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Canada has fastest population growth in history Canada’s pace of population growth continues to set records as the country brings in a historic number of temporary residents, largely through international student and temporary foreign worker programs.

The country’spopulation grew by more

than 430,000 during the third quarter, marking the fastest pace of population growth in any quarter since 1957. Statistics Canada released its Oct.

South Asian trucker charged after smuggling $3 Million of cocaine into Canada A joint force operation between the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, and the Calgary Police Service has led to charges against a 28-year-old Calgary man for alleged drug importation and trafficking from the United States.

Kamalpreet Singh was

charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section Continued on page 7

79 opposition MPs portesting security breach suspended from Indian parliament At least 79 opposition lawmakers were suspended from the Indian parliament on Monday for disrupting proceedings as they demanded a government statement and

a discussion on the security breach of the chambers last week.

The suspensions followed similar taken action against 14 lawmakers last week.

1 population estimates on Tuesday, putting the number at more than 40.5 million.

The agency says the population growth over the first nine months of 2023 has already surpassed the total growth in any other Continued on page 6

Thank you Justin Trudeau

Terror group Hamas thanks Canada for its support in UN Atop Hamas official, who promised to repeat the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, thanked Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday for backing the United Nations’ ceasefire resolution.

Ghazi Hamad appeared in a video on social media, in which he mentioned the three countries, saying they were “backing sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza, ahead of the U.N. vote expected Wednesday.

Continued on page 5

Pakistani couple gets jail for life in Italy for honour killing of their daughter A Pakistani couple was sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court on Tuesday for the 2021 murder of their daughter after she refused her arranged marriage.

Saman Abbas, 18, was living in Novellara, near Bologna, when she disappeared in May 2021, having rejected the previous year her family’s demand that she marry a cousin in Pakistan.

Police in Vancouver, Kelowna arrest hundreds in crackdown on violent shoplifters A co-ordinated threeweek crackdown on violent shoplifters in Vancouver and Kelowna has led to hundreds of arrests and dozens of seized weapons, along with

the recovery of more than $110,000 in stolen goods.

Project Barcode had plainclothes officers visit about 30 stores in Vancouver and several more in Kelowna as part

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

Local / National

Saturday, December 23, 2023

The hidden story of Trudeau’s sale of Canadian gold to China TMAC is among an increasing number of Canadian companies being bought up by state-owned Chinese corporations. In March 2020, the Trudeau government permitted Continental Gold to be purchased by China’s state-controlled

Zijin Mining for $1.3 billion dollars.

Richard Fadden, head of CSIS from 2009-2013, told the Globe and Mail that the federal government should keep Canada’s national security interests in mind when examining the purchase.”

Conservative MP’s petition calling for a no confidence vote in Trudeau has over 287,000 signatures A petition calling for a no confidence vote in the Trudeau government has reached over 287,000 signatures, surpassing the most signed e-petition in parliamentary history. Penned by Conservative Party Member of Parliament, Michelle Ferreri, petition e-4701 has garnered over a quarter of a million signatories in only twenty days.

At publishing time, the total number of signatories reached as high as 287,071, a figure that continues to increase by the hour.

The member from Peterborough— Kawartha opened the petition for 30 days, starting from November 24th, and closing on Christmas Eve of this year.

Alberta’s population growing fastest in Canada Alberta’s population is yet again growing faster than any other province in Canada, with more than 17,000 people moving from other parts of the country from July to September, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada.

The migration is largely from Ontario and B.C., which have been experiencing a loss in population for more than a year.

In contrast, interprovincial migration to Alberta has been rising by 10,000 or more people for five consecutive quarters — a first since such data began being recorded.

The main driver for the rise in the number of people is non-permanent immigration, which surged by 10,638 in the third quarter.

South Asian woman charged with 1st-degree murder in Delta Officers were called to home in Ladner just after 5 p.m on Monday, police said.

Charges have been laid in the death of a woman who was found at a home in the Delta.

Delta police say officers were dispatched on Monday just after 5 p.m. PT to a residence on 47A Avenue in the community of Ladner .Police had initially said the death was “suspicious,” but have since confirmed the woman was the victim of a homicide.

