The Asian Star February 27 2016

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 15

Issue 4 Saturday, February 27, 2016

Tel: 604-591-5423

The Journey continues- An interview with Tejpal Singh Mann

Aston Martin to develop first EV with China’s LeEco

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Fiji devastated by Cyclone

An aerial view of town of Rakiraki, which was smashed by Tropical Cyclone Winston last week, along with other areas. 50 are dead and 68,000 homeless. See more stories and pictures on pages 30-31

Sixty linked to terror back in Canada

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ixty Canadians have returned home after travelling abroad to join banned terror groups, while another 180 are still engaged with these organizations, Canada’s spy master told a local newspaper. “The total number of people overseas involved in threat-related activities, and I’m not just talking about Iraq and Syria, is probably around 180,” Canadian Security Intelligence Service director Michel Coulombe told the Globe and Mail newspaper. “In Iraq and Syria, we are probably talking close to 100,” he added.

Continued on page 4

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B.C. Lions’ team doctor receives award from India Local doctor Navin Prasad (pictured) has received ‘Hind Ratan’ award from India. A letter from India informed him he had been selected as a recipient of the Hind Rattan Award. It was given annually to accomplished former residents of India. He had never heard of it before. He asked relatives in India to check out the award and the society that administers it. Sure enough, the award was real. The society presented him the award in Delhi on Jan. 25, India’s Republic Day — the equivalent of our Canada Continued on page 6

Slain BC woman’s mom, uncle granted judicial review of extradition order to India

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he family members accused in the slaying of Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu have been granted a judicial review of an extradition order made by former justice minister Peter MacKay, on the basis that they may not receive a fair trial in India. Jas-

winder (Jassi) Sidhu was found dead, her throat slit, in Punjab in 2000. She was 25.

Her mother, Malkit Sidhu, and uncle, Surjit Badesha, both of Maple Ridge, B.C., were arrested in 2012, suspected of a so-called “honour killing”. Continued on page 7

Liberals project $18-billion deficit before counting billions in new spending

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he Liberal government is setting the stage for a budget deficit that will be nearly three times the maximum $10-billion the party promised during the election campaign. Finance Minister Bill Morneau took the unusual move of revising his own November fiscal update in

an effort to highlight the degree to which the economy is underperforming expectations from just three months ago, largely because of persistently low oil prices.

Key facts about the upcoming federal budget in under a minute (The Globe and Mail) At a town-hall event in Ottawa, Mr. Continued on page 6

LOCAL

2 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Twelve Honda Civics stolen in 48 hours in Langley area

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ar thieves have been busy in Langley this month.

In two nights alone, 12 older Honda Civics were reported stolen, many in north Langley but also in other parts of the city and township. “Over the last month, the Langleys have seen a steep increase in thefts of older Honda Civics,” said Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy. “Unfortunately, older vehicles are easier to target because they are less likely to have the most effective security features.”

Largy said ICBC ranks Honda Civics as the most popular stolen vehicle in the province, followed by the Honda Accord.

Police offer a few tips to vehicle owners

to reduce opportunities for thieves:\ * Park in a secure, well-lit area near pedestrian traffic.

Always lock doors and close windows, even if you’re away from your vehicle for a very short time.

If possible, park your vehicle in your garage or driveway overnight. * If you have an older vehicle, use an anti-theft device, such as an electronic engine immobilizer, a vehicle alarm, a steering wheel lock or a car wheel boot. * Don’t store a spare or valet key in your vehicle. * Wait for garage door gates to close behind you so thieves don’t have a chance to get in the parkade.

Two-thirds of Canadians think gov’t should intervene in housing market - Poll

Two-thirds of Canadians included in a recent poll said the government should get more involved in the housing market to ensure the system is fair.

That’s one of the main conclusions of a report released Friday by the Angus Reid Institute, based on the opinions of a representative randomized sample of 5,867 Canadians who were polled online in the first two weeks of February.

■DON PITTIS: Housing faces looming demographic bubble ■20% correction would put young homeowners underwater Across the country, two-thirds of those polled thought the government needed to intervene more in the housing market. The remaining third thought that government should stay out and leave it to the industry to manage.

It’s not clear, however, what form of intervention that should be. The questions didn’t specify a particular level of government or method of intervening.

Ottawa has already recently moved to cool a particular segment of the market, requiring down payments of at least 10 per cent for properties valued at more than $500,000.

That takes aim at two markets in particular — the Greater Toronto and Vancouver areas — where starter homes are for the most part priced above that threshold. The CMHC rules could have the effect at cooling the lower end of those hot markets without harming other markets where speculation isn’t seen to be as much of a concern.

More than seven per cent of poll respondents said the new rule changes made them less likely to buy a home now.

Extrapolating the sample size across the Canadian population, that could Continued on page 24

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Photo by Chandra Bodalia.

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OLG pays out record $120M in 1 day to 2 lottery winners

he OLG said it was the most money it has paid out in one day.

They winners are: John Henry, a grandfather from Mississauga, who won the Christmas Day Lotto Max jackpot. Joan Patterson, a rancher from the Owen Sound area, won the Feb. 5 Lotto Max draw. Mississauga must be a great place to play the lottery.

The winning ticket for the largest Two lucky winners each picked up $60 million at the Ontario outstanding prize (meaning the Lottery and Gaming Commission’s Toronto office today. winner hasn’t come forward) that is listed on the OLG website was sold in the ever awarded was $63,413,885 for the April Toronto suburb — a $64-million Lotto 6/49 13, 2013, draw. That money was shared between four ticket holders — three in British jackpot from the Oct. 17 draw.

Previously, the largest Lotto 6/49 jackpot Columbia and one in Western Canada.

Liberals give back Canadian citizenship to terrorist leader

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he federal government is scrapping measures brought in by the Conservatives that allow Ottawa to revoke the citizenship of Canadians convicted of terrorism and other offences. Legislation last year allowed Canadians who held dual nationalities to be stripped of their Canadian citizenship if they were found guilty of terrorism, treason or spying offences.The Liberals campaigned on a promise to revoke the measures and have now made good on their pledge. Immigration Minister John McCallum introduced his new bill when the House of Commons began sitting Thursday.

“It will still be possible to revoke citizenship, as it always has been, for those who misrepresent who they are or who are guilty of citizenship fraud,” McCallum told reporters. “I think under the previous law there was a risk of a slippery slope,” he said. “If one crime made you eligible for revocation this year, what crimes could be added next year?

“We do have a criminal justice system. We do have courts. We do have prisons where those convicted of crimes are sent. And that is the way in which we deal with this.”

Toronto 18 ringleader’s citizenship restored During the campaign, the Conservatives moved to revoke the citizenship of Zakaria Amara of the so-called Toronto 18, a group of men convicted for plotting to place bombs in Southern Ontario, but the matter is still before the courts. An exchange on the issue between then-prime minister Stephen Harper and current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the more heated moments in the federal leaders debate on foreign policy, with Harper asking why those convicted of terrorism shouldn’t have their citizenship taken away. “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian,” Trudeau responded.

“And you devalue the citizenship of every Canadian in this place and in this country when you break down and make it conditional for anybody.”

FedElxn Debate 20150928 Justin Trudeau went on the attack during last fall’s election debate on foreign policy, telling Stephen Harper that his government’s move to strip citizenship from individuals convict-

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Vancouver top North American city again in quality of life survey rankings by Mercer

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ancouver is once again ranked the top city in North America in the latest annual quality of living survey released Tuesday by consulting firm Mercer. The city also maintained its fifth spot among cities around the world and its place as the only North American city to crack the top 10. Vienna was tops for overall quality of living, followed by Zurich, Auckland, New Zealand and Munich - all the same as a year ago. “Quality of living continues to be high in Canada with a stable political environment and positive social benefits, offering a very desirable and safe place to live and work for residents and expatriate employees,” said Gordon Frost, leader of Mercer’s talent business in Canada. “Our sustained high ranking is attractive to multinational corporations and their employees as they look to expand in Canada and provide significant opportunities to both Canadians and workers from abroad.”

The rankings are based on a broad range of factors including social and economic conditions, public services, recreation and environment. Vancouver’s place at the top for North America comes despite concerns about the cost of living and home prices due to the city’s red-hot real estate market. Housing affordability for Vancouver has become a key issue for the city, where the average cost of a detached house in many neighbourhoods has soared past the million-dollar mark. Other Canadian cities on the list include Toronto at 15th, Ottawa at 17th, Montreal at 23rd and Calgary at 32nd. The top U.S. city was San Francisco at 28th. The report also ranks cities by measuring other factors including personal safety, which is based on internal stability, crime and local law enforcement, as well as their home country’s relationship with other nations. Luxembourg was the highest ranked on the personal safety list followed by Bern, Switzerland, Helsinki and Zurich - all tied for second.

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4 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

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EDITORIAL

Gov’t must identify terrorists returning home to Canada

he federal Liberal government has to tell Canadians who are the terrorists who went to fights abroad and are now returning to lie in Canada with us.

Canadian security Intelligence Services says 60 such terror fighters have returned to Canada and they are tracking another 180 who may be on the way back here.

What are these hardened fighters going to do once they are here?

And what is the Liberal government doing to protect us from these terrorists??

Not much, it seems.

Here is something the government can do right away to help Canadians protect themselves.

The government should immediately publicize names and addresses of all those it suspects of being terrorists who went abroad to fight with terror groups, such as ISIL, so at least their neighbors a are aware of who is living next to them The protection of ordinary Canadians is far more important than protecting the privacy of terrorists.

“The total number of people overseas involved in threat-related activities – and I’m not just talking about Iraq and Syria – is probably around 180,” Canadian Security Intelligence Service director Michel Coulombe says. “In Iraq and Syria, we are probably talking close to 100.”

These people are involved in various activities, including direct combat, training, fundraising to support attacks, promoting radical views and planning terrorist violence.

The CSIS director said the greatest danger to this country remains terror suspects who have not managed to leave Canada.

“By talking about the number of people who are overseas, we are not thinking about people who are either prevented from travelling or have no intention of travelling but are here in Canada and are actually involved in threat-related activities,” he said.

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said Canadian security agencies are keeping careful tabs on the 60 people who have returned home, even if they do not have enough evidence to charge them with terrorist activities.

“So we have people coming back to Canada. We will make sure they are interviewed and assessed objectively,” Mr. Paulson said.

“We will look at those people in the ops centre and say, ‘Okay, what have we got? What do we know,’ and in some cases, we have to be on them 24/7.”

Coulombe told MPs on the committee that CSIS has already used its new disruptive-activities authority under Bill C-51, the controversial anti-terrorism law enacted by the former Conservative government. This power allows CSIS to disable a mobile device, halt financial transactions or talk to someone who might be susceptible to engaging in terrorist acts.

Another part of Bill C-51, which the Liberal government is promising to review, gives the spy agency the ability to ask a judge for permission to contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but Coulombe said the agency has not had to use that power.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is setting up a new national Office of Counter-Radicalization within his department to work with communities and security agen-

Sixty linked to terror back in Canada From page 1 An agency official was not immediately available to confirm the figures, which represent a significant jump in the number of Canadians reported to be involved in “terrorist” activities.

A 2014 national security report said 130 Canadians overseas were being tracked by CSIS. They are said to be involved in fighting, training, fundraising to support attacks, promoting extremist views and planning attacks.

Federal police chief Bob Paulson said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is keeping tabs on those who have returned to Canada, some of them around the clock.

cies to turn young people away from extremism.

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Local

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B.C. Lions’ team doctor receives award from India From page 1

Day. But why had he been chosen as the recipient? Prasad said the society doesn’t reveal its reasons. It does that in part to avoid being swamped with applications from among an estimated 25 million non-residents of India (NRIs) who are eligible for the award. It used to be given only to businessmen, but in the past decade, potential recipients have included those working in science, medicine and the arts. In chapters around the world, the NRI Welfare Society nominates people who have made some kind of outstanding contribution in their field.

Prasad believes he was chosen because he’s one of the first Indo-Canadian physicians in sports medicine.

He has represented Canada in three Olympic Games, five Pan American Games and four Commonwealth Games, and was chief medical officer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Local sports fans might know him better as one of three team doctors for the B.C. Lions.

Asked what the award meant to him, Prasad said: “It’s kind of nice to be validated for

work that’s your passion that you’re already doing anyway. Someone else looks at it and says, ‘We want to recognize you for something you’ve done.’ ” Prasad also says he appreciates that the place where he was born maintains the connection. Born in Patna, India, Prasad grew up in Edmonton from the age of five. In high school, he was active in sports, playing football and soccer.

But when he tore his left ACL at age 18 he faced a big decision. Getting an operation meant he was committed to playing at an elite level. But he was already thinking of going to medical school. In the 1980s, sports medicine was barely 20 years old. As Prasad recovered from his injury, he thought about going into this field that combined his interest in sports and medicine. After graduating in medicine from the University of Alberta, Prasad headed to UBC to train at Canada’s first sports medicine program. In 1991, he became a member of the McGavin Sports Medicine Clinic. It was through the clinic that he became one of the physicians for the B.C. Lions.

aman@ewfinancial.ca

Liberals project $18-billion deficit before counting billions in new spending From page 1 Morneau announced that Ottawa is on ed for a party that will invest in the economy. track to run an $18.4-billion deficit next “That’s what we got elected to do and that’s year, even before adding the billions in new what we are going to deliver,” he said. Monspending promised by the Liberals during day’s update to the update lowers the 2016 the election campaign. He also announced forecast for North American crude prices to that the budget will be released on Tuesday, $40 (U.S.) from $54. Private-sector economists March 22. The Liberals campaigned on a have generally been in favour of some fiscal plan to run deficits of up to $10-billion a stimulus from Ottawa, especially given the year to fund new spending, which means fact that the Bank of Canada has largely run that, roughly estimated, delivering on those out of room to lower interest rates. National promises would push the size of next year’s Bank economist Marc Pinsonneault said the projected deficit to nearly $30-billion. “Our expected size of the deficits should not scare starting point is much further back than we off foreign investors and will still keep Canthought,” Mr. Morneau explained. On Tuesada’s debt-to-GDP ratio relatively low. “In day, the minister will face questions from our view, the government has the flexibility to MPs when he appears before the House provide fiscal stimulus to a Canadian economy of Commons finance committee. He then that badly needs it,” he said. However, one Bay heads to Shanghai, China, for a meeting of Street economist warned that Ottawa must be G20 finance ministers and central bankers. careful that Canada’s stellar credit rating is not The decision to update the bottom line put at risk. “An overly aggressive fiscal boost just four weeks before releasing the budcould do lasting damage to Canada’s finances, get is viewed as an attempt to get the govcasting doubt on the country’s hard-won triernment’s bad deficit news out of the way ple-A credit rating,” Doug Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, early in order to increase public attention said in a research note. Mr. Porter added in an on the party’s plans to boost the economy. The minister made clear Monday that interview that Ottawa’s credit rating is indirectthe government is not backing down from ly tied to the strength of provincial finances its spending promises in areas such as inand several provinces are struggling with high frastructure. Interim Conservative leader debt, meaning the federal government must Rona Ambrose said the worsening economy keep provincial finances in mind as it takes on should cause the Liberals to review and scale new debt of its own. Finance Canada bases its back their spending rather then break their budget numbers on an average forecast from promise to keep deficits under $10-billion. private-sector economists. That average is now “This is a recipe for waste and mismansignificantly lower for 2015 and 2016, though agement,” said Ms. Ambrose, describing the largely unchanged for 2017. The November Liberal approach to deficits as reckless and fiscal update assumed nominal growth, which irresponsible. “The reality now is that it is includes inflation, would reach 4.2 per cent in not a time to spend. Based on slow econom2016. That has since been reduced to 2.4 per ic growth, it’s a time for the Finance Minister cent. The average nominal GDP forecast for to talk about controlling spending,” she said.

2017 of 4.6-per-cent growth has not changed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded The government’s deficit forecast includes a in Question Period, saying Canadians redoubling of the commonly used cushion for risk. jected the Conservative approach and vot-

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Slain BC woman’s mom, uncle granted judicial review of extradition order to India

Malkit Sidhu is 65, and was admitted to hospital he minister ordered their surrender to twice for heart issues since she was taken into cusface charges of murder and conspiracy tody. Badesha, 70, has also required medical treatto commit murder, conditional on as- ment while in custody awaiting extradition.They surances from India that they would not face the are accused of killing Jassi Sidhu after she married death penalty, that their health and safety would Mithu Sidhu, a rickshaw driver she had met in Inbe protected in custodia a few years dy, and they would reearlier. ceive consular access.

Her family In January 2015, did not apMacKay wrote to prove of the the accused’s counmatch. Jassi sel, saying he had Sidhu and received assurances her husband from India, and that were attacked he considered them as they rode satisfactory.

That a scooter in decision was then a village near appealed. India’s asSangrur, Punsurances not enough jab, in June Jassi Sidhu (right) with husband In its judgement re2000. Accordleased Friday, the B.C. ing to reports in India, her husband was severely Court of Appeal said that, in the light of India’s beaten and left for dead. Jassi Sidhu was kidnapped human rights record, it was not reasonable for the and later killed. Her throat was slit and her body minister to accept India’s assurances over the fu- was left in a canal. The case received extensive ture health and safety of the accused. The decision media coverage, which included a book and more was a majority, with one justice against granting than one television documentary. the review. The accused both have health issues.

BC Hydro applies for 4% rate increase

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

C Hydro has applied to the B.C. Utilities Commission for an interim rate increase of four per cent for fiscal 2017, effective April 1.

The requested hike is equivalent to an extra $4 per month per residential customer according to Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald.

McDonald says the increase is in line with the utilities’ 10-year plan, but the application is for an interim increase while Hydro buys time to rework its forecasts in light of the decline mining sector and changes to the LNG landscape.

B.C. Hydro website BC Hydro President and CEO Jessica McDonald says Hydro is reviewing its three-year plan in light of declining mining revenues and a change in LNG prospects. “The changes, that we need a little bit of time to rework our forecast around, are due primarily to changes in the mining sector, said McDonald. “As you know there’s been a continued decline in commodity prices. At the same time, over the last couple of weeks, you’ve heard a couple of LNG companies make announcements about a shift in their decisions, and so we’ll incorporate those changes at the same time.�

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8 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

Maple Batalia murder trial begins next week

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aple Batalia, 19, was an aspiring actress and model who studied health sciences at Surrey’s Simon Fraser University campus before she was murdered in Whalley a little more than five years ago. She was shot in the back seven times while returning to her car, which had been parked on the third-level of the campus’s parking lot.

