The Asian Star March 16 2019 by The Asian Star Newspaper

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Vol 19 - Issue 7

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Tel:604-591-5423

Six members of South Asian family from Canada die in Boeing 737 Max-8 crash

hree generations of a Brampton family are among the 18 Canadians who died Sunday when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa airport en route to Nairobi, killing all 157 passengers and crew. Prerit Dixit, 43, and Kosha Vaidya, 37, were headed to Kenya for March Break to introduce their teenaged daughters, Anushka and Ashka Dixit, to Ms. Vaidyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthplace. Accompanying them on the same flight were her parents, Pannagesh and Hansini Vaidya, aged 73 and 67. The family vacation to Kenya, including a planned safari, was supposed to be Ms. Vaidyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first visit to her birthplace in decades. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kosha was born in Mombasa, and she also wanted to show that place to her daughters,â&#x20AC;? family member Premal

not, right now, in the best state of mindâ&#x20AC;? to make plans, he said of his sister, Hiral, and her husband, Manant Vaidya. Mr. Vaidya is the brother of Kosha Vaidya. Anushka, 13, and Ashka, 14, were students at Centennial Sr. Public School and Chinguacousy Secondary School in Brampton, a city northwest of Toronto. In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Peel District Anushka, 13, and Ashka, 14 with their parents School Board said the tragedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;has Prerit Dixit, 43, and Kosha Vaidya, 37 and brought great sadness to the students grandparents died in plane crash and staff.â&#x20AC;? Though schools are Vyas said in an interview. Relatives in currently closed, online and phone Canada are experiencing â&#x20AC;&#x153;an emotional support services are still available breakdownâ&#x20AC;? over the news, but have over the holiday. Pannagesh Vaidya, not begun to make funeral or memorial 73, and wife Hansini, 67, were killed Continued on page 7 arrangements, Mr. Vyas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are

Liberal donor busted in exam cheating scandal The massive exam-cheating scandal that has embroiled Hollywood and the highest reaches of industry and academia landed with a thud in British Columbia. Among those charged in the scandal is B.C. Liberal Party donor and former CFL star David Sidoo (pictured). In 2016, Sidoo was even photographed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He is accused of making $200,000 in payments to get his two sons into prestigious American universities. Others allegedly took the exams for the two boys. According to court documents, Sidoo is accused of providing documents for the falsification of Continued on page 6

4-year-jail for South Asian man who repeatedly raped his wife after arranged marriage A man who repeatedly raped his wife over the course of their short marriage will serve four years in prison, less six months time served, Superior Court Justice James Diamond ruled Friday. Rajinder Guptaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother Sheela Gupta, convicted of uttering death threats and assault, was given a suspended sentence of two years. His father Vinod Gupta, convicted of uttering death threats, was given a conditional sentence of two years.

Housing report offers new insights into BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s non-resident home ownership A new housing report offers detailed insight into how much of B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property market actually belongs to nonresidents. Compiled by the Canadian Housing Statistics Program, the report outlines the differences between non-resident owners and non-resident participation in the B.C. housing market, and whether assessments vary depending Continued on page 7

President of Abbotsford Hindu Temple charged with sexual assault The president of the organization that runs Abbotsfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Hindu temple has resigned after being charged with sexual assault. Court records indicate that taxi driver Deepak Sharma, 60, of Abbotsford was charged in relation to an alleged incident on Jan. 2 in Continued on page 6

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Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh to host daily late-night show on NBC

ome Indian-Canadian flair is coming to late-night TV as YouTube star and comedian Lilly Singh becomes the first woman of colour to host a latenight talk show on a major U.S. broadcast network. NBC said Thursday that a new show, titled A Little Late with Lilly Singh, will air at 1:35 a.m. ET beginning in September, a slot currently occupied by Last Call With Carson Daly. Singh will be the only woman to host a daily late-night show on a major broadcast network. Her half-hour program will include in-studio interviews and pre-taped comedy

sketches, NBC said. In a statement, Singh called the prospect of being an Indian-Canadian woman with her own late-night show “a dream come true.” Her acting credits include HBO’s movie Fahrenheit 451, Bad Moms and Ice Age: Collision Course. Singh’s YouTube channel, in which she creates comedic and other videos, has more than 14 million subscribers, NBC said. Last month, Daly said he’s decided it’s time to bring his Last Call show to an end as he focuses on new and continuing projects, as host and producer of NBC’s The Voice. Continued on page 6

OPINION

Sylvain Charlebois

Saturday, March 16, 2019

A lonely Canada can pay off for the food industry

The number of households in Canada with just one person has never been higher. And the food industry is taking notice. More than 28 per cent of Canadian households have just one person. That’s almost four million households. That number could reach five million in few years - a little less than the combined population of Alberta and Saskatchewan. It’s one of the fastest growing demographics in our country. It appears Canada is catching up to the rest of the western world. Having ignored this trend for a long time, many industries are now adapting to it, including the food industry. Notice how much grocery store ready-toeat counters have expanded in recent years. In some cases, the space has doubled, as many grocery stores turn into small cafeterias. Grocers are increasingly mastering this merging of food retailing and food service,

also known as the ‘grocerant’ concept. In many communities, grocery stores have become a sort of community centre. You find solo shoppers chatting in a grocery store. Some grocers have even placed park benches between aisles so people can sit and visit, if briefly. The grocery store is becoming a place where you can meet and interact with other people over coffee or even lunch, and without paying too much for your food. Selling single servings can generate more profits for grocers and the food industry. Instead of losing money on shrinking package sizes while retail prices remain idle (‘shrinkflation’), the wide assortment of single-serving food products can increase profits per unit sold In the bakery section, for example, the single-serve economy can help grocers increase margins. Whole cakes are typically sold from $18 to $25 and offer eight servings. A single serving of cake often

retails at $3.99, which is 30 to 100 per cent higher than selling the entire cake. With single servings, food waste for single dwellers is less of an issue. Buying only what’s needed is a sound strategy. That said, single servings can increase plastic usage and, of course, waste. This is something the industry will need to address as more people move to single servings. Green and compostable packaging solutions are being sought by grocers as substitutes for the plastics that are required to keep food safe while increasing convenience. On the other end of the demographic continuum, given our car-centric economy, many of us are obsessed with buying food in bulk. Walmart and particularly Costco have benefited from this phenomenon. Walmart and Costco combined now sell more food products to Canadians than Sobeys, the country’s number two grocer. But the growth rate is nowhere near what it is with the single economy. Other than trying to serve singles, what’s pushing the industry to offer more individualized meals and food solutions is a highly fragmented marketplace. Valuing customizable solutions and the individualization of food requirements is ever more critical. Every one of us is different, with different needs. Don’t be surprised if you see the food industry trying to capitalize even more on the single-driven food economy. As a result, our dinner tables and restaurants may become lonely places, or places where lonely people congregate. Either way, there’s more money to be made and the food retailing sector desperately needs it. In 2018, the food retailing industry only grew by 0.8 per cent, which is really next to nothing. Sylvain Charlebois is scientific director of the Canadian Agrifood Foresight Institute

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Saturday, March 16, 2019 From page 1

Liberal donor busted in exam cheating scandal of identification cards for the grunts actually taking the tests. David Sidoo and Justin Trudeau in 2016 during the UBC Thunderbirds’ meet-andgreet with the prime minister following the football team’s 2015 Vanier Cup championship win. Sidoo a former UBC player and financial backer of the football p r o g r a m . 59-year-old investment banker — who owns a $35.8-mi l lion mansion in Vancouver — was arrested in San Jose, Calif. Postmedia reports that an unidentified person allegedly came from Tampa to Vancouver to take the SAT for his older son. The ringer was told not to score too high because the boy’s previous effort was disastrous, according to investigators. As for his younger son, the bogus SAT

score was a sky-high 2,280 out of 2,400. He was accepted into prestigious UC-Berkley. Both of Sidoo’s sons attended prestigious and posh Saint George’s School in Vancouver where a ringer allegedly took one of the boy’s final exams. The school said it is investigating the matter. Sidoo is also accused of dishing out dough to help three “children of other coc on s pi r at or s” cheat on their SATs and ACTs, according to court documents. He is currently not in custody but his lawyer said he would make court appearances in Boston “as required”. In 2016, Sidoo — a former BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughrider– told the Vancouver Province: “I’ve built my career on integrity.”

President of Abbotsford Hindu Temple charged with sexual assault Vancouver. Const. Jeff Palmer, spokesperson for the West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD), confirmed the charge and said the alleged victim came forward in the early morning of Jan. 2. She stated that she had been in Sharma’s taxi shortly before 1 a.m. and was waiting for a friend in the 100 block of Whonoak Road in West Vancouver, Palmer said. He said the woman alleged that she was grabbed in the crotch and her hand was then forcibly placed in the driver’s genital area, which had been exposed through an open zipper. Palmer said the woman and her friend reported the alleged incident to police after safely returning home. The incident was then investigated, and Sharma was arrested on Jan. 17 and subsequently charged with sexual assault. He made his first appearance in North Vancouver provincial court on Wednesday. Palmer said Sharma surrendered his West Vancouver taxi permit after receiving a revocation letter. Sharma was the president of the Fraser Valley Hindu Cultural Society, which runs the Hindu temple on Walmsley Avenue in west

Four new civil lawsuits were Social worker may have taken $500K from vulnerable kids, lawyer filed in B.C. Supreme Court Ontario, it’s alleged the social worker then drugs. . At the same time, B.C.’s representative Wednesday in connection with disturbing took funds out of a joint account and funneled for children and youth says up to 45 kids may allegations that a social worker took money them into his personal account. That child be affected and there may be “significantly from vulnerable children in government says he ended up homeless and taking hard more” given the length of time the social care. In one of the new cases, a teen alleges drugs. Another lawsuit alleges a teen was worker was employed. Jennifer Charlesworth he was sent to live in Ontario with his dad. kicked out of his rental suite after the social calls the case “disturbing” and says her office The filings state that when the boy told the worker lied about paying rent. That teen too, is advocating for many of those kids. She says social worker about his concerns, they fell says he ended up homeless and taking hard many of the children are being advocated on deaf ears. While the foster child lived in

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Abbotsford. When The News contacted the society for comment on Thursday, board members were unaware that Sharma had been charged. Vice-president Ashok Sharma (no relation), told The News that an emergency meeting was called that evening, with Deepak in attendance. “He told us he would resign,” Ashok said. He said Deepak confirmed the charge, but denied that he had committed any offence. Ashok said the board was shocked to hear about the accusation. “We couldn’t believe it because he’s a good guy … We have never noticed anything like that. He said Deepak served a previous twoyear term as president about six years ago. This is not the first time that an individual involved with the Hindu temple has been linked to sexual improprieties. Karam Vir, a former priest at the temple, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in 2013 for sexual offences involving two teenage girls. Vir had been in Canada on a work visa and was deported back to India after completing his sentence in 2015.

for through her office and are disturbed because of the way they were treated. The watchdog can’t investigate until after a police investigation concludes. No criminal charges have been laid. None of the allegations has been tested in court. “Of course it’s very troubling because when children are in care of the state, we should be ensuring and doing (our) utmost to make sure their experience is as supportive.

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Saturday, March 16, 2019

Housing report offers new insights into BC’s non-resident home ownership From page 1 housing market, and whether assessments vary depending on the type of ownership. The report classifies a home as non-resident owned when the majority of owners are nonresidents; homes are classified as resident owned if the majority of owners are residents. According to the report, 6.2 per cent of properties in B.C. have at least one nonresident owner: 2.5 per cent of B.C. residential properties are owned by a mix of resident and non-resident owners, while 3.7 per cent are owned strictly by non-resident owners. The report also found that non-residents were more prevalent in buying up newer properties with greater median assessment values. Most popular type of property for nonresidents? Condominiums. StatsCan found that 19.2 per cent of all condos built in 2016 and 2017 were owned by at least one non-resident of Canada. “It’s a pretty high number,” said urban planner Andy Yan, director of the SFU City Program. “It’s not about foreigners, it’s about foreign capital landing in the (local) real estate market.” And that affects prices because “it’s the marginal player who defines the game,” and sets the pace for home values. In the Vancouver census metropolitan area, about 8.3 per cent of condominiums were owned by only non-resident owners, while another 2.9 per cent were owned by a mix of resident and non-resident owners. The percentage of non-resident owners is much lower for other types of housing, such as single-detached (3.2 per cent), semi-detached (3.1 per cent) and row houses (3.6 per cent). Meanwhile, the percentages of mixed resident and nonresident owners overs around 2.5 per cent for each of those three types. The report is compiled by Statistics Canada by reviewing administrative data and the 2018 property assessment rolls. Yan said the more transparent the data on how much foreign investment there is in the Canadian market, the better it is for politicians to adapt policy to ensure affordable housing. “To create policy out of a knowledge base instead of guessing is always better,” said Yan. He said there are a number of jurisdictions, including Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, that do collect data on the citizenship of real estate investors. “It’s the issue of catching up with the rest of the world,” he said. He said the data will provide a good baseline for yearly comparisons. “These are 2017 numbers and a lot has happened since,” including the foreignbuyers tax, the empty home tax and the school tax on $3 million-plus homes.

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Six members of South Asian family from Canada die in Boeing 737 Max-8 carsh alongside their daughter Kosha and son-in-law Prerit Dixit, and grandchildren Ashka and Anushka. Ashka Dixit studied Indian classical music at the Swar Gunjan Music Academy, said her teacher of eight years, Pramesh Nandi. He saw the Dixits weekly for Ashka’s hour-long lessons. “I feel that it’s like I’ve lost my family,” Mr. Nandi said in an interview, repeating that he was “very deeply saddened and very deeply disturbed. We cried a lot yesterday. It is really unbelievable.” He shared a stage with Ashka last year at a community event in nearby Vaughan, Ont. His academy lost a very

talented student, he said. Though not interested in music to the same degree as her older sister, Anushka was also artistic, Mr. Nandi said, and enjoyed drawing and ice skating. The girls’ father, Mr. Dixit, had worked as a lab technologist at Ontario Public Health and at Lifelabs, a medical-testing service, in downtown Toronto, said Bhairvi Shah, a former colleague, in messages to The Globe and Mail. In her time as an intern at

the provincial health organization, Mr. Dixit encouraged her and helped look out for career opportunities, Ms. Shah said. Mr. Dixit’s wife, Ms. Vaidya, was a human-resources adviser at the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) starting from 2017. “She was a remarkable person and a valued member of our team, who had a brilliant future ahead of her,” said Julia Dumanian, president and CEO of the CHS, in a statement to The Globe. “She will be greatly missed and remembered for her intelligence, professionalism and dynamic personality.” Flags at Brampton City Hall will be lowered to half-mast in memory of the Dixit and Vaidya family, Mayor Patrick Brown said in a Twitter post.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

China’s blocking of Masood Azhar’s listing at UN as terrorist is not a setback, but a diplomatic victory for India

he Opposition’s attack on the Narendra Modi government and the outrage against China on mainstream and social media for its role in blocking, yet again, a UN move to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist distracts from the real issue — China’s outlier position in backing a globally infamous terrorist and incurring of reputational costs in being repeatedly forced to do so is a diplomatic victory for India. The benefits of this diplomatic victory will unfold over time. Equally, China’s extension of “technical hold” against UNSC listing of the JeM chief is a reality check and a lesson for Indian policymakers who were led down the garden path by Beijing

into believing that ‘Wuhan spirit’ will redefine the Sino-Indian ties. There was never a doubt about the outcome, even though India has officially called it “disappointing”. Despite India’s diplomatic offensive post Pulwama attacks, chances of China revising the stance it has taken at the UN on JeM chief in 2009, 2011, 2016 and again in 2017 were remote. Though the motion was moved by France and backed by the US and UK, China had hinted all along that it has not budged from its position. On 11 March, during a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told the media that “China’s position on the

designation of a terrorist by the 1267 Sanctions Committee is consistent and clear. China adopted a responsible attitude, follows the rules of the procedure of the committee and participated in the discussions in a responsible manner. Only through discussions can we come up with a responsible solution.” Again, on 13 March, hours before the resolution to designate Azhar as a “global terrorist” was taken up by the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, China reiterated that it will “continue to adopt responsible attitude and participate in the deliberations in the UNSC 1267 Committee”.

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Its foreign ministry claimed that “China always adopts a responsible attitude, engage in consultations with various parties and properly deal with this issue…. and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue.” China frequently uses obfuscation and ambiguity as rhetorical tools to mask clear objectives. In this case, Beijing had no intention in refraining from placing a “technical hold” to rescue Azhar because its cost-benefit calculus regarding India and Pakistan has not undergone any change. As long as Beijing perceives the benefits of a close strategic, economic and military tie with Pakistan outweighing the benefits of improving its relationship with a strategic rival in the continental landmass, there will be no change in China’s behaviour.

