authorities are currently investigating the

matter, details of which in media reports only include the efforts being made in the probe and do not confirm if any suspects have been identified. The house in this case is of the son of Satish Kumar, who is the president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.

The firing happened on Wednesday (December 27) in the early morning at the residence of the son of Satish Kumar, president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, in Surrey. According to the police, no one was injured during the incident.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Man found unconscious in stolen car arrested in Delta, police say

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A man in his 40s has been arrested after he was allegedly spotted unconscious in a stolen car on Wednesday. The Delta Police Department said concerned citizens reported that two people appeared to be unconscious inside a parked vehicle with “visible drug paraphernalia” around them. “Prior to the officers’ arrival, the occupants

regained consciousness and departed the area in the car,” police said in a news release Thursday. “Subsequently, officers located the car nearby, conducted a licence plate check, and identified it as reported stolen the day before from New Westminster. Police arrested both of the vehicle’s occupants for possession of stolen property.

Impaired driving leads to police response at Langley mall Surrey and Langley RCMP officers descended on a vehicle in the parking lot at the Willowbrook Shopping Centre early on Wednesday afternoon. Around 1:30 p.m., almost a dozen police officers in marked and unmarked vehicles arrived near the front entrance of the mall

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near the Tim Hortons outlet. According to Surrey RCMP media spokespeople, an impaired driving incident had led police to the area. There was no threat to the public. A dark grey minivan was towed from the site at around 2 p.m.

Trudeau Liberals still giving China more than $7.59 million in aid: Report

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China is still receiving $7.59 million in foreign aid from the federal government, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. The figure was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in a new Statistical Report on International Assistance tabled in Parliament. Four years ago, opposition MPs asked for an immediate end to all foreign aid to a “communist dictatorial government that abuses human rights.” Back then, China was getting as much as $41 million from Canada before then-Opposition leader Andrew Scheer called for all of it to be suspended. “I don’t believe Canadian taxpayers should be sending any money to

China,” Scheer told reporters at the time. “We’re talking about a communist dictatorial government that abuses human rights, quashes freedoms, violates rights of its citizens and has a very aggressive foreign policy all throughout the region. China is headed in a direction that is not in alignment with Canadian values.” The Chinese aid figures don’t include $18.7 million in repayable Export Development Canada loans or the Finance Department’s $159.2-million US purchase of shares in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank of Beijing. Opposition MPs have repeatedly demanded that cabinet withdraw its bank investment.

Local / National

Saturday, January 6, 2024

TransLink launches new RapidBus for Surrey & Delta The R6 Scott Road RapidBus launched today, providing faster and more frequent bus service for Surrey and Delta residents, as well as Kwantlen Polytechnic University students. The R6 will provide space for 20 per cent more riders on the busiest bus corridor south of the Fraser River. Customer travel

time is now up to ten minutes faster in each direction between Scott Road Station and Newton Exchange, due to bus speed and reliability improvements. Surrey and Delta’s transit ridership is part of the fastest growing area in Metro Vancouver, where bus boardings are exceeding 2019 ridership levels by 16 per

Truck company operates Alberta fleet in BC despite suspension by govt Photos on social media appear to show the trucking company that had its license suspended in B.C. last week is still operating its Alberta fleet in the province. The Ministry of Transportation says an overpass along Hwy 99 in Delta sustained “significant damage,” after one of Chohan

FreightForwardersLtd.’struckshititonDec.28. Following the incident, the ministry said it was suspending the company’s B.C. fleet of 65 commercial vehicles while it investigated the company. “The company faces the highest fines allowed in the country,” the ministry stated.

Vigil being held in Brampton for Sikh couple killed in shooting A candlelight vigil will be held for Jagtar Singh, Harbhajan Kaur Sidhu and their daughter at Brampton city hall this weekend. The vigil is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 6) at city hall and is expected to last approximately two hours. Officers from the Caledon detachment of the OPP responded to a triple shooting at a residence on Mayfield

Road just before midnight on Nov. 20. Jagtar, 57, was found dead at the home after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. His wife, Harbhajan, and their daughter, whom the Guardian has decided not to identify, were both sent to hospital also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Harbhajan later succumbed to her injuries in hospital while the couple’s daughter remains in hospital but is in stable condition.

