The Asian Star February 13 2016

www.theasianstar.com

Vol 15

Issue 2 Saturday, February 13, 2016

Tel: 604-591-5423

Tesla expects to become profitable in 2016

Kalai Dosa- The new Talk of Town

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Real Estate Council of BC to investigate shadow flipping of Vancouver homes

uperintendent of Real Estate Carolyn Rogers will work with an advisory group being set up by the Real Estate Council of B.C. to look into concerns raised by media reports and Opposition politicians, said B.C. Minister Peter Fassbender. The independent office charged with overseeing the British Columbia real estate market

will investigate allegations of fraud and insider trading by some Metro Vancouver real estate agents, the provincial government said Monday.

Superintendent of Real Estate Carolyn Rogers will work with an advisory group being set up by the Real Estate Council of B.C. to look into concerns raised by media reports and Opposition politicians, said B.C. Minister Peter Fassbender. “The reason we have an indeContinued on page 6

Terrorist says Pakistani Canadian was involved in Mumbai terror attack

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aking fresh disclosures on the brazen 26/11 attacks, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley exposed how ISI and LeT majorly funded terror operations in India and financed him from time to time and that Pakistani Canadian Tahawwur Rana visited Mumbai before the terror strikes. He also told the court that Mumbra girl Ishrat

Happy Valentines’ Day

Jehan was a suicide bomber of LeT. He told the court that LeT handler Abu Kahfa was instructing the 10 terrorists from a control room in Karachi during 26/11 attacks.

Continued on page 7

BC may be headed to US style melt down in real estate Umendra Singh

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C may be headed to United States style melt down in real estate – thanks to some (not all) scamming and thieving agents and an ineffective monitoring and enforcing system. This past week, there was front Continued on page 4

Gas price drops - everywhere except in Vancouver

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or a few brief minutes the price of gas dropped to 99 cents per litre in Metro Vancouver last weekend. Just as quickly it shot back to $1.04/ litre and this week, it is hovering at $1.02 per litre. However, elsewhere in Canada the price of gas is in a free fall.

Free-flowing refineries are prompting a “bloodbath” for retail gasoline prices in Edmonton, one analyst says.

Continued on page 6

First ‘Gold Dosa’ in Canada offered by Kalai Dosa A large crowd gathered to witness the official opening of Kalai Dosa , home of the gold dosa. Kalai Dosa offers “gold dosa” – a dosa specially made in gold foil for your enjoyment. Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan (middle) was on hand to officially open the restaurant and taste the first ‘Gold Dosa offer by the owner Kalai (left) See full story on page 9 Photo: Chandra Bodalia

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LOCAL

Liberal MP, Sukh Dhaliwal (right) and businessman Parimender Chohan (left) at the opening of Bal Realty Services in Surrey on February 6.

Businessmen Sukhi Bath (middle) and Parminder Chohan (right) at the opening of Bal Realty Services in Surrey on February 6.

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NDP urges major probe of practices of some Metro Vancouver realtors

DP housing critic David Eby said Monday that disturbing reports about the activities of some realtors in Metro Vancouver are coming from multiple sources. The B.C. NDP says the provincial government needs to do a formal, arm’s-length investigation into allegations that some Metro Vancouver realtors are engaging in dubious practices and contributing to an unsustainable housing market. “The provincial government has been asleep at the switch on this issue and it’s time for them to step up,” NDP housing critic and Vancouver-Point Grey MLA David Eby told reporters on Monday. Eby said information about the activities of some local realtors is coming from multiple sources, including reports in The Province and Globe and Mail, realtor sources and court transcripts. Some realtors are believed to be sending false information

to Canada’s financial intelligence unit by allowing clients to use their broker’s address rather than their own address when filling out forms meant to alert the federal government to possible cases of money laundering and terrorist financing. Some realtors are accused of exploiting the assignment clause in purchase and sale contracts so they can trade properties one or more times before the close date and make multiple commissions.

Reporters were also provided with copies of questionable ads and blog posts from people claiming to be realtors or experts in real estate. Eby said the effect is that the provincial government is being deprived of tens or even hundreds of millions in property transfer taxes, federal regulations to detect and discourage money laundering are being circumvented and some realtors have an unfair advantage.

Surrey mortgage broker ordered to ‘cease and desist’

An unregistered Surrey mortgage broker has been ordered to stop offering financial services after a probe that also resulted in an investigation into her realtor husband for recommending his wife’s services.

B.C.’s Financial Services Commission (FICOM) issued a cease and desist order against Ranminder Kaur Gill (pictured right) last month after she allegedly advised an undercover investigator to lie on a mortgage application. “This conduct demonstrates a willingness to deceive lenders when submitting applications to them,” the order says.

“Not only are lenders put at risk of providing mortgage funds based on inaccurate information, but borrowers may find themselves in a mortgage they cannot afford.” ‘Call Rani Gill and get your mortgage done’ According to the decision, FICOM began investigating

Gill after she called the agency in January 2015 to ask whether “an unregistered person could collect a referral fee from a mortgage broker, as she was having difficulty.”

Gill was previously registered as a submortgage broker from 2009 until 2013; two years later, she told FICOM she was only engaged in “client-side” work. The Real Estate Council of B.C. says it is investigating Jaswinder Singh Gill in relation to a FICOM probe of his unregistered mortgage-broker wife. (Jas Gill) (pictured left) But a scan of a local real estate paper turned up an ad which included Gill’s name, photograph and the promise: “When everyone says ‘NO’ Call Rani Gill and get your mortgage done.” The ad was aimed at “new immigrants, first time buyers, self employed, low income, bad credit” clients: “We do it all.” According to FICOM, Gill held herself out to an undercover investigator as a

LOCAL

Liberals could put Canada on track to run $90 billion in deficits over first mandate, bank study says

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he National Bank says the country’s fading economic prospects could put the federal government on track to run $90 billion in deficits over the Liberals’ four-year mandate.

In a report, the bank predicts the public books will sink deeper into the red due to the combination of a weakened economy and Liberal promises of billions in fiscal stimulus. Report author Warren Lovely says if the bank’s downgraded growth profile comes to pass then Ottawa could lose $50 billion in revenue over the next four years. The Liberals have pledged to run deficits in the coming years in order Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Minto spend $17.4 billion over its first man- ister of Finance Bill Morneau walk towards their date on infrastructure projects — which plane as they depart Ottawa they predict will create jobs and generate deficits under $10 billion as the economy economic growth. Since coming to powcontinues to falter amid falling commodity er, however, the Liberals have shied away prices. from their election vow to keep annual

Mortgage broker ordered to ‘cease and desist’ From prveious page registered submortgage broker who “deals with lenders across Canada.”

She gave the investigator a fridge magnet indicating her role as a “mortgage specialist.”

During the course of their interview, Gill allegedly told the investigator she would tell the lender he planned to live in the investment property, even though he stated he did not, as he would get a better deal from the bank.

The FICOM document says: “Ms. Gill further advised the investigator that if he was ‘going to be short (on the down payment) and you need to borrow, then we tell them, okay, then we make a gift letter. Then we tell them my parents, or whatever, they’re going to give us a gift.”

‘Taking the matter very seriously’ B.C. mortgage broker registrar Chris Carter described Gill’s conduct as “particularly egregious” given the fact that she was previously registered as a broker and knew the rules.

The FICOM probe also led to a parallel investigation by the Real Estate Council of B.C. into Gill’s husband, Jaswinder Singh (Jas Gill), who shared the newspaper ad with her and linked to her email and phone number on his website.

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Superintendent of real estate denies ignoring ’shadow flipping’ problem

ritish Columbia’s superintendent of real estate is denying that she has failed to take action on “shadow flipping,” saying she only learned of specific allegations from the media last week. Carolyn Rogers said her office has not received any complaints in recent years about the assignment clause, which involves a real estate agent selling the same home multiple times before the sale closes to drive up the final price and collect multiple commissions. “The first I had heard it had become an issue and there were concerns about it was just over the last few days,” she said in an interview Wednesday. “But it’s not a practice we’re unfamiliar with and it’s not a practice that we’ve been ignoring.” Opposition New Democrat housing critic David Eby has accused Rogers and the Real Estate Council of B.C. of turning a blind eye to what he calls fraudulent and unethical behaviour by some

Metro Vancouver real estate agents. But Rogers said she and the council moved quickly to launch an investigation this week following the reports. She will chair and appoint an independent advisory group to come back with interim recommendations in April. She noted the assignment clause in contracts is not new and her office issued a consumer alert in 2008 warning that in a hot housing market, purchasers might transfer their contracts to other buyers at a higher price. Rogers, a former public servant and financial-services professional, has held the position for six years. Her office is independent of the council and its mandate is to protect the public. The superintendent’s office reviews the council’s enforcement decisions, including those on contract assignments. It’s unclear why those decisions didn’t alert Rogers to any concerns about shadow flipping because she declined to comment on specific decisions.

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EDITORIAL

BC may be headed to US style melt down in real estate

page news of “shadow flipping” – a practice whereby a real estate agent or his/her accomplice could flip a property many times before it is actually sold.

The unscrupulous agents and their accomplices pocket hundreds of thousands of dollar in cash while the property owner only gats the original price. Here is how it works. A property owner lists his house for $750,000; the agent finds an accomplice who agrees to pay $750,000 and the deal is closed – or so you would think. The buyer actually only buys on consignment with a far off completion date (lets say three months down the line). In the space of three months, the “buyer” finds someone else to buy the property for $790,000 and pockets the cool $50,000 difference between what he agreed to buy from the owner and what he agreed to sell to the second buyer. The second buyer then finds someone to

pay $850,000 for the same property and unloads the property to the third “buyer” and pockets $50,000 cash (difference of what he agreed to pay the first buyer and what he is getting from the third buyer). And so on and so forth. The original owner only gets $750,000 but the first and second buyers made $50,000 each without paying a cent in taxes, without owning the property at any time and without the original owner getting any benefits. This practice is not illegal under current laws but it is definitely immoral.

When the news hit the media this past week, there were calls for an independent inquiry. But the BC Superintendent for Real Estate, Carolyn Rogers, quickly claimed that her office could handle the inquiry into the scam. The BC Government has apparently agreed to Rogers teaming up with the Real Estate Council of BC to investigate the allegations of shadow

flipping. This is akin to the wolf being asked to investigate who broke into the chicken coop. Rogers and the Real Estate Council will investigate whether this practice is prevalent (and I can tell you personally it is, having received two offers in shadow flipping which I declined) and who are the agents involved and why nothing was done up to now? How will the Council investigate something like this and how will Rogers investigate her own office to determine why nothing was done up till now. If they could handle this kind of immoral behavior by real estate agents, why haven’t they done so up to now? Did they not know what was going on? Are they complicit with what is happening? This “shadow flipping” has been a wide spread practice in BC for many years. It is not as if the regulators were not aware of it. And if they were not aware of it, is a cause for serious concern. What are they doing?

Were they asleep at the switch or just looked the other way. These questions makes it imperative that there is an independent inquiry to avoid the kind of melt down in real estate experienced in United States several years ago due to similar practices by mortgage brokers and sellers, who overvalued properties in order to approve easy mortgages to financially ineligible clients.

To restore confidence in the industry, it is imperative that the provincial government appoints an independent inquiry headed by a retired judge. And Rogers should start offering cash rewards to any one who can who can report shadow flipping cases over the past ten years so that her office can investigate individual claims and prosecute offending realtors.

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Local

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Real Estate Council of BC to investigate From page 1 shadow flipping of Vancouver homes pendent superintendent’s office is that they are charged with ensuring that best practices are in place,” he said in an interview. “Any regulatory changes that might be required will be brought forward, and so we are encouraging that any issues that come up be directed to the superintendent or to the real estate council, to make sure the public is protected on every front.” The government dismissed calls from the Opposition New Democrats to launch a formal arm’s-length inquiry. Fassbender said the superintendent is independent and the government will take “very seriously” any recommendations that are issued.

Fassbender said the government will also be taking measures in the upcoming budget intended to address concerns about housing supply, pricing and affordability.

NDP housing critic David Eby claimed Monday that some real estate agents have been avoiding property transfer and capital gains taxes while exploiting a clause in contracts that allows for a series of home flips, increasing the final price by hundreds of thousands. He also alleged that some real estate agents have been helping clients hide the foreign origins

of money used in transactions by putting the broker’s location instead of the purchaser’s address on federal anti-money laundering forms.

“Both of these independent issues would be serious enough on their own,” Eby said at a news conference. “But together, with so many widespread reports coming from different sources, they lead us to the inevitable conclusion that oversight of the real estate industry in British Columbia is woefully inadequate.”

He said the province has fallen “asleep at the switch” and could be losing millions in tax revenue, while allowing realtors to have an unfair advantage in insider trading and defeat anti-money laundering protections. “There are many Realtors who conduct themselves professionally ... and are valued members of our communities,” he said. “Their reputations are directly impugned by this kind of conduct.”

Eby sent two letters in January to the Real Estate Council of B.C., which regulates licensed agents, after a real estate agent came forward as a whistleblower. He outlined allegations that some agents and investors were exploiting a clause that permits contracts to be sold multiple times before the closing date.

aman@ewfinancial.ca

From page 1

Gas price drops - everywhere except in Vancouver

With Edmonton gas prices averaging 61 cents per litre Tuesday, GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst Dan McTeague said prices haven’t been this low in the city since Dec. 2003 and are likely to sink much lower. Some stations were at 59.9 cents per litre.

McTeague said prices in Alberta are expected to fall four to six cents by Friday to sit somewhere around 56 cents per litre over the weekend. “If you think these are good prices, just wait. The roller-coaster hasn’t hit the bottom yet,” he said in an interview from Toronto. “If I’m looking at Edmonton, these are the best prices in the country, bar none.”

Gasoline prices are heavily tied to the price of oil, which fell Tuesday to levels not seen in almost 13 years, dragging down the Toron-

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to Stock Exchange two per cent as investors grow increasingly concerned there is too much crude on the world markets. The March contract for North American benchmark crude fell US$1.75 to US$27.94 per barrel — a drop of nearly six per cent.

Kash Pashootan, a portfolio manager at First Avenue Advisory, said the oversupply issue won’t be resolved until there are closures in the West, where crude is more expensive to produce than Saudi Arabia. “We should not be surprised to see oil continue to go down until we see supply erode or decline, and that hasn’t happened yet.” Petroleum refineries are finally starting to take advantage of low oil prices, McTeague said, leading to an “exceptional” rate of production that’s likely to drive wholesale prices down for an extended time.

Shadow flipping’ not limited to Vancouver real estate market

magine your realtor sold your home for $500,000 more than the price you agreed to — but you didn’t see a penny of that extra cash. That’s the situation for some Vancouverites, as exposed in a Globe and Mail feature Saturday. A controversial sales technique called “shadow flipping” allows realtors to score two or even three times their standard commission on a single house by reassigning the sale to different owners at ever higher prices. But it’s a practice that has left the original sellers feeling scammed. How does it work? An increasing number of real estate transactions in the Vancouver region feature what’s called an “assignment clause,” which allows the buyer to transfer or sell his or her interest in the property before the closing date. Some savvy realtors use this clause to essentially

sell the same house multiple times over, allowing them to make multiple commissions off one house. For instance, the realtor could find an investor (Buyer #1) willing to purchase the seller’s home for $2.5 million.

Buyer #2 then buys the contract for $2.8 million. Finally, Buyer #3 purchases the contract for $3.1 million. At closing, Buyer #1 and Buyer #2 each make $300,000 in profit. The realtor earns three commissions, one for each transaction. The seller only gets the original $2.5 million (less the commission on that amount). The middlemen flippers pay income tax on their profits, but they pay no land-transfer taxes How widespread is it? According to Don Campbell, founding partner and senior analyst at the Vancouver-headquartered Real Estate Investment Network, assignment-clause schemes are nothing new.

LOCAL

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Spy says Pakistani Canadian was involved From page 1 in Mumbai terror attack Rana originally from Paksitan was living in Ottawa and operating a business in Chicago when he was arrested 3 years ago FBI on terrorism charges related to the Mumbabi attac. He is serving 37 years on those charges.

Resuming his deposition before a court here today via video-link after a day’s break due to a technical glitch at the US end yesterday, the LeT operative said that RBI has turned down a request to open a bank account for their office in India. Giving details of his funding, he said, “Before coming to India in September 2006, he received $25,000 from ISI’s Major Iqbal.� “I also got 40,000 in Pakistani currency from LeT operative Sajid Mir between April and June 2008,� he told the court, adding that Major Iqbal used to regularly sent him money in instalments. Also, Major Iqbal gave me counterfeit Indian currency once or twice in 2008, he said. Besides Abdul Rehman Pasha, also from ISI, gave me Rs 80,000, Headley said. “Tahawur Rana (Headley’s associate and a Pakistani native who operated a Chicago-based immigration business) used to send me money from the US in September 2006 when I came to India to do intelligence work on instructions of LeT,� he told the court.

The 55-year-old, who recently turned approver in the case, also said that “it was my idea to open an office in India. It was a part of my cover (as an immigration consultant). I had discussed about this with Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir and they both agreed to it.� “I also told Rana that Major Iqbal had asked me to do intelligence work in India. Iqbal told me that if Rana was reluctant to be associated with this (Headley’s India operations) then he (Headley) should appeal to his (Rana’s) sense of patriotism towards Pakistan,� he testified. “But Rana was not reluctant and he agreed

readily for me to go to India,� Headley said.