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India’s economy is flying on a single engine—consumer spending. Be it on air travel, buying smartphones, online shopping, or purchasing an automobile, Indians are loosening their purse strings, which, in turn, is fueling economic growth. It has helped that the country has a largely young population, high on disposable income and aspirations. On the other hand, the other cylinders of the economy have not fired. Factory output has been sluggish, investments remain subdued, foreign investors are fleeing, job creation is abysmal, and the number of stalled projects have increased. So, if prime minister Narendra Modi boasts of captaining the world’s fastestgrowing economy, he has only the Indian consumer, and his own government’s spending, to thank. “Over the past few years, private final consumption expenditure and government final consumption expenditure have been the primary growth drivers of Indian economic growth,” a report by India Ratings & Research released earlier this year, noted. And no one’s complaining—at least for now. But the cracks in the wall are becoming clearly visible. India’s aviation sector has been flying high. The domestic aviation market in the country was the fastest-growing in the world for the fourth year on the trot last year. In fact, by 2025, India is expected to be the third-largest market for aviation in the world. There are caveats, though. Volatile crude prices, a weak rupee, and intense competition has led to turbulence in the market. In the last few months, India’s oldest private airline Jet Airways has been struggling to stay airborne. Others such as IndiGo, the country’s leading airline by market share, and the no-frills carrier SpiceJet have also posted losses in certain quarters of this financial year. A similar story has been playing out in the automobiles sector. It is expected that India will emerge as the world’s third-largest passenger vehicle market by 2021, according to the Londonbased market researcher IHS Markit. But in the last few years it has been a bumpy ride for the sector that was hit by the note ban of 2016, introduction of the goods and service tax (GST) in 2017, and the ban on the sale of Bharat Stage (BS)-III emission norm-compliant vehicles from April 2017. The country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, announced a year-on-year fall in its net profit for the October-December quarter. In the same period, another industry major, Tata Motors, also reported a loss. Continued on page 10

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Chilliwack school trustees face backlash for dress code comments Chilliwack school board trustees are facing a backlash over comments made about updating the district’s dress code. Trustee Willow Reichelt had proposed changing the dress code in Chilliwack schools at a Tuesday night meeting, arguing current rules target and discriminate against girls. “When we call out a girl for a dress code violation, we are teaching her that our comfort is more important than hers and her male peers’ behaviour is her responsibility. That’s not the message I want to be sending,” Reichelt told fellow trustees. Currently, Chilliwack schools individually administer a dress code. Reichelt said she had heard from parents of children in both high school and elementary school who complained about the policies. In one case, she claimed, a girl was forced to wear a sweater in June because she was wearing a top that had spaghetti straps. The proposal was met with backlash, with trustee Heather Maahs arguing schools should be left alone to decide

what should be allowed as it will stop some students from seeking attention. “There are students out there who are needy, who will dress in provocative ways, looking for the wrong kind of attention,” she said. Darrell Furgason argued that schools are not the place to “try to impose an ideology that doesn’t work in reality.” “Having girls with cleavage exposed, you may think that’s their right,” he said. “There are many needy girls from families who may be victims of voyeurism. As a teacher in a school, I would not want to see some girl partially dressed.” The president of the BC Teachers’ Federation called the comments bizarre and creepy. “That’s not even 1950s thinking. It is Dark Ages thinking,” said Glen Hansman. “And it’s disturbing in 2019 that we would have elected officials in a community in British Columbia making comments like that.” The motion was amended to have the board of education refer the policy to the education policy advisory committee for input.

BC man calls on landlords to be more upfront about rental properties When David date but there was a Miller recently duration of time when looked at a rental that body laid there.” unit in a rooming Related house in Vernon, he City of Vancouver didn’t question why possible room rental there were numerous bylaws Kelowna city air fresheners in the council hosts public unit. “I was happy to hearing on short term get a place. I had to rentals get a place and I took Renoviction bylaw it,” Miller said. But doesn’t stop New Air fresheners inside the unit David Miller when Miller moved Westminster tenants rented in Vernon. in, the smell, which he from protesting evictions described as pungent, could not be ignored, Miller said he called the landlord and even with numerous air fresheners in the confirmed the smell was indeed from a dead room. Air fresheners inside the unit David body. “The landlord doesn’t deny it,” Miller Miller rented in Vernon. Air fresheners said. Miller said he only spent one night in inside the unit David Miller rented in Vernon. the unit, adding he couldn’t stomach any “‘The smell of death, really, it was more days or nights. disgusting, gross,” he said. Miller says he was He said he went to school the next day, shocked to learn the source of the smell from feeling ‘sick to my stomach.’ a downstairs neighbor. “My teacher excused me a couple times “He said, well somebody died up there, that day so I could get out of the room,” he they od’ed (overdosed),” Miller said. “It was said. “I mean, you could even smell it on my a little way back, I can’t remember the exact clothes that day.”

LOCAL

LOCAL / NATIONAL

From page 8

Change in policy norms, higher fuel prices, and the popularity of ride-hailing apps has meant that the sector is losing steam . An industry that is used to double-digit growth may now have to get used to sub-10% growth, believe analysts. Indian are so crazy about the gadgets that one in 10 smartphones are sold in India. Last year, the segment registered a growth of 14.5% as 142.3 million units were shipped. However, Indian companies are not the ultimate winners. Chinese phonemakers such as Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and Huawei have been the biggest beneficiaries. Better price points and offers by Chinese companies have managed to swing customers away from Indian brands. Telecom service providers, too, have been suffering after country’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, entered the fray in 2016 with Reliance Jio. According to hiring firms, telecom companies may have let go of nearly

Saturday, March 16, 2019 away global funds,” Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist at India Ratings, had told Quartz earlier. Economic growth fuelled by consumption or by government spending is healthy only as long as it is supported by a corresponding growth in industries and investment. “Consumption-led growth can arguably lead to a slackening of future growth if it entails growing imbalances due to limits to capacity creation, and rising debt burdens, particularly for households,” read a report by the Reserve Bank of India released in 2017.

There’s only one reason why India’s economy has survived Modi 90,000 employees in 2018, thanks to the disruption. Intense competition and lower tariffs have taken the sheen out of the sector. Indians are logging in to buy everything from groceries to jewellery online. As a result, the gross merchandise value (GMV, or the total value of goods sold on a marketplace) has been increasing exponentially. Sales in India’s e-commerce market currently stands at $38.5 billion and is expected to leapfrog to somewhere between $125 billion and $150 billion by March 2020, according to Care Ratings. But due to recent policy flip-flops this growth, too, may get derailed. Even though the new e-commerce policy may appease traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, it will be a big blow to online companies, more so, the big foreign players that command a substantial share of the

market. Amazon and Flipkart may end up losing between Rs35,000 crore and Rs40,000 crore, thanks to the new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules, ratings agency Crisil had noted. “Foreign investors keenly watch to see that there are no political or economic uncertainties, which we have seen in the case of India. There have been some policy flip-flops, like in the case of angel tax or e-commerce (regulations) which can drive

Home sales, prices down Home sales in B.C. were down again in February, a slump the B.C. Real Estate Association continues to blame on federal mortgage-lending restrictions. The BCREA reported Wednesday that a total of 4,533 residential-unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service last month, a decline of 27 per cent from the same month last year. The average MLS residential price in the province was $678,625, a decline of 9.3 per cent from February 2018, according to the BCREA. The association’s deputy chief economist, Brendon Ogmundson, says prospective homebuyers continue to be sidelined by the mortgage stress test. “As a consequence, and despite a strong B.C. labour market, sales remained slow in February,” he said in a statement. In Metro Vancouver, the

number of home sales fell 35.6 per cent compared with February 2018, and the average price fell from just over $1 million to $964,609. Meanwhile, the number of homes listed for sale in B.C. increased 36.5 per cent to 30,891 units compared with the same month last year. “Falling mortgage rates should provide some relief for homebuyers, providing a small boost to affordability heading into the spring,” added Ogmundson. Home sales in B.C. also declined in January by 33.2 per cent from the same month last year. The mortgage-lending restrictions, or B20 stress tests, which were brought in at the start of 2018, require lenders to prove they can make payments at two percentage points higher than the qualifying mortgage rate.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Shooting charges against Maninder Gill stayed due to unreasonable delay The former owner of a radio station who was charged in connection with a shooting outside a Surrey wedding nearly nine years ago has had those charges stayed due to an unreasonable delay. Maninder Singh Gill, then-owner of Radio India, was charged in August 2010 with a variety of weapons offences and aggravated assault in relation to the shooting of Harjit Atwal outside the wedding at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple near 120th Street. In March 2016 B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Ball found Gill guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison. The trial heard that Gill knew Atwal and sometimes saw him at community events, although they didn’t socialize. But in the months before the shooting their relationship had soured. Atwal, his longtime friend Jaspal Atwal and Jaspal’s son Vikram had been offended by stories about them aired on the station operated by Gill, and Gill had claimed that he’d been threatened by the three men as a result of the stories. Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted in 1987 of the attempted murder of an Indian cabinet minister, was at the centre of a controversy last year when he was invited to dine with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the PM’s official visit to India. Gill, who testified at his trial that he was attacked by Jaspal and Vikram just outside the temple and claimed to have retrieved a gun that fell out of Vikram’s possession and fired the gun at Harjit Atwal in self-defence, appealed his convictions. In July 2018 a three-member panel of the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned the convictions and ordered a new trial. The

new trial was scheduled to go before a jury in April, but Gill’s lawyers applied to have the charges set aside due to the length of time the case had taken. His lawyers claimed that Gill’s right to be tried within a reasonable time had been breached even after deducting time that would have been his responsibility. In his ruling on the delay application, B.C. Supreme Court Justice John Harvey noted that the case had initially proceeded at a “relaxed” pace to a preliminary hearing and the first trial. The judge said that once the first trial began it “sputtered” on several occasions, making the total almost 21 months from start to finish. T h e C r o w n , noting that the defence had not raised any arguments about delays during the first trial, opposed the application for a stay of proceedings. The judge, who had to consider new guidelines calling for cases in superior courts to be completed by 30 months, said he appreciated the seriousness of the charges and the need to have them adjudicated. But the judge found that the delay was well in excess of the 30 months and that the Crown had not rebutted the presumption that there was an unreasonable delay. Tony Paisana, Gill’s lawyer, said it had been a “long journey” and his client is just grateful to have had a chance to express the prejudice he’d suffered by the delay. “And in his particular circumstance, there was prejudice that impacted his business interests, his personal life and the stress of the impending proceedings for a long time.”

New electronic tracking system for Canadian travelers visiting Europe visa free While a number of countries have strict visa requirements, most European nations currently allow Canadians to travel through their borders visa-free. In other words, all that Canadian travellers require is a passport in order to travel. These countries comprise what is known as the ‘Schengen Zone‘ – 26 European countries that permit visa-free travel for up to 90 days. Founded on June 14, 1985, the system has been ideal for shortstay visa conditions and therefore a boon for tourism. However, starting January 1, 2021, Canadians will face some minor redtape when trying to leave on their next European adventure. Known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the system is completely electronic and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. They estimate that 95% of applications, or possibly more, would be approved within minutes. In order to apply for it, Canadians must provide a valid passport, email

address, and valid credit card or debit card, and a payment of $8 CAD. Canadians simply apply online by answering some security questions and providing information about their travel plans. After the passenger provides the requisite information and pays the nominal ETIAS fee, they are expected to receive their approved ETIAS visa waiver via email within 24 hours. The European Union has commented that, “recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for a better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience.” What’s more, once granted, Canadians hold the permission to enter Europe for three consecutive years. Also, they note that fingerprints and other biometric data will not be collected.

Here’s how prosecutors believe David Sidoo allegedly conspired to get his sons into top universities Sidoo was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud on March 5, accused of working with the orchestrator of the entire U.S. nationwide scheme. Officials said Sidoo agreed to pay William Rick Singer to have someone take three tests for his sons: one SAT each and a Canadian high school graduation exam for the elder son. Singer has pleaded guilty to being the so-called ringleader at the head of the admissions scandal, having taken millions from more than 30 parents in exchange for boosting their children’s chances of getting accepted to leading American schools. Prosecutors said Singer chose Mark Riddell, another one of his alleged co-conspirators, to write SATs for Sidoo’s sons. Riddell is well-versed in the tests, having worked as a “devoted” adviser helping students prepare for SATs and ACTs — standard college admissions exams in the U.S. — at IMG Academy, an elite sports-oriented high school in Bradenton, Fla., for 13 years. At a news conference on Tuesday, U.S. officials described Riddell as “just smart enough to get a near-perfect [test] score on demand” or calibrate a desired score. 8 outrageous details from the U.S. college scam court documents Capability aside, Sidoo and Singer needed to figure out how to get Riddell, then about 29 years old, into the exam room in the place of the two teenagers. Prosecutors said Sidoo and Singer worked together to create fake IDs. William ‘Rick’ Singer leaves the federal courthouse after facing charges in a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme in Boston.

Sidoo allegedly sent copies of his son’s real identification, like their drivers’ licences, so Singer could make fake ones for Riddell. The indictment said those ID’s showed Riddell’s photo, but Sidoos’ sons’ names. Prosecutors said Riddell flew from Tampa, Fla., to Vancouver to take the first SAT for Sidoo’s older son on Dec. 3, 2011, having been directed not to get “too high” a score so it would appear believable. Riddell was hired again to take a high school exam for the same son six months later on June 9, 2012. Again, prosecutors said he flew from Tampa to Vancouver to write the test. Both of Sidoo’s sons attended St. George’s School, a prestigious private school in Vancouver. In a statement, the school said it has launched its own internal investigation. Philanthropist David Sidoo accused of paying $200K to help sons pass U.S. college entrance exams The indictment said Sidoo paid another $100,000 to have Riddell write a SAT in Los Angeles, this time for his younger son, that same fall. Court documents said Singer paid more than $5,500 to cover Riddell’s travel costs. The indictment said Sidoo wired payments to Singer’s company bank account in January 2013. None of the allegations against Sidoo have been proven in court. Mark Riddell worked as an exam-prep adviser at a prestigious sports-oriented high school in Florida until he was suspended in light of a nationwide college admissions scandal in the United States. He’s accused of writing three exams —

Watchdog called in after man dies in Kamloops police cells The Mounties say they have notified British Columbia’s police watchdog after the death of a man who was being held in an RCMP cell in the southern Interior city of Kamloops. Police say the man was found unresponsive shortly before 6 a.m. PT We d n e s d a y. The RCMP say the man was arrested under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act after a business in the city filed a complaint at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Police say the man had been asked not to be at the business and he appeared intoxicated. The RCMP say officers found the man in a nearby parking lot and he was being held until he was able to care for himself. T h e Independent Investigations Office examines all deaths or serious injuries involving police to determine whether any offences were committed.

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

South Asian man sentenced for stabbing in Harrison Hot Springs A South Asian man from Surrey who pleaded guilty to August 2017 stabbing in Harrison Hot Springs was sentenced to time he served in jail in Chilliwack provincial court on Wednesday, but he won’t be getting out of the jail any time soon. That’s because Armaan Singh Chandi was also recently convicted of a drive-by shooting in Nanaimo, an incident that happened a year and a half prior to his visit to Harrison. In Chilliwack court on March 13, the 21-year-old Chandi wore standard-issue orange prison jumpsuit as Judge Kristen Mundstock read the sentence to the two charges he pleaded guilty to mid-trial: assault causing bodily harm, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. The stabbing took place on Lillooet Avenue on Aug. 13, 2017 in Harrison Hot Springs. The man stabbed suffered non-life threatening injuries and receiving stitches. Kagir Singh Singh Kang was also initially charged with a breach connected to the incident. Chandi was also originally charged with two breaches, an assault with

a weapon, and an uttering threat to burn, destroy or damage in Agassiz. Crown issued a stay of proceedings for those four charges after sentencing. After Chandi and Kang were arrested, Chilliwack RCMP reported the accused and the complainants knew each other. The men were arrested soon after the stabbing by Surrey RCMP. In addition to the equivalent of a one-year sentence, Chandi was ordered on 12 months probation with several conditions, including weapons and drug bans, nocontact orders with the complainants, 30 hours of community services, and anger management counselling. Chandi will remain in custody, found guilty by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird of use of a prohibited firearm with intention of committing murder, concealing his face with intention of committing an indictable offence, and dangerous driving and failing to stop for a peace officer. Arrested following 2016 drive-by shooting in Nanaimo found guilty Those convictions stem from a March 1, 2016 drive-by shooting in Nanaimo. Chandi is yet to be sentenced for the Nanaimo incident.