Ottawa to accept 1,000 visa applications from Canadians’ relatives in Gaza The National Council of Canadian Muslims is calling on the federal government to remove a cap on the number of Palestinians who can seek refuge with their Canadian extended family members from the violence in the Gaza Strip.

The special extended family program for people in Gaza is set to launch next week, after Palestinian Canadians pleaded for months to get help from the government to rescue their loved ones as the Israel-Hamas war continues. The program would offer visas

Police breached man’s Charter rights: courts BC Supreme Court has ruled that Langley RCMP officers breached the Charter rights of a man accused of killing his wife. Naomi Onotera, a school teacher in Langley, went missing in the summer of 2021. In December of that same year, her husband, Obnes Regis, was charged in her death. On Jan. 2, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Martha M. Devlin found police breached Regis’ Charter rights in two instances during

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Camp operator penalized $206,000 after BC worker found dead of COVID-19 At a time when British Columbians rely on their mobile phones more than ever, for work and to remain in touch with friends and family, our survey’s findings amount to a mixed bag. In 2023, one of the nuisances that we track remained stable, another seems to be on the

decline, and a third is rising dramatically. Canadians may believe they are completely protected from unwanted phone calls and messages if they include their number in the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). A number’s presence on this database can certainly stop solicitation from companies,

their investigation into Onotera’s death. Court documents show when Onotera’s mother reported her missing, several officers entered the home she had shared with Regis, without a warrant, to look for evidence. Devlin ruled that at the time of the 911 call, there was nothing to suggest a crime had been committed, and police violated Regis’ right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure by entering the home.

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Saturday, January 6, 2024

Shooting in Port Kells sent one hospital with serious injuries One man taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries after shooting in Port Kells. Mounties are investigating an overnight shooting which left one person injured in Port Kells. “Evidence-gathering is still underway, but initial indications are this was a targeted, isolated incident,” Sgt. Tammy Lobb, RCMP media relations officer, noted in a press release. One man was sent to hospital with serious injuries, according to the release (issued Jan. 2). Mounties first responded to report of shots fired in the 18900-block of 92 Avenue just after 10 p.m. on Jan 1. “Officers located the victim, a 19-year-

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old man who is known to police,” Lobb said. “He was suffering from gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital by Emergency Health Services.” Lobb noted the Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. Officers are now trying to work out what happened that night. Lobb asked that anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or if anyone has information, or possibly dash-cam footage from the area around that time, to please contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502. If anyone wishes to remain anonymous, they can also contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800222-8477 or by visiting solvecrime.ca.

BC charity handed $64K penalty after worker killed in fall

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The school, located in Mission, is operated by the Satnam Education Society of British Columbia, a charity that runs the Khalsa Schools of B.C., a collection of Sikh learning institutions that represent the largest network of private schools in the province. WorkSafeBC imposed the administrative penalty on the charity in August, though its existence was only revealed last week. An investigation by the health and safety agency found the subcontracted firm had failed to appoint a site safety coordinator and “did not have a system in place to ensure hazards were mitigated.” “As prime contractor of a multipleemployer workplace, the firm failed to

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do everything reasonable to establish and maintain a system of regulatory compliance.” Lawyer Jaspreet Malik, who represents the society, said the incident occurred in Mission where the charity operates its camps. In August 2020, a suspected arson attack burned down the gymnasium. The worker death came as they tried to build back from the fire, said Malik. “It really is a sad story,” said Malik. “He wasn’t wearing fall equipment.” Malik said the charity appealed the penalty in December on grounds that it shouldn’t be held responsible for the contractor’s oversights on safety. He said they are expecting a decision sometime in 2024.

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Saturday, January 6, 2024 By Randy Robinson

Canada’s Premiers have failed the basic needs test

In days of old, kings and queens were often judged by some pretty basic criteria: Did the people have enough to eat? Did they have a safe, warm place to lay their heads at night? Looking around Canada today, it’s pretty clear that our elected leaders wouldn’t pass these simple tests. Food bank use is at record levels. Practically Ryan Thorpe

every city has a tent city, populated by people who can’t find – or can’t afford – a bed indoors. Your local radio station may be playing Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but for too many people, it’s not: winter is the hardest time. And with very few exceptions, Canada’s premiers, snug in their beds, don’t seem

to see it. Or if they do, they don’t seem to care. In recent years, Canadians have seen the federal government take concrete steps to reduce poverty. For example, Ottawa introduced the Canada Child Benefit in 2016 and passed the Canada Disability Benefit Act in 2023. The former has cut poverty for children and families across the country.