Headley also revealed that Rana had visited Mumbai before the terror attacks. “I advised Rana to leave India before the attacks as I was afraid that he would be in danger,� he told the court. Headley also disclosed that Rana had asked Raymond Sanders (who ran an immigrant law centre in Chicago) to submit an application to the RBI to open a bank account for their office in India. However, RBI turned down the request, he said. Later, in January 2009, Major Iqbal told Headley to close down his office in India, the court was told. Earlier on Tuesday, Headley had told the court that terror outfits like LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen were given moral, financial and military support by the Pakistani intelligence agency besides making fresh revelations including about an aborted plan to target Indian defence scientists and famous Siddhivinayak temple here. He said he was working for ISI besides LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) and that he knew about ISI official Brigadier Riyaz being the handler of LeT’s top commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who was the mastermind of the November 26, 2008 attacks in Mumbai. He named three officials of the Pakistan army and ISI --Colonel Shah, Lt Colonel Hamza and Major Samir Ali - besides retired army officer Abdul Rehman Pasha who was closely working with LeT and Al-Qaeda.

Headley said his assessment was that ISI and LeT were coordinating with each other. “ISI provides financial, military and moral support to terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed, LeT and Hizbul Mujaideen,� he said, even though he claimed that his opinion was formed on the basis of hearsay. Headley, who had visited Mumbai seven times to scout for targets, revealed that plans to harm the metropolis had started over a year before the attacks in

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8 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

PERSONS OF THE WEEK Chhavi Disawar

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Kalai Dosa- The new Talk of Town

ave you ever thought that there are numerous food stores at one place but we like a particular food item from particular place? Same ingredients, same dish, same cuisine then why is it that we just want a particular flavor?? Interesting ehh...

Preparation of the food depends upon the chef ’s creativity. One thing is undeniable that a chef is no less than an artist, who with his creativity develops eye catching and mouth-watering delicacies.

So is the case with our guest this weekMr. Kalai Arasan Selvaraj. Being brought up in restaurant owner’s family in Tamil Nadu, Kalai’s childhood was spent playing in the kitchen area of his family run hotels.

“I was oriented towards cooking since childhood as I have seen my family engrossed in the same. I found the field really interesting, so, I pursued my education in Hotel Management and dreamt to own my restaurant”, told Kalai.

As of now, Kalai has around 15 years of experience in cooking field. Kalai came to Canada in 2008 and after gaining handful of experience in the industry, he now owns his own venture.

“From 2008 till now, I was working with some renowned food chains inclusive of Denny’s and couple of South Indian food chains in Vancouver area”, said Kalai in an interview with The Asian Star.

Kalai’s reputation is created by his art of cooking. Having worked in various food chains and delivering promising service, he has earned a good name in the community.

Kalai Dosa has recently opened in Vancouver at Fraser Street. Not to forget that

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

our honorable defence minister Mr. Sajjan was also present on this occasion.

The presence of such dignitary itself speaks about the quality of the product.

On asking about the name of the restaurant, Kalai told,” people know my name in our community. They want to have food made by Kalai as they have tasted it already.

Keeping the restaurant’s name on my name is an extra edge for me as my clientele will definitely come to experience my food.”

Talking about the location of the business Kalai told,” Large no. of our community people live around the area. Not only this, huge amount of students are also settled around the area which gives us an opportunity to attract more customers with our daily deals.”

Kalai’s exclusive creation ‘Gold Dosa’ has become highly famous and is the new Talk of the Town.

“The gold dosa has 24 carat gold leaf plating on the top of any variety of dosa. The whole concept of this kind of food item is to bring the X factor in the Indian cuisine and generate interest amongst the local public”, told Kalai in the interview.

The Gold dosa available at the food place is actually one of its own kind in whole Canada.

“The concept of gold dosa came into my mind when I used to visit bakeries and see cakes covered with gold and silver leaves. I am sure people will love this item throughout. We are first ones to introduce this thing ever in South Indian cuisine and that is a matter of proud for me”, said Kalai.

Apart from having enormous variety of dosa, Kalai dosa serves one with authentic South Indian dishes incusive of delicacies like Malabar curry, parathas and various veg/ non-veg food items.

“We are looking forward to cater to students and local public with our services and

Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan with the staff of Kalai Dosa in their kitchen

Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan (middle) was on hand to officially open the restaurant and taste the first ‘Gold Dosa offer by the owner Kalai (left) give them the service that they will never forKalai is planning to come up with a paget after going back to their place”, told Kalai. tio concept for coming summer in order to The dosa place has special everyday offers provide customers a lifetime experience. and also the available discount options for For more details and information, call: students. Also there is a 10% discount offer (604) 566-3111 on pick-up menu.

‘Gold Dosa’ becomes the new trend in Vancouver’s food industry

Chhavi Disawar happy tummy is the basic element of healthy body and what can be a better choice for healthy food than ethnic South Indian food. The blend of spices with most nutritious lentils, vegetables and meat is what we can describe the cuisine as. There are so many South Indian restaurants in and around the area, and every place has its own flavour. However, another name has joined the list at this time. The aroma of the place makes one feel hungry. Last Sunday, February 4’2016, an event happened at 7233, Fraser Street Vancouver where, along with getting the tongue tickling flavors on

the occasion of opening ceremony of Kalai Dosa, we also got a chance to meet and have words with Canada’s National Defence Minister Honorable Harjit Singh Sajjan.

The Asian Star newspaper was also present at this auspicious occasion.

The event started with welcoming of our honorable Mr. Harjit Singh Sajjan, who inaugurated the event by ribbon cutting ceremony. The event had many interesting elements inclusive of

Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan and Ravi Cheema, of The Asian Star, try out the Gold ‘Dosa” at the newly opened Kalai Dosa.

singing, bhangra, emcee interaction and food of course.

It was a delight to see Mr. Sajjan talking about his struggle times during his initial days in Canada. The humble man wished the venture a good luck and felt spell bounded by the love and respect of the audience.

Not to forget, Kalai Dosa is Canada’s only South Indian place that provides us with the delicacy of their GOLD FOIL DOSA. The food place aims at delivering promising delicacies of South India along with a lively downtown vibe.

For more details, write to: kalaidosahut@gmail.com

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LOCAL

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Translink hires former Seattle transit GM Kevin Desmond as CEO

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will be paid an annual salary evin Desmond, of $365,000 with a monthly formerly head of housing allowance of $1,500.

King County Met“We look forward to welcomro Transit in the Seattle ing him as TransLink’s new area will earn $365,000 per Chief Executive Officer, and year plus a monthly $1,500 to collaborating in a variety of housing allowance as the ways to keep building a transnew CEO of TransLink. portation network that is more After a long search Desmond is currently generTransLink has effective, efficient, and customal manager of King County selected American er-focused than ever before,” Metro Transit in the Seat- Kevin Desmond as said Vancouver Mayor Gregor tle area where he oversees its new CEO. Robertson, chair of the Mayors’ a transit system with a mix Council on Regional Transportation of buses, trains, vanpools and paraFormer TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis was transit service. Before moving west removed from the position one year Desmond was the chief of planning ago, although Jarvis continues to work with New York City Transit. Desmond for the organization as a consultant.

TransLink’s new CEO says his first task is to listen

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hen TransLink’s new CEO Kevin Desmond starts his job next month, he will have a tough task ahead of him: to restore the transit authority’s beleaguered and battered brand and boost ridership. But how he plans to do that is still anyone’s guess, as Desmond says he has yet to develop a game plan to tackle the issue. “I understand TransLink has suffered a bruise to its brand and the last couple of years have been challenging

...,” he said Wednesday at a news conference. “Restoring the public trust and confidence in the transportation system I believe to be No. 1.” Desmond, who is now the general manager for King County Metro Transit in Seattle, was selected by the TransLink board to replace former CEO Ian Jarvis, who stepped down last year during the controversial transportation plebiscite that was roundly defeated by the public.

Failed Mexican refugee allowedto live out ‘final days’ in Canada - at taxpayers’ expense

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ernando Nuñes, a Mexican man with cancer who was ordered deported by the Canada Border Services Agency in 2014, died Monday night at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Nuñes, 33, was allowed to live out his final months in Vancouver with his wife and son, both Canadian citizens whom he would have had to leave be-

hind had the dep or t at ion order been carried out.

The Vancouver Sun reported in March that Nuñes came to Canada on a visitor visa in 2009, but overstayed it and did odd jobs in construction. He met his wife in 2012 and they married the following year.

Texting driver rear-ends police cruiser, officers find confession on her phone

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ictor i a p o lice say a cellphone text message held the confession of a driver who r e a r- e n d e d a police car.

Const.

Matt Rutherford says the collision occurred Saturday night at a busy intersection northeast of the city’s downtown.

He says police recovered the phone of the suspect driver, and on it was a text message that said, “I just got into an accident, OMG. I was trying to txt u. Ran into a cop car. OMGGG.” Rutherford says the officer and police dog were uninjured, but the female driver and a child were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect’s car suffered damage to its front end, and the driver was issued a $167 ticket for using an electronic device while driving.

Rutherford says the accident should remind motorists to leave their phones alone while driving, a message police will continue to hammer home in and around Victoria.

info@eyelevelrichmond.com www.eyelevelrichmond.com

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LOCAL

Police investigate to see if shots were fired between vehicles in Surrey

aul Walia was in bed when he heard gunshots on the street outside his home in Surrey’s Fleetwood area.

It was shortly before 11 p.m. on Tuesday and immediately after the four shots, he heard vehicles speeding away. By the time he made it to his front window, the street was empty. A few minutes later, police arrived. “It’s a very quiet neighbourhood.

We’ve never seen anything like that before,” Walia said. “Everyone was very surprised.”

According to Surrey RCMP, several people living in the area of 84B Avenue and 141A Street called 911 after hearing the gunshots. Responding officers found shell casings and broken glass, leading investigators to believe that there had been gunplay between occupants of two vehicles.

Police are still canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance video.

No one has called police to report any in-

juries related to a shooting, and no one has checked into hospital with gunshot wounds. Bhagwant Gandham, who lives across the street from Walia, also heard the gunshots. When he looked out his bedroom window, he saw two cars drive away at high speeds. “Surrey’s so bad — so many shootings every year,” Gandham said.

However, he said he still feels safe: “I’m not scared.” Last year, Surrey experienced an unusually high number of shootings and suspected shootings in connection with a drugs dispute. So far this year, there have been two widely reported shooting incidents in Surrey. A man doing his own “proactive patrol” in the area of 152nd Street and 48th Avenue on Jan. 4 confronted several people in a suspicious parked vehicle and was shot at by someone in the white sedan.

The man pursued the vehicle, which eventually crashed into a hydro pole on River

Fire in Langley pool house kills man

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ounties in Langley have confirmed that one person is dead after a fire broke out in a house in Langley on Wednesday night.

The blaze broke out at around 9 p.m. at a detached pool house in the back of a residence on 76B Avenue.

RCMP say after firefighters extin-

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guished the flames, they found the body of a man in the house.

Authorities have not yet released many details, but RCMP say there will be an update later Thursday.

Township of Langley assistant fire chief Pat Walker said fire investigators don’t know yet what started the blaze.

He said it remains under investigation.

Cops arrest suspect in Surrey cross-dressing bank robbery

olice have arrested a suspect in a recent bank robbery in Guildford in which the bad guy dressed up as a woman.

The robbery happened on Dec. 29, in the 15100-block of 101 Avenue. The robber ran away and no staff were injured.

Police are recommending robbery charges be laid against a 39-year-old Surrey man.

His name has not yet been released.

After the robbery, the Surrey RCMP released surveillance camera footage from the bank showing an Asian man wearing a patterned dress, white

woolen sweater, blonde long curly wig and a pink toque, hoping someone might be able to identify him.

“Thank you to the public, media, and our policing and community partners for their assistance,” Cpl. Scotty Schumann said.

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Single Vancouver mom gets $70,000 compensation from Real Estate

single mother has been paid nearly $70,000 in compensation by the Real Estate Council of B.C. after she was allegedly defrauded of $100,000 by suspended Vancouver realtor Dacheng (Damon) Wan and convicted fraudster Ayaz Dhanani.

Details of the case — dubbed “extremely serious” in a cease-and-desist order from B.C.’s registrar of mortgage brokers — involve alleged con artists, bank drafts, curren-

Council of B.C. after allegedly being defrauded

cy exchanges and a risky home investment.

It is the second alleged transaction involving Dhanani and Vancouver realtors. And the registrar warned in 2014: “It is reasonable to assume that Mr. Dhanani may continue to deceive others in a similar way.”

Wan — who was indicted in September 2015 along with Dhanani on charges of fraud over

Gun smuggler gets 42 months in a Canadian jail

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man who smuggled guns into Canada from Washington state and sold a rifle to an undercover officer in Langley has been sentenced to 42 months in prison. Tyler Ryan Cuff, 32, pleaded guilty in April 2014 to possessing a prohibited firearm and gun trafficking. He was sentenced in provincial court in Surrey on Thursday. In May 2013, police received a tip that Cuff, who has dual Canadian and U.S. citizenship, was smuggling guns from Washington into B.C. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit began an undercover investigation called Project E-Passkey.

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Vancouver pimp convicted of trying to bribe witness in prostitution trial

notorious Vancouver pimp has been convicted of trying to bribe a witness not to testify against him at his high-profile prostitution trial.

Reza Moazami got a cellmate at North Fraser Pre-Trial Centre, convicted murderer Babak Najafi-Chaghabouri, to contact a friend outside the prison to approach a witness who can be identified only by the initials S.W. because of a publication ban.

In a ruling released Thursday, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Gregory Bowden concluded that the friend told S.W. that Moazami was prepared to pay a $5,000 bribe for her to approach his lawyer and recant her evidence against him.

Moazami was prepared to pay a further $5,000 to have S.W. not testify at trial and more money if other witnesses could also be persuaded not to testify, court heard.

Bowden found Moazami, who is serving a 23-year prison term for running a prostitution ring, and Najafi-Chaghabouri, who is serving a life sentence for using a hatchet to kill a drug dealer, both guilty of attempting to obstruct justice.

The judge also found Moazami guilty of breach of a recognizance for having indirect contact with one of the female complainants in the prostitution case.

The offences occurred between August and October 2012, prior to Moazami’s trial on the prostitution offences.

Much of the case hinged on telephone calls made by Najafi-Chaghabouri from prison to a friend which were intercepted by police.

The friend, identified as Azita Nazemi, asks Najafi-Chaghabouri at one point what she

has to convince S.W. to say about Moazami.

Najafi-Chaghabouri replies that S.W. needs to say that she lied to the police because she was mad at Moazami and that her previous statement was made up.

Nazemi was initially also charged but had the charges later dropped, and at trial said she had not been offered anything in exchange for her testimony.

S.W., who reported the attempted bribe to police, testified at Moazami’s prostitution trial that when she was 16 years old, Moazami regularly verbally abused her as a means of intimidating her to work as a prostitute for him, and that he assaulted her on several occasions.

The abuse prompted her to attempt suicide by jumping off an apartment balcony.

Moazami was convicted of 30 criminal charges, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, sexual assault and living off the avails of prostitution. His 11 victims in the prostitution ring ranged in age from 14 to 19.

Moazami, who appeared by video link along with Najafi-Chaghabouri for Thursday’s verdict in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, responded angrily to the obstruction ruling.

“I want my sentence to be today,” he demanded of the judge, before firing his lawyers.

Moazami had earlier fired one of his two lawyers during the prostitution trial. Another of his lawyers withdrew after the prostitution verdict. He also fired the lawyer who he initially retained for sentencing purposes in that case.

The obstruction of justice case has been put over until next week to fix a date for sentencing.

$5,000 — had his licence suspended in April 2014 after an investigation by B.C.’s Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM) was submitted to the B.C. Real Estate Council.

Compensation hearing documents say that in October 2014 the council paid Wan’s client $66,570 for losses caused by

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Wan. She had already recovered $33,429 from the provincial Crown through bank seizures related to Wan’s accounts.

The alleged victim told investigators she wanted to move from her Vancouver condo into a million-dollar Burnaby home that Wan had shown her so she could live together with her daughter and her retired parents.

Richmond Mounties pounce on street-racing pair

wo drivers had their licences suspended and their cars impounded this week after they were caught racing in Richmond. On Tuesday around 10 p.m., an RCMP officer was patrolling an area near Bridgeport Road just off the Highway 99 ramp when two vehicles were spotted speeding westbound. After co-ordinated efforts by a number of Mounties, the vehicles — a 2011 BMW M3 and a

white 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX — were pulled over near Gage Road and Bridgeport Road. Each driver was issued a ticket for driving without due care, which comes with a minimum $100 fine, and issued 15-day driving prohibitions. Both cars were also impounded for a week. The Subaru driver was a 20-year-old Richmond man with a Class 7 Novice licence, while the BMW driver was a 31-year-old Richmond man.

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LOCAL

BC toughens up drinking and driving laws

ew regulations are in place to clarify and toughen the consequences of drinking and drug affected driving in British Columbia, strengthening the Province’s resolve to have the safest roads in North America by 2020. Under the new program, drivers with certain serious prohibitions for drinking and drug affected driving are now required to participate in mandatory remedial programs designed to prevent this high risk and irresponsible behaviour from reoccurring.

Driving while affected by drugs or alcohol is a significant public health and safety concern of this government. In 2014, drinking and driving contributed to the death of 61 people on our roads - that’s 61 completely preventable deaths due to poor choices. Once a mandatory referral is made, drivers will be required to participate in the Responsible Driv-

er Program (RDP), which focuses on education and counselling, and/or the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP), for which a device is installed in the vehicle to prevent drivers from driving if they have consumed alcohol.

“These measures will help both deter and prevent unsafe drivers from getting back on our roads. There will no longer be financial or hardship considerations to exempt high-risk drivers from these remedial programs,” said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Morris. “Let me be clear. If you are caught drinking and driving and therefore putting your life and the lives of others at risk, it will cost you. Driving while affected by alcohol or drugs is reckless and selfish behaviour for which this province has no tolerance,” he said.

