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Saturday, February 10, 2024

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4 South Asian men, 1 woman charged with extortion in Ontario Five people have been charged by Peel Region’s Extortion Investigative Task Force in connection with a series of incidents throughout the GTA including mischief to property, threats, and firearms-related offences. Peel police say four people were arrested and charged in connection with an incident

involving a Caledon business owner in Dec. 2023 and Jan. 2024. On Jan. 24, 2024, 23-year-old Gagan Ajit Singh, 23-year-old Anmoldeep Singh, 25-year-old Hashmeet Kaur, and 21-year-old Iymanjot Kaur were arrested following the search of a Brampton home. The three men and one woman face a total of 23 charges including

Wall Street snubs China for India in a historic markets shift A momentous shift is under way in global markets as investors pull billions of dollars from China’s sputtering economy, two

decades after betting on the country as the world’s biggest growth story. Much of that cash is now heading for India, with Wall Street giants like Goldman Sachs

Continued on page 7

NDP cancels Surrey fundraiser dinner Ahead of multiple planned protests outside the event, the provincial NDP announced its fundraiser in Surrey has been postponed due to timing. Set to be held at the Aria Convention Centre last Sunday evening, the night was billed as an “evening gala” with Premier David

Eby and the rest of the BC NDP caucus in attendance. Following the announcement of the event, multiple protest groups, including proPalestinian groups, Keep the RCMP in Surrey advocates and anti-SOGI 123 protesters, posted plans on social media to picket outside the event.

extortion, uttering death threats, arson as well as fraud, and firearm offenses. On Jan. 25, 2024, police arrested 39-yearold Arundeep Thind of no fixed address after a 32-year-old claimed to have received a phone call and threatening messages on WhatsApp demanding large sums of money. Continued on page 6

91 Indian students died in Canada in past five years, India says At 91, Canada represented more than one fifth of the total number of deaths abroad in that period. This was followed by the U.K. at 48 deaths, Russia at 40, the U.S. at 36 and Australia at 35. At least 403 international students from India died between 2018 and 2023 while studying in countries around the world, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Canada (IRCC) is “very concerned about the vulnerability of international students.” “While education is a provincial/ territorial responsibility, IRCC Continued on page 6

Former RCMP official, convicted of breaking secrets law An Ontario Superior Court judge has sentenced former RCMP intelligence official Cameron Ortis to 14 years in jail. Assistant crown attorney Judy Kliewer said Ortis’s conduct was a “betrayal” of

the RCMP and Canada’s Five Eyes partners that “jeopardized the safety of Canadians.” In arriving at his decision, Justice Robert Maranger said the task of sentencing was a “heavy burden,” and that he expected the

Ortis decision to be appealed to higher courts on the grounds of “what evidence could and could not be presented at a trial for reasons of national security.”

Saturday, February 10, 2024

B.C. trucking firm with history of hitting overpasses sues to overturn suspension My only hope is that on the way to court, they don’t run into a bridge,’ B.C. premier David Eby said of Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd.’s petition. A B.C. trucking company responsible for a string of overpass crashes is going to court in a bid to get its suspension overturned, a move Premier David Eby called “astonishing.” “My only hope is that on the way to court, they don’t run into a bridge. I encourage them to take the bus or some other form of public transit on the way to the courthouse,” Eby said after learning of the legal action. Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. argues it’s been stuck in limbo after the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch suspended

its certificate following a Dec. 28 crash into the 112th Street overpass on Highway 99 in Delta — the latest in a series of overpass strikes by its trucks over the last two years. Since then, it has suffered losses of more than $1 million a week and has lost clients and contracts worth between $2 million and $3 million, said a petition filed Monday in B.C. Supreme Court. According to the petition, the companybranded truck was driven by an owneroperator, Jasper Sangha, who was supposed to be delivering a load from a metal fabrication plant in Delta to Ferndale, Wash. The load wasn’t expected to be oversized, but when the driver got to the plant, he found the

David Eby astonished as trucking firms ask court to lift bans over BC overpass crash Two trucking firms are taking the B.C. government to court to get their vehicles back on the province’s roads after an overpass crash last December, in what Premier David Eby called an “astonishing” move. Lawyers for B.C.-based Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. and Alberta-based Chohan Group Ltd. said the government wrongly concluded they were “one operation,” and instead they are separate legal entities with a family connection. “Nobody is denying that,” said Chohan Group’s lawyer Kevin Smith. “It’s difficult for the company to understand how the British Columbia regulator has formed a view that the incident on Dec. 28

implies that there is some threat to road safety in British Columbia from the Alberta company.” Chohan Freight Forwarders says a truck driven by an “owneroperator” hit the overpass on Highway 99 in Delta, lodging construction girders into the structure. Court documents say Kuljit Singh Chohan owns the B.C. firm, while his son Suneet Chohan owns and operates the Alberta firm. Eby told an unrelated news conference on Wednesday that British Columbians were frustrated by the number of overpass strikes, calling “this company Chohan” one of the “worst offenders.” “The astonishing part is that the company thinks that they should