Paramedics had struggled to save her but she died in hospital.

The attack happened in the early morning hours of Sept. 28, 2011, after a late-night study session.

Her brother, Kulmeet, told the Now shortly after her death that his sister was generally a homebody who studied hard. She’d been hitting the books at the campus library and called home shortly before the shooting, he said.

“She said, ‘I’ll be 10 minutes more, I’m doing my homework,’” Kulmeet said Maple told their mom during what would be their final conversation.

Next Tuesday, her alleged killers will be tried in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster in a judge-only trial with Justice Terry Schultes presiding.

Gurjinder Dhaliwal and Gursimar Bedi, both in their 20s, are the accused. Dhaliwal is charged with first-degree murder and Bedi is charged with manslaughter using a firearm and accessory after the fact.

Both were arrested following a 14-month police investigation. They sat in separate boxes, behind glass, and did not look at each other during a court hearing on Tuesday afternoon. The trail was expected to open then but Schultes agreed to adjourn

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the trial for a week, at defence lawyer Simon Buck’s request, so he can first review a ruling the judge is expected to deliver on Monday morning.

Schultes said it was a “proper and reasonable request.” Buck is Dhaliwal’s lawyer and Bedi’s counsel is Hovan Patey and Justin Myers. “We anticipate a very large volume of admissions,” Patey told the court. The Crown prosecutors are Wendy Stephen and Brad Kielmann.

Stephen told the judge the Crown’s case will likely be wrapped up in under two weeks.

Shortly after Batalia was killed, a couple hundred people attended a candlelig ht vigil for her at Holland Park and about the same number came one year later, to show they haven’t forgotten.

Her family has raised more than $50,000 for a bursary in her name, to benefit female students enrolled in Simon Fraser University’s health sciences program. At one point 25 homicide detectives were working on the case, around the clock. “The loss of Maple Batalia, a beautiful young woman with a promising life in front of her is a tragedy that cannot be measured in the community,” Chief Supt. Bill Fordy, in charge of the Surrey RCMP, said shortly after her death. “For all those who knew and loved her, most especially her loving family, the pain is evident and immeasurable.”tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com

IHIT investigating suspicious death in Abbotsford

omicide investigators are looking into the death of a man who died inside an apartment on Center Street in Abbotsford on Tuesday.

Abbotsford police say they received a call around 3:30 p.m. about a “suspicious circumstance” at an apartment complex on

Center Street at Peardonville Road. A man located in one of the suites was pronounced dead at the scene, and police say his death is considered to be suspicious. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448.

New BC Gov’t policy to increase pricing of wine and liquor Low end booze is about to become more expensive thanks to new minimum pricing policies announced by the B.C. Liquor control and Licensing Branch. The move to minimum pricing is being introduced “to help ensure that liquor with very low wholesale prices is not retailed as prices that may encourage abuse or over consumption.” Starting May 1 retail liquor and wine stores across the province will not be allowed to sell liquor for less than the following: Minimum price per litre (not including sales tax) Wine - $6.44 Spirits - $27.88 Liqueurs - $20.39 Packaged Beers (bottles and cans) - $3.1 Draught Beer (kegs 18 litres of greater) $1.97 Ciders and Coolers - $3.75

Current generation of young Canadians wealthiest ever: federal study

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anada’s young adults are struggling financially, stuck in crappy McJobs, saddled with student debt and living in their parents’ basements, right?

Wrong, says a new analysis from the federal Finance Department: 28 to 34-year-olds are actually the wealthiest such generation in Canadian history. “The current generation of young Canadians is, on average, wealthier than previous generations of young Canadians,” says the confidential report, though with some cautionary notes. “Young Canadians … born in the first half of the 1980s had an average net worth of close to $93,000 per adult. In contrast, previous generations of young Canadians had an average net worth of about $60,000 per adult — 35 per cent less once adjusted for inflation.” The report says burgeoning real-estate is not by itself driving the increase in wealth. Canada’s younger generations are saving just as much or more than their parents did. And these well-to-do, youthful Canadians are prospering far more than their counterparts in the United States, Britain and Australia, where “younger generations are no longer successively wealthier.”

A heavily censored version of the Sept.

15, 2015, report, marked “SECRET,” was obtained by CBC News under the Access to Information Act. The findings raise questions about the Liberal government’s focus on helping young Canadians through difficult times, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself taking on the youth portfolio in cabinet.

At least one critic, however, says the rosy findings mask a growing wealth inequality between the rich and everyone else. The authors do add a cautionary note, saying that because people will likely continue to live longer, the lifetime savings required for retirement may be larger than for previous

generations. The study is based on five publicly available wealth surveys carried out from 1977 to 2012. Finance Canada researchers say they carried out the work last summer on their own initiative, rather than responding to a request from then-finance minister Joe Oliver, because of a gap in existing research. The report was delivered to the deputy minister in the middle of the election campaign, they say, only because it was ready.

Another perhaps unexpected finding was that, unlike previous economic downturns, “the 2008 recession did not seem to affect much the wealth holdings and earning potential of today’s generation of young middle-income Canadians.” And income levels have been higher for these young people than for the youth of a previous generation. [“The wealth of today’s generation of young Canadians has increased at a much faster pace than their income in the 2000s.”

The study also says average student debt, often cited as a financial albatross, plays a “minor role” in wealth outcomes.

David Macdonald, a think-tank economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, says the finding of greater wealth among all youth is accurate — but much of that asset accumulation is happening only among the already wealthy.

“You need to be very careful of which youth are driving this trend,” he said after reviewing the Finance Department report and comparing it with his own study from last June. “As with other inequality trends, it’s the high end that’s driving up net worth for those in their 20s or 30s. The dramatic increase in net worth across almost all age groups since 1999 has been incredible for the top 10 per cent in those groups but a disaster for wealth inequality compared to say middle-class youth.”

PERSON OF THE WEEK Chhavi Disawar

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The Journey continues- An interview with Tejpal Singh Mann

he best things that happen to you are unplanned ones”, not a lot of people would agree to this statement.

However, there are people who have experienced it. I am not emphasising that one should not plan things for living but one should take life the way it comes to your platter. Sometimes nature has better plans for us than we think.

Many renowned people have gone through similar situations. A footballer turning cricketer, a scientist turning reporter, a social worker turning actor are some of the examples we hear around us.

We actually got an opportunity to meet one of such persons who never thought he would love doing something that he has never thought of.

We are talking about Mr. Tejpal Singh Mann, a decorative painter, mural and fine arts artist who is not only renowned in our community but is highly admired in mainstream market too. His realistic approach to his artwork has created all the difference.

“There was a time when I did not even know about murals at all. I took a course in arts out of curiosity. Fortunately, my instructor was a very motivating person who never made me feel behind in any creation. Her encouragements inspired me a lot and I proceeded ahead with this field”, told Tejpal in an interview with The Asian Star.

Tejpal Singh Mann is a multitalented artist who apart from being a wonderful artist is adroit at skills like photography and software like Photo Shop. Tejpal is fond of reading books related to arts, world religions, philosophy, and psychology and new age sciences that provide him an extra edge in his fields of interest.

“I like to visit libraries and read about my subject. I have taken full time photography courses and have worked as a photographer for quiet some time but I find paintings providing a wider spectrum to express my creativity. Painting

to me is a meditative and relaxing experience that cannot be captured in words”, told Tejpal.

Tejpal resides in Surrey, BC and as per his education is concerned, he is from electronics background.

“I never thought I will pursue arts as my career ahead. I completed my study

in electronics after completing grade 10.

My graduation is in Economics and Agricultural marketing and post graduation in Marketing Management. After coming to Canada I did study computer hardware and started my business in the same”, said Tejpal. A common belief states that ‘Artists are born, not made’, but Tejpal’s thinks from a different prospect.

“I believe that anyone can be an artist.

However, you need to have an aptitude and time for it. It is like any other skilled profession where you need to know certain rules to start with it. It is same as driving a car.

When you are aware about the techniques, no one can push you down”, smiled Tejpal.

Tejpal admires all the local, national and International artists but his favorite artist is Sandro Botticelli.

His paintings range from themes based on abstract to wildlife and everything in between. From spirituality to romance, Tejpal has touched all topics that interests’ different mindsets.

Talking about Tejpal’s painting style, he said,” People like to understand things in simplest way so I have adopted this style.”

As a media of his creation, Tejpal likes using colors ranging from oil, acrylics to graphite and charcoal. Tejpal’s hard work, creativity and experience can easily be seen in the kind of artwork that he delivers.

“I have more than 80 works displayed in my gallery and many more are in its evolving stage. Things keep going on in my gallery”, said Tejpal.

Talking about his ‘Romantic’ theme, Te-

At present, Tejpal is working on many evolving projects. Tejpal’s inspirational art work is driven by Gurbani and other spiritual themes. “To understand these inspirational paintings, one needs to have some background knowledge of the subject”, told him.

Apart from paintings ranging from abstract to wildlife and different genres in between, Tejpal has created 400+ mural works throughout Canada. His creativity in Murals can be seen at the Jaipur Restaurant and Gurudwara Amrit Parkash (main dome and ceiling work is done by Tejpal), also Tejpal has done 300+ wallpaper installations till date.

Tejpal was involved in two- shared arts exhibitions in past which were a great success.

Apart from paintings, Tejpal likes swimming as a method of his physical fitness, cooking, reading, meditating and exploring new things.

Tejpal’s positive and always learning attitude is the key to his growth in the field.

With an encouraging smile and lofty dreams Tejpal’s down to earth approach marks him an ideal artist. Tejpal loves to share his knowledge and experience with people who are willing to learn them. “To be a successful artist, you have to invest time in your field like any other profession”, told Tejpal.

We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. If you want to explore Tejpal’s artwork, do pay a visit to TSM

jpal said,” I have created two paintings on Mirza Sahiba, six on Sohni Mahiwal. I am working on creating some others related to our romantic folklores that will be seen in gallery soon.”

Art gallery at 9353 120 Street, Delta, BC.

For details and taking a glimpse of artwork visit: www.jollyarts.ca Or call: (778) 885-2197

10 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

LOCAL

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Liberals hire 12 ousted federal and Alberta Conservatives, which could give province a ‘Harper tone’

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t appears out-of-work roughnecks from Alberta aren’t the only ones heading west across the Rockies in search of greener pastures.

Judging by a recent string of political appointments, British Columbia is also a hot destination for recently unemployed Stephen Harper Conservatives and staffers from Alberta’s defeated Conservative government.

Since last month, about a dozen Conservative-aligned political staffers have found employment with the B.C. government.

Included in the wave is Nicholas Koolsbergen, Harper’s former director of issues management, who once made headlines for purportedly co-writing a memo requesting government staff to develop “enemy” lists for incoming ministers.

Koolsbergen, whose resumé includes a oneyear stint as the director of communications for Calgary MP Jason Kenney, was appointed an executive director in the B.C. government’s communications wing — Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE) — effective Jan. 22, 2016, according to Order in Council No. 21. He will be paid between $80,000 and $113,000 a year.

Other appointments, ranging from exec-

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utive assistants to chiefs of staff, have been to key B.C. ministries, including: health; jobs, tourism and skills training; environment; and justice. Carter Mann, one-time press secretary to former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, was appointed the new operations co-ordinator in the Premier’s Office.

It’s not unusual for a government to hire people, including staffers from other administrations, from different parts of the country. Following the NDP’s win in Alberta, staffers from B.C., including John Horgan’s chief of staff, headed east across the Rockies.

More recently, about three staffers employed within B.C. ministries headed to Ottawa to serve in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.

Even so, Dermod Travis, the executive director of government watchdog Integrity B.C., says the Conservative influx could pose a series of challenges for the B.C. government, from strained relations between provincial ministries and their federal counterparts, to issues of confidentiality, to the possibility of sending a “Harper tone” to British Columbians.

This reinforces the impression that the B.C. Liberal government was more closely aligned with the previous Conservative federal government than it is with the current federal Liberals .

Medical marijuana users can grow their own, Federal Court rules

Federal Court judge has struck down federal regulations restricting the rights of medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis and given the Liberal government six month to come up with new rules. Judge Michael Phelan ruled Wednesday in Vancouver that the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations were an infringement on charter rights and declared they have no force and effect. But the judge also suspended his declaration for six months to give the federal government time to come up with new rules.

The judge also ordered that an injunction will remain in effect, allowing thousands of Canadians with an authorization to use medical marijuana to continue to grow it at home.

The judge was careful to point out that the ruling does not change other laws that make it illegal for Canadians to use marijuana recreationally.

‘It was a complete victory’ Lawyer Kirk Tousaw, the co-counsel for Neil Allard who launched the court challenge, was clearly pleased with the decision. “Basically we won, and it was a complete victory,” said Tousaw, shortly after reading the decision. “[The Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations] were declared to be unconstitutional and violate the charter rights of medical cannabis patients.” Tousaw said it will now be up to the new Liberal government to come up with new rules. “The ball is in the federal government’s court. Mr Trudeau and the justice minister have six months to respond to the court’s ruling and come up with a system of medical cannabis regulation in this country that doesn’t impact and negatively take away the charter rights of medical cannabis patients and their providers.” He believes the ruling will have implications for those who wish to grow their own pot for recreational use.

“We proved that growing medical cannabis can be perfectly safe, and can be done completely in compliance with the law and people ought to have a right to do that without fear of being arrested and locked in cages for that activity.”

“The lessons I think are pretty obvious. If you can grow cannabis for yourself for med-

ical purposes safely and with no risk for the public, surely, you can grow cannabis for yourself for non-medical purposes safely and with no risk to the public,” Tousaw said.

The federal Liberal government has committed to regulating and legalizing recreational marijuana but has yet to introduce any legislation.

The Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations were introduced by the Conservative governmen t in 2013 and required patients to buy cannabis from licensed producers instead of growing their own.

The constitutional challenge was launched by Nanaimo resident Neil Allard and three other British Columbia residents who argued that legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government violated their charter rights.

info@eyelevelrichmond.com www.eyelevelrichmond.com

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LOCAL

Homeopaths prepare to launch fight against pending federal policy change

anada’s homeopathy community is launching a fight against a pending federal policy change that will prohibit companies from making unsubstantiated claims on certain products aimed at children 12 and under.

Under the new policy, Health Canada will no longer approve any health claims for homeopathic cough, cold and flu products aimed at children unless they are backed by scientific evidence. The change will end the near-monopoly that homeopathic manufacturers have in marketing cough and cold remedies to children. Since 2008, makers of over-the-counter cough and cold medication have not been allowed to market their products to children because of reports of serious injuries and deaths related to dosing problems with those products.

Proponents of evidence-based medicine say the change is long overdue, but still does not

go far enough because it does not apply to other products marketed to young people or to any products targeting adults.

The homeopathic community says the change, which comes into effect as of July, runs counter to Canada’s regulations on natural health products and is too restrictive.

The Canadian Consumers Centre for Homeopathy, a national homeopathy advocacy group, has created a petition to stop the change and is urging consumers to “swamp” federal Health Minister Jane Philpott with messages about how well homeopathic remedies work for their children. The group did not respond to a request for comment.

The Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine, a school that trains homeopaths, shared the petition on its Facebook page, asking the public to spread information about the “restrictive legislation.”

BC Hydro, Vancity top list of Forbes magazine’s best employers in Canada

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orbes has ranked 25 of Canada’s best employers, and two B.C. companies top the list. In No. 1 place is BC Hydro, followed by Vancity in second, according to the business magazine’s 2016 Canada’s Best Employers. Rounding out the Top 5 are ABB, Ubisoft, and Costco. Forbes asked more than 8,000 Canadian workers from 250 employers in 25 industries to determine, on a

scale of zero to 10, how likely they were to recommend their employer to someone else.

Forbes says staff were also asked how they felt about the other employers in their industry, and whether they though their managers had their back.

Employees were contacted anonymously online without the involvement of their employer, according to Forbes.

Spy agencies see sharp rise in number of Canadians involved in terrorist activities abroad

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anada’s spy agencies have tracked 180 Canadians who are engaged with terrorist organizations abroad, while another 60 have returned home.

The latest figures mark a significant increase from the findings of the 2014 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada, which identified about 130 people involved in terror-related activities overseas, including 30 taking an active role with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and the Nusra Front in Syria.

“The total number of people overseas involved in threat-related activities – and I’m not just talking about Iraq and Syria – is probably around 180,” Canadian Security Intelligence Service director Michel Coulombe told The Globe and Mail after testifying before the House of Commons public safety committee. “In Iraq and Syria, we are probably talking close to 100.”

These people are involved in various activities, including direct combat, training, fundraising to support attacks, promoting radical views and planning terrorist violence.

Mr. Coulombe said about 60 suspected foreign fighters have returned to Canada, although he stressed the numbers keep changing almost daily.

The CSIS director said the greatest danger to this country remains terror suspects who have not managed to leave Canada.

“By talking about the number of people who are overseas, we are not thinking about people who are either prevented from travelling or have no intention of travelling but are here in Canada and are actually involved in threat-related activities,” he said.

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said Canadian security agencies are keeping careful tabs on the 60 people who have returned home, even if they do not have enough evidence to charge them with terrorist activities.

“So we have people coming back to Canada.

We will make sure they are interviewed and assessed objectively,” Mr. Paulson said. “We will look at those people in the ops centre and say, ‘Okay, what have we got? What do we know,’ and in some cases, we have to be on them 24/7.”

Mr. Coulombe told MPs on the committee that CSIS has already used its new disruptive-activities authority under Bill C-51, the controversial anti-terrorism law enacted by the former Conservative government. This power allows CSIS to disable a mobile device, halt financial transactions or talk to someone who might be susceptible to engaging in terrorist acts.

Another part of Bill C-51, which the Liberal government is promising to review, gives the spy agency the ability to ask a judge for permission to contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but Mr. Coulombe said the agency has not had to use that power.

LOCAL RCMP need help to find red pickup in which rear passenger was assaulted

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olice are looking for a red pickup truck in which they suspect someone was assaulted and held captive. The truck was spotted near 123rd Street and 84th Avenue in Newton shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses heard what was believed to be a man calling for help from inside the pickup.“The

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front passenger got out to begin assaulting whoever was the rear passenger,” Cpl. Scotty Schumann said. “When the assault ended, no one got out of the rear of the truck and the front passenger got back in.” The truck took off east on 84th Avenue but nearby surveillance cameras captured images of it.