Artists at Mamta Foundation of Canada fund raising dinner in Surrey last week. Photo: Chandra Bodalia

Delta bank robbers gets 30 months in prison

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Delta bank robber has been given a 30-month prison term. John Githonne Domingue pleaded guilty to robbery last week, on the first day of his trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster. He was sentenced on Friday, according to court records. According to the Crown’s opening statement and facts presented at the sentencing of Domingue’s getaway driver and co-accused, Douglas Dalzell, the robbery took place at

about 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 2014. Domingue — wearing dark clothes, a hat, gloves and a scarf held in front of his face — entered the TD Canada Trust on Ladner Trunk Road in Delta, waited in line and then handed two notes to the teller. The first demanded $5,000 cash and stated, “I have a gun, so no GPS or dye packs.” The second note said, “No funny bull---- or I start shooting people.” In the parking lot, Domingue got into a pickup truck driven by Dalzell who, according to his lawyer, had no prior knowledge of the robbery. The men fled down Ladner Trunk Road to Highway 17A and then headed south with police in pursuit. At one point, a

Proposed bill seeks to track information involving B.C. real estate buyers

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C’s finance minister said Thursday there’s merit to better tracking the foreign purchase of real estate, in response to a proposal from Green party leader Andrew Weaver.

Weaver introduced private member’s legislation Thursday that would amend the Land Title Act to require someone buying property to disclose whether they are a Canadian citizen, an immigrant to the country, a citizen of a foreign country or a resident of another province.

The change would restore rules that were eliminated years earlier, and allow government to better understand the effects of foreign and domestic speculation in B.C.’s real estate market, said Weaver.

“Government is operating with no knowledge, they have absolutely no idea what’s going on,” he said.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong said that idea “has merit” and urged Weaver to “be patient for a few more days” until Tuesday’s provincial budget, in which the government has said it will introduce several changes designed to address the housing affordability crisis in Metro Vancouver.

Weaver’s proposed legislation would also address a potential loophole in the property transfer tax, in which people can register property to a bare trust and then transfer the rights to the trust to someone else — effectively selling the property but without paying property transfer tax.

De Jong said he’s “cautiously optimistic” next week’s budget would respond to some of those concerns. He has already written and finalized the budget, but by long-standing tradition the finance minister keeps its contents confidential until budget day.

“The unregistered transferring of interests in real property in British Columbia

LOCAL

U.S. tells Sajjan it will ‘intensify’ fight against ISIS

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anada’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan met for the first time Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of Defence Ash Carter, who told him the U.S. will “intensify” its fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Sajjan’s meeting with Carter comes two days after Canada announced it will pull its six fighter jets from the bombing campaign against ISIS

by Feb.22, while increasing the U.S. Secretary of Defence Ash Carter (left) with Defence Minister number of special forces de- Harjit Sajjan prior to a bilateral meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday ployed on the ground to help fice said the minister went over Canatrain Iraqi forces. “The two discussed the da’s new commitments and told Carcounter-ISIL campaign, and the secretary ter that Canada is prepared to work reinforced the United States’ commitwith the U.S. in a number of areas, ment to intensify the fight against ISIL,” “including through their active parPeter Cook, a spokesman for the Pentaticipation in NORAD and NATO.” gon, said in a written statement follow“Minister Sajjan reaffirmed Caning the meeting on Wednesday, using an ada’s commitment as a key globalternate acronym for the extremist group. al coalition partner to address the “He thanked the minister for Canada’s anongoing crises in Iraq and Syria.” nouncement to triple their training mission in northern Iraq, double their intelligence effort, as well as expand their humanitarian and development contributions.

“The leaders also discussed how Canada will continue to contribute to the air campaign by conducting refuelling and aerial surveillance operations,” Cook said.

Canada also announced additional humanitarian assistance and new diplomatic engagement to address the ongoing crisis.

A statement from Sajjan’s of-

Saturday, February 13, 2016

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Sexism, cronyism claims hit BC First Nations health agency as it receives billions in funding

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letter describing “a culture of bullying, misogyny, sexualization of Aboriginal women, inequality and lateral violence” at a First Nations health-care system in British Columbia led to an extraordinary federal government audit — and to troubling conclusions made public this week.

The office of the Auditor General of Canada launched its probe after receiving a scathing four-page document from an anonymous source. The unsigned letter makes claims of serious misconduct in the three-year-old First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), based in West Vancouver.

According to the document, “a number of folks within the FNHA and others who have left the FNHA are increasingly disturbed by the behaviour of senior leadership.”

That won’t come as a total surprise to some health-care workers and government bureaucrats.

In December 2012, dozens of Vancouver-based Health Canada employees were called to a meeting in a local hotel. They were asked to consider joining a new organization, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), which would assume responsibility for providing public health-care services to almost 160,000 First Nations people in the province. It was an exciting initiative, the first of its kind in Canada. But after listening to comments made by the leader of a First Nations council responsible for overseeing the design of the new health authority, several potential recruits decided they wanted nothing to do with it.

At the meeting, Doug Kelly described his lengthy career as a band chief and aboriginal health-care executive, noting early in his career he had encountered a “problem” with his nurses: They would sometimes become pregnant and leave their employment.

Injured in an accident?

ICBC claim?

Gunman dies after killing Almonte councillor, shooting ex-partner, source says

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ravis Porteous is dead after he fatally shot a municipal councillor and seriously injured his former partner before turning the gun on himself, a source told CBC News.

Bernard Cameron, town councillor, and another man die after shooting at Almonte home Mourners remember Almonte councillor’s ‘tremendous love’ of his community Porteous, 33, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after the shooting inside the councillor’s mansion in the eastern Ontario community of Mississippi Mills, southwest of Ottawa, provincial police said.

Bernard Cameron Sarah Cameron Almonte shooting victims Bernard Cameron, left, was shot to death Thursday by the man his daughter Sarah Cameron, right, had been involved with. Sarah Cameron was seriously injured but was in stable condition in hospital Friday morning. (Lois Siegel Productions/Facebook) Porteous later succumbed to his injuries. His uncle Orville Porteous declined an interview but told CBC News it was a difficult time for the family.

Sarah Cameron, a 28-year-old mother of two who had been involved with Porteous, also suffered life-threatening injuries but was in stable condition.

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16 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

LOCAL

Dangerous driving sentence of Abbotsford man who caused serious head-on collision upheld

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n Abbotsford man who caused a serious head-on collision has lost his appeal of a 60-day intermittent jail term.

Jean Jacques Bosco, a former professional soccer player who operates a local soccer academy for children and adults, was convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The conviction relates to an incident on Jan. 14, 2012, while Bosco was driving home in treacherous conditions along 16th Avenue in Langley.

He came up to another eastbound vehicle and began to tailgate it, prompting the other driver to slam on the brakes. Bosco slammed on his own brakes and lost control of his vehicle.

He swerved into the oncoming westbound lane, passed the vehicle ahead and three or four other vehicles. As he approached and crested a blind hill, he collided head-on with a

vehicle being driven by Karen Gudbranson.

The trial judge found that Bosco had driven in the oncoming lane for more than 40 seconds and rejected his claim that he couldn’t merge back into the eastbound lane safely.

Gudbranson suffered significant and “life-altering” injuries. Court heard that Bosco had come to Canada from Rwanda in 1998. A former pro soccer player, he runs a successful soccer academy and has strong community support. Bosco has no prior criminal record but his driving record includes six speeding and five unsafe driving violations. He was sentenced to 60 days of jail to be served on the weekends, reduced to 51 days after receiving credit for pre-sentence custody. He also received a two-year driving ban. On appeal, he alleged that the judge had failed to consider all sentencing options and principles and had failed to consider the mitigating factors. He sought a conditional discharge.

Allegations of conflict of interest in the Liberal government regarding Uber

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uestions were raised Thursday in the B.C. legislature about whether there was a conflict of interest involving a cabinet minister who is overseeing the government’s dealings with Uber and the work of his chief of staff ’s daughter, who had previously lobbied for the ride-sharing company. Some time in January, the government’s file on Uber was pulled from Transportation Minister Todd Stone and assigned to cabinet colleague Peter Fassbender. Carling Dick, the daughter of Fassbender’s chief of staff Joan Dick, was registered as a lobbyist for Uber. According to a summary page on the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists website, Carling Dick was listed as an active Uber lobbyist as of Thursday. An expanded page under Carling Dick’s listing, however, notes her undertaking of the Uber file began Feb. 23, 2015 and ended Jan. 28,

2016. During the Thursday afternoon sitting in Victoria, Opposition MLA Harry Bains asked whether Fassbender had made the proper arrangements to avoid a conflict of interest when he took on the Uber file. “Can the minister explain why he placed his office, through his chief of staff, in a conflict of interest by letting her arrange and sit in closeddoor meetings between his office, Uber and taxi companies, when his chief of staff ’s daughter is the registered lobbyist for Uber?” Bains asked.

Fassbender responded, “Again, the member opposite is wrong. There is no ongoing relationship with my chief of staff ’s daughter with Uber. That was severed when, indeed, the responsibility for that was given to my ministry and myself to work with the taxi industry.” Fassbender maintained his chief of staff had notified him after the file was transferred to his office.

“I know that my office and my chief of staff have conducted themselves appropriately and were doing the right things for the right reasons, not the suggestions coming from the other side,” Fassbender said.

He did not provide exact dates during Thursday’s question period, as requested by opposition members. Stone, minister of transportation and infrastructure, was previously assigned to handle the possible introduction of Uber to B.C. Stone spoke on the issue as recently as Jan. 21 on Red FM, saying Uber “will likely have their services here in British Columbia, but not any time soon.” A day later, Fassbender, minister of community, sport and cultural development, was also on Red FM discussing Uber.

Surrey woman charged in home invasion that left man in a coma

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Surrey woman has been charged in connection with a violent home invasion that put a man in the hospital in an induced coma for a month last year and left him with ongoing health issues. Dallas Cheryse McKay, 27, is also accused of robbing the same man — who cannot be identified due to a publication ban on the court file — a month before the attack. McKay was charged in December with break and enter, aggravated assault, three counts of unlawful confinement or imprisonment, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and two counts of robbery in connection with an incident that took place in Whalley on Feb. 13, 2015.

At about 5 a.m. that day, Surrey RCMP were called to a home in the 11000-block 136th Street, where they found a 49-yearold man who had been stabbed and severely beaten. The man was rushed to hospital in serious condition, where he remained in an induced coma for a month.

He continues to have problems with his speech. Police said the attack was targeted. The victim knew the suspect.

McKay is also charged with three counts of robbery and one count of using an imitation firearm in connection with an incident that took place at the same residence on Jan. 10, 2015. It’s believed the alleged robbery was related to a drug debt. McKay’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 11.

LOCAL

BC petition calls for an end to MSP premiums

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he B.C. Green Party has presented an online petition in the B.C. Legislature, signed by more than 62,000 people from across the province, calling for an end to MSP Premiums. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver says it’s clear British Columbians want the tax changed.

Under the current system, everyone making more than $30,000 a year pays the same amount — about $75 a month.

Those making less than $30,000 are exempt. Andrew Weaver B.C. Green Party Leader has been pushing for reforms to the way the province’s MSP premiums are collected. (Andrew Weaver/Twitter) Weaver says B.C. should think about adopting the Ontario model where the amount paid is tied to taxable income with payments starting at $20,000 a year and increasing gradually before topping out at about $200,000.

“Any collections, any credit agency, all of

South Asian woman describes getting married amid NYC crane collapse chaos

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hen bride-to-be Nesh Pillay found herself stranded on a New York City street amid the chaos of a fatal crane collapse, a trailblazing chaplain from the local fire department came to her rescue. Nesh Pillay, 25, a Toronto native, was at a Manhattan hair salon on Friday with her mother and sister getting ready for her wedding when they felt the earth shake as a construction crane collapsed outside, killing one person and injuring three others. Toronto bride escorted to wedding by N.Y. firefighter after crane collapse NYC crane collapse kills 38-yearold Manhattan man “No one really knew what was going on. We sort of assumed it was something minor, maybe a construction mishap. But within a few minutes everyone outside knew what had happened with the crane because it was right outside the door,” Pillay told CBC News.

Bride-to-be Nesh Pillay, 25, is assisted by New York City firefighter Chaplain Ann Mansfield after a crane collapsed near the beauty salon where she was having her hair done in downtown Manhattan. She was late for her wedding, but police wouldn’t let anyone in or out of the salon. After a little while, authorities told the trio they had to leave due to a possible gas leak.

“So I kind of went into the bathroom and put my wedding dress on and left, knowing at this point I was very late,” Pillay said. Pillay was standing outside in her wedding gown in the slushy cold weather in the middle of the crane collapse scene, when Rev. Ann Kansfield of the New York City Fire Department swooped in, covered the bride in a protective firefighter jacket and escorted her to city hall where groom Aaron Vanderhoff was waiting.

that is thrown away because as a matter of law everyone must file tax returns,” he said.

B.C. signals change to MSP premiums for single-parent families $462M in MSP payments overdue says Canadian Taxpayers Federation MSP hike triggers new calls for reforms Ucluelet resident Michelle Coulter, who started the petition, says she has been surprised by the reaction. “It seems a little surreal,” said Coulter. “We are obviously striking a chord with British Columbians. I sure hope the province is listening because we need to make changes for everyday British Columbians that need to work everyday to put food on the table.”

‘Health care is not free’: province But the province is not willing at this point to make drastic MSP Premium changes. Finance Minister Mike de Jong insists that “health care is not free.”

Saturday, February 13, 2016

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$462M in MSP payments overdue says Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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C is short about a half-billion dollars due to overdue Medical Service Plan payments, according to the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation. The watchdog group claims that 850,000 bills are at least a month overdue — the majority are over 90 days overdue. Jordan Bateman, B.C.’s director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation blames rising MSP rates. B.C. signals change to MSP premiums for single-parent familie“The BC Liberals have doubled the rates since they came into office ... people are just falling further and further behind,” said

Bateman. Finance Minister Mike De Jong admits changes are needed around collections and relief for single parents. Premiums are scaled down for people who make less than $30,000 a year, but under the current system wage earners in the range between $30,001 and $3 million pay the same. The CTF and thousands of petitioners are calling on B.C. to more fairly scale premiums based on income, but so far the government has shown little interest. hi-bc-130626-vancouver-care-card The Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation says most people behind on their MSP payments are 90 days behind.

He says if the premium is attached to income, taxpayers won’t have the understanding their money is going to health care.

Sample MSP Critics say the Medical Services Plan premiums are not scaled well enough to wages. (MSP) “The most frequent criticism I get when I am out

and about in B.C. is I really wish I knew specifically what my money will purchase,” de Jong said. The government does have plans to introduce some changes to the premiums. In next week’s provincial budget details of a break for single parent families will be released.

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Saturday - February 13, 2016

The wife and son of a man, who was killed in the 2002 hit-andrun case involvingSalman Khan, moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging the acquittal of the actor by the Bombay High Court (HC) . Their appeal against the HC verdict is likely to come up for hearing on February 19 along with the petition filed by the Maharashtra government against Salman’s exoneration.

Om Puri granted judicial separation from wife

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court order has granted Om Puri and his wife Nandita a judicial separation.

A friend of the actor informs that the court verdict, in principle, gives the couple freedom to go separate ways, while remaining legally married.

Confirming this, Om Puri’s lawyer Jalaja Nambiar said, “Om Puri has been granted a judicial separation and he has given his wife Nandita a maintenance amount that is unheardof for in a judicial separation.”

Jet Airways crew suspended for Sonu Nigam’s ‘concert’ in air

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haring a flight with a celebrity singer and having him croon hit Bollywood numbers over the in-flight announcement system may give many flyers an ultimate high, but don’t expect the Indian aviation regulator to cheer from the aisles.

Five airhostesses of Jet Airways have been grounded for allowing playback artiste Sonu Nigam to sing from the plane’s address system. The in-flight concert Picture of Sonu Nigam singing in the took place during a chartered flight plane using announcement system that from Jodhpur to Mumbai on January 4. went viral.

According to reports, all passen- er obliged and sang two songs — Do gers on board knew each other and pal ruka from Yash Raj Films’ Veer requested Nigam to sing. The sing-

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Rakhi Sawant wants to be a porn star

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akhi Sawant has been taking a dig at Sunny Leone time and again.

She has been disgruntled over the fact that even after starting her career as a porn star, Sunny is getting a lot more respect and fame in India than her. So, what will Sawant do next to bring down Sunny?

Well, she says she wants to become a porn star. “There is good news for all of you. Rakhi Sawant is very soon going to become a porn star,” said Rakhi at a music event yesterday. Though indirectly, she was definitely taking pot-shots at Sunny.

Even rapper Hard Kaur was seen abusing Leone for no rhyme or reason While such people have been defaming Sunny, she has been getting a lot of praise from the film industry

Rakhi Sawant

2002 hit-and-run: Victim’s family files appeal in SC against Salman acquittal

Krishna Kapoor admitted in Breach Candy Hospital

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andhir, Rishi and Rajeev Kapoor’s mother has been rushed to Breach Candy Hospital.

Confirming the same, Randhir said, “My mother is 86. She is suffering from old -age complications. She is feeling better though after admission to Breach Candy.”

Zaara and Panchhi Nadiya from Abhishek Bachchan’s launch movie, Refugee.

When the passengers started singing with Nigam, he said: “Arrey wah, aap bhi gaatein hain. My God, saare singer hain (Wow, you

all can sing too. Everyone’s a singer here).” Videos of the singer crooning in air were posted on social media by some flyers and went viral.

Star & Style

2 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

Sunny Deol torn between son Karan and brother Bobby

Horoscope Libra

Aries

Sept. 24 - Oct 22

March 21 - April 20 Understanding is so important. Instinctively, we sense this. We feel insecure when we face something that we don’t understand. We often create explanations and justifications.

They may be almost entirely fiction or fantasy but if they comfort us, we cling to them. I mention this because the heavens, this week, appear to be putting you under a little pressure.