Notorious B.C. sex offender keeping overnight leave privileges ‘not acceptable’: B.C. premier B.C.’s premier says it is “not acceptable” that a convicted child sex offender won’t have his leave privileges scrapped, despite disappearing from a Vancouver halfway house for 10 days in November. David Eby said he plans to raise his concerns with a recent Parole Board of Canada’s decision regarding Randall Hopley with federal officials. Hopley is best known for abducting a three-year-old boy from his southeastern B.C. home in 2011. He completed a six-year prison term for the abduction and was released in 2018 under a 10-year long-term supervision order, and has been living at a halfway house where he has overnight leave privileges, contingent on approval from his parole supervisor.

In November, he cut off an ankle monitor days before a scheduled court appearance for breaching release conditions, prompting a 10-day manhunt. In a parole board decision dated Feb. 2, federal officials declined to rescind Hopley’s overnight leave privileges, despite his previous breaches and the November incident where he was unlawfully at large. “There is no information that your most recent concerning breach-related incidents were related to your authorization of overnight leave,” the decision states. “While the board concurs with your (case management team) that your most recent behaviours are concerning when it comes to any potential leave authorization, the Board also notes the required approval from your parole

Social media firms can’t be let ’off the hook’ for deadly sextortion of kids: David Eby Premier David Eby says social media companies can’t be let “off the hook” after two B.C. teens fell victim to online sextortion scams and died by suicide in the past year. “We are going to take action against them for allowing this to happen,” he said Wednesday. Eby’s comments came one day after Surrey RCMP announced a man in Nigeria had been arrested and charged there in one of those cases following a lengthy international investigation. They did not confirm the name of the victim, but said his “sudden” death last February led to the discovery he had been a victim of “financial sextortion.” Police and advocates warn that the

speed of instant messaging on social media required an extra level of vigilance from children and their parents. Mounties told reporters the online interaction between the Surrey boy and the suspect in Nigeria lasted only minutes. Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in an interview Wednesday that the teen was exploited on Instagram and Snapchat. “Thosearetwocommonplatformsthatseem to be trending in terms of sextortion,” she said. Eby told the unrelated news conference Wednesday that the province intends to hold technology companies accountable, but that will take time, so it’s working to

Local / National

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Political fallout of BC NDP Selina Robinson’s comments She’s out as a minister, but will that be enough to quell the firestorm around the BC NDP and its MLA Selina Robinson? No longer the minister of advanced education, she remains in the party’s caucus following loud and angry calls for her to be fired or to resign after making controversial and historically inaccurate comments about Palestinian territories before the state of Israel was formed. Robinson has apologized twice but the fact she’s still in the caucus may be a problem for some people within the NDP. “Is this definitive action enough for those who were calling for Selina Robinson, not just to be ousted from the cabinet, but to be ousted from caucus entirely,” CityNews

Legislative Reporter Liza Yuzda questioned. “One of the reasons the premier gave for taking this action and removing Selina Robinson as a minister, but keeping her in caucus, was so she could make right the wrongs and try to heal the hurt.” She adds there remains division within the NDP one day after the move. “Not just within the party, but beyond that and into the people of British Columbia,” said Yuzda. “One of the concerns is the division that has been created within the party. Remember, it was NDP members behind the petition to have Selina Robinson ousted from cabinet and caucus.”

Police issue retailers $20K in fines for illegal bear spray sales Police have slapped 10 Vancouver businesses with $20,000 in fines for allegedly illegally selling bear spray. The fines were issued under a new City of Vancouver’s bylaw, which limits where stores can display the spray and bans its sale to people under the age of 19. The bylaw requires buyers to provide ID and requires businesses to keep a record of all sales for one year. Council approved the bylaw last spring after police warned of a 121-per cent uptick in violent bear spray use, particularly among youth between 2018 and 2022. “This operation shows there is still more work needed to

educate retailers and gain compliance with the new bylaw,” Const. Tania Visnintin said in a Thursday media release. “This is about public safety and protecting our youth, and it’s concerning that more than a third of the businesses we visited were breaking the rules.” Visintin said prior to issuing the fines, police reached out to 60 businesses with information and education about the new bylaw. All of the fines were issued for failing to record sales and keep appropriate records, police said.