Surrey trio face 18 drug-related charges

hree Surrey men are facing 18 charges related to a violent drug turf war in Surrey and Delta last summer.

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., Surrey RCMP Drug Section and the Delta Police investigated alleged criminal activities of a “drug trafficking group” which had links to the conflict.

Last April police launched a three-month investigation into a dial-a-dope line, searched two Surrey residences and seized 21.46 grams of cocaine, 4.79 grams of heroin, less

than a gram of crystal methamphetamine, $7,085 in Canadian cash and seven vehicles alleged to have been used in drug trafficking.

Chaten Singh Dhindsa, 20, of Surrey has been charged with 10 counts of trafficking and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. Jordan Singh Rana, 21, of Surrey has been charged with five counts of trafficking and one count of obstructing a police officer and Davjit Singh Randhawa, 32, has been charged with one count of trafficking.

None are in custody, pending their court dates.

Coquitlam mayor wears same suit for 15 months as social experiment

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election campaign in which he repeatedly very Monday for the past 15 months, heard comments directed only at female Mayor Richard Stewart would ride candidates about their outward appearance. his bicycle to city hall in Coquitlam, He had also read an B.C., shower and then put on the article about an Aussame, off-the-rack, dark blue suit. tralian newscaster And through scores of who criticized sexist council meetings, not attitudes in society one person ever noticed. by wearing the same “I would be shocked if someoutfit for one year. one ever raised the idea that The anchor, Karl my suit or my clothing or my Stefanovic, lamenthairstyle was somehow inaped that his female propriate,” the mayor of the city co-host received near Vancouver said Tuesday. regular emails “I was wearing the same suit Coquitlam, B.C. Mayor Richard and criticisms to every meeting and (there was) no indication that any- Stewart is shown wearing the suit about her clothhe wore to every council meeting ing, Stewart said. one was ever going to notice. for more than a year.

The mayor said he The point was made, I think.” launched his own test to discover first-hand Stewart began his “social experiment” in the double standard endured by women.

November 2015, shortly after a municipal

Police officer hit by motorcyclist, both wind up in hospital with injuries

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harges are being recommended against a 28-year-old motorcyclist who allegedly struck a Vancouver police officer Thursday on the north end of the Knight Street Bridge.

The officer was attempting to flag down the motorcyclist for speeding at about 11:30 a.m., police said in a statement.

They said the motorcyclist struck the officer in an effort to evade police.

The collision sent both the officer and motorcyclist to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and closed the bridge to traffic for several hours. Const. Brian Montague said police are recommending charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

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Suspect pulls gun on 14-year-old, steals his BMX bike at Williams Lake park

illiams Lake RCMP say they’re keen to arrest a man who flashed a handgun at a skateboard playground to rob a 14-year-old boy of his BMX bike. The Monday afternoon encounter at Boitanio Park was caught on surveillance video, released Wednesday by RCMP in a bid to identify the gunman. “It’s a 14-yearold boy who has a handgun pulled on him by some approximately 20-year-old male,” Staff Sgt. Del Byron said Wednesday. The park is in the centre of Williams Lake, about a block from the RCMP detachment.

“This kid and his buddies were there, some were on skateboards, some were on BMX bikes, and they get confronted by this fellow with the handgun,” Byron said.

“The bike is one thing, but this is a very troubling encounter. The guy pulled a handgun. We want to find these people, arrest them and have them dealt with by the courts.” The surveillance camera was some distance away, so the footage is “challenging,” Byron said. The gunman, described as

an aboriginal male about five feet nine inches tall and wearing a camouflage hoodie, was with five other men. After the 4:40 p.m. robbery, another of the men took the bike into some bushes, and the gunman walked away.

The gunman’s companion, also described as an aboriginal male, was wearing a black and grey sweater. The bike was a red and black MacNeil BMX-style, and the last five digits of the serial number are 82044. One of the boy’s friends ran to the nearby RCMP detachment to report the robbery. “We’re concerned about the effect this kind of crime has on the community, the youth in our community,” said Byron, who has been stationed at Williams Lake for just over a year. “It’s a really nice community, It gets a bad rap.”

An incident Jan. 2 left one man seriously injured by shotgun fire in what RCMP say they believe was a dispute between rival gangs over control of the city’s drug trade. The injured man was recently released from hospital, Byron said, adding the two rival gangs have a total of about 20 active members.

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LOCAL

4 indicted in US on charges of violating Iran sanctions

man arrested at the U.S.-Canada border last week is one of four people accused of conspiring to violate trade sanctions by sending technical equipment to Iran — some of which ended up with the Iranian military, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Shahin Tabatabaei, of Vancouver, Canada, was arrested entering Washington state at Lynden, north of Seattle, on Friday, the FBI said. According to a federal indictment in California that has been under seal for the past two and a half years, he ran companies in Mexico and Canada that shipped American items through Turkey or the United Arab Emirates into Iran from 2007 to 2011.

The items appear to have had applications in the oil and gas industry, and the indictment suggests at least some had potential military uses. Assistant U.S. attorney Todd Greenberg told U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler on Tuesday afternoon: “A number of the items went to the Iranian military. That is a national security concern.”

Greenberg did not elaborate.

Prosecutors charge that Tabatabaei lied on paperwork by saying the items would not be

transported to Iran or other countries where their export would violate American law.

A lawyer for Tabatabaei, Jesse Cantor, asked the court to release him pending further proceedings in federal court in Santa Ana, California.

Given that Tabatabaei faces a standard sentencing range of just 10 to 16 months if convicted, he would have little reason to flee, Cantor said.

“He wants to be with his family; he wants to get this matter resolved,” Cantor said.

The judge declined to release him, noting that if he decided not to show up for trial, the government’s only option would be the cumbersome process of having him extradited. He will be transferred to California soon.

The other defendants were based in Canada and Iran. One, Seyed Mohammad Akhavan Fatemi, was identified as the owner of IRCA Group in Canada. The company’s website describes it as a property developer based in Vancouver and lists its owner as Mohammad Fatemi.

Fatemi’s son, Ehsan Fatemi, who also works at the company, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he did not believe the person listed in the indictment could be his father.

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Three years for Surrey man caught with 10 kilos of cocaine in his Jeep

Surrey man who was caught with 10 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle has been sentenced to three years in prison.

In September a B.C. Supreme Court judge found Robert Charles Arthur guilty of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Court heard that in May 2009, police surveillance spotted Arthur leaving a Burnaby residence carrying a box that with the words “Live tropical fish” on the side.

After his vehicle was stopped by police, the box in the back of the Jeep was searched and the drugs were discovered.

“Expert evidence stated that 10 kilograms is an exceptional amount of cocaine,” Jus-

tice Miriam Maisonville said in her reasons for judgment. “It would sell, according to the expert, for an amount between $30,000 and $50,000 per kilogram.”

The drug is “dangerous to the community” and has “wreaked havoc” in the lives of many individuals, the judge added.

Maisonville said there was no evidence of a specific drug trafficking organization or that Arthur was a trusted lieutenant of such an organization.

“However, I found that Mr. Arthur was assigned to pick up the cocaine, had knowledge of the cocaine, and had spent some time in the residence. I found that he was in possession of two BlackBerry devices, and I accepted the expert’s evidence on the importance of these devices to drug traffickers.”

London Drugs confirms plans to sell legalized pot from their pharmacies

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edical pot users may be able to pick up their cannabis prescription along with their household supplies at London Drugs.

The Richmond-based drugstore chain is looking into selling medical marijuana should the federal government legalize it.

John Tse, London Drugs vice-president of pharmacy, said the company has been exploring the idea of selling legal pot through its store pharmacies.

“If patients have a medical need to use it, we want to support them,” Tse said Wednesday.

“Our position is, if it’s a legal medical product being sold, we need to support the patients. We have put forth to the government that it consider pharmacies.”

He said pharmacies are in the best position to dispense legal marijuana, with locations and licensed pharmacists in every community in the country.

Tse said London Drugs has already begun educating pharmacy staff in preparation for selling medical marijuana, “so if and when the time comes, we will be ready.”

Shoppers Drug Mart is also reportedly looking at becoming a pot dispenser. In a statement Wednesday, the company said pharmacists are the safest option for selling the drug.

“Pharmacists are medication experts and play a significant role in the dispensing and monitoring of medication to ensure safe and optimal use,” said Shoppers spokeswoman Tammy Smitham in an email.

“We believe that dispensing medical marijuana through pharmacy, like other medications, is the safest option.”

A national group representing some of the country’s biggest drugstores also issued a statement Wednesday saying pharmacies are best equipped to dispense medical marijuana given their expertise in prescription drug management. “(Our) members are really in the right position to manage the distribution and patient access,” said Allan Austin, a spokesman for the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada “Pharmacists are experts in medication and medication management. Our members have the systems and processes in place to manage medications including monitoring, tracking usage, being aware of drug interactions.”

LOCAL

Williams Lake wants to implant high-risk offenders with GPS tracking devices

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British Columbia community wants to take the extraordinary step of implanting high-risk and prolific offenders with GPS tracking devices in a bid to curb its crime problem.

City council in Williams Lake has voted unanimously in favour of a motion to support tracking the movement of criminals 24 hours a day by inserting microchips into their arms, although a U.S. company specializing in tracking technology says it isn’t aware of such a device.

Coun. Scott Nelson acknowledged the city does not have the legal authority to use such a device and said it will seek approval from the federal and provincial governments.

“We understand and we recognize people’s rights, but at the end of the day you’ve got to take a look, collectively, at what’s at stake here,” he said Thursday in a telephone interview.

“Do we continue to live in fear because of a radical 20 people or 25 people in the community? Or does a collective community right supersede those people?”

The proposal comes after local RCMP released video of a 14-year-old boy’s bike being stolen at gunpoint in a park.

Nelson said the program would only apply to adult offenders designated “high-risk” or “prolific” by the Mounties.

“These are the guys that are in and out of the court system, that really create the absolute havoc inside your community.”

Beyond the legal questions,

Ontario man accused of taking $120K in cash advances, declaring bankruptcy later

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n Ontario man faces multiple charges after being accused of getting a series of credit cards fraudulently, taking $120,000 in cash advances and passing off $275,000 in bad cheques before declaring bankruptcy. When he filed for insolvency, he claimed to have a grand total of $6,481 in assets. The RCMP said Premkumar Thurairajah, 41, lied about his employment and income to apply for 15 credit cards with 12 banks. Thurairajah allegedly used different job titles and “significantly inflated” his income on applications. Between July and September 2013, Thurairajah allegedly used the credit cards to get $120,000 in cash advances. He then wrote 30 bad cheques worth $275,000 to try to pay off the debt of his credit card accounts, the RCMP said.

When Thurairajah, a Whitby, Ont., resident, declared bankruptcy in February 2015, he reported $270,000 in liabilities and only $6,481 in assets. The RCMP said he “disposed” of other assets before filing for bankruptcy so debtors could not take them away. They began their investigation in August 2015 and charged Thurairajah in January.

Thurairajah is charged with fraud over $5,000, three counts of obtaining credit by false pretence and using a forged document. He also faces a charge under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act for refusing to answer questions truthfully in relation to his bankruptcy. He’s set to appear in Ontario court Friday.

there might also be technological limitations on what Williams Lake is proposing.

Ryan Horban, vice-president of sales for California-based Tracking Systems Direct, said people sometimes confuse GPS trackers with identification chips used in pets, but the two technologies are very different.

“I’m not familiar with anything like that. It’s more like science fiction,” he said in a telephone interview.

GPS trackers send out data while microchips do not, he explained. To transmit a signal, he said long-term trackers need a power source and a battery worn on the body likely would not work.

“If you inject something, there’s simply no power source,” Horban added.

Micheal Vonn of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association said the idea is also a legal non-starter because the federal government would never approve it on constitutional grounds.

“It’s really a cry of frustration. But the substance of their proposal is not a tool that could possibly be used to address their concerns.”

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Greyhound bus beheader Vince Li seeks independent living

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man who beheaded a The board heard from Baker’s fellow passenger on a doctors on Monday that he has Greyhound bus in Manbeen a model patient and has itoba has changed his name always taken his medication. and wants to leave his group Crown attorney Brian Sharpe home to live independently. said Baker would continue to be Vince Li appeared before a Crimimonitored “for the foreseeable nal Code Review Board on Monday future” and did not object to the Vince Li under the new name of Will Baker. request for independent living.

Baker killed Tim McLean during “There have been no issues. He’s dea bus trip on the TransCanada Highway near scribed in positive terms by the Portage la Prairie in July 2008. He was found staff,” Sharpe told the hearing. to be not criminally responsible for the mur“As far as I can tell, he’s done evder due to mental illness — schizophrenia. erything that’s been asked of him.”

Baker was originally kept in a secure A decision by the board is exwing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, pected by the end of the week. but the board has granted him increasing Baker, 47, sat next to the 22-year-old McLean freedoms starting with supervised walks on the Greyhound bus after the young man on the hospital grounds and eventual- smiled at him and asked how he was doing. ly escorted trips to nearby communities.

Li said he heard the voice of God telling him He won the right to live in a group home last year to kill the young carnival worker or “die imHis medical team is now asking the re- mediately.” Li repeatedly stabbed McLean who view board to let Baker live on his own, al- unsuccessfully fought for his life. As passenbeit with several conditions that would gers fled the bus, Li continued stabbing and include daily monitoring to ensure he con- mutilating the body before he was arrested. tinues to take his anti-psychotic medication.

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16 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

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LOCAL

Robert Pickton book pulled from production after public outcry

book written by B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton (pictured) has been pulled from production after a public outcry from victims’ families and an apology from the publisher, which says it was tricked into publishing the book.

But the book’s brief shelf life may have ripple effects, as Premier Christy Clark responded to the controversy by promising a new law to prevent criminals from attempting to follow in Mr. Pickton’s footsteps.

Explaining how Robert Pickton got a book deal money from the book’s sales. The recounting of a crime remains legal, but profiting from that recounting is supposed to be off-limits.

There have been waves of public revulsion before over books by criminals. Last year, online retailer Amazon briefly featured a

self-published fictional book by Ontario killer Paul Bernardo. Mr. Bernardo is serving a life sentence for the murders of two teenage girls in the early 1990s. That book was pulled last November after angry public reaction.

Mr. Pickton may have been trying to head off legal issues by working with an outsider: Michael Chilldres, whose name appears on the cover of the book, a 142page paperback titled Pickton: In His Own Words.

“We have a long-standing policy of not working with, or publishing work by, incarcerated individuals,” Outskirts Press president Brent Sampson said Monday in an e-mail.

“Mr. Pickton was apparently aware of our no-tolerance policy when he devised a plan to publish through an unaffiliated third party, Mr. Chilldres, who claimed to Outskirts Press that he was the sole owner and author of said material.”

Surrey woman rescued from ravine after balcony collapses

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woman was rescued after her balcony collapsed and she fell into a ravine at her home in south Surrey, B.C. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m.

PT at an RV park near 12th Avenue and King George Boulevard.

Surrey Fire Battalion Chief Gary McHarg

said the steep terrain made it a tricky rescue.

“We weren’t going to be able to package her up and bring her up without the aid of the ropes and harnesses that they used,” he said.

It took eight firefighters to carry the 40-year-old woman up the creek bank from where she fell, using a Firefighters scramble down a steep em- special stretcher and ropes. bankment to rescue a women who fell B.C. Ambulance said the woman was taken to hospital in stable condition.

RCMP seeking assistance to identify elderly woman

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CMP are seeking the public’s assistance identifying an elderly woman found wandering the streets of Surrey, Monday at 4 p.m. PT, without any

shoes on.

Police say the woman was only able to provide them with her first name: Do you know this woman?

Sheila.

RCMP say she was found wanShe wasn’t dering around Surrey without able to any shoes on. tell them where she lives or any other details regarding her identity. Sheila was found near 180th Street and 66A Avenue in Surrey. Police say she has been taken to a local hospital, and staff are attempting to determine her identity.

Men accused of violating trade sanctions, shipping technology to Iran

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wo B.C. men have been accused of being part of a group that conspired to send American-made technology to Iran, in violation of trade sanctions and potentially threatening national security.

According to a grand jury indictment filed in California in August 2013 but that only recently came to light, the group shipped an assortment of U.S.-made technical gear — pressure transducers, thermal imagers, solenoid valves, battery chargers and gear motors — to Iran via Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, from 2007 through 2011.

The indictment suggests some of the items were destined for Iran’s oil and gas industries or for a “military application.”

“The end purchaser for some of these items was the Iranian military, thus national security was implicated,” Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle, said Thursday in an email.

One of the B.C. men, Shahin Tabatabaei, of Vancouver, was arrested last week after crossing the border into Washington state.

Federal prosecutors say Tabatabaei was the owner of two companies, Grupocanamex in Mexico and Canadian Industrial Solutions in Canada.

A business associate in Iran, named Abbas Moradi, would take orders from Iranian companies for various U.S.-made goods, then ask Tabatabaei to arrange the purchases, according to the indictment.

Tabatabaei did so, using false names, such as Gary Sean Williams and Alex Moore. He also made false representations about who the end-users would be, according to the indictment.

The other B.C. man named in the indictment, Seyed Mohammad Akhavan Fatemi, helped arrange payments for the items and their shipment into and out of Canada, prosecutors say.

LOCAL

Muslim hate crimes on the rise, but bystanders sometimes stay silent

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wo Muslim women are accosted and pushed on a Toronto subway.

Another is assaulted and robbed after dropping off her kids off at school. Incidents of anti-Muslim hate crimes are on the rise, according to the Canadian Arab Federation. Since the Paris attacks in November, there’s been a sharp spike — enough that the National Council of Canadian Muslims created an online map to track such incidents. The incidents grab the attention of media, but not always of bystanders who witness an attack. Watch a special, one-hour Marketplace report Are we racist? on CBC Television Friday at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) or online. Sundus, who did not want her last name used for privacy reasons, was riding a crowded bus in Toronto last December when she was verbally assaulted by a woman.

“She told me that I should get raped and go back to my country,” the 27-year-old recalls. “There was a bus full of people who did nothing, who said nothing. Not a word.”

Bystander test Would you intervene to support a stranger? When Marketplace tested to see how Canadians would react, someone intervened in a matter of minutes. In a months-long investigation, Marketplace examined how racial and cultural bias affects how we’re treated and how we treat one another, including why we intervene — or don’t — to defend a stranger. ‘Shop-

FIFA elects Gianni Infantino as its new president

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ianni Infantino pulled off a stunning victory Friday to take over as FIFA president.