Women in Business Award winners announced by Surrey Board of Trade The Surrey Board of Trade’s 2019 Surrey Women in Business Awards winners were announced Wednesday before a sell-out crowd of 400. The 10th annual awards luncheon was held at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, with Betsy Myers, a former advisor to U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as guest speaker. “The Surrey Board of Trade’s Surrey Women in Business Awards inspire and illuminates guests in an ongoing way,” board CEO Anita Huberman said. Betsy Myers, a former advisor to U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, spoke at the Surrey Women in Business Awards event on Wednesday. The winners : Santoshi Desai, co-founder of Orange Oranges Technologies Ltd., won the Entrepreneur category. She leads a staff of five. “Originally from India, Santoshi has broken through the cultural norms to travel to multiple countries to carry out work, something not common for women of her background,” her bio reads. Family lawyer Rupinder Khunkhun, a partner and owner of Grandview Law Group LLP, won the Professional category. Her bio states she is “only one of a handful of female family litigators that are fluent in Punjabi and can service the ends of the South Asian community.”

The winner of the Not-for-Profit Leader category is Ninu Kang, director of communications and development at MOSAIC. Her bio says she is often interviewed by the media “as an expert on issues of domestic violence, immigrant and refugee women and children as well as racism and youth gang violence in the South Asian community.” A l i s o n Fuller, senior vice president of finance at Venturis C a p i t a l Corporation, won the Corporate/ Leadership category. She is a “key member” of the corporation’s mergers and acquisitions teams, responsible for due diligence work and operational transition. “Most recently, Alison successfully completed and ERP implementation, a cross border transfer pricing project, as well as a $65 million acquisition in Texas,” her bio states. Winner of the Social Trailblazer category is Sonia Andhi Bilkhu, of Shakti Society. She is a registered social worker and family counsellor who has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 1987. Her bio says she is an expert in the fields of social services and mental health and has sat on committees and boards including the Surrey Women’s Centre, and is the media chairwoman of NEVR, the Network for Eliminating Violence in Relationships.

LOCAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Surrey students perform ‘Bhangra against bullying’ at Tamanawis

ore than 1,000 people filled the grass field at Tamanawis Secondary School Wednesday (March 13) for the fifth annual AntiBullying Flash Mob. Founder and event director Sean Bindra said in the years he has organized the volunteer-run event, roughly 5,000 students have taken part in the flash mob. This year, elementary students from Boundary Park, Beaver Creek, Cougar Creek, J T Brown and M.J. Norris elementary schools turned out to participate,

along with high school students from Tamanawis and university students from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Members of the Surrey RCMP also danced in the flash mob.

Two new clinics open for First Nations people in Surrey Two new clinics in Surrey are offering “culturally safe” and holistic health care to 17,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in this city. The Indigenous Primary Health and Wellness Home is the first of its kind in the Fraser Health Authority’s region and is located at the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association at A101-10095 Whalley Blvd., and the Kla-HowEya Healing Place at the Guildford Public Health Unit. Provincial Minister of Health Adrian Dix was in Surrey Wednesday to present the clinics, which opened for service on Dec. 10 and operates from 8:30 a.m. t0 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. “The wellness home delivers a model of team-based care that is rooted in cultural values and traditional wellness approach to health,” Dix said. “This unique project is the result of a joint effort with community and health authority partners, and one that we’re very proud to support.” Report finds Surrey’s Aboriginal population is growing, young and underserved. It’s a partnership between Fraser Health and the First Nations Health Authority, providing services to address

physical, mental and social needs, “as well as spiritual wellness using a wellness ‘circle of care’ approach.” It also helps with housing, financial and legal issues. Staff include a physician, nurse practitioners, primary care nurses, a “Circle of Care” coordinator, a registered psychiatric nurse, a mental health clinician, licensed practical nurses, a social worker and medical o f f i c e a s s i s t ant s . Grand C h i e f Doug Kelly, chairman of the First Nations Health Council, said there’s demand for care that pairs traditional Aboriginal teachings and the best of Western medicine. “The Surrey area is home to the largest Indigenous population in B.C.,” he noted. “The First Nations Health Council appreciates the productive partnership between the First Nations Health Authority and Fraser Health. When First Nations are able to own and influence the decisions about our health and other services that impact our families and communities, the outcomes and successes will be positive. I look forward to seeing this good work move forward.”

Richmond shooting sends one man to hospital A witness at the scene told police a man dressed in black was spotted running away from the area. Richmond police are investigating a shooting that sent a man to hospital on Tuesday morning and a car fire that followed. Investigators haven’t confirmed at this time whether the shooting and the vehicle fire are related. According to a news release, Richmond RCMP received a phone call around 9 a.m. Tuesday reporting a man was suffering from a gunshot wound at a training facility in the 11000-block of Twigg Place on Mitchell Island. The B.C. Maritime Employers Association’s waterfront training centre is located at that site. Officers arrived to find a 25-yearold man suffering from serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital where he remains for treatment Tuesday afternoon. A witness at the scene told police a man

dressed in black was spotted running away from the area. Not long after, a car was reported to be on fire in the 5600-block of No. 7 Road, about a 15-minute drive from the shooting. “At this time police c a n n o t conf ir m whether the shooting and vehicle fire are related, however the shooting is not believed to a random incident,” read a news release. Richmond RCMP’s serious-crime unit, forensic investigators and canine officers are investigating both scenes and gathering evidence Tuesday. “At this point, we are asking anyone who may have been a witness to either of these incidents and have not already spoken with police, to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212,” said Sgt. Janelle Shoihet.

ICBC releases footage showing students cheating during written driver’s tests ICBC has released footage of several people who attempted to cheat on their written driver’s test, along with an important message to “put in the time and study.” The message comes on behalf of Joanna Linsangan, ICBC Spokesperson, who explains that the footage was captured from Surrey and Langley, although cheaters can be found in all areas. One instance shows a test taker sneakily

look both ways and then pull their phone from their pocket. The person takes a photo of their screen and sends it off to a friend. Before they even get a reply back, the staff at the Driver Services Centre take notice. One instance shows a test taker sneakily look both ways and then pull their phone from their pocket. The person takes a photo of their screen and sends it off to a friend.

LOCAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

BC building code adjusted upwards allowing 12-storey wood buildings British Columbia is increasing height limits for the construction of wood buildings. Premier H o r g a n says the BC building code will be changed to allow wood construction buildings to reach 12 storeys, up from six storeys. Horgan made the building code announcement at a timber production company in Okanagan Falls near Penticton that has been a North American leader in wood products used in buildings.

He says the building code changes come one year ahead of expected changes in the national building code, which are also expected to increase height limits for wood buildings to 12 storeys. H a r d y Wentzel, chief executive officer of Structurlam, says the changes allow his B.C. company to continue to be an innovator on building designs and creating jobs using the province’s timber resource. Horgan says wood construction buildings are fire resistant, environmentally sustainableandaddvaluetotimberproducts.

Man spotted peeping through windows in Abbotsford area Police in Abbotsford are warning residents about a prowler after a man was spotted snooping around a home and peering through windows. Over the weekend, a homeowner called police to report a man in their yard who had been looking through the windows and watching residents inside. When the homeowner called out to the man, the individual walked off the property and out of sight. “The homeowner believes the suspect was familiar with the home’s property and layout, as he was able to divert around motion sensors and left with ease,” read a news release issued by Abbotsford police. The man is described as being 6-foot to 6-foot-3. He was wearing all-black

clothing and gloves at the time he was spotted. His face was also covered. Police are reminding residents to call 911 immediately when they spot suspicious activity. Residents should also turn on outdoor lights, lock windows and close blinds to deter prowlers from coming onto their property.

BC housing drag deeper than anticipated will lead to slower economy

ancouver real estate watchers — from popular, but anonymous Twitter accounts to moreoutspoken realtors — have been sharing snippets of real-time sales information recently that show some steep declines in prices for detached homes in more expensive neighbourhoods and also downtown condos, with some going for double-digit percentages below their assessed values. It’s stuff that’s outside “our standard custom sets of information or data,” said Central 1 Credit Union deputy chief economist Byran Yu. On Thursday, Central 1 released Yu’s economic forecast for B.C., which found the slowing in the housing market to be deeper than he previously anticipated, even as most other contributors to growth, such as labour and LNG developments, look firm. He’s now expecting the “most pronounced drop in broader residential investment since 2009,” when real GDP growth and investment in B.C. residential real estate plummeted after a global credit crisis struck following the subprime mortgage meltdown in the U.S. The Central 1 Credit Union released deputy chief economist Bryan Yu’s economic forecast for the province, which found the slowing in the housing market to be deeper than he previously

anticipated. Gerry Kahrmann / PNG Even as home prices have already fallen more than he thought they would, he thinks they could go down further as the number of active listings compared with sales grows, across the board, for all types of houses. “There is weaker activity for homes at the higher end,” he said. “And there is also risk in the presale condo market. It’s not known how many are owned by investors who might sell when they are completed.” E v e n for presale buyers who are end-users, falling values and tighter borrowing requirements could present a challenge. “They will be impacted by mortgage stress testing that could have them maxed out under different scenarios when the condo is completed and they may have to qualify to borrow under more stringent terms in order to close the deal,” said Yu. Yu attributed the housing downturn to a series of “policy shocks” from the federal mortgage stress testing to provincial taxes hitting homebuyers of all kinds, from firsttime end-users to offshore buyers seeking luxury investments or second homes. “Historically, things do rebalance,” said Yu, adding that the economy will pivot to depend on capital investment,

Expect delays, warns FortisBC, as gas line upgrade The next phase of construction to replace a gas line is underway in Coquitlam, drawing frustration and complaints from commuters.

The project caused all sorts of traffic delays in Burnaby and Vancouver last summer. Crews will be working on various sections along Como Lake Avenue until about the end of the summer. Grace Pickell, a spokesperson for FortisBC, said the gas line upgrade is necessary and will serve more than 210,000 homes and businesses across the Lower Mainland. She suggested commuters plan ahead and warned them to expect delays. Vancouver business owners, residents concerned over closure of East 1st Avenue “I do live in Coquitlam as well, so I do appreciate the inconvenience this can have on the community, and we want to thank everyone for their patience while we complete this important upgrade,” she said. FortisBC is recommending commuters plan ahead. (CBC) Pickell says Fortis is also trying to minimize the effects on local businesses, by ensuring that storefronts remain accessible and highlighting them on social media and in their newsletter. She said information sessions have been held with business leaders and the Coquitlam Chamber of Commerce. Debate over leftover pipe One person unhappy with the way the upgrade is planned is Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. Stewart said that when the new, 30inch line is installed, the derelict 20-inch line will be left underground to degrade. “When you stop conveying gas, take your garbage with you, so we can use that scace in a very congested

BC BUDGET

Saturday, March 16, 2019 The City of Maple Ridge says it Maple Ridge social housing plan has come up with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;new approachâ&#x20AC;? to housing and social services in its housing units to be added to a project the community, but B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing minister says province set up last year. The units would be it is unworkable and the city knows that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;specifically allocated to the verified occupants Selina Robinson, the of the [tent camp] to see Minister of Municipal the camp come to an end.â&#x20AC;? Affairs and Housing, But in a statement late said on Wednesday Tuesday, Ms. Robinson the province will be said the city â&#x20AC;&#x153;brought building a temporary forward a proposal housing complex â&#x20AC;&#x153;on that they knew was an expedited basis.â&#x20AC;? not workableâ&#x20AC;? and that Ms. Robinson had city staff had been told previously ordered the the site in question city, east of Vancouver, couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accommodate to come up with a plan by this week to address any more units because of physical a lack of housing. A tent city set up nearly two restrictions and the slope of the site. years ago raised public-safety concerns and â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have tried and would prefer to was temporarily closed earlier this month. work collaboratively with the City,â&#x20AC;? Ms. The city presented its new plan Tuesday Robinson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, as the City has night at council. It included requiring an not identified a workable solution, we need unspecified number of additional modular to move forward with building temporary

15 months jail for illegal investor solicitation A Vancouver man who left town after being charged with securities crimes has been sentenced to 15 months in jail. Won Sang Shen (Craig) Cho, also known as Jae Kim, pleaded guilty last week to eight charges for violations in 2017 and 2018. He also pleaded guilty for failing to attend a trial and violating bail conditions, according to a news release from the B.C. Securities Commission. In 2017, Cho was hit with five charges for violating the Securities Act by soliciting $270,000 from five investors for online gambling and sports betting businesses. While awaiting a trial last fall on those charges, Cho was found to have been trading securities of Plus Sports Media

Ltd. with an investor. He was then handed three more charges for breaching a 2013 administrative order, trading without registration and making misrepresentations. Cho also failed to report to his bail officer and was a no-show at his October court date in Vancouver. The following month, police arrested Cho in Toronto and he was sent back to Vancouver. He has remained in custody since. On Wednesday, the BCSC said Cho had been sentenced to 15 months in jail. Cho will receive credit for time already spent behind bars; he has nine months remaining on his sentence. Following his release, he will also serve 18 months of probation.

supportive housing on an expedited basis to get the camp closed down.â&#x20AC;? The tension comes as the provincial NDP government is implementing a housing plan that it hopes will help tackle rising rates of homelessness in much of the province, including Metro Vancouver. Last week, in the wake of a fire-safety

order issued after several recent blazes at the Maple Ridge camp, Ms. Robinson ordered Maple Ridge to come up with a social housing strategy, saying months of negotiations between the province and the city had not come up with adequate plans to help people living in the tent city and others who were trying to find affordable housing in the community.

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City of Vancouver tallies information from 2019 homeless count This week the City of Vancouver conducted its annual homeless count, surveying people staying in emergency shelters on Tuesday night, then following up with a street count on Wednesday. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now compiling the results which will be presented to Vancouver city council in May and made available on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at that time. A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire asked people in shelters how long theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been without a home, their age, gender, ethnicity and health concerns. Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says information obtained through the survey will help create targeted housing for populations in need, including Indigenous people who are disproportionately affected by homelessness. Trudeau announces help for Vancouver homeless as part of national strategy â&#x20AC;&#x153;The detailed information that comes from the survey â&#x20AC;Ś provides a demographic picture of who is in these situations, and that adds a lot to the kind of housing that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proposing,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first temporary modular homes were constructed in 2017 at the corner of Terminal Avenue and Main Street. In 2018, the homeless count found that 2,181 residents were struggling with homelessness, including 659 who were living on the street and 1,522 living in shelters, safe houses and detox centres with no fixed address. That total homeless count was the highest to date, according to Stewart, who hopes that 606 single units of temporary

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not workableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - says minister

modular housing built in the past two years may bring those numbers down.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Canadian cities rank top in quality of living rankings

anada places in the top three cities to live for quality of living, with Vancouver jumping two spots to 3. Vienna had the world’s highest quality of living for decade. Trade tensions and populist undercurrents continue to dominate the global economic climate. Combined with the spectre of monetary policy tightening and volatility looming over markets, international businesses are under more pressure than ever to get their overseas operations right. Mercer’s 21st annual Quality of Living survey shows that many cities around the world still offer attractive environments in which to do business, and the best understand that the quality of living is an essential component of a city’s attractiveness for businesses and mobile talent. A Canadian city has placed in the top three cities to live for quality of living, with Vancouver jumping two spots to #3. Four other Canadian cities – Toronto (16), Ottawa (19), Montreal (21) and Calgary (32) – continued to outperform U.S cities, demonstrating Canada remains a top choice for businesses around the world. San Francisco, once again the highestranking U.S. city, dropped four spots to #34. “The prominence of Canadian cities in this global ranking showcases how the quality of living in this country is important not only for those who live here, but also for attracting multinational corporations and their employees,” said Gordon Frost, Partner and Career Business Leader for Mercer

Canada. “As organizations work to navigate the workforce for the future, this is one of the critical elements to identify which location is the most relevant for your employees.” Globally, Vienna tops the ranking for the 10th year running, closely followed by Zurich (2). In joint third place are Auckland, Munich and Vancouver – the highestranking city in North America for the last 10 years. Singapore (25), Montevideo (78) and Port Louis (83) retain their status as the highest-ranking cities in Asia, South America and Africa respectively. Despite still featuring at the bottom of the quality of living list, Baghdad has witnessed significant improvements related to both safety and health services. Caracas, however, saw living standards drop following significant political and economic instability. “Strong, on-the-ground capabilities are integral to the global operations of most international businesses and are in large part driven by the personal and professional wellbeing of the individuals that companies place in those locations,” said Ilya Bonic, Senior Partner and President of Mercer’s Career business. “Companies looking to expand overseas have a host of considerations when identifying where best to locate staff and new offices. The key is relevant, reliable data and standardized measurement, which are essential for employers to make critical decisions, from deciding where to establish offices to determining how to distribute, house and remunerate their global workforces.”