NDP MLAs banned from some BC mosques after ‘crappy’ land comment from minister Representatives from more than a dozen B.C. mosques and Islamic associations have sent a letter to Premier David Eby calling for the minister of post-secondary education to be removed from her role. They also say no NDP MLA or candidate for the next election is welcome in their sacred spaces until the premier takes action against Selina Robinson. She has been facing heavy criticism and calls to resign since last week when she remarked in an online panel discussion hosted by B’nai Brith Canada that Israel was founded on a “crappy piece of land.” She apologized in a social media post, saying her comments were disrespectful, and she had been referring to the land having limited natural resources. She said in the post that her remarks diminished

“the connection that Palestinians also have to the land,” and she apologized unreservedly. Eby has said that Robinson’s comments were wrong, hurtful and increase division in the province. NDP creative director Heather Libby did not respond to questions about whether Robinson would be removed from cabinet but said in a statement that a party fundraiser scheduled for Sunday night, which was slated to include the premier and the rest of caucus, was being rescheduled. “We heard from the community that it is not the time for a celebratory event. We have some work to do. We look forward to rescheduling the event soon,” she said. The letter from Muslim groups, dated Friday, says neither Robinson’s apology nor Eby’s

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Recent snowpack decline can put BC at risk of another brutal drought season Typically, about two-thirds of the season’s snowfall has already accumulated by February.

Despite the grey and rainy days of BC in the wintertime, the snowpack on mountain ranges throughout the province checked in below average on February 1. The latest snow survey and water supply bulletin from the province, released February 8, reports that the snowpack is 21% below normal provincewide. Just three basins – the Lower Thompson, Boundary and Okanagan – are firmly above average for the date, at 115% or more of normal. The remaining 25 are at or below normal, ranging from the Upper Fraser West basin at 100% of normal to the Skagit at 50% of normal. Snowpack levels declined from a month earlier, when they averaged 82% of normal. Typically, two-thirds of the season’s snowfall has occurred by the beginning of February.

However, things could change in the next two months. “Several low pressure systems have affected coastal B.C. during the first week of February, bringing moderate to heavy precipitation,” the report says, with monitoring stations indicating some snow accumulation. La Niña conditions also hold the promise of lateseason snowfall in some regions. Weather forecasts, for example, indicate an increased likelihood of higher than normal precipitation for the northeastern portions of the province from February through April. These regions entered the winter dry, so any accumulation would be welcome news in advance of the growing season. However, the BC River Forecast Centre expressed concern about the outlook for the coming season.

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Aircraft headed to Whitehorse makes landing in Vancouver An aircraft had to make a quick diversion and land in Vancouver after a mechanical issue. Vancouver International Airport spokesperson Adriana Unger confirms a medevac flight en route to Whitehorse from Victoria requested a ‘diversion’ to YVR at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday. The Learjet 36 with Med Jets airline departed Victoria International Airport at 10:17 p.m. Flight radar shows the aircraft flying over the Strait of

Georgia, looping over Richmond near YVR and then doing a loop over North Delta. The aircraft then travelled toward Squamish, flying over Garibaldi Provincial Park, turning back and flying over Golden Ears Provincial Park. “The aircraft landed safely and taxied to a hangar at YVR’s south terminal,” says Unger. There was no impact on airport operations. It’s not clear how many people were on the flight.

Vancouver woman sues e-bike, battery companies over fire that killed spouse Fire engulfed couple’s downtown filed in provincial court last Tuesday. Sharples’ lawsuit names Vancouver-based apartment on Jan. 31, 2022. e-scooter vendor A Vancouver woman Motorino, is suing several e-bike Surrey-based and e-scooter companies repair shop over a fatal fire two Royer Batteries, years ago that she says To r o n t o killed her partner. based e-bike Kellyann Sharples’ distributor lawsuit alleges that faulty D a y m a k , lithium-ion batteries and Chinese caused her spouse manufacturer Tim Lilley’s death. S h e n z h e n The early-morning Energy Technology. fire engulfed the couple’s downtown Minjyu None of the Canadian defendants Vancouver apartment on Jan. 31, 2022, according to a statement of claim could be reached for comment Saturday.

With car theft rising in Canada, what technologies are criminals using? With car theft accelerating in Canada, the federal government and law enforcement officials say more needs to be done to restrict the different technologies being used by criminals to steal vehicles. The country’s auto theft problem was front and centre in the capital, Ottawa, Thursday with cabinet ministers meeting law enforcement agencies, border officials and other industry stakeholders at a national summit to combat increasing vehicle thefts. Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government will be taking steps to ban the importation, sale and use of consumer hacking devices that criminals use to commit vehicle theft.

“On prevention, criminals are using tools like uncertified and, let me quote, immobilizer reprogrammers and GPS jammers to steal cars,” he said during a press conference in Ottawa Thursday. He said the government has already taken action to remove more than 300 uncertified and illegal products offering and listing from the Canadian distribution chain. Speaking at Thursday’s summit, Terri O’Brien, president and CEO of Équité Association, said ever since the innovations in keyless and remote start technologies were introduced in vehicles, criminals have been taking advantage of “outdated standards” dating back to 2007. “They’re able to quickly and easily exploit these vulnerabilities, gaining access to a locked vehicle in under 60 seconds,” she said.