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$20 million in bonuses at Bank of Canada despite 40-year high inflation

Bank of Canada bureaucrats got $20 million in bonuses in 2022 while the Crown

corporation hiked interest rates seven times and inflation reached a 40-year high.

“Bonuses are for people who do a good job, not people who fail at their one and only job,” Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said. “Most organizations don’t shower employees with bonuses when they have their worst year in four decades.” The average bonus among staff was $11,200, with 80 per cent of the workforce receiving one, according to internal government records obtained by the CTF through a series of access-to-information requests. The Bank of Canada also dished out $6.5 million in raises in 2022. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of Canada rubberstamped nearly $72 million in bonuses and pay raises for staff. Not a single Bank of Canada employee had their pay cut in 2020, 2021 or 2022. The Bank of Canada’s mandate is to keep “an inflation target of two per cent inside a control range of one to three per cent.” In November 2020, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem told the federal finance committee that “inflation is projected to remain less than two per cent into 2023.” But inflation was 6.8 per cent in 2022, representing “a 40-year high, the largest increase since 1982,” according to Statistics Canada. Despite failing to meet its mandate, the Bank of Canada still handed out $26.7 million in bonuses and raises in 2022. The Bank of Canada also failed to meet its inflation target in 2021 when it handed out $23.6 million in bonuses and raises. Only three industrialized countries had higher inflation rates than Canada in 2021, according to a January 2022 Fraser Institute report.

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Saturday, January 6, 2024

From page 1

Canadians will be paying more in federal income tax in 2024

the Employment Insurance (EI) tax rate and maximum insurable earnings in Canada will increase. Employees will pay $1,049 and employers $1,469 for EI. This is a rise of $47 for employees and $66 for employers, for those earning $63,200 or more. Carbon Tax (and second carbon

tax): Canada’s federal carbon tax will rise from $65 to $80 per tonne on April 1, 2024, increasing the carbon tax rate per litre of gas. This means a higher cost for fueling vehicles, with a family filling a 70-litre minivan expected to pay about $12.32 more per fill-up. Alcohol taxes: Beginning on April 1, 2024, Canadians will pay more

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Saturday, January 6, 2024 From page 1

Court injunction against law banning public drug use disappointing, say police chiefs

Const. Fiona Wilson of the Vancouver Police Department said Tuesday. “We supported the act in its current form and appreciated the province making the efforts to address the matter of problematic public consumption that has taken hold since decriminalization,” said Wilson, who’s also

president of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and was speaking in that capacity. “It’s important for us that our police officers have the legal tools to deal with people who are using in those problematic circumstances and we felt that this legislation would assist us to do that,” she

said.The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act was passed by the legislature in November, allowing fines and imprisonment for refusal to comply with police orders not to consume drugs in places including parks, beaches, sports fields and near business entrances and bus stops.

It had yet to come into effect when the injunction was imposed last week by Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson. Premier David Eby said last fall the legislation was a response to help alleviate public concerns about safety as the province continued with decriminalization programs.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Calgary man arrested on 22 warrants Calgary police say a man wanted Canadawide on 22 offences, including a September 2021 kidnapping and robbery, was arrested in Edmonton on New Year’s Day. Agout Atak Agout is set to appear in court on Friday, Jan. 5. The 23-year-old is charged with several crimes, including kidnapping,

robbery, extortion, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and multiple firearms offences. Calgary police are thanking authorities in Edmonton for finding and arresting Agout. Investigators continue to search for 22-year-old Eyuel Tamrat and 21-yearold Bol Atak Agout in connection