Taurus

Is there such a thing as ‘trying too hard’? When we strive with all our might, when we leave no room for subtlety, when we stress about the smallest setback, do we help to further our cause? Or do we impede our own progress? I ask only because you are now coming under a beneficial celestial influence that will aid and assist you significantly.

But to take maximum advantage of this, you must be willing to relax, kick back, and trust that the universe really wants to

Scorpio

April 21 - May 20 We all dream of instant success and immediate gratification. We know this is rare. We appreciate the importance of working hard and being patient. Even so, we pine for a life where we need merely snap our fingers or wave some magic wand to find our every wish has been fulfilled and our every need has been met. If, this week, it begins to look as if you have somehow been transported to such a place, enjoy living the dream.

Gemini

May 20 - June 21 Even when we stop, we don’t really stop. We may slow down. We may change a habit or alter a routine. But our minds are always busy and our to-do list is rarely sparse. So, where does all this running around get us? Don’t we just keep describing circles on the path of progress when we might be better trying to head in a simple, straight line? This week, you should take full advantage of a rare opportunity to draw breath, to stand back, and to implement major change. It may yet do you the power of good.

Cancer

June 22 - July 23

You may not be intending to celebrate Chinese New Year but this week’s powerful New Moon gives the celestial signal that the year of the Fire Monkey has begun. Cancerians are ruled by the Moon. So, if the Moon is doing something significant now, we can assume that you must be in the process of achieving an important goal. Of course, what the world sees as important and what you see as important don’t always match. But it is what’s important to you personally that matters most now

Leo

June 24 - August 23 Will you put yourself too far out on a limb this week? Will you take too much of a risk?

I am only asking questions. I am not making predictions. I can’t. I can only tell you that the cosmos now offers you an opportunity to be adventurous, even mischievous. You must decide for yourself, whether to indulge or suppress this. I’m not issuing any warnings. I shall leave it to my more cautious colleagues to speak in nannying tones. I just want to remind you of an apposite old saying: ‘Nothing ventured

Virgo

Oct 23 - Nov 22 When times are tough or situations seem stressful, we summon our psychological survival mechanisms. We hide behind these as if they were a shield. We peek out cautiously, expecting an onslaught of fresh trouble at any moment. Have you recently taken shelter in this way? Try not to be too guarded this week.

A changing cosmic climate promises new hope. What once seemed like an impossible problem has a solution. It is one you will prove easily able to apply. But to see it, you must maintain a hopeful mindset.

Sagitarius Nov 23 - Dec 22

So much could go wrong. So many problems could present themselves. You cannot help but be aware of this. Many recent events have challenged your usual Sagittarian buoyancy. You are beginning to suspect the best you can hope for is an outcome that isn’t quite as bad as it otherwise might be! Don’t sink too far into the quicksand of pessimism.

For some while, you have been working on a plan. You may have all but given up on it, but it is starting to develop a life of its own. Good news is not far away.

Capricorn Dec 23 - Jan 20

Venus only passes through your sign for a few weeks once a year. This creates a cosmic climate rich in opportunity, albeit one that is also subtle.

Changes and chances can be easily overlooked.

These, though, won’t dance before your eyes like performers in a street parade. A minor shift of circumstance here. A small adjustment in someone’s tone there. These point to a major new development but it can only be made real if you respond with positivity to a delicate hint or suggestion. Be alert for that this week.

Aquarius

Jan 21 - Feb 19 To get what we want in life, we must first know what we want. Often, we find out only after we have had an experience of what we don’t want! Really, if we are logical, we should be grateful for every negative event. It may be no fun but it is teaching us something about what to aspire to (and guard against) in future. Now, don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying this is due to be a tough week. I’m saying, you have lately had a tough time. Now things are changing for the better !

Pisces

August 24 - Sept 24 We make our plans and do our best to stick to them. We aren’t foolish. We know that nothing will ever be easy and we would always be wise to allow for the unexpected. How will we defend ourselves against these? By allowing plenty of time, by summoning determination and by developing a resilient, stoical frame of mind. So, is that the secret of success for you this week, if all is to be well? Well, the ultimate reward for your steadfast endeavour, will yet turn out to be a greater victory than you currently anticipate.

Feb 20 - March 20 It seems, this week, that there is something you must agree to, even if you feel inclined to object to it. You are not in the best bargaining position or, at least, not yet. The way to bring about a more advantageous situation is to bide your time and make the most of whatever you can currently neither change nor avoid. The sacrifice the world now seems to be asking you to make is not as great as it may appear when it is first put to you. Be patient, don’t overreact and you will yet get all you need to succeed.

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ith Ghayal Once Again out of the way, Sunny Deol has now shifted his focus to his next. We told you how the actor-director was setting the stage for his son Karan’s debut with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas However, Bobby Deol has come in the way of Karan’s debut. How? We’ll tell you.

You remember that Bobby’s comeback vehicle Changez was put on the backburner when the financer pulled the plug on it at the last minute Now, with Ghayal Once Again faring rather well, we hear, a financer (name withheld) has shown hope in Sunny’s directorial and production strengths and hence, has come forth to produce his next.

This has put Sunny in a dilemma – should he push the finance for Karan’s first film? Or use the money to breathe life into Bobby’s sagging career?

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A source close to the Deol family says, “Sunny considers both films equally important and he has assured Bobby that his movie will roll sometime this year. He has similar plans for his son’s debut too.” We’re sure Sunny will turn to papa Dharmendra for advice. And it’ll be interesting to see what Dharam, who dotes on Bobby, will have to say about this.

Will Sunny go back to the financer’s table for another round of discussion?

We’ll keep a watch on the Deol household for the next few weeks as the drama will unfold and a decision will be taken.

Victim’s kin appeals Salman Khan’s acquittal in hit and run case

fter the Maharashtra government, the family of the victim in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Salman Khan approached the Supreme Court Wednesday challenging acquittal of the actor by the Bombay HC and also sought compensation.

The petition, filed by widow and son of the victim Shaikh Noorulla Shafik, contended that the HC erred in not relying on the account of Salman’s bodyguard Ravindra Himmatrao Patil who was in the SUV at the time of the accident and also a complainant“It is submitted that the court of sessions had tak-

en the correct view of the matter and the HC committed a grave legal error in reversing the said finding. The HC erred in labelling the evidence of Patil as ‘weak’ solely on the basis of omissions in the FIR,” the petition said.

The widow, Begumjaha Haroon Khan, and son Firoz Shaikh said in their joint plea that victims of a crime were an integral part of the justice delivery system and they should also be heard while adjudicating the case. They also contended that the trial court and the HC completely ignored the provision of Sections 357 and 357 A of the CrPC which provided for compensation to victims of crime.

Waris Ahluwalia, Sikh actor and designer, barred from flight over turban dispute

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aris Ahluwalia, a familiar face from Wes Anderson films and Deepa Mehta’s Beeba Boys as well as for his style and fashionable endeavours, was barred from boarding a flight home to New York after he refused to remove his turban in public.

The Brooklyn-raised Sikh actor and designer had travelled to Mexico City on Aero Mexico, but says he was held back from his return flight Monday morning, marked for additional security screening, searched and ultimately prevented from boarding.

The Indo-American Ahluwalia, 41, posted about the situation via social

media, saying that he was “told I could not board my Aero Mexico flight to New York because of my turban.”

Waris Ahluwalia, a familiar face from Wes Anderson films and Deepa Mehta’s Beeba Boys as well as for his style and fashionable endeavours, was barred from boarding a flight home to New York after he refused to remove his turban in public.

The Brooklyn-raised Sikh actor and designer had travelled to Mexico City on Aero Mexico, but says he was held back from his return flight Monday morning, marked for additional security screening, searched and ultimately prevented from boarding.

Bollywood personalities’ birthdays this week SHAHID KAPOOR 13 FEBRUARY

MANOJ DESAI 14 FEBRUARY

RANDHIR KAPOOR 15 FEBRUARY

SAJID NADIADWALA 18 FEBRUARY

SONU WALIA 18 FEBRUARY

Star & Style

Photos show casting call for India’s first transgender modeling agency

Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 3

New released Bollywood films February 12 12 February

Fitoor

Abhishek Kapoor Aditya Roy Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Ajay Devgn, Aditi Rao Hydari, Akshay Oberoi, Lara Dutta, Rahul Bhatt

A transgender model hoping to turn professional poses for activist Rudrani Chettri and a panel of fashion industry representatives during auditions on Feb. 7

Aspiring transgender model Niharika takes a smoke break during auditions in New Delhi on Feb. 7.

12 February

Lucknowi Ishq

Aanand Raut Adhyayan Suman, Karishma Kotak

Sonam Kapoor’s Neerja banned in Pakistan

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am Madhvani’s Neerja, which stars Sonam Kapoor in a pivotal role has been banned in Pakistan for allegedly portraying the country in poor light. The film portrays the story of slain stewardess Neerja Bhanot, who saved several hundred lives in the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. She eventually lost her life in the battle with hijackers.

The film which is slated to release on February 19 also stars Shabana Azmi and Shekhar Ravjianiin significant roles.

12 February

Sanam Re

Romance Divya Khosla Kumar

I am open to working with anyone, as long as I’m also the hero in the film - Kangna

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he reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. A girl who scampered dreamily, fell into a rabbit-hole and found herself in the peculiar, fantasy world of Bollywood. With Cheshire cats, Mad Hatters, mad-tea parties, Queen of Hearts, et al. Kangana Ranaut lives in the make-believe world of cinema, yet, she is not consumed by it. “I don’t live to work; it is only a small part of my life. I am not born to act. I act to express myself, but I’m not obsessed with it. I want to try different things before I know what I love doing the most. In that sense I’m a wanderer,” she says. Her elegant home resonates with her thoughts — bold, abstract, with an old-world charm. I’m distracted by a stunning piece of decor perched on the wall — a huge cut-out of Marilyn Monroe in her iconic pose, embedded with flashy

Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam, Urvashi Rautela, Rishi Kapoor

lights. I know why, of course. We cosily settled down on the floor of her large living

Sonu Sood bereaved

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ctor Sonu Sood’s father Shakti Sood passed away yesterday at their ancestral home in Moga (Punjab).

The 77-yearold was suffering from respiratory problems and died following a cardiac arrest.

Sonu, a member of Punjab De Sher team, was in Mohali to participate in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) match.

After the match, the actor visited his dad and was talking to him when the latter suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, but was declared brought dead.

Sonu had lost his mother Saroj eight years ago.

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4 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

Celebrity photographer Chris Craymer is smitten with Priyanka Chopra

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kay, so we aren’t the only ones floored by Priyanka Chopra’s immense charisma; there are several others including a long list of Hollywood celebs like Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson (who apparently even offered PC a role in his upcoming film based on the Baywatch series). The newest to join the list of admirers is London-based celebrity and fashion photographer, Chris Craymer, who recently did a photoshoot with the actress for the cover of Vogue India. And well, he admits he’s charmed and smitten with Priyanka.

Priyanka Chopra proud of ‘Jai Gangaajal’ After their shoot, Chris took to Twitter to let people know how impressed he is with Queen Pri. He tweeted, “Totally charmed and smitten with @priyankachopra after our shoot for @vogueindia ! with fashion editor @priyanka86, makeup @hungvanngo, hair

PC too was spontaneous in her response and tweeted, “Look who is talking!! thank u @ChrisCraymer the shoot was so fun! @VOGUEIndia.”

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Some real estate agents insider trading and helping to money launder: NDP and are valued members of our communews conference. “But together, with so many widespread reports coming from different sources, they lead us to the inevitable conclusion that oversight of the real estate industry in British Columbia is woefully inadequate.”

4 i Saturday, July 25, 2015 He said the province has fallen “asleep at

NDP MLA David Eby hosted a news conference alleging fraudulent and “insider” trading practices of some realtors in Metro Vancouver

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he independent office charged with overseeing the British Columbia real estate market will investigate allegations of fraud and insider trading by some Metro Vancouver real estate agents, the provincial government said Monday.

Superintendent of Real Estate Carolyn Rogers will work with an advisory group being set up by the Real Estate Council of B.C. to look into concerns raised by media reports and Opposition politicians, said B.C. Minister Peter Fassbender.

“The reason we have an independent superintendent’s office is that they are charged with ensuring that best practices are in place,” he said in an interview.

“Any regulatory changes that might be required will be brought forward, and so we are encouraging that any issues that come up be directed to the superintendent or to the real estate council, to make sure the public is protected on every front.”

The government dismissed calls from the Opposition New Democrats to launch a formal arm’s-length inquiry. Fassbender said the superintendent is independent and the government will take “very seriously” any recommendations that are issued.

Fassbender said the government will also be taking measures in the upcoming budget intended to address concerns about housing supply, pricing and affordability.

NDP housing critic David Eby claimed Monday that some real estate agents have been avoiding property transfer and capital gains taxes while exploiting a clause in contracts that allows for a series of home flips, increasing the final price by hundreds of thousands.

He also alleged that some real estate agents have been helping clients hide the foreign origins of money used in transactions by putting the broker’s location instead of the purchaser’s address on federal anti-money laundering forms.

“Both of these independent issues would be serious enough on their own,” Eby said at a

the switch” and could be losing millions in tax revenue, while allowing realtors to have an unfair advantage in insider trading and defeat anti-money laundering protections.

“There are many Realtors who conduct themselves professionally ...

nities,” he said. “Their reputations are directly impugned by this kind of conduct.”

Eby sent two letters in January to the Real Estate Council of B.C., which regulates licensed agents, after a real estate agent came forward as a whistleblower.

6 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

New mortgage rule might ‘temper’ hot markets, but not for long

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eginning next week, many Canadians hoping to buy an abode will need to put more cash down before they can call it home. The extra cost might keep some would-be homeowners from mortgages they can’t really afford, but it’s unlikely to leave any lasting impressions on the country’s most “overheated” real estate markets.

The federal government announced in December that mortgage insurers, including the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation — by far the largest in the country — will require a 10 per cent down payment on any portion of a mortgage it insures above $500,000 and up to $999,000.

That’s double the five per cent down they currently ask to insure mortgages worth more than 80 per cent of a home’s value.

“We want to make sure we create an environment that protects the people buying homes so they have sufficient equity in their home,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau at the time, also noting that “elevated” house prices were the driving force behind the move.

The change will “likely impact a broad spectrum of buyers,” though it will surely be the highest hurdle for those who don’t already have a good bit of equity from one home already.

“The majority of the impact is going to be on first-time homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers in the hotter markets,” says Don Murray, senior analyst at Real Estate Investment Network, an organization that tracks Canadian housing trends.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the new mortgage rule in December, saying the government was trying stabilize real estate markets in some cities, like Toronto and Vancouver. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

“It could certainly prevent them from their homes throughout the real es- require a 10-per-cent down paygetting into a market that is overheated.” tate boom of the last 15 years or so, ment on the portion of any mortgage That could, the theory goes, ease the in- though, would be on more stable ground. it insures over $500,000. (CBC News) Drop in the bucket tense demand for starter properties such as Once it becomes psychologically normalThe Canadian Association of Accredsingle-family detached ited Mortgage Professionals agrees. The homes in places like Toorganization revealed last year that firstronto and Vancouver — time homebuyers put down an average one of just several factors of about 21 per cent of their home’s purkeeping average house chase price, a number that has not deviprices in those cities so ated much since real estate prices began astonishingly high — their relentless climb in the late 1990s. and perhaps help those The analysis is based on data gathmarkets cool off a bit. ered from an annual survey of 800 CaGood polinadians who just bought a new home. tics, bad policy?

The same report estimates that of the It could also help save 120,000 to 125,000 sales of homes that insome people from themvolve a mortgage of $500,000 or more selves, encouraging sober each year in Canada, around 10,000 second thought about getting locked into mortgages Starting on Monday, CMHC will require a 10-per- would involve down payments that had that would stretch their ficent down payment on the portion of any mortgage to be increased under the new rule.

Last summer Eveline Xia, who began nances dangerously thin. it insures over $500,000. the popular social media hashtag #DonThere’s plenty of evidence that many Canadians have taken on ized for people, there’ll be less of an effect. tHave1Million, led demonstrations in alarming debt loads to finance their dream - Don Murray, real estate analyst Vancouver, demanding more decisive acof home ownership, leaving them vulnerThe underlying problem is that it’s far tion from the government on soaring real estate prices. (Jim able to ruin if the markets start to deflate. from clear if the new mortgage Young Ca- J e o n g / R e u t e r s ) Young Canadians and their families would rule — just the latest in a string It concludes that face the brunt of the impact. A report by the of government-led measures to nadians and the change will have Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, shield the economy from the high their families negligible resonance for example, found that about 10 per cent household debt loads Canadians in the Canadian of homeowners under 40 would be bank- are carrying around — will make would face the mortgages market. rupted if housing prices dropped 20 per cent. a mark where one is most needed. brunt of the That’s not to say The C.D. Howe Institute similarly calculat“I would say, generally speakimpact. that first-time buyed that about half a million first-time home- ing, there is some good politics in ers haven’t been owners, mainly young people with lower- this but not much good policy,” than-average incomes, could be left ruined says Jon Sowerby, a licensed mortgage bro- looking ahead to the deadline, hopif the historically low interest rates that have ker with Toronto-based TvH Financial. ing to get in before a down payment fuelled drastic jumps in house prices went “It’s made to look like Mr. Morneau is on lightens the coffer that much more.

The minds of homebuyers up, or they faced a personal financial crisis. top of things, but the reality is that it’s not goMichael Elmenhoff is a realtor who Canadians who have built equity in ing to have a massive impact on the market.”

Starting on Monday, CMHC will does a lot of work in the east end of To-

Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 7

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CPP reform is needed, say groups representing younger, older Canadians

olstering the Canada Pension Plan was one of the Liberals’ 2015 election pledges, so just before Christmas Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his provincial counterparts met to talk reform.