Vancouver RCMP officer charged years after assault in Edmonton An officer from the Langley RCMP detachment has been charged in a 2013 assault that took place at a McDonald’s restaurant in Edmonton. Three people were allegedly attacked at the fast food restaurant’s drive-thru, including two who were stabbed and suffered injuries described as “life-altering.” An unidentified suspect fled the scene. On Thursday, six years after the incident, the RCMP confirmed a junior constable who completed his training last year has

been arrested in connection with the case. Benjamen Kozlovich was taken into custody in Chilliwack Tuesday on warrants for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The break in the case came as a result of new information gathered by the Edmonton Police Service, which reached out to the B.C. RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit back in January. The RCMP has launched an internal investigation and said it is assessing Kozlovich’s employment status. Authorities said the constable is still on probation.

South Asian man involved in gang activities arrested near Kelowna Police in Vancouver say a 30-year- Tourniquet called “Project Territory.” old man wanted on a CanadaAt the time, investigators alleged the wide warrant for conspiracy to four are associated with the notorious commit murder has been arrested. Kang and Latimer group, which is said In statement issued Thursday, the VDP to be aligned with the Red Scorpions. said Pashminder Boparai was taken into Ali and Malonga-Massamba, who custody near Kelowna are both from Ottawa, are on Wednesday night. currently in custody and face “We would like to thank the additional charges related to public for tips and acknowledge firearms. Police say Khan is still the Kelowna RCMP for outstanding and are encouraging their assistance. They were him to turn himself in. instrumental in helping capture Task Force Tourniquet was Mr. Boparai,” said Sgt. Jason launched in 2017 in response to Robillard. “We’ll continue gang violence in Metro Vancouver. Pashminder Boparai to work collaboratively with In February, police called our partnering agencies to combat gang Project Territory one of Metro Vancouver’s violence that affects our communities.” “most successful multi-agency gang Vancouver police confirmed late last crime investigations,” resulting in month that Boparai, 22-year-old Moeen 209 charges against 38 people to date. Khan, 28-year-old Mustapha Ali and Anyone with information about 23-year-old Nobin Malonga-Massamba Khan’s whereabouts is asked to call 911. had all been charged with conspiracy to Tips can be left anonymously through commit murder as part of the ongoing Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. anti-gang investigation by Task Force

BC courier company secretly tests driverless vehicle in Metro Vancouver A B.C. courier company has been secretly testing driverless cars on the roads of Metro Vancouver. Richmond-based Novex Delivery Solutions announced Wednesday that they have been quietly experimenting with a Tesla Model 3, purchased last year by the company with an eye toward deploying the autonomous vehicle for its same-day deliveries in the future, as well as continuing to reduce its environmental impact. “Autonomous cars are the future, and we want to make sure when they’re here, we are at the forefront of this technology,” said Novex president John Coupar. “We’re gathering data every day from our Tesla Model 3 to learn everything we can about how these vehicles can perform safe, emission-free, faster delivery service to our customers.” Novex’s testing, which included a three-

week span where the vehicle was used for deliveries, has shown that there is still a ways to go before the courier company can go fully

driverless in urban areas. A human driver inside the car was poised to take over if the AI ran into trouble, as it often did. While the Tesla’s autonomous feature was able to manage on its own nearly half the time in less-condensed areas, it struggled in Downtown Vancouver, and not just in finding a parking spot. Brett Surgenor (left) and John Coupar of Novex Delivery Solutions, with a Tesla Model 3 self-driving car in Vancouver, BC, Mar. 14, 2019. “Due to the car’s inability to recognize certain signs, to make right or left turns without direction or make adjustments for construction, the autonomous feature engaged 45 per cent of the time in areas like Richmond, Surrey and Delta,” said spokesman Brett Surgenor. “In condensed areas such as Downtown Vancouver, or where there are many obstacles, businesses or residents, that number dropped to five per cent.” According to Coupar, Novex faces other “practical obstacles” as well, such as how, exactly, an autonomous car would deliver a couriered package to a customer’s front door. “Customer service is our No. 1 priority, and we are testing how we can keep providing our customers with the high-level courier services they have come to expect, but with a new autonomous vehicle option,” said Coupar.

‘Kareena and I Are Each Other’s Support’: Karisma Kapoor

ollywood actress Karisma Kapoor says her sister and actress

everything, including our kids. We are both each other’s biggest confidante and support system.” Which of her films’ remake would

Kareena Kapoor Khan and she are each other’s biggest support system and confidante. Asked if Kareena comes to her for tips on acing motherhood, Karisma told IANS here: “Kareena and I are very close, and we discuss

she want Kareena to star in? “Biwi No.1,” replied Karisma, who has featured in films such as “Anari,” “Hero No. 1”, “Zubeidaa” and “Fiza” among many others. She called the 1990s’ era as the golden time for Hindi cinema. “1990s has some

of the biggest hits in the history of Indian cinema and has been one of the best eras in Indian cinema,” she said. The 44-yearold actress was last seen on the big screen in the 2012 film “Dangerous Ishq.” What’s keeping her away from the silver screen? “My family is my priority. I do keep myself busy with work. I have never planned anything in my career. So, you never know I may do movies in future, but nothing is decided,” said Karisma. She was here at the ongoing Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week AutumnWinter 2019, where she walked the runway for designer Sanjukta Dutta. Is Karisma fashion conscious? “For me, fashion is all about comfort and anything which enhances feminity,” she said. At the fashion gala, she was dressed in a black and red Mekhela chador as part of the designer’s ‘Morom’ line.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Sunny Leone gets real now, says ‘actors make the worst friends’

unny Leone expressed her views when she appeared on an episode of the show ‘By Invite Only’. She said, “Actors and entertainers make the worst friends because they are never available, neither emotionally nor physically. We are not there for our own birthdays, let alone somebody else’s birthday,” Sunny said. On the appreciation she has received from the industry, she said, “I don’t set very high expectations when it comes to the industry reaching out and appreciating

me, so I’m never really disappointed.” Sunny has been trolled time and again. But she wouldn’t want to be trolled about her children. “I don’t care what people say about me but I wouldn’t want people to say bad things about my kids,” said the actress, who has three children. The actress expressed that if she sees people trolling her children on social media or television, it would irritate her but if she hears it in person, they better watch out as she is a “mumma bear when it comes to her kids”.

Aamir Khan comes up with his new project Laal Singh Chaddha

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Marking the occasion of his birthday Aamir Khan announced his upcoming next titled Laal Singh Chaddha, which will be an official adaptation of Tom Hanks Forest Gump. The actor will be seen essaying the character of Tom Hanks, which will be directed by Secret Superstar fame Advait Chandan and co-produced with the association of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Aamir Khan has showcased his versatility and perseverance through various characters like a romantic hero, an efficient police officer, a father amongst others. It will be for the first time that Aamir will slip into a character as such delivering yet another never done before role. The actor shared the news and said, “My next film is finalized it is called ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’. It is being made by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions together. It will be directed by

Advait Chandan. It is an adaptation of Hollywood film ‘Forrest Gump’. We have bought the rights from Paramount... I am playing the lead role of Lal Singh. We have started the prep work on the film. The shoot will start from October. I will be prepping for six months. I have to lose weight. I will be losing 20 kgs. I have to be lean and slim. I have always loved ‘Forrest Gump’ as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life affirming story. It is a feel good film. It is a film for the whole family.” The actor also revealed he would be sporting a turban “for some part of the film”. The film, based on Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a dim-witted man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

HOROSCOPE

Deepika Padukone gets her Madame Tussauds statue She unveiled her Madame Tussauds wax statue at London, a few moments ago. Accompanied by husband, Ranveer Singh, Deepika made a quiet entry as fans were clicking pictures with her statue and left them stumped as they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that the actress was standing in flesh besides them. Deepika looked enchanting in a dramatic white pantsuit and she wore dazzling earrings to accessorize her look. Ranveer Singh, on the other hand, dressed in beige overcoat, just

Aries

March 21 - April 20 The sun continues its journey through your spiritual sector and a more private part of your chart this week. This is an opportunity to continue clearing away emotional baggage and releasing those situations that no longer serve you. Toward that end, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new moon in this same zone on Wednesday that can assist you. However, with hazy Neptune also aligning with this powerful lunar phase, it could be easy to lose your focus and let things drift.

Taurus

April 21 - May 20

couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get his eyes off his dear wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statue. He even said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can I take this home?â&#x20AC;? Check out some pictures below:

Alia thanks former lover for praising her The entire Bollywood fraternity is all praises of Karan Joharâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kalank and Sidharth Malhotra too didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to laud the teaser of Kalank costarring Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt and Aditya Roy Kapur in the lead roles. When Karan Johar posted the teaser of Kalank, Sidharth Malhotra was quick to praise it. Re-tweeting to the same, he wrote,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow superb guys ! Looking spectacular #KalankTeasar.â&#x20AC;? And now, Alia too has responded to his gesture. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold herself back from acknowledging exboyfriendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appreciation. The Kalank actress â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thankedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sid for his kind words with a dancing girl and star emoji. For those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come in late, Alia and Sidharth were rumoured to be dating after they made their debut with KJoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SOTY.

As chatty Mercury rewinds in Pisces from Tuesday until March 28, it would be just as well to expect the unexpected and to factor in the possibility of delays. Things may not go as planned, but this can still bring fresh options and ideas into the mix. This week can bring opportunities for fun outings and events and possibly a friendly reunion.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 The week commences as expressive Mercury, your personal planet, turns retrograde in your sector of goals and ambitions on Tuesday. This phase lasts until March 28, and it could bring delays to your best-laid plans. With a focus on getting ahead, it would pay to be careful regarding any deals, new contracts, or communications in general. There is a new moon in Pisces and your career zone on Wednesday, and this could be an opportunity to kick-start a goal or new project.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

Karan Johar asked if he suffers from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gender malfunctionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on a tv show, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s his reply ...

n the video, Arbaaz can be seen introducing Karan as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;candid, opinionated and sometimes politically incorrectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Karan is seen taking on random questions asked by the users on Twitter like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bhai aap paglo wale dress kyu use karte ho? (Why do you dress up like mad person?)â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you have a gender malfunction?.â&#x20AC;? To this Karan replies, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It says the level of homophobia. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to me is sick.â&#x20AC;? He is also seen talking about his kids Roohi and Yash, and says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a little sensitive about my babies and when they start saying things about them, that really bothers me.â&#x20AC;? The first episode of the show featured Kareena Kapoor, who spoke unabashedly about several things. When Arbaaz showed her mean comments posted by Twitter users against her husband Saif Ali Khan, questioning him about why he allows her to wear a bikini, Kareena replied,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who is Saif to stop me from wearing a bikini anyway? Because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think my relationship is as such that Saif would ever tell me why are you wearing a bikini or

The focus on your sector of far horizons could see you yearning for a break and a chance to get away to somewhere beautiful and healing. Perhaps you need the opportunity to deeply relax and allow any might be the week to take time out and follow your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire. The new moon on Wednesday can be a call to grab a golden opportunity if you dare.

Leo

June 24 - August 23 What secrets will emerge out of the shadows this week? A focus on your sector of change and transformation and all things hidden could make for an interesting few days and weeks. The sun in Pisces and in this sensitive sector aligns with nebulous Neptune. And with a new moon also factoring into the equation, this could be a time of revelation. A piece of information or news could have a powerful

why are you doing such things or what? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think so at all. I think we share a very responsible relationship. He trusts me and when I am wearing a bikini then obviously thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason I am wearing it:I am taking a dip.â&#x20AC;? Arbaaz had even poked fun at himself in the episode when a Twitter user called him broke. In reply to the comment, the host had replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, this is true. I have no money in my account.â&#x20AC;?

Bollywood

Virgo weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blend of energies could spotlight their real motives. The Pisces sun linking to nebulous Neptune with itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illuminating qualities can pierce the fog of misunderstanding and bring anything hidden into the light. again in your sector of relationships, could encourage conversations that get to the heart of the matter.

Libra

Sept. 24 - Oct 22 As innovative and refreshing Uranus moves into a deeper and more sensitive sector of your chart, the years until 2026 could see you becoming acquainted with some hidden aspects of yourself. Whatever idealistic picture you may have painted about your life could be shattered by emerging you can reclaim your power by aligning with impulses youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d previously ignored.

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 22 Your sector of recreation and romance is emphasized, encouraging you to indulge in hobbies you enjoy, revel in a budding relationship, or spend some relaxing downtime with your longterm partner. Thoughtful Mercury rewinds in this sector from Tuesday to March 28, which could put you back in touch with hobbies or pastimes you enjoyed in your younger years. And perhaps an !

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

Home and family life could be your focus over this week, and you might be eager to resolve an issue that has puzzled you for some time. Perhaps somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behavior is mysterious, or a niggling issue seems to continue on and on. As a new moon conjoins

# $ % inspiration could enable you to see the truth of a situation. This could inspire you forward, and sound decisions will clear the way for further progress.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

& ! misunderstandings with someone, the coming week can help you to clarify why this might be. With the new moon in your sector of communication, the answer may become obvious. Then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to act on it. To complicate matters, chatty Mercury turns retrograde in your sector of talk and thought from Tuesday.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 As expressive Mercury goes into reverse in # to come to grips with money matters. And you might need to be more careful when it comes to buying big-ticket items. Things like computers or cars might be better left until the planet of talk and thought turns direct again '( & keep any receipts and paperwork.

Pisces

Feb 20 - March 20 You should be in your element with the sun in ) & * + & on those plans and projects that are closest to your heart. Plus, with the new moon in your sign on Wednesday, this is the perfect time to make a start. However, with hazy Neptune in the mix, it

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Canadians deserve 21st century ethnic TV Channels like OMNI once served us well. What we’re offering is a huge leap forward. By Slava Levin and Hari Srinivas If you have a VCR in 2019, it’s likely gathering dust on a shelf. There’s nothing wrong with it. It still does the same job it always did. But today we live in a streaming, on-demand world. The relentless drive of progress has turned your perfectly good VCR into a museum piece. That’s how innovation works. It disrupts. Sometimes, that disruption can be messy. But it gives us solutions that actually meet customers’ needs. And they will take the better option every time, by voting with their feet – and their pocketbooks. Both of us understand this very well. We’re innovators and entrepreneurs. We thrive on bringing new ideas to our customers. Through our company, Ethnic Channels Group, we pioneered delivering television signals over the internet (IPTV) years before Bell and Rogers introduced Fibe and Ignite. From our headquarters in Markham, we use IPTV to deliver multi-ethnic programming faster and at lower cost that many people in the industry ever thought possible. Today, Ethnic Channels Group is the largest distributor of multi-ethnic television in Canada. Our technology is the backbone of the ethic television packages offers by Rogers, Bell and Shaw. Without us, Canadian’s would not have the ethnic television choices available to them today. So, we know ethnic television. We understand the crucial role it plays in helping new Canadians integrate and succeed in this

country while maintaining a connection to where they’re from. And new Canadians aren’t just an important audience, they’re a large one: equivalent to the population of Quebec. For all those reasons, we strongly believe that now is the time to take ethnic television in Canada to the next level. For years, Canadian television consumers have only really had one multilingual television brand to choose from: OMNI. OMNI Television broadcasts third-language (in other words, non-English or French) programming across Canada under a mandatory-carriage license. That means that every cable and satellite provider in Canada carries it, and every customer gets it. You could say OMNI TV is omnipresent. There’s no question that OMNI has played a groundbreaking role in delivering television to a multiethnic audience over the past several decades. But OMNI is based on an outdated model. Programs in languages like Cantonese, Mandarin and Punjabi get preferential, primetime placement on OMNI’s schedule. Other languages get relegated to off-hour timeslots and lesser airtime. Today, OMNI is just like your old VCR in our on-demand, streaming world. It still does the job it was designed to do. But is there a better option? The issue is up for discussion today because — right now — the CRTC is considering new applications for the mandatory-carriage license now held by OMNI’s owner, Rogers. To be fully transparent — we have submitted our own application for that license, for a new service called Voices. Voices is unlike any kind of multi-ethnic

Premier Horgan announces tech & innovation investments to spark economic growth, job The Province is investing over $102.6 million in funding for 75 post-secondary research projects in B.C., through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). The projects will develop B.C.’s expertise and innovation in fields such as advanced supercomputing and clean technology, to spur job creation, talent development and commercialize innovation. This was announced by the Premier yesterday at the BC Tech Summit.