Lawyer suspended after accusations of pseudolegal ‘paper terrorism’ over neighbour’s deck Vancouver lawyer suspended after accusations of pseudolegal ‘paper terrorism’ over neighbour’s deck. A Vancouver lawyer accused of filing a groundless pseudolegal lawsuit against her neighbour over a glass deck divider has been banned from practising law

in British Columbia while the province’s law society investigates a complaint. Naomi Arbabi was temporarily suspended on Dec. 28 after an interim action board of the Law Society of B.C. “determined that extraordinary action was necessary to protect the public,” according

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New Canadian laws and rules coming in 2024 A new year often brings new federal regulations and rules. In 2024, there will be a slew of new laws that come into effect – some as early as Jan. 1 – including changes to Canada Revenue Agency’s tax rules, increases to hourly minimum wages, timelines for Ottawa’s dental insurance program and changes to the country’s bail system. Here is a breakdown of the new federal and provincial laws coming this year, and how they will affect you. Minimum wage increases: The minimum hourly wage in some provinces will increase in 2024. Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia to increase minimum wage on April 1. Ontario plans to increase its minimum wage on Oct. 1 New CRA tax rules: CRA has issued a new administrative policy, effective Jan. 1, 2024, providing guidance on how to determine a remote worker’s province of employment for payroll purposes. Federal dental insurance plan: The federal government has released new timelines for its national dental

Man gets 30 months jail for beating homeless man

A man has been sentenced to 30 insurance program. Seniors aged 87 and Verhage has already pleaded guilty and over were allowed to apply starting last months in jail minus time served for was sentenced to three years, Walkem said his part in the Chilliwack beating month. The program will be expanded to in her newly released Dec. 14 decision. seniors aged 77 to 86 in January, seniors of a 76-year-old homeless man. Suel pled guilty to aggravated B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ardith aged 72 to 76 in February and seniors assault and breaking and entering. aged 70 to 71 in March. Work hour Walkem said co-accuseds, Daniel Suel and Court heard Verhage had offered to drive a exemptions for certain sectors: As of Jan. Marco Verhage, assaulted Dennis White. group of people from a homeless encampment She said both were experiencing 4, new amendments to the Canada Labour in Hope to Chilliwack, on Dec. 1, 2019. Code (CLC) will come into force for serious substance abuse at the time After dropping others off around town, certain employees working in the banking, of the assault. Suel was homeless. only Verhage and Suel remained in the vehicle. telecommunications and broadcasting, rail transportation and airline sectors. Brampton mayor calls for individuals making Termination entitlements for federally negligent 911 calls to be fined regulated workers: As of Feb. 1, some The fire department can currently During a press conference on Thursday, employees working for federally regulated organizations will be entitled to greater Mayor Patrick Brown said he will be asking issue fines for false fire alarms, termination entitlements when terminated the Region of Peel to implement potential according to the City of Brampton. Brown also pointed out people have without cause. Changes to Canada’s bail fines for negligent calls made to 911. “We’re looking at the legality around it,” made inappropriate calls to the emergency system: The federal government recently made changes to Canada’s bail system but if the fire department can do so, I believe line and wants to place structural that “seek to improve the safety of people the police could do so as well,” Brown said. measures to prevent this from continuing. and communities” across the country.

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Saturday, January 6, 2024 Edmonton police investigating string of extortions involving arson and shootings Several fires and shootings in the city since October have been linked to a series of extortion incidents, Edmonton police say. In a news release late Wednesday afternoon, police say they’re investigating 18 incidents of extortion since October. Those involved “reportedly target members of the South Asian business community, using Whatsapp to text or call victims and demand large sums of money,” the release said, adding they “appear to have knowledge of the victim’s personal information, such as family members, vehicles and lifestyle patterns.”

Those who have failed to pay have seen fires or other property damage to new home builds, show homes and rental property, police said. Followup demands for more money have been common, which has led to “an escalation of violence and drive-by shootings,” police said. Despite the gunplay, police added that no injuries have been reported in any of the shootings. Witnesses to the arsons have reported a group of young adults and youth carrying jerry cans. Police are also looking for information about a person of interest in a

Community news Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society of BC invites South Asian Adults and Senior members only to join and play Bingo on the House on January 7th 2024 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall. Please bring only 2 dollars with you for 2 games, don’t worry if you do not know how to play, members seating next to you will explain the game to you just for the sake of fun. Please keep the social distance while seating for personal & other’s safety. Tea and light snacks will be served after the two games are over. In Person Yoga classes for members only, on Every Monday & Every Thursday will continue by Mr.