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RCMP say they have arrested two teenage boys in relation to a shooting targeting a South Surrey home last week. Gunfire broke out at the home in the 2800-block of 154 Street around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 1. In a media release, Surrey Mounties said they searched a home on 140 Street near 77 Avenue on Tuesday, where they seized three guns and multiple electronic devices. Officers also arrested two 16-year-old boys for careless use of a firearm and discharging a firearm with intent. The two have been subsequently released, and no charges have been laid. Last Thursday,

leaders in the B.C. Sikh community said the home belonged to a prominent Sikh activist with ties to murdered Gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar. At a press conference, BC Gurdwaras Council spokesperson Moninder Singh said two shooters had fired more than a dozen bullets at the home, narrowly missing a six-year-old boy. Police said Thursday they continue to investigate a potential motive in the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502

Saturday, February 10, 2024 AAA

Alberta wages wine war with B.C. over direct sales

Alberta is cracking down on direct sales of B.C. wine to consumers, in a move that some in the industry are calling “ridiculous.” In a letter to British Columbian wine sellers, Alberta’s provincial liquor wholesaler threatened to stop stocking B.C. wines instore if wineries didn’t cut their direct-to-

consumer sales, often arranged through wine subscription or membership sales. John Skinner, proprietor of the Painted Rock Estate Winery, is one of those in the industry who received the strongly worded letter from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, threatening to put an end to his wine club.

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“To be approached this aggressively by Alberta, under the circumstances, is just ridiculous,” he said. Roly Russell, parliamentary secretary for rural development in BC, says it’s “disappointing” that Alberta has chosen now to push on the industry, given the growing pressures mounting on the industry from other sources, like weather. “This action out of Alberta is just one more pressure to add into that system, for an industry that really supports a great deal of the economy in B.C.’s southern Interior,” Russell said. Due to cold temperatures in recent years, Russell says about $27 million in production insurance claims have been given to growers who lost vines due to last winter’s cold. The changing climate is forcing wine growers to evolve their growing practices rapidly, he says. According to Russell, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general has recently taken steps to meet with their Alberta counterpart and put a stop to the threat. “This action is not only limiting Albertan’s freedom of choice… but it’s also impacting B.C. wineries in a pretty material way,” Russell said. Skinner says there’s no good reason for this threat to be made, suggesting there’s a simple option to resolve the issue. “We can find a rational, simple, positive solution to this, just do a flat tax and let’s shake hands,” Skinner said.

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From page 1

4 South Asian men, 1 woman charged with extortion in Ontario

Police say they are currently investigating 29 reported incidents of extortion in Peel region dating back to November 2023. Nine of the incidents have involved shootings with multiple rounds being fired at businesses,

From page 1

although no injuries have been reported. Investigators say the businesses being victimized are South Asian restaurants and bakeries, trucking and transport, independent used car dealerships, and jewellery stores.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, February 10, 2024 From page 1

Wall Street snubs China for India in a historic markets shift

Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley endorsing the South Asian nation as the prime investment destination for the next decade. That momentum is triggering a gold rush. The $62 billion hedge fund Marshall Wace has positioned India as its biggest net long bet after the US in its flagship hedge

fund. An arm of Zurich-based Vontobel Holding AG has made the country its top emerging-market holding and Janus Henderson Group Plc is exploring fundhouse acquisitions. Even Japan’s traditionally conservative retail investors are embracing India and paring exposure to China.

Investors are paying close attention to the contrasting trajectories of two of Asia’s greatest powers. India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, has vastly expanded infrastructure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his bid to lure global capital and supply lines away

from Beijing. China, on the other hand, is grappling with chronic economic woes and a widening rift with the Western-led order. “People are interested in India for several reasons — one is simply it’s not China,” said Vikas Pershad, Asian equities portfolio manager at M&G Investments in Singapore.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, February 10, 2024

‘Violent’ sex offender caught, following Canada-wide warrant: Vancouver police Vancouver police say a convicted “high risk and violent sex offender” has been re-arrested, after a Canada-wide warrant was issued when he failed to check in to a halfway house in the city. According to the VPD, Johnny Walkus was re-arrested Wednesday

afternoon and has been returned to custody after being spotted near Cambie Street and West Broadway. Police say he was arrested “without incident.” Walkus was released from the Matsqui Institution on Tuesday and never showed up at the transition home.

Man receives double arson charge after fire at Delta restaurant: police Police in Delta say a man has been arrested after allegedly starting two fires at the same restaurant over two days. Officers say they spotted a fire in a disposal shed near the restaurant along Scott Road on Feb. 1. After scanning surveillance footage, police say they were able to identify a suspect and arrested a 59-year-old man.

Insp. James Sandberg with the Delta Police Department says the suspect is also accused of starting a fire in the same spot a day earlier. “The suspect was arrested and released on an undertaking with two charges of arson reccommended,” Sandberg said. No injuries or major damage to the restaurant were reported, he adds.