That meeting led to an agreement — to discuss it again later.

The ministers hope to revisit the issue by the end of 2016, but change that needs such broad support from so many quarters may be hard to achieve.

Two groups, representing young and old Canadians, say they want changes to CPP. In a pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance, CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, said it backs a “modest” increase in CPP, without specifying a number.

CARP also repeated its call for a supplementary Universal Pension Plan that would cover more than the 25 per cent of pre-retirement income that CPP is designed to replace.

A UPP, which CARP has been mentioning for about eight years, would be mandatory, large and professionally managed.

Change would benefit younger workers Meanwhile, Generation Squeeze, a lobby group that advocates for Canadians in their 20s, 30s and 40s, says it backs a proposal from economists Kevin Milligan and Tammy Schirle to double

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miums would would hurt the economy.

A hike in premiums would be a job killer, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said, arguing it would cost the economy about 110,000 jobs by 2020. The CFIB said a hike in CPP premiums would act as an employer payroll tax and depress workers’ wages.

As the wave of baby boomers hits the end of their working careers, there is some suggestion that Canadians are not preparing adequately for retirement.

Having inadequate savings makes CPP more important for many Canadians.

The most commonly cited reasons for not having enough at retirement include employers “massively” shifting from defined-benefit pension plans to defined-contribution plans, said Alexandre Laurin, director of research at the C.D. Howe Institute.

Other factors cited include household savings rates that have recently run in the four to five per cent range amid high levels of consumer debt, and the view that voluntary contributions to retirement funds are too low, Laurin said.

Perhaps there is no crisis Not all research suggests we are in for a retirement crisis. In 2014, McKinsey and Company reported that the majority of Canadian households were well prepared for retirement.

However, the McKinsey report said about 17 per cent of Canadians were at risk of having to lower their standard of living when they stop working.

The under-prepared group was predominantly drawn from two groups of middle- to high-income households: those that do not contribute enough to their defined-con-

Finance Minister Bill Morneau, right, holds a news conference as his Saskatchewan counterpart Kevin Doherty, left, and provincial and territorial counterparts watch in Ottawa on Dec. 21, 2015. The ministers agreed to discuss CPP reform this year. the yearly maximum pensionable earnings. For 2016 that figure is $54,900.

Younger workers would benefit from a change begun now that would increase benefits in the future.

The economists suggest a change that would have people making up to about $100,000 set aside enough to replace about 40 per cent, or slightly more, of their pre-retirement in-

B.C. real estate council grilled over shadow flipping

he madness that has come to define Greater Vancouver real estate incited a rancorous debate in the B.C. Legislature on Wednesday, with the government being put on the defensive over new revelations that have shed light on some of the more unsavoury practices taking place below the surface of a market spiralling out of control.

The first Question Period of the spring session amounted to a full-on interrogation of the government by the New Democratic Party Opposition over shadow flipping – a little-known practice in which a property is often flipped one or more times before it is finally handed over to a final buyer. It’s an activity fuelling, in part at least, the insane escalation in house prices the region is witnessing and which has provoked global headlines.

Sometimes it occurs without the knowledge of the seller or original purchaser; it allows middlemen (and women) to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases as the property is flipped for greater amounts of money while the government loses out on hundreds of thousands of its

own in property-transfer taxes not being paid throughout the transaction process.

Most disconcerting of all, The Globe and Mail probe by investigative reporter Kathy Tomlinson that revealed the procedure in all its ugly light found it is entirely legal.

The matter that dominated Question Period, however, was what the government intended to do about it. The province confirmed Tuesday that the Real Estate Council of B.C. was going to conduct a review into shadow flipping, an inquiry that would be overseen by the province’s superintendent of real estate. The NDP are suspicious of the real estate council’s ability to investigate itself, especially when many believe it has long been aware of the practice.

Premier Christy Clark said earlier in the week, and repeated in the legislature on Wednesday, that if the council doesn’t fix the problem, the government will – and quickly. We’ll see.

The NDP’s lead critic on the file, David Eby, has justifiable concerns that the real estate council is simply not up to the task of properly policing itself. As proof, he

come, said Paul Kershaw, a public policy professor at the University of British Columbia and the founder of Generation Squeeze.

By comparison, CPP is currently meant to replace 25 per cent of the average person’s lifetime pre-retirement employment earnings.

“There’s an increasing amount of evidence that actually replacing 40 per cent of that kind of income has people better off at age 65 than they often are as young adults,” Kershaw said.

Are CPP premiums a job killer?

Opponents of CPP expansion argued when the finance ministers met in December that a mandatory increase in pre-

8 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

AUTO

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Tesla shows off model EX SUV for first time at Toronto auto show

esla’s Model X is making its auto show debut at the Canadian International Auto Show, which begins Friday in Toronto. The Model X is an all-electric SUV. It can go 400 kilometres on a single charge, and has seating for seven passengers and their gear, the company said in a release. Although it was announced in September, the unveiling in Toronto is the first time the Model X has been shown at any auto show, anywhere in the world, organizers say.

Featuring falcon-wing doors that open

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upwards, the Model X can go from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds when the car is set to “ludicrous mode,” according to California-based Tesla.

The Model X is the third vehicle Tesla has made, after the since-discontinued roadster, and the Model S sedan. So far, all of Tesla’s vehicles have been priced in the high five figures to compete with luxury rivals such as Mercedes and BMW. But next year, the company plans to release a cheaper version, known as the Model 3, for around $35,000 US.

Tesla says it expects to become profitable in 2016

esla Motors Inc forecast deliveries of Model S sedans and Model X SUVs that topped analysts’ estimates and said it expects to turn in a profit in 2016, sending its shares 15 per cent higher in after-hours trading.

The electric car maker has long enjoyed the status of Silicon Valley darling for its brash innovation in electric cars.

Its technological prowess – such as adding features through over-the-air software upgrades – and bold design have been a thorn in the side of Detroit’s traditional automakers, who are only now beginning to fight back.

Tesla said it planned to deliver 80,00090,000 Model S and Model X vehicles of in 2016, ahead of Wall Street’s average expectation for about 79,000 vehicles, according to research firm FactSet StreetAccount.

The loss-making company also said it planned to achieve profitability on an adjusted basis and also to be net cash flow positive for the full year 2016.

Elon Musk-led Tesla said its long-promised moderately priced car, the Model 3, would be unveiled on March 31.

Tesla’s net loss, however, nearly tripled to $320.4-million, or $2.44 per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 from $107.6-million, or 86 cents per share, a year earlier.

Total operating costs rose 42 per cent to $478.9-million in the quarter.

On an adjusted basis, Tesla reported a loss of 87 cents per share.

Revenue rose nearly 27 per cent to a record $1.21-billion on higher sales of the Model S and demand for the Model X, which launched in September.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

i

19

NHTSA expands Fiat Chrysler investigation into confusing shifters

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lectronic gear shifters on some newer Fiat Chrysler SUVs and cars are so confusing that drivers have exited the vehicles with the engines running and while they are still in gear, causing crashes and serious injuries, U.S. safety investigators have determined.

In documents posted during the weekend, the U.S. NHTSA has doubled the number of vehicles involved in an investigation of the problem but it stopped short of seeking a recall. The agency found more than 100 crashes and over a dozen injuries, mostly in Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Agency tests found that operating the centre console shift lever “is not intuitive and provides poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver, increasing the potential for unintended gear selection,” investigators wrote in the documents. They upgraded the probe to an engineering analysis, which is a step closer to a recall. The NHTSA will continue to gather information and seek a recall if necessary, a spokesman said.

The investigation could determine just how much automakers can change the way cars operate when they introduce new technology and how far they can stray from conventional ways of controlling vehicles that drivers are accustomed to.

Jake Fisher, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, expects more problems and investigations as automakers continue to roll out new electronic con-

trols that are unfamiliar to drivers.

“I think the manufacturers need to be much more responsible as they try these new technologies,” he said.

The government’s probe now covers more than 856,000 vehicles, including the 2014 to 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 from 2012 through 2014 with 3.6-litre V6 engines.

In the vehicles, drivers pull the shift lever forward or backward to select gears and the shifter doesn’t move along a track like in most cars. A light shows which gear is selected, but to get from Drive to Park, drivers must push the lever forward three times.

The gearshift does not have notches that match up with the gear you want to shift into, and it moves back to a centred position after the driver picks a gear.

The vehicles sound a chime and issue a dashboard warning if the driver’s door is opened while they are not in Park. But investigators found that the push-button start-stop feature doesn’t shut off the engine if the vehicles aren’t in Park, increasing the risk of the vehicles rolling away after drivers have exited.

“This function does not protect drivers who intentionally leave the engine running or drivers who do not recognize that the engine continues to run after an attempted shut-off,” investigators wrote.

Thus far, the investigation has found 314 complaints, 121 crashes and 30 injuries from the problem.

20 i Saturday, February 13, 2016

NATIONAL

Rona Ambrose brands Liberal changes to ISIS mission ‘shameful’

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nterim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose says it’s “shameful” that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pulling back from the combat mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, even as the United States lauds the new Canadian contribution.

The Alberta MP said Trudeau’s plan to pull CF18 fighter jets back from the region by Feb. 22 was tantamount to surrendering Canada’s role in the fight against global Islamic terrorism.

“Mr. Trudeau likes to say ‘Canada is back,’ when in fact we are stepping back,” Ambrose told reporters in Moncton, N.B. “Every ally in the fight against ISIS has stepped up their military efforts in the bombing mission, and Canada is now,

today, ending our combat role against what is the most heinous terrorist organization we’ve seen in my generation.”

ISIS airstrikes by Canada to end by Feb. 22, training forces to triple The interim Conservative leader pointed to the extremist group’s rampage through Iraq and Syria, its enslavement of women and children and its “barbaric” treatment of gay and lesbians as proof that ISIS is the “greatest threat to human rights in the world.”

“Mr. Trudeau doesn’t think its our fight,” Ambrose said. “If he doesn’t think that we should use our military against this group, I don’t know when he thinks we would ever use our military.

It’s shameful, it’s absolutely shameful.”

Christy Clark’s government admits it won’t meet LNG jobs and profits promises that won the election

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remier Christy Clark’s government

admits it won’t meet its promised timelines to grow a liquefied natural gas industry, but insists it’s done everything it can and won’t give up on the industry.

The government acknowledged in its speech from the throne Tuesday that the LNG industry it once billed as a cash windfall that would generate billions for the provincial treasury has failed to materialize.

“There is no question unforeseen global conditions are posing new challenges,” said Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, as she read the government’s throne speech at the legislature. “Low global prices will have an impact on your government’s initial timelines. But government has done everything it set out to do to attract investment for the cleanest LNG in the world.

“As companies consider their best opportunities to reach final investment decisions, your government will continue to work to bring home the opportunity of LNG to B.C.” The Clark government also foreshadowed what will be its likely defence in the 2017 elec-

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tion for the failure of its LNG promises.

“Success is not for quitters. Success demands steadfast attention, and resiliency in the face of global challenges,” read the speech. The government reiterated its promise to create a prosperity fund for LNG revenue. But the speech made no mention of the $100 billion in LNG revenue promised in the 2013 pre-election throne speech, nor that one small export plant was supposed to be online this year with three more in 2020.

Though there are 20 active LNG projects in the province, none have passed the planning stage and into reality. Shell announced last week it was delaying a final investment decision on its LNG Canada facility in Kitimat due to cutbacks in the corporation caused by the low price of oil.

The throne speech also foreshadowed expected new rules to ease the high price of housing in Metro Vancouver in next week’s budget. “This month, your government will take steps to ease the pressures of cost of living increases,” read the speech. “Your government will look into any allegations of improper behaviour in the housing market, and where appropriate, government will take action.” Finance Minister Mike de Jong told reporters Tuesday he’s writing to the independent office charged with overseeing B.C.’s real estate market to investigate allegations of fraud and insider trading by real estate agents in Metro Vancouver. The government will help first-time homebuyers enter the market and encourage more housing supply, said

the speech. The finance minister has already said he’s considering changes to the property transfer tax to raise the exemption for first-time buyers and tax luxury homes at a higher rate.

Judge slams two lawyers who want $70,000 for fighting Supreme Court appointment

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wo lawyers who challenged the Harper government’s ultimately aborted appointment of Marc Nadon to the Supreme Court of Canada have been handed a judicial spanking for trying to collect tens of thousands of dollars for their efforts. In a sharply worded decision released Tuesday, the Federal Court of Appeal denounced the claims put forward by Rocco Galati and Paul Slansky as misguided and excessive. The judges were especially scornful of Galati’s assertion that denying him full legal costs would effectively mean the court was “in bed” with the government. “I do not understand how one could hope to protect the right to a fair and independent judiciary by accusing courts of colluding with the government if they don’t give the applicant its solicitor-client costs,” Judge Denis Pelletier wrote for the court.

“This is reminiscent of the gonzo logic of the Vietnam War era in which entire villages had to be destroyed in order to save them from the enemy.” In 2013, thenprime minister Stephen Harper appointed Nadon to the country’s top court. Galati challenged the eligibility of the Federal Court of Appeal judge to fill one of three seats reserved for Quebec. He put his challenge on hold when the government referred the issue to the Supreme Court, which then scuttled Nadon’s appointment.

Galati asked for $51,706.54 — based on a charge of $800 an hour he said was reasonable for a lawyer with his experience. Slansky, acting for the Constitutional Rights Centre, wanted $16,769.20 for helping Galati.

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Canada’s free-trade deal with South Korea offers warnings about TPP

tatistics Canada published year-end trade numbers for 2015 last week, confirming another miserable year for Canada’s engagement with the global economy. Total merchandise exports declined 0.6 per cent. Non-energy exports are showing promising growth, but not enough yet to offset reduced energy exports. Meanwhile, imports swelled 4.5 per cent, creating the biggest trade deficit in Canadian history.

One particularly bitter result involves South Korea, with whom we implemented a freetrade deal last Jan. 1. Far from helping Can-

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MP Sukh Dhaliwal’s lobby to ease language rules for immigrants

iberal MPs in ridings with large immigrant populations are lobbying the Trudeau government to relax rules requiring a basic level of English or French proficiency before new Canadians can obtain citizenship. Surrey Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal said the proficiency rule, brought in by controversial Conservative legislation in 2014, “tried to change the face of Canada” by altering the approach taken by previous Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments to ensure new citizens can speak an official language. “A lot of people are walking into my constituency office, people who have businesses and are very well-established, who are tremendous success stories, and who have

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ada’s lousy export performance, free trade with South Korea seems to be hurting it.

Canadian merchandise exports to South Korea fell 3.9 per cent in 2015: seven times worse than the contraction in our exports to the rest of the world. So, free trade hasn’t exactly provided special access for Canadian exporters. In fact, we did much better selling to other countries than to our new partner.

Imports did very well, however. Despite the recession that gripped Canada’s economy for much of 2015 (and depressed demand accordingly), imports from South Korea grew nearly 8 per cent, twice as

contributed to the Canadian economy, but at the same time (find that) passing that English test is a major issue for them,” the MP for Surrey-Newton said in an interview. Dhaliwal is one of 33 MPs, including eight in B.C., who won their seats last October in ridings across Canada with a visible minority population above 50 per cent, according to an analysis by immigration blogger Andrew Griffith, a former senior immigration official. All but three were Liberals and several of them, including Dhaliwal, were quoted earlier this week by the Hill Times newspaper saying they’re pushing Immigration Minister John McCallum to ease the requirements.

Duffy files Senate paperwork ahead of fraud trial decision

enator Mike Duffy has submitted an updated disclosure form to the Senate ethics office, a move required to keep senators in good standing and one that could be laying the ground work for his return to the upper chamber. But the P.E.I. senator faces a substantial hurdle before that can happen — he must be exonerated of all 31 criminal charges he is facing when his trial resumes at the end of the month. Duffy has pleaded not guilty to fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges related to expenses he claimed as a senator and later repaid in March 2013 with $90,000 he received from Nigel Wright, who at the time was chief of staff for the prime minister Stephen Harper. The trial began in April at the Ottawa provincial courthouse.

If Duffy, who is currently on a leave of ab-

sence with pay pending the outcome of his trial, is convicted of just one criminal charge, he will be immediately suspended from the Senate, even if he moves to appeal the outcome, a Senate spokesperson told

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Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 21

Justin Trudeau sparks debate over where to sell pot

rime Minister Justin Trudeau may favour selling marijuana at the same place you buy your favourite bottle of scotch, but that combination doesn’t sit well with at least one province as well as some public health officials. Legalizing pot was a Liberal election pledge, one Trudeau pitched as way to make communities safer. He says government regulation of pot sales would hurt organized crime and keep the drug away from kids. In an interview with Montreal news site La Presse, Trudeau explained why he thinks liquor

stores could be an appropriate place for Canadians to buy the drug. “If adults can freely buy marijuana in places like the SAQ [Quebec’s provincially run liquor stores], pushers will no longer have the capacity to sell it to adults and only selling it to young people will be both risky and less profitable,” he told the newspaper.

Quebec’s finance minister quickly smacked down the suggestion. “I have no plan, no idea, no intention of selling it,” Carlos Leitao told reporters in Quebec City on Thursday, La Presse reported.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Saturday, February 13, 2016

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Need Janitorial Helpers

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

Knowledge of Urdu and asset.

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

customer service.

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

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

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

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

Baker / Sweet Maker wanted

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

35 to 40 hours per week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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1 Optical Frame Fitter Reqd.

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

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

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

S Basement for Rent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To PLACE YOUR AD IN THE ASIAN STAR CLASSIFIEDS Section Please

Call: 604-591-5423

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

Refreshments will be served!