The Swiss official received 115 of the 207 eligible votes in the second round to earn a decisive majority over Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, who had been the strong favourite entering the election.

The 45-year-old former lawyer saluted voters by patting his right hand over his heart, and had to compose himself before starting his acceptance speech.

“We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA. And everyone in the world will applaud us,” Infantino said, referring to bribery and corruption investigations that have rocked soccer’s governing body and forced Sepp Blatter out of office after more than 17 years as president.

Sheikh Salman received 88 votes after being the front-runner during much of the four-month campaign. Prince Ali of Jordan had four votes, and Jerome Champagne of France got zero.

In the first round, Infantino surprisingly led with 88 votes. Sheikh Salman had 85 votes, Prince Ali 27, and Champagne seven.

Infantino, the general secretary of European governing body UEFA, is the second straight FIFA president from the Valais region in the Swiss Alps. Infantino is from Brig and replaces the 79-year-old Blatter, who was born in neighbouring Visp.

Infantino will be president through May 2019, completing the remainder of Blatter’s term. The Canadian Soccer Association supported Infantino in the election.

Blatter was forced out by the pressure of American and Swiss investigations of corruption that hit FIFA two days before the previous election in May. “I congratulate Gianni Infantino sincerely and warmly on his election as the new president,” Blatter said in a statement. “With his experience, expertise, strategic and diplomatic skills he has all the qualities to continue my work and to stabilize FIFA again.”

ping while black’: Marketplace finds some targeted by retailers because of race Could a ‘blind recruitment’ policy make Canada less racist? “We don’t support terrorists here.

Why don’t you go back to your own country!” a man yells at a woman in a hijab. What would you do if you witnessed such a scene?

Marketplace tested to see how Canadians would react when face-to-face with a verbally abusive confrontation on a downtown Toronto street. Marketplace hired actors and gave them a script based on interviews with Muslim women. Hidden cameras captured people’s reactions. The scene was repeated five times.

Each time, someone intervened in a matter of minutes. Logan Tafferner and Jillian Robinson were two bystanders who stopped immediately. Robinson said that Tafferner’s willingness to intervene inspired her to speak up as well.

People who don’t step in are “part of the problem,” Robinson says. But she says she can see why people sometimes stay quiet.

“I do hear that kind of stuff sometimes and I’m too afraid to say anything, be-

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Uber driver charged with 6 counts of murder after shooting spree in Michigan

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n Uber passenger said he called police to report an erratic driver more than an hour before the driver allegedly began a series of three random shootings that killed six people in Michigan.

Matt Mellen told Kalamazoo television station WWMT that he hailed a ride around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. He said driver Jason Dalton introduced himself as “Me-Me” and had a dog in the backseat.

Mellen sat in front. About a mile into the trip, Dalton got a phone call, and when he hung up, he began driving erratically, blowing through stop signs and sideswiping cars, Mellen said.

“We were driving through medians, driving through the lawn, speeding along, and when we came to a stop, I jumped out of the car and ran away,” Mellen said. He said he called police and that when he got to his friend’s house,

his fianc?e posted a warning to friends on Facebook.

Mellen said he also tried warning the ride-hailing service.

“I’m upset because I tried contacting Uber after I had talked to the police, saying that we needed to get this guy off the road,” Mellen said.

Since Dalton’s arrest, several people have come forward to say that he picked them up for Uber in the hours after the first attack. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm those accounts.

Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller said Uber is cooperating with law enforcement officials, and he believes the company will “help us fill in some timeline gaps.”

18 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

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other Bollywood actresses who have been there before: Jacqueline Fernandez: Last year, Jacky made her Hollywood debut with Definition Of Fear. The horror thriller has been doing the rounds of various film festivals, winning a lot of accolades. The actress is also in talks for another film this year. Nargis Fakhri: Spy (2015) marked Nargis’s entry to Hollywood. The detective thriller had her sharing screen space with biggies like Jason Statham, Melissa McCarthy and Jude Law. The film did great at international box-office.

‘Free man’ Sanjay Dutt gets hero’s welcome at his Mumbai home

With dhol, dance and garlands, Sanjay Dutt received a hero’s welcome when he arrived at his residence in Mumbai on Thursday after completing his prison-term for illegal possession of arms in the March 1993 Mumbai blasts.

The son of late actors Sunil Dutt and Sanjay Dutt offered prayers at Siddhivinayak Nargis, Sanjay was retemple after finishing his jail term. leased from the Yerwada Central Jail (YCJ) Pune or in Mumbai, fans turned up everyin Pune. He was all smiles upon where to cheer for the actor, who is now uniting with his family members, a free man having served his sentence. especially wife Maanayata Dutt who His well-wishers also reached the was accompanied by their children.

Siddhivinayak temple, where devoSanjay Dutt with his wife Maanaytees gave him a rousing welcome. ata and children outside their resiSanjay Dutt at Siddhivinayak temdence in Mumbai. Pic/Atul Kamble ple in Prabhadevi. Pic/Yogen Shah Whether it was the airport in

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Tiger Shroff spends quality time with girlfriend Disha Patani

his could be a heartbreaker for millions of girls out there, who have already dedicated their lives to the new heartthrob Tiger Shroff. For those not in the know, Tiger is already taken by model and actress Disha Patani and we must admit that she looks gorgeous and beautifully complements the handsome hunk. The two love-birds were spotted in Bandra, Mumbai last

TYLE

Saturday - February 27, 2016

Destination Hollywood: Bollywood beauties who embarked on this journey

he past few weeks have seen Priyanka and Deepika Padukone making headlines for bagging their maiden Hollywood films - Baywatch (PeeCee) and xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage (Dippy)The 90s’ actress Pooja Batra has also started shooting for her Hollywood debut, which is based on astronaut Kalpana Chawla. While social media is going gaga over these stunning ladies and their crossover, SpotboyE takes a look at

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Bipasha Basu

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night stepping out of Indigo restaurant after having dinner and spending some quality time together. Hold your horses girls, it wasn’t as cosy an outing as you believe it would have been because the couple was accompanied by a friend of theirs and the three left the place around 10 pm last night. While any other actor would have tried hiding his face from the paparazzi, our very own well-behaved Tiger Shroff was all smiles for the shutterbugs.

Bipasha, Karan Grover to marry in April?

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ipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover have been painting the town red - rather social media red - with their whirlwind rendezvous. Since they movie ‘Alone’ in 2015 the two have been inseparable. There have been reports of torrid affair but the two kept away from acknowledging it in public.

The reason may be Karan’s pending divorce case. But now the actor has many reasons to

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party now, he turns a year older and his divorce with Jennifer Winget has also been finalised.

Dilip Kumar cleared in 18 years old court case

ics as the ultimate method actor in InMumbai court has cleared vet- dia, Kumar has won more awards than eran actor Dilip Kumar, 94, any other Bollywood star. Over his in the 18-year-old case of a long career, he won eight Filmfare bounced cheque. The case was awards, India’s version of the Oscars. filed against the actor in 1998 when he was the honorary chairman of an export firm. The firm reportedly could not pay its dues to an investor and its cheque bounced, which is illegal in India. The court said that the actor was not involved in the daily management of the firm and hence he could not be held responsible for payment defaults. Earlier, the actor was exempted Dilip Kumar (right) with his wife Saira Bano, from appearing in court In his life time achievements the actor has won eight due to his poor health.

Filmfare awards.

Described by crit-

The Great Khali’ suffers severe head injuries during fight, hospitalised WWE wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known with the nomenclature ‘The Great Khali’, was severely injured during a promotional event in Haldwani on Wednesday.

Former WWE champion Khali was taking part in an event to promote his wrestling competition Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) when two foreign wrestlers clobbered the giant with chairs. Visibly shaken, Khali started to bleed and was immediately rushed to the ICU at a local hospital. He received seven stitches to his head due to the injuries and complained of back and chest pain.

With the hospital incapable of providing adequate care to once Punjab policeman, he was airlifted to Max Hospital in Dehradun.

Star & Style

2 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

Horoscope

Aishwarya visits Golden Temple with daughter Aaradhya

Libra

Aries

Sept. 24 - Oct 22

March 21 - April 20 Just a few short weeks until your birthday period. You could view this as the overture.

You may remember that the planet Uranus is passing through your sign. If you think of yourself as being a radio receiver, as Uranus passes through your sign the probability is that you tune into very new, different and exciting stations. As of this weekend, you could attract someone whom others find eccentric or even bizarre.

The Sun has now moved into the sign of Pisces: one of the signs noted for romance. It’s not at all uncommon for people to experience a dreamlike sequence during this particular part of the year. You may be no exception. Monday’s Full Moon could coincide with the triggering of ideas of perfection.

Of course, there is a problem with this! It’s rare indeed for anyone to attract their ideal companion.

Taurus

Scorpio

AS Moon accents the playful and romantic area of your solar chart. It may be then, that you are awakened to new possibilities. It’s not hard to imagine you being emotionally supercharged before Monday. It seems likely that someone will either bring out your star quality or you bring out theirs over this weekend. One possibility is finding that you’re wearing something that exactly compliments another. Don’t forget, that the Sun is now passing through the sign of Pisces

Moon could signal a surge in romantic activity for those of your sign. It’s not always possible to differentiate between romance and creative thinking: what seems certain, is that you could find a means to express your feelings to someone who clearly matters a great deal to you. By next weekend, the Moon will be travelling through your sign as the Sun and Neptune form their annual conjunction. The combined effect suggests a wave of strong emotions. This will surely be the natural outcome of energy

April 21 - May 20

Oct 23 - Nov 22

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 Moon aligns with the backbone of your solar chart. It’s entirely possible that you will feel a surge of emotional energy. For some this can manifest in the need to spring clean. For others it could prove a period when you attract the attention of someone whom you feel will ground you in an essential way. That’s perhaps more likely than not this weekend. An exciting aspect between Venus and Mars suggests many important unions will be formed. What always seems to turn those of your sign on are friendships with those who broaden your mind.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Full Moon on the horizon. Some of you may fear the intensity of emotion. Monday’s Full Moon is in the sign of Virgo and if you have a propensity to experience anxiety, yes, there is the potential for this to increase. Yet interestingly, other aspects this weekend suggest you could as easily be anchored - and significantly by someone born under either Scorpio or Capricorn. Though their perspectives may be very different to your own, their understanding could help if the emotional waters prove trying.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 This could yet proven to be very expensive weekend?, ahead of that several aspects suggest that it might not be hard for others to lure you into expensive encounters. These could yet prove to be an investment. It might be wise not to flex your credit card too much however. Indeed, an imbalance in attitude to money could make for very real difficulties in even the most long-standing of partnerships.

Frank exchanges might need to take place next week. Though it might sound as though this precludes easy romance, it may be that these matters simply need to be

Virgo

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

The Sun has now arrived at the very base of your solar chart. Think of this as a light being shone on your emotional base.

Full Moon could come decisions about your domestic and working life. It may be that there needs to be more flexibility. It wouldn’t of course be abnormal for there to be discrepancy in the work-life balance. Now though you may be in the mood to put things right and to ensure that romance is given the same attention as your career. Those born under the air signs of Gemini, Libra or Aquarius could have your particu-

Capricorn

Many eyes are likely to be on you. Given that Mercury, your ruling planet, also makes a series of significant aspects over the next seven days, it’s hard to imagine that your social life will be in any way boring. In fact, if you imagine that Virgo Full Moon as being a flower in bloom, it would seem that many bees will be headed in your direction. You could, by next weekend, be spoilt for choice. Those already in partnership are likely to engage in discussions about an adventure scheduled to take place later in the year.

Deepika Padukone to star opposite Brad Pitt ?

If reports in Indian media are to be believed Bollywood star Deepika Padukone to star opposite one of Hollywood’s biggest names Brad Pitt.

Just months after landing the lead role in Vin Diesel-starrer movie ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’, a report claims that the ‘Piku’ actor has signed a film opposite Pitt.

Salman , Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjay Bhansali to attend TOIFA 2016 in Dubai Khan, Yo Yo Honey Singh TOIFA 2016 Dubai will take place at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City. The The first edition was held in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2013

TOIFA 2016 Dubai will take place at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City. The awards ceremony will witness performances by Bollywood celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kareena Kapoor

Dec 23 - Jan 20

It might help to know in advance that there is a full lunar energy in another of the Earth signs.

May be more obviously emotional than usual.

This could have course be slightly uncomfortable for those of your sign. It’s likely to be Tuesday before you feel sufficiently confident to talk about things that that special person seems either to be avoiding or dealing with in panic mode over the weekend. The potential for re-aligning a partnership is strong on Thursday. Those yet to meet someone could find that this is an important date too. With the Sun

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 Venus passes through your sign each year, and as it does, focus is on appearance and attractiveness - as now. Mercury’s presence at the same time suggests others might be quick to respond to any signals you give. If there’s a ‘problem’ it’s that the Sun has now moved on into Pisces: you could attract attention from those you’re not that interested in. Relationship issues then could prove muddly - especially around Full Moon.

Pisces

August 24 - Sept 24

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is shooting for Omung Kumar’s Sarbjit in Amritsar, visited the Golden Temple along with daughter Aaradhya and mom Brinda

Feb 20 - March 20 You may remember that Neptune is presently passing through your sign. This is the area of the zodiac in which it said to have greatest affinity. At the end of February the Sun and Neptune align. This could be your special moment. Though it might seem to others that you’re living in a parallel universe and are completely ungrounded, it’s as likely that many will appreciate your ability to see things from different perspective. Your particular magic is set to shine through. All this should increase your attractiveness.

Is Farhan Akhtar and Kalki Koechl in in a relationship?

Bollywood filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar and celebrity hair stylist Adhuna have ended their 15-year-long marriage.

The couple formally announced their separation in a statement - “This is to announce that we, Adhuna and Farhan, have mutually and amicably decided to separate.

Our children remain our priority and it is immensely important to us, as responsible parents, that they be protected from unwarranted speculation and public glare. We sincerely request that we are given the privacy that is required at this time to move forward in a dignified manner.”

Though, Farhan and Adhuna did not mention any specific reason behind their divorce, according to the media reports, it was Farhan’s growing proximity with an actress that made the couple grow apart.

Imagination ran wild and tabloid headlines nailed Shraddha Ka-

poor and Aditi Rao Hydari who were working with Farhan at that time. neither Shraddha nor Aditi is to be blamed for the separation.

Yet, it is a co-star with whom Farhan has worked in 2011 and has been good friends since then.

He and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ co-star Kalki Koechlin have been dating each other for the past 10 months and if this report is to be believed they will soon start living together.

And Farhan’s marriage was on the rocks for the past one year. So questions are now raised if Kalki is the reason behind Farhan and Adhuna’s separation.

Kalki, who got married in April 2011, also got divorced to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in May 2015

Bollywood personalities’ birthdays this week ANUPAM KHER 7 MARCH

FARDEEN KHAN 8 MARCH

SHAHID KAPOOR 25 FEBRUARY

VEENA MALIK 26 FEBRUARY

Star & Style

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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New released Bollywood films February 19 Aligarh DIRECTOR: Hansal Mehta ACTORS: Manoj Bajpai, Rajkummar Rao

Bollywood Diaries Raima Sen, Ashish Vidyarthi, Salim Diwan, Karuna Pandey, Vineet Kumar Singh Quik Results ---------All religions welcome

Love Shagun Anuj Sachdeva, Nidhi Subbaiah

Teray Bin Laden Ali Zafar, Manish Paul, Sikander Kher, Pradhuman Singh, Sugandha Ram

117 St., and 80th Ave., (near Scott Rd) Delta BC

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Women quit her Microsoft job to serve Indian food in Seattle

here was a certain irony for Shama Joshi the first day her food truck rolled onto the Microsoft campus in Redmond.

Customers “would come to the truck and look at her and look really confused,” says her business partner, Seema Pai. For 14 years, Joshi had worked on the other side of the counter. Her tech job at Microsoft seemed like the American dream for a driven young Indian woman with a talent for computer science.

Now she’s living another version of the dream — stemming heaps of bright green chilies, rolling out perfectly shaped rounds of flatbread and serving fresh Kathi rolls and other lesser-known Indian specialties from the window of her Roll OK Please food truck around Seattle and the Eastside. (The name is a play on words from Indian trucks.)

She and Pai, an old friend from college, used to prepare banquets for buddies and joke that they would open a streetfood stand together one day.

After Joshi decided she had lost her passion for the software world, Pai left her job as an assistant professor of marketing at Boston University to join her in a new career.

“It’s been an adventure every day, and a story,” Pai says.

Shama Joshi, left, and Seema Pai run the Roll OK Please food truck in Seattle.

(John Lok/The Seattle Times) Shama Joshi serves a cus-

tomer from her food truck Roll OK Please during lunchtime on the campus of T-Mobile in Bellevue. (John Lok/The Seattle Times) Shama Joshi serves lunch on the T-Mobile campus. (John Lok/The Seattle Times) Shama Joshi, left, and Seema Pai run the Roll OK Please food truck in Seattle. The two left cushy jobs to pursue their passion of cooking. They have operated the truck for more than a year. (John Lok/The Seattle Times) Their specialty of Kathi (or Kati) rolls involves grilling rounds of roti flatbread coated with a beaten egg, then stuffing them with fillings, from spicy goat meat to potato-cauliflower curry. Additions like a vibrant, labor-intensive mint chutney or a spicy green chili sauce draw raves.

Shama Joshi, left, and Seema Pai (right) run the Roll OK Please food truck in Seattle. The two left cushy jobs to pursue their passion of cooking. They have operated the truck for more than a year.

4 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

Star & Style How Sanjay Dutt spent his time in jail

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hen actor Sanjay Dutt left a prison in the western Indian city of Pune on Thursday, he walked away with some experience of making paper bags and being a radio disc jockey.

Dutt was sentenced for firearms offences linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts which killed 257 people and injured 713.

He was convicted of buying firearms from the bombers but said the weapons were necessary in order to defend his family during the Hindu-Muslim rioting of 1993.

The actor was moved to the Yerwada jail in May 2013 to finish his five-year jail term.

But owing to his good behaviour and positive activities like running a radio programme, he was recently granted a remission of 144 days.

His early release, however, has sparked outrage with critics saying that Dutt had already been granted an unreasonable number of parole and furlough leaves owing to his celebrity status.

Meanwhile, there is intense interest in the media about his life inside the jail.

Dutt lived in a 8x10ft (2.4m x 3m) cell and wore the white uniform of prisoners. He had a 100 sq ft garden in front of his cell, where he was allowed to stroll under the watchful eyes of four guards.