While inspecting the vehicle’s trailer, CBSA said that border services officers allegedly found and seized boxes containing 52 kgs of suspected cocaine. T CBSA subsequently arrested Manpreet Singh, 27, of Brampton, Ontario.

He was then taken into custody by the RCMP and formally charged with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Preety Teena Kaur Panesar, 28, has now been charged with first-degree murder in the case, with police saying she had a “familial relationship” with the victim. A spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service said that Panesar appeared in court on Tuesday and has since been remanded to custody.

Police say the woman’s death is unrelated to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia, and they believe there is no risk to the public as a result of the killing.

Ottawa youth accused in alleged terror plot now also facing explosives charges An Ottawa youth facing terrorism charges for an alleged plot against the Jewish community is now also accused of having explosives in his possession.

The youth, who cannot be identified, was arrested Friday and charged(opens in a new tab)withfacilitatingandknowinglyinstructing someone to carry out a terrorist activity.

He appeared in court by video conference from within the Ottawa courthouse today, where the Crown introduced three additional charges.

The court would not provide the details of the charges on Monday, but a source close to the case says the youth is now also charged with possessing explosives as recently as Friday.

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South Asian trucker charged after 52 kgs of cocaine seized at Ontario border crossing A man from Brampton has been charged after authorities seized more than 100 pounds of suspected cocaine near Sarnia, Ont. earlier this month.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said that on Dec. 4, the driver of a commercial truck entered the country at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ont. and was referred for a secondary examination.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023 From page 1

Terror group Hamas thanks Canada for its support in UN

“Despite the United States’ position, the Hamas movement is watching the growing cause by several Western governments to end the aggression on Gaza,” Hamad said in English. “We welcome these developments and consider them in the right direction towards isolation the fascist Israeli government globally and ending the

long evil occupation in our modern time.”

The spokesman for Hamas said in late October that the terrorist group would repeat its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel until the country was “annihilated.”

At least 1,200 people were killed in the attack on southern Israel, and 240 kidnapped.

More than 20,000 people in Gaza have

been killed in the subsequent Israeli war on Hamas, according to the Hamasrun health ministry. The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Dec. 12 to pass a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 in favor, 10 against and 23 abstentions.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand all supported the resolution. The U.S. votes against. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine and the United Kingdom were among the countries that abstained. A U.N. Security Council draft resolution calls for a “suspension of hostilities,” rather than an outright ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The aim is to allow more aid into Gaza and call for Israel to focus more directly on eradicating Hamas.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera earlier, Hamad said that there needs to be a permanent agreement and that Hamas was open to negotiating “with all” once the war had ended.

Alongside the United Nations talks, diplomats have been meeting elsewhere, including in Cairo, for discussions on a possible ceasefire to allow the remaining Israeli hostages to be released.

Canada bids farewell to plastic straws, cutlery and checkout bags Canadian restaurants and cafes were no longer permitted as of Wednesday to offer plastic straws, food containers, checkout bags or cutlery to customers—despite a court ruling that such restrictions are unconstitutional. Canadian court ruled in a case brought by oil and chemical companies that it was “unreasonable and unconstitutional.” The government went ahead anyway, asking the court to stay an order quashing the ban while it appeals the decision, and the prohibition against the manufacture, sale or in-store distribution of single-use plastics came into force.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

Canada has fastest population growth in history

From page 1

other full year, including the record set in 2022.

That has been fuelled by international migration, including about 313,000 non-permanent residents who came to the country over the three months.

StatCansaysthosenon-permanentresidents were mostly work and study permit-holders, and to a lesser extent, refugee claimants.

Experts have been warning that the strong pace of population growth in Canada is eroding housing affordability, given the country has struggled to ramp up home construction.

The strong population growth is also posing a political risk for the Liberals, who have seen their popularity tank amid affordability concerns.

Earlier this month, Bank of Canada

deputy governor Toni Gravelle gave a speech on the effect of immigration on the economy and inflation in particular.

Gravelle acknowledged there are many benefits from this rise in immigration, noting it has helped grow the economy, expand the workforce and counteract an aging population.