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

Surrey: 12150-92 Avenue; Abbotsford: 2940 Clearbrook Road For more info call Dave at 604 897-4224 or email dmclauren@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------PICS Entrepreneurship Program – New Session Begins January 27th, 2016 PICS is currently accepting applications for it’s PICS Entrepreneurship Program, a nine week training course which will teach you all the ropes of how to start a successful business. Classes include helping you develop a business plan and ways in which you can secure finance for your plan. The training is followed by sixteen weeks of mentorship and consultation as well.

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

Potential participants may contact Deshpal Grewal at PICS at 604-596-7722 ext. 126 and register for the next information session scheduled for: •January 13, 2016 at 2:30 PM – PICS Head Office in Surrey (#205 – 12725 80th Ave, Surrey, BC) January 20, 2016 at 2:30 PM – PICS Vancouver Office (#200 – 8153 Main Street, Vancouver, BC) ------------------------------------------Local Church Announces Saturday Service to Accommodate Young Families David McLauren and Mosaic Community Church announced a new Saturday service today to accommodate the demanding schedules of the local community.

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

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

Mosaic Community Church is a new missional church in the Lower Mainland.

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

Mosaic Community Church Surrey: 12150 - 90 Avenue, Surrey ------------------------------------------------------Emotional Health & Stress Management Workshop Christmas and holiday season is a time for family and friends’ gathering. For new immigrants, it is exciting to celebrate the festivals in Canada, but it may be stressful as they are

away from their home country. This workshop will provide information about how to manage your mood with limited winter daylight hours, maintain good health and make friends so that we can move forward in 2016 ---------------------------------------------January 6, 10am–12pm New Westminster Public Library Main Branch, 716–6th Ave Angel 604 438 8214 ext 104 ---------------------------------------------Legal Information Workshops: WorkSafe Standards Learn about workplace safety and protecting yourself. Topics include certification and training; bullying and harassment; first aid; WHMIS; personal protective equipment (PPE); road safety; mental health in the workplace; violence prevention.

For adults: January 10, 1:30–3:30pm For youth: January 23, 1:30–3:30pm ---------------------------------------------MOSAIC Burnaby Centre for Immigrants, 5902 Kingsway 604 438 8214 ext 211 Canadian Citizenship Preparation January 18 & 19, 5:30–8:30pm Tommy Douglas Burnaby Public Library, 7311 Kingsway Angel 604 438 8214 ext 104 ---------------------------------------------English Conversation Circle for Newcomers Tuesdays, 1–2:30pm, January 19–February 23 MOSAIC Vancouver Language Centre, 304–2730 Commercial Dr Paeony 604 254 9626 ext 288

Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 23

World Religions Conference in Kamloops

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much needed and timely World Religions Conference is being organized on the topic of “Tackling the Radicalization in Faith” on 21 February 2016 from 3 to 6 PM at Clock Tower Building, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, B.C. The dire need of the present times full of turmoil and strife is to promote love and better understating through interfaith interaction and also to tackle the radicalization in Faith. In this respect it is commendable that Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat B.C. has arranged this multi-faith conference in Kamloops and invited learned speakers from Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhism to present their faith perspective on the given topic of

Starting January 22, Fridays, 10:30am–12pm English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 22, Fridays, 12:30–2:30pm ----------------------------------------------Vancouver: 1720 Grant St || 604 254 9626 ext 273 Priority for Permanent Residents.

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English Conversation Circle (Lower Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 10am– 12pm

Public Service Announcement Registrations start now for MOSAIC Seniors Club Winter Term.

English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 12–2pm

MOSAIC Seniors Club provides free activities for immigrant seniors age 55 and above. We also provide workshops and individual support on topics relevant to seniors including. We run activities such as English Conversation Circles and Taichi class. Come make new friends, practice English, get information and have fun!

Burnaby South: 5902 Kingsway 604 438 8214 ----------------------------------------------English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 18, Mondays, 9:30–11:30am English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 18, Mondays, 9:30–11:30am Knitting Circle: Starting January 19, Tuesdays, 2–3:30pm ----------------------------------------------Burnaby North: 2055 Rosser Avenue || 604 292 3907 English Conversation Circle (Beginners): Starting January 20, Wednesdays, 9:30–11:30am Wai Dan Gong Exercise: Starting January 22, Fridays, 9–10am Taichi:

English Conversation Circle (Upper Beginners): Starting January 14, Thursdays, 2–4pm ‘Wai Dan Gong’ exercise: Starting January 22, Fridays, 11am–12pm ------------------------------------------------------Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members and non members also to come and play Bingo for the sake of fun and make some new friends, on November 22nd 2015( Sunday ) from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm at Shanti Niketan hall 8321 - 140th street Surrey B.C. Please bring only two dollars with you to play 2 games, do not worry if you do not know how to play, members will explain you the game just for the sake of fun. Tea & light snacks will be served after the game is over. Please contact Surendra Handa Coordinator at 604 - 507 - 9945 for further details.

-----------------------------------LCA of BC Celebrates Jalaram Jayanti in Burnaby and Surrey 1. Keshyapbhai Ruparel & Family (Bharat Jewellers) cordially invites all to 216th Jalaram Jayanti celebrations with bhajans and kirtans on Saturday November 21, 2015 at VHP Temple, 3885 Albert Street, Burnaby.

Priti Bhojan 5.30pm Bhajan\Satang program 7.00pm

“Tackling the Radicalization in Faith” in the world as enshrined on the holy pages of their respective Faith-Books. Prominent Hindu Scholar Prameya Chaitanya, Maulana Balal Khokhar and Gian Singh Kotli from Greater Vancouver will present their faith perspective. The credit of organizing several such humanitarian conferences goes to Mr. Rizwan Peerzada and his team of dedicated volunteers whereby they spread the peace message of Islam and also provided opportunity to other Faiths to spread their message. It is quite encouraging that Media, several organizations including local Sikh Temples have offered their support to this event. Contact: 1-7671965. Rizwan Peerzada, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. B.C.

For Further Information Please Contact: Kaushikaben Pabari: 604 945 5640 VHP Temple: 604 299 5922 -----------------------------------------------------------Hetsi and Keshvi Vithlani & FAMILY cordially invites all to 216th Jalaram Jayanti Celebrations with Bhajans and Kirtan on Sunday November 22, 2015 at 10.30 am at Laxminarayan Temple, 8321 140th Street, Surrey. Bhajan Program will be Presented by Highly Talented Local Group.

Priti Bhojan After Arti.

For Further Information Please Contact: Mansukhbhai Thanki (604) 518-1557.

----------------------------------------------------------Secret Asian Super Singer to Support S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Seniors Service S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society Goodwill Ambassador Charity Night will be held at 6:00 pm , Monday, November 2, 2015 at the River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond.

The event aims to raise $ 110,000 to support the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Seniors Care Home expansion and maintenance project. The festivities include a VIP reception, an exclusive dinner, entertainment and fundraising karaoke. The night will feature an acclaimed popular artist from Hong Kong as a secret guest performer.

A group of artists from AM1320 will present a mini concert and a Beijing Opera from Sunshine Troupe Association will perform as well. The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and other elected officials will join the event. The Goodwill Ambassador Council is a group of passionate volunteers of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society.

Established in 2006, the Council hosts fundraising events every 2 years to support the Society to improve the quality of life for the seniors. Incorporated in 1995, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Multi-Level Care Society was established to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate care for seniors in our community.

------------------------------------------------------South Asian Seniors - Iron Deficiency & Dipression Dr. Pargat Bhurji - Nov. 15th 2015 - 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm.

Vedic Senior Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian Adults/ Senior members and also non members to attend a presentation on - Iron Deficiency &

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Fortis Inc to buy power-line operator ITC Holdings Corp in deal with US$11.3 billion

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ow-key Fortis Inc. created a big splash Tuesday with a friendly offer to buy U.S. electricity transmission company ITC Holdings Corp., driven by the prospect of capturing infrastructure growth opportunities in the United States.

If approved by U.S. regulators, the US$11.3 billion cash-and-stock deal would propel the combined entity to the status of the 13th-largest North American utility, with an enterprise value of US$42 billion, the two companies said in a statement. Newfoundland-based Fortis is the country’s largest utility owner, with operations across its home province, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Over the past decade, the

St. John’s-based company has been steadily expanding its footprint to Belize, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos.

Fortis has also been building its asset base in the U.S. with the acquisition of New Yorkbased CH Energy Group Inc. for US$1.5 billion in 2013 and Arizona-based utility company UNS Energy Corp. for US$2.5 billion in 2014. Low-key Fortis Inc. created a big splash Tuesday with a friendly offer to buy U.S. electricity transmission company ITC Holdings Corp., driven by the prospect of capturing infrastructure growth opportunities in the United States. If approved

by U.S. regulators, the US$11.3 billion cashand-stock deal would propel the combined entity to the status of the 13th-largest North American utility, with an enterprise value of US$42 billion, the two companies said in a statement.

Business / Finance

Don’t hold your breath for a Saudi-led OPEC push to cut oil output

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y now, any scenarios in which Canada’s battered economy is rescued by a sudden upturn in oil prices have largely disappeared from the conversation. All save one.

A hope that one sunny morning Saudi Arabia may wake up, realize the error of its ways, and decide to curtail production remains alive for the oil industry.

A change of heart by the Saudis could send crude prices higher by $15 to $20 US a barrel in short order, offering some desperately needed breathing room to global oil producers groaning under the strain of

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job cuts and, for some, the threat of bankruptcy. At the same time, a rush of petro-dollars would transform the math on budget deficits currently being prepped by governments from Ottawa to Alberta and beyond.

Alberta to get $700 million in infrastructure cash within ‘weeks to months’ For beleaguered petro-nations and oil companies alike, the idea that a few officials in Riyadh could make things better overnight is a seductive thought. Reality, though, is rarely that cut and dried.

CPP fund makes 4.5% in most recent quarter

anada’s national pension plan now has $282.6 billion in assets, the CPPIB says. The chief actuary of Canada says the CPP fund is ‘actuarially sound’ for the next 75 years.

The Canada Pension Plan’s main investment fund made a return of 4.5 per cent in the last three months of 2015, the CPP Investment Board said Wednesday. The lower loonie was a big factor in that gain, the CPPIB said. The CPP Fund had

assets at year-end of $282.6 billion, an increase of $9.7 billion from three months earlier. Net investment income in the quarter grew by $12.3 billion, while the CPP fund had cash outflows of $2.6 billion. “The CPP Fund routinely receives more CPP contributions than required to pay benefits during the first part of the calendar year, partially offset by payments exceeding contributions in the final months,” a CPPIB release said. The board said fixed income results in the quarter were mixed, while gains from global equities helped the CPP fund to grow.

“Our globally diversified portfolio allowed us to earn significant gains from foreign exchange, as the Canadian dollar depreciated against most foreign currencies,” said Mark Wiseman, the chief executive of the CPP Investment Board.

“The design of our highly diversified portfolio continues to deliver growth during positive market conditions, while preserving value by moderating the effect of difficult markets on the downside.”

The benchmark index of the TSX fell 1.4 per cent in the final three months of 2015.

Sustainable for 75 years The chief actuary of Canada, who last reported on the CPP Fund two years ago, said the fund is sustainable for the next 75 years at the current contribution rate of 9.9 per cent of insurable earnings. Over the last five years, the fund has had an annualized inflation-adjusted return of 10.3 per cent.

Business / Finance

Vancouver real estate allegations spark call for an independent investigation

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group that calls itself a non-partisan political watchdog is calling for an independent inquiry into allegations of shadow flipping in Vancouver’s booming real estate market. IntegrityBC says it’s responding to allegations that surfaced in a Globe and Mail investigation over the weekend. On Monday the Real Estate Council of B.C. said it would appoint an independent advisory group to examine the technique known as shadow flipping, under which sales contracts are reassigned, in some instances multiple times, before the sale of a home is closed. B.C. cabinet minister Peter Fassbender said the council is doing what it should to address the issue, and the province will wait to make any potential regulatory changes until after the advisory group’s recommendations are put forward.

“The real estate council is there to do exactly what they’re about to do now,” Fassbender said. “The less regulation we have and

the more self-policing we have, as in the case of the real estate industry, the better.”

Real Estate Council of B.C. to investigate shadow flipping of Vancouver homes MLA David Eby demands inquiry into shadow flipping of Va n c o u v e r homes.

But Int e g r it y B C believes any inquiry should be completely free of any influence of the Real Estate Council of B.C. “If you’re going to have an independent review, you don’t have people in charge of the industry do the review,” said IntegrityBC executive director Dermod Travis.

Instead, Travis said any allegations related to criminal activity should be referred to the RCMP, and ethical matters should be appointed to an independent party like a retired judge so the matter can be investigated at arm’s length. Several people on social media also called for an independent review.

Flipping houses? Expect to face 100% tax on your profits News reports of insider trading and house flipping among some Metro Vancouver real estate agents has led B.C.’s Superintendent of Real Estate, Carolyn Rogers, to launch an investigation into the matter. Earlier this week, NDP housing critic David Eby claimed that some B.C. real estate agents have been avoiding property transfer tax as well as capital gains taxes by using a clause in real estate contracts that allows homes to be flipped.

But when it comes to house flipping, Canadians need to be warned that profits from real estate may not necessarily be taxed as a capital gain, in which case only 50 per cent is taxable, but rather they could be taxed as business income, in which case 100 per cent of the profit is subject to tax.

For foreign buyers, Vancouver housing is a bargain as city becomes a ‘U.S. dollar play’ Some B.C. real estate agents insider trading and helping to money launder: NDP Forget the $1 million Toronto home,

it’s the $5 million market that’s on fire The most recent published tax case on flipping real estate occurred just over a year ago when a taxpayer found herself in Tax Court fighting CRA reassessments for multiple years in which she disposed of six real estate properties and realized total profits of more than $100,000. While she reported them as 50 per cent taxable capital gains, the CRA said the transactions should be treated as business income and thus fully taxable. The average holding period of five of these properties was nine months and the taxpayer financed her properties via a one-year mortgage.

The taxpayer’s argument was that she wanted to keep the real estate “in order to generate rental income and extra income during retirement.” As it turned out, however, she reported significant rental losses in two of the tax years and she didn’t keep any of her properties for the long term.

Jingle mail rears its ugly head in Alberta

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ne of the big bads from the 1980s is starting to emerge again in Alberta. Jingle mail — the act of walking away from an underwater mortgage by mailing your keys back to the bank — is a peculiarity of the Alberta residential market and an act of desperation. However, a combination of high debt and lost jobs make it an option in a province going through a significant economic reckoning. It’s enough of a concern that the federal government is watching the Alberta market closely. Jingle mail, or strategic defaults, weaken the housing market and increase loan losses among Canada’s banks. ‘People saying that we can’t make a go of it and mail the keys to the bank.’ “We’re slowly starting to see it in Grande Prairie and Fort Mac,” said Don Campbell, senior analyst with the Real Estate Investment Network.

“People saying that we can’t make a go of it and mail the keys to the bank. In the big cities, not so much because the average sale prices haven’t really dropped much, we haven’t seen the pain yet. But Calgary is getting pretty tight.”

Bruce Alger, an insolvency trustee at Grant Thornton in Calgary, said he is dealing with one such case and has heard of more. “It’s when you see high-end home prices drop 20 per cent below the peak,” said Alger. “I think there are people considering walking away and I’ve talked to one or two myself.”

Alberta is the only Canadian province to broadly offer non-recourse residential mortgages.

Those are loans with at least a 20 per cent down payment and thus are not insured by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Captain Amrinder takes on Kejriwal over poll promises

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ongress chief Captain Amarinder Singh took on Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying that after 10 years of Akali-BJP “misrule”, Punjab could not afford another five years of anarchy and misgovernance Rubbishing the Delhi CM’s claims of promising good governance in Punjab, Amarinder asked Kejriwal to list a single promise made to the people of Delhi that he had fulfilled. “Rather he has himself been admitting that if he can fulfil 40 per cent of the promises made in the manifesto, it will be a great achievement. Then why did he make promises in the manifesto... This is cheating,” he said. Accusing Kejriwal as a “congenital and compulsive liar who backs

out from everything he says”, the PPCC chief said the AAP convener had sworn never to join politics and later vowed not to take an official car or residence.

“Not only is he enjoying all facilities, he went a step ahead by increasing his salary by 400 per cent,” he added.

To woo over 90 lakh voters in the 1840 age group, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh held an interaction with college and school students here. He shared Punjab Congress’ political agenda for the 2017 Assembly elections with them.

Replying to questions raised by college students on unemployment, farm and in-

PUNJAB

Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi joins Aam Aadmi Party Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday. “Farmer’s plight and dismal condition of common man in Punjab forced me to join politics,” Ghuggi said. On what made him join the party, Ghuggi said, “Pictures and stories of farmers committing suicide saddened me every day. Drugs, killer roads and apathy of

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the government forced me to join the AAP revolution.” “I have a better and comparatively secure future in films but I want to pay back to the state that made me what I am today,” Ghuggi said, adding that Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann was his inspiration and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s movement motivated him.

Punjab-origin woman is next Australian envoy to India

ustralia has announced the appointment of Singapore-born Harinder Sidhu as the new High Commissioner-designate to India.

Sidhu replaces Patrick Suckling and her appointment continues the country’s recent trend of having envoys in New Delhi with Indian connection, the Australian High Com-

mission here said.

With her parents on both sides hailing from Punjab, Sidhu said she hopes to increase her fluency in speaking both Hindi and Punjabi and visit Mohali to watch India-Australia play cricket. Sidhu said she was looking forward to her new role in a dynamic country.

“India is one of the most exciting places for a diplomat to be at the moment.

India’s economic prospects are bright and it is becoming a more influential and active international player,” she said.

Former Sarpanch dies after taking poison in court

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former sarpanch of Abhaypur village in Kharar today allegedly committed suicide by taking poison inside the courtroom of a Judicial Magistrate in Kharar. The police have booked a leading realtor of the area, Jarnail Singh Bajwa, owner of Sunny Enclave, and his associate, Baljinder Singh Kala, for abetting the suicide under Section 306 of the IPC at the Kharar City police station.