According to a former fellow inmate, the actor had been resigned to his fate of the unavoidable jail time, but knew he could be released early if he behaved well.

He was lodged in a high-security cell next to the “faansi” ward, which houses prisoners on death row, and was generally not allowed to interact with other prisoners owing to security concerns.

If he walked to the common area, he would be accompanied by four policemen. If he interacted with other prisoners, the conversations would be listened into.

“I would speak to him often as I was working as the librarian at the prison,” said the former inmate.

“Baba, as he is affectionately known, would borrow at least two books every week. He used to read extensively, mainly Hindi literature from Munshi Premchand.”

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Vol. 6 No. 26

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Saturday - February 27, 2016

- Tel: 604-591-5423 -

Millennials thinking small for affordable housing

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arvard law student Pete Davis says he wants to live in his own tiny house someday. In the meantime, getting a taste of the lifestyle now — by offering it to others — has been an unexpectedly successful venture for him.

Davis is the co-founder of Getaway, a project that rents out tiny houses in the woods around Boston, Mass., for people seeking a retreat, or for those who want to test if tiny house living could work for them on a more permanent basis.

The project is one of many small housing initiatives in what amounts to a growing industry in millennial housing, particularly as rising real estate costs in both Canada and the U.S. have made traditional home buying much less affordable.

The tiny house movement, which has seen entire tiny villages spring up in Oregon and Texas in recent years, is working to fill that niche, and was the inspiration for Getaway.

The kitchen and bath area of one of the homes in the “Getaway” project. Davis says downsizing living space to get in touch with the world around you has a lot of appeal. (Charles Krupa/Associated Press) Davis said the appeal of tiny housing is in the shifting priorities of millennials, those in their 20s and early 30s, who seek humbler existences.

“I think it’s because there’s been a transition in lifestyle of what people think the American dream is,” he said. “The idea of the nineties over-consumption — of showing off all the stuff you have and getting the big screen TV — has changed to the desire for more authentic experiences.”

A layout for Commonspace, a coliving apartment in downtown Syracuse, N.Y. Though units are small, co-founder Troy Evans says the community atmosphere appeals to people.

Another small housing idea that’s gaining traction in the U.S. is the idea of expanding dorm-style living into post-university adulthood.

Commonspace, a real estate venture situated in downtown Syracuse, N.Y., is selling the idea of living in a tiny apartment that is part of an active community. Set to open in May, the project will see residents live in small, 300-squarefoot micro-units with larger shared areas like kitchens and relaxation areas.

Troy Evans, one of the co-founders of Commonspace, says the idea is about providing residents with both a community atmosphere and a private space.

“It’s a very warm and welcome space. It’s not like you’re going to be unhappy when you’re in your private space,” he said. “We’ll give you that and a combination of public space — so trying to create that perfect balance.”

Evans noted the space has received a lot of interest, and affordability is a big selling point.

Units in Commonspace rent for $750 to $900 per month, compared to the $1,100 price range of other single-bedroom apartments in downtown Syracuse.

Evans expects the communal living idea — which has already taken root in New York City and San Fran4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015 cisco — will continue to gain traction.

“I think you’re going to start seeing them pop up everywhere,” said Evans. “I think other people — they’re going to try it just like we are.”

Deferring the American dream?

Continued on page 7

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6 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

TD, CIBC report higher first-quarter profits in spite of challenging environment

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IBC and TD Bank both grew their first-quarter profits as tight expense control helped them weather a storm of economic challenges including oilpatch woes, turbulent stock markets and a sluggish economy.

“The hard work we did last year to manage our cost base has equipped us better to respond to volatile markets and rising competition from non-traditional players,” TD (TSX:TD) chief executive Bharat Masrani said during a conference call Thursday to discuss the bank’s results.

TD reported net income of $2.22 billion, up roughly eight per cent from a year ago when it had $2.06 billion in quarterly profits.

CIBC (TSX:CM) saw its quarterly profit climb six per cent to $982 million from $923 million in the same period a year earlier.

Both banks also boosted their quarterly dividends. TD’s will rise by four cents to 55 cents per share, while CIBC’s will go up by three cents to $1.18 per share.

“We achieved very strong results this quarter during a period of greater market uncertainty and volatility — conditions that may persist for the near to medium

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term, particularly as weak energy prices continue to be a drag on economic growth both in our own country here in Canada and globally,” CIBC chief executive Victor Dodig told analysts and investors Thursday.

“But whatever market conditions we encounter, the collective focus of our CIBC team members will remain on the following: to sustain and build on our current financial strength, to simplify and transform the way banking is done for our clients, and to deliver innovative and sustainable growth for our shareholders.”

S cot iabank analyst Sumit Malhotra said TD and CIBC’s results were better than those announced by the Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) on Tuesday and Royal Bank

Vancouverites should consider Nanaimo, business leader says

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ould you consider living in Nanaimo and commuting back and forth to Vancouver?

According to Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation CEO John Hankins, high housing costs are driving Vanc o u v e r i t e s away, and some of them a r e flocking to Harbour City.

He says the average cost of a detached home in Nanaimo is less than a third than in Vancouver, and that has many considering island life.

“We’ve had people doing this for quite some time, but as the house prices continue to spiral upwards in Vancouver, Nanaimo continues to make a real good B.C. solution to Vancouver’s cost challenges,”

he told All Points West host Robyn Burns.

Metro Vancouver house prices not much better in the suburbs, says study New housing, transit poll finds many ready to give up on Metro Vancouver Vancouver real estate prices pushing millennials to leave city: report But Hankins says what he wants to see is Vancouverites establishing new businesses in Nanaimo and bringing the workforce there, instead of commuting back and forth.

“With today’s technology, you don’t necessarily need to be going back and forth every single day,” he said. “We’re finding more and more people may be establishing a business here or living here and going over to Vancouver one or two days a week.”

“That cost, if you compare it to sitting in traffic congestion, finding parking … it soon becomes a pretty viable option.”

Hankins says he’s encouraging more mainlanders to come over by sharing “the Nanaimo story” and extolling its virtues such as the low cost of living, cheaper real estate and the chance to get on the property ladder while starting a family.

Airbnb affecting long-term rental housing in Vancouver, data suggests

bout two-thirds of the Airbnb listings for Vancouver are for entire properties and many of those are being rented out for more than 90 days in a year, according to a data analyst.

Murray Cox has crunched data from the short-term rental site Airbnb for 30 cities across North America as part of his Inside Airbnb project.

According to his latest analysis, 3,179 of the total 4,728 listings are for entire

homes or apartments. Cox said about 1,200 of those properties are being rented out are for more than 90 days out of a year.

“This isn’t people just going away for a couple of weeks and renting out their homes,” Cox said. “These are people that are probably renting out apartments permanently.”

City of Vancouver bylaws prohibit rentals for a period of less than one month unless the unit is part of a hotel or bed and breakfast.

Many hosts with multiple properties

Cox said in a city with a vacancy rate of less than one per cent, this data suggests a significant number of homes and apartments are being taken out of the rental stock for local residents.

“It seems to suggest that those apartments would be having an impact on your ability to find a long-term rental if you’re a resident of Vancouver.”

Cox said another telling figure is about one-third of the total Vancouver Airbnb

listings are being rented out by people who have more than one listing on the site.

“That type of use would suggest that they might be commercial operators or commercial investors with multiple listings,” he said.

Cox said he wrote computer code that scans the Airbnb website to look at the number of listings, where they are, whether they’re entire properties or private rooms, as well as other data such as how often they’re rented out.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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B.C. real estate council names panel to investigate ‘shadow flipping’

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he Real Estate Council of British Columbia has named the members of an independent advisory group that will investigate the practice of shadow flipping that became the subject of controversy earlier this month.

Shadow flipping is the practice of selling a property several times by reassigning the sales contracts before their closing date. The price of the home goes up each time. Details of the practice were revealed in a Globe and Mail investigation earlier this month.

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From page 5

“I believe we have a highly qualified team with the expertise to undertake this important work.

These are independent thinkers from across a broad range of public and private organizations, with a clear understanding of good

governance and the public interest,” said the group’s chair, Carolyn Rogers.

“I want to assure the public that we understand their concerns and we’re de-

termined to provide a report that puts consumer protection first.”

Rogers is also the superintendent of real estate and the CEO of the Financial Institutions Commission FICOM .

The members of the advisory group are: The group will provide an interim report to the real estate council by April 8, and a full report with recommendations by the end of May. The review will examine how the council identifies and responds to alleged licensee misconduct and whether conduct requirements are adequate and effectively enforced.

Millennials thinking small for affordable housing

new report suggests U.S. millennials are choosing to wait longer to buy a home in an effort to balance how much debt they take on. (Getty Images) This new housing movement seems to be coming along as U.S. millennials are delaying when they purchase homes.

A recent study out of the University of Illinois suggests the country’s millennials are taking more time to buy a house, deferring on what’s often called the American dream for financial reasons.

“A lot of millennials are paying off their student loans and that would take a big portion

of their paycheque,” said Yilan Xu, a professor of agricultural and consumer economics at the university, who co-authored the paper.

The study notes that while millennials are still interested in buying a home eventually, they are seeking different types of living arrangements from what their parents had.

“They are more open to the options of having a town house versus a single family house,” said Xu. “They are open to those kind of options and they typically desire a smaller home than their parents’ generation.”

Tiny houses, such as this one in Victoria, B.C., have made their way to Canada as a way to address a lack of affordable housing. (Canadian Press)

The home-buying power of millennials is stronger in Canada. A report released in January by TD economics shows over 50 per cent of Canadians aged 25-35 own a home, as opposed to 36 per cent of their U.S. counterparts.

But small housing initiatives have been making their way to Canada as well. Tiny housing has been springing up across the country and the condominium market is booming in urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver.

Steve Jackson, program manager of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, says his organization has also been trying to appeal to millennials looking for affordable housing, but a lack of new co-op initiatives has been a roadblock.

“It’s unfortunate that there are no major programs to develop new co-op housing,” said Jackson. “We know that a lot of millennials do see co-op housing as a wonderful option. It would be great if the waiting lists weren’t so long.”

While Davis doesn’t think smaller houses will supplant traditional ones, he sees it as a market that will grow.

“Cities are going to start allowing it, businesses are going to come up to make this happen,” he said. “There’s going to be a new age of real estate developers who are going to build these.”

8 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

AUTO

Toyota RAV4 seat defect found after fatal crash, Canada says

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anada’s transport ministry said it had found a potential seat-related defect in one of Toyota Motor Corp.’s popular models after a fatal crash that led to a global recall of nearly 3 million vehicles by the world’s top-selling automaker.

In a statement on Thursday, Transport Canada said it had discovered that in a severe front-impact crash, rear seat belts could sever after coming in contact with steel parts from seat frames, failing to restrain passengers.

The ministry said it made the discovery after reconstructing a crash involving a 2011 RAV4 in Canada in which the front occupants survived, but the rear passengers did not.

Toyota said it was aware of the finding, along with a separate report from the U.S. market in which

a rear seat passenger sustained injuries due to a severed seat belt following a crash, while adding that it had not been able to confirm a connection with injuries or fatalities.

The automaker earlier announced that it was recalling 2.87 million vehicles, including 1.3 million RAV4s in North America, along with around 625,000 vehicles in Europe, 434,000 vehicles in China, and 307,000 in other regions.

Toyota also recalled 177,000 vehicles in Japan, including RAV4s and its Vanguard SUV model for the domestic market. It said it would add resin covers to the metal seat cushion frames of recalled vehicles.

The RAV4 is one of Toyota’s top-selling models in North America, and was the No. 8 best-selling vehicle in the United States

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Aston Martin to develop first EV with China’s LeEco

ston Martin plans to team up with Chinese consumer electronics group LeEco to help bring its electric RapidE vehicle to market by 2018.

LeEco intends to provide the powertrain and battery pack for the vehicle to be built at Aston Martin’s factory in Gaydon, England, the companies said in Frankfurt on Wednesday.

The planned joint venture secures financing to take the battery-powered version of the current Rapide sports car from concept to production. “It brings Aston Martin’s electric car project forward,” Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said.

The partners plan to develop an electric car based on Aston Martin’s Rapide S. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Sports-car makers are increasingly being lured into the electric-car market, drawn by Tesla Motors’ emergence and tightening environmental regulations. BMW sells the plug-in hybrid i8, and Porsche introduced the sleek Mission E concept car last year.

While electric motors offer the promise of rapid acceleration, they lack the bone-tingling sound of traditional combustion-powered sports cars.

“The sound of an Aston Martin is very graceful, that’s kind of what gives its soul,” said Will Farquhar, Aston Martin’s strategy chief. “So we are looking at how we can create that soul in an electric vehicle.”

The all-electric sports sedan is part of the brand’s push to more than double annual sales to above a former peak of about 7,500 vehicles, from 3,500 last year, Farquhar said.

Aston also plans to build an electric version of its upcoming DBX crossover it’s not yet clear whether the DBX EV would use the same (or similar) powertrain as the RapidE. The British marque is seeking to generate its first net profit

since 2010 in two years. It has said it plans to roll out a new model or variant every eight to nine months.

Lei Ding, co-founder of LeEco’s auto division, said: “The joint venture is a partnership platform. We can develop future electric vehicles for both parties.”

Captive audience LeEco offers branded content via the Internet, television set top boxes and smartphones and hopes to use its captive audience and celebrity endorsements to promote cars in future.

“In China we have around 300 million people who visit our website.

We could advertise the Aston Martin for free. And we can use celebrities to promote our vehicle.

venkyshanky23@yahoo.com

8 new car launches until March he Auto Expo 2016 brought many new products to the Indian autoindustry, which were unveiled to give customers an insight as to what they can expect in the foreseeable future. A few of the highly anticipated products are expected to launch between February and March, which have been listed below.

1. Mahindra Quanto facelift (Mahindra Canto) The sub-4m Quanto will finally be getting a major facelift as well as a new name, which is expected to launch before the end of this financial year.

A new mHawk 80 diesel engine and offer a 5-speed AMT option. 2. Maruti Vitara Brezza The Vitara Brezza is one of Maruti’s most important models in its history, as it’s the first product developed solely

by MSIL’s engineering team. It’s also the first compact, budget-oriented family SUV from India’s largest car manufacturer, which is expected to launch towards the end of March 2016. 3. Mercedes E Class Edition E The Mercedes E Class Edition E (launch on February 24) will be the last hurrah of the current generation Mercedes E Class, before the latest generation (codename W213) makes its Indian debut. The E Class Edition E is likely to feature an AMG body kit as standard, which includes redesigned front and rear bumpers, side skirts, larger AMG alloys with black accents, headlamps with smoked treatment and Edition E badges.

4. Mini Cooper S Convertible The Mini Cooper’s topless cousin, the Mini Cooper Convertible, will launch in its second generation on March 16. It will only be available in the Cooper S variant, which packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine capable of 189 hp and 280 Nm of torque. Six-speed automatic gearbox is the only choice for India. 5. Renault Duster facelift with AMT Following its unveil at the Auto Expo 2016, the new Renault Duster will go on sale in India towards the end of March. This is the first major facelift for the Duster in India, which introduces an Easy-R AMT gearbox as an option in the 110 PS variant 6. 2016 Skoda Superb Although Skoda India gave the Auto Expo 2016 a miss, they are prepping to launch the third generation Skoda Superb flagship in India on February 23. It will be based on the MQB platform, step up the luxury quotient and feature an all new styling influenced by Skoda’s latest design language.

7. Tata Zica (to be renamed) Given that the Zica name had to be changed due to this reason, the launch of the Tata Zica did not take place as expected at the Auto Expo 2016. New reports suggest that the Zica will go on sale with a new name before the end of March 2016. The names under consideration include Tata Civet, Tata Tiago and Tata Adore.

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Toyota Etios Cross Dynamique The Dynamique edition of the Toyota Etios Cross was leaked in a brochure scan.

It gets black accents on the roof rails, ORVMs and door handles, a ‘Dynamique’ badge on the C-Pillar, and rear parking sensors. It is available in two exterior colors: Inferno Orange and White exterior color options. The launch is expected anytime now.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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20 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

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NATIONAL

Justice Minister under fire for her husband’s lobbying of gov’t on behalf of First Nations

would violate both the Conflict of Interest Act and Trudeau’s own guidelines for ministers.

Wilson-Raybould, former B.C. regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was named after the federal election as justice minister, heading a department engaged in numerous law suits involving First Nations. She is also on six cabinet committees, including one responsible for examining “initiatives designed to strengthen the relationship with indigenous Canadians.”

“I don’t think her husband can lobby the federal government,” said Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch and a visiting professor at the University of Ottawa.

The federal law requires a public office holder to “arrange his or her private affairs in a manner that will prevent the public office holder from being in a conflict of interest.”

A conflict is defined as the use of official power “to further his or her private interests or those of his or her relatives or friends or to improperly further another person’s private interests.”

ustice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, one of the most powerful voices for First Nations in the new Trudeau government, is facing criticism over her husband’s decision to register as a lobbyist shortly after the October federal election.

Tim Raybould, who has a doctorate from Cambridge University, was until the election a partner with his spouse in a private company, called the KaLoNa Group, specializing in consulting work relating to self-government issues.

He hadn’t been on the federal lobbyist registry since early 2011, but he filed in late January of this year on behalf of two clients.

They are the self-governing Westbank First Nation in the Kelowna area, a longtime KaLoNa client which is one of B.C.’s wealthiest bands, and the First Nations Finance Authority, a notfor-profit based at Westbank that provides loans and financial advice to First Nations.

An ethics expert said Tim Raybould should shed his lobbying activities, since continuation

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Duffy directed payments in ‘slush-fund scheme,’ Crown says

rown lawyers have wrapped up their case against Mike Duffy after a salvo of personal attacks and accusing the senator of executing a “slush fund scheme.”

Resting the case with closing arguments, Crown attorney Mark Holmes called Duffy’s credibility as a witness into question, noting the former celebrated Conservative caucus member would endorse candidates he barely knew and made a “tidy second income” by giving speeches laced with jokes and anecdotes.

He also called Duffy a “storyteller” and “practised speaker” who relied on lines prepared by others, and suggested there was evidence during the trial that his message had been “manipulated and provided to him.”

Summarizing the Crown’s criminal case, he said Duffy misrepresented his residency, submitted expense claims he wasn’t entitled to, and misrepresented payments to his friend Gerald Donohue.