Ashwani Bansal expert Yoga Instructor from 10.00 am to 11.15 am & will help to observe & guide the seniors to do correct yoga. Pure Vegetarian lunch will be served in the dining hall at 11.30 am to all the senior members who attend yoga class on Thursdays. Project funded by Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for Hindi speaking seniors. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator, Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre, & Coordinator - APNI South Asian Community Response Networks, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 - 140th street Surrey V3W5K9, BC Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945 or email: surendra_handa@hotmail.com, for registration & for further information

Dec. 29 fire in the Woodhaven Pointe area. So far, police have charged six young men and a youth in connection with several incidents they say are related to this string of extortions. Parminder Singh, 20, has been charged with 12 firearms-related offences in connection with an Oct. 19 incident where shots were fired at a home in the southeast neighbourhood of Laurel. Singh is currently in custody. Hassan Dembil, 18, Manav Heer, 18, Ravinder Sandu, 19, and a youth were all charged with arson-related offences for a Dec. 19 fire in the northeast neighbourhood of Cy Becker. All four have since been released.

Arjun Sahnan, 19 was charged with five firearms-related offences after a Dec. 30 traffic stop that occurred in the area of 17 Street and 49 Avenue. He has since been released. Police have set up a dedicated team of investigators to look into this string of extortions and are asking anyone with further information or who has received threats to come forward. People can call 780-423-4567, and are asked to reference file #23-802638. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

BC govt fined over $700K for unsafe wildfire mitigation work in northern areas The B.C. government has been fined more than $700,000 after an inspection determined unsafe wildfire mitigation practices were occurring at a site in the province’s northeast. The penalty issued on Oct. 26, 2023, by WorkSafeBC, the provincial agency that promotes safe and healthy workplaces across B.C., rings in at $710,488.79 — the largest fine it has ever issued, the agency says, and the maximum amount allowable for 2022, the year the incident occurred. WorkSafeBC’s report says it found evidence of unsafe falling cuts at a site near Wonowon, around 80 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, B.C., and said the province, which it refers to as the “employer,” did not verify faller certification or actively monitor work as required. Further details of the report are expected to

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be released publicly on Thursday, according to WorkSafeBC, but the province says no injuries were associated with the investigation. “As owner of a forestry operation, the employer failed to ensure all activities were both planned and conducted in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements and with safe work practices acceptable to WorkSafeBC,” the penalty reads. WorkSafeBC says this the second penalty the province has been given in the past 10 years, the first being in 2019 for $5,574.53 after an employee was seriously injured while on the job installing a remote weather station at Loon Lake in the Cariboo region. In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Forests said it is “disappointed” by what happened, but plans to appeal the fine.

INDIA Extreme cold gripps parts of north India

A severe cold wave has gripped parts of northern India, with temperatures falling below -5C (23F) in Indian-administered Kashmir. Several regions, including India’s capital, Delhi, get enveloped in a thick layer of fog in early mornings and at night. Poor visibility has also caused disruptions

in flight and train services, making it difficult for people to travel. India’s weather department has said that the cold wave is likely to persist for the next couple of days. The famous Dal Lake, as seen in the picture above, and other water bodies in Kashmir have partially frozen, making it hard for boatmen to ferry passengers and tourists.

India emerges as fastest growing premium Smartphone market

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Supreme Court rejects plea of Indian detained in Czech Republic for foiled plot to kill Sikh separatist in USA Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea for consular access moved by a family member of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is in a Czech prison following charges by the US relating to a foiled assassination attempt on

Jaishankar recalls how Nehru was hesitant in taking help from USA following 1962 war

The year 2024 will continue to be turbulent for the world but India is well-positioned global TMT (technology, media and telecom) politically and economically to navigate research firm Counterpoint Research. In the challenges, maintain its rising global the premium smartphone market, Apple role and its path of development, External continues to be the undisputed leader. Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. The Union minister was speaking at India’s Petronet likely to renew Qatar the launch of his new book ‘Why Bharat

The overall global smartphone market is expected to see a decline this year, but the premium market’s sales are estimated to grow 6% YoY in 2023, which is a new record, according to the latest report by

LNG contract in January

Petronet LNG Ltd, India’s largest liquefied natural gas buyer, will likely renew a big supply contract with Qatar by the end of January, a senior

government official said Wednesday. Petronet’s 25-year contract with Qatar for 7.5 million tons of LNG a year is supposed to be renewed five years before expiration

Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said, “There is nothing much we can do. You are entitled for consular access under the Vienna convention, which you have already got.”