But he warned it’s also adding pressure to a housing market riddled with

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“Thisjumpindemographicdemandcoupled with the existing structural supply issues could explain why rent inflation continues to climb in Canada. It also helps explain, in part, why housing prices have not fallen as much as we had expected,” Gravelle said.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023 From page 1

South Asian trucker charged after smuggling $3 Million of cocaine into Canada

Drugs and Substances Act, and Smuggling into Canada contrary to section 159(1) of the Customs Act. Customs officers discovered 52 kg of cocaine in a commercial trailer truck on Nov. 19, following a secondary examination of the vehicle at the Coutts border crossing.

“As law enforcement agencies, a top priority of our collaboration is public safety.

Working together, we have prevented another large quantity of illicit drugs from reaching our city and communities

across Alberta, which in turn has prevented criminal activity associated with the drug trade,” said Superintendent Cory Dayley with the Calgary Police Service’s Criminal Operations and Intelligence Division.

“This continued success proves how important our partnership is to maintaining safety for all Albertans.”

An image provided by the RCMP showed the cocaine was found in a Kirkland Signature baby diapers box.

Singh will be in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Jan. 2, 2024.

All new cars, SUVs & light trucks sold in Canada must be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 Canada released final regulations mandating that all passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers and light trucks sold by 2035 must be zero-emission vehicles, part of the government’s overall plan to combat climate change.

The new rules, known as the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, were first

From page 1

www.theasianstar.com

unveiled in 2021. They are designed to help ensure supply is available to the market and shorten wait times to get an electric vehicle (EV). Under interim targets set

by Ottawa, zero-emission vehicles must make up at least 20% of all cars sold by 2026 and at least 60% by 2030. Industry officials say EVs represented 12.1% of new vehicle sales in the third quarter of 2023.

Police in Vancouver & Kelowna arrest hundreds in crackdown on violent shoplifters

as part of a countrywide effort to stem the tide of increasingly aggressive retail thieves.

In Vancouver, police made 268 arrests, seized 31 weapons and returned about $102,000 in stolen merchandise to the targeted stores.

“Retail theft is not a victimless crime,” said VPD Const. Tania Visintin in a statement on Wednesday. “Not only are businesses

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out thousands of dollars, staff members are often left afraid from aggressive shoplifting incidents and wondering about the ‘what-ifs’.”

The latest sweep from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15 is part of a project launched last spring that has led to a total of 939 arrests, 94 seized weapons and recovery of $291,000 in stolen goods.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Drug-trafficking investigation leads to 10 charges for Coquitlam man A man has been charged with numerous drug and weapons offences in connection with what police believe to be a national trafficking operation.

The B.C. Prosecution Service approved 10 criminal charges against Alexander Demetrios Fasogiannis, a 34-yearold Coquitlam man, on December 13.

He is the first person to be charged in relation

to a year-long drug trafficking investigation B.C.’s anti-gang agency, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), launched at the start of 2021. The unit’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force worked alongside police partners in Manitoba to examine the origins of what they believed to be a Canada-wide operation.

Police zeroed in on four Lower Mainland residences where, after obtaining search warrants,

Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant back behind bars after being arrested in Hamilton A repeat offender known for his unique look with face tattoos is back behind bars.

He was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after his whereabouts became unknown October 16, 2023 and he was considered to have breached parole.

He is currently serving a two (2)

year sentence for: arson-damage to property, dangerous operation of a conveyance, flight from peace officer, utter threat to cause death/harm and possession of a Schedule I substance.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023 Saskatoon killer fled to USA with ‘high-ranking’ Brothers Keepers

Canadian premier slams “bizarrely impossible” federal electric vehicle mandate At least one provincial government will do “everything within its legal jurisdiction” to make sure that the new federal mandate for electric vehicles doesn’t make its way into the province.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made the comments in reaction to the new federal Electric Vehicle Availability

Standard being finalized on Tuesday.

That standard effectively means that the federal government is requiring all new cars to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

“Putting in place an Electric Vehicle Availability Standard fulfills a major climate commitment from our climate

of 30-year-old Logan Nayneecassum. It carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.