television service Canadians have ever seen – or heard. It will deliver multi-ethnic programming in ten languages, through simultaneous translation, for 55 hours a week. The languages will be chosen based on what the data tells us are the ten mostspoken third languages in Canadian homes. And ten is just in the first year – the number of languages carried on Voices will grow to 25 after three years. Voices is built on the same technology that CBC uses to broadcast Hockey Night in Canada in Punjabi. Indian broadcasters have delivered a similar service for years now. What we’re proposing isn’t a radical technological change. It’s just a more effective use of tools we already have to create a better viewing experience for Canadians – have one of the most diverse viewerships in the world. It is a viewership that is, in our view and the view of many others, being underserved by

Premier Horgan at tech & innovation investment summit. the status quo. Our competitors don’t want to change the way we deliver multi-ethnic television. If it isn’t broken, they’d argue, why fix it? Frankly, that’s an argument VCR manufacturers would have agreed with. History shows us that Canada’s major media companies do not embrace change. As entrepreneurs and innovators, we thrive on change. We embrace it, and pursue it relentlessly, because change is how we drive progress. And in the end, it is Canadian television viewers who benefit. As broadcasters privileged with work in this great country, under license from the Federal government and on behalf of the Canadian people, delivering the best possible product is – and should always remain – our highest priority. Slava Levin is the Chief Executive Officer of Markham-based Ethnic Channels Group. Hari Srinivas is the President. Learn more about Voices at www.voicestv.ca

Saturday, March 16, 2019

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Saturday, March 16, 2019

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Saturday, March 16, 2019 This year marks the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the fifth most popular religion in the world. Also known as Yug Push, Guru Nanak Dev’s message of universal brotherhood, equality and love is more relevant and pertinent to-day than it was centuries ago. Appropriately, he is called the messenger of God and a Man of God. Guru Nanak Dev was way ahead of his times. His message of brotherhood, equality peace, love and kindness was universal, then and now. He was a revolutionary. Guru Nanak Dev was a genius, a poet, a philosopher and a saint all rolled into one. His three basic principles of leading a life filled with love, dedication and goodwill are a great road map for a productive and peaceful living. Making an honest living,

Press release

Guru Nanak;s Birth Anniversary Celebration sharing with others in need and meditation in the name of God Almighty are the undisputed guideposts for every human being. Guru Nanak Dev not only preached those principles but also followed them and set an example for others. For example, he worked in order to make an honest living, for fourteen years at the Modi Khana in Sultanpur Lodhi and sixteen years as a farmer in Kartarpur (now in Pakistan). So far as the sharing is concerned Guru Nanak Dev felt that feeding hungry Sadhus with the twenty rupees his father gave him to do business was a far better investment than any other business. Those twenty rupees are still providing langar (free meals) to the hungry and needy at every

Gurdwara and other places around the globe since then. So far as the meditation in the name of God is concerned who can match it with his beautiful Gurbani of praising God. Guru Nanak Dev’s 974 Shabads in Shri Guru Granth Sahib have no parallel in bringing peace of mind. The wonderful definition of God as Guru ji described in the Mool Mantar is hard to find anywhere else. Guru Nanak Dev travelled far and wide for 24 years, as part of his Udassis, conveying his message. It has been reported that he travelled for close to 28,000 kilometers, mostly on foot to the east to Assam etc., to west up to Mecca Medina, Baghdad etc., north up to Tibet and China and south up to Sri Lanka, spreading

the message of One God Who dwells in every one of His creation and constitutes the eternal truth. He emphasized that God is the Ultimate Spiritual Reality. “Such is the divine play of the Creater that He has reflected the whole cosmos in the human body…. Truth is above everything, yet higher than truth is truthful living.” This year, Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike around the globe will be celebrating Guru Nanak Dev ji’s 550 th birth anniversary with a great deal of enthusiasm. At India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in Richmond, this celebration will begin on Sunday morning; March 24 with a presentation on Guru Ji’s life and philosophy.

ancouver, British The Hon. Harjit Sajjan welcomes first arrival of Sikh and Hindu minority families in Canada population have faced extreme C o l u m b i a risk based on their ethnicity and Unfortunately, he tragically lost his life while to help resettle those most in need. Quotes — As part of this year’s celebration of helping a stranded motorist but his legacy “Our government has taken action to ensure religious beliefs. We are proud to honour the 40th anniversary of the successful continues to positively affect those in Canada the safety of survivors of persecution and the legacy of my good friend Manmeet Private Sponsorship refugee program, the and around the world. His advocacy was violence in Afghanistan. Families from Singh Bhullar by welcoming members Government of Canada instr ument al among the Afghan Sikh and Hindu minority of this vulnerable population to Canada welcomed the first arrival in starting this of Sikh and Hindu minority process to assist refugee families from the vulnerable Afghanistan which was Sikh and Hindu possible through the generosity minorities in of Canadians coming together Afg hanist an. to help resettle these vulnerable We are proud refugees. Minister Sajjan to carry on greeted the first privatelythe legacy of sponsored families from Minister Sajjan’s among the approved Afghan close friend in minority refugee claimants partnership after their arrival in Calgary. with the Canada is a global leader in resettling the foundation that bears his name through this world’s most vulnerable, which is why our humanitarian resettlement. government has worked very closely with The Private Sponsorship of Refugees the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Foundation and program has helped resettle thousands of the other partners to ensure safe resettlement world’s most vulnerable. The arrival of these opportunities in Canada.Manmeet Singh refugees is an example of why this program Bhullar was a member of the Legislative is now being emulated by countries around Assembly of Alberta who was known for his the world. This program is built on the compassion and support for his community. generosity of Canadians and will continue

NDP thinks it knows how to manage private property better than farmers The BC Liberals say John Horgan and the NDP are stripping away the fundamental rights of landowners and effectively taking control of agricultural land under Bill 15, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Amendment Act. “Under this bill, private property owners will no longer have the right to petition the ALC for removal of land no matter what circumstances have changed. Only a local government or First Nations government will have the right to apply for changes,” says Ian Paton, BC Liberal Co-Critic for Agriculture

and MLA for Delta South. “The NDP government seems to think it knows how to best manage people’s private property, and in our view that’s an arrogant way to operate.” “This move is part of the NDP’s disturbing approach to agricultural issues,” says Marvin Hunt, MLA for SurreyCloverdale. “First they targeted the home sizes of multi-generational farm families with unique needs, and now they’re taking away the right of landowners to make changes to their personal property.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Vol. 10 No. 7

Saturday - March 16, 2019

Tel: 604-591-5423

E-mail: ads@theasianstar.com upcoming federal budget to help first-time homebuyers. CIBC economist Royce Mendes said 2019 is shaping up to be a tougher year for homebuilding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residential investment was downright ugly in the fourth quarter, and the latest reading on housing starts only added to the bad news on Canadian homebuilding,â&#x20AC;? Mendes wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prior to this reading, starts had seen a bit of a renaissance, rising back above 200,000 for four straight months. But the market has been a contending with the effects of higher interest rates and stricter lending standards, and a pace of 200,000 looked unlikely for the year as a whole.â&#x20AC;? The overall decline in the pace of housing starts came as the annual rate of urban starts fell 18.0 per cent in February to 155,663 units.

Housing starts suffer â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;steep declineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in February as tougher mortgage rules finally take a toll The annual pace of housing starts slowed in February as higher mortgage rates and less stimulative economic conditions helped soften demand, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Friday. The housing agency said the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts fell to 173,153 units in February compared with 206,809 units the month before. Economists had expected an annual pace of 205,000, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a leading indicator of economic activity, Februaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s steep decline in housing starts may raise some eyebrows in Ottawa,â&#x20AC;? Fotios Raptis, senior economist at TD Bank, The benchmark price of a detached home in Metro Vancouver fell nearly 10 per cent year over year as more sellers listed properties, the local real estate board says â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but house hunters continued to take their time in February. The total number of homes sold in the region last month fell to 1,484, down more than 30 per cent from the sales recorded in February 2018 and more than 42 per cent below the 10-year February sales average.

wrote in a report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although housing starts seemed to be unscathed by the new B-20 regulations that took effect in January 2018, higher borrowing costs and tougher mortgage qualifying conditions may finally be taking a toll on new residential construction.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Bank of Canada is on hold,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; with little good news to be seen on the economic front Mortgage stress test proponents say rules are working. But what

exactly were they supposed to do, again? With the Bank of Canada holding interest rates â&#x20AC;Ś just how vulnerable are Canadians to debt? The slowing housing starts come as sales of existing homes has also been slowing. The Canadian Real Estate Association reported home sales posted their weakest January since 2015. Rising mortgage rates and tighter lending rules have been blamed for the slowdown in sales, prompting some to call on the federal government to make changes in the

Slow months for home sales The composite benchmark price for a home, which includes detached properties, townhomes and condominiums, went down less than one per cent from January to land at $1,016,600. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a six per cent decrease over the past six months, according to data from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest housing spike is happening in a city 6 hours from the Lower Mainland

The numbers reflect a market that increasingly favours buyers over sellers, with cheaper properties and less competition. Home sales in the region hit their lowest level in nearly 20 years last year, recording the lowest annual total â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 24,619 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; since 2000. Metro Vancouver home sales fall to lowest total since 2000 REBGV president Phil Moore has called 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x153;a transition periodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing market, which moved away

from sellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;High home prices, rising interest rates and new mortgage requirements and taxes all contributed to the market conditions we saw in 2018,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said. Vancouver home sales fall nearly 40% in January as prices pull back The housing market in the Fraser Valley also saw a slowdown in 2018. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board said sales dropped 30.2 per cent last year, down to 15,586 total sales â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the lowest since 2013.

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Saturday, March 16, 2019

Over 11% of Vancouver condos have a non-resident owner, says new CMHC report

#106 - 7565 132 St. Surrey, BC 604.572.3005

Over 11 percent of Vancouver condos have at least one non-resident as an owner, a number that jumps to more than 19 per cent when it comes to newer built condos. The information is contained in a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing market insight report which also found that non-residents â&#x20AC;&#x201D; defined as someone who

doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have their principal residence in Canada â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tend to own more expensive properties than residents, especially in Vancouver. Some of the other findings: 7.2 per cent of all Vancouver properties have at least one non-resident owner. Non-resident ownership is highest in

Community / News

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Matrimonial Punjabi Bansal family seeking a suitable mach for their 31 year old,â&#x20AC;? son, Height 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.11, Handsome,Sober, soft spoken, vegetarian currently in Patiala Punjab India. He has done studies in BTech Computer Science and working in Judicial Department as IT Analyst in Patiala. Girl should be well educated and family oriented freferably Canadian citizen or Canadian Permanent resident. For more details please call 604-617-0615 or email Kushal.20776@gmail.com

Saturday, March 16, 2019

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Saturday, March 16, 2019

DREAM CARPET

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LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

‘Astounding’ severances may depend on questionable interpretation of gov’t rules Some of the big bucks paid as severance to party stalwarts when the BC Liberals left power may have depended on a questionable interpretation of government rules, a CTV News investigation has found. A policy meant to let B.C. government staffers do international development work at places like the United Nations may have led to some staff getting time to work on political campaigns, according to records and interviews. And critics worry any definition of working for a “national or international development project such as CIDA, CUSO or UN overseas projects” that includes the BC Liberal Party wasn’t in the spirit of the rules.

“The UN and the BC Liberal Party have as much in common as the tooth fairy and the bogeyman,” said Dermod Travis, of the watchdog group Integrity B.C. Travis is concerned about a $73,000 payment in 2017 to one staffer in former premier Christy Clark’s office, Evan Southern. “The severance package he received after he left the premier’s office for the BC Liberal Party and returned is absolutely astounding,” he said. Travis said he believes government staffers should resign their posts to work on political campaigns, which would result in no severance payments.

$1.1M stash of cash found in blocks but charges dismissed A man arrested after Saanich police found more than $1 million stuffed in concrete blocks in the backyard of his Saanich home is no longer facing criminal charges in connection with the cash. Alexander DjafarZade was charged with possessing cocaine and possessing MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, possession of GHB and having $1.14 million in his possession, knowing that all or part of the proceeds had been obtained from the commission of an offence. Those charges arose out of a search of his house on May 25, 2016, said criminal defence lawyer Dale Marshall. The proceeds of crime charge was thrown out after a preliminary hearing in 2018, Marshall

said. The $1.14 million is now the subject of a forfeiture application by the Crown. This week, Djafar-Zade pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The count arose out of a second search of DjafarZade’s house on Aug. 11, 2016, Marshall said. A date for Djafar-Zade’s sentencing is expected to be set in early April. The 51-year-old is not in custody. He was released on $50,000 bail two years ago. Djafar-Zade was scheduled to go to trial on April 23 on the other charges arising from the May 2016 charges. That trial has now been adjourned pending sentencing, Marshall said. “After sentencing on the one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, the Crown will be dropping all of those charges,” Marshall said.

9 unsold luxury homes being rented for cheap in Vancouver In recent months, the changing climate of Metro Vancouver’s housing market has been raising some eyebrows, especially with the city’s luxury housing sector. In recent months, the changing climate of Metro Vancouver’s housing market has been raising some eyebrows, especially with the city’s luxury housing sector. The market for upscale homes has been falling to the extent that Vancouver saw the largest year-over-year price decrease in luxury real estate last year; there is ample unsold inventory, and movement has been stagnant. Increasingly, many of these multimillion dollar homes that have remained unsold are ending up on the rental market, with homeowners doing what they can to avoid a 1% Empty Homes Tax imposed by the City of Vancouver and a new 0.5% vacancy tax being implemented by the provincial government starting this spring. In theory, these multi-bedroom properties — not including other rooms that could be converted into make-shift bedrooms — could be suitable for postsecondary students seeking more affordable housing options or even just available rental housing, considering the vacancy rate is currently sitting at less than 1%. There are hundreds of luxury home properties listed for rental on numerous websites — here is a small sample from mainly Craigslist: 1) 1. 6-bedroom Southwest Marine Drive home for $5,000 per month 2) 8-bedroom First Shaughnessy home for $13,800 per month 3) 5-bedroom Drummond Drive home for $11,995 per month 4) 8-bedroom Southwest Marine Drive home with pool for $11,800 per month 5) 4-bedroom Macdonald Street home near Southwest Marine Drive for $8,000 per month 6) 6-bedroom South Vancouver home for $8,500 per month 7) 5-bedroom First Shaughnessy home for $8,000 per month 8) 4-bedroom Shaughnessy home for $6,300 per month 9) 10-bedroom South Vancouver home for $7,000 per month

LOCAL / NATIONAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Navy spy Jeffrey Delisle granted full parole Convicted spy Jeffrey Delisle, who sold Western military secrets to Russia, has been granted full parole. A decision from the Parole Board of Canada said it was satisfied that the risk posed by the former Canadian naval intelligence officer could be properly managed through full parole, which was granted March 5. “Despite your very serious offences, your sources of support still see you as a good person who has the capacity to change, and to live in society as a law-abiding, productive and contributing member of society,” the decision said. “Throughout the vast majority of your life, you demonstrated the ability to live in society in a law-abiding manner, and the board believes you have the ability to do so again, as long as the proper support systems and supervision structures are in place.” Sentenced in 2013 to 20 years in prison, Delisle was granted day parole in August, with about one third of his sentence completed. He started selling military secrets to Russia in 2007, but wasn’t caught

until 2011 when the FBI tipped off the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Delisle, who is in his mid-40s, pleaded guilty to regularly passing classified intelligence to Russia in exchange for cash. The naval threat assessment analyst used floppy discs and memory sticks to smuggle information out of Halifax’s HMCS Trinity, the military intelligence centre on the East Coast. In the board’s August decision granting day parole, it said Delisle had been a “model inmate,” but noted police were “not supportive” of Delisle’s release. Delisle has said his motives for spying were not financial, saying his decision to approach the Russians was aimed at “career suicide.” The board noted that his marriage had failed and he sought to re-establish his selfesteem by offering to spy for the Russians. It said he wanted to “tear” off all that was good about himself, because these positive attributes had been rejected by the person he trusted most.