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Saturday, February 10, 2024

Doctor to run for B.C. United party in Surrey-Cloverdale riding Surrey Memorial Hospital obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Claudine StornessBliss will run for the B.C. United party in the Surrey-Cloverdale riding in the next election. The riding was won in 2020 by B.C. NDP candidate Mike Starchuk after being held by the B.C. Liberals since 2001. B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon held the seat from 2001 to 2013. “I became a physician because I wanted to make life better for people,” Storness-

Farmers in B.C.’s Interior say rapid fluctuations in winter weather have wiped out many of their peach, grape and cherry crops, meaning consumers will likely see fewer local soft fruits on grocery store shelves this summer.

Housing minister on pre-sale protections after BC man lost life savings

Bliss said in a campaign launch video. “But increasingly, life for many is getting worse. As an OB-GYN at Surrey Memorial Hospital, I’ve seen first-hand the tragic consequences of the chronic, unaddressed challenges in our health-care system. “But I refuse to accept this as the new normal. I’m running as the B.C. United candidate for Surrey-Cloverdale to say no to this new normal and to fix the health-care crisis and the many other challenges facing our province.”

BC’s housing minister is weighing in on the story of a Surrey man who lost his $82,000 deposit when he couldn’t close on a pre-sale home. “When I first heard Mr. [Sudip] Sehgall’s story it broke my heart,” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon told Daily Hive Urbanized. Developers have a responsibility to give homebuyers disclosure statements about their rights to cancel a pre-sale contract, and it’s important that prospective buyers

Some BC fruit to be in short supply this summer after crops decimated by extreme winter Emily Chambers, co-owner of Blue Canoe in Creston, said not one of her orchard’s 1 1/2 hectares of lapins cherry trees has produced a single viable flower bud this season.

“While most of my peach flower buds were killed, their trees will likely recover before next winter — but bear no fruit this season.”

carefully consider them, Kahlon added. It’s why the NDP government introduced the Homebuyer Protection Period last year, creating a mandatory three-business day period where homebuyers have time to secure financing or arrange home inspections — a recommendation from the BC Financial Services Authority to protect consumers amid rising interest rates and high-pressure sales.

The farmers are among those who are calling on senior levels of government to provide financial assistance to B.C. fruitgrowers in the Interior who have been affected by the extreme weather fluctuations.

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Canadian asks British Columbians how they are affording to live “How… do you guys afford to live in this province,” a fellow Canadian is asking British Columbians. BC has the highest cost of living of any Canadian province, with average home prices more than double the national average. It’s the most expensive place to buy or rent, go to the dentist, buy a plane ticket, take public transport, buy clothes, or stay in a hotel. No wonder Canadians living outside BC are getting “second-hand anxiety.” In a recent post from a Redditor from Saskatchewan, they explained that everyone they grew up with “always wanted to move to BC.” “That was the cool place to be,” they said. “More artsy, better weather, more woke, more shit to do.”

However, “I was in the same boat until I saw the housing prices,” the Redditor added. “It literally costs $1 million to have an AVERAGE house in BC. In my city (Saskatoon), the average house costs 375k. Less than HALF.” They went on to say they can’t even comprehend how people in BC are surviving. “Are you simply doomed to pay rent and have roomies for the rest of your life? Are wages ridiculously high? … I don’t get it.” While they would like to live in a “better climate,” they said they would not make the move if it meant possibly going hungry. “Am I missing something?!?” they asked. This question prompted over 700 responses as of Thursday afternoon.

Community news In Person Yoga Classes at Shanti Niketan hall for members, Bingo on February 11th 2024 (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. -------------------------After going on Remarkable 10 cruises (One every year), 62 Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre members of Surrey are heading to go on another Adventurous Cruise to South Africa for 15 days, leaving on 11th Feb. 2024 & coming back on 28th Feb. 2024. They will be visiting

Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Richard Bay in South Africa, Maputo Mozambique, Nosy Be & Antsiranana Ports of Madagascar, Pointe Ges Galets Reunion Island & Mauritius. They are flying from Vancouver to Cape Town -------------------------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 February 11th 2024 (Sunday) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall. -------------------------Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 140th street Surrey V3W5K9, BC Tel. 604 - 507 - 9945

Scary’ secret report prompts MPs to suspend ArriveCAN hearings The House of Commons operations committee has suspended future ArriveCAN hearings after some members raised a “scary” secret report about the controversial app. The sudden suspension of hearings on Wednesday was based on a report produced by Michel Lafleur, executive director of professional integrity at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The report, which is not public, was made available to MPs on the committee. Liberal MP and committee vice-chair Majid Jowhari said he was “flabbergasted” by its preliminary statement of facts.