Saskatoon Senior Crown Prosecutor Michael Pilon confirmed with SASKTODAY.ca in an email on Monday that arguments for when Abdi will be eligible for parole will be heard on Jan. 26, 2024.

Payment processor to pay $10 million in largest BC forfeiture settlement

BC’s new single-use-plastics rules Your retail experience at B.C. shops and cafes will soon be a little different, as new single-use plastics rules are brought in this week.

Starting Wednesday, federal rules will mean businesses are banned from giving out, manufacturing, and importing for sale checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware, stir sticks,

Somalia national and US permanent resident, Afrah Ahmed Abdi who has just been convicted of killing a Saskatoon man had fled from Canada to the United States with a fellow Somalia national and highranking Brothers Keepers gang member.

On Dec. 14, a Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench jury found Abdi guilty of seconddegree murder in the August 2020 death

and straws, with some minor exceptions.

“Customers should expect to see no single-use-plastic bags or straws or utensils in stores — and that’s a country-wide change, so that’s all across Canada,” explained Greg Wilson, director of Government Relations, Retail Council of Canada.

And while cities like Vancouver and

A Vancouver payment processing company under investigation for alleged direct-mailing scams has forfeited $10 million in a settlement agreement with the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office — the single largest forfeiture in the history of the office.

The province announced the forfeiture, the result of a settlement agreement with B.C.-

based PacNet Services Ltd., on Tuesday.

“Today, the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office has concluded proceedings that will result in the forfeiture of $10 million from PacNet Services Ltd., a money-service business that was headquartered in B.C. and provided payment-processing services, including to

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

One person dead in collision between SUV & dump truck at 80th Ave in Surrey, BC One person is dead after a collision Thursday morning in Surrey involving a dump truck and SUV. RCMP say it happened shortly after 6:30 a.m. in the 12200-block of 80 Avenue. The driver of the SUV died at the crash site. RCMP say 80 Avenue is closed to westbound

traffic from 124 Street to 120A Street.

Anyone with information, including dash cam footage in the area on 80 Avenue and 122A Street, is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.

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Statue of Hindu god being built in Brampton A 55-foot-tall statue of a Hindu deity is being built in Brampton and is said to be completed by 2024. Indian sculptor Naresh Kumawat is crafting what will be Canada’s largest statue of a Hindu god.

You may have already caught a glimpse of Hanuman, a god and “commander of the monkey army,” according to the

Encyclopedia Britannica, as you drive on The Gore Rd., just north of Hwy. 7.

Kumawat has created more than 200 statues and other works of art dedicated to Hindu deities around the world, the Indian Express reported.

The artist shared a video on social media showing parts of the Hanuman statue being moved into place by a crane.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

INDIA Modi, Netanyahu discuss Houthi threat to shipping

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the need to protect shipping and the global economy from attacks

by Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, as per an Israeli statement.

Attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea have

disrupted maritime trade and led the US to announce a coalition to try to deal with the threat. In the latest attack on Monday, the Houthis launched drone attacks on two cargo vessels. As a result, supply chains have been disrupted and shipping firms are rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Suez Canal. This has reportedly led to a 40 per cent hike in shipping costs.

Indian held in UK extradited to United States An Indian national arrested in London on a provisional American warrant as part of a US-UK coordinated action targeting terrorism financing has been extradited to the US after consenting to face trial in America, the British authorities said on Tuesday.

Madurai-born Sundar Nagarajan (65)

was arrested from Hayes in west London on April 18. The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told Westminster Magistrates’ Court at the time that Nagarajan, linked to the Hizballah terrorist organisation, was a “requested person” (RP) by the US authorities for fraud and money laundering offences.

PM Modi ready to look into any evidence of Pannun’s ‘murder plot’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally broken silence on the murder plot of US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

In an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, PM Modi addressed the issue

and assured he would “look into” any evidence which is available to India. PM Modi also stressed that India-US ties would not derail because of this issue.

Any talk of changing the Constitution is meaningless, PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that “any talk of amending the Constitution is meaningless” and maintained that ties with the US were on an upward trajectory despite US federal prosecutors alleging an Indian link in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant

Singh Pannun on American soil.