Confirming the development, Inspector Vijay Kumar, SHO of the area, said the case was registered against the realtor and his associate on a statement of Arwinder Singh, son of the victim, Karam Singh. Sources said a 10-page suicide note was recovered from the victim’s possession. Area DSP RS Mrar claimed that some documents had been recovered from the victim’s possession. However, these could not be treated as a suicide note. “These were in the form of a complaint,” said the DSP.

No change in SADBJP seat sharing

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arring re-allocation of ministries among BJP legislators in the Punjab Cabinet, not many changes are expected in the Akali-BJP alliance ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections. The seat-sharing formula between the two is also unlikely to change, with the BJP expected to contest 23 seats while the rest 94 would go to the Akalis. This was the outcome of the three-day intense politicking between the top leadership of the two parties, which ended in Delhi yesterday. The core point the allies agreed upon was the “need for better coordination”.

Though half of the 18-member BJP delegates who met the party central leadership in Delhi on Saturday wanted 35 seats from the Akalis, sources said the saffron party later decided against changes in the seat-sharing formula. However, the BJP central leadership would repeat its 2011 formula — likely

by February-end — of changing its ministers. The move is reportedly aimed at doing a balancing act between the two groups head-

Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 27

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INDIA fOOD

ISI provides financial, military support to Lashkar, spy David Coleman Headley says

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estifying before a Mumbai court for the second day on Tuesday, terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley disclosed that “Pakistan’s ISI provides financial support to Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT). “David Headley said that ISI provides financial, moral as well as military support to Lashkar,” special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told reporters after Headley’s deposition. “I was working for the ISI also and met many people from Pakistani Army,” Headley said. Headley, however, denied that

he was paid handsomely by the ISI or LeT for his services. Continuing his deposition via videoconferencing before special judge GA Sanap from a US jail, Headley said that in 2006, ISI official Major Pasha and LeT functionary Sajid Mir and others met to discuss plans to set up a business for (him) Headley in Mumbai. Later, in November 2007, he met LeT top leaders when the pro-

Setback for AAP govt as CBI gets to keep papers

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he Delhi High Court has allowed the CBI to retain the documents seized during a raid on the office of senior IAS officer Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a corruption case on December 15, 2015. Justice PS Teji ruled that the Delhi government’s plea for return of the documents “is neither justifiable nor desirable” as this “could hamper” the CBI investigation which was at the initial stage.

The HC also questioned the logic behind the city government moving the CBI court for the return of the documents when the corruption case was against Kumar, not against it. The Delhi government “has no connection with the accusation against accused Rajendra Kumar,” the HC pointed out. Kumar is facing corruption charges for allegedly favouring some private companies in the award of contracts.

posed terror attacks on Mumbai were planned in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he told special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam.

He also said that the LeT group as a whole was responsible for the terror attacks in India, and it can be speculated that all orders came from its top commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. Continuing to spill the beans, Headley said, “I met Major Iqbal of ISI in Lahore in early 2006. He asked me to gather military intelligence from India and also try to recruit someone from the Indian military to spy. I told Major Iqbal that I would do as he asked.” Headley, who is serving a 35year prison sentence in the US for his role in

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the Mumbai attacks, also revealed that his wife had complained to police about his links with LeT. “In December 2007, my wife Faiza lodged a complaint with the Racecourse police in Lahore alleging that I had duped her of money. “In January 2008, she complained to the US Embassy in Islamabad that I was involved in terrorist activities and was closely associated with LeT,” he said. “Later when I asked her about this complaint, she told me that the “US Embassy officials seemed to have believed her” In his first deposition yesterday, Headley had told the court that Pakistani terrorists attempted to attack Mumbai twice before the 26/11 strikes in Mumbai that killed 166 people but failed both times.

Al-Qaeda wanted to target India after Ingredients 250g boneless chicken 26/11 strikes: • • Headley 2tbsp rapeseed oil

n more chilling testimony, Paki- air station during the terror attack in No• 1 medium red onion stani-American terrorist David Cole- vember 2008. “Major Iqbal expressed dis• 3 large tomatoes man Headley on Friday said al-Qaeda approval of certain areas I had recced as • ½ cup cashew nuts was in touch with him to attack Delhi’s Na- targets. I felt that Major Iqbal was unhappy • 100g tomato puree tional Defence College and unravelled the because Mumbai airport was not selected • 1 tbsp dried leavesfor the and included as onefenugreek of the targets plot by LeT and ISI to target Mumbai air• attack, 100ml” low fat cream 26/11 he said.

Headley testified in port, BARC and the Naval air station here.

• on 1tsp garam masala detail how al-Qaeda was also interested Headley also told Special Judge GA Sanap • 1tsp out red attacks chilli powder in carrying in India after 26/11 acebook founder and head Mark dia (TRAI) ruled against Facebook’s free but via video-link from the US that he attempt• “After 1tbsp the gingergarlic paste strike.

26/11 terror attack, I met Zuckerberg has distanced himself restricted internet programme. “Anti-colo- ed to develop close relations with a Shiv • Kashmiri 2tbsp thick low fat yoghurt Ilyas (of al-Qaeda) in February from the comments made by Marc nialism has been economically catastrophic Sena member as he thought Lashkar-e-Toiba salthetoasked taste me to visit India again, 2009 • and Andreessen, a board member, about India, for the Indian people for decades. Why stop (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror outfit, would as they were also interested in carrying out saying the remarks were “deeply upsetting” now?” Andreessen tweeted, immediately be interested in future to either attack the terrorist activities in India. He mentioned and Procedure: did not represent the company’s think- evoking a sharp reaction from Indians. An- Shiv Sena Bhavan here or assassinate its head few places like the NDC (National Defence (late Bal Thackeray).

Continuing his deposidreessen quickly deleted for the 20 tweet and apolMarinate chicken with Andreessen’s the ginger garlic paste and the yoghurt min. soak the cashew in warm water for 15 minutes.chop the onions and tomatoes. Heat 1 tbsp ing. “I want to the respond to Marc College) which was their primary target,” he tion for the fourth day, Headley claimed he a series tweets oil to aabout pan. sear chickenI pieces in the ogised hot oilthrough for 1 minute onofeach sideyesterday. to a golden colour. remove the chicken pieces. in the same pan, add 1tbsp oil and the chopped comments Indiathe yesterday. found the said. He also said NDC was a high-value discouraged the LeT about the Naval air sta“Last night on Twitter, I made an ill-inonions.deeply sauteupsetting, till a translucent Add the tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala powder and cook on medium flame till the tomatoes are tender (approx. 4-5 comments and theypink. do not target as it housed senior military officers, tion and Siddhivinayak temple as targets for formed and ill-advised comment about Indiminutes). remove fromorflame and represent the way Facebook I think at run all,” in a blender with the soaked cashews to make a smooth paste. return to the pan and add the tomato puree. Bring to a boil and add from Brigadier to General rank. the attack, as they were heavily guarded. an politics and economics.

To be clear, I am the chicken simmerposting for 4-5 yesminutes till the chicken is cooked. Add the low fat cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Broil the fenugreek leaves on a pan. crush the Zuckerberg said pieces. in a Facebook “Abdul Rehman Pasha (al-Qaeda memHeadley told the court here that his han100 per cent opposed to colonialism, and 100 fenugreek leaves the curry andafter remove from fire. serve hot. terday afternoon.

His over comments came ber) said that if this attack is successful then dlers in the Pakistan spy agency ISI and LeT per cent in favour of independence and freeAndreessen made an objectionable tweet afContinued on page 30 ter the Telecom Regulatory Authority of In- dom, in any country, including India,” he said wanted to target Mumbai airport and Naval

Andreessen’s comments about India upsetting: Zuckerberg

chicken (no butter) Masala

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Your favourite butter chicken but without the butter and added calories!

INDIA

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n a major development that will provide Indian Air Force (IAF) with cutting-edge fighter jets, India and Russia today restarted talks on co-producing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The step comes after Moscow agreed to reduce India’s share of developmental costs to US $3.7 billion from earlier quoted US $5.5 billion. It will ensure technological know-how and three prototypes of twin-engine Sukhoi T-50 fighter jets that are being built under the PAK-FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) programme run by Rus-

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India, Russia talks for fighter jet sia as its FGFA. It will be one of the superior planes in the world far out-pacing what China has. It combines stealth technology with super-maneuverability enabling it to penetrate deep into enemy territory and conduct bombing on ground, air and sea targets. A Russian delegation is in India today to hold negotiations on the FGFA as well as the Kamov 226T helicopter project. The Ministry of Defence-owned Public Sector Undertaking, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),

India, UAE set to sign 16 pacts to spur investment

slew of pacts across nuclear energy, railways, IT aerospace and oil is on the anvil during the three-day visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India.

The pacts, stated to be 16 in number, aim to boost investments from the United Arab Emirates, a country with which New Delhi has a comprehensive strategic partnership. The UAE is estimated to have substantial wealth fund to the tune of $800 billion and the country is exploring opportunities to invest in New Delhi’s ambitious expansion plans in energy and infrastructure, especially ports, railways and roads. The Crown Prince’s visit also assumes significance since he is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the country is working with other nations to contain threat from the Islamic State. Strengthening the existing cooperation in information sharing and counter-terrorism will be another focus area in view

Saturday, February 13, 2016 i 29

of the rising threat of IS. The UAE has deported 12 Indians with suspected links to the terror group. “The security cooperation between the two countries has been exemplary. There is concrete meeting of minds on the issue,” said Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs. President Pranab Mukherjee is schedule to host a private lunch for Prince Sheikh Mohammed, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a working dinner with the visiting dignitary. “The visit takes place after we have decided to elevate our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE in August last year and this will provide an opportunity to have discussions to consolidate the domains of existing partnership,” Wadhwa said. The Crown Prince travels to Mumbai on Friday.

has been selected as the partner for the Kamov project. he talks had been stalled since January last year when Russian and Indian engineers had completed a preliminary design for the FGFA. India had objected to the high costs of research and development (R&D) and technology transfer issues. It had stopped short of signing a contract of US $11 billion (Indian share US $5.5 billion), arguing that the prototypes of the plane were already

being flight tested in Russia and the Indian version had just a few variations, hence a full-fledged R&D contract of $11 billion was a waste of time and resources. The Russians have built five prototypes in single pilot version. New Delhi has already pumped in US $295 million on the preliminary design, but was not getting assurance of technology transfer. The decision to revive the talks was taken as the new design is different from the existing prototypes used by the Russians.

Also, it meant India will pay US $3.7 billion and get to do some part of the development.

A first in recorded human history: Incredibly unlucky bus driver seems to have been killed by a meteorite

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edly walkndian ofing near ficials are the school saying that when the an explosion that explosion happened at a prihappened. vate Indian engiThe blast neering college on dented the Saturday, which windows killed a bus driver of severfor the school, was al nearby caused by a falling busses and meteorite. If the Authorities inspect the site of a suspected meteorite land- i n j u r e d claims prove true, ing on February 7, 2016 in Vellore district in southern Tamil three other it would be the first Nadu state in an impact that killed a bus driver people. The such death in reschool is located in Tamil Nadu, a region in corded human history. The man, named as southern Indian that is home to about 70 Kamaraj in local news stories, was reportmillion people.

Meteorite didn’t kill TN man: NASA

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“land-based explosion” rather than a meteorite is more likely to have killed a man and injured three others in a mysterious blast in Tamil Nadu last week, NASA scientists said today. On Saturday, a man was killed and three others injured in a mysterious ex-

plosion in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had said a meteorite fall had caused the mishap on the campus of a private engineering college.

But NASA scientists in the US said in a public statement that the photographs

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

INDIA

Indian Army soldier rescued from Siachen avalanche dies

he Indian soldier who was rescued on Monday after six days buried under blocks of ice and snow, has died. Hanamanthappa Koppad endured an avalanche that struck the Himalayan region of Siachen on Feb. 3. The Indian media dubbed his survival miraculous.

He was flown to hospital in Delhi and put on life support but a spokesman for India’s ministry of defense said Mr. Koppad, who held the rank of lance naik, died at 11.45 a.m. Thursday. He was 33. “He leaves us sad and devastated,” a tweet from the verified

account of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India.”

Mr. Koppad, who was from the southern Indian state of Karnataka, went missing with nine of his colleagues after the avalanche swept through their base at over 19,600 feet. Six days later, rescue teams from the Indian army and air force using snow cutters, radars and dog teams, pulled him out alive.

Doctors at an army hospital in Delhi said on admission he was “severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycemic and in shock.”

Mr. Koppad’s condition deteriorated in the past few days with evidence of pneumonia in both his lungs, according to subsequent statements from the army. Mr. Modi visited him in hospital on Tuesday. With an elevation of 22,000 feet, Siachen gla-

cier is often described as the world’s highest battlefield and is disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Temperatures there dip as low as minus-58 degrees Fahrenheit. India first sent its troops to the glacier in 1984 in a bid to pre-empt a Pakistani incursion. Pakistan also has a military presence in the area.

Officials from both countries have had several rounds of talks to demilitarize the glacier in the recent past but none has resulted in a substantial breakthrough. The avalanche-prone terrain has claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers from both countries.

Al-Qaeda wanted to target India after 26/11 strikes: Headley From page 28 we would be able to kill more Brigadiers and Generals than any killed in the wars between India and Pakistan in the past,” said the 55-year-old, who recently turned approver in the 26/11 terror attacks case. He told the court that as per Kashmiri’s orders, he also visited the Chabad houses located in Pushkar, Goa and Pune as they were secondary targets of the terror outfit. He said

he had videographed BARC at Trombay in Mumbai in July 2008 and that LeT had asked him to recruit some employee of BARC who would work for ISI. “I also visited and videographed BARC. Major Iqbal told me that in some future date I should recruit some employee of BARC who would give us classified information and would be ready to work for the ISI,” he said, adding that he had handed over the video to Sajid Mir and Major Iqbal.

Shatrughan Sinha sidelined in BJP, meets old ‘friends’ Lalu Prasad, Nitish

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ctor-politician photo-op of the interaction.

Shatrughan . Sources close to Sinha who Sinha, who is were with him at the time said not on good terms with Prasad in a lighter vein patted BJP presently after being the ‘Bihari Babu’ for singlesidelined in recent Bihar handedly taking on the leaderelections, has met “dear ship of BJP for trying to sideline friends” chief minister Nihim. “It’s a matter of appreciatish Kumar and RJD chief tion that you alone has posed Lalu Prasad separately. a challenge to BJP leadership,” Sinha, who is the BJP the RJD supremo said. Sinha, Lok Sabha member from who is the second-term MP Patna Sahib, had a corfrom Patna Sahib, had a warm dial meeting with Prasad and cordial meeting with Niat Patna Airport on Tuesday. Prasad, ac- tish Kumar at a marriage function here on companied by wife Rabri Devi, exchanged Monday night during which they shared pleasantries with Shatrughan and his elder fond memories and affection for each other. . brother Lakhan Sinha and went for nice Kumar quipped during meeting,

JNUSU president arrested for sedition, remanded in police custody

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday and remanded in police custody for three days on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy for organising an event in the institute protesting the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

“Kanhaiya Kumar has been arrested in connection with the case,” a senior police official said.

Two policemen in plain clothes came to the JNU campus on Friday to pick up Kumar for

questioning. He was arrested later, sources said. Police had booked some unidentified people after BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP complained. JNU students’ union condemned Kumar’s arrest and claimed it was a “witch-hunt”. “The police is mindlessly patrolling the campus and the students are being witch-hunted and demonised for doing nothing. What is the proof that Kanhaiya was there among those raising anti-India slogans? Has he been spotted in any picture or video? Why are all JNU students being given ‘anti-national’ certificates,” JNUSU vice president Shehla Rashid Shora said. “Why is the administration not protecting students against this selective targeting by ABVP? Why police have been given such a free hand to rashly pick students from campus? Why were the cops not uniformed? If there has to be an inquiry, why no protocols are being followed,” said a member of the All India Students Association (AISA). Home Minister Rajnath Singh said earlier in the day that he had told the Delhi Police to take the “strongest” action against those involved in the case and said activities will not be tolerated. “If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on country’s unity and integrity, they will not be spared.

FIJI

Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Bainimarama government does not believe in democracy

By Munna Prasad

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n any democracy the people are sovereign as they are the highest form of political authority. The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life. Under international law, in a democracy, every citizen has a right to assemble freely and have the right to freely protest against government action. Furthermore, in a democracy, the rule of law protects citizens, maintains order and limits the power of the government. A number of people around the world were suspicious when former military strongman Commodore (retired) Frank Bainimaram’s coup government rejected the draft of Fijian Constitution drafted by an eminent and world-renowned constitutional scholar, Dr. Ash Ghai. Banimarama rejected the Ghai Constitution without consulting the citizens or encouraging a debate in the national interest. Instead, Bainimarama’s military government drafted and passed a constitution of its own, which suited its purpose to maintain a military-aligned government in the country and suppress those who opposed the government. They created an office of Registrar of Elections who has powers not to allow the labour,farmers to form political party and to suspend,strike out any political party from the registrar for breaches. Under this creation only one appeal is allowed to the High Court and a political Party can not appeal to any other Court, scholars of international law state that this is fundamental breach and international law. The former Fiji citizens who criticised the government for its heavy handedness for pushing their version of the Bainamarama constitution have been told that they will be not allowed to visit Fiji. Others who raised their voices, such as another eminent historian and scholar, Dr Brij Lal, and his wife Dr.Lal who teachers environmental science also have been banned from Fiji. It appears if you speak out, then you are not welcome in Fiji.

The current (Bainimarama) Constitution was to be reviewed by a Parliamentary committee but the review has not taken place to date . Now, the Bainimarama government has suspended the opposition National Federation Party (NFP) and three of its MPs from Parlaiment for an unproven allegation that the party did not file its properly audited returns with the Registrar of of Elections.