Matters’ in which he examines the geopolitics and various aspects of India’s foreign policy since Independence using the epic Ramayana as the overarching perspective. “I do think that 2024 will continue to be turbulent, (and) that many of the same factors which drove 2023 would remain very much in play,” he said.

Russian oil ships turn away from India amid payment issues Russian oil ships drifting near India’s shores have begun to turn away amid unresolved payment disputes between the two countries. According to ship-tracking data

compiled by Bloomberg, five oil tankers carrying Sokol oil, which have been idling close to India and Sri Lanka for about a month, are now headed eastward toward the Malacca Straight.

Jaishankar discuss Feb peace summit with Ukraine foreign minister Just back from a visit to Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday received a phone from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. “I informed my counterpart of Russia’s recent escalation of terror and mass air attacks.

We discussed further cooperation on the peace formula. I informed my counterpart of Ukraine’s vision for the Global Peace Summit of leaders,” Kuleba stated on X. Ukraine is attempting to hold the summit in February.

BJP wants to stop me from general election: Arvind Kejriwal Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to get him arrested before the Lok Sabha polls so that he can be prevented from campaigning. In a press conference at his official residence on Thursday, the Delhi chief minister spoke

on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in connection with the Delhi excise case and said the investigating agencies could not find a single rupee irregularity in their two-year probe. “This investigation has been going on for the last two years, but irregularities

Saturday, January 6, 2024

FIJI Govt to reform immigration processes

Minister for Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua says the government will be giving early and focused priority to reform the immigration processes as Fiji is now at the point where the lack of available skills in critical areas is threatening Fiji’s economic growth and this cannot continue.

PAKISTAN

In his New Year’s address, Tikoduadua says some of the most dynamic economies in the world – the United States, Singapore, the Emirates – get their skills from other countries and we must do the same.

Any changes to the Constitution must be lawful – Tikoduadua As the subject of amendments to the Constitution have been in the public discourse lately, Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua has stressed that any changes

to the Constitution must be lawful. In his New Year’s address, Tikoduadua says the Constitution is the supreme law of Fiji and the government, the courts of justice and our rights are provided for in the constitution.

Man charged with 18 counts of rape A 32-year-old man has been charged with 18 counts of rape of his 13-year-old stepdaughter last month. The alleged incident occurred in Namosi between September and December 2022. While revealing the statistics on sexual

offences for last month, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says there were 9 people charged with a total of 44 counts of sexual offences in December last year. Of the 44 counts of sexual offences, 37 were of rape, 4 indecent assault and 3 sexual assault.

Kavanagasau Sanatan Dharam School achieves 100% pass rate Kavanagasau Sanatan Dharam School, a primary school almost 25km inland from Sigatoka Town has achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the Fiji Eighth Year Examination. Head of school, Jitendra Kumar says he is happy and is very much pleased with the results the students have achieved as they

had also achieved 100 percent pass rate in the 2022 Fiji Eighth Year Examination. He says the school has achieved this through dedication from all the teachers and parents working together while the school had recently received IT support from the Tappoo Foundation

Homebuyers favour North Shore, Burnaby & North Delta in 2023 The most popular areas to buy a home in Metro Vancouver in 2023 may not come as a surprise. Areas such as Burnaby and the North Shore remain popular among homebuyers in Metro Vancouver. However, up and coming areas such as North Delta and the area surrounding Trout Lake in Vancouver have been seeing some attention, according to industry experts.