Vancouver Muslim community reacts to New Zealand terrorist attack Muslim community in Vancouver is in shock and sadness with New Zealand mosque shooting by gunman who killed 49 people in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. “We are very sad about those who died and the so many injured,” said a man entering the B.C. Muslim Association office on Kingsway, who asked not to be identified. “It shouldn’t happen anywhere.” ‘I can’t believe my eyes’: What we know about the New Zealand mosque shootings Forty-nine people were killed and another 48 injured in shootings at two mosques filled with worshippers during Friday prayers in Christchurch. Munir Ahmad said the tragic events were front of mind in his morning prayers at Al Masjid Al-Jamia on West 8th Avenue. “I prayed for the families and the Muslim community and New Zealand as well, and even for those related to the attackers,” he said. Three people are in custody and

one man has been charged with murder. According to Australian media reports, he is 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant. Suspect live-streamed New Zealand mosque shootings ‘to spark a race war’: analyst A man claiming to be the gunman reportedly livestreamed the shooting on his now-deleted Twitter account. He also allegedly posted an anti-immigrant manifesto. The Vancouver Police Department says it is not taking any extra precautions at this time, but that it will remain in close communication with local Muslim leaders to ensure the community feels safe and supported. “We have security experts that are in regular communication with other local, national and international agencies to share information and strategies,” said VPD spokesperson Const. Jason Doucette Ahmad said he was not feeling nervous about his own safety in light of the New Zealand attack. “I feel those types of incidents, it takes a lot of hatred to do that and I don’t think that’s part of our community, in Canada especially.”

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Canada’s upset win over powerful Fiji not enough in Vancouver Rugby Seven Despite two wins on Day 1, Team Canada will face Spain in Sunday’s consolation quarter-finals at 10:36 a.m. Despite a remarkable win over Fiji, Team Canada is left mulling over what might have been after failing to advance to the cup round at the 2019 HSBC Canada Sevens. Played for the fourth consecutive year at a buzzing and colourful B.C. Place Stadium, the Canadians thrilled the midday crowd — which featured a loud and proud Fijian fan presence — by knocking off the 2016 Olympic gold medallists 26-19. But in the end, it was Canada’s first game of the day — an ugly 38-7 loss to Samoa — that undermined the good vibe they built over the day’s latter two games. A better performance against Samoa, even in a loss, would have given them a chance on points-differential. The Canadians and Samoans finished the day with 2-1 records so it came down to the difference between points for and against for each squad. The Canadians ranked third by that measure. Going into the final games of group play, Canada’s task was simple: beat Kenya by a big total. They did a pretty good job of that by defeating the underperforming Kenyans 36-21. Connor Braid led the way, scoring three of Canada’s six tries in the match. The Canadians then needed the Samoans to beat their inter-Pacific

Island rivals if they wanted to advance (or get a massive Fijian victory, which given Fiji’s injury list seemed unlikely). It didn’t happen. Samoa played hard but fell to Fiji 31-17. Team Canada will now face Spain in Sunday’s consolation quarter-finals at 10:36 a.m. This is the third time in four years the Canadians have played thrilling rugby on Day 1, but have missed out on the quarter-finals basically by their own doing. The inaugural tournament in 2016 saw the Canadians stumble against Wales on the game’s final play, negating a brilliant win over Australia. And last year, of course, the Canadians were tied with the Americans with no time left on the clock and could have just kicked the ball out but instead went for the win. At the end of the day, a tie with the Americans would have netted them a quarterfinal berth. Through the morning, results pretty much played out as predicted, with seeded teams knocking off teams ranked in the bottom eight of the draw. And then came three upsets: first France knocked back Australia, then Spain got their first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series win over New Zealand, and finally the Canadians beat Fiji to keep their quarterfinal hopes intact. The home team raced out to a 12-0 lead, Matt Mullins scoring a minute in on a sprint down the sideline, followed 1½

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NATIONAL

Saturday, March 16, 2019

USA becomes world’s largest oil exporter surpassing Saudi Arabia The United States soon will export more oil than Saudi Arabia, becoming the world’s largest oil exporter for the first time in 60 years, according to projections by research firm Rystad Energy. The boom in oil, liquid natural gas, and other liquid energy exports will last for years and be enough to erase America’s foreign debt and trade deficit, according to Per Magnus Nysveen, a senior partner at Rystad Energy. Rystad forecasts that the United States will export more oil than Saudi Arabia by the third quarter of this year. The remarkable turnaround is being made possible by the growing production of shale oil and increased capacity for oil exports from the United

States’ Gulf Coast, according to Rystad. “The political and economic impact of this shift in global trade has already been dramatic, and will be even more pivotal within the next five years,” Nysveen said in a statement. “The U.S. trade deficit will evaporate and its foreign debt will be paid quickly, thanks to the swift rise of American oil and gas net exports,” he added. “The tanker shipping industry will see the boom of the millennium, as the excess fossil fuels from America will find plenty of eager buyers in fast-growing Asia.” The United States has for years relied on oil imports to satisfy domestic demand. But that is quickly changing. Last week, the Energy Information Administration

Federal budget 2019: Here are the ‘goodies’ taxpayers can hope for

inance Minister Bill Morneau is set to tablethe2019federalbudgetonMarch19. It will be the Liberals’ last spending blueprint before the October federal elections, one that’s likely to contain a number of “goodies” for taxpayers, as consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers recently put it. So what can Canadians expect? The issue of housing affordability for millennials has been on Morneau’s mind. The government’s mortgage stress test, which aims at making sure that homebuyers will be able to afford their mortgage even if interest rates rise, has made it harder for many young Canadians to gain a foothold in the property market. The tougher federal rules came as the Bank of Canada started raising its trend-setting interest rate, which has increased borrowing costs across the economy, and on top of provincial housing market-cooling initiatives. This has helped slowed down home-sale activity in most of the country, as home sellers try to hang on to high property prices that fewer home buyers can now afford. Lower volumes of home sales are hurting the real estate industry. Meanwhile, in much of the country prices have dipped or remained stagnant, failing to deliver a significant gain for homebuyers. One of the solutions industry groups have proposed is re-introducing 30-year insured mortgages for first-time homebuyers. Canadians with a down payment of less than 20 per cent of the home purchase prices must get mortgage insurance, which is offered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) as well as two private insurers. While homebuyers who can pay 20 per cent or more of the home value up front can already opt for a 30-year amortization, the current maximum length for those with smaller down payments is 25 years. Lengthening the amortization period would allow for smaller monthly mortgage payments and help more homebuyers meet the mortgage stress test requirements. n the other hand, the measure put upward pressure on real estate prices, as more buyers flock back into the market.

Another step the government might take to help millennials buy their first home is enhancing the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), said Paul Shelestowsky, senior wealth advisor at Meridian Credit Union. Currently, the HPB allows first-time homebuyers to take $25,000 out of their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) and use it to buy a house. Canadians can withdraw the money without tax consequences as long as their repay the money within 15 years. The HBP program is currently a “make or break” factor for many young mortgage applicants, Shelestowsky said. Being able to access $25,000 — or $50,000 for a couple — can determine whether someone passes the mortgage stress test or not. Still, the $25,000 cap has not increased since 2009, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). And the sum isn’t much for millennials living in Canada’s priciest housing markets, Shelestowsky added. CREA has proposed increasing the HBP limit by $10,000, while Ontario Real Estate Association has asked that the withdrawal ceiling be pegged to inflation. One idea that seems to have gained some momentum involves allowing for more flexibility on withdrawals from registered retirement income funds (RRIFs). Currently, Canadians must turn their RRSPs into RRIFs or annuities by the year they turn 71. Once the conversion is made, account holders must make yearly minimum withdrawals from the account. The problem is that people are living and working longer, meaning that there’s an increasing number of 71-year olds that would rather leave their retirement accounts untouched, Shelestowsky said. Pre-budget proposals submitted to the government include raising the age threshold for minimum withdrawals. Another set of possible changes involves the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which provides a monthly non-taxable amount to low-income seniors alongside the Old Age Security benefit (OAS). The income levels at which the government currently starts clawing back the GIS is

RBC Canada forms $7-billion real estate partnership Royal Bank of Canada will form a real estate investment partnership with property assets worth over $7 billion (US$5.24 billion), the country’s largest lender said in a statement on Tuesday. The agreement was between RBC Global Asset Management Inc, pension fund manager British Columbia Investment Management Corp (BCI) and real estate developer Q u a d R e a l Property Group. A m a z o n , Google, Facebook forays into banking seen as a threat by RBC’s CEO ‘$60 million a quarter’: Trump’s tax cuts saved Canadian banks hundreds of millions in first year As Canada’s big banks pile into the ETF

game, barrage of options is only growing The bank also said it would set up a real estate fund, which will be open for investment in the third quarter. “Institutional clients are increasingly looking to alternative investment opportunities, and especially private market assets, to help them meet their long-

term goals,” said Damon Williams, who heads RBC Global Asset Management.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Opposition erupts with anger as Liberals shut down emergency meeting on SNC-Lavalin affair Opposition MPs hurled angry claims of a “coverup” today after Liberals used their majority to shut down an emergency meeting of the committee probing the SNC-Lavalin affair. The meeting was requested by Conservative and NDP members to press the Liberals to recall Jody Wilson-Raybould to testify again, even though the Liberals already had defeated a similar motion. But less than 30 minutes after the meeting began, the Liberals voted to adjourn. “I have never been so disgusted by the conduct of my Liberal colleagues,” said Conservative MP Michael Cooper after the committee broke. “They have done the bidding of the PMO.” Opposition MPs were making another bid to bring the former attorney general back to testify before the committee today, warning that

Canadians would see any attempt by the Liberals to block them as evidence of a “coverup.” While casting their votes, opposition MPs shouted at their Liberal counterparts, calling their actions “despicable” and “disgusting.” “I’m strongly voting opposed and I’m shocked at the behaviour of my colleagues,” said NDP MP Tracey Ramsey. The committee is scheduled to meet next on Mar. 19 — a closed session that coincides with the tabling of the federal budget. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of ordering Liberal committee members to shut down the hearing so “Canadians will never know the truth.” He said Tuesday’s meeting is “secret” and that the Liberal majority can shut it down whenever it wants.

Critics question SNC-Lavalin ‘jobs’ defence as minister can’t give evidence Protecting at-risk jobs has been at the centre of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government’s defence of its conduct in relation to the still-simmering SNCLavalin scandal, but when asked what evidence they have to back that stance, one federal minister was unable to give any. In an interview on CTV’s Question Period, Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Minister Carla Qualtrough said that there would “definitely” be jobs in jeopardy, but she couldn’t give “a direct number.” The 9,000 or so people that SNCLavalin employs, other spinoff jobs,

pensioners, and investors in Canada have been cited by the Trudeau Liberals repeatedly through the controversy. The scandal centres around allegations from the former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould that she faced high-level “veiled threats” and “sustained” political interference from nearly a dozen senior officials between September and December 2018 to seek a deferred prosecution agreement for SNC-Lavalin, which is facing bribery and corruption charges over business dealings in Libya. If the company was criminally convicted they could be banned from securing Canadian government contracts for a decade.

In Quebec, Trudeau’s handling of SNC-Lavalin crisis met with muted disapproval The day after Justin Trudeau was elected four years ago, he strode into a Métro station in his Montreal riding and posed for selfies with beaming supporters. These days, with the SNC-Lavalin controversy raging in Ottawa, the Prime Minister might face a chillier welcome. He could run into voters like JeanFrançois Lanthier, a 46-year-old artist who lives in Mr. Trudeau’s riding in north-central Montreal. Mr. Lanthier is unhappy about reports that the Prime Minister’s Office put pressure on Jody Wilson-Raybould when she was attorney-general to avoid prosecuting Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “I’m disappointed by this scandal,” Mr.

Lanthier said at a supermarket a few blocks from the Métro station where Mr. Trudeau waded into the crowd in 2015. “The team around Mr. Trudeau exaggerated when it pressured [Ms. Wilson-Raybould]. Ethically, it’s unacceptable. It’s tarnished Mr. Trudeau’s image.” Mr. Lanthier is not alone. A new poll shows Mr. Trudeau’s handling of the SNC-Lavalin file has cost his party support in his home province. A strong majority of Quebeckers – 68 per cent – say he has mismanaged the controversy, and backing for the Liberals dropped four percentage points since Feb. 2 to 35 per cent, according to the Léger survey.

Wilson-Raybould’s SNC-Lavalin claims set ‘all alarms sounding’ at OECD: spokesman The chair of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Working Group on Bribery said today Jody-Wilson Raybould’s testimony on SNC-Lavalin compelled the group to speak out on allegations of political interference in the criminal case against the Quebec engineering firm. “Allegations which were expressed there immediately raised all alarms sounding in the working group on bribery and that’s why we started the debate,” said Drago Kos in an interview with CBC News Network’s Power & Politics on Wednesday. Speaking before the House justice committee on February 27, Jody WilsonRaybould alleged that, as attorney general, she faced “consistent and sustained” pressure from senior people in the Trudeau government to interfere in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. The Canadian company was charged in

2015 with allegedly bribing Libyan officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, have insisted they exerted no inappropriate pressure on Wilson-Raybould. Trudeau has acknowleged, however, that he asked her to “revisit” her decision to not negotiate a remediation agreement with SNC-Lavalin that would have allowed it to avoid a trial, saying he was concerned about the loss of 9,000 jobs that might follow the company going under. Pointing to article 5 in OECD’s AntiBribery Convention, Kos said national economic interest is not something the prosecution should consider when deciding whether to proceed to trial. “I think we would all agree that only the merits of the case should be taken into consideration and nothing else,” he said.

NATIONAL

INDIA

Saturday, March 16, 2019

I am not like Modi, I don’t make fake promises, Rahul says in Kerala Congress party chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday vowed to set up a separate ministry for fishermen if the Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections, saying unlike Prime Minister Narendra Modi he did not make “fake promises”. He was addressing the National Fishermen Parliament organised by All India Fishermen Congress in Thriprayar near here. “My commitment to you is that the moment we win the 2019 elections, all the fishermen of

the country will get their own dedicated ministry in Delhi,” Gandhi said. Assuring the fishermen that he would fulfil the promise if the Congress won, the Congress chief said, “I am not like Narendra Modi. I don’t make fake promises.” “Please look at my speeches. When I say something, I only say it because I have decided to do it,” he said.

India resumes officials talks with Pakistan over Kartarpur border crossing India seeking visa-free access for 5,000 pilgrims per day to visit historic shrine in Kartarpur. This was conveyed to the Pakistani delegation at a meeting to discuss the opening of a planned border for its pilgrims from Gurdaspur district to Kartarpur Sahib across international border. “From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy Sikh shrine in the initial phase,” S C L Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, told reporters. This was the first meeting between an Indian and a Pakistani delegation since tensions between the two countries spiked after the terror attack in Pulwama, followed by retaliatory air strikes. Das said Delhi wanted access for both Indians and people of Indianorigin to the shrine, located where Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev spent the last years of his life. “We have also strongly urged them

to allow the visit of pilgrims for all seven days a week without any break,” he said after the meeting. India emphasised that the corridor should be absolutely visa-free, Das said. “There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedure,” he added. India also wants Pakistan to allow devotees who want to travel on foot to the shrine across the border. A statement earlier said the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the modalities for opening the Kartarpur corridor was held in a “cordial environment”. India has urged Pakistan to grant visa-free travel rights to Indian pilgrims visiting the Kartarpur shrine. The proposal was part of the Indian agenda at Thursday’s meeting between delegations from both countries at Attari where the draft agreement for the Kartarpur Corridor was discussed.

India no longer world’s top weapons importer India is no longer the world’s largest importer of weapons, a position it held for over a decade, with Saudi Arabia topping the global share of arms imports between 2014 and 2018, a leading Stockholm-based think tank that measures weapons imports over five-year periods said in a new report on Monday. Saudi Arabia accounted for 12% of the global share of arms imports in that period, followed by India in second place with a 9.5% share, reveals the new data published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). With imports pegged at 4.2% of the global share, China is the world’s sixth-largest buyer

of weapons. Indian arms imports fell 24% between 2009-13 and 2014-18, the report said, adding that this was partly because of delays in deliveries of fighter jets and submarines produced under licence from Russian and French original equipment manufacturers. While India has been trying to reduce its reliance on imported weapons, experts said the development could be considered noteworthy only if India stopped importing a particular weapon system because it was being manufactured locally under the Make in India initiative.

If you want real change, cast the vote: Vidya Balan Vidya Balan urges the citizens of India for maximum participation in upcoming general elections (Lok Sabha elections) in India, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted 29 times in an hour to celebrities across genres to mobilise the voters. Vidya Balan told her followers and admirers and all people at large that if they wished to see change in society and the country then it was really important to get their fingers inked this April-May. “I feel if we want a changed society and the country then, we need to participate in that process and the first thing we can do towards that is to cast our votes. It is our responsibility and right to cast our votes,” Vidya said. “I think we will not get anything by raising

fingers at each others. Instead, people should get their fingers inked to see positive changes... “If you are turning 18 on April 28, then you have no excuse not to vote on April 29. I urge all to cast their votes because it’s really necessary,” she added. The national award winning actress was interacting with the media at the special screening of “Photograph” along with her husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ritesh Batra on Wednesday here, when she urged for all out participation by voters. Modi, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, reached out to prominent personalities from a wide spectrum, ranging from politicians, Bollywood celebrities and top business leaders asking them to encourage citizens to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming polls.