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“We’re doing a disservice to justice, and I’m being very serious about this. I’m not a lawyer, but what I read, it’s scary,” he said. Jowhari argued that any further hearings into ArriveCAN could jeopardize ongoing investigations into ArriveCAN by the CBSA and the RCMP.. “If I start getting into the level of detail of content that’s available here … and we even limit our questions to process in general, we could lead a conversation in such a way that would force Mr. Lafleur to make statements (leading to a) a certain conclusion that (would be) very risky,” he said. NDP MP Taylor Bachrach agreed with Jowhari.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

INDIA

California state govt department says caste not essential part of Hinduism, amends 2020 complaint A key California state government department has said caste and castebased discrimination are not an essential part of Hinduism, and amended its 2020 complaint alleging discrimination at a Silicon Valley tech giant. According to a statement issued by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) on Tuesday, the California Civil Rights

Department voluntarily filed a motion in the first week of December to amend their complaint against Cisco Systems alleging that caste discrimination occurred at the company. In a victory for HinduAmericans, the amended complaint removes the “erroneous and unconstitutional” assertion that caste and caste discrimination are essential part of Hindu religious teachings and practices, HAF said.

45-year-old cyclist who rode 100 Km daily for over 1,000 days died of cardiac arrest Only hours into American Heart Month, cyclist Anil Kadsur, who completed a metric century every day for 42 months in a row, suffered from a cardiac arrest and died. “Om Shanti, Anil Kadsur! Anil epitomized

fitness in Bengaluru, cycling 100km daily for the past 1500+ days. His sudden departure, attributed to a massive cardiac arrest, reminds us of the unpredictability of such events,” posted Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru, on X, formerly Twitter.

PM Modi confidence of third term PM Narendra Modi exudes confidence of a third term, outlines vision for ‘Modi 3.0’ during his Rajya Sabha speech. “The third term of our government is not far. Some people call it Modi 3.0. In Modi 3.0, we will do whatever it takes to strengthen the foundations of developed

India....Our 10 years focused on ensuring basic amenities for all people. Our next five years will focus on raising their living standards and quality of life. The neo-middle class will be the focus in the next five years,” the Prime Minister said

Court asks Kejriwal to appear on February 17 A Delhi court on Wednesday summoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 17 on a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him over the noncompliance of its summons in a moneylaundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for the national capital. “Cognisance of the complaint has been taken and summons is being issued to him

to appear on February 17,” Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra said. The judge had reserved the order after the ED submitted that it had concluded its arguments in the matter. The ED had on February 3 filed a fresh complaint against Kejriwal for the non-compliance of its summons.

Indian embassy employee in Moscow arrested for spying for Pakistan An employee at India’s embassy in Moscow was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, a development that could sour relations between the South Asian neighbors. Satyendra Siwal, a security assistant in the

Moscow embassy, was arrested Sunday after Indian officials found that he was working on behalf of Pakistan’s spy agency, the InterServices Intelligence Agency, according to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh police.

India’s carrot and stick approach towards recalcitrant Maldives The two countries are battling over an Indian military presence in the in the Indian Ocean archipelago. There are 88 Indian military personnel,

with two choppers and a Dornier aircraft, running emergency medical evacuation and search and rescue operations in the Maldivian archipelago.

Microsoft’s Nadella calls on India to seize opportunity of AI Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella urged countries to aggressively invest in artificial intelligence, making the case in India that his birth country has an unprecedented

opportunity to drive economic growth by capitalizing on the technology’s promise. “AI is really in the air now,” Nadella said during a keynote speech with industry leaders at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

From Zakir Hussain to Shankar Mahadevan, India wins big at Grammys 2024 Shankar Mahadevan, Zakir Hussain and their fellow members from fusion band Shakti won big at the 66th Grammy Awards. Their album ‘The Moment’ won Best Global Music Album. Not just that Zakir Hussain also secured the ‘Best Global Music P e r f o r m a n c e’ Grammy for his contribution to ‘Pashto’. Apart from them, India’s Rakesh Chaurasia also bagged Grammy. Lauding their achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his X

Pakistan

Indian-origin student found dead in US park, fifth incident this year An Indian-origin student was found dead in the US this week, the fifth incident this year. Sameer Kamath, a doctoral candidate at Indiana’s Purdue University, was found dead at a nature reserve on Monday evening, the Warren County Coroner’s office confirmed in a statement. The 23-year-old had completed his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in August 2023 and held a US citizenship, the statement said. He was set to complete his doctoral program in 2025. A forensic autopsy would be conducted today, and the report released soon, officials said. The incident comes just days after another Indian-origin student studying at Purdue University, Neel Acharya, was found dead. His body was found on the campus grounds after his mother filed a missing complaint. His mother, Gaury, had also sought help on social media to find him, revealing

that Neel was last seen by an Uber driver who dropped him off at the campus. Last week, 19-year-old Shreyas Reddy was found dead in Ohio. Authorities ruled out any foul play or a possibility of a hate crime in the case. Vivek Saini, pursuing an MBA in Georgia’s Lithonia, died on January 16 after he was attacked by a homeless man. Saini was attacked when he refused to provide free food to the man. Faulkner allegedly struck the student 50 times, leading to Saini’s death. These incidents have drawn attention to the challenges faced by the large Indian student community in the United States, numbering over 300,000. Mental stress, loneliness, and exposure to substance abuse are cited as factors contributing to the gravity of such cases, with experts emphasising the need for increased awareness and support systems to address the mental health concerns of international students.