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But moments after the Crown rested its case on day 61 of the trial, Duffy’s lawyer waged an aggressive defence, accusing the Crown of taking a “piecemeal” approach that ignores “vast” amounts of critically important evidence.

Defence begins closing case Tuesday Donald Bayne’s brief but blistering rebuke offered a glimpse of what’s to come when he begins closing arguments Tuesday.

In making the Crown’s final pitch, Holmes asked Justice Charles Vaillancourt to consider how his recollections and descriptions changed over time.

“Did it seem like he was making it up as he went along?” he asked.

He also recalled how Duffy said there were many cases when then-prime minister Stephen Harper mistreated other people, but failed to provide examples when pressed to do so.

“It’s called embroidery, and it may work in broadcasting, but it’s outrageous for a witness to do that in a criminal trial,” he said.

Holmes said Duffy deliberately deceived Senate staff by setting up a “slush fund scheme” to claim illegitimate expenses. He said certain illegitimate claims were “unknown or unknowable” to Senate administration, referring to a series of payments the senator made to Donohue to pay for third-party services.

That amounted to setting up a pool of money where Duffy had “sole authority” to direct payments, Holmes said.

Senate officials took reasonable steps to evaluate claims, but there are limits to the level of scrutiny, he said.

Court slaps down appeal of Quebec’s ex-lieutenant-governor who wants out of jail

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uebec’s top court has rejected an appeal by ex-lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault for a lighter sentence on her fraud conviction. Thibault, 76, was sentenced last fall to 18 months in jail for fraud and breach of trust. Her lawyer argued she should be allowed to serve the time in the community, while the Crown wanted permission to appeal the sentence to have it extended to four years. The Quebec Court of Appeal rejected both arguments on Wednesday. Thibault pleaded guilty in December 2014 after a 2007 report by the federal and provincial auditors general revealed she claimed more than $700,000 in improper expenses when she held the vice-regal post. Her lawyer, Marc Labelle, argued that Quebec court Judge Carol St-Cyr should not have put the emphasis on making an example of Thibault strictly because of her position as the Queen’s representative in the province between 1997 and 2007. “The judge committed two principal errors: He gave too much importance to the deterrent aspect of the sentence and, secondly, he applied a section of the Criminal Code that did not exist at the time of the commission of the offence,” Labelle said earlier this month. He said the section in question specified that mitigating factors should not be considered in cases like Thibault’s. Labelle added that the judge should have taken into greater consideration how much negative media attention his client received before and during her trial.

Prosecutor Marcel Guimont argued Thibault should be given a four-year jail term due to the severity of the offences and the degree of premeditation. Thibault used the money on family activities, parties, a trip to a sugar shack and golf and ski outings. She spent six nights in prison after being sentenced but was then freed.

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POLITICS

Mature minors, mentally ill should have right to doctor-assisted death, report advises

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ature minors and mentally ill people should not be excluded from the right to doctor-assisted death, according to a special committee of MPs and senators.A 70page report tabled Thursday, called “Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach,” also says Canadians should have the right to make an “advance request” for medical aid in dying after being diagnosed with certain debilitating, but not necessarily terminal, conditions.It says the right to assisted death should not be limited to physical conditions, and that Canadians with psychiatric conditions should not be excluded from doctor assistance to end suffering. “The committee recognizes that there will be unique challenges in applying the eligibility criteria for medical assistance in dying where the patient has a mental illness, particularly where such an illness is the condition underlying the request,” the report reads.

“However, where a person is competent and fits the other criteria set out by law, the

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committee does not see how that individual could be denied a recognized Charter right based on his or her mental health condition.”

The report also recommends a two-stage legislative process. The first would apply to competent adults 18 years or older to be followed by a second stage with competent mature “minors” to come in to force no later than three years later.The age for consent has been one of the most contentious issues in the right-to-die debate. The Canadian Paediatric Society pushed to exclude minors regardless of competence. But the committee referred to the Supreme Court’s statement that minors have a right “to a degree of decision-making autonomy that is reflective of their evolving intelligence and understanding.”“Given existing practices with respect to mature minors in health care and the obvious fact that minors can suffer as much as any adult, the committee feels that it is difficult to justify an outright ban on access to medical assistance in death for minors,” the report concludes.

Parliament votes to reject Israel boycott campaign

arliament has voted by a wide margin to condemn the growing international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign being waged against Israel for what is alleged to be the Jewish state’s failure to accord equal rights to Arabs in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The motion, introduced by the Opposition Conservative Party, called for the House to “reject the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes the demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel,” and the government to “condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS movement, both here at home and abroad.”

The governing Liberals mostly supported the motion, making the final tally 229 in favour of condemning the BDS movement with 51 opposed. The NDP voted against the measure, not because it likes the BDS movement, Leader Tom Mulcair said, but because it doesn’t like to see the stifling of free expression. Only the Bloc Québécois argued that

the BDS campaign constitutes legitimate criticism of Israeli policies.

Israel is increasingly concerned with the successes of the boycott and divestment efforts. In 2014, foreign direct investment in Israel dropped 46 per cent from the previous year, in part, a United Nations report said, because of BDS efforts.

These initiatives are taking hold at North American universities, churches and trade unions, where many institutions are dropping investments in Israel or Israel-connected companies. In Europe where hundreds of academics and entertainers are personally boycotting Israel, major companies such as telecom Orange and water company Veolia are pulling out of Israeli ventures, and some EU governments are putting warning labels on products produced in Israeli West Bank settlements. Israel’s reaction has been to launch a worldwide campaign by its overseas missions and supporters to discredit the BDS movement. In the course of Canada’s parliamentary debate, many virulent charges were levelled against those who seek to boycott Israel. Are they well founded?

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Saturday, February 27, 2016 i 21

Liberal MP tables bill to tackle drug-overdose fatalities

ustin Padaric was in the company of five or six other people at a party when he overdosed on crushed morphine tablets and lost consciousness. No one called 911 until late the next morning; the 17-year-old from Heidelberg, Ont., died in hospital six days later. That was in April, 2013. On Monday, Ron McKinnon, the Liberal MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, tabled the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act in the House of Commons. If passed, the bill would mean that people who call 911 to report an overdose cannot be charged with drug possession offences related to the incident.

“This means that people can take action without fear of penalty,” Mr. McKinnon said while introducing the legislation. “Hopefully, they’ll pick up the phone and save someone’s son or daughter. I hope all parliamentarians will back this bill.” The proposed legislation comes as Canada grapples with an increase in deaths from illicit drug overdoses, in part attributed to the emergence of fentanyl in the black market. British Columbia had 465 illicit drug overdose deaths last year – a 27-percent increase from 2014 – and the powerful synthetic opioid was detected in nearly onethird of them.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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JOBS

JOBS

JOBS

Need Janitorial Helpers

control and supervision of kitchen staff. Must have at least 3 years experience as a Pakistani cook.

Knowledge of Urdu and asset.

Hourly wage $17.00 per hour. 40 hours per week. Contact Pasha at 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail.com

customer service.

Employment Requirements: Completion of Secondary School with 2-3 years of experience or Completion of 3-4 years apprenticeship training program or Trade certification with several months of on-job training.

If interested please send resume at mobilezonecommunicationinc@gmail.com”

Surrey Janitorial Services urgently require helpers for Surrey and Abbotsford and Vancouver.

Experience not a requirement but will be preferred. Please call 778-859-9234 ------------------- Feb 06 2016

Baker / Sweet Maker wanted

Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs fully qualified Pakistani style Baker/Sweet maker (Mithai). Responsibilities will include Sweet making for retail and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost control and supervision. Must have at least three years experience as a Pakistani Baker. Knowledge of Urdu an asset. ourly salary $15.50/hr. Contact Pasha 604 593 7323 or send resume at anwarpasha786@hotmail.com ---------------- Jan 23 2016

Cook for Pakistani cuisine wanted Nirala Sweets and Restaurant in Surrey BC needs experienced chef for Halal Northern Pakistani style dishes. Must be expert in making kababs and tandoori dishes. Must be able to handle halal meats. Responsibilities will include menu design and planning, cooking for individual customers and banquets, training of employees, labour & food cost

---------------- Jan 23 2016 “Mobile Zone Communication Inc., located at 123-9855 Austin Road, Burnaby, BC V3J1N4, has immediate 2 vacancies for Cell phone Technician for two different locations. One vacancy for 123-9855 Austin Road, Burnaby BC V3J 1N4 and one vacancy for Brentwood Town Centre 4567 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6. Full time, permanent positions with 35-40 hours per week, $31/hour.

Job Duties include: Perform Inspection,Testing, Diagnose and Troubleshoot smart phone and other mobile devices; Disassemble the device to install, remove, repair or replace defective parts; Perform high quality repairs and refurbishment of phones/cell phones/tablets; Ensure all repair meets quality standards; Monitor parts inventory and inform management of status; Accurately document repairs and parts information on repair tracking document; Maintaining and using tools and equipment properly; Interact with customer as needed, providing exceptional

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Vacancy for In-home Caregiver Balwinder Singh Singhmaar, resident of 15095 92Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 5V8 has a vacancy for Inhome Child caregiver for infant child and 9 years old son. Full Time, $11 / hour, 40 hrs/week.

Applicant must have high school with minimum of one year of related experience within last three years or six months of full time training in caregiving.

Job Duties includes Supervise and care for children, prepare formulas and change diaper of infant, feeding, bathing, dressing, prepare children for rest period, escort child to school, prepare and serve nutritious meal and snacks, accompany to and from activities & appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, maintain safe environment at home, keep record of day-to-day activities, health and progress of children.

Send resumes by email at balwinderssinghmaar@gmail.com -------------- Oct 31 2015

Western door manufacturing Ltd. located at #109-8250 124Street, Surrey BC V3W 3X9, has an immediate vacancy of Carpenter. We design and manufacture high end solid wood exterior doors, solid wood interior doors and custom doors.

Full time permanent job position with wages of $25per hour.

35 to 40 hours per week.

Job Duties includes Read & interpret drawings & sketches to determine specifications; Estimate height, width, length, & other proportions; Measure, cut, shape, & assemble materials using woodworking machines, power

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JOBS tools and hand tools; Build exterior doors, interior doors, custom doors with jams; Install hardware such as hinges, handles, catches using hand tools and power tools; Repair doors & replace panels of doors.

Job requirement: High school with 2-3 years of experience.

Trade certificate will be considered as an asset. If interested send resumes by email at westerndoormanufacturing@gmail. com ------------- September 5, 2015 Jun13_155 Long Haul Truck Drivers Reqd. Sal:$23.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yr exp. & Class A 0r 1 license reqd., FT/PT Duties: Operate, drive straight or articulated trucks to transport goods & materials on local routes or over long distances.Plan trip logistics & obtain required documentation to transport goods.

Perform pre-trip & post-trip inspection of vehicle systems.

Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled & fuel consumption.May perform emergency roadside repairs.

Lang: English. Work at various location in Canada & USA. Contact: Balwinder from Metro Transport ltd.12772 82nd Ave, Surrey, V3W 3G1 E-mail your resume at metro_transport@yahoo.ca.

------------------------------Jun13_15

1 Optical Frame Fitter Reqd.

Sal: $22.00/hr, 40hr/wk, +1yrs exp. or certification reqd., FT/ PT Duties: Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription. Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses. Grinding & polishing of lenses. Cut & edge lenses & fit lenses into frames.

May supervise or manage activities of other opticians. Lang: English. Location: 12841 96 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3V 6V9 Contact: Imran from Eye See 2020 Optical at opt_eyesee@yahoo.ca.

------------------------------Jun 06_15 Dosa Corner Restaurant Ltd in Vancouver Looking to hire an authentic south indian chef .

S Basement for Rent

One bed room basement suite is available for rent from 1st of January 2016. Rent $ 600 including utility & internet .

Walking distance to Bell Centre, Elementary & High School and Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib. Call 778-628-4473 This is a full time permanent position. $18.50/hr. 40hrs/week.

Must have at least 3-5yrs experience in south indian cuisine & specialized knowledge in Dosas.

Duties include Prepare & cook meals.kitchen management. Plan menus & quality. Orders food supplies. Mail your resume to selvamm164@ gmail.com or apply by person at DosaCorner Vancouver. 110-8248 Fraser Street.

Vancouver. B.C.. V5X 3X6 Ph: 604-324-3672.

-----------------------------------Seamstress required Seamstress (Tailor) needed Foam & Décor is looking for Full Time or Part Time Seamstress ( tailor) for drapery in Surrey.

Salary will be provided @ 12 per hour. Please call 604-594-1882 Mayuri Indian foods inc is looking to hire an Ethnic Food Cook in Surrey BC. F/T & Perm.$17/hr.

Must have at least 2-3 yrs experience in South Indian cuisine & specialized knowledge in Indian spicing. Duties: Prepare & Cook meals; Supervise Kitchen helpers; Plan menus; Ensure quality & determine food proportions; Monitor & order food supplies; Set up & oversee buffets; Manage kitchen operation. Mail resume or apply by person Mayuri indian cuisine , Unit 102A,12677 80th Ave., Surrey BC V3W 3A6

To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please

Call: 604-591-5423

COMMUNITY

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Minister Harjit S. Sajjan to be keynote speaker at PICS’ The Black Tie Affair

rogressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) is pleased to announce that Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan will be the keynote speaker at The Black Tie Affair, an upcoming gala event to support PICS Diversity Village. PICS Diversity Village is an urgently needed senior care home based on the latest state-of-the-art model of care. The home will deliver customized services for each patient, respecting their culture and lifestyle and giving them a home away from home. “We are very excited to have Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan join us as our keynote speaker as we move forward to raise funds for PICS Diversity Village.

Despite his busy schedule, the Minister has agreed to support this cause and this clearly demonstrates his commitment towards the community and his strong belief in the concept of seva (service to humankind),” said

Train-the-Trainer workshop for Hepatitis and other communicable diseases at PICS, Surrey Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) is hosting Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers to make them aware about Hepatitis C and other related communicable diseases in high risk Immigrant ethnic communities.

PICS is part of the Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis Co-infections project undertaken by Canadian Ethnocultural Council, Ottawa and will provide training in the Metro Vancouver region. In Canada, STIs and TB continue to be public health concerns, however; very little information is available on the prevalence of these diseases in the selected ethnic populations and therefore; appropriate training is a must.

What - Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Healthcare Providers Where – PICS Surrey, #20512725-80th Avenue, Surrey When October 7th 2015 at 10 am – 11:30- Who can attend – healthcare providers, settlement workers and community leaders.

For more information & registration, please call 604-596-7722 ext.

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Mosaic Networking Are you new to the country/ looking to meet new friends or seeking networking opportunities? You are

PICS CEO Dr. Charan Gill. “I’m honoured to be able to support PICS Diversity Village and their commitment to ensure seniors receive the social, cultural and medical care they need. Please join me at this event, as we celebrate the diversity of our community while raising funds to help PICS fulfill their important mandate,” said Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan. The Black Tie Affair will be an elegant evening featuring fine dining, a cocktail reception, live entertainment as well as a unique silent and live auction, and will be held at Aria Banquet and Convention Centre, 12350 Pattullo Place, Surrey, BC, on February 27, 2016. “I strongly urge the community to be a part of this evening to support this seniors home, so that we can truly make a difference in the lives of those we love,” said Dr. Gill.

To buy tickets or to donate, please call Dr. Charan Gill 604.834.4088 or Nina Rihal 778.870.3170

invited! Refreshments will be served!

Mosaic Church meets on Saturday evening 6:30 pm in Surrey/Abbotsford.

Surrey: 12150-92 Avenue; Abbotsford: 2940 Clearbrook Road For more info call Dave at 604 897-4224 or email dmclauren@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------PICS Entrepreneurship Program – New Session Begins January 27th, 2016 PICS is currently accepting applications for it’s PICS Entrepreneurship Program, a nine week training course which will teach you all the ropes of how to start a successful business.

Classes include helping you develop a business plan and ways in which you can secure finance for your plan. The training is followed by sixteen weeks of mentorship and consultation as well.

New session begins on January 27, 2016 in Vancouver. Participants will be recruited from the following groups: Youth (15 to 29 years), or Aboriginals, or Persons with Disabilities (self-identified disability that restricts regular employment).

Potential participants may contact Deshpal Grewal at PICS at 604-596-7722 ext. 126 and register for the next information session scheduled for: •January 13, 2016 at 2:30 PM – PICS Head Office in Surrey (#205 – 12725 - 80th Ave, Surrey, BC) January 20, 2016 at 2:30 PM – PICS Vancouver Office (#200 – 8153 Main Street, Vancouver, BC)

Saturday, February 27, 2016 i 23

Successful Religions-Conference Held in Kamloops Faiths may prove effective in Tackling Radicalization

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ancouver BC- The “World Religions Conference” held on 21 February 2016 from 3 to 6 PM at Clock Tower Building, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, B.C. may be deemed quite an inspiring multi-faith event wherein speakers from different faiths nicely presented their faith perspective on the given topic of “Tackling Radicalization in Faith” It is highly commendable that Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat B.C. arranged this much desired multifaith event and invited learned speakers from Christianity, Buddhism, Bahai, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism to present their faith perspective in accordance with their respective Faiths. Deputy Mayor Councilor Donovan Cavers spoke on the occasion and welcomed all.

Learned speakers from Buddhism- Dr Warveni Jap, Christianity- Dr. Chris Montoya, Hinduism- Pandit Prameya Chaitanya, Islam- Maulana Balal Khokhar and Sikhism- Gian Singh Kotli expressed their views absorbingly on the topic of “Tackling Radicalization in Faith” to the great satisfaction of multi-faith listeners.

Maulana Balal Khokhar specially proved on the basis of the teachings of holy Quran that we believe in “Love for all, hatred for none.” But there may be few individuals with vested inter-

est who are defaming Islam. He explained that Islam stands for peace and well being of all. He also talked about universal aspects of Islam and asserted that Muslims are not terrorists.

It was much to the satisfaction of audience that all Speakers with one voice stressed upon the need to do away with the violence and radicalization in faiths resorted to by a handful of individuals with vested interests and to promote peaceful coexistence in the world following the tenets of their respective faiths. I also cited some quotes from the Sikh Scripture (Guru Granth Sahib) to prove that our God Father is one and human race is one. We are His children. Therefore we all are members of one World Family. That is why we must live in peaceful coexistence without violence and enmity as the members of one great world family. Respecting all Faiths our Guru has said, “All Faiths are same leading us to God. If you are to love God then you must love people. If you are to serve God, then you serve people, because God lives in people.” It was felt that other Faiths should also organize such multi-faith conferences in future. At the end silent prayer was made for peace and well being of the entire human race.