Imran Khan charged with contempt of electoral commission According to some media reports, Election Commission of Pakistan initiated the contempt proceedings against former prime minister ImranKhan and other leaders of his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. he development

PTI to challenge rejection of his candidates’ nomination papers A day after most of its nominees failed to clear the scrutiny of nomination papers filed for federal elections due to be held on February 8. PTI, former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party decided to move election tribunals to contest the rejection of nomination papers of scores of its candidates,

including party founder Imran Khan. Party’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan said, all rejected nomination papers would be challenged. He said that as per the rules, the rejection of nomination papers would initially be challenged in the tribunals and then other options would be explored.

High Court confirms revoke of PTI’s ‘cricket bat’ symbol Peshawar High Court (PHC) restored the Election Commission of Pakistan’s December 22 order which had deemed the PTI’s intraparty polls “unconstitutional” and revoked the party’s iconic cricket ‘bat’ electoral symbol. The verdict, reserved earlier in the day, was announced by Justice Ejaz Khan on ECP’s review petitions. The decision comes as a blow for the party which has alleged

Real Estate

Burnaby and West Vancouver represent two strong markets that are held up by opposing buyer groups, according to Cameron Phillips, a real estate advisor with Vancouverbased brokerage Engel and Volkers. “They are the two different sides of the marketplace, which is the luxury non-mortgage dependent buyers in West Vancouver and the first-

came days after Khan’s nomination for federal elections was rejected by the poll body. Imran Khan was charged with contempt of the electoral commission on Wednesday.

it is not being provided a level playing field in the run-up to the general election. Imran Khna’s PTI party to approach Supreme Court of Pakistan against high court’s verdict Speaking to the media after the verdict was announced, Barrister Gohar Khan said he had met with party founder and leader Imran Khan for consultation.

Canada’s most sought-after cities for home buyers

First place is Powell River, British Columbia, where house prices have risen by 40.5% in the past year. In second place, Sherbrooke, Quebec, steals the show with a 29% increase, bringing the average house price to $515,155, $115,732 more than the previous year. In third place, Brandon, Manitoba, saw a 24.5% increase in house prices over the past year, with an average price of

$265,069, the second lowest on the list. In fourth place, we have the lovely city of Trois-Rivières in Quebec, which saw a 21.4% increase with an average price of $353,062. Also in fifth place is Lloydminster, Alberta, with a price increase of 17.5%. The city is also in third place for the least expensive homes on the list, with an average price of $281,849.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Court orders release of gangster A Delhi court ordered the release of gangster Deepak Pahal alias Deepak Boxer in connection with a firing incident at the residence of liquor baron and former Faridkot MLA Deep Malhotra, in Delhi’s West Punjabi Bagh on December 3 last year. The motive behind the firing was Malhotra’s refusal to pay the extortion money demanded by Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed Delhi Police. Deep Malhotra was a SAD MLA from Faridkot in Punjab. The police sought the gangster’s release saying they found no incriminating evidence against him.

Hotel owner shots model for blackmailing him DivyaPahuja,aslaingangster’sgirlfriend,was shot dead in a Gurugram hotel on Wednesday. Police have arrested three men for her murder. The 27-year-old Gurugram-based model had recently secured bail after seven years in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Gurugram’s most-wanted gangster, Sandeep Gadoli. Pahuja was allegedly killed by Abhijeet Singh, the owner of the hotel City Point where she was staying, and his associates Hemraj and Om Prakash, on Tuesday. Both Hemraj and Om Prakash used to work in Abhijeet’s hotel. Abhijeet allegedly killed the woman and then paid his associates Rs 10 lakh to dispose of her body. police, meanwhile, have accessed the CCTV footage where the accused can be seen escaping the crime spot in a blue BMW car, carrying Divya’s body in the boot.

Mother seeks Rs 50 Lakh as blood money to save her son on death row in Dubai The world has come crashing for Ranjit Kaur of Billi Waraich village of Malsian here as her son Sukhchain Singh has got convicted in an accident case in Dubai. She has appealed to the NRI community and the residents of the region to come forward to pay the blood money for the release of her son from a UAE jail. Ranjit Kaur said that her son was working in Dubai since January 2019. “He had come here once in November 2021 and had left for Dubai again in a month’s time. Upon reaching there, he had resumed the job of a driver. He was driving down in the city when his vehicle met with an accident that led to the death of a Pakistani man,” she said.

PUNJAB

Saturday, January 6, 2024