“Regarding the best words to describe this relationship, I leave it to you. Today, the India-US relationship is broader in engagement, deeper in understanding, warmer in friendship than ever before,” he said.

Eight-yr-old Indian schoolgirl chess prodigy named Europe’s best An eight-year-old British Indian schoolgirl has made chess history after being named the “super talented” best female player at a European championship.

Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow in north-west London won the European Blitz Chess Championship in Croatia. ..

UP woman gets triple-talaq for donating kidney to brother Awoman in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda was given triple talaq by her husband through WhatsApp after she donated a kidney to save her brother’s life.

The victim Tarannum’s husband,

Mohammad Rashid, who works in Saudi Arabia, became furious over the kidney donation and demanded Rs 40 lakh from Tarannum. Upon her refusal, he sent her a triple talaq message on August 30.

Cash rules in India despite digital payment boom In November 2016 India abruptly scrapped two banknotes constituting 86% of all currency in circulation, in a move aimed at combating corruption and curbing undeclared wealth. Demonetisation - as the currency ban was popularly called -

sparked scenes of chaos outside banks and cash machines. Critics said the move hurt low-income Indians and hobbled India’s sprawling informal economy where people mainly dealt in cash.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

India

India to ease century-old Telecom laws to attract investors India aims to reform its century-old telecommunications law by introducing a new bill as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to make the sector investor friendly.

The government is exploring abolishing the concept of licensing with “authorization,” said a person familiar with the matter, who requested not to be identified as the bill is before lawmakers. This is expected to give the government flexibility to cope with advances made in technology.

The proposed draft is also considering a major overhaul of spectrum allocation rules to allow resale, easy upgradability, surrender, sharing, leasing and trading, the person said.

In addition, spectrum for satellite services will not be auctioned.

The proposed bill excludes email, internetbased communication, broadcasting, machine-to-machine communication and over-the-top services such as Netflix.

Areas of Practice ICBC/Personal Injury Immigration Law Corporate / Commercial Real Estate / Property Development

Govt to hand over Parliament security to Central Industrial Security Force The government has decided to hand over “comprehensive” security of the Parliament building complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the wake of the recent breach of the safety ring, official sources said on Thursday.

The CISF will render access control to the new and old Parliament complex in an airport security-like fashion where body frisking of persons will be done through hand-held detectors and their belongings will be checked through X-ray machines, with a provision to even scan shoes, heavy jackets and belts by putting them on a tray and passing them through the scanner, sources said. Earlier,

frisking of visitors to Parliament complex was done by Delhi Police personnel.

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. One of the accused had hidden a canister in his shoes. Sources told PTI that the Union home ministry on Wednesday directed for a survey of the Parliament building complex so that a “regular deployment of the CISF security and fire wing on a comprehensive pattern” could be done.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

FIJI Workers call for pay rise

Close to $1 million in bonus payment announced by the Government yesterday did little to lighten the spirit of most casual workers at the Fiji Ports Terminal Ltd.

PAKISTAN

Among other OHS-related issues, the group of stevedores is calling for an increase to their hourly rate, which they say have remained at $7.38 since 2006.

Lautoka business woman attacked A Lautoka business owner was attacked inside her clothing shop and left bleeding on the floor until a passerby helped her to the hospital on Wednesday.

The shocking incident, which happened around 4:00pm in Sugar City’s Nede St, has left many business owners grappling with the

idea of arming and defending themselves.

Outspoken businessmen David Chand and Alan Chiu called for urgent action from the authorities.

This, to curb violent acts such as this as the victim recovered at the Lautoka Hospital’s intensive care unit following surgery.

Imran Khan to contest federal elections from 3 constituencies Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan is set to contest in the upcoming general elections from at least three constituencies, as announced by his party on Wednesday.

71-year-old, sports legend, turned politician, faced disqualification from elections for five years after being convicted by court in Islamabad on August 5.

Nawaz Sharif to contest elections from Mansehra region Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would contest elections from Mansehra region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, his son-in-law Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) said on Wednesday.

Safdar, who hails from Mansehra and

is married to Sharif ’s daughter Maryam Nawaz, told the media that the 73-year-old three time former premier would submit his nomination papers for the National Assembly seat “NA 15 Mansehra-cum-Torghar constituency” by Thursday (December 21).