Rizwan Peerzada coordinator, Ahmadiyya Jamaat welcomed all and honored all speakers.

Income Tax Clinic, Vancouver Income Tax Clinic 2016 - March 01, 2016 to April 20, 2016 Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (Vancouver) is offering Free Income Tax filing services for people living in Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster and Burnaby. The eligibility criteria is as follows: • Single individual with annual limit upto $30,000 • Couples with annual income limit upto $40,000 • Adult with one child with annual income limit upto $35,000 and increase the income limit by

------------------------------------------Local Church Announces Saturday Service to Accommodate Young Families David McLauren and Mosaic Community Church announced a new Saturday service today to accommodate the demanding schedules of the local community.

Did you know that the Lower Mainland is one of the most diverse regions of the North America, with over 100 different spoken languages? Our communities are being joined by thousands of people from nearly every nation, culture, and ethnic group of the world.

The Lower Mainland is increasingly becoming a multicultural mosaic; however, over 90% of churches in the area have church services only on Sunday morning.

Mosaic Community Church is a new

$2500 for each dependant child • Income from interest(s) should not exceed $1,000 Anyone fulfilling the aforesaid criteria can visit or contact the PICS Vancouver Settlement Office. Appointments are necessary.

CONTACT: Vancouver Settlement Office #102 – 8157 Main Street Vancouver, BC V5X 3L2 Tel. 778-371-8552 www.pics.bc.ca

missional church in the Lower Mainland.

This new Saturday service will benefit several people in the community who: * are newcomers to the community * are looking for networking opportunities * want to add some color to their church experience * can’t wait till Sunday * are looking for something to do on a Saturday night * prefer to sleep on Sundays Mosaic Community Church meets Saturday evenings at 6:30 PM in Surrey.

Mosaic Community Church Surrey: 12150 - 90 Avenue, Surrey ------------------------------------------------------

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BC announces changes to mining laws in response to Mount Polley disaster

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Business / Finance

Saturday, February 27, 2016

he B.C. government introduced mining law changes on Thursday that would give it more enforcement powers. It’s the first of a series of legal changes expected to roll out this year in response to a dam collapse at Imperial Metal’s Mount Polley gold and copper mine in 2014.

The changes introduced in the legislature Thursday would allow the government to hand out administrative penalties without going to court. These will likely range from as low at $2,000 and could be as high as $75,000

to $500,000. Those are estimates based on the size of penalties that can already be assessed by agencies such as the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission, and the Environment and Forests ministries. The only enforcement tools currently available to the Ministry of Energy and Mines are shutting down a mine by cancelling a permit, issuing a stop-work-order or pursuing a prosecution in B.C. Supreme Court. B.C. Mines Minister Bill Bennett said those are blunt instruments, and in the case of the court system, costly, time-consuming and uncertain.

Two-thirds of Canadians think gov’t should intervene in housing market - Poll From page 2 work out to as many as 2 million people across Canada, Angus Reid says.

But that isn’t the only area where government intervention has been debated in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, a practice known as “shadow flipping” has come under fire. Essentially, by taking advantage of a clause in standard real estate contracts known as an “assignment clause,” some realtors been generating huge commissions by flipping properties between a number of buyers until the ultimate sale is booked.

Critics say that abuses a system that was originally designed to protect sellers in the event of a buyer backing out by merely adding to the speculation by driving up prices multiple times during a single sales transaction.

Respondents to the Angus Reid poll were solidly against the practice, with 65 per cent of them saying shadow flipping is “unacceptable.” That was especially true among respondents from B.C., where shadow flipping has become prevalent according to recent media reports. And older Canadians were also more likely to be against the practice than younger Canadians were.

All in all, the poll found that more than half of respondents — 56 per cent — of Canadians who live in cities say housing prices in their area fall outside of what could be considered “reasonable.”

People who live in the hot markets of Toronto and Vancouver have complained about housing prices in previous reports. But Angus Reid’s findings are different in that even if those two cities are stripped out, a majority of people still say prices are too high where they live.

■5 reasons why Toronto house prices won’t crash ■New mortgage rules might temper hot markets “No fewer than 45 per cent in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal or Halifax view prices as either high or unreasonably high,” Angus Reid said in a release accompanying the poll.

Even in Calgary, where the ongoing economic downturn has slowed new construction and left analysts warning a market correction may be underway — nearly half of respondents said prices remain too high.

“Residents in the other cities canvassed are also feeling squeezed by the cost of real

estate — even if their actual costs pale in comparison to the big two markets.”

Growth in Canadian oil production could come to ‘complete standstill,’ says report

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rowth in Canadian oil production is likely to slow down or grind to a halt five years from now once projects now under construction are built, the International Energy Agency warns in a report released Monday. The Paris-based organization said it projects Canada to add 800,000 barrels a day of production by 2021, which would bring total output to 5.2 million barrels a day. Most of that growth is expected to come from Alberta’s oilsands, with bitumen production expected to hit 3.4 million barrels a day. But a number of factors including the expense of producing crude from the oilsands threaten to curtail or put a stop to such growth, the IEA said.

“Heightened environmental concerns, a lack of pipeline access to new markets and the unknown impact of the victory by the New Democratic Party in Alberta’s elections last year are causing companies to slow de-

velopment,” it said. “As such, we are likely to see continued capacity increases (in) the near term, with growth slowing considerably, if not coming to a complete standstill, after the projects under construction are completed.”

A number of new developments in Canada recently commissioned or nearing completion will drive growth over the next five years, the IEA said. They include Imperial Oil’s Kearl expansion project in Alberta, which was completed in June 2015, and the Hebron offshore oil site off Newfoundland set to begin production in 2018.

The IEA report, which examined global oil production forecasts up to 2021, said there was a 24 per cent cut in oil investment around the world last year and another 17 per cent reduction is expected this year. Jackie Forrest, vice-president of energy research at Arc Financial, agreed that oilsands development will slow down as companies look to smaller investments and faster returns.

Business / Finance

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AltaGas halts its LNG project in Kitimat

ouglas Channel LNG, billed as the most likely project of 20 LNG proposals on B.C.’s coast to proceed because it wouldn’t need its own expensive new pipeline, was shelved by its partners on Thursday who cited worsening conditions in global energy markets. The consortium’s lead partner, Calgary-headquartered AltaGas Ltd., made the announcement that it was halting development on the $600-million proposal at Kitimat “due to adverse economic conditions and worsening global energy price levels.”

“It’s really the manifestation of market conditions,” said AltaGas executive vice-president John Lowe. “We could not secure a customer at any price that would cover our costs.”The news came as a blow to the Haisla

First Nation in the region, which, due to the cancellation and delays of other projects, is now watching a “mini-boom” spurred in part by spending on LNG development work go bust. Haisla Chief Councillor Ellis Ross said he received the news by way of a courtesy call from AltaGas on Wednesday evening, which coincided with a council meeting. “There was a lot of disappointment across the table,” he said. The Haisla, centred on Kitamaat Village, a community of 800 to 900 people, 11 kilometres from Kitimat, had seen a considerable boost from the $4-billion modernization of Rio Tinto Canada’s aluminum smelter and from opportunities in the development work on multiple LNG proposals on Douglas Channel.

Bank of Canada emphasizes vulner ability of rising household debt

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he Bank of Canada is using a speech today to emphasize its concerns over rising household debt and its potential impact on the country’s financial system. In prepared remarks of his address, deputy governor Lawrence Schembri says growing household indebtedness largely caused by low interest rates remains a key weak spot for Canada’s financial stability. He says higher levels of consumer and mortgage debt have left the economy and Canadians more vulnerable to negative shocks -- such as a severe recession that could drive up unemployment.

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RBC boosts dividend, misses analysts’ estimates with flat profit

oyal Bank of Canada reported significantly higher loan losses tied to the energy sector and outlined how a deteriorating Canadian economy would affect its operations, in an effort to ease uncertainty surrounding the challenging environment for lenders. RBC said that its provisions for bad loans rose to $410-million in its fiscal first quarter, up more than 50 per cent over last year, as low oil prices weigh on energy companies and drag down Canada’s economic activity. “There’s no question that the persistently low oil prices are tough for clients in the affected regions and are driving an increase in credit provisions in our portfolio,” Dave McKay, RBC’s chief executive officer, said during a conference call with analysts. However, the bank offered assurances that its exposure to the energy sec-

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Schembri’s remarks come as the economy struggles to recover from the steep slide in oil prices. He also spoke as the federal government appears poised to run budgetary deficits in order to invest billions of dollars in areas such as infrastructure as a way to boost Canada’s weak growth. Schembri also reaffirmed the central bank’s view that measures such as fiscal stimulus from Ottawa are better suited at this point to help improve financial stability because the benchmark interest rate is already very low.

tor was manageable, noting that loans to the oil and gas sector accounted for just 1.6 per cent of its total loans. RBC also outlined the impact on its operations if oil remains at $30 (U.S.) a barrel through 2016, down from about $50 a barrel last year. Mark Hughes, the bank’s chief risk officer, said that RBC’s provision for credit losses (PCLs) would range between 0.3 per cent and 0.35 per cent of its total loans, which is only slightly higher than RBC’s PCL of 0.31 per cent in the first quarter. Mr. Hughes added that a particularly gloomy stress test – which factors in oil falling to a 14-year low of $25 a barrel, nationwide housing prices plunging 25 per cent and the Canadian economy slipping into recession – would raise the bank’s credit losses significantly, but they would remain manageable.

B.C. real estate council names panel to investigate ‘shadow flipping’

he Real Estate Council of British Columbia has named the members of an independent advisory group that will investigate the practice of shadow flipping that became the subject of controversy earlier this month.

Shadow flipping is the practice of selling a property several times by reassigning the sales contracts before their closing date. The price of the home goes up each time. Details of the practice were revealed in a Globe and Mail investigation earlier this month.

“I believe we have a highly qualified team with the expertise to undertake this important work. These are independent thinkers from across a broad range of public and private organizations, with a clear understanding of good governance and the public interest,” said the group’s chair, Carolyn Rogers.

“I want to assure the public that we understand their concerns and we’re

determined to provide a report that puts consumer protection first.”

Rogers is also the superintendent of real estate and the CEO of the Financial Institutions Commission FICOM .

The members of the advisory group are: Howard Kushner, Barrister and Solicitor, Kushner Law GroupDon Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer, Central 1 Credit Union Audrey T. Ho, Commissioner, British Columbia Securities CommissionBruce D. Woolley Q.C., Stikeman ElliottCarol Geurts, Associate Broker, Century 21 Veitch Realty, Creston, BCTony Gioventu, Executive Director, Condominium Home Owners’ Association of BCRon Usher, General Counsel, Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia The group will provide an interim report to the real estate council

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

PUNJAB

Rivals sharpen attack on Kejriwal

ith the Aam Aadmi Party fast expanding its base in Punjab, other political parties are trying all means, including filing RTIs, to hit out at AAP. The RTI cells of all parties are working overtime to shortlist issues on which the AAP government could be held accountable ahead of the 2017 Assembly poll. The issues include expenditure borne by the state exchequer on CM Arvind Kejriwal, advertisements and funds spent for social welfare programmes. A day ahead of Kejriwal’s visit to Punjab, CLP leader Charanjit Channi today came out with an RTI reply. At the residence of Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, the Congress leader said, “The total number of unemployed registered with the Employment Directorate till this month is 13.5 lakh. About 1.35

State govt ‘misuses’ Centre’s Rs 86-cr grant Panchayats, Punjab, to adjust the central for panchayats grant against the funds received by it un-

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CLP Leader Charanjit Singh Channi (right) greets BJP state chief Kamal Sharma and Hans Raj Hans at a religious programme in Jalandhar lakh new youth whom Kejriwal lured ahead of elections too have filed fresh applications

he state government has misused a central grant of Rs 86 crore meant for distribution among the panchayats to provide and upgrade basic amenities.

The amount, the first instalment of the general basic grant, was released by the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance, under the 13th Finance Commission. Not only were the beneficiaries in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) deprived, but the state government also asked the Department of Rural Development and

der the grants received under liquor tax.

Documents accessed by The Tribune reveal that after the Centre released the grant in September 2014, it was not credited into the account of Director, Rural Development and Panchayats. Instead, the state government — through a communication in November 7, 2014 — directed the Director, Rural Development and Panchayats, to disburse Rs 86 crore out the already excess paid liquor tax grant of Rs 173 crore.

Modi govt has same mindset as Congress in 1984 - Manjit Singh GK

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hiromani Akali Dal’s Delhi unit president Manjit Singh GK today said the Narendra Modi-led NDA government “has the same mindset as the Congress on the issue of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Akalis would withdraw from the alliance if the Centre does not act fast in providing justice to the victims”. Manjit Singh GK, who also heads the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, told mediapersons

here, “I reiterate it (my statement). Nothing is more important for me than justice to the riot victims.” Only last week, a coordination meeting was organised between the Akali Dal and the BJP leaders in New Delhi to iron out differences. GK said the Centre should order a CBI inquiry into how a file of the riot victims had mysteriously gone missing from the office of the then Delhi Government. He added that the Centre has also not reopened

the CBI inquiry into the Sikh riots, which the investigation agency has closed for the third time. However, he left it to the party high command to decide if a deadline was to be given to the Modi government for a fresh CBI inquiry or constitution of a Special Investigation Team into the riots.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK (left) at a press conference in Chandigarh

Man gets life sentence for killing six yearold girl

The convict, Tejinder Singh, alias Ganju, being produced in a court in Mohali

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local court today awarded the life sentence (till death) along with a fine of Rs 17,000 to the accused, Tejinder Singh, alias Ganju (26), in the murder case of six-year-old Mehram Sandhu here. Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge Tarsem Mangla had held the accused, a neighbour of the victim, guilty of kidnapping and murdering the child on February 20. The Judge’s order stated: “The accused, Tejinder Singh, alias Ganju, kidnapped Mehram Sandhu and later killed the child. In a bid to destroy evidence, he buried the child’s body by digging a pit at an uninhabited place. I find him guilty under Sections 364, 302 and 201 of the IPC and convict him.” Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Bhupinder Singh, Additional Public Prosecutor, said, “We had sought the accused’s conviction on the basis of the last-seen theory, extra-judicial confession, disclosure statements suffered by the accused, the FSL report and other circumstantial evidence.”

Three prosecution witnesses and the forensic report, which confirmed that the spade (recovered on information provided by the accused) had the victim’s hair, proved vital in the case, he said. “Witness provided by Joginder Singh (a resident of the area and friend of Balwinder Singh, the victim’s grandfather), in front of whom Ganju had made an extra-judicial confession regarding his crime before his arrest; Kewal Krishan, a local shopkeeper from whom Ganju had purchased chocolates after kidnapping Mehram; and local councillor Rajinder Prashad, who claimed to have seen Ganju taking away Mehram on his Vespa scooter, proved vital as the last-seen theory for the accused’s conviction,” said Bhupinder Singh, adding that the forensic report, which confirmed that the hair found on the spade was Mehram’s, also proved crucial evidence in the case.

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Saturday - December 12, 2015

Saturday, February 27, 2016 i 27

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Saturday, February 628 ii Saturday - April 4, 2015 27, 2016

INDIA fOOD

3 terrorists killed in Kashmir stand-off

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three-day stand-off between soldiers and militants in Indian-administered Kashmir has ended with all three attackers killed, police said.

The militants killed five soldiers and a civilian in the gun battle near Srinagar. Clashes began when the gunmen ambushed a military convoy before taking refuge in a training institute on Saturday. A new exchange of gunfire began on Sunday morning as soldiers repeatedly tried to dislodge them. Part of the building was on fire as security forces came under prolonged gunfire.

Two army captains were among those killed, military officials said. “The encounter is over. All three militants have been killed,” Reuters quoted Deputy Inspector General of Police Ghulam Hassan Bhat as saying.

About 100 students and staff were evacuated from the building on Saturday as it was encircled by troops. Earlier on Monday, the security forces said they were preparing for a final assault on the institute and were reported to be using reconnaissance drones in preparation. Police have described the militants as “suspected anti-India rebels”. The gunmen took refuge in the government-run Entrepreneurship Development Institute after attacking paramilitary forces in a convoy on the main road linking Srinagar to Jammu.

Witnesses say the gunmen told civilians in the complex to “save themselves” and move to a nearby hostel on the campus as they broke into the premises. Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan in its entirety, has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years.

Two ‘sedition’ students surrender to police

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wo Indian students accused of sedition for helping organise a protest at Delhi’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have handed themselves into police. Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were among several wanted by police. The arrest of JNU student union head Kanhaiya Kumar earlier this month led to protests and clashes across India. The 9 February protest over the 2013 hanging of a Kashmiri man allegedly saw the chanting of anti-India slogans. After Mr Kumar was arrested the other students named in connection with the protests went missing but they resurfaced at JNU on Sunday night. Police did not enter the campus but late on Tuesday night

Umar Khalid was one of the organisers of the protest on 9 February Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya left university premises of their own accord and handed themselves over. Police cannot enter without permission from university authorities, reports say.

Ingredients • 250g boneless chicken ater supply has been partially trips • to2tbsp West rapeseed Delhi by oil 13:00 local time, and large swathe around the Pamp- security forces from launching combat restored in the Indian capital, that that should rise 2,000 by the end of • 1 medium redtoonion ore encounter site resounded operation against the terrorists. Sempora Delhi, where up to 10 million the day. partial supplies will “hope• 3They largesay tomatoes with praise for ‘mujahid’ (holy is a mere 15 km from Srinagar. Police were affected after protesters sabotaged a fully”• be to West ½ restored cup cashew nuts Delhi by Tuesday warriors) from loudspeakers as Indian and paramilitary forces prevented the key canal. The army took control of the Mu- evening.

“The supplypuree will be limited till the • 100g tomato security forces fought terrorists holed crowd from crossing the rivulet by firnak canal in neighbouring Haryana state on time • the Munak [canal] is totally repaired.

1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves up in a building for three days. Mosques ing tear gas shells from boats. In return, Monday after Jat community members, an- The crisis is not People should use • 100ml lowyet fatover. cream gry at caste job quotas, damaged it. Delhi water• carefully, ” hemasala said. The cutting of the in localities like Frestabal, Drangbal, angry youths pelted cops with stones in 1tsp garam Water Minister Kapil Mishra said the “crisis canal will not directly those in the capi• 1tsp red chilli affect powder Kadlabal and Sempora played record- a locality near Sempora, sources said. was still not over” and urged people to use tal who live in homes without piped, running • 1tbsp gingergarlic paste ings throughout Monday eulogising Intelligence agencies, sources said, were water carefully.