Instead, the Speaker of the House, Dr. Luveni has fast tracked the suspension of ther opposition National Federation Party Members (NFP) - shorty after the party leader, Dr

Biman Prasad, penned an article critical of the government They were in a meeting on issues pertaining to the way the Parliament was being run and they were about to come out to make a press statement to the Press regarding their concerns.The Registrar of Elections jumps the gun by suspending the National Federation Party for not filing audit return duly audited by the Fiji Accountants Association,which the Registrar knew for some time but failed to disclose or request a proper audited return The NFP and Its MPs have been suspended without pay for 30 days and the Speaker has refused to take an independent advise from an independent Law Firm. The NFP has sent their lawyers’ advise to the Speaker of the House, when they requested the speaker do the same,but she refused to take heed.The provisions of Fiji Parliament’s Standing Order 46 requires two days notice, if any member of the house is to be suspended. In this case the three members of NFP were were supended without notice.

The Binimarama Government concocted a way to cover the actions of the Speaker by passing a motion in the House where Bainimarama Government has a majority, endorsed the ruling of the Speakers of the House to suspend the NFP MPs. The argument of Bainimarama Government is that since the NFP has been suspended its MPs have no status and therefore sit in the House. This not the first instance that a member has been suspended by the House. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, an MP belonging to SOLDEPA, has been has been suspended for two years. It seems Bainimarama’s government deals with opposition by banning critics from Fiji and banning MPs from Palriament. Ro. Teimumu Kepa,Leader of Official Opposition Party (SOLDELPA) and her party members made a passionate plea that matter at hand be referred to an independent Counsel for second opinion and that we must show grace in this and other matters building a better Fiji for all.

This may be an untimely suspension of NPF members by Bainimarama government as these NFP members, Professor Biman Prasad, Roko Tupou Draunidalo and Prem Singh, serve some very important committees of the House. The question is who will replace these members on the above committees?? The Registrar of Elections has now threatened to deregister National Federation of Fiji. Binimarama Government has failed in essence of social contract of consent of government based on the consent of the governed and not vice versa by suspending the voices of the people who elected these four Members of this august House.

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$59,000 in wage arrears recovered by Govt

he Ministry of Labour recovered a total of $59,771.20 as arrears of wages last year under the National Minimum Wage. Minister Semi Koroilavesau said they also issued 148 spot fines to employers last year. In response to questions from this newspaper, he said the fines ranged from $100 to $500. “The employers have either not paid the minimum rate or have not issued any pay slips to workers who are covered under the National Minimum Wage rates,” Mr Koroilavesau said. “The compliance section of the ministry has conducted a total of 1147 labour inspections on the employers covered under the minimum wage rate of $2.32 per hour of work. “The compliance section has been heavily involved in the enforcement and compliance of the new National Minimum

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Wage rates.” Mr Koroilavesau has called on all employers covered under the minimum wage rate to pay their workers according to the rates. “Our labour inspectors are out to investigate cases and enforce fines to employers who fail to comply with the minimum wage rates,” he said. “The ministry officials will be carrying out public awareness on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and Taveuni the week after. “We will fit Levuka and Korovou urban and peri-urban areas close to Suva in the near future.” A few security companies in the North have come under the ministry’s radar for failing to pay according to the minimum wage rate.

Mr Koroilavesau had said the company officials would appear before the tribunal in Labasa.

PAKISTAN

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Pakistan flirts with J&K separatists again as peace talks in limbo

mid uncertainty over the foreign secretarylevel talks, Pakistan has sought to keep the Kashmir pot boiling by insisting that the dispute will top its agenda for the dialogue with India. Pakistan’s envoy to India Abdul Basit followed up Islamabad’s recent assertions on J&K with a meeting with Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday. Basit assured him that Pakistan would continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support “to the people of J&K and their legitimate right to self-determination”. Basit also expressed hope that the J&K dispute would be settled between Pakistan and India through dialogue in accordance with the aspiration of the people of the state, Pakistani sources said. Basit had expressed the same sentiment before moderate Hurriyat member Mirwaiz Umar Farooq when he met him at the high commission on Monday eve-

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ning. Farooq said after the meeting that Basit had also assured him that the Gilgit-Baltistan region would continue to be a part of the state. Geelani’s spokesman Ayaz Akbar too quoted Basit as having said no decision would be taken on the status of Gilgit-Baltistan that may impact the disputed status of J&K. Basit visited Geelani’s residence in Delhi to enquire about his health, Pakistani officials said.

Geelani flew to New Delhi on Saturday for a medical check-up. Seems peace will only be achieved when Porkistan is broken into 4 pieces sooner or later. Piyush Kumar Geelani is said to have thanked Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif for his “unflinching” support for people of the state.

“He also told the high commissioner that India had lately stepped up operations against Kashmiris and was trying to suppress their voice,” a Pakistani source said.

Pakistan behind rise of international jihadi forces: New York Times reports

akistan’s powerful intelligence service has long acted as the “manager” of international jihadi forces and it may have been involved in the rise of the ISIS, a leading US daily said, in a stinging commentary on Pakistan’s “intervention” in a number of foreign conflicts Underlining that experts have found “a lot of evidence” that Pakistan facilitated the Taliban offensive, an op-ed in the New York Times said, “This behaviour is not just an issue for Afghanistan. Pakistan is intervening in a number of foreign conflicts.”

“Its intelligence service has long acted as the manager of international mujahedeen forces, many of them Sunni extremists, and there is even speculation that it may have been in-

volved in the rise of the Islamic State.” It said that though Pakistan denies harbouring the Taliban and al-Qaida, and points out that it, too, is a victim of terrorism, “many analysts have detailed how the military has nurtured Islamist militant groups as an instrument to suppress nationalist movements, in particular among the Pashtun minority, at home and abroad.” “Pakistan regards Afghanistan as its backyard. Determined not to let its archrival, India, gain influence there, and to ensure that Afghanistan remains in the Sunni Islamist camp, Pakistan has used the Taliban selectively, promoting those who further its agenda and cracking down on those who don’t.

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New marriage law for Hindus

he Pakistani parliament has worked out a mechanism to register marriages between Hindus in the country, a daily said Thursday, noting that while this is “good news” for the country, “we must remember that parliament has only done what it should have done decades ago”.

An editorial “Hindu marriage law” in the News International said that there is good news for Pakistan’s Hindus. “Seven decades after the creation of Pakistan, its parliament has worked out a mechanism to register marriages between Hindus in the country.”

On Monday, the Hindu Marriage Act was approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice. The bill is now expected to be cleared through the

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National Assembly with the backing of the PML-N government.

A longstanding demand of Pakistan’s Hindu community, the bill is aimed at regulating marriages and their termination among Hindu families.

“Five Hindu lawmakers were present during the review of the bill, which had been tabled in 2014 in the NA but had faced numerous delays due to interventions by the Council of Islamic Ideology and various religious political parties. After the bill is approved by parliament, a mechanism will need to be worked out to register Hindu marriages,” said the daily.

The editorial noted that the decades of delay in passing the bill have been “truly embarrassing”.

Obama administration proposes $860 million in aid for Pakistan

he Obama administration has proposed USD 860 million in aid for Pakistan, including USD 265 million for military hardware, which it said would help the country fight terrorists, secure nuclear weapons and improve ties with India. While there was no mention of Pakistan in President Barack Obama’s budgetary proposals, secretary of state John Kerry in his proposals said the budget includes USD 859.8 million towards sustaining ties with Pakistan and making progress to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremist groups”. “The requested funding will support the country’s counter-insurgency missions, and bolster stability, energy access, economic growth, and social reform,” Kerry said in a letter accompanying his proposals. “Pakistan lies at the heart of the US counter-terrorism strategy, the peace process in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and economic integration in South and Central Asia,” state department said making its case for the aid to Pakistan under the overseas

contingency operations (OCO) fund. “OCO resources will support critical US activities such as ensuring the safety of Pakistani nuclear installations, working with Pakistan to facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan, and promoting improved relations with India,” it said. For Pakistan, the OCO request supports a robust diplomatic presence and critical assistance programmes to advance cooperation and reforms in energy, economic growth, and agriculture, education, health, and stabilisation of areas vulnerable to violent extremism, it said.

This includes supporting the government and its people, while maintaining diplomacy and outreach in the face of challenging political and security conditions, it said. The state department plans to sustain the presence necessary to “achieve our essential strategic priorities of combating terrorism and enhancing stability in Pakistan and the region following the transition in Afghanistan.” Under the economic support fund (ESF) of the OCO, the state department has proposed USD 400 m

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Won’t allow illegal Bangladeshis: Amit Shah

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JP president Amit Shah said not a single Bangladeshi infiltrator would be able to sneak into Assam, if the BJP was voted to power in the forthcoming Assembly election. Addressing two rallies in Assam — at Kokrajhar and Nagaon — Shah said illegal migrants from Bangladesh had been posing a threat to the identity of the sons of the soil.

“A BJP government in Assam will ensure no more illegal migration from Bangladesh by securing the border,” Shah said adding it is the Congress that has been encouraging illegal infiltration. Shah today addressed a party workers’ rally in Nagaon and the celebration of 14th Bodoland Day organised by the BJP’s ally Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) in Kokrajhar.

Promising uniform and all-encompassing development in the state, he lambasted the 15-year-old Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in Assam for putting the state on reverse gear of development. He accused Gogoi of running a corrupt government.

“Assam is rich in natural resources and has

UN rights chief to discuss war crimes in Sri Lanka

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he UN human rights chief arrived here on Saturday for talks with the Sri Lankan government over its probe into allegations of war crimes during the country’s brutal civil war. The four-day visit of UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is significant following a UN human rights council (UNHRC) resolution last October which mandated an investigation into alleged human rights abuses during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict that ended in 2009.

Hussein, on his first visit to Sri Lanka after succeeding Navi Pillay as UN rights chief, said he hoped for “constructive discussions” with President Maithripala Sirisena. He was met at the airport by foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera with whom he later held talks.

In a hard hitting report at the UNHRC, Hussein had criticized Sri Lanka’s failure to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict. He had prescribed an international “hybrid court” with foreign judges, prosecutors and investigators. However the current Sirisena government, which has a softer attitude towards the minority communities than the nationalist hawkish regime of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has cited constitutional difficulties in allowing foreign judges to operate in the island. But Sirisena agreed to a domestic probe on allegations that 40,000 people were killed in the last phase of the war between government troops and the LTTE rebels. Hussein is also due to visit the northern Tamil capital of Jaffna on Sunday and the eastern port city of Trincomalee on Monday. He will also meet victims of the armed conflict in addition to meeting with government officials.

In Jaffna, Tamil rights groups have organized a demonstration to highlight the plight of relatives of disappeared persons of the 37-year civil war that killed an estimated 100,000 people. While in Colombo, the Sinhala majority nationalist National Freedom Front was to protest Hussein’s visit claiming that it would lead to concessions being granted to Tamils through a political deal eventually leading to the separation of the country’s Tamil-dominated north and east. That makes some countries, including India and the United States, nervous, with Sri Lanka sitting near shipping lanes through which much of the world’s trade passes on its way to China and Japan.

efficient work forces and great tourism potential. Yet the state is lagging behind in all fronts, be it unavailability of power, roads, clean drinking water or basic healthcare in rural areas.” “Even the one-horned rhino that attracts so many tourists to Assam could not be protected by the present Congress government as about 100 rhinos have been poached over the last three years. The number of unemployed has increased from 9 lakh to 23 lakh over the last 15 years,” he said. Addressing a rally in Kokrajhar, Shah pledged the BJP-led NDA government would grant more than the Rs 1,000 crore development fund demanded by the ruling BPF for the BTC areas. He appealed to the people of Bodoland areas in Assam to facilitate a BJP-BPF (Bodoland People’s Front) government in the state for the sake of development. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rebutted allegations made by Amit Shah saying, “If my government is corrupt, why the BJP has allowed one of my former ministers (Himanta Biswa Sarma) to join the party.

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

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Short of options, Sri Lanka turns back to China’s economic embrace

ust over a year after a new leader was elected and Sri Lanka’s business ties with China came under close scrutiny, Colombo is reversing course by resuming a stalled port project and naming Beijing as the front runner for a new special economic zone. India is nervous about losing influence over the island nation off its southern tip, while China’s

push into the Indian Ocean, and the possibility of dual purpose civilian-military facilities in Sri Lanka, are raising alarm further afield.

The ouster of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who steered Sri Lanka towards China until 2015, was a setback for ties, as his successor reviewed projects to check if they were fair and legal.

US to send more troops to aid Afghan forces pressed by Taliban

venkyshanky23@yahoo.com

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he US Army will deploy hundreds of soldiers to the southern Afghan province of Helmand, where government forces have been pushed to the brink by Taliban militants, a military spokesman said Tuesday. It will be the largest deployment of US troops outside major bases in Afghanistan

since the end of the NATO combat mission in 2014. Though the military insists that the soldiers will not take active combat roles, US Special Operations forces have increasingly been drawn into the fighting in Helmand as one important district after another has fallen or been threatened by Taliban insurgents.

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Indian woman rescued from refugee camp in Germany reaches Delhi

urpreet, the Indian on the internet on Tuesday woman who was resin which she claimed that cued from a refugee she was hoodwinked into camp in Germany along with going to Germany by her her eight-year-old daughter, husband’s family where she reached New Delhi on Thursand her daughter were kept day, the external affairs minisin a refugee cam Following try said. Ministry spokesman this, Sushma Swaraj said on Vikas Swarup said at a media Tuesday that the authorities briefing here that she returned were in touch with the faGurpreet, the woman who was ther of Gurpreet, who hails on an emergency certificate as rescued with her child she had not gone abroad by folfrom Faridabad in Haryana, lowing the normal procedure. and that the external affairs “Our embassies and consulates issue these cer- ministry has got the full report from the Indian tificates to Indian citizens to return to to their embassy in Germany. “We have brought Gurcountry,” he said. Gurpreet’s rescue became preet and her eight-year-old daughter from the possible after swift action was taken by the ex- refugee camp to our consulate in Frankfurt,” ternal affairs ministry after she posted a video Sushma Swaraaj tweeted on Wednesday.

NRI

US teen Sikh tells how to fight bullying

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high school Sikh student in the US has taken an initiative to document the incidents of bullying of Sikh American children. What’s more, based on his life experience he has also suggested some solutions, which could benefit others in the community. Chairperson of American Sikh Council (ASC) Gulbarg Singh told TOI on Monday that 18-year-old Karavneer Singh, a high school senior at Eastern High School in New Jersy, has come out with a comprehensive book titled ‘Bullying of Sikh American Children- Through the eyes of a Sikh American High School student’. According to reports, a survey in the US in 2014 had found that two third of Sikh children wearing a turban are bullied and often called ‘Bin Laden’ and couple of video’s recorded by victims himself had gone viral on net in the recent past. He said that the book by Karanveer detailed the background about Sikh religion, the turban and the history

of Sikhs in America. “Sikh-American youth are largely unrepresented and do not seem to have a voice on the national stage or in the media, especially when it comes to bullying,” NBC News reported Karanveer as saying, and adding, “I wanted to help in any way I could to alleviate this pain and suffering which children from my faith go through on a daily basis”.

“The young author has done an extraordinary job through detailed survey to find the current status of bullying among children in the Sikh American community. He then interviewed several mental health professionals to get practical solutions in order to mitigate bullying,” he said. Gulbarg said that the chronicler not only brought out some rarely discussed topics but also suggested many solutions based on his own personal experiences which could help not just his peers from within the faith community but for all children who were bullied every day in schools across our country.

App launched for Indians in trouble

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n offline mobile app launched by the Indian mission to provide assistance to Indian workers in the Gulf region, particularly in Oman, has been downloaded by 10,000 expatriates. ‘MigCall’ has become a handy tool for the workers who do not have access to the internet to seek assistance whenever needed, particularly in emergency situation, the Indian embassy said. Indian Ambassador to Oman Indra Mani Pandey launched MigCall last month for the benefit of Indian workers. The app has been downloaded by 10,000 people till now, the embassy said in a statement. MigCall is brain child of Rejimon K, a senior Indian journalist based in Oman, and developed in cooperation by Jose Chacko, an Indian businessman in the country.

The mobile app is available at Google Playstore in various Indian languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bengali and English.

Indian-origin man to get 2-million pound compensation

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32-year-old Indian-origin man left with serious brain injuries after a deadly road accident in the UK will get two million pounds in damages. The High Court in London has ordered two million pounds which amounts to be 19.7 crore INR to be given to the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He worked as an agricultural worker here and lives in Birmingham, but now plans to move back to India. “He is not the man who arrived in the UK and as a result of the terrible injuries he has sustained, he will face a life in India which will be much less satisfactory,” Justice Mitting said in his ruling at the Court on Monday. The details of the compensation package will now be worked out for the agricultural worker, who was employed as a fruit picker when he suffered serious brain damage and multiple broken bones when the bus he was travelling in was hit by a truck on a foggy highway in March 2012.

His lawyer, Paul Bleasdale, told the Birmingham Mail that his client was “disappointed with the result of the negotiations and does not believe the compensation package is sufficient”.

Jasminder Singh Dhesi, the driver of the bus, pleaded guilty to being drunk when his vehicle, carrying 34 passengers, broke down three times and was hit by the truck while broken-down for the third time. A passenger Liaquat Ali and truck driver William Mapstone both had died as a result of the crash.

Dhesi, 53, was jailed for six years in 2013 after he admitted causing two deaths by dangerous driving.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

i 35

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

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

VIP Seating

($5000 per table)

: $500

Preferred Seating : $300 ($3000 per table)

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

604-596-7722

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

Support PICS Diversity Village, Support our Seniors.

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

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

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

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

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

36 i Saturday, February 13, 2016