Thorough process followed when deciding presidential pardon - AG Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says a thorough process was followed by the Mercy Commission when deciding who will be given a presidential pardon.

He said those who questioned the

decision to pardon the Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, Josefa Nata and Ratu Timoci Silatolu, could rest assured that the commission had undergone a lengthy process to review each applicant.

Economic challenges not result of foreign interference by India or USA Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that the economic challenges faced by the financially strained country

Nata: I made a bad decision Josefa Nata embraced his 23-year-old son Josua yesterday and vowed, never again.

Josua was just three years old when his father was jailed for life for his involvement in the 2000 coup.

Yesterday, Josua was at the

The federal government has mended fences with the City of Burnaby after a brief public spat and announced the city will get $43.4 million as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund.

The money will “fast track” 1,290 housing units over the next three years and “spur the construction” of more than 11,340

Separatist leader surrendered with 70 followers

presidential pardon ceremony at State House to take his father home.

“He has been gone since I was born,” said Josua.

“It is emotional for me because I have not been with my dad my whole life.

Burnaby gets $43M from feds to ‘fast track’ more than 11,300 homes in next decade

were not a result of interference from either India or the United States.

The leader of main insurgent group in Baluchistan appeared before cameras to say that he has surrendered to authorities with some 70 of his followers and is giving up his yearslong fight for independence.

Real Estate

homes in the next 10 years, according to a press release. The funds will funnel into an action plan created by the city that commits to address increasing demand for housing. The funding will be geared towards technology and ensuring “that those who want to build the right types of homes in our city can get it done quickly

Sarfraz Bungulzai, who was previously known by his nom de guerre as Mureed Baluch, told reporters in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, that he feels remorse for attacks

B.C.’s real estate market showing signs of recovery from slump, association says

Sales and prices weak compared to February 2022, but month-on-month numbers improving. There are signs that B.C.’s oncehot real estate market is beginning to recover from a slump in sales and prices, with experts hopeful for improved numbers in the spring.

AccordingtotheB.C.RealEstateAssociation

(BCREA), more than 4,700 residential unit sales were recorded in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) last month, down 46.5 per cent compared to February last year.

During the real estate market’s peak, in February 2022, the average MLS listing

Saturday, December 23, 2023

‘Gangster’ wanted for three murders shot in Amritsar Alleged gangster Amritpal Singh Amri (21) was shot dead today by the Amritsar (rural) police as he tried to flee after opening fire at a police team, leaving a cop injured.

An encounter ensued between Amri and the police team around 8.30 am at Dharad village canal in Jandiala Guru, resulting in his death. He was arrested by the police yesterday. The police team had taken him to the spot after he had confessed to have hidden 2 kg heroin there. “Along with heroin, the accused had kept a .9mm imported pistol with it. He was handcuffed but he took out the pistol and fired at the police team in order to escape from the spot by taking advantage of the dense fog. The police team acted in self-defence,” said SSP Satinder Singh.

Constable Lovepreet Singh suffered a bullet injury while another cop escaped narrowly

Police officers can no longer take ‘favourites’ along after transfer No official of the Punjab Police will now be able to take their ‘blueeyed’ staff with them after transfer.

Following allegations of “corruption and misconduct” by personal staff carried along by senior police officers during transfers from one district to another, the Punjab Police have issued a strict warning and ordered that such officers be sent back to their parent units. The DGP has ordered police officers in all districts to send unauthorised police personnel back to their parent district with immediate effect. In a letter to all senior police officers, including special DGPs, Police Commissioners,

Jalandhar man’s body found in UK The body of a 23-year-old Indian student, who went missing in the UK last week, has been found near a lake in East London, police said, appealing for assistance to help piece together his last known movements.

Gurashman Singh Bhatia, a student of Loughborough University, was reported missing from Canary Wharf after a night out with friends on December 14. He was last seen on CCTV in the South Quay area at around 4.20 am on December 15, according to the police.

“Officers carried out extensive enquiries, including viewing CCTV, speaking to witnesses and analysing phone and financial data. Water searches were also carried out,” the Metropolitan Police

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Saturday, December 23, 2023