Congress a formidable challenger in Madhya Pardesh The emergence of the Congress in BJP stronghold Madhya Pradesh in the yearend Assembly elections has not only dented the saffron party’s morale, but there is also a real possibility of the BJP losing nearly a dozen seats in the General Election. In 2014, the BJP won 27 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP’s nationwide Modi wave helped the party win 10 seats more from the previous Lok Sabha elections. The Modi wave and the Hindutva politics had a powerful impact in several regions of the state. The BJP won all four Lok Sabha seats in the Bundelkhand region, all five seats in the central region and two seats in the Nimad region. In the Baghelkhand region, the BJP won three of the four seats, while one went to the Congress. The BJP won three of the four seats in the Chambal region and the Congress won one. The voting circle pattern due to

BJP’s managerial skills surprised everyone. The BJP secured a 54% vote share in the state, which is the highest ever by any party in MP. The saffron party exceptionally did well both in rural and urban areas. According to the Election Commission details, the BJP secured 67 per cent votes of Other Backward Classes (OBC), which is numerically the biggest social group in the state, while 19 per cent of them voted for the Congress. The iron grip of the RSS and BJP even managed to capture the Dalit vote, considered to be the second biggest social group after the OBC. The Dalit vote was almost equally split between the BJP and Congress. The post-poll data showed that the Brahmin and Rajput communities showed higher preference towards the BJP in MP where politics has never changed from bipolar to unipolar.

USA pressing India to stop buying Venezuelan oil - envoy The United States is pressing India to stop buying Venezuelan oil that is a major source of revenue for President Nicolas Maduro’s government, Washington’s top envoy for Venezuela said, as the Trump administration this week threatened more U.S. sanctions to cut off Maduro’s financial lifelines. “We say you should not be helping this regime, you should be on the side of the Venezuelan people,” Elliott Abrams told Reuters in an interview. The Trump administration has given the same message to other governments, Abrams said, and has made a similar argument to foreign banks and private companies doing business with the Maduro government. Abrams described the U.S. approach as “arguing, cajoling, urging.” The pressure on India comes as the United States and its regional allies, who back Venezuelan opposition leader

Juan Guaido, threaten more sanctions to cut off revenue streams to Maduro’s government and force him to step down. Washington views Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and has imposed sanctions on the country’s oil sector and announced asset freezes and travel bans targeting top government officials.

PUNJAB

Saturday, March 16, 2019

SAD tells core members to donate Rs 1 lakh each Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) seems to be running short of funds. With elections to the Lok Sabha having been announced, the party leadership today asked all members of the core committee and district presidents to contribute Rs 1 lakh each towards the party fund. All general secretaries, vicepresidents and political affairs committee members have been asked to contribute Rs 50,000 each, while all general council members have been asked to contribute Rs 5,000 each for the party fund. Confirming this, party senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema said the party needed

money to meet its expenses and for organising rallies. Last year also, all senior leaders, MLAs and former ministers were asked to contribute Rs 5,000 each every month to run the affairs of the party. Meanwhile, the SAD Working Committee today decided to observe “Vishvasghat Divas” on March 16 across the state to protest against the manner in which the Congress “has betrayed each and every section of society by reneging on all promises made to the people”. Speaking on the occasion, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he had visited 85 Assembly

No legal reports of police firing, says investigation team Identifying former Akali MLA Mantar Singh Brar as the prime accused in the police firing on Sikh protesters at Kotkapura on October 14, 2015, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police in a sealed cover report to the Faridkot District and Sessions Judge alleged that many persons injured in the incident were not given treatment and their MLRs (medico-legal reports) were not prepared deliberately under police pressure and influence of Brar, then MLA and halqa incharge of Kotkapura. Saying halqa chiefs were in a commanding position, mainly in the matters of police stations at that time, the SIT in its status report to the court revealed that besides the then Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP) and all higher-ups in the administration, Mantar was also in touch with the then Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal through his officer on special duty at that time. All this shows his motive and conduct,

Man gets 3-year jail in Rs 4.17 crore corruption case The court of special CBI judge in Mohali has awarded three years rigorous imprisonment to Amandeep Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, besides imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 upon him in a money laundering case. The court ruled that the prosecution had been able to prove that the accused had claimed “duty drawback” amounting to Rs 4.17 crore without actually exporting any goods, generated the proceeds of crime and subsequently laundered the same. Following a complainant by the Chandigarh branch of the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a case against 37 persons alleging that Amandeep Singh had forged export documents in connivance with custom officials. Observing that the accused had failed to render any reasonable explanation regarding the receiving of the duty drawback fraudulently without exporting any goods, the court held that in his own statement recorded by the Enforcement Directorate, the accused admitted receiving of duty drawback without any export of goods at all. The court observed that in his statement, the accused admitted of receiving the amount in question as duty drawbacks despite no export being made and he admitted spending of the said amount on purchase of a land measuring 3.25 acres in Ludhiana, a plot measuring 1,146 sq yards and 50 per cent share in a petrol pump. He kept Rs 80 lakh with another person and deposited Rs 15 lakh.

connecting him with the police firing incident, claimed the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

NRI Sikhs urge India not to let tension with Pakistan affecting Kartarpur crossing Sikh communities living in America urge Indian Gov’t to take measures to ensure that the work on landmark Kartarpur border is not impacted by the tension between India & Pakistan in the aftermath of last month’s border skirmishes. A delegation of eminent SikhAmericans from various parts of USA, gathered in Washington DC to present a memorandum to the Indian Embassy here. The delegation, under the banner of Californiabased United Sikh Mission, also met nearly half a dozen lawmakers, including two Senators and Congressman Greg Pence, elder brother of the US Vice President, Mike Pence, urging them that the US play a role a role in ensuring peace in the region. Leaders of various Sikh

organizations, including SikhsPAC from Indiana, Gadhar Memorial Foundation from Oregon, Sikh SEVA from Virginia, Sikh Religious Society from Illinois, Let’s Share a Meal from New Jersey and those from various gurdwaras formed part of the delegation. The ongoing tension between India and Pakistan “should not slow the progress” that has been made on the implementation of the Kartarpur Corridor, said Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, founder of United Sikh Mission in a memorandum submitted to Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla. “The approval of the peace corridor is a great step in the right direction for all parties affected by this conflict. Now is the time to continue our efforts to create a peaceful resolve to this situation,” the memorandum said.

INDIA

Saturday, March 16, 2019

15 surgical strikes took place under Congress rule, but it never talked about it: says Rajasthan Chief Minister Accusing the Modi government of “politicising” actions of defence forces, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday claimed 15 surgical strikes took place during the Congress rule, but the then dispensation never talked about it. He said former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had made huge contributions for the nation, but the Modi government has never highlighted the same and instead defamed the Gandhi family. “The countrymen are innocent. They think that Prime Minister Narendra Modi got the surgical strikes done, but 15 surgical strikes have taken place

earlier. Under the Congress rule, surgical strikes took place 15 times, but it was never said that such action has taken place,” Gehlot told reporters here. He said it was not a standard thing (on part of the government) to highlight such developments. “Modi became the prime minister and satellites were launched by ISRO, but it was presented as if the satellites were launched only in his rule. It took years for former prime minister Indira Gandhi to make ISRO and hundreds of satellites were launched,” the Congress leader said.

China once again blocks anti-Masood Azhar move Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday taunted PM Modi’s “brand of diplomacy” as China once again blocked the UNSC resolution designating JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist saying the PM is scared of his Chinese counterpart. “Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NaMo’s China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China,” Gandhi tweeted accusing the PM of failed outreaches to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Other Congress leaders, too, joined Gandhi in questioning the PM after China’s continuing blockade of India’s move at the UNSC. Former minister Manish Tewari took a swipe at the PM saying, “This is some muscular diplomacy.” Tewari tweeted “-@narendramodi rocked on a swing

with President Xi, @narendramodi withdrew Indian forces first in Doklam, @narendramodi travelled to Wuhan to release new spirits-Wuhan spirit & China rebuffs is on Massod Azhar third time 2016, 2017 & 2019. Some Muscular Diplomacy ain’t it Timothy!” Azhar’s JeM recently claimed

responsibility for the Pulwama terror attacked leading to the Indian Air Force attacking and destroying its terror bases in Pakistan’s Balakot in unprecedented crossborder strikes, the first after 1971.

New York-based techpreneur explains why India may lead the digital disruption In financial space, with services like UPI and other digital initiatives, India is at the forefront of adopting technologies. While most of these initiatives are because of the developing fintech ecosystem in the country, we cannot ignore the efforts of the technology providers in the financial services segment and one such company is Synechron. The company was co-founded by Faisal Husain along with his friends in the early 2000s when starting a business was a strenuous task. There was merely any venture capital available, the recession had started to kick-in and markets were running tight. But it was a well-calculated risk. As Husain claims, the company has today grown to be a USD 500 million firm registering a CAGR of over 25 per cent year on year. To continue its commitment to this space and to understand the potential of new technologies - how they can be applied to domain-specific financial services and insurance use case, the company recently launched Financial Innovation Labs (FinLabs). Of the 12 FinLabs, three are based out of India - Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. In a conversation with Entrepreneur India,

Husain shares how new age technologies are revolutionising the Indian innovation ecosystem. The evolution in technology has witnessed a paradigm shift from traditional banking to Fintech and has thus translated into a whirlwind of transformations, ranging from upgraded infrastructure to enhanced reliability. Husain believes that the advancements in new-age technologies like blockchain, AI and robotics are creating opportunities for the BFSI sector. This combined with natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, data science and voice search will provide value-added services for the techsavvy customer. Talking about how the distributed ledger technology is shaping up in India, he says blockchain is still in its nascent stage and is yet to see mass adoption across the industry. “Working with our clients across the globe, we are seeing a lot of action in terms of use cases implementation and enterprise blockchain adoption. They are advancing from the POC stage to pilots and field trials on their path to production for the technology,” he added.

Pakistani fighter jets seen flying close to the Line of Control An air alert was sounded along the international border and the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistani fighter jets were detected close to the LoC. Defence Ministry sources said that Indian air defence systems detected the Pakistani jets 10 km inside the LoC on the Pakistan side in Poonch. “This is the first time after the Indian Air Force scrambled to push back

Pakistani fighter jets which entered our air space in Nowshera sector on February 27 that Pakistani fighter jets flew this close to the LoC,” an official said. India lost a Mig-21 Bison and its pilot, Wing Commander Abh i nand an Varthaman, was captured by Pakistan while a Pakistani F-16 jet was downed by Abhinandan before his fighter jet was shot down.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, March 16, 2019

India & USA seek tangible, ‘irreversible action’ by Pakistan against terrorism

India, Malaysia stocks lead price valuations in Asia Shares in India and Malaysia were the most expensive in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, Refinitiv data showed. A sharp rally this year has lifted Asian stocks’ valuations, with the MSCI Asia-Pacific index’s forward 12-month P/E touching a four-month high of 12.24 at the end of last month. While some optimism over trade talks between the United States and China helped sentiment, the higher price valuations (in terms of earnings multiples) were also due

to a cut in forecasted earnings by analysts for the next 12 months.Analysts have cut the MSCI Asia-Pacific companies’ 2019 earnings by 2.5 percent over the past two months due to worries over slowing global economic g r o w t h , Refinitiv data showed. On the other hand, South Korea lagged the region with a forward 12-month P/E of 10.49, followed by China with a ratio of 11.5.

India and the United States sought “tangible and irreversible action” by Pakistan against terrorist groups and leaders, with the US national security advisor saying Washington stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New Delhi in its fight against terrorism. The US support to India was expressed by American NSA John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. “Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the USIndia strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the US stands shoulderto-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism,” Bolton said in a tweet. Post the Pulwama attack by Pakistanbased Jaish-e-Mohammad, Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have emerged as strong supporters of the IndiaUS relationship. “Both underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against terrorist groups based in territories under its control and denial of safe haven for these groups to launch cross -border attacks,” the Indian Embassy said in a readout of the meeting. However, the US support came on a day China for the fourth time blocked a bid to get Jaish chief Masood Azhar designated a global terrorist by the UN Security Council.

UN envoy fears ‘new crisis’ for Rohingya if moved to Bangladesh island United Nations human rights investigator on Myanmar voiced deep concern on Monday over Bangladesh’s plan to relocate 23,000 Rohingya refugees in April to a remote island, saying it may not be habitable and could create a potential “new crisis”. Bangladesh says moving refugees to Bhasan Char - whose name means “floating island” - will ease chronic overcrowding in its camps at Cox’s Bazar, which hold some 730,000 Rohingya. The U.N. says the Muslim minority fled mass killings and rapes committed during an army crackdown in Rakhine state since August 2017. Some humanitarian groups have criticized the relocation plan, saying the island in the Bay of Bengal is vulnerable to frequent cyclones.

“There are a number of things that remain unknown to me even following my visit, chief among them being whether the island is truly habitable,” said Yanghee Lee, U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, who visited the island in January. “Ill-planned relocation, and relocations without the consent of the refugees concerned, have the potential to create a new crisis,” she told the U.N. Human Rights Council. Shah Kamal, secretary of Bangladesh’s Disaster Management Ministry, said the government was in talks with U.N. agencies on the issue. “(The agencies) have agreed. Now we’re finalizing with them how to move them (the refugees) and all other factors. Everything is ready... Housing, power, healthcare, communication, storm surge Continued on next page

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China put a technical hold on the move by the US, the UK and France, seeking “more time to examine” the proposal, a diplomat at the United Nations said. A day after the Jaish attack killed 40 CRPF jawans, Bolton had told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval that the US supports India’s right to self-defence as tensions escalated with Pakistan. On Feb 26, India carried out air strike on the biggest Jaishe - Mo h am m a d training camp deep inside Pakistan in a “p r e e m p t i v e” raid. A day later, Pakistani jets violated Indian air space and downed a MiG21 Bison. Pakistan captured the MiG pilot but returned him soon under international pressure. On Monday, after Gokhale met Pompeo, Bolton tweeted he had spoken to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to “encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan.” Other issues discussed during the Indian foreign secretary’s meeting on Wednesday included Afghanistan and bilateral matters. Gokhale also met chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leaders of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees.

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SOUTH ASIA

Saturday, March 16, 2019 No talks with Pakistan unless it acts against terror groups: Sushma Swaraj Addressing her annual press conference on the Modi government’s fourth anniversary, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj ruled out a dialogue with Pakistan unless terror emanating from there into India, stopped. “We are ready for talks. But there’s a caveat -- terror and talks cannot go together. This has always been our position,”

Ms Swaraj told reporters in New Delhi. She was asked whether India was softening its position on Pakistan with a maritime dialogue taking place in Delhi today. Last year, the same talks were called off by India due to tensions over Indian prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav. Both countries also restarted a track-two dialogue last month. But the foreign minister insisted there

was no fundamental change in policy. “When the border is hot, when soldiers are dying, we can’t talk to Pakistan. The NSAs (national security advisers) talk, because talks on terror should be held,” she said. Asked about India’s position on the new US sanctions against Iran, Ms Swaraj said, “We accept UN sanctions, not country specific ones.” India has a crucial strategic port in Iran and also depends heavily on oil imports from there, both of which will be hit by American sanctions. On concerns regarding H-1B visas, the foreign minister said India was talking to all arms of the US government and administration to ensure Indians are not affected. “Ultimately it’s America’s decision; they are a sovereign country but we are trying our best,” Ms Swaraj said. Get the latest election news, live updates and election schedule for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 on ndtv.com/ elections. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates from each of the 543 parliamentary seats for the 2019 Indian general elections.