Candidates backed by Imran Khan’s party leading as poll panel announce some results

Former prime minister Imran Khan abd his party Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) was barred from contesting federal elections held on Thursday. Independent candidates linked to former PM Imran Khan were outperforming expectations in Pakistan’s election, local TV tallies showed, as a slow trickle of official results sparked fears of a fix.

Press release

account and congratulated them. He wrote, ‘Congratulations on your phenomenal success at the #GRAMMYs! Your exceptional talent and dedication to music have won hearts worldwide. India is proud!’ PM added, ‘These achievements are a testament to the hardwork you keep putting in. It will also inspire the new generation of artists to dream big and excel in music.’ For more news and updates, stay tuned to ETimes.

INDIA

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was barred from contesting Thursday’s election as a bloc, but unofficial tallies by local TV channels showed independent candidates -- including dozens anointed by his party -- leading in most constituencies. By 6 am (0100 GMT, India time, Friday) more than 13 hours after polling stations closed Election Commission

Province continues support for fairs, festivals, events

VICTORIA - B.C.-based events are receiving more government support for sustained recovery in response to calls from this sector for help. “Fairs, festivals and events are the heart of our communities and contribute to making this province a vibrant place to live and visit,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Our government is proud to support the people who organize and attend these events so we can continue to rebuild our events and tourism sectors for today and the future.” The Province is providing $15 million in one-time grants to eligible events through the B.C. Fairs, Festivals and Events fund (BCFFE). Event organizers will be able to tackle ongoing challenges the sector faces, such as reduced revenue and sponsorships, and rising costs of equipment and services. Pandemicrelated impacts on events and communities were amplified by the worst wildfire season in 2023, causing event cancellations and a decline in visitors to certain areas of the province. Event funding will also support those areas affected by the 2023 wildfires and will help boost visitation and generate economic activity for those communities. “The core of our work is to listen and respond to the priorities of people in B.C.,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. “We know fairs, festivals and events have impacts that go well beyond what can be measured in economic terms. They are a source of community pride and build awareness of our diverse cultures and identities.”

This funding builds on the success of the BCFFE program launched in 2021, which provided one- time grants to support the safe return of events earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic. The one- time grants in 2023 continued support to help events still recovering. Eligible events include sporting events, arts and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs and rodeos. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, Indigenous consultation and honorariums, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Events between April 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, are eligible for funding. Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Quick Facts: t4JODF UIF # $ HPWFSONFOU has supported the tourism sector with more than $500 million in tourism support, including: - nearly $30 million in 2021 to support 682 fairs, festivals and events in 134 communities throughout B.C, and another $30 million in February 2023 to support 1,172 events in 184 communities; - more than $17 million to support Indigenous tourism in B.C., one of the fastest growing sectors of the industry; and - more than $300 million to support small and medium-sized business recovery, with $154 million for tourism infrastructure, $36.8 million for major attractions and $8 million to restart business events, create jobs and spur econo

of Pakistan (ECP) announced just eight National Assembly (lower house of parliament) results, with three seats going to PTI-linked candidates. The ECP earlier blamed “internet problems” for the delay. TV stations were basing their projections on counting done at the local constituency level. “Why did they take so long? Why not announce results before 1 am?” asked Ambreen Naz, 35, a businesswoman in Lahore. “You know what will happen now? The stock market will open with volatile swings. The dollar will rise and the rupee will fall. All because they delayed the results and

made them controversial,” she told AFP. Earlier, before the first results were announced, PTI chief organiser Omar Ayub Khan said he was confident the party had done enough. “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed independent candidates have the ability to form the next federal government with a two-thirds majority,” he said in a video statement released to media. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had been expected to win the most seats following Thursday’s vote, with analysts saying its 74-year-old founder Nawaz Sharif had the blessing of the military-led establishment.

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Saturday, February 10, 2024

FIJI

PAKISTAN

National airline rejects allegations made in complaint to FICAC Fiji’s national airline Fiji Airways has rejected allegations made against the company in a complaint directed to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in connection with certain

charter flights it operated between Fiji and Israel in September and October last year. According to the airline, the allegations primarily concerned the legality of a Deed of Forbearance and guarantee

Bainimarama, Sayed-Khaiyum and Neil Sharma granted bail Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama; former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister, Neil Sharma have been granted bail by Chief Magistrate Waleen George.

Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum are represented by R. Patel lawyers Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima while Hemendra Nagin and Ritesh Singh from Sherani and Co. are representing Dr. Sharma.

Heavy rain forecast for Northern & Eastern Viti Levu A Heavy Rain Warning is now in force for the Northern and Eastern parts of Viti Levu (Tavua, Rakiraki, Tailevu, Navua, Suva, Nausori, interior Ba-Ra-Naitasiri and Serua-Namosi), the Northern Division, Yasawa, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.

The Nadi Weather Office says a trough of low pressure lies slow moving over the Fiji Group, which is likely to bring heavy rain. A few thunderstorms are also expected over the heavy rain warning areas from later tonight.