The city’s schools, which water a large number of Delhi’s residents • 2tbsp thick low fat yoghurt the terrorists. Slogans like ‘ Jaago, jaago taken aback by loud speakers blaring were closed because of the crisis, have relive in slums and other housing and rely on • salt to taste subah hui’ besides pro-Pakistan ( Jivey, encomium on the terrorists. However, water tankers and other sources such as bore opened.

Sixteen million people live in Delhi, jivey Pakistan!) and pro-Azadi (‘ Hum the police could not enter the mosques and around three-fifths of the city’s water is wells. But the reduction in supply is having kyaProcedure: chahatey: azadi’) blared from the to stop these recordings, possibly supsupplied by the Munak canal, which runs an affect across the city. Senior water board plied byand Pakistan in recent months, said the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp mosques’ loudspeakers.

Hundreds Marinate the chicken with the gingerofgarlic paste the yoghurt for 20 min. soak official Neeraj Semwal told the AFP news through Haryana.

The entire Pulwama youth across the rivulet at the oil assembled to a pan. sear the chicken pieces in thean hotIBoilsource. for 1 minute on each side to a disgolden colour. the farming chicken communities pieces. in the same agency pan, add 1tbsp the chopped The remove anger of the that fouroil ofand Delhi’s nine water treatincluding separatist of siteonions. of the saute encounter in the Entrepretill a translucent pink. Add trict, the tomatoes, redthe chili powder, hotbed garam masala powder and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes are tender (approx.

Mr Mishra tweeted on Tuesday morning ment plants were operating,4-5 forcing rationing observed a complete shutdown on a smooth neurship Development Institute (EDI) minutes). remove from flame and run in Tral, a blender with the soaked cashews to make paste. return to the pan andfrom add the the tomato puree.toBring a boil “We and add of supplies manytoareas. are hoping that “some water has been released” Monday in “solidarity” with thethe holedbuilding, withpieces. clashes reported the chicken simmer for 4-5with minutes till the chicken is cooked.

Add low fat cream and simmer for 2 minutes.

Broil the fenugreek leaves on a pan. crush the next two to canal. This had led to the restoration of partial to restore partial services in the fenugreek over bid the curry andthe remove fire. serve upfrom terrorists, statedhot. posters put up by the security forcesleaves in their to cross supplies in north and central Delhi, he said. three days and 100% supply within the next stream to try and physically prevent the separatists.

Officials said water tankers had made 1,205 15 days,” Mr Semwal said.

Severe shortage

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As soldiers fought terrorists, mosques nearby hailed mujahid

chicken (no butter) Masala Your favourite butter chicken but without the butter and added calories!

Water supply ‘partially restored’ in Delhi

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Saturday, February 27, 2016 i 29

The Black Tie Affair Fundraiser and Auction in support of PICS Diversity Village

Aria Banquet and Convention Hall, 12350 Pattullo Place, Surrey, BC Saturday, February 27 2016, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM Join us for a night of elegance at PICS’ annual fundraiser. Enjoy a cocktail reception, fine dining and dancing, live entertainment, unique silent and live auctions, and an opportunity to learn more about how you can support PICS Diversity Village. Additional speakers to be announced.

VIP Seating

($5000 per table)

: $500

Preferred Seating : $300 ($3000 per table)

Standard Seating : $200 For tickets please call PICS Head Office

604-596-7722

or for more information visit www.pics.bc.ca Corporate sponsorship packages are also available.

Support PICS Diversity Village, Support our Seniors.

Keynote Speaker: The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, P.C., M.P. Minister of National Defence

This revolutionary senior care community will provide urgently needed long-term care for seniors from all walks of life. Based on the latest state-of-the-art model of care, PICS Diversity Village will deliver customized services for each patient, respecting their culture and lifestyle and giving them a home away from home.

Help us make a difference in the lives of those we love.

www.picsdiversityvillage.com We will be hosting 450+ elite and influential members of the community, including government representatives and a variety of business and industry professionals.

Our goal is to raise $1 million to complete the purchase of the land for PICS Diversity Village.

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

FIJI

Fijians urged to immediately bury those who died in cyclone

62,000 in evacuation centres

ijians in remote places were being urged on Thursday to immediately bury loved ones who died in a powerful cyclone rather than waiting for autopsies. Government spokesman Ewan Perrin said that many remote islands and isolated communities still do not have electricity or refrigeration, and so the government is asking people to bury the dead in the interests of public health and safety. The death toll from Cyclone Winston remained at 42 on Thurs-

day with at least four others still missing. The cyclone tore through the Pacific Island chain last weekend with winds that reached 177 miles (285 kilometers) per hour, making it the strongest storm in Fiji’s recorded history.

Perrin said authorities have now managed to travel to all the islands affected by the storm but still haven’t reached a handful of isolated communities. He said people who do bury their dead are being asked to recall as many details as they can, such as the time of death and the events that preceded it.

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he number of evacuees in centres around the country has increased to 62,000.

Minister for National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu announced this

in a media briefing this afternoon. Apart from the latest statistics on the number of people in evacuation centres in the country, there were no new updates.

The death toll still stands at 50.

Devastation by Cyclone Winston in Fiji shown in pictures taken in Western Viti Levu

FIJI

Fiji death toll reaches 50 with reports entire villages wiped out on remote islands

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he death toll from super-cyclone Winston that hit Fiji on the weekend has reached 50, with reports emerging entire villages have been wiped out on some remote islands. The Fijian Government confirmed the death toll, saying it feared the number would rise further as relief teams reach isolated communities. “Fifty Fijians now confirmed dead - disaster officials continue to deploy team to help those affected across Fiji,” government spokesman Dan Gavidi tweeted.

The acting head of the Red Cross’s Pacific office Ahmad Sami said more fatalities were coming to light as government and aid agencies sent back information from remote communities. “The numbers will continue to change as we have better access to information and establish communications,” he said. Koro Island, which lies in the Koro Sea between Fiji’s two largest islands, was one of the worst-hit by Cyclone Winston on the weekend. Aid is slowly arriving on the island but resident Serepe Pela, who lives in Nasau village, said more assistance was desperately needed. “They need their houses to be constructed. At present all houses were ruined by Cyclone Winston,” he said.

“And foods, currently the food security level at Nasau is 5 per cent to 10 per cent.

“Maybe by next week there will be no more food.” Other residents on Koro Island told local media how several people were killed by huge waves whipped up by the cyclone. The scale of the devastation is becoming clearer as authorities make contact with smaller islands impacted by the category five storm.

Australia sending relief to hard-hit areas

Australia has sent more aid to the Pacific country with Australian Defence Force helicopters expected to start flying to hard-hit areas from Thursday. The Royal Australian Navy’s biggest ship will be deployed to Fiji, along with another aircraft to help with relief efforts after the cyclone. Defence Minister Marise Payne said HMAS Canberra was anticipated to arrive on March 1 but it was difficult to estimate the exact date. “It is worthy to note that there is a cyclone of varying degrees between us and Fiji still so that is a detailed process,” Minister Payne said. Assistance has also reached Fiji from the Darwin-based National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC).

The centre’s executive director, Dr Len Notaras, said the Royal Darwin Hospital had established itself as a major centre for treatment in the region. “It is no coincidence that we have got people up in Suva as we speak responding to the cyclone as part of the NCCTRC based here in Darwin,” Dr Notaras said.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced victims would have access to low-interest loans to rebuild their homes.

“Our relief effort is in full swing,” he said in a national address.“We are spreading out all over the country, identifying areas of need and doing everything in our power to provide our people with relief supplies and assistance as fast as we can.”Many Fijians say help has been too slow but Mr Bainimarama said authorities were working as hard as possible.

“Whoever you are in Fiji, wherever you are in Fiji, we are doing our best to reach you,” he said.

Fijians wait for help to arrive in devastated communities

Fijians left devastated north coast.

by Tropical Cyclone WinAs well as the ston are asking when help damage to his is going to arrive so they house and the decan begin to rebuild their struction of their lives. In and around Rapossessions, Mr kiraki, on the north coast Naidu’s right hand of the main island Viti was crushed by a Levu, more than 1,000 door that slammed houses have been comshut during the pletely destroyed. height of the cyVinesh Naidu now lives Doctors with his wife, daughter Vinesh Naidu is frustrated no one from the clone. have told him two and mother in one leaky Government has visited to offer assistance fingers will have to room after most of the be amputated, meaning he will no longer be roof was torn off their house. There is no water, the power is out, food is scarce and Mr able to work as a fitter and turner at the local Naidu wants to know when any form of help sugar mill. “It’s devastating. It took just milis going to arrive. “We can see helicopters are liseconds and my two fingers were just gone,” coming, just making rounds and going but he said. The injury also means that Mr Naidu is unable to repair his house himself, and he is there is no help,” he said.

It is a concern that has been voiced by many waiting for relatives to arrive and help him. people the ABC spoke to along Viti Levu’s

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Fiji girl live tweets through terrifying cyclone

s the w i n d s howled, ripping off roofs and uprooting trees, Cayla Tikaram hid in a cupboard with her family.

They were in the midst of Cyclone Winston, the most powerful storm on record in the Southern Hemisphere, as it tore through Fiji, killing at least 28 people Saturday.

The power in Rakiraki, on the northern side of Fiji’s main island Viti Levu, had long gone out. In the dark but with her

phone in hand, Cayla live tweeted. She says she did so because receiving messages from her friends overseas helped her get through the terrifying experience.

32 i Saturday, February 27, 2016

SOUTH ASIA

Special visa for SAARC businessmen from April India is all set to issue multi- city, multiple-entry business visa to businessmen of SAARC nations including Pakistan, beginning April 1, 2016. The business visa, to be called ‘India Business Card’ is expected to be granted for up to five years or less, as per the requirement. “Printing of the ‘India Business Card’ has been ordered in the India Security Press in Nashik. We are planning to launch it by April 1,” a senior Home Ministry official said.

There will be some special conditions for businessmen from Pakistan. But no visa conditions will apply for those from countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. Nationals from Bhutan and Nepal do not require a visa to enter India.Pakistani entrepreneurs

should run an enterprise worth one crore Indian rupees and have an annual income of at least 10 lakh Pakistani rupees to apply for a three-year multiple entry card. Also, the applicant should be a member of any Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan recognised by India. Currently, they are eligible for grant of multiple-entry business visa for a maximum period of one year and can only travel to 10 places. Under the new scheme Pakistani entrepreneurs will be exempted from reporting at the local police station. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during the SAARC summit in Kathmandu in 2014, announced business visas with 3-5 years’ validity for citizens of all SAARC nations.

US concerned about ISI’s links with terror groups Washington: The US is deeply concerned about Pakistan’s spy agency ISI’s links with terror groups like the dreaded Haqqani Network, Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

Abducted ex-Afghan governor freed in Pakistan

Islamabad: A former governor of Afghanistan’s Herat province who was abducted nearly two weeks ago from the Pakistani capital was freed on Friday after an after an exchange of fire with the kidnappers. Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi was kidnapped on February 12 and was blindfolded and being transported by his kidnappers when they were stopped at a police checkpoint in Mardan.

“I mean, the President, all of us, are deeply concerned about the ISI relationships, deeply concerned about the Haqqani Network’s freedom to be able to have operated,” Kerry said.

3 Islamic terrorists a Hindu priest’s murder

Dhaka: Three more members of a banned Islamist group were arrested on Friday in Bangladesh in connection with the brutal killing of a head priest of a Hindu temple, the latest incident of violence targeting religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country. “They all are active members of the outlawed Jamaat’ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Mastermind in the recent (priest) murder is among those arrested,” Rangpur divisional police chief Humayun Kabir said.

Rat grounds Chinese plane

Beijing: A Chinese passenger plane was on Friday forced to return to an airport after a rat was found scuttling around its cabin. The airliner confirmed it was not a domesticated pet and they were looking into how it got on the plane, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, adding the rodent may have arrived with the catering service.

B

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Beijing overtakes New York as new ‘Billionaires capital’

eijing has overtaken New York as the city with the highest number of billionaires for the first time, a new report by China-based Beijing is seen as the country’s nexus of power where the elite often have close f i r m ties with the Chinese Communist Party leadership Hurun says. A tothe top 10 billionaires in Hurun’s list is still tal of 100 billionaires are now living in the dominated by Americans. China has 568 bilChinese capital, compared with 95 in New lionaires after gaining 90 new ones, compared York, the report says Shanghai, China’s with the US which has 535. China’s billionaires centre of commerce, comes in fifth place. boast a combined net worth of $1.4 trillion Hurun, which tracks wealth in China, has (£1.01 trillion), which is similar to the GDP of released an annual Global Rich List for Australia.Hurun’s chairman Rupert Hoogewerf the past five years measuring billionaires’ noted that the growth in China’s wealthy took wealth in US dollars. The private research place despite an economic slowdown and stock firm, which also publishes luxury maga- market instability. He told the AP news agency zines, uses a mixture of information from that it could be due to Chinese market regulapublicly traded companies plus interviews tors allowing a flood of new share issues after to compile its data. holding back Initial Public Offerings for sevOther companies such as Forbes and eral years. Hurun found that the richest man Bloomberg use different methodology in China is still Wang Jianlin, with an estimatand arrive at different conclusions. Hurun ed worth of $26bn (£18.8bn). But he has not found that Beijing had welcomed 32 new cracked the top 10 billionaires in Hurun’s list, billionaires since last year, allowing it to which is dominated by Americans. It is topped vault past New York which it calculated by Bill Gates with a net worth of $80bn, folonly saw four new billionaires. Moscow lowed by investor Warren Buffett with $68bn. was in third place with 66 billionaires, In third place is Spanish fashion tycoon according to Hurun. Overall, China has Amancio Ortega with a net worth of $64bn. overtaken the US as the country with the The report found that overall there are now highest number of billionaires. However, 2,188 billionaires in the world, a new record.

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A

Indian-origin Sikh appointed Kuala Lumpur police commissioner

n Indian-origin Sikh has been appointed the police commissioner of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, the highest police rank achieved by a Sikh in the Muslim-majority country.

Deputy commissioner Amar Singh, in his late 50s, will replace Tajuddin Mohamed who will move to federal headquarters as the deputy director of commercial CID next month.

His appointment as Kuala Lumpur police chief was announced on Friday along with several other transfers and promotions, The Star news site reported.

Amar, a third-generation policeman from his family, achieved the highest ever rank by a Malaysian Sikh, according to the Asia Samachar news web site.

His father and maternal grandfather were both policemen.

Amar’s father Ishar Singh joined the Federated Malay States Police in 1939, a year after coming to Malaya from Punjab and was a pioneer member of the police jungle squad established during the Emergency, according to a news report.

His maternal grandfather Bachan Singh was a constable who joined the force in the early 1900s.

Family protection scheme for NRIs in UAE

D

ubai-based Aster DM Healthcare and RAK Insurance have jointly launched a life and hospitalization insurance scheme for non-resident Indians (NRI) to extend care to their families back home. ARISE, designed to protect NRIs and their families from unexpected expenses brought by situations needing medical attention like illness or accidents was launched on Monday. It is the first NRI protection plan of its kind offered outside India to benefit the community in the home country, the company said.

“ARISE is a good example on how we can encourage our fellows to prepare for the future and be protected when an unfortunate situation comes. We thank everyone involved in this venture - Aster DM Healthcare, RAK Insurance and Reliance Life In-

surance for thinking about the needs of NRIs,” Indian Ambassador to the UAE, TP Seetharam said. “ARISE takes off the burden of worrying about families’ welfare left behind by Indians who live outside the country. With the comprehensive protection plan covering life, accident and hospitalisation needs of one’s spouse, parents, in-laws and children back home, they are able to extend care while miles away,” said Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare. “We are excited to provide this comprehensive personal accident and hospitalization rider plan for the NRIs here in the Gulf especially in the UAE where 42 per cent of the overall population are Indians,” said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive Officer, RAK Insurance. “With ARISE, cost effective accident cover and healthcare benefits in India are now available.

NRI

NRI techie jailed for sending malware in US

A

33-year-old Indian-origin techie has been sentenced to more than two years in jail and ordered to pay over $300,000 in fine for sending a malware to his former employer’s servers that caused financial losses. Nikhil Nilesh Shah of New Jersey was sentenced to 30 months in prison by US district judge Louise Flanagan in North Carolina and ordered to pay $324,462 in restitution.

According to the plea agreement, from

I

2007 to 2012, Shah was an information technology manager at a company in North Carolina that developed platforms for the creation of mobile applications. Shah admitted that in March 2012, he left the company to work for another technology firm and in June that year he sent malicious computer code to his former company’s computer servers in Durham and Raleigh, North Carolina, deleting much of its intellectual property.

Indian doctors may be hit by new visa rules in UK

ndian doctors in the UK may find it difficult to apply for jobs under the proposed changes to the country’s visa regime with plans to introduce a new test for the employers for ensuring European workers are given priority for skilled jobs. If employers wished to recruit a migrant from outside the settled workforce for a skilled job, they will need to show that they have carried out the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) unless the post is on the shortage occupation list, according to the new proposals. The UK Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation of a new RLMT to ensure UK and European workers are given priority for skilled jobs would mean that Indian medical graduates will be eligible to apply for higher training posts within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) only once most vacancies are already filled up. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), a representative body of nearly 50,000 Indian-origin doctors in the country, has decided to write to the UK Home Office warning of an impending “chaos” for NHS. “We want to ensure Indian doctors are not used simply as a pair of hands to service the

NHS. They should be treated equally as local doctors and given proper training before they return to their countries of origin,” BAPIO President Dr Ramesh Mehta told PTI yesterday. “These new proposals solve political issues and not practical problems. In real life, these proposals are unlikely to work properly.

The UK needs professional staff in the healthcare field as there is a huge shortage of doctors and nurses in the country. This move will cause chaos for the NHS, besides being unfair on doctors from overseas,” he said. As part of a wider plan to engage with the NHS, BAPIO has facilitated a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham and the Maharashtra government to initially bring 10 doctors from India to train in emergency medicine in the UK. “Emergency medicine is at a nascent stage in India and under this winwin situation, the NHS gets qualified doctors to meet shortages and the Indian doctors get mentoring and training in the UK. “At the end of the two years, these specially trained doctors will return to government hospitals in Maharashtra and a new batch of 10 doctors will take their place,” Mehta said.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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36 i Saturday, February 27, 2016