Pakistan moves terrorist groups near Line of Control Amid heightened tension, Pakistan has moved terrorists to the terror launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) for possible infiltration into the restive Kashmir valley. “Yes we have the information. There are intelligence reports of terrorists waiting on the launch pads (in PoK) to infiltrate whenever they get a chance,” said Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps of the army. The revelation comes against the backdrop of Indian Air Force air strikes on the Jaish-eMoh am m a d terror camps in Balakot area of Manshera in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan last month. Figures compiled by different security agencies reveal that nearly 48 terrorists were killed on the borders while trying to infiltrate last year. Last year nearly 120 terrorists infiltrated from PoK compared to 123 in 2017. Around 119 terrorists infiltrated in 2016, 33 in 2015, 65 in 2014, 97 in 2013 and 121 in 2012. Figures reveal that last year over 256 terrorists were killed in Kashmir which was a 10 year high. Among those, 160 terrorists were neutralised in the restive south Kashmir region alone. This year so far 47 terrorists have been killed in different operations across Kashmir. Figures reveal that 270 terrorists were killed by security forces in 2010. The figure came down to 119 in 2011. Around 84 terrorists were killed in 2012 followed by 100 in 2013, 110 in 2014 and 113 in 2015. Despite unrest, security

forces killed 165 ultras in 2016. Last year was also bloody for the security forces as they lost around 91 personnel including 45 policemen in the line of duty. Some of the policemen were killed after they were abducted from homes when they were unarmed. Figures reveal that more than 190 youth were recruited into militancy in 2019 though the recruitment has fallen in the last few months in the valley. “Local recruitments in the last few months has seen downward decline. Point of suicide bomber any other modus operandi terrorist might adopt. We are aware and keeping track of such modus operandi terrorists can use and we are taking corrective measures also,” said Lieutenant General Dhillon. In the past, “shallow infiltration” -- striking the first available military installation or men after crossing the LoC -- has been seen in Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu region as well as Kupwara, Uri and Gurez in Kashmir division. Last year was also bloody for the security forces as they lost around 91 personnel including 45 policemen in the line of duty. Pakistan Indian Air Force LOC terrorists infiltration Pakistan Army Line of Control Security Forces Kashmir Valley Jaish-eMohammad Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PoK Balakot KJS Dhillon

US urges its citizens to avoid travel near Pakistan, India border areas The United States Saturday issued a travel warning for its citizens visiting India due to “terrorism and civil unrest” in the country. It also asked Americans not to go within 10 kilometres of the border with Pakistan “due to the potential for armed conflict.” The level-2 travel alert comes in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan, that escalated after the Jaishe-Mohammad carried out a terrorist attack on a CRPF vehicle in Pulwama on February 14, killing 40 personnel. White House bureau chief Steve Herman said on Twitter Saturday: “US issues Level 2 travel alert for #India — “exercise increased caution,” warning Americans to not visit most of Jammu and Kashmir due to “terrorism and civil unrest” and not go within 10 km of the border with #Pakistan “due to the potential for armed conflict.” Asserting that some areas have increased risk, the US asked its citizens to exercise increased caution in India due to “crime and terrorism”. However, the country has made an exception

for tourists visiting the eastern Ladakh region

and its capital Leh. US issues Level 2 travel alert for #India — “exercise increased caution,” warning Americans to not visit most of Jammu and Kashmir due to “terrorism and civil unrest” and not go within 10 km of the border with #Pakistan “due to the potential for armed conflict.”

UN envoy fears ‘new crisis’ for Rohingya if moved to Bangladesh island

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embankment, cyclone shelter centers and all other facilities,” he told Reuters in Dhaka. “There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about floods because we have built an embankment. And no one will be moved there against their will.” Lee, who is banned by Myanmar’s government from visiting, told the Geneva forum that up to 10,000 civilians

were reported to have fled their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state since November due to violence and a lack of humanitarian aid. “For decades we faced a systematic genocide in Myanmar. They took our citizenship, our land, they destroyed our mosques,” Mohib Bullah, a Rohingya refugee from the camps who is documenting name-by-name those killed in Myanmar, told the Council.

FIJI

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Canada Sevens rugby tournament, more than rugby for Fiji fans Canada was the home team at BC Place during the Canada Sevens rugby tournament last weekend, but for fans of Fiji, the two-day event is about more than the games on the pitch. Sevens rugby is a faster version of 15 a side rugby. The HSBC World Rugby Sevens series consists of 10 tournaments held around the world, in which national sevens teams compete for series points at each tournament. An overall champion is crowned at the end of the season based on points accumulated throughout the 10 events. The stop in Vancouver has given Fijians living in North America a rare chance to show their national pride and cheer for a

rugby-mad country even launched a sevendollar bill in honour of the triumph. Fiji’s Alasio Naduva (10) scores a try against Kenya during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday March 9,

1,636 rental flats around Fiji under Public Rental Board There are now 1,636 rental flats around the country under the Public Rental Board. Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of Public Rental Board Umarji Musa says they have completed two new projects in Naqere Savusavu consisting of 48 units and in Kalabu, Nasinu consisting of 36 units. He says the project in Lautoka consisting of 36 units is in progress and the project is

fully funded by government with a grant of around $10 million. Musa says the Newtown project consisting of 140 units is currently being looked at. The PRB collects around $4 million in rental income in a year and also gets annual grants from government which is over $1 million.

Entire Viti Levu island goes out of power The whole of Viti Levu is currently without power. Energy Fiji Limited says this is an unplanned power outage and their technicians are working to fix the problem.

EFL says they cannot confirm when power supply will be restored. We will have more in the next hour.

Man’s body kept in mortuary for over a year, identified 2019. Last year, the Fiji sevens beat Kenya in The body of a man which was kept at the the final in Vancouver, one of five tour wins There was no missing person report lodged last season, and the first of four straight. “It CWM Hospital mortuary for over a year now, and according to the relative, the man in his was pandemonium,” said supporter Samuel has been identified. 60’s had no fixed address at the time of his A relative who resides in Suva came forward Pratap. “Fiji fans are the craziest.” “Fiji always death. puts on a show whether it’s on the pitch or in after hearing the request for information. the stands.” The team narrowly finished behind Fiji Airways grounds two Boeing 737 Max-8 planes South Africa in the 2018 final Sevens Series for safety reason after Ethiopian Airlines plane crash standings. This season, the team has captured After Ethiopian airlines crash shortly after of the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff two titles on the World Rugby Sevens Series takeoff from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, killing from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia In a joint tour, winning in both South Africa and New statement, Fiji Airways, together with the all 157 people on board. Zealand. The Fiji Airways grounding its two Boeing Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, say that they Back in Vancouver, the team is once again continue to have winning team at a major sporting event. among the favourites to win the Canada 737 Max 8 planes. full confidence in Fiji’s team has given its rugby fans plenty Sevens, but fell to the Canadians in a first The company says the airworthiness to cheer about in recent years. v In 2016, it round game Saturday. Fiji lost in the semi- some flight times of the Boeing became the inaugural gold medallist at rugby finals and eventually won a third place. may be impacted 737 MAX sevens’ Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro. The as a result, and all aircraft, and in affected customers the skilled and will be notified of any PM opens new Legal Aid office in Taveuni experienced Fiji change in their flight Airways pilots schedules. The Fiji accessing legal aid services were Good news for the people and engineers who operate them. They say Airways will use its existing Boeing 737 NG even mightier, as they were of Taveuni as Prime Minister since Fiji Airways commenced operating forced to travel by boat to Suva aircraft as well its Airbus A330 fleet. Voreqe Bainimarama today the Boeing 737 MAX in December 2018, However Fiji Airways is hopeful of a or Labasa in order to access opened the new and first Legal the aircraft has proven to be reliable smooth transition with minimal disruption these important services. Aid Office in Taveuni that will and efficient, and continuous flight data to passengers. In line with the stance taken Bainimarama says today, the enable the people to access by aviation regulators in our region, and an monitoring has not identified any issues obstacles they faced have been legal services. increasing number of operators worldwide, that would give rise to a cause for concern. knocked to the ground. While speaking at the Fiji Airways, together with the Civil Aviation However, out of deference to the position The Prime Minister says opening of the office, taken by regulators in our region, and in the people can now wield the Authority of Fiji, took the decision to response to the concerns expressed by the Bainimarama says while other communities temporarily ground its fleet of Boeing 737 in Fiji certainly faced long journeys by car or tremendous power of the law more easily MAX 8 aircraft until more information is general public, both Fiji Airways and the by bus to access legal services, the geographic than ever before for the benefit of themselves known about the cause of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji have agreed challenges Fijians in Taveuni faced in and their families. Airlines accident. CEO of Ethiopian Airlines that the most appropriate course is to impose Tewolde Gebremariam, looks at the wreckage this temporary grounding.

PAKISTAN

Saturday, March 16, 2019

No terror group will be allowed Prime Minister Imran Khan today said no terror group would be to function in our country allowed to operate on Pakistani soil and now,” he added. Pakistan began carry out attacks abroad, days after his a crackdown against terror government began a crackdown against groups this week amid growing terror organisations. “This government international pressure in the will not allow Pakistan’s land to be used wake of the terror attack in for any kind of outside terrorism,” Imran Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama Khan said while addressing a public rally in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. The attack was claimed in southern Pakistan. “We will not allow any terror group by Pakistan-based terror group

to operate from Pakistan soil: PM Imran Khan

NO further escalation with India, says gov’t official A month old tensions between Pakistan and India, which brought the two countries near war last month, an internal assessment of the government concluded that the threat of further escalation between the two nuclearnations is over. The assessment was shared by a senior official on Monday while giving a background briefing to a group of journalists

on the current state of relations between the two neighbouring countries. “There is a visible de-escalation in tension,” the official said. More importantly, the official informed the journalists that Pakistan did not foresee any further ‘aggressive action’ from India. Military standoff was triggered by claims of carrying out air strikes.

Educating the kids from brothels should be a priority The call to prayer echoes across the ancient walled city of Lahore. Worshippers hurriedly make their way towards the centuries-old Badshahi Mosque, and in its shadow thrives a trade older than the grand mosque itself. Condemned by the devout and exploited by the elite, the sex workers of Heera Mandi, Lahore’s infamous red-light district, earn their living on the margins of society. Open doorways offer a fleeting glimpse into the realities of the women who live here, most of whom face a daily struggle to make ends meet. Each has a different story to tell. Some were born into the trade while others were trafficked from rural villages and poorer parts of the city; lured by men with the prospect of marriage or employment and then sold off to brothels. A winding alleyway leads to a small, concrete

building with green doors. An unexpected chanting of nursery rhymes can be heard. Inside, a cluttered, makeshift classroom equipped with wooden desks, an alphabet-strewn blackboard and walls plastered with colourful drawings. The voices belong to the children of Lahore’s sex workers. They are the forgotten byproduct of Pakistan’s undercover sex trade; spending their days on the streets and returning at night to sleep on brothel floors. They face malnutrition, physical and mental abuse and are prime targets of trafficking. According to Sahil, a local NGO, child sexual abuse cases in Pakistan have increased from nine cases per day in 2017 to 12 cases per day in 2018. Between January and June 2018, 2,322 child abuse cases were reported from all four provinces of Pakistan.

Jaish-e-Mohammed. The terror attack led to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force struck a Jaish terror training camp in Pakistan’s Balakot; Pakistan retaliated the next day by targeting Indian military installations

which led to an aerial dogfight between jets of the two nations. The United States, Britain, and many other nations are urging Pakistan to act against antiIndia terror groups. Pakistan has a history of using Islamist groups to pursue foreign policy aims in the region, but it has denied India’s accusations it actively supports terrorists fighting Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

India refuses visas to Pakistani journalists over Kartarpur meeting Pakistan expresses disappointment over India’s decision to not issue visas to Pakistani journalists to cover the first meeting between the two countries on the Kartarpur Corridor. The meeting will take place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday. “Regrettable that India has not given visas to Pakistani journalists for the Kartarpur meeting tomorrow,” Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted.

It is not known how many journalists had applied for visas to cover the meeting. “Hope the #PakKartarpurSpirit and meeting tomorrow will bring a change for the better for people of both countries,” he added. A Pakistani delegation will visit India on Thursday for the meeting, which would be followed by an Indian delegation’s visit to Islamabad on March 28.

Gov’t decides to put banned outfits into ‘high risk’ groups Gov’t decides to put all banned outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to “high risk” category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with requirements of Financial Action Task Force (FATF). All these groups have now been described as “high-risk” entities and would be subject to greater scrutiny by all agencies and institutions of the country, starting from their registration to operations and from their fund collection to bank accounts and issuance of suspicious transactions, information sharing and so on, an informed official said on Friday. The institutions include the Federal Investigation Agency, Securities and

Exchange Commission of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan, National CounterTerrorism Authority, Financial Monitoring Unit, among others. He said these decisions were taken at a meeting of the general council on FATF led by Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan as part of a series of meetings to comply with the watchdog’s obligations. Arif Khan led the Pakistani delegation to Paris during the February 18-22 meetings of the FATF plenary and its group reviews. The institutions would complete this exercise within two weeks so as to present a compliance report to a delegation of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group.

NRI

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Eminent NRI mathematician couple give $1 million to US university An India-born eminent mathematician and his wife have given $1 million to an American university to establish a professorship honouring legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. The new position aims to honour the genius Ramanujan, who made substantial contributions to mathematics in the early 1900s. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has received the amount from mathematics professor emeritus VS Varadarajan and his wife Veda to establish the Ramanujan Visiting Professorship’ in his home department, the varsity said in a statement. The new post will help attract visiting faculty members in Varadarajan’s

specialisations of automorphic forms, an important concept in number theory, and representation theory, which has been linked to elementary particles and quantum physics. The UCLA Academic Senate and the University of California Office of the President has to approve the chair’s establishment. The gift is part of the Centennial Campaign for the UCLA, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2019 during the university’s100th anniversary year, the article said. The additional expertise would enhance the UCLA’s renowned mathematics department, which was ranked among the top 10 graduate programmes in the country in 2018 by the US News & World Report.

NRI teen named partner in New Jersey investment firm An Indian American teen in New Jersey is making waves in the investment firm industry, being named a junior partner at a global investment firm. Rishi Bagaria, 18, an analyst at a firm founded by his older brother and family friends, when he was a 15-year-old eighth grader. He was quickly elevated to junior partner, though he remains a high school student, according to media reports. Bagaria was promoted to junior partner in August 2018. At the time, managing director and president Mitchell Ng said, “His outstanding research reports, including identification of specific M&A activity in cancer immunotherapy ventures and interest in gene editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas9, but far more importantly his leadership of our junior analyst team showed great deftness

and initiative.” Bagaria told CNBC that after getting motivated by his uncle about the stock markets, he sought out ways to learn and the first book that he read on investment was ‘Investing for Dummies’ and took a financial literacy class in middle school. With the help of his family, the teen and his brother Raj Bagaria started investing in a virtual stock market account and treated the investment made as real, the report said. However, the first real investment ever done by Rishi Bagaria was when he bought “blue chip stock” like Apple and AT&T as he did not want to be too risky, CNBC noted. Rishi, currently the youngest partner as well as a member of the upper management at Thessalus Capital, decides on how to invest. He also leads a team of analysts and reviews their research and pitch decks before it gets presented to the upper management.

Concern for Indian students arrested at fake US school Officials from an Indian-American cultural group say they are concerned about the arrests of Indian students who were enrolled at a phoney university in Detroit that was created by the government to bust an immigration scam. Federal authorities in January announced that the University of Farmington was fake and created by the Department of Homeland Security to catch people making money by helping foreigners live in the US on student visas while enrolled at bogus schools. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

has arrested more than 160 foreign students on civil immigration violations, agency spokesman Khaalid Walls told the Detroit Free Press. Many of the students have been removed from the country or are in the process of removal, Walls said. More students could be arrested or removed since enforcement action are still going on, he said. Most of the 600 students enrolled were from Telugu-speaking regions of India. The Indian government has said it is closely monitoring the situation and expressed concerns that some of the students may have been duped by recruiters.

Young NRI physician among Ethiopian plane crash victims A US-based young physician from Andhra Pradesh was among the 157 killed in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash. Nukavarapu Manisha, hailing from Guntur district, was on her way to Nairobi to see her sister who had delivered three baby boys a few days ago. She was also looking to visit her parents Venkateshwar Rao and Bharathi, who were with their elder daughter. A relative of Manisha tweeted to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj that her parents were waiting to receive the body in Nairobi. The Minister replied that she had asked

Rahul Chhabra, the Indian High Commissioner in Nairobi, to provide all help and assistance. Four Indians were among those who died in the Boeing 737 jet crash on Sunday which occurred shortly after it took off from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. After doing medicine from Guntur Medical College, Manisha went to the U.S. for higher studies and was settled in Tennessee. She is listed as one of the resident physicians of Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University.

NRI foster mother gets child endangerment charges dropped NRI foster mother of 3-yer-old Sherin Mathews got her passport back, after the charges were dropped against her in connection with tragic death of her 3-year-old daughter, whose body was discovered in a culvert in suburban Dallas in 2017.

SUPER

Sini Mathews was charged with child endangerment after she left her adoptive daughter Sherin alone at home while she and her husband Wesley Mathews went out for dinner with their 4-fouryear old biological daughter on the

Saturday, March 16, 2019

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Saturday, March 16, 2019