Pakistan’s elections are being brazenly rigged, Why doesn’t the U.S. seem to care? Various opinion polls put Khan’s popularity at around 60% to 80% and the threat of a strong showing from his supporters may prompt the military to take more decisive action to hobble them. “The election as it is set up is already not free nor fair,” says Afzal. “The only question, in my view, is if there is overt rigging on election day.” Street violence and any security response would, above all, make it more difficult to secure another IMF bailout, one deemed essential to avoid default and potential economic collapse. “My greatest fear is that this election is going to be called out for being a sham,” says Anita Weiss, a professor of international studies at the University of Oregon. “And there will be riots all over Pakistan that it can barely endure because of the severe economic crisis.”

30 killed in twin blasts in Pakistan day before federal election

FNPF is financially strong and every members’ savings are safe- FNPF The Fiji National Provident Fund has assured their members that the Fund is financially strong and every members’ savings are safe and secured despite the increased withdrawal due to migration and lump sum payments. This was highlighted by the FNPF

Chief Operating Officer Pravinesh Singh during the FNPF Annual Member Forum at the Ba Civic Centre when questioned on the safety and security of the members’ funds. Singh says whenever the members have applied for withdrawal, they have been

Metro Vancouver ‘toughest’ rental market in Canada, says CMHC Renters in Metro Vancouver are facing an uphill battle as they navigate rising prices and one of the lowest vacancy rates in Canada. That’s according to a new report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) that shows vacancy rates for the region remained unchanged last year at 0.9 per cent when compared with 2022. The

At least 30 people were killed and more than 40 injured on Wednesday in twin blasts targeting election offices in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, a day before the

Real Estate

average turnover rate for all bedroom types fell to 8.1 per cent in 2023 from 10.7 per cent the year prior, the Jan. 31 report said. A rental unit is considered “turned over” if it was occupied by a new tenant who moved in during the 12-month survey period. “I would say Vancouver’s rental market is probably the toughest market in the country,” said Braden Batch, a senior

As such, the Biden Administration may yet regret not taking a stronger stance to protect the democratic values it claims to hold so dear. “It would likely not have changed the overall direction of what’s happening,” says Afzal. “[But] Washington voicing concern would have given Pakistan’s military establishment pause, and perhaps softened the extent of the crackdown.” For a man staring down the barrel of a 10year jail sentence, Fromer Prime Minister, Imran Khan was oddly nonchalant in court last Tuesday. As his representatives argued passionately for a fair hearing, Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister retrieved his eyeglasses, unfolded a newspaper, and did his utmost to ignore the surrounding commotion. “At one point he looks up and says, ‘Oh, I don’t need to listen to this, it’s a fixed

general election in the coup-prone country. In the first incident, a powerful blast outside the office of independent candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar in Pishin district

Metro Vancouver home prices impacted by levies, taxes: report

It’s no secret Metro Vancouver is one of the least affordable regions in Canada, and a new report released Tuesday suggests property taxes, levies, and fees are adding to the burden. RE/MAX Canada’s 2024 Tax Report finds tens of thousands of Canadians contributed to the exodus from the country’s costliest areas to more affordable regions like Alberta and the Maritimes in 2023.

“While some homebuyers were content to move outside of core markets within their province, close to 60,000 Canadians found their answer to the current housing crisis in Alberta and, to a lesser extent, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island,” the release from RE/MAX explained.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Man shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar In the first targeted killing of the year, terrorists on Wednesday shot dead a worker from Punjab while another sustained injuries in Habba Kadal area of the city, officials said here. Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was shot by the terrorists from point blank range at Shalla Kadal locality in Habba Kadal around 7 pm, the officials said. They said Singh died on the spot while another non-local worker identified as Rohit, aged

6 years jail for former DSP in bribery case A special CBI court in Chandigarh sentenced former Mohali DSP (Deputy Superntendent Police) to six years’ jail for taking bribe of Rs 1 lakh, officials said here. The court also imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on her, they said. “The CBI had registered case on July 22, 2011 against Raka Ghira, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Punjab Police, Mohali, and Manmohan Singh, reader to the DSP, on allegations of demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh for helping the complainant in the FIRs registered against him.

Chairman Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority resigns Former IAS officer Satya Gopal has resigned as Chairperson of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Punjab. His resignation has been accepted by the Governor. He had joined as chairman of RERA in December 2022, within nine months of the Aam Aadmi Party forming the government in Punjab. He had retired from service in July 2022. Though no official reason has been given for Satya Gopal’s resignation, he was reportedly on leave for the past some time.

Govt to bring law to curb illegal colonies in Punjab - CM Mann Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said his govt would bring a law to check the mushrooming of illegal colonies in the state. Mann said this at a meeting here in the wake of the state government’s decision to do away with the requirement of ‘No-Objection Certificate’ (NOC) for registration of land and property.

PUNJAB

Saturday, February 